PCMCIA card slot in LG TV what is it. PCMCIA (PC Card) technology - expanding laptop functionality pcmcia input
Technological progress does not stand still, and new devices appear almost constantly, and devices that have already become familiar are equipped with additional devices. This applies to almost all types of activity, but the entertainment industry and related devices are always at the forefront of renewal. However, sometimes this process happens so quickly that even technically savvy users find it difficult. So, for example, among the owners last generations LG TVs often the question arises, what is PCMCIA card slot that can be seen on the back of the device. The answer will be both complex and simple at the same time, but let's talk about everything in order.
Smart card and PCMCIA card slotWhat is smart card and PCMCIA card slot
The answer to the above question should start from afar, namely, consider such an innovation as a smart card for cable TV. The usual form of television broadcasting is gradually becoming part of history, and cable channels are taking its place. This process is quite natural and logical.
In this case, it becomes necessary to organize targeted broadcasting and an appropriate security system that excludes the possibility of unauthorized connection. Laying cable networks to the user and maintaining them in working order requires significant financial investments from the supplier companies, which directly affects the cost of tariffs. At the same time, there must be some safeguards to ensure that the service is used by the person who paid for it. This is one of the few cases where both the client and the company are on the same side. The only question is how exactly to organize the possibility of restricting broadcasting. The answer was the development and implementation of smart cards and PCMCIA card slots in LG TVs.
Smart card and adapter Smart card represents small device(and in fact, a card), which serves as a pass. That is, certain information about the owner, the tariff purchased by him, connected additional services, etc. is entered on the card. This card is connected to the TV using the PCMCIA card slot.
Initially, the technology was developed for use in laptops and its intended purpose was to connect various additional peripheral devices, such as additional memory drives, network cards, modems for Internet access. However, over time, applications were found in cable television. I think you understand what this is a PCMCIA card slot and what it is for.
The use of smart cards for access provides a number of benefits:
- Possibility of direct management of connected tariffs and channel packages.
- Increased security of use - no one will be able to access the channels if the card is not physically installed in the slot.
- If the equipment is compatible, it is possible to take your channel package with you, which is very convenient.
Smart card installed in the slot At the same time, if the LG TV is equipped with a built-in PCMCIA card slot, then all actions for using a smart card are reduced to simply inserting it into the designated slot.
Conclusion
What is a PCMCIA card slot and what is it for? So, the PCMCIA card slot in LG TV is not at all a useless slot, as it might seem at first glance. Due to the low prevalence of such technology, the need to use smart cards in our country is not often encountered, but it is only a matter of time. It can almost certainly be argued that in a few years, the presence of this extension format will be a necessary standard.
Solid State Media for Portable Electronics
Despite the strict implementation of Moore's law for microprocessors, we must not forget that before the processor starts processing data, it must take it from somewhere. Thus, the well-known chicken-and-egg dilemma continues with the issue of the primary storage or processing of data. However, I propose not to be distracted by philosophical disputes, but only to notice the obvious fact - simultaneously with the increase in the speed of modern processors, the complexity of the tasks assigned to the computer also increases, which means that the volumes of processed data also increase. Moreover, for consumer electronic devices (due to the expansion of the range of audio and visual data processed by them), the problem of storing information becomes even more urgent than for desktop computers. Learn more about modern data storage technologies in portable electronic devices This article will help you.
ROM or RAM?
ROM or (in our opinion) ROM (read only memory) is a non-volatile type of memory that allows you to permanently store data entered during the production phase. Changing the data written to the ROM microcircuit is possible only with the help of special firmware methods, therefore this memory is called “read-only memory”. Most often, manufacturers store in ROM the so-called "firmware" - proprietary software used to control the operation of the device's built-in processor. In many laptop computers, in order to save main memory, ROM is used to store code. operating system... This applies both to devices on Windows based CE, as well as electronic organizers 3Com PalmPilot (up to the Personal model inclusive) and Handspring Visor, which, in addition, store the main applications there. Thus, in order to upgrade the operating system, users have to replace the entire ROM chip.
Unlike ROM, "flash memory" allows you to upgrade by software the data in it. The name "flash" was taken with the light hand of Toshiba, since the contents of the memory can be erased instantly ("in a flash"). Like standard ROM, Flash ROM is non-volatile, meaning that data in it does not disappear after a power outage.
