Television can be recorded from a SlingBox using a DVR or third-party software.
The SlingBox is a TV streaming device that allows you to watch television on a computer or other device through the use of SlingPlayer software. It works on both PC and Mac computers and on many smart phones, including Android phones, the iPhone and iPad.
Although the SlingBox and SlingPlayer software do not offer recording options, through the use of a DVR or third-party software, you can record live TV and save it to your PC or Mac computer.
Instructions
DVR
1. Sign in to SlingPlayer software on PC, Mac or Phone.
2. Press "DVR" for a list of all DVR options, including recording options.
3. Press "Record" on the digital remote as an alternative. A list of options should appear, including length of time you would like to record and the channel.
Third-Party
4. Download the third-party recording software. A few popular options include AtLarge Recorder, Slinger SLR and mReplay. The prices range from $0 to $50. mReplay records using a web browser.
5. Open SlingPlayer and launch the downloaded software. Options appear on screen for recording.
6. Sign up for an account with mReplay, log in, and add a SlingBox to your account by clicking "Add" on the mReplay SlingBoxes menu. Enter finder ID and password of SlingBox and click "Enter." Select the added SlingBox and click "Watch."
There are two major companies that provide satellite television in the majority of cities in the United States, Dish Network and DirectTV. To receive any DirectTV package or receiver you must make your purchase directly through the company by calling or ordering online. DirectTV offers packages that include high-definition television and digital video recorders that will record your favorite programs for you.
Instructions
1. Check advertisements that you receive in the mail during peak customer times. DirectTV customers often have contracts that end midsummer, and many consumers are looking for new television service near the end of July and beginning of August. This is the best time to find a deal from DirectTV that will include a free HD DVR with your service plan.
2. Go to the DirectTV website. The website is constantly updated with new offers, and if there is a special package being advertised, you'll see it on the front page.
3. Click on the "Ad Sales" option at the bottom of the screen from the "About Us" heading. Click on the "News and Deals" tab for the must current sales advertisements and special packages being offered.
4. Click on the "Packages" option from the top of the screen. Click on the "View Packages" button, and you can view the packages and deals offered. Once you've found the package you want, click on the "Order" button. After filling out your information, choose the options for extras that you want and, if it's included, there'll be an option for HD DVR that says, "Free after rebate," next to it. You will then need to enter your Social Security number to see whether you qualify for the rebates and free installation. If you don't pass this credit check, you will not be able to receive the rebate to receive a free HD DVR.
5. Call and talk to a DirectTV representative. Sometimes there are specials that are only available in your local area. Be sure to let the representative know that you want a package that will include a free HD DVR.
Tags: that will, include free, that want, that will include, will include, will include free
An electric water heater is similar to a gas water heater, but instead of using a flame to heat the water, it features two heating elements installed within the tank. The tank also includes a sacrificial anode rod inside. The rod is considered "sacrificial" because it serves to help reduce the amount of corrosion occurring inside the steel tank. In addition, the heating elements are controlled by thermostats so the user can manually adjust the temperature of the water when needed. The thermostats are usually located on the side of the tank, under a cover plate.
How an Electric Water Heater Works
At the top of the electric water heater, there are two copper pipes. One is the cold water supply line and the other disperses the hot water to the house. The cold water line is the one featuring a shutoff valve before it enters the tank.
The cold water supply line fills the tank with water and replaces any water that is used. When the cold water enters the tank, it reduces the interior temperature of the stored water. This causes the thermostats to close which turns the heating elements on.
As the heating elements do their job of heating the water, the hot water rises to the top of the tank. There, it lies in wait until someone uses the hot water tap, dishwasher or washing machine. When the tap is turned on, it siphons the hot water from the top of the tank.
Considerations for an Electric Water Heater
Most electric water heaters feature thermostats capable of heating the water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. To conserve energy, and prevent scalding, it is recommended to set the thermostat between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you discover that you are running out of hot water quicker than normal, it may be that one of the heating elements has gone bad, you're using too much water or your water heater is not big enough to handle the load required by your household.
Tags: heating elements, cold water, Electric Water Heater, Water Heater, cold water supply, degrees Fahrenheit, Does Electric
Keep students in mind when selecting a microscope for the classroom.
Teaching microscopes can turn your classroom environment into an interactive learning experience. The students will be able to view specimens through a microscope instead of looking at PowerPoint pictures. Selecting the right teaching microscope will help students get the most out of the equipment.
School Setting Microscopes
Look for a microscope that can be used in a classroom. Microscopes for classrooms should be high powered with single-lens eyepieces, making it easier for your students to view the specimens.
Microscope With Computer Hookup
The computer hookup will allow your entire classroom to view the specimen all at one time. A USB microscope allows you to view the specimens on a projector, a computer or laptop as well as take pictures or videos. This is perfect for quizzes and tests.
Selecting a Known Brand
Selecting a known brand of teaching microscope can come in handy as known brands have the credibility of working well in the classroom. For instance, a common used brand in the classroom is the Omano teaching microscopes, such as the Cordless OMTM85L LED, Omano OMTM368 Binocular and Omano OMTM85. Other brands to look into are the Olympus, Nikon, Lomo and Zeiss.
Features Needed
The type of teaching microscope you select will depend on the features that you need. Microscopes features will vary if you are using the microscope for research classes, medical school or biology courses in college, grade school or high school.
Learning fix and maintain your cassette recorder means that you can listen to, and record, you favorite albums for longer.
Being able to fix and maintain your cassette recorder gives you the ability to iron out many problems. Typical problems with cassette recorder range from its producing a low-volume or low quality sound, to its not working at all. Although with any stereo equipment some procedures are best left to professionals, there are certain things you can do in order to troubleshoot, and potentially fix, your cassette player effectively and safely.
Instructions
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Cassette Player Using Anhydrous Isopropyl Alcohol
1. Dampen a cotton swab with some anhydrous isopropyl alcohol and carefully wipe the heads. These are the metal pieces that read the cassette, situated at the bottom of the cassette dock. Gently dry the heads with a new, clean swab.
2. Press "Play" on your tape recorder deck so that the capstan--the metal spindle to the right of the cassette heads--spins. Gently wipe the capstan with a cotton swab that has a little anhydrous isopropyl alcohol on it.
3. Clean the black rubber roller--the pinch roller--that guides the tape by slowly turning the roller using an anhydrous isopropyl alcohol-dampened swab. Wipe dry with a clean cotton swab after. Clean the fixed metal and plastic guide posts using the same method. Wipe all parts with a dry, clean swab to make sure all moisture is removed.
Demagnetize the Tape Heads
4. Find a location not too close to your audio equipment to plug in and switch on the demagnetizer. Demagnetizers can be purchased for under $10 in electronics stores or online.
5. Move the tip of the demagnetizer slowly towards the tape heads. Move the demagnetizer back and forth across the tape heads, but don't allow it to touch the tape heads.
6. Slowly pull the demagnetizer away from the tape heads. Switch off and unplug the demagnetizer.
Troubleshooting Serious Problems
7. Check the electrical cord on the back of your cassette deck; if your tape recorder doesn't work at all it may have a loose connection. Take your cassette recorder to a professional electronic repairs shop if this is the case; rewiring can be dangerous.
