Digital Visual Interface-A Primer on Connecting a Video Source to a Display Device

For years, Video Graphics Array (VGA) has been the standard for connecting analog monitors to computers. 

Times are changing.  

Ever since the introduction of digital flat panel LCD monitors into the highly competitive video monitor marketplace, there was a push to develop a standard to effective carry component video out to the masses wanting to experience a better viewing experience of video or computer signals.  Several early standards were proposed including Digital Flat Panel or DFP which is an early digital-only interface that suffered from resolution limits. Eventually, Digital Visual Interface or DVI emerged as the new interface for Digital flat panel LCD monitors and video cards.

One of the most confusing aspects of DVI is that there are actually three different types of cables and connectors.

Digital Only Signal or DVI-D or Digital Only Signal is the most common type. Almost all of today's DVI capable devices on the market use a DVI-D interface.

Integrated Analog and Digital or DVI-I cables and connectors offer the best of both worlds: a single cable and connector that can transmit both a digital and an analog signal. Since a DVI-I connector offers the most flexibility, video cards such as the ATI Radeon 8500 use this connector so that either a DVI digital screen or VGA monitor can be connected. In practice, DVI Analog-only cables are rare, and DVI Analog devices are non-existent.

Analog Only Signals or DVI-A  uses a DVI style connector on a cable that sends an analog-only signal, which can be understood by analog VGA monitors. In a digital-only world, "DVI Analog" would make no sense. However, as with all new technologies, there needs to be way to connect to older equipment.

Mini-DVI connectors are capable of carrying DVI, VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters, detected with EDID (Extended display identification data) via DDC (Display Data Channel). This connector is often used in place of a DVI connector in order to save physical space on devices. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections and hence cannot support resolutions higher than 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz.

Don't forget these additionally issues: these signals come through single or dual link cables-primarily 8 versus 24 pins, most DVI digital devices have connectors that can accept dual link cables, a few plasma TVs that can only accept a single link cable and in DVI like anything else, an Analog signal will only talk to analog devices, and a Digital signal will only talk to digital devices.

Give GET, LLC a call at 671-483-0789 or drop us a line at www.get-guam.com to make sure you get the exact digital video cable you need.  We are proud to be a Panduit Business Partner and an Authorized Reseller for the Fiber Optic Marketplace LLC. 

Guam-A Different Perspective

Overlooking Agana Bay recently made me think that there are great things to come for Guam and Magnificent Micronesia.  

The surf was a bit higher than usual-carryover of a storm that is slowly pushing away from our area and into Asia.  The water was its normal turquoise blue. Tourists wore smiles on their faces-maybe the sand in their toes or thoughts of not being at the front end of the bad weather across the Pacific Rim are the cause.  

Clean air.  

Not too hot.  

Paradise.

As we push into the final quarter of 2013, the visitor industry is staring down a record year.  Visitor arrivals just from Korea alone is projected to hit nearly a quarter of a million with a net impact of $423 Million USD.  August arrival numbers showed a 5% increase from last year.  

Can Guam hit 1.4 million tourists this year? 

Local tourism experts are hopeful.  Hoteliers are optimistic.  Airline executives are confident that the number can be reached or exceeded.  Island residents know what the net impact will be to everyone who depends on robust activity along Tumon Bay.

A couple of facts: into the next 5 to 10 years, 2 out of 5 international travellers will be Asian. By 2023, China will overtake the United States to become the world’s largest travel and tourism economy.

Vice President for Atlantic & Pacific Sales at United Airlines James Mueller said recently that there are challenges ahead to  boost growth opportunities for airlines all across Asia. Newspapers and bloggers across the region are noting that airline growth is being stymied by increasing fuel prices, which in turn is having an impact on the choosing of new routes.

Director and General at Airport’s Counsel International (ACI) Angela Gittens said it best that governments in Asia Pacific by large understand the importance of aviation and the need to adopt to growing capacities.

Guam will see $100 million in upgrades at the Guam International Airport to respond to the new normal in the region.  The island is poised to become a bigger player and could soon attract new airlines which in turn brings more visitors. Such investment is going to see a trickle down effect to hotel properties and certainly other critical visitor industry infrastructure.

Paradise Guam is poised for further growth.  

Our community must come together to find new ways to grow our number one industry and protect the lifeblood of our island economy.

FF&E Services-Defining and Developing Solutions

GET, LLC continues our discussion on Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment or FF&E-this blog focusing on the abilities needed to define requirements and develop solutions for your end user or building owner. 

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Handbook of Professional Practice says that to determine the client’s furniture requirements, the architect or consultant must fully understand the client’s FF&E budget and then carefully evaluate their individual work space needs to include spatial constraints and overall equipment needs. The use of customized survey forms to gather, process, and document this information is helpful with this part of the process-in fact, many systems furniture companies have their own sample forms which can be used as a starting point.

Also, design teams and consultants should be able to evaluate alternative furniture products and make appropriate recommendations with respect to the client’s overall furniture needs. This comes with experience and requires knowledge of available resources for all types of furniture and furnishings. Research skills are needed to find alternative products in various price ranges.  There is no question that this task requires a clear understanding of the costs and benefits of various alternative products, as well as persistence and creativity.

Companies like ours work hard to understand what you need in your respective office or building and remain committed to offering the best solutions for your organization.

For more on how GET,LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific FF&E needs- please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!

Independence LED Lighting Collaborates With Domino's Pizza to Set World Record for LED Lighting Efficiency

A great story out of New Jersey as Vanguard Energy Services NJ and our friends at Independence LED Lighting recently worked with Domino's Pizza to complete the most energy efficient restaurant lighting retrofit in the world.