Palm Computing moved to the use of flash memory in its electronic organizers, starting with the Palm III. However, most manufacturers continue to use regular ROM. The reason is simple - the cost of ROM is much less than the cost of flash memory.
Let's go further. RAM is short for Random Access Memory, or RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM is a set of memory chips that collectively make up a computer's RAM. RAM serves to store programs, as well as data processed by these programs. In many operating systems, this is referred to as "main memory".
Unlike ROM, RAM is volatile memory. In other words, it needs a power supply to store data. Simply remove the batteries from your pocket computer to test the truth of these words in practice. However, the advantage of RAM is that its contents can be easily modified.
Now let's take a closer look at the main types of storage devices.
PCMCIA memory cards
Perhaps one of the oldest device standards external memory is a PCMCIA standard developed by the International Memory Card Association for personal computers(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, or PCMCIA for short).
PCMCIA standard for this moment defines four main types of memory cards:
- DRAM (dynamic random access memory)
- SRAM (static random access memory)
- Linear Flash
- PC Card ATA Flash (ATA Compliant Flash)
DRAM cards are not non-volatile, which sharply limits their scope. That is, even if you imagine that you are using, for example, a DRAM memory card in your digital camera to store information, it will not end well: as soon as you remove the card from the camera, all images will be lost immediately.
SRAM cards also need a power supply to store the data they contain. For this purpose, the board contains a small battery. As a result, cards of this type have a fixed battery life. After a period of time, the battery must be replaced (much like we change the battery in our watch). Thus, if you do not have time to copy data from the card to the desktop computer before replacing the battery, then they will be lost. Another disadvantage of SRAM cards is their cost, which is higher than that of flash memory cards.
Linear Flash requires a special software... The performance and compatibility of Linear Flash (or non-ATA) cards is determined by drivers called the Flash File System (FFS) or File Translation Layer (FTL) software. Different versions of these drivers are not always compatible in different systems, so data cannot be transferred from one device to another. Even if the correct version of the corresponding software is installed on your portable device, this does not mean that the card will be read on the desktop computer. For this reason, this type of memory card is rarely used in portable devices at the moment.
ATA-compliant flash, on the other hand, is fully compliant with the open industry standard PCMCIA-ATA. ATA was designed as standard interface for storage devices such as hard drives or flash memory cards for the market mobile computers... It provides interoperability with major computer platforms and operating systems. It also provides easy data portability from one device to another without the need for FFS or FTL. If you buy an ATA-compatible memory card, it is guaranteed to work in any system that supports the ATA standard, regardless of whether it is a computer or, for example, a digital camera. All major operating systems, including DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows CE, Windows 95, OS / 2, Apple System 7, most Unix clones, and many other operating systems, support the ATA standard.
By the way, the same principle is used in drives for hard drives: any modern hard drive always has a standard data exchange interface (IDE, EIDE, SCSI). Accordingly, this disk can be used in any system that supports this standard... Therefore, cards such as PC Card ATA Flash are most widely used in consumer electronics(especially digital cameras).
To use PC Cards on a desktop computer, you need to purchase a special adapter, the PC Card Adapter, for about $ 70. And in all modern laptops, this adapter is already present in the standard configuration.
PC Cards vary in size. At the moment, the standard describes three types of maps (the fourth is still under development, so there is little information about it).
| Type of | Length | Width | Thickness | Usage |
| Type I | 85.6 mm | 54 mm | 3.3 mm | Memory (SRAM, Flash, etc.) |
| Type II | 85.6 mm | 54 mm | 5 mm | I / O devices (modems, network cards, etc.) |
| Type III | 85.6 mm | 54 mm | 10.5 mm | Storage devices, hard drives |
information taken from www.pc-card.com
Due to top-down compatibility, Type I and Type II cards can be used in devices equipped with Type III connectors (but not vice versa).
If we talk about modern digital cameras, then type I and type II cards are most often used as data storage devices.
