Lithium and alkaline batteries are the most dominant forms of portable energy for consumer electronics. Both are generally designed to run at the same voltage and can be used in the same applications if put in a AA, AAA or 9V housing. However, companies may design proprietary batteries for particular products.
Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline batteries are disposable batteries that use a zinc anode and a manganese oxide cathode to create electric power. They come in a variety of standardized sizes, from AAA to 9V to larger C/D sizes.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are similar to alkaline batteries, but use lithium instead of zinc as an anode.
Voltage
Lithium batteries can produce voltages up to 3.7V, higher than what alkaline batteries can produce (9V batteries are actually 1.5v in clusters of 6).
Lifespan
Lithium batteries have both a longer operating life and a longer shelf-life than alkaline batteries.
Weight
Lithium batteries weigh approximately 1/3 less than their alkaline counterparts, which, coupled with their longer life, makes them excellent for power-hungry portable devices.
Cost
Lithium batteries can cost up to 2.5 times more than similar alkaline batteries.
The RCA Digital Voice Recorder is a recording device with a hard drive. Use the RCA Digital Voice Recorder to create its native VOC audio file on the device. You can then transfer the file to your computer and play the VOC files using the RCA Digital Voice Manager software. The installation software for the device is on the recorder's hard drive. Install the software onto a computer and use the software to play VOC files.
Instructions
1. Press the "Record" button on the RCA Digital Voice Recorder and speak into the microphone on the device.
2. Press "Stop" when you are finished recording. A VOC file of your voice is saved to the recorder's hard drive.
3. Plug the RCA Digital Voice Recorder into a free USB port on a computer using the USB connector cable that shipped with the device. The Digital Voice Recorder registers on the computer as a "Removable Drive" and a drive letter is assigned to the device.
4. Right-click on the Windows "Start" button and click "Open Windows Explorer." The file navigator opens.
5. Click on the entry for the removable drive in the left navigation pane. The contents of the RCA Digital Voice Recorder's hard drive list in the right pane.
6. Click on the folder named "Setup." The folder opens in the right pane.
7. Click on the "Setup.exe" file to start the installation wizard for the RCA Digital Voice Manager software. Click "Install" when prompted.
8. Click "I Agree" to agree to the Terms of Service and then click "Next." Click "Next" at each prompt to accept the installation defaults. Click "Finish" to close the wizard once the installation is complete.
9. Click again on the removable drive folder in the left navigation pane and then click on the Content folder. The VOC files are stored in the content folder and are identified by the time and date they were created.
10. Right-click on the VOC file you just created and click "Copy" from the context menu.
11. Right-click on the desktop and click "Paste." The VOC file is pasted to your desktop.
12. Right-click again on the VOC file and click "Open With."
13. Click the "RCA Digital Voice Manager" option to open the VOC file in the digital voice player software.
Tags: Digital Voice, Digital Voice Recorder, Voice Recorder, hard drive, Digital Voice
Communicating across town, to the next state or even across the globe has become increasingly easier with the advent of new technology, such as webcams. Laptops and netbooks like ones made by Acer feature a built-in webcam that you can use to take pictures and video chat with friends and family around the world. Working a webcam on an Acer laptop is very easy.
Instructions
1. Take pictures independent of communications software on the Windows version of the netbook by using the webcam without connecting to networking software. Click the "Windows Start" menu and click "Acer Crystal Eye Webcam" in the Programs list. The webcam application should open and the camera should produce an initial warmup image. Use the buttons on the control panel to adjust image size or take photos.
2. Use the Instant Messenger program on the Acer Linux-based laptop or netbook to work the webcam. The Acer Instant Messenger program is available in the Connect folder on the Acer laptop's desktop screen.
3. To send and receive live video and pictures using your webcam on an Acer laptop, work the webcam through individual communications software, including Skype, Windows Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, or Google Video Chat. Open your selected communications software program and click the webcam button to work your webcam.
WWE stop motion animations are created using WWE action figures and making them come alive through post production. Using the figures will not create smooth animations like "Celebrity Deathmatch" but you can still create impressive short videos. The process takes a lot of time, but with the right production effort, you can duplicate a real WWE show. Gather together your favorite WWE toys and accessories to create the stop motion animation and make them come to life.
Instructions
Set-Up
1. Set the digital camera up on a tripod. Each shot needs to match the same settings as the last shot, so a tripod will keep the camera stable and create matching pictures.
2. Create the WWE arena. Use as many elements as possible including the ring, announcer's table and entrance stage. Use extra action figures as the surrounding audience for the taping.