8. Press "Rewind" or "Fast Forward" on your cassette recorder; if these functions don't work then there could be a problem with the belt or the idler. Take your tape recorder to a repair shop if this is the case.
9. Play a cassette in your player. If it stops unexpectedly, or won't stop playing at the end of the tape, their could be a problem with the pinch roller. Unscrew the front panel using a screwdriver and remove the deck. Lift the roller assembly of the shaft and replace with a new pinch roller, available in stereo repair stores.
Tags: your cassette, cassette recorder, tape heads, your cassette recorder, your tape recorder
A homemade housing can protect a camcorder from basic underwater use.
Most camcorders are sensitive to moisture and are not designed to be waterproof. To shoot video while surfing, diving and boating, commercial waterproof housings are available. However, these commercial options can be expensive. Using basic materials, a basic underwater camcorder housing can be made at home. While the design will not protect the camcorder from crushing pressures found while scuba diving, it will shield the electronics from water and can be used for casual recreation.
Instructions
1. Estimate the amount of clear urethane plastic material needed to completely contain the camcorder. Fold a sheet of urethane in half, with enough space for the camcorder to be held between the two sides of the folded sheet.
2. Iron the urethane plastic sheet along its long edge. Use aluminum foil to protect the iron. Melt the plastic so that the long edge is sealed and waterproof. The result is an elongated clear plastic tube-shaped bag with both ends open.
3. Cut a piece of sturdy polypropylene plastic into a paddle shape, with a wide area at the top and a narrow handle at the bottom. The plastic should be approximately 1/2 inch thick.
4. Heat the area of the plastic piece where the bottom handle meets the wide area at the top. Bend the plastic handle at a ninety degree angle, and allow the heated plastic to cool and harden.
5. Trace a large circle onto the wide area of the plastic. Use a saw to cut the circular design, and sand the edges until they are smooth. The result is a large round area with a handle attached at a ninety-degree angle.
6. Drill a large hole in the center of the rounded area, large enough to accommodate the lens of the camcorder.
7. Duplicate the rounded portion of the plastic by tracing its inside and outside. Cut a new plastic piece to match the outside dimensions, and drill a duplicate inside hole. The result is a plastic gasket that matches the rounded piece.
8. Cut a round piece to glass or clear Lexan plastic to match the two existing round pieces. Use waterproof epoxy to secure this newly created lens to the plastic component with the handle.
9. Epoxy one side of the transparent bag to the edges of the glass lens. Insert the matching plastic gasket inside the bag, and epoxy it in place. The plastic bag will be firmly held between the clear glass on one side, and the gasket on the other.
10. Drill a small hole in the handle portion of the plastic assembly. Insert a screw that matches the tripod mount threading on the bottom of the camcorder.
11. Place the camcorder inside the waterproof bag, facing the glass lens. Secure the camcorder to the handle using the tripod mount screw. Fold the open end of the bag on top of itself and secure the opening with a heavy-duty rubber band.
Tags: wide area, area plastic, basic underwater, camcorder from, glass lens, held between, long edge
Google Inc. is one of the foremost technology companies in the world. Each year Google hires hundreds of new employees. As of 2010, there were 1,893 job titles at Google, where the average salary is $94,000. The starting salary for entry level positions at the company is $39,100 to $43,500.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts at Google make a minimum salary of $39,100 annually. This position is at Mountain View, Calif., and Atlanta, and may be at other Google locations as needed.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts at Google make a starting salary between $40,000 to $42,000 per year. This position is primarily at Google's Mountain View, Calif., location.
Customer Service Specialist
Customer service specialists at Google make a minimum entry-level salary of $43,500 annually. This on-site position is located in Mountain View, Calif., at Google's headquarters and main campus.
Tags: Google make, Mountain View, Mountain View Calif, View Calif, analysts Google, analysts Google make
The APS, or Advanced Photo System, was designed in the 1990s with frames that were smaller than those of 35mm film. If you have a roll of APS film that has passed its due date, you can still have it processed. Expired film will still yield good quality images as long as it has not been stored in very warm conditions. To process any APS film, you'll need to take it somewhere that can develop and print this type of film. The equipment for processing APS film is very expensive, and you can't properly process it yourself.
Instructions
1. Find the film you would like to have processed and determine whether the prints will turn out. If the film has been stored at high temperatures, it is likely the pictures will not turn out.
2. Contact a local photo processing store and inquire whether it can process APS film. If the store doesn't process APS, ask for a recommendation of a service that does.
3. Drop off the film at the local location, or mail it if the processor isn't nearby. Unlike typical film, APS film does not come out of the cassette, so APS film requires expensive specialized equipment to develop.
4. Choose the print sizes for your photos. One of the benefits of APS film is that you can choose from several print sizes, including panoramics.
5. Pick up the prints and film cassette. Viewing the photos will be the moment of truth as to whether or not the expired film was able to produce good photos. Unlike with normal film, you will not see the negatives. Store the cassette in a safe place in case you would like to order reprints.
Tags: been stored, Expired film, film that, film will, good photos, have processed, print sizes
Digital cameras have a number of features that are similar across models
There are numerous kinds of digital cameras. Specific instructions for each camera will vary a bit, but there are a number of things that almost all digital cameras, point-and-shoot and high-end digital single-lens reflex (SLR) models alike, share.
Suitable Subjects
When capturing a photograph using a digital camera, be careful of framing very bright objects, like the sun or a light, behind the subject. Because of the nature of digital sensors, very bright areas of an image render as pure white, without any image data. Backlighting a subject can cause the background to completely wash out and leave the face of the subject too dark to see details. If your subject is backlit, either move the subject to a location with less light in the background or use your camera's built-in flash to add light to the face of the subject.
Menu Settings While Taking Pictures
Most digital cameras have menus where items can be set before taking a picture. In many cameras, the light sensitivity, or ISO, can be set, as can white balance and resolution settings. In higher-end point-and-shoots and most DSLRs, the shutter speed and the size of the opening in the lens, or aperture, can be set. On DSLRs, these settings are in similar places as they are on film SLRs. In higher-end point-and-shoot cameras, you can often set shutter speed and aperture by exploring items in the shooting menu. Some cameras allow for overlays, such as humorous cartoons or scenes. In these cameras, these overlays are selected in the shooting menu, allowing the photographs to be composed with the subjects in the proper place.
Menu Settings While Reviewing Pictures
In most digital cameras, the options will be different if the Menu button is pressed while reviewing images. Some cameras will allow limited image editing via the review menus. Pressing the menu button while reviewing images will often allow you to delete a single image or all images and is usually found where the memory card format command is located. Some cameras will allow you to "protect" an image to prevent it from being deleted. Still other cameras may have a "hide" function that will prevent the image from being displayed on the camera's review monitor.
Best Settings for General Photography
Although many cameras have a variety of specialized settings, for general picture taking, setting the camera to automatic and using the flash in automatic mode will give excellent results. Modern digital cameras have built-in computers that analyze the scene and are very good at selecting the proper settings for a good exposure.