CompactFlash memory cards
The first CompactFlash (CF) cards were issued in 1994 by Sandisk. They are fast, light, removable devices high capacity memory that use flash memory technology long-term storage data even in the absence of a power source. The CompactFlash card is comparable in size to a box of foreign matches: its dimensions are 43 × 36 × 3.3 mm.
CompactFlash cards can be used in a wide variety of devices, including digital cameras and PDAs. In fact, CompactFlash is supported on most platforms and operating systems that support the PCMCIA ATA standard.
At the beginning of 2001, there were about 40 companies in the world producing CompactFlash memory cards. The capacity of modern memory cards ranges from 4 to 256 MB, and the price ranges from $ 1.5-2 per megabyte.
CompactFlash drives are more expensive than conventional hard drives, but they have significant advantages over the latter. Firstly, memory cards have no moving parts, which provides much better data retention and, moreover, reduces the chances of failure of the drive due to mechanical problems. Secondly, the power supply requires a voltage of only 3.3 or 5 volts, which is much lower than that required for operation of a conventional hard disk. The storage life of data on a memory card is approximately 100 years. Well, in the end, you can drop the CompactFlash card on the floor from a height of about 3 meters and nothing will happen to it. Thanks to these "positive" characteristics, plus the small size, CompactFlash cards are widely (perhaps even the most widespread) in digital photography.
On the other hand, if we talk about microcomputers, the programs written on them cannot be launched directly from the CompactFlash card: in order to execute the programs, they must first be loaded into the computer's RAM. But it still takes much less time than loading data from hard disk... The connector used in CF cards is similar to that used by PCMCIA cards, but has 50 pins instead of 68. However, it all meets the ATA specification early, so the CF card can be easily inserted into a 68-pin passive Type II adapter, after which it becomes completely identical PCMCIA card for all mechanical and electrical parameters.
By the way, some manufacturers write about the use of PCMCIA CompactFlash in their devices, which can mislead the buyer. It must be remembered that you cannot just insert a card into a PCMCIA slot, for this you need a special adapter!
By the way, in addition to being used in computers based on Windows CE, memory cards can be used by the TRGPro microcomputer, created by TRG and running under the PalmOS operating system, as well as the Psion 5mx PDA from the company of the same name. TRGPro is a conventional Palm IIIx pocket computer with built-in CompactFlash slot. However, not all existing PalmOS applications can use the CF TRGPro slot. They must be specially compiled.
SmartMedia memory cards
Another flash memory standard invented about four years ago by the Toshiba Corporation. Its creators consider this standard "the most convenient and affordable for digital cameras from existing". However, this is not surprising - due to their compactness, such cards are already widely used among digital electronics manufacturers. The dimensions of SmartMedia cards are 45 × 37 × 0.76 mm, the capacity is from 2 to 64 MB. In the near future, it is planned to issue cards with a volume of 128 MB.
The most important difference between SmartMedia cards and CompactFlash and PC Card ATA is as follows. SmartMedia cards have no integrated controls - just media and gold plated contact panel. CompactFlash and PC Card ATA standards are ATA-compatible, that is, each card, as is customary with conventional hard drives, has its own controller. Thus, it is the absence of a controller that significantly reduces the cost of SmartMedia standard cards. SmartMedia card readers are available in currently Olympus digital cameras, MP3 players and many other portable devices.
The biggest problem with SmartMedia cards today is the lack of an established format. As a result, many manufacturers use their own data storage format, which sometimes entails compatibility problems (a card formatted in one device may not be perceived by others).
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To use SmartMedia cards on a desktop computer, you can purchase a floppy disk adapter (about US $ 70), and then read the information from them on a regular floppy disk drive. If you are the proud owner of a laptop with a PC Card slot, it will be more convenient for you to buy a SmartMedia to PC Card adapter (about $ 60). Parallel and USB adapters are also available.
MultiMedia Cards
If you are looking for an ultra-compact storage medium, the SanDisk MultiMediaCard is the one for you. The MultiMediaCard is the smallest data storage device available today. Weighing less than two (!) Grams and the size of a postage stamp, the MultiMediaCard is on par with its big brothers in terms of reliability, performance and low power consumption.