"We have many 'firsts' across the public and private sectors, but Domino's hits a special chord," said Charlie Szoradi, CEO of Independence LED. "Back in the '80s, I delivered Domino's pizza to help pay for my University of Virginia undergraduate architecture degree. Decades later, the massive potential quarter billion dollars in cost savings across Domino's worldwide footprint is part of in a global energy tipping point."

The location in  Dover, New Jersey has secured a place in energy history.  Vanguard is one of the Authorized Resellers for the US made Independence LED tubes and fixtures, which previously set the restaurant record in 2010 for the Applebee's in Newtown, PA.

Typical 2' x 4' fluorescent troffer fixtures include four 32 watt tubes, but the 15 watt Independence LED tubes were able to go from 128 to 60 watts for the 2010 Applebee's record. For Domino's, Vanguard recommended using the updated, Independence LEDs at only 50 watts per fixture. For roll-out to Domino's and other accounts, Independence LED can now go down further to 44 watts per fixture.

Business owners can save over 65% with a Return on Investment (ROI) over 40%, and have reliable US made products with the strongest 10 year warranty in class.

What will Domino's Pizza save?

The numbers don't lie: Pilot Location: $2,400 per year and $25,000 over LED life. Plus 325,000 lbs of CO2 saved. (1.35 lbs per kWh or 13 lbs per dollar saved).

Good job, Charlie!!! GET, LLC is proud to be an authorized distributor for Independence LED Lighting and can bring a similar solution to your respective building.  To learn more about the American-made LED products that GET, LLC provides, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs.

Local NAWIC and OSHA Alliance to Promote Health and safety Through Website

Great news out of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).  

Recently, NAWIC Region 10 Safety and Health Chairwoman Ann Marie Pelobello and NAWIC Guam President Bing Mejia announced a two year alliance contract between NAWIC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to consult, train and educate Guam's women in the construction trades. 

"Safety and health problems in construction create barriers to women entering and remaining in this field," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Through this alliance, we will work together to forge innovative solutions to improve the safety, health and working conditions for women in the construction trades and retain them during a critical time of job shortages in this industry."

The alliance will focus on musculoskeletal and sanitation hazards and issues related to poorly-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) and will utilize a new web page that will address these issues and highlight these matters with associated training programs.

Based on a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, OSHA also unveiled its new Women in Construction Web page, a site that outlines and addresses safety and health issues specific to female construction workers, including PPE, sanitary facilities and other resources.

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.

GET, LLC is proud to be a member of NAWIC and the Guam Chapter-one of 150 chapters with a network of 4,500 members nationwide.  We hold NAWIC's core values close to our business- Believe.  Persevere.  Dare. Check out our website at www.get-guam.com or drop us a line to help us do our part to grow this important industry.

FF&E Services-Knowledge of Furniture Products

We continue our discussion on this blog about Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment or FF&E-this time on the specific skill sets associated with providing FF& E Services.  It is critical that those offering FF&E services must be knowledgeable about systems furniture, case goods, seating, "loose" furniture, and other specialty furniture.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Handbook of Professional Practice says that one of the keys to this is knowledge of ergonomics, furniture construction, and fabric characteristics such as durability, flammability, and applied coatings is essential to providing appropriate recommendations to the respective client. The AIA says that most product information is readily available through manufacturers’ representatives, like GET, LLC,  or through online resources like www.get-guam.com.

When evaluating furniture, architects and designers should also pay close attention to product warranties and the manufacturer’s financial viability-emerging as key in the buying process.

Local sales representatives, like us, are the best resource for pricing and follow-up information. Most vendors encourage their sales staff to call on design firms to inform them about the costs and benefits of their particular lines. These companies also will provide samples and mock-ups of their products for evaluation, often at no charge.

Many sales representatives provide “lunch-and-learn” presentations for design firms and regularly host designers on factory trips to highlight lines appropriate for a specific project. 

Providing furniture procurement services also requires good knowledge of local furniture dealers, including the services they offer and the lines they carry. For example, for workstation systems projects, dealers often provide final detailed layouts and specifications to the architect’s design requirements. They also may inventory existing furniture for evaluation by the architect or coordinate installation.

The AIA says that designers and architects can sometimes find it helpful to create a partnering arrangement with local dealers and to work with different companies to fill the needs of different projects.

For more on how GET,LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific FF&E needs, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!

Be on the Look Out for Counterfeit UL Marked Cable and Wire

There is an alarming trend being seen across the cabling industry. There are suppliers in the marketplace selling cable -- particularly network cable -- that is mislabeled and fails to meet basic safety requirements. 

Case in point-network cable rated for a certain level of fire resistance that does not actually meet that rating, causing serious safety issues when installed.

Also, network and/or power cable being sold that is made with copper-clad aluminum wires (CCA), as opposed to pure copper wires. The most concerning issue here is the possibility of fire, in the case of power and POE (Power over Ethernet), due to aluminum's higher resistance and lower melting point. While less important, there is a  degraded network performance that comes from using the wrong metal and the possibility of paying full price for a product that fails to meet  specifications.

A network cable (Cat5e/6/6a) is defined by specific physical and electrical characteristics, the most important being resistance across distances. CCA-based network cables do not meet UL testing or meet approved standards. This should be a concern for both the contractor and the business/home owner who pays for specific category graded network cable. Quite simply, a CCA cable is not an approved technology for Category cable, and suppliers who try to pass them off as such are "ripping off" their customers and opening them up to potential lawsuits.

GET, LLC advises that you know your supplier. Don't be fooled by the cheapest cabling product on the market you can find. Make sure that what you're buying is actually what it claims to be.

If you need network cabling, contact us at 671-797-0789 or check out our website at www.get-guam.com for more information on the related products and services we provide-though our friends at Panduit or Fiber Optic Marketplace LLC, if you don't see what you need just give us a call.