Tags: cameras have, digital cameras, Some cameras, cameras will, cameras will allow
The picture finder and picture viewing mode on the VistaQuest VQ500 digital camera lets you review the images you've previously taken with the camera. From this mode, you can delete images by pushing the "Mode" button and selecting "Delete." The picture finder's thumbnail mode lets you view multiple images at once, making it easier to find the specific image you're looking for.
Instructions
1. Push the "Power" button on the top-right corner of the camera to turn it on.
2. Slide the "Function" switch above the LCD screen to the "Play" symbol to enter playback mode. The most recently taken picture will appear on the screen.
3. Tap the "Left" or "Right" arrow to browse through the pictures.
4. Push the shutter in playback mode to enter the thumbnail viewing mode. This mode displays six thumbnails on the screen at once. Toggle through the photos using the "Up," "Down," "Left" and "Right" arrows. Push the shutter to enlarge an image.
Tags: Left Right, playback mode, Push shutter, viewing mode
Delphi is a well-established provider of electronic products for use in vehicles and similar contexts. The company has produced a set of in-car radios that receive XM Radio programs. A number of issues are related to wiring of these systems.
Antenna
The radio antenna must be mounted on a metal surface with at least 2 square feet of space. It also must be kept at least 5 inches away from the rear window's molding. The antenna also should be placed as high as possible on the car.
Receiver
The receiver unit is installed into the car's dash by sliding the receiver into the cradle until a click is heard. At this point, push down on the locking tab to lock it in place.
Wiring
The final step is to lead the wiring from the antenna down the side of the rear window on the drivers side. Continue to lead the wire toward the receiver underneath the window molding. Ensure that there has been no damage down to the wire, and connect it to the receiver.
Sony's Mavica camera line debuted in the early 1980s, featuring analog image sensors that recorded onto proprietary floppy disks. Later Mavicas transitioned to digital technology and conventional HD DOS floppies, followed by models that wrote to CD-R and CD-RW media, including the 2-megapixel MVC-CD250, introduced in 2002. It's easier to recover images from your Mavica's discs if you understand how the camera saves its files and manages the pictures you take.
File Storage
The Mavica's disc drive stores its files on rewritable 3-inch CD-RW media. Sony sold Mavica-branded media for the camera, but you can use regular off-the-shelf miniature discs if they're of high quality. You'll see an error message on the camera's LCD screen when you insert a regular CD-RW disc, but you should have no trouble formatting it so the camera can write to it. Until you format it, however, you won't be able to save pictures to it.
Special Considerations
Before you insert a miniature CD-RW into a computer's optical drive, verify that it reads these smaller discs successfully. You're likeliest to succeed with tray-loading drives that include clasps to hold discs in place while the mechanism operates vertically instead of horizontally. These drives retain the center hole of the disc in the correct position. Never insert a miniature CD into a slot-loading optical drive such as you'll find on most notebook computers. You'll have to disassemble the computer and the drive to remove the disc.
Disc Readability
When you read CD-RW media in a computer's internal optical drive, the disc returns a much weaker signal to the drive mechanism than it receives from commercially produced discs or CD-Rs. As a result, not all optical drives fare equally well in attempting to read the media you've burned in your Sony Mavica. Try the internal or external optical drives on other systems, and transfer your image files to a flash drive or another storage medium so you're assured of retaining access to them.
Unfinalized Disc
When you've finished using a CD-RW in your MVC-CD250, you use the "Finalize" command in the camera's Set Up menu so you can read the disc in the optical drive on your computer. This command closes out the data session to which you've written image files. The camera also offers an "Unfinalize" command that enables you to continue writing images to a disc you previously finalized, providing the disc contains enough space for new photographs. If you're having trouble reading a CD-RW from your Mavica, insert it in the camera and finalize it.
Deleted Images
Unlike today's digital cameras that use SD cards and other miniature storage media, your Mavica's optical drive stores and deletes images sequentially. As a result, you can't actually remove any image except the last one on the disc, then the one before it, and so on, until you reach a file you want to remove. The camera allows you to delete other images out of sequence, but these files actually remain on the CD-RW disc, although they're removed from the disc directory. You may be able to use file-recovery software to regain access to deleted files.
Tags: optical drive, CD-RW media, your Mavica, CD-RW disc, drive stores, from your, from your Mavica
Infrared cameras, also known as thermographic cameras, take snapshots by capturing images from the infrared spectrum; in other words, infrared cameras take pictures of heat radiation rather than visible light radiation. When taking an infrared picture, the hottest areas of the image glow white, bright red and orange; the darkest portions are dark blue, purple and blackish. The ability of these cameras to "see" heat signatures makes them useful in a variety of settings.
Emergency Response
Firefighters occasionally employ infrared cameras to look for hard-to-see hotspots through smoke and even through walls. Additionally, police helicopters have been known to use infrared cameras to see fleeing suspects in the dark.
Energy Auditing
Infrared cameras can also be used to locate areas of extreme heat loss in buildings, allowing for better insulating practices and increased energy conservation.
Military Applications
Infrared imaging is commonly used by the military to see enemy combatants in the dark or to locate underground facilities by looking for the heat signatures radiated from such structures.
Artistic Expression
As explained in artist Thom Hogan's web article "Shooting Infrared with Digital Cameras," infrared cameras can be used to take eclectic artistic images of heat sources.
Paranormal Investigation
Infrared cameras are regularly seen on popular television shows like "Ghost Hunters." Paranormal enthusiasts and professionals believe that infrared cameras can be used to see ghostly apparitions and other paranormal phenomena.
You depend on your answering machine to answer calls and take messages when you're not there. So, when your answering machine doesn't do its job, it can be very frustrating. Analog or tape answering machines are often hard to troubleshoot since the majority of answering machines now are digital, but don't give up.
Instructions
1. Make certain your auto answer LED light is on to pick up messages. If your machine is in greeting mode, it only plays your greeting and then disconnects.
2. Find out if you or the person you're trying to talk to have other equipment like modems or fax machines on the line if your calls keep disconnecting. Try a two-wire line cord to connect your answering machine and other analog devices to the same line.
3. Remember that analog items like answering and fax machines are incompatible on digital lines. If you or your phone company recently upgraded to digital lines, your analog answering machine won't work.
4. Check what telephone services you have for your phone line. Occasionally, extra services like call waiting and call blocking disconnect calls. Your answering machine thinks the signal is an interrupt. If you don't use the services (sometimes they were part of an introductory bundle offer), consider canceling.
5. Install new tape if you notice fuzzy sounding messages or messages not playing. Analog answering machine tapes wear out after repeated use.
6. Stop before pushing that delete button to make certain you're deleting the correct message and not another. If you accidentally delete a message from an answering machine tape, you might be able to recover it with magnetic data recovery services as long as you don't allow any messages to record over the lost message.
7. Reboot your answering machine by unplugging it from the outlet. After a minute, plug it back in. See if this solves your problem. Power surges may play havoc with your answering machine. Try plugging your answering machine into a surge protector that plugs into the outlet.
Tags: your answering machine, answering machine, answering machine, answering machines, your answering, your answering
Though most cameras now have built-in light meters, you might still want to use a handheld light meter to take more accurate light readings. Analog light meters work the same way that digital light meters do, except they give you readings on an analog measurement scale rather than on a digital screen. You can purchase analog light meters that will take incident light readings, reflected light readings, or both.
