Worldofcables (Santa Clara-CA): We’re going to assume that your cable or DSL Company has come in and setup an Internet connection for one of your computers. If they haven’t, then that would be your first step. From there we can convert that wired setup into a wireless one. The wireless network will use the cable/DSL modem in much the same way as the wired network does.

First, connect your wireless router to your modem, and plug your modem into your DSL/cable Internet line.

If you have a main “immobile” PC in your home you can connect it directly to the wireless router via a standard Ethernet cable. This is actually a popular way to start, as your pre-network setup probably contains one PC connected to the Internet via a network cable and modem. This also gives you an easy, central place to install printers, scanners etc., for your wireless PCs to access. Most wireless routers also have several wired connection ports. This gives you the capability of connecting PCs/laptops to your router via standard CAT5E Ethernet cables. Some routers will require you to start with at least one computer connected via wire for the configuration process, but when you are done you can disconnect and move your PC and leave the router and modem where it is.

If you don’t want to connect any PCs with cables to your router, you will need to decide where your wireless router will sit in your home. A typical wireless router can interact with computers in a 200-300 foot radius depending on obstructions. As you move farther away from the access point, the connection will become slower. Walls and other obstructions, especially concrete, further limit wireless range. So it’s best to position the access point centrally in your home. The closer a PC is from the router the stronger the signal will be. In some homes, you might also be restricted by phone/cable line locations and so that may dictate where you put your router.

Each computer that will be wirelessly connecting to your network will need to have a wireless network card installed. If you don’t have a free slot in your PC or if you don’t feel like popping open your computer than many different wireless USB adapters are available. Though it’s not crucial, choosing a router/network-card combination that are of the same brand can make configuration a lot easier, as well as let you take advantage of special features that may be included in the devices. At the very least, be sure to choose a router/adapter combo that uses the same wireless protocol. The wireless protocol essentially determines the speed at which the devices are able to communicate with each other. The most commonly used protocol today is 802.11g, which, at 54 megabits per second, is faster than the older 802.11b. 802.11n is just starting to become more common, though only for very specific applications. It’s very expensive and your average wireless network is not able to take advantage of its speed.

Security

Security is the most overlooked step in setting up a wireless network. Because wireless signals can penetrate through walls and floors, it is possible for anyone with a wireless laptop to connect to your network. Once connected, they can root around in your shared files and even introduce viruses onto your PC’s. Fortunately, it’s really easy to secure your network.

There are 2 types of protection offered by wireless routers. One is a firewall. The other is encryption. They can be used at the same time.

Encryption, which decides who can use your wireless connection and who can’t, has two common types: WEP and WPA. Without getting super technical, WEP requires users that want to enter the network to put in a specific key code, while WPA requires users to tell the network who they are and request a key code for access. The differences are pretty technical, but to simplify it I’ll put it this way: WEP is the old style and will certainly stop the casual passersby from accessing your network, while WPA is newer and will stop even the craftiest hacker. Your desired level of security will determine which type you choose to use.

For both the firewall and/or WEP/WPA protections, follow the instructions that came with your router as the procedure for enabling encryption varies from product to product.

Most new computers will auto-configure your router and get you connected. You may have to configure your computer to turn on DHCP. This allows your router to differentiate between your different computers. The best way to start configuring is on the hardwired PC and then move on to each wireless one.

Enable DHCP

If you have a Windows based computer: Go to Start -> Programs -> Control Panel -> Network Connections. Right click on the connection and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click properties. Select Obtain IP Address Automatically and Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically. If you are using a Windows 2000 machine you must then click Advanced and select DHCP Enabled and click OK. You may have to reboot for the settings to take affect.

If you have a Mac running OS 10.2: Go to System Preferences -> Network. Click on the TCP/IP tab. In the TCP/IP panel, change Configure Manually to Using DHCP. Delete any Domain Name Servers that are listed in the Domain Name Servers box. Click Apply Now.

If you have a Mac running OS 10.3: Go to System Preferences -> Network. From Show, choose Built-in Ethernet. Click on the TCP/IP tab. From Configure, choose Using DHCP. Delete Domain Name Servers. Click Apply Now.