One of the leading manufacturers of MultiMediaCard is the American company SanDisk. As one of the inventors of this technology, the company is also a member of the MultiMediaCard Association, which aims to promote the spread of the MultiMediaCard standard as an open industry standard. MultiMediaCards are currently available in capacities ranging from 8 to 64 MB.
With its small size, the MultiMediaCard offers the following benefits:
- high compatibility
- inexpensive serial interface (only 7 pins used)
- robust mechanical design
- low power consumption
- low cost
Thanks to these advantages, MultiMediaCard is gradually becoming the de facto standard for the latest digital devices such as MP3 players, digital cameras, digital voice recorders and smart phones.
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Currently, Moscow companies have the same types of devices for reading and writing information on MultiMediaCard memory cards at desktop computers, as for other standards: adapters for a conventional drive, external "card readers" for LPT or USB, as well as special adapters MMC-PCMCIA.
| 1.4 mm |
| 24 mm |
| 32 mm |
| 3.3 mm |
| 42.8 mm |
| 36.4 mm |
SpringBoard memory modules
Handspring has introduced a new SpringBoard expansion module in its line of handheld computers. The SpringBoard module looks like a cartridge for the Nintendo Gameboy game consoles.
One of the first modules released using SpringBoard technology was an 8MB flash memory module (US $ 79). It uses non-volatile flash ROM, so the module can be uninstalled from the system without losing data. However, as in the case of TRGPro, not all PalmOS programs will be able to work with the SpringBoard flash memory module.
IBM Microdrive
IBM (inventor of Winchester magnetic disk technology), introduced miniaturization hard drives on new level by releasing their new model Microdrive (170 MB and 340 MB respectively). These "babies" are a bit larger than a regular CompactFlash card (42.8 × 36.4 × 5 mm) and weighing 16 grams, indeed, they contain all the mechanics of a hard disk inside, and not flash memory chips. I think you were impressed, but that's not all: there are already 600 MB and 1 GB micro-hard drives from IBM on sale.
The IBM Microdrive is CompactFlash Type II PCMCIA compatible, so you can install it in any device that has this slot. The only thing for this is that your CF-slot must be equipped with a "return" mechanism, since the device is completely "recessed" into the slot. The spindle speed is 4500 rpm and the data transfer rate is from 30 to 45 MB / s with an average access time of 15 ms. In addition, to increase performance, the hard drive is equipped with a built-in buffer of 128 kB.
Now I would like to draw your attention to the cost per unit of information storage in the new microwinchester. A typical Type I CompactFlash card costs about $ 100 for the 64MB and about $ 250 for the 128MB option. Thus, the cost of storing one megabyte of information is about $ 1.8 per megabyte. If we take the prices for 340 MB and 1 GB of IBM Microdrive, then this is approximately $ 250 and 430. Thus, the cost of one megabyte of information for a microdrive is about $ 0.6 per megabyte, which is three times less than the cost of a megabyte of information for a CompactFlash card.
The only drawback here is that Microdrive literally "devours" the batteries of a pocket computer or any other portable device because the mechanics actually require a lot more energy to work. In addition, when the hard drive is operating, a small, but still quite noticeable amount of heat is released, which can adversely affect not only your finger if you accidentally touch it, but also the entire electronics of the device in which it is installed.
Iomega Click!
Iomega, the maker of the popular Zip drives, created Click! Is the smallest of its drives. Click! Uses 40MB proprietary floppy disks, costing about $ 10. Since these discs cannot be directly used in various modern electronics, you can use them to store contents such as CompactFlash cards. You simply insert the memory stick into the dedicated slot in the Iomega drive, and then at the push of a button, the information is transferred to the 40MB Click! Drive.
In practice, transferring data from a 4 MB CompactFlash card takes about 28 seconds. This way, you can expand the capacity of your device without buying new CF cards or IBM Microdrive.
Now briefly about technical characteristics disc: diameter approx. 50 mm, outer radius 34 mm, inner radius of the spindle ring approx. 7 mm. By design, Click! very much like a regular floppy disk. Like the IBM Microdrive, the Iomega Click! is not a direct competitor to flash memory cards, since it is quite inferior to them in terms of power consumption and mechanical reliability.
Now let's look forward and a little to the side
At the moment, devices that support the CompactFlash standard are in a very good position... On the other hand, other devices, in particular Palm Computing, have a fairly large selection non-standard solutions storage problems.