Instructions
1. Turn the ISO dial on the light meter until the film speed you are using appears in the window. The light meter will then adjust its readings according to this film speed.
2. To take a reflected light reading, point the light meter at your subject. A reflected reading records the amount of light reflecting off of your subject. Though this kind of reading will often be less accurate than an incident light meter reading, it is your only option when you're photographing subjects at a distance.
3. To take an incident light reading, place the light meter in the same light as the subject. This kind of reading records the light falling on the subject rather than the light reflecting off the subject. You'll know that your light meter can take incident readings if it has a small white hemisphere over the sensors. Light meters that can take incident and reflected light readings have a moveable hemisphere you can slide back and forth. Slide the hemisphere over the sensor to take an incident light reading.
4. Wait for the light meter's needle to stabilize. The needle should align with two numbers, including a shutter speed number and an aperture number. This combination of shutter speed and aperture should produce a correct exposure for the given light situation. If you want to adjust one of these settings, make sure you adjust the other accordingly. For example, if you want to use a slower shutter speed than the light meter recommends, compensate for the added light by using a smaller aperture.
Anyone can go to a cellular phone retailer and purchase a prepaid plan. Initiating the plan requires two purchases: a phone and a block of minutes. Most cell phone companies offer a special selection of prepaid phones that allow users to input additional minutes or receive minute balances.
How are Minutes Added?
Users purchase cards with blocks of minutes. Users can enter an authorization code into the phone, which unlocks the minutes and adds them to the account. When the minutes run low, a message is typically sent to the phone that reminds the user to add more minutes.
Contract and Prepaid Plans
The clear difference between a contract plan and prepaid is how users pay for the service. Contract plans lock in a monthly rate for quantity of minutes. Prepaid plans are pay-per-use, debiting minutes as they are used. Prepaid plans also require no credit check in order to qualify. Phones and minutes can be purchased off the shelf at cell phone or discount stores like Wal-Mart or Target.
A scrim is a very easy way to diffuse light for a wide range of photographic applications. Scrims both provide smooth, even light for portraits and are an excellent way to control highlight flares for reflective or metallic still life photographs. Making a scrim doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.
Instructions
Loose Assemble the Frame
1. Decide on the overall size of the scrim.
2. Cut two pieces of PVC pipe to the width of the desired scrim; these will be the top and bottom of the scrim frame.
3. Cut two pieces of PVC pipe to the height of the desired scrim. These will be the two sides of the scrim frame.
4. Assemble the scrim by slipping the pipes into the 90 degree elbow joints.
5. Cut your translucent cloth to the size of the scrim frame. Make sure that it isn't too big--tension on the cloth is what keeps the top, bottom and sides of the frame from coming apart during use.
6. Hem the scrim cloth.
7. Sew pockets to slip over the scrim frame on each corner of the scrim cloth.
8. Slip the scrim cloth's pockets over the four corners of the scrim frame.
In the game of professional and serious amateur photography, the oldest debate is Nikon vs. Canon. Although Nikon has had a larger percentage of the market share for years with their universal mount system, many of these customers switched to Canon as the two brands transitioned to digital to take advantage of Canon's larger sensor and higher megapixel options in its camera bodies. However, with the Nikon D3, Nikon is regaining some of that market share.
Noise about Noise
According to press releases put out by Nikon, the Nikon D3 offers lower noise at higher ISO settings than other digital cameras. Noise is the digital camera equivalent of film grain. Noise looks like color speckles, and it tends to be higher when the ISO settings are higher. Most photographers set the ISO setting higher when lighting conditions are lower.
Newer Sensor Image
The reason for the Nikon's lack of noise is that the company has introduced a new image sensor in the D3. Prior to the D3, Nikon's digital cameras contained a Fuji-made sensor. This new sensor, which was developed by Nikon, uses new technology for the cleanest photo yet. However, this new sensor still has a smaller aspect ratio than a 35mm frame of film. By contrast, the Canon line of digital cameras offers a full-frame sensor.
ISO and Resolution
In terms of shooting ISO, a direct comparison is difficult to make. The Canon 1D Mark III can only shoot as high as 1600 ISO at full quality. At higher ISO settings, the photo's resolution is much lower. By contrast, the Nikon D3 can make photos at an ISO of 6400 with no loss in resolution size.
The World of Megapixels
On the other hand, according to photographers who post on forums like those at Shutterbug magazine, DP Review and Pro Photo Home, adherents to the Canon 1D Mark III prefer it because it has the highest megapixel capability on the market (21 megapixels). By comparison, the Nikon D3 can only offer a 12-megapixel-sized photograph.
Direct Comparison
When comparing the two cameras in a direct shoot-off, the differences are readily apparent. The Nikon produces clearer images, provided those images are 12-megapixel. Should the photographer be willing to trade off a full-frame image for one with a lower aspect ratio, the Nikon D3 is the camera for him. By contrast, if a photographer is looking for a higher megapixel camera that can make images from what is fully seen through the lens with no clipping on the border, and that photographer does not mind the extra noise, then the Canon 1D Mark III is the obvious choice.
Tags: Canon Mark, digital cameras, aspect ratio, higher megapixel, higher settings, higher when
Brighten up your medium format viewfinder with a new ground glass focusing screen.
Medium format cameras accept 120mm film, which provides a much larger negative than standard 35mm film. The amount of detail captured by 120 film is stunning, making it an ideal choice for landscape and portrait photography. A medium format focusing screen, which consists of a thin piece of ground glass encased in a sturdy metal frame, offers a bright, clear image in the camera's viewfinder. If your focusing screen has been scratched, cracked or dimmed by dirt, installing a replacement is a quick fix.
Instructions
Removing the Old Focusing Screen
1. Depress both of the small buttons near the top sides of the camera body. While the buttons are depressed, lift off the viewfinder hood on top of the camera. This provides access to the focusing screen mount frame.
2. Locate the small mount screws on the outside edges of the mount frame. On most medium format cameras, four slotted screws hold the focusing screen in place.
3. Loosen and remove the screws with a slotted or Phillips micro screwdriver. Set them aside in a plastic container.
4. Grasp the focusing screen's metal frame using a pair of tweezers. Lift the screen out of the camera body and set it aside on a paper towel.
5. Blow away any interior dust from the inside of the camera with an air blower bulb.
Mounting the New Focusing Screen
6. Orient the screen so that the matte, or dull, side of the focusing screen faces downward. The shiny side of the screen should be facing upward.
7. Grasp the metal frame of the new screen with tweezers.
8. Lower the new screen into the camera, ensuring that it is seated the same way as the old screen. Proper alignment is necessary for reinsertion of the screws.
9. Insert the screws into the metal frame. Snug them using the appropriate micro screwdriver.
10. Depress both of the viewfinder release buttons and replace the viewfinder hood. Release the buttons to lock the viewfinder in place.
Tags: focusing screen, metal frame, camera body, Depress both, format cameras, medium format, micro screwdriver
Cell phones have become an every day commodity, but trying to sign up for a monthly plan with major cell phone service providers can prove costly or next to impossible for consumers with bad, little, or no credit history. For those who would rather not submit to a credit check, there are other options for prepaid cell phone plans with no strings attached.