3. Take a few test shots. Set up a wrestler in the center of the ring. Take a picture, slightly move the wrestler and take another picture. Repeat this until you have five pictures taken. Use the "Playback" function on the camera to see each picture. Quickly scroll through them to see the animation play out.
4. Plan out the match you want to tape. The more wrestlers you use, the more complicated the match will become. Write down a bullet-point list of moves that you want to do.
5. Draw out a simple storyboard to visualize each scene from the match outline. See where the camera show, estimate how many pictures to take and plan any added special effects.
Production
6. Animate the entrance of the wrestlers. Frame the shot with the feet out of the photo so that the movements do not look awkward. For wrestlers like Alberto Del Rio, animate him in a rolling car for a better visual effect. Capture three different angles of the entrance for more editing choices in post-production.
7. Capture footage of crowd reactions. Take a picture of a group of action figures; adjust them all slightly and take another picture. Repeat this for 20 to 30 pictures to have a steady crowd movement shot that you can cut to.
8. Set-up two ring announcers and capture reaction shots and general footage of them talking. Move their heads slightly between shots to indicate talking.
9. Move the wrestlers around the ring using slight movements. Standard WWE action figures feature movement points on the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Use all three together for a fluid life-like animation. Use a folded piece of duct tape on their feet to secure them to ring.
10. Attach fishing line to the wrestler for high flying moves. The line is barely visible on the camera and will allow you to hold the wrestler mid-air without your arm or hand in the show. Be aware of shadows that you could create.
Post-Production
11. Upload all of the captured photos onto a computer. Organize each scene into its own folder for easy editing.
12. Import a scene into a video editing software application. Drag and drop each photo into the "Video Timeline." Render the complete video to create a video file with the photos strung together.
13. Use a "Speed Effect" to speed up the rendered file and create the sped-up animation.
14. Edit the scenes together. Feature lots of quick cuts between the action, crowds, announcers and other angles. This will keep the viewer's attention. Make sure the action flows correctly and the match makes sense.
15. Add in sound effects and music to finalize the video. You could place a WWE logo in the bottom corner and run a looping crowd noise reaction to make it more realistic.
Tags: action figures, another picture, another picture Repeat, each scene, picture Repeat
Finding a gramophone is relatively easy, despite the fact that the popularity of modern turntables have made them virtually obsolete. While the word "gramophone" refers to many types of players, it mainly describes antique, mechanical wind-up devices used to play recorded musical and vocal sounds. In America, the preferred term is "phonograph," or brand names like Victrola. Early phonographs--such as the Edison and Berline--used cylinders and discs, respectively. Gramophones are known for their unique and beautiful sound.
Instructions
1. Consult books on gramophones or audiophile magazines for information about specific features of models and makes, and to learn about the technology history of gramophones. Learn avoid overpayment, fakes and poorly assembled gramophones.
2. Browse Internet auction sites, attend public auctions, and visit antique dealers and specialists who restore, sell, repair and collect gramophones. A quick web or phone search offers reliable vendors primarily in Great Britain and the United States. Consider searching antique fairs and flea markets, but do not expect to be successful finding a gramophone in those venues.
3. Ask questions about the gramophone you are considering buying in regards to its condition, history, features, functionality and accessories. Not all gramophones are antique or in their original condition, but rather are new or rebuilt using new parts. If possible, play the gramophone before purchasing it. Listen for consistent performance and sound.
4. If you are having the gramophone shipped, make sure that the vendor uses a safe, appropriate packing method. Consider having it insured by the shipper. Gramophones are extremely fragile.
5. Shopping for gramophone accessories is not always convenient. Find matching accessories for your model and ask about catalogs that offer more listening. Some older recordings include interesting speeches and rare music. Cylinders used in old phonographs were sometimes used in children's toys.
6. Learn properly clean, care for, use and store the gramophone and its parts. Cleaning must be handled carefully. Some antiques are sensitive to movement, dust and temperature, and require gentle handling.
Adding a Jensen 6 disc changer to your system will give you the flexibility to choose from six discs with a push of a button. With the use of an FM modulator, you can install the Jensen CD changer directly to your existing set up. Before getting started, find a location for the changer, like your trunk or under the front passenger's seat.
Instructions
1. Disconnect the car battery.
2. Run the cable from the Jensen changer to the back of your dashboard. Depending where you mount the changer, you might want to hide the cable under the carpet or run it along the door panel. Take some time before you mount the changer to figure out what is the best way to run the cable for your situation.
