Low-definition television

Low-definition television (LDTV) refers to television systems that have a lower screen resolution than standard-definition television systems. The term is usually used in reference to digital television, in particular when broadcasting at the same (or similar) resolution as low-definition analog TV systems. Mobile DTV systems usually transmit in low definition, as do all slow-scan TV systems.

Sources

The most common source of LDTV programming is the Internet, where mass distribution of higher-resolution video files could overwhelm computer servers and take too long to download. Many mobile phones and portable devices such as Apple’s iPod Nano, or Sony’s PlayStation Portable use LDTV video, as higher-resolution files would be excessive to the needs of their small screens (320×240 and 480×272 pixels respectively). The current generation of iPod Nanos have LDTV screens, as do the first three generations of iPod Touch and iPhone (480×320).

For the first years of its existence, YouTube offered only one, low-definition resolution of 320x240p at 30fps or less, only extending - first to widescreen 426×240, then to genuinely higher resolutions - once the video service had become well established, it could afford radically improved storage space and transmission bandwidth, and could rely on a good proportion of its users having high-speed internet connections. More recently, YouTube has also extended further into the LDTV realm by adding an even lower 256×144p resolution with a halved framerate - giving an overall effect reminiscent of early online video streaming attempts using RealVideo or similar, where 160×120p at single-figure fps was deemed acceptable - to cater to those whose network connections could not even widthstand the rigors of "240p".

Hotel (board game)

Hotel (known as Hotels in North America) is a dimensional real estate game created by Milton Bradley in 1986. It is similar to Square Mile and Prize Property. In Hotel the players are building resort hotels and attempting to drive their competitors into bankruptcy.

Gameplay

Players take turns moving around the board. Each square on the board is adjacent to one or two hotel properties. Most of the squares are either purchase squares or building squares.

Whenever a player lands on a purchase square which is adjacent to an unowned property they may buy that property by paying the purchase price. Once they own a property they may attempt to build on it whenever they land on a building square. A special dice is rolled to determine if permission to build is granted or denied. If it is denied the player must wait for a later turn.

When permission is granted to build the player may add new buildings or facilities to their property. Each hotel has from one to five buildings and a set of recreational facilities. The main building must be built first, followed by the other buildings then the facilities. The cost of each addition is listed on the deed card for the property.

City Sleeps

City Sleeps was an American rock band, formed in 2005. Originally called Smugface and playing an aggressive, somewhat progressive style of alternative rock in line with the nu metal of the late 1990s and early 2000s, it wasn't until around 2004 that this Atlanta-bred quintet changed its sound and image, and subsequently its name to City Sleeps.

Smugface consisted of core members Adriel Garcia (guitar), John Whitney (drums), and Elliott Sharp (vocals); early demos—produced by Rick Beato from Universal recording act Billionaire—got the band considerable attention in underground rock circles, as well as on the popular music site MP3.com. Members of alternative metal outfit Cold got wind of the group and were impressed, eventually bringing them to the attention of Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, who almost signed Smugface to his Interscope imprint, Flawless Records.

Things were slowly changing internally, however, and by 2003, Smugface were noticeably transitioning into a much more melodic rock band, complete with big guitars and near-pop choruses. This new sound led to the band being noticed by producer John Feldmann (of the ska-punk band Goldfinger), who had previously worked successfully with similar groups like the Used and Story of the Year. He contacted the group in 2004 and the guys flew out to Los Angeles to record with him. City Sleeps—as they were then going by—were soon signed to Maverick/Warner Bros. Records, and by the following year, they had completed their debut, entitled Walker's Ridge, which was scheduled to be released in early 2006.

Hotel (Kid Ink song)

"Hotel" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kid Ink. The song was released on January 9, 2015 by Tha Alumni Music Group, 88 Classic and RCA Records, as the second single from his third studio album Full Speed (2015). It was sent to US urban adult contemporary radio on January 27, 2015.

Background

After the commercial success of his previous single Show Me, Kid Ink linked up with recording artist Chris Brown to work on a song with songwriting and production team The Featherstones. At first the song was displayed as "track 5" on the iTunes Store album pre-order before it was released commercially as a single.

Music video

An animated music video was uploaded to Vevo June 9, 2015.

Charts

References