T-Mobile FlexPay and Prepaid
T-Mobile offers potential customers two different options when it comes to choosing a cell phone plan with no credit check.
With a FlexPay account, you choose from one of the available plans (same as regular monthly plans), which operate similarly to a standard plan although you essentially pre-pay for each month in advance. The trade-off, however, for no credit check, deposit, or contract is that you must pay retail price for any cell phone you wish to purchase.
Through it's prepaid service, T-Mobile offers select phones in special prepaid packaging (available at Target, Wal-Mart, and many other retailers), which offer service with a predetermined amount of minutes based on how much money you put on your account. Refill cards for prepaid Pay-As-You-Go accounts are available in denominations of $10, $25, $50, and $100. Once a customer spends a minimum of $100 on refill cards, they enter the Gold Rewards program that provides 15 percent more minutes with every future refill purchase.
T-Mobile Prepaid also offers a Pay-by-the-Day plan that charges users $1 each day (only on days the phone is used), and then just $0.10 per minute after that. In addition, this plan offers free mobile-to-mobile calling (calls to any other T-Mobile customer) as well as free nights (from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Pay-by-the-Day accounts are refilled with the same cards used on the Pay-As-You-Go accounts (although the Gold Rewards program is not available).
Unlike the FlexPay plans, which require full retail price for any phone, T-Mobile's prepaid option offers a variety of affordably priced phone packages that also include an activation card with starter airtime.
Boost Mobile
Working through the Sprint PCS and Nextel network, Boost Mobile offers select phones that work with it's "Unlimited" service. Boost Unlimited offers unlimited calling, text, and wireless web for a low monthly price. Service also includes unlimited multimedia messaging and unlimited walkie-talkie service with other Boost customers. The cost for the plan (including taxes and other fees) is paid in advance each month, usually with a credit or debit card (both one-time payment and recurring auto-payment methods are available).
For those who would rather use the refill cards, Boost Mobile has a "pay as you go" option with a wider selection of phones and low per-minute rates. For this type of plan, walkie-talkie and wireless Web are charged on a per-day basis.
MetroPCS and Cricket
MetroPCS and Cricket both offer unlimited cell phone service plans, similar to Boost Unlimited, although the coverage areas of these two providers are much more limited. MetroPCS has the most coverage around its "home areas" of Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta and most of Florida. Cricket has coverage in most major cities around the United States.
Both Cricket and MetroPCS offer plans with unlimited talk time for as low as $35, with slight price increases for additional features such as unlimited text, long distance, wireless web, and e-mail.
If service is available in your area and traveling is not a concern, one of these services could provide a great value with no credit check needed. If you are more likely to need your cell phone while on vacation, then T-Mobile or Boost Mobile's options may provide a better fit with broader coverage and, of course, no credit check necessary.
Tags: cell phone, credit check, Boost Mobile, with credit, Boost Unlimited, cell phone service
Pingo is a type of calling card that allows you to make both international and domestic calls at the best rate possible. If you're thinking about purchasing a Pingo card and are curious what makes it different from other similar calling cards here are some basic facts about the service that will make you a Pingo expert in no time.
Function
Pingo is a calling card that can be used to call anywhere in the world. Unlike other calling cards, where you have to select the country beforehand, Pingo can be used to contact any country at a low rate as well as make domestic calls.
Features
Pingo uses a RateWatcher program to automatically calculate the best rate for the particular area you're calling. Other calling cards typically charge you a certain rate per minute, but the Pingo rate fluctuates to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Benefits
Pingo offers speed dial for numbers that you contact often. With speed dial, you don't have to remember long complex international numbers, you can program the number in once and speed dial it thereafter.
Potential
Pingo cards can be set up to automatically recharge when you're running low on saved funds. That means you'll never have to cut a phone conversation short because you've run out of money on your calling card.
Use Anywhere
Pingo's calling network is accessed through a toll free number that you can easily dial anywhere you are from any pay phone or using your own home phone.
Considerations
Pingo offers incentives for referrals. If you have friends who need to make international calls, referring them to Pingo could earn you credit toward your future calling.
VHS tape has fallen out of favor, but there are still plenty of home movies that were shot on video tape. You cannot share these tapes with others online because the VHS format is not compatible with computers. Using a digital USB VHS converter changes the VHS tape into a digital file that you can upload to the Internet and to websites such as YouTube. There are a number of USB VHS converters available, all operating in a similar fashion. Using one of them does not damage the original VHS tape in any way.
Instructions
1. Put the VHS player next to the computer. Plug the VHS player's AC cord into an electrical outlet. Insert a videocassette tape into the VHS player.
2. Connect the S-Video cable into the S-Video output of the VHS player. Connect the other end into the S-Video input of the USB VHS converter.
Connect the RCA audio stereo cables into the RCA stereo audio outputs of the VHS player. Connect the other ends into the RCA stereo audio inputs of the USB VHS converter.
3. Plug the USB connector of the USB VHS converter into a USB port of the computer.
Put the included USB VHS converter software disc into the DVD drive of the computer. Click on the installation icon in the disc's window that appears on the desktop. Wait for the installation to complete.
Reboot the Windows-based computer.
4. Run the USB VHS converter software. Although the software might have different names for the controls that are used, the basic procedure is the same, with naming the video that you are making as the first step.
Check the options for using the S-Video cable and the RCA stereo audio cables so that the computer is able to "see" the video and audio signal coming from the VHS player through the USB VHS converter.
5. Press the "Play" button on the VHS remote control. Click the "Start" button on the USB VHS converter window.
6. Click "Stop" on the USB VHS converter when the VHS tape has finished playing.
Press "Stop" on the VHS player and eject the VHS tape.
7. Click the "Continue" button on the USB VHS converter window to save the digital file. Click the "Upload to YouTube" icon to bring up a window for sending the digital file to YouTube. Fill in your YouTube user name and password and click "OK."
8. Click the "Upload" button at the bottom right of the YouTube upload window to upload the digital file made from the VHS tape onto the Internet.
Tags: digital file, player Connect, stereo audio, button converter, button converter window, Click Upload, Connect other
Unlike a flat screen television, which produces a picture by digitally sending the signal to the screen itself, a projection television actually projects the image from behind the screen. Because of this, projection TVs are bigger than their flat screen counterparts, which has made them increasingly unpopular in today's market. However, it is untrue that flat screen TVs provide a better picture, or that they are the only kind capable of high definition. Some would even argue that rear projection provides the kind of quality imaging that cannot be found in flat screen varieties. There are three main kinds of projection TVs and they each work in their own unique way.
As it sounds, a projection television, or more commonly a "rear-projection" TV, works by projecting an image from behind the screen itself. Currently, there are three main types of technology used in rear-projection TV's: CRT, LCD, and DLP. Each uses a combination of projection devices, magnification lenses, mirrors, and screens to produce the image seen. However, each takes an alternate approach and each has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages.