3. Remove your deck and the dashboard around it to access the back of the deck.
4. Locate the antenna lead plugged in to the back of your deck. Unplug it.
5. Find a good space to mount the FM modulator behind the dash and close enough to the deck to connect the antenna lead. You can secure the modulator to the inside of your dash by using two sided Velcro tape and place it where you need. Plug the antenna lead into the modulator's "Antenna In."
6. Connect the FM modulator to your deck by plugging the "Antenna Out" lead off the modulator to the antenna in on your deck.
7. Connect the two power cables from the modulator to your car's power. One lead goes to a constant source of power and one connects to a switched 12-volt power source.
8. Ground the modulator by running the black wire to an exposed screw. Wrap the wire around the screw and tighten it down so the wire doesn't come loose.
9. Reinstall your deck and dashboard.
10. Find a spot on your dash to mount the display unit. You can get creative and cut a hole in your dash and mount it that way or you can use Velcro tape and place it on your dash that way. Make sure it is close enough to the driver's seat so it can be accessed without having to reach too far. If there are loose wires hanging from under the dash you will want to tuck them under the dash and wrap them with wire ties.
Tags: your deck, your dash, antenna lead, back your, close enough
DishPronto is one of the many authorized retailers of Dish Network Satellite TV. It offers several satellite TV programming packages. Information about these packages can be obtained from the DishPronto Satellite Program Guide. Here's how you can get the program guide.
Instructions
Get the Program Guide
1. Go to the DishPronto website (see link below).
2. Click the "Programming" option of the menu on the top of the screen.
3. A sub-menu listing various programming packages appears. Click on any of the packages to get detailed information about pricing and channels. You can also order the package online.
4. Alternatively, call DishPronto's toll free number (1-800-315-0788) to get more information about the programming guide. You can also request the customer service representative to mail you a printed guide.
Categories of Programming from DishPronto Dish Network Satellite TV
5. Look at the basic packages. Several base packages vary in pricing and number of channels. The basic packages include America's Top 60, America's Top 120, America's Top180, and America's Everything Pak.
6. Look at the local programming options. DishPronto offers various local programs for a fixed rate. These include CBS, FOX, ABC and NBC. You can check availability of local programs online.
7. Check out the Dish HD packages. DishPronto offers programming packages specifically for HDTVs. These include Dish HD Bronze, Dish HD Silver, Dish HD Gold and Dish HD Platinum.
8. Get a list of the sports packages. These include several premium packages such as MLB Extra Innings, ESPN Full Court and English Premier League.
9. Get a list of the international programming, including Spanish language packages (Dish Latino Basic, Dish Latino Dos, Dish Latino Max, Dish Latino Everything Pak, Chinese language packages and others.
10. Get a list of the Adult Programming packages online. This includes Playboy TV, Extasy and TEN.
Tags: Dish Latino, Dish Network, Dish Network Satellite, Network Satellite, Program Guide, These include, America America
Converting your 8mm films to CD isn't as hard as you think. Chances are, if you have a bunch of 8mm film, you've probably got the projector as well. Using this projector and any standard DV camera, you can convert 8mm film to CD yourself. This can save you money, as well as the time it takes for shipping the films off, waiting for the transfer and waiting for them to ship them back. Best of all, by capturing the films on your computer, you can add titles and effects to keep your treasured 8mm memories looking even better than before.
Instructions
Capturing Your Own 8mm Film
1. Choose a dark room for capturing the film---the darker, the better.
2. Tape white poster board on the wall.
3. Set a 8mm projector up facing the poster board. Run the projector and ensure the image is contained on the poster board and doesn't bleed over the edges. Focus as necessary.
4. Set the DV camera up next to the projector, pointing at the white poster board.
5. Run the projector. 8mm film is projected at 18 frames per second. You need something closer to 24 frames per second for a good video capture. If your projector has variable projection speed, change this to 20 frames per second. Set it to 24 if your projector has this setting.
6. Turn the DV camera on and zoom in on the image projected on the poster board so that it fills the entire viewfinder. Focus as necessary.
7. Capture the completed film. Turn off the lights. Start your DV camcorder recording and then start the projector.
Converting Film to CD
8. Plug your camcorder into your computer. In most cases, this will be a Firewire connection, but some DV cameras can output through USB as well.
9. Start your favorite editing software and capture the footage from the DV camera. In "Windows Movie Maker," for example, hit the "Import" button to begin capturing the footage.