One such solution is Sony's Memory Stick. Sony early last year signed an agreement with Palm Computing to develop devices that will use Memory Stick technology. These modules, about the size of a good Sugar Free Orbit record, are now used in some consumer products such as digital cameras and audio players.
However, it is known that in the past, Sony has already suffered a defeat on the way to implement its BetaMax video standard. But the success of its recently created CLIE device based on the PalmOS operating system suggests a rather bright future for Sony's own memory standard. On the other hand, few manufacturers will start producing equipment, the carrier in which will be created by its direct competitor.
The UniLinear Corporation with its carrier The Parachute ($ 199) is in a similar situation. The Parachute is a thin clip-on PC card slot (PCMCIA) that allows you to use standard PCMCIA peripherals, including modems and memory cards. If you only find drivers for these devices.
And finally, axxPac from AMS Software & Elektronik GmbH. axxPac is a module that plugs into the internal expansion slot of the Palm IIIx and allows you to use SmartMedia cards from 8 to 64 MB.
Development rate modern technologies impressive. New devices appear every day aimed at improving the comfort of people. In this regard, the entertainment industry is by far the leader.
For modern man it has become commonplace to spend free time in front of the TV screen, the functionality of which is expanding every year. LG is rightfully considered the leader in the production of electronics.
Not all owners of this brand of technology know what a pcmcia card slot is in an LG TV, so we have prepared a detailed answer in this article.
With the development of cable television, the question arose of how to make sure that viewing of programs would be available to a specific subscriber. To protect the user from hacking, it is necessary to use the Pcmcia Card Slot installed in the TV.
The smart card functions as a pass, which contains information about the owner, the selected channel package, tariff and other services. You can purchase such a pass for your home theater from the operator digital television.
It is important to know that the card for the Pcmcia slot is registered for one device, that is, if a person decides to move it to another, he will need to contact the digital TV operator to change the broadcasting conditions.
Depending on the type of cable, coaxial or fiber optic, the signal will be supplied at a specific frequency. At intervals of several seconds, the signal coming through the smart card is encrypted with a new key.
This ensures high level security and ensures that no one else can use the services of the tariff plan.
How does he work
Pcmcia Card Slot is found on most modern TVs. This connector is used to connect TV signal decoding cards.
By purchasing from a cable TV operator a special access card with the appropriate coding that is installed in the Pcmcia slot, you need to pay for the channel package.
After paying for the tariff services, the card will be activated and will allow the user to view all available channels. TV signal goes through the demodulator and reads the information from the card installed in the Pcmcia Card Slot.
A secure connection guarantees the subscriber and the operator that only the person who paid for these services will use the TV broadcasting services.
What is Pcmcia Card Slot for on LG TV
The use of technologies that make watching cable channels safe was no exception. Therefore, all new LG TVs have a smart card and pcmcia card slot.
Most often, this slot is located on the back or side of LG TVs. In the place where you want to place the card there is a corresponding inscription - Pcmcia.
After the equipment detects an activated smart card in the Pcmcia slot, the subscriber will have access to the following functions:
- management of tariff and available channels;
- secure access to television broadcasting;
- the ability to use on other devices.
How to install a cam module in a TV
LCD and plasma screen manufacturers equip all new models with Pcmcia Card Slot, eliminating the need to purchase additional devices.
The digital built into the TV receives an encrypted signal, but is used to decrypt it. Such a device is a pay-TV service conditional control module.
It is a small box in which a smart card is installed, with connectors for connecting to a TV. To connect this device, it is enough to install it together with the card into the corresponding one on any TV that is previously turned off.
After switching on, an inscription about the found new equipment will appear on the screen. In some cases, you will need to search for channels.
Benefits of using the CAM module:
- cheaper than a set-top box;
- easy installation and configuration;
- compact size;
- control using the remote control.
Pcmcia Card Slot allows you to watch only cable TV, but makes this process as safe and convenient as possible. Perhaps the further development of electronics will allow the Pcmcia slot to be used for other functions, which is why all TV manufacturers build it as standard on their devices.
LG currently equips all new models with this connector, which is located on the side or on the back of the device.