The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
CRT technology represents the basic fundamentals of projection television stretching back to the early days of TV. These are the workhorses of the TV industry, and there are those who insist that they still provide the clearest picture of any high definition technology. The projector works by using three cathode ray tubes: red, green, and blue. With these three primary colors, the entire spectrum of colors can be produced. The benefits to CRT technology include the higher picture quality and the fact that--arguably--the TVs can produce the broadest range of colors. The technology itself, being the oldest and most well tested, is also less expensive than its competition. The disadvantages include the very real possibility of screen burn in (where an image--kept too long on the screen--can indelibly leave a ghost of that image on the screen permanently) and the size of the television required to house the large projector.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
LCD projection televisions work by using a strong light to shine into a liquid crystal chip. This chip contains the pixels that are then passed through a magnifying lens and then projected onto the television screen. These TVs provide a crisp image that is usually brighter than either DLP or CRT displays. However, with that added brightness comes a loss of contrast, sometimes important to those who treasure an authentic cinematic experience. There is also the possibility of pixel burnout, meaning a single pixel or two can cease to work, thus causing a distraction on the image.
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
DLP televisions are the final technology used in rear projection. The process is not dissimilar to LCD displays. The image is generated through a chip, which uses tiny mirrors to turn a digital signal into a full high definition presentation. In contrast with LCD technology, the brightness of the display is often the primary drawback of DLP televisions. However, the contrast is superior. DLP is also the most durable of the RP televisions, rarely suffering from burn-in, and without the possibility of pixel burnout.
Tags: flat screen, high definition, projection television, behind screen, from behind
It happens. You get an iPod used and you need to determine which iPod model you have. You can tell what kind of iPod you are dealing with by examining the external features of the device. For some models, you may have to look at the video display in order to determine which iPod model you have.
Instructions
1. Is the iPod colorful? Only the iPod nano comes in a range of colors. The older iPods are white or black, and the iPod Shuffle has a brushed aluminum finish. This is a fast start to determining which model of iPod you have.
2. Check the iPod for any sign of a video screen. When the iPod does not have a video screen, then you have an iPod Shuffle. Now, look at the iPod Shuffle. If you can see a belt clip on the back, you have the most recent model of iPod. The older model features a built-in USB connector.
3. Look at the top edge of the unknown iPod. If the top edge has only a single control, a 'Hold" control, then you have an iPod nano. The iPod nano also has an offset Dock Connection port and a headphone jack on the bottom edge of the device.
4. Examine the connection ports and controls on the top edge of the device. Older model standard iPods have the headphone jack in the center of the top edge, in between the FireWire jack and the "Hold" switch. When there is no FireWire port on the top edge of the device, and you are sure that you do not have a nano or a Shuffle, you have a newer standard iPod. These iPods have a redesigned "Hold" button that looks a bit like an oval-shaped pill and the headphone jack that is not centered.
Many Nextel cellular phones use microSD cards to store pictures, audio and more. If you want to transfer the microSD card's data to an SD card, it is best to use a computer, since the interface is designed with transferring files in mind. This can be useful if you have picture, video or other multimedia files using extra space on your phone's internal memory; you can also transfer files to a computer to share them with friends and family. It should not take any more than 10 to 15 minutes to transfer files from the microSD card to an SD card.
Instructions
1. Remove the microSD card from the Nextel phone.
2. Add the microSD card into the SD card adapter. Push the adapter into the computer. An Autoplay menu will pop up momentarily.
3. Click "View Folder" inside the Autoplay menu to open a folder on the computer displaying the microSD card. Copy the files that you want to move. Hold down the "Ctrl" key and click each file. Right-click the file and click "Copy."
4. Open a folder on the computer, right-click a place and click "Paste." Remove the SD card adapter.
5. Insert the SD card into the SD port. The Autoplay menu appears again, so click the "View Folder" option.
6. Select the microSD card files from the folder in Step 3. Right-click inside the SD card folder and click "Paste."
The USB cable helps transfer digital data to your computer drive.
Uploading or transferring images from your camera to your computer enables you to view your visual memories on a screen, save them and manipulate them. Windows Photo Gallery is a freeware download that helps you edit and manage your files for quick access. As a set of images copies to your computer drive, the original image files remain in your camera until you erase them with the camera controls.
Instructions
1. Download and install Windows Photo Gallery (link in Resources).
2. Power off your camera.
3. Plug one end of the USB cable into your camera's output socket and the other end into your computer's USB port.
4. Turn on the camera.
5. Press the "Windows" logo key and click "Windows Live Photo Gallery" on the Start menu.
6. Click the "Home" tab and then click "Import" in the New group. Click the camera icon, and then click "Import" to to display a dialog box.
7. Click one of two options: "Review, organize, and group items to import" or "Import all new items now." Enter a name in the field and click "Import." The images copy to your computer.
8. View your image files to confirm every file copied correctly.
Tags: your computer, your camera, click Import, Photo Gallery, computer drive, image files
With the technological advances seen in the 1990's, consumers have been able to create home entertainment systems that have cinema-level quality. A common issue that arises, however is stereo hum in the surround-sound speakers. This hum is commonly created by the peripheries of the entertainment system being plugged in to different outlets in the home that have varying levels of ground in the plug. The end-result of the variance of the grounding level of the plugs creates 60 Hz interference that results in the audio hum.
Instructions
1. Unplug all home entertainment components from their power source.
2. Plug the stereo equipment in to a power surge adapter that has multiple plugs on the cord.
3. Turn on the stereo.
4. Connect each component of the home entertainment center to the new power strip. Once all connections are made, turn on all of the entertainment center components, and the humming noise you heard before will be gone.
Tags: home entertainment, entertainment center, that have
You can use iTunes to sync photos to any iPod model, including the Nano, Touch and Classic.
In addition to syncing your favorite albums, videos and podcasts to your iPod, you can transfer photos to the device and view them on the go. While you cannot upload photos directly from an SD card to an iPod, you can transfer the pictures from the memory card to the computer, and then use iTunes to sync them to the device. If your PC doesn't include a built-in SD card slot, use an external memory card reader to transfer the pictures to your computer.
Instructions
Transfer from SD Card
1. Create a new folder for the pictures by right-clicking an empty space on desktop screen, highlighting the "New" option and selecting "Folder." Enter a name for the folder, such as iPod Photos, and then press "Enter."
2. Insert the SD card into the card reader slot on the PC. If the computer doesn't have a built-in slot, insert the SD card into an external card reader and then plug the USB end of the external card reader into an open port on the computer.
3. Launch File Explorer on the Desktop screen.
4. Click the name of your SD card in the File Explorer navigation pane. Depending on the make and model, the SD card may be listed as "Removable Disk."
5. Select the photos on the memory card, and then drag the highlighted files to the desktop folder you created. The pictures copy to your chosen folder automatically.
6. Eject the SD card from the computer.
Sync to iPod
7. Connect the iPod to the computer using the device's USB cable. Open iTunes if the program doesn't launch automatically.
8. Click the "iPod" button, and then click "Photos."
9. Check the box next to the "Sync Photos from" option. Click the "My Pictures" drop-down menu, and select "Choose Folder." Navigate through your folders and select the folder that contains the pictures you transferred from the SD card.
10. Click the "Apply" button. The photos sync to the iPod automatically.
Extend the Lifespan of Nickel Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries
In looking for ways to stretch every dollar, rechargeable batteries are one solution. Instead of purchasing multiple batteries, rechargeable batteries simply tap into your home or car's energy. Nickel cadmium rechargeable batteries are slowly being phased out of existence because they are not environmentally friendly. However, for those who still have them in a phone or laptop, you can get the most bang for your buck by following proper recharging methods.