10. Edit and add any titles necessary to your footage with the editing software.
11. Output the final result to CD when finished. To use the Windows Movie Maker example, hit "Export" and then select the "Data CD" option. Insert a blank CD and the program will write the file out to the disk.
The Sunpak DS-20 flash is a small, yet versatile portable flash that can be used on a number of cameras. The flash uses two "AA" batteries and will work with your camera's Through The Lens (TTL) metering system. The flash is fully automatic and does not give the user the opportunity to manually control the power setting. Two significant features are a tilt-able flash head allowing the photographer to create a softer light, and the flash's ability to be used remotely through a wireless trigger.
Instructions
1. Slide the Sunpak DS-20 on to your camera's hot shoe and secure the flash in place using the locking device.
2. Turn the flash and camera on, allow the flash to fully charge, then look through the viewfinder and you should see a small diagonal lightning bolt that indicates the flash is ready to use.
3. Tilt the flash head by carefully prying the bottom of the white flash unit so it tilts towards the ceiling. This is called "bouncing" and creates a softer light on your subject, and all but eliminating the shadows behind it.
4. Wrap an elastic band around the top of the flash, and insert a white business card or other white card vertically into the elastic band so the card sticks up above the flash. This is a called a bounce card and helps in directing a small amount of light towards your subject.
Tags: elastic band, flash fully, flash head, softer light, Sunpak DS-20, This called
A radio scanner allows you to monitor traffic activity or police reports, and uses VHF and UHF radio signals to pick up these frequencies. You can program as many channels as you want to your scanner, but first you need to know unlock it to use those channels. Note that every radio scanner operates differently. Consult your user manual for specifics on your scanner's features. The following provides information on program it.
Instructions
1. Push the "Squelch" button, which helps eliminate static on channels. Turn the knob slowly until you no longer hear static.
2. Press the "State" button and select the state you want to monitor. Press the button until your state appears on the display. Press "Highway" or "Police" to monitor highway police or local police.
3. Press the "Lock" or "Lock Out" button, depending on the type of scanner you have. Press it again to unlock and allow you to scan for channels.
4. Press "Band" to search for channels. Hold it until you find a channel you want. Press "Band" again to save the channel.
A camera lens aperture works in conjunction with several other key features to create the perfect exposure for an image, either digitally or on traditional film. When the aperture and shutter speed are adjusted together correctly, the light meter inside the camera reads the correct exposure, leading to a good image. When looking through the viewfinder of an older manual film camera, the light meter is usually represented by a line hovering between two points (a plus for overexposure and a minus for underexposure). In newer film cameras and almost all digital cameras, the light meter is represented by a digital readout similar to the plus and minus readout of an older camera. When the line (or digital dot) hovers directly in between the two points, the camera is set to the correct exposure.
Using the Aperture for Exposure
The aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera. It is controlled by numbers called f-stops, which usually range from 5.6 to 45, depending on the brand of lens. Smaller f-stops let more light in because the aperture opens to create a bigger "hole," which is represented in the illustration above. Larger f-stops actually close up the hole, making a smaller area for light to pass through. The shutter speed controls how long the aperture is open for, and therefore how long a specific amount of light is let through. For instance, if the f-stop of a lens is set to 5.6 and the shutter speed of the camera is set to 1/1000, a good deal of light is allowed through the lens for one 1,000th of a second. The shutter speed/aperture combination varies based on the lighting situation; an aperture set at 16 and a shutter speed of 1/100 with 100 ASA film speed would be appropriate for a sunny day. Different lighting situations mean different aperture settings, which is why a light meter is is so important.
Shooting Manually, with Aperture Priority, or on Automatic
The above section explains shooting manually by changing the shutter speed and aperture by using the light meter as a gauge. Some cameras (both film and digital) come with an aperture priority mode, which lets the user decide the aperture opening while the camera decides the correct shutter speed. Many cameras also come with a fully automatic mode, which allows the camera to choose both the shutter speed and aperture for completely automatic shooting. All three options can be useful in various shooting situations.
Depth of Field
Aside from controlling exposure, the aperture of a lens also controls the depth of field in a photograph. If the aperture is set to a very small aperture opening, like 5.6, a good deal of light streams into the camera; this also limits the amount of the image that will be in focus. The point of critical focus would be in focus, but much of the background would be out of focus. For example, if one was photographing a tree with a large field behind it, the tree would be in focus but the majority of the background field would not. If the aperture is set to a larger aperture opening, like 42, most of the image would be in focus. Using the previous example, the tree and the field would both be crisply focused. The use of varied depth of field and exposure techniques can make for very interesting images, all courtesy of the lens aperture.