Setup Sharing

To allow for the other computers to share certain folders or printers: If you are running Windows 2000/XP: Right click on any file folder and go to Sharing and Security… Select Share This Folder. Click OK. The other computers on your network can access anything you put in this folder. To share a printer, on the PC with the printer, go to Start -> Printers and Faxes. Right click on the printer you’d like to share and select sharing… Select Share this Printer. Click OK

If you have a Mac running OSX: Go to System Preferences (on the Apple menu) and click on Sharing. Select Personal File Sharing. The “Public” folder in your home folder will now be shared automatically. Use the address displayed at the bottom of the Sharing window to access this folder from other computers. Unlike Windows, Mac OSX does not allow you to share any folder you want. To share printers, select Printer Sharing.

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As a service to our many customers, Wordofcables.com is publishing a monthly series of informative technical articles, with each one focusing on a particular technology. Our goal is to help our customers get better acquainted with the often confusing cables, connectors, and standards to be encountered out there. Tell us what you think of this article! We value your feedback. Reply back to Pradeep@worldofcables.com and give us your thoughts.

By- E.R., Dallas

JIM ROSSMAN Jim Rossman is technical manager for Macintosh support for A.H. Belo Corporation. We just bought a new computer, and I thought I’d hook up the old one to the television as a media server. What’s the best way to make the connection? I’ve got a Panasonic plasma TV. Also, what’s the easiest way to convert my DVD movies so I can copy them to the hard drive?

Your choices for connecting the TV to a computer are limited, but certainly workable.

The type of connection you’ll use depends on what model your TV is and what inputs it has.

Realistically, you’ll either be using DVI or HDMI inputs to connect your computer. Your computer probably has a DVI port for video. If your TV has DVI inputs, you’re in luck. If not, use the TV’s HDMI port, if there’s one available.

Most new TVs have more than one HDMI input. If your TV doesn’t have an additional HDMI input, consider getting a small HDMI switch – a box that adds one or more HDMI connections to your TV.

You’ll need to buy a DVI to HDMI cable from an electronics store.

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting your video card to push the correct resolution for your TV, but you might have to tweak the resolution settings if the picture does not fill the entire screen. The adjustment is made in the monitor control panel.

You’ll also need to connect audio cables from the computer to the TV. The DVI output from your computer only passes video, not audio. I ran a cable from my computer’s headphone jack to the red and white RCA jacks on my TV. That’s available wherever you buy cables.

As for the DVD copy question, there is a free program called Handbrake, which will copy DVDs to a hard drive.

Handbrake is available for Mac or Windows PC.

Handbrake sometimes fails because of encryption from the DVD. In those instances, I’ve found that using a pair of programs for the PC – AnyDVD and CloneDVD – works well.

AnyDVD removes the encryption and CloneDVD extracts the DVD’s Video_TS folder so you can use Handbrake to encode and compress the feature.

Jim Rossman is technical manager for Macintosh support for A.H. Belo Corporation.

ON Semiconductor Introduces Industry’s First USB 2.0 OVP Device With Both Integrated Current Protection And High-Speed ESD Protection

ON Semiconductor

ON Semiconductor, a leading global supplier of high-performance, energy efficient, silicon solutions, has introduced the NCP362 – the industry’s first overvoltage protection (OVP) device with both integrated current protectionand high speed electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for USB 2.0 applications in portable, telecom, consumer and computing systems.
This integrated device significantly improves safety of USB ports by streamlining design in portable electronics by eliminating the need for standalone OVP, overcurrent protection (OCP) and transient voltage suppressor (TVS) components that have – until now – been necessary to protect vulnerable portable devices against electrical surge damage and electronic discharge from host, wall adapters, human body and unsuitable after-market AC-DC adapters.
Features and Benefits
The new NCP362, which is placed behind the USB or bottom connector, provides +20 volts (V) front end protection for the downstream USB port, thanks to an integrated power MOSFET that can handle 500 milliamperes (mA).Because long cables can induce ringing due to serial inductance in the USB cable, the NCP362 has been designed to open the VBUS line when the voltage transient exceeds the internal overvoltage threshold (OVLO), which is internally set to 5.675 V. This threshold value can be changed by a metal tweak if a different value is needed for a specific application. In addition, OCP is available, opening the internal MOSFET if the downstream VBUS’s load exceeds 750 mA, supporting 500 mA – continuous - for the USB ports. This current clamp value can be also adjusted to a lower value to be compliant to 100 mA single port or dual one.Both protections are very fast – at fewer than 100 nano-seconds – offering an efficient protection level for the downstream transceiver, battery charger devices or Lithium battery to be charged. In addition, the NCP362 offers system level IEC 61000-4-2 +/-15 kilovolts (kV) ESD protection. The part integrates high-speed ESD diodes for data lines (D+ and D-) and TVS for VBUS pin of the USB ports. Due to the very low capacitance of integrated ESD diodes (0.5 pico-farads/pF), this device is compliant with the USB 2.0 protocol. Depending of the selected NCP362x version (see ordering table in the product datasheet), VBUS TVS or D+/D- (or both) are integrated in the same package.The NCP362 is a key addition to the portfolio of ON Semiconductor products targeted at the four primary subsystems typically found in portable applications. This device specifically addresses the challenging requirements within the interconnect subsystem. ON Semiconductor also offers solutions for the display and lighting, power management, and audio/video subsystems for portable devices.