Instructions
1. Let your nickel cadmium battery drain down until it is dead at least once a month. Only then, using your charger, plug in your device. Let the device charge for up to eight hours.
2. Place your spare rechargeable batteries in an airtight container in your refrigerator to extend their shelf life.
3. Charge your batteries only at room temperature.
4. Do not attempt to charge your batteries if your device is at full capacity. This wears on the batteries and shortens their life. Each battery has approximately 500 to 600 recharges. Each time you plug your device in to charge, whether it needs it or not, counts as a recharge.
5. Keep your batteries out of extreme heat. This will shorten the life of your batteries.
Tags: your batteries, your device, Cadmium Rechargeable, device charge, Extend Lifespan
A pressure cooker is a device which is used to cook foods faster than any other method, barring a microwave oven. A pressure cooker appears to be little more than a heavy pot with a reinforced lid. Nowadays they have pressure gauges and regulators, redundant safety seals, locking pins and steam vents. All this is necessary because a pressure cooker cooks foods faster by containing superheated steam within a pressurized chamber along with the food. The entire cooker must be designed and built to safely contain very high pressures, hence the great weight and thick metal.
What are the Dangers of Using a Pressure Cooker
In the past, when pressure cookers were relatively new, there were a large number of accidents. This was due in part to the negligence and improper use of the pressure cookers by inexperienced owners. Often they would be overfilled or too much water would be added, creating an internal pressure that was beyond the capacity of the cooker to contain. Also many of the early pressure cookers lacked the safety features that current standards require. This unfortunate confluence of circumstances has resulted in pressure cookers exploding. Flying pieces of metal have injured, crippled, and even killed anyone within the vicinity of the explosion. Superheated steam has permanently disfigured and blinded people. No such accidents have been reported within the last 25 years as a result of more exacting standards by the government, but the potential for them still exists and should be considered whenever using a pressure cooker.
How Does a Pressure Cooker Work?
A pressure cooker works under the principle that water is a more effective way to transmit heat than air is, meaning a pot of boiling water at 212 degrees can do the job of a convection oven at 400 degrees. There is no other way under normal environmental circumstances to heat water beyond 212 degrees in order to increase the speed of cooking. A pressure cooker is the solution to this problem. The food to be made is placed in the pressure cooker, along with some amount of water. The lid is securely fixed into place, usually by means of several latches or flanges. The vessel is then placed on a heat source. When the water reaches the boiling point at atmospheric pressure it begins to boil, but since the produced steam in the pressure cooker cannot escape the pressure rises, consequently raising the internal boiling point. Once the pressure increases to the designed level above air pressure a relief valve opens, releasing steam and preventing the pressure from rising any further. After a short time, you remove the cooker from the heat source and press the release valve. This safely vents all the steam so you can open the cooker and remove the food.
Tags: pressure cooker, pressure cookers, Cooker Work, Pressure Cooker, Pressure Cooker Work, along with
Chlordane can contaminate ground and surface water.
Chlordane, sometimes called clordan, is an organochlorine compound originally used as a pesticide. This substance was often used below slabs and foundations to discourage termite infestations in areas prone to termite problems. It was banned in the mid-1980s in the United States, but quantities of the chemical still persist under some homes. Chlordane is a dangerous pesticide, and can cause serious health problems in humans and animals exposed to it. Chlordane can persist for many years in the environment and degrades slowly, making it a risk to people who live in areas previously treated with the chemical.
Neurological Damage
Direct exposure to chlordane can cause neurological problems. According to an original report by the National Academies Press from shortly before chlordane was banned, chlordane poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, involuntary tremors, sweating, nausea, difficulty sleeping and general malaise. In serious cases, this chemical may cause seizures, incontinence, memory loss, personality changes, unconsciousness and death. Children exposed to chlordane early in life may be excitable, uncoordinated and prone to convulsions or seizures well after the initial exposure.
Increased Cancer Risk
Chlordane may increase the risk of testicular, mammary or other cancers, but it is currently not classified as a carcinogen. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, mice fed low levels of chlordane eventually developed liver cancer. Little information is available about cancer risk in humans, but the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reports that men exposed to persistent organochlorine pesticides like chlordane may have a higher risk of testicular germ tumors, or TGCTs. Evidence suggests that exposure to these pesticides in utero or during breast feeding may predispose young men to develop this type of tumor.
Liver Damage
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, chlordane exposure may cause changes in liver function. Japanese workers who were exposed to chlordane regularly over a long period of time developed minor changes in the function of their liver, while lab animals exposed over a long period showed serious liver problems. Chlordane under a slab can leach into ground water or otherwise spread through the environment, exposing many people to its effects.
Tags: According Agency, According Agency Toxic, Agency Toxic, Agency Toxic Substances, animals exposed
This is an example of a photo using the Rule of Thirds when taking a photo. Featured is a bumble bee on a flower.
The Rule of Thirds can be briefly described as a compositional rule that every photographer, amateur or professional, should consider when taking any type of photograph. This rule is used to make photos more interesting. The basic compositional rule utilizes the tendency for the human eye to be drawn toward the center of any subject of a photo--which is exactly what the Rule of Thirds does not do. With the Rule of Thirds, the photo is divided by two imaginary horizontal lines and two imaginary vertical lines, creating a tic-tac-toe grid. The main subject of your photo should never fall in the middle box or the center. By learning the Rule of Thirds, you'll be able to add more intensity and energy to your photos and enhance your photography skills.
Instructions
1. Place film or the memory card and batteries into the camera.
2. Attach the lens and camera strap to the camera if using a digital camera.
3. Select the "Auto" option under your camera's menu, and turn on the camera.
4. Find a place, figure, object or subject to photograph. Make sure whatever you chose has a main subject. For example, don't pick a subject like plain grass unless the grass has a main subject on or around it.
5. Make sure the subject or figure that you chose corresponds with the lighting in that area. The flash is already on under the "Auto" option, so there should be no need to change the flash.
6. Position your camera directly so that the main aspect, the subject, of your photograph is directly in the middle of the frame. This step is done only so that you can see the difference between a subject in the center of the frame (which is where it should not be) and a subject that follows the Rule of Thirds. As you get used to the Rule of Thirds, this step may be eliminated.
7. After noting how the photograph would look without using the Rule of Thirds, position the camera so that your subject is neither in the center nor on the four intersections of the tic-tac-toe grid, thus using the Rule of Thirds. Remember that the tic-tac toe grid is not actually something that you see when looking in the viewfinder of your camera; it's an imaginary grid line with three columns and three rows, making nine square boxes. Your subject should never fall in the center, nor should it fall in the area where the lines intersect.
8. Repeat Step 6 several times until you feel confident about the composition of your element.
9. After focusing in on where your subject will be within the Rule of Thirds, check that the content--including the background and foreground--doesn't overtake the subject. This is done solely on your judgment and the product and message that you want to produce with your photo.
10. When you're satisfied with all of the above instructions, snap the picture.
Tags: Rule Thirds, main subject, your camera, Auto option, compositional rule, Make sure
Prior to the advent of digital photography, pictures were captured onto a roll of film. The development process was time-consuming and had to be done by a professional. However, advances in technology led to the production of the digital camera. Pictures are now recorded digitally onto a microchip instead of film. This allows the pictures to be uploaded to a computer via a USB cable where they can be viewed, modified, stored and finally printed onto photo paper. Uploading pictures from a digital camera onto a computer can be accomplished in a few steps.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Turn your computer on and locate an available USB port. Take the smaller end of the USB cable and plug it into the digital camera. Take the other end of the cable and plug it into a USB port on your computer. Turn the digital camera on and allow the computer time to recognize the USB connection.
2. In some instances the camera will have to be set to a certain mode before the pictures will begin uploading. If nothing happens after you have connected the camera to the computer, check the user manual to see what mode the camera should be in to upload pictures.
3. An interface will appear on your computer asking you what program you would like to use to upload and view your pictures. It is best to use the default program. Click on the program icon to initiate the upload process.
4. Manually select which pictures you want to upload and whether you would like them deleted from the memory card after upload. In some instances the program will automatically recognize and upload only the pictures that were most recently taken.
5. Disconnect the USB cable from both the computer and the camera once the pictures are uploaded. Depending on your software, you may be able to modify your pictures before printing them. In any event, save the pictures onto your computer so they are readily accessible and can be printed at a future date.
Tags: digital camera, your computer, cable plug, cable plug into, pictures uploaded
A good portrait shows off the subject without distractions.
Portrait photography can be either extremely simple or creatively original. The goal of a portrait is to show off someone's personality without distractions. If you have the budget, you should at least bring two lenses to a shoot to provide some variety.
85mm
An 85mm lens is generally considered the best focal length lens to shoot portraits. This length produces a similar appearance of someone who is standing about 15 feet away, which is similar to what the human mind remembers. This focal length can be accomplished with a prime lens or with an adjustable telephoto. In either case, you'll need to stand farther back from your subject than normal because of the zoom level.
Prime Lenses
Prime lenses are lenses that are unable to zoom in or out. While this seems like a disadvantage, prime lenses are generally sharper and have a greater depth of field, which is the amount of blur in the foreground and background. The increased sharpness brings out the details and clarity that a portrait should have. Major lens manufacturers typically have a 50mm prime lens in their lineup for around $100.
Adjustable Zoom Lenses
An adjustable zoom lens, such as one with a 17mm to 135mm range, can be a convenient lens to have during a shoot. Its extremely variable zoom range makes it easy to frame different parts of a portrait. For example, you may need a wider angle for photographing a torso than simply a face. Instead of changing lenses, you can simply zoom out with an adjustable lens. The disadvantage is that variable lenses typically are slightly lower in image quality than prime lenses.
Fisheye Lenses
In special situations, a fisheye lens can be the appropriate lens for a portrait. These ultra-wide lenses are best suited for more casual, artistic portraits. A portrait of a surfer, for example, may be extremely appealing with a fisheye.
Tags: focal length, prime lens, with adjustable, without distractions
Fuji digital cameras take digital photos that are stored on memory cards. Depending on the Fuji digital camera, the memory card may be different. Many Fuji digital cameras use XD memory cards while the other ones support SDHC memory cards. To upload the photos from these cards onto a computer, a multi-card reader must be connected to the computer since computers do not have native ports for these cards.
Instructions
1. Plug the memory card from the Fuji camera into the multi-card reader. If the card is an SDHC card, plug it into the "SDHC" slot. If the card is an XD card, plug it into the "XD" slot.
2. Plug the multi-card reader's cable into the USB port of the computer.
3. Open the memory card's primary folder by clicking "View Folder of All Files" in the "Autoplay" box that opens up in the middle of the screen.
4. Select the photos you want to put on the computer. Hold down the "Ctrl" key on the computer's keyboard and left-click each photo. Once you have stopped selecting photos, right-click a selected photo and left-click "Copy."
5. Open a folder on the computer where you want to store the photos taken with your Fuji camera. Right-click a blank area inside the camera and left-click "Paste." A progress bar appears showing you how long it will take to copy the files to the folder. When the bar is gone, the copying process is complete.
Removing maps from a Garmin GPS device may be necessary if your SD memory is almost full and you want to add a new map you bought. This is why when a Garmin GPS device offers updated maps you should accept the update download that will replace old maps. To delete an unneeded map on the device--and clear up some memory--you then need to keep these steps in mind.
Instructions
1. Remove the SD card from the Garmin GPS.
2. Insert SD card into your computer's card reader.
3. Open the "My Computer" in either the desktop or the start button.
4. Double click the SD card folder to open it.
5. Hold "Ctrl" on your keyboard and left click on all the map files in the folder. Once they are all highlighted, right click and select "Copy."
6. Go to your desktop, right click and select "Paste." You have created backup copies of the maps in your Garmin GPS. Return to the SD card folder via "My Computer."
7. Select the map file you wish to delete, left click it once and press both "Shift" and "Delete" on your keyboard.
8. Return the SD card into Garmin GPS. Turn it on. Check the screen to see if the right map has been deleted. If any mistakes are made, simply start over from step 1. Replace any map that has been accidentally deleted.
Tags: card folder, card into, click select, from Garmin, Garmin device, left click, Return card
The kids can't stand long drives? A center console car theater is great for back seat passenger entertainment during boring commutes and lengthy treks. Follow these steps to find a center console car theater system that will work for you.
Instructions
1. Determine what screen size you want. Screens range from 3 to 7 inches. The bigger the screen, the more you'll pay.
2. Determine if you want an all-in-one system or a separate DVD and monitor system. An all-in-one system is more convenient but a DVD and monitor system allows for greater flexibility.
3. Look online for a car video retail Web site like autobarn.com or qualitymobilevideo.com. You can also visit electronics stores like Best Buy to browse a wide variety of car theater systems.
4. Browse the different brands and styles. Car theater systems come in a variety of styles and colors, so you can choose the one that best matches your interior. All the major brands like Panasonic and Sony offer center console car theater systems.
5. Choose your accessories. Most car theater systems are compatible with video games, TV tuners and antennas, CD and MP3 players, multiple DVD changers and navigation systems.
Tags: theater systems, center console theater, all-in-one system, center console, console theater, monitor system
Photographing fingerprints can be challenging for a novice photographer, as fingerprints are not as clearly defined as the subjects most photographers try to capture. Photographers must take steps to ensure that a fingerprint is visible in a photograph and detailed enough to be identified. Photographing a fingerprint on a mirror introduces additional challenges that can be overcome with proper technique.
Instructions
1. Position your camera at an angle to the mirror so that neither you nor your camera is visible in the reflection. The closer you are to the mirror, the wider this angle must be.
2. Hang a black or dark-colored backdrop so that the backdrop appears behind the fingerprint from the view of the camera.
3. Position an external flash at an angle oblique to the fingerprint so that neither the flash unit itself nor the reflected light will be visible to the camera. You may need to take a few test shots to ensure that the flash does not create harsh highlights in the image.
4. Place a clear sheet of glass, if you have one, between the camera and the fingerprint at a 45-degree angle. Your external flash or an additional flash should be positioned perpendicular to the line between the camera and the fingerprint.
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