By Julio Franco,

There’s an ever increasing trend that for many the laptop has become the new desktop. Whether that’s because of the affordability of low-end notebooks and popularity of netbooks, or because the more costly laptops can nearly replace a desktop in pure performance terms, many users are no longer relying on a desktop system for their computing needs.

The major advantage this poses is portability, being able to take your computer with you and use it anywhere, though once you are settled in at home or your office this same factor can play against you. Anyone who has used a notebook for an extended period of time knows that a small screen, cramped keyboard and touch pad can be frustrating and really slow you down. To remedy home/office situations like this, StarTech has developedthe USB 4-in-1 Docking Station with VGA, a KVM-like device that allows you to connect commonly used peripherals and an external monitor all through a single USB cable.

Besides simplifying multiple USB connections which you could manage using a simple hub, the docking station can also pass-through your audio and even video output using a single USB port for painless operation.

Thanks

Julio Franco

By- Bill Zeeble  KERA News

If you have an analog television but still no digital converter box, you’ll need one by June 12th . That’s the new deadline when most stations switch to all-digital. Without a converter, your analog tv won’t get a picture. KERA’s Bill Zeeble hooked up a converter at home and has this report.

First of all, we don’t have cable TV or a satellite dish. If we did, we’d be digital-ready. Our newest TV’s at least 15 years old. So we got the government’s discount coupons and bought 2 digital converters. That was the easy part. Next came the hook-up. That prompted the pain of peering behind the TV, squinting into the dark & dusty heap of wires and cramped cables that connect a bunch of gear and the antenna to the TV and AC outlets. Lucky for me, my wife Nicole is better at this than I am.

Nicole LeBlanc: I’m not a technical wiz but can put things together with visual instructions. The explanation that came with the box was mainly about hooking your TV up to your box. And we have a DVD player and a VCR.

Charles Brown, with Best Buy, told me to ignore the DVD and VCR. They’re a distraction when connecting the converter. I wish I had talked to him before connecting our box.

Charles Brown, Best Buy: Just use the converter box the same way you use your antenna and leave all the other systems hooked up the way that they are.

Connecting the converter was simpler than I feared. The necessary cables and a remote come with the kit. It took us half an hour, & you’ll likely do it faster. But some old TV’s won’t make the change. Like our small, combo black and white TV - AM/FM radio - and weather band.

Nicole: It’s got an antenna that pops up off the top and because the antenna is built-in, there’s no place to plug an antenna into this television. And because it’s a little tiny black & white TV that’s probably at least 25 years old, it doesn’t have plugs for anything.

To connect a converter box to your TV, the set MUST have an antenna jack. We connected our converter to the newer tv, and tuned some digital channels.

Nicole: I’ve got to turn the box on. And I’ve got to put the TV on channel 4 first. The box has to be on either channel 3 or channel 4 and we have ours on channel 4 now. That’s channel 4 analog. Now I’m going to turn the box on, and the digital will come in. Now we’re on digital.

Our converter box picked up a lot of channels. When there’s a picture, it looks great. But it’s inconsistent.

Nicole: Trying to get a signal for channel 8. No signal. Ok.

Charles Brown says sometimes jostling the antenna will help bring in signals.

Brown: If you are having problems with an antenna now where you are, yes you’ll continue to have those problems even with a converter box.

That means playing with those rabbit ears, or buying some pricier option, like a fancy antenna. We found out that wind can throw things off. At our house, some analog channels that now come in great - have never come thru on digital, no matter what we’ve tried! And as for that old combo TV & radio?

Nicole: It’s a radio - (90.1’s audio signal) ooooh it’s tuned to KERA!… Whenever the conversion to all digital broadcast happens, it will become a radio.