Lens paper cleans delicate optical surfaces like this camera lens.
Lens paper is a soft, lightweight, lint-free tissue used to clean delicate optical surfaces such as camera lenses and viewfinders. The smallest scratch on a camera lens could result in a huge imperfection once a picture is developed, so lens paper is specially formulated to clean smudges without creating nicks or leaving debris that can obscure the shot. You can also use lens paper on microscopes, telescopes and binoculars.
Basic Lens Paper
Basic lens paper is suitable for the vast majority of lens cleaning needs. Most manufacturers sell lens paper in packs of at least 25 individual sheets that are small enough to clean intricate camera parts with maximum control. Look for lens paper that meets the quality standard set by the U.S. General Services Administration. These products will say on their labels that the paper meets federal specification NNN-P-40B or the more recent specification A-A-50177B.
Precision Optics Lens Paper
While basic lens paper is of sufficient quality to clean most consumer optical lenses, more sophisticated technologies require an even finer lens paper. Companies such as Peca Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of optical cleaning products, make higher-quality lens paper suitable for cleaning science lab instruments, as well as "Class 5" lens paper approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for cleaning precision instruments such as scopes that the Armed Forces use.
Composition
Basic lens paper is composed of bleached chemical wood pulp (derived through a chemical cooking process that breaks down the wood fibers), bleached cotton or linen fibers, or a mixture of the two. In order to meet federal standards, lens paper may not contain unbleached or mechanical wood pulp (derived through a grinding process) or any other contaminants.
Use
To achieve the most thorough clean, use lens paper in combination with a liquid lens cleaning solution. First use a dry lens tissue to sweep away larger particles of dust or debris, which could potentially scratch the lens if rubbed. Gather several sheets of tissue in a wad, then apply a few drops of cleaning solution and rub the surface of the lens in a gentle circular motion. Last, buff the lens with a dry tissue to avoid streaks until the lens is clear.
35mm film is considered the worldwide standard for film projection in theaters.
35mm film is the worldwide standard for film projection in movie theaters. As the basic film gauge most commonly used, it has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1892. The film is literally cut into strips 35 millimeters (about 1 3/8 inches) wide. In the same way, the 70mm film measures 70 millimeters (2.8 inches).
Digital film shoots footages in either standard definition or high definition. High definition is more widely referred to as digital film, as it is commonly used for theatrical releases to achieve the highest possible quality and resolution, especially when projected on a big screen. Yet, even in 2010, high definition is still developing to reach the quality and resolution offered by 35mm and 70mm.
Shooting on Film
Shooting on film has more than 100 years of continued history for filmmakers and film audiences alike. Whether 16mm, 35mm, 65mm or 70mm, these film formats are the most reliable in obtaining the best picture quality for movies. This is comparable to the still picture shot with a camera using 35mm film. Even with the cheapest camera available, a good quality picture shot with it can be readily blown up to 10 inches or bigger from the original 3R (3x5 inches) size. For digital cameras, which work with pixels and digital storage instead of exposing an image onto film, the maximum print size of a photo is dependent on the image's resolution and file size.
The reason for the high quality of film compared to most digital formats is the medium itself and how it organically processes the exposed image. The developed image is printed on a positive film stock (similar to the negative of a picture shot in a nondigital still camera, only that it already has the correct colors of the image). And when the film is projected on the big screen, the quality does not suffer, because film is made of grains that are circular as compared to the digital format's pixels, which are made of squares. Pixilation shows up when the movie is projected on a big screen, once it reaches its maximum resolution limit.
Digital Advantages
The advantage of shooting digitally is that it makes the filmmaking work flow faster and more efficient. In modern film production, even those shot on film need to be digitally scanned during post-production (a similar concept to scanning a photo print and editing it using any photo-editing software). And bypassing the scanning part makes the editing process faster by simply dumping the digital files onto the post-production equipment ready for editing.
Another disadvantage of shooting on film is the medium doesn't allow the viewing of the exact image it provides while shooting since the film stock needs to be developed first through chemical processing. In digital shooting, a properly calibrated monitor allows the filmmakers to view the exact quality of the scene being shot.
Technical Comparison: Film Vs. Digital
When shooting on film, digitally scanning it for post-production provides a resolution approximated to be 4K pixels per line. This is when using a full scan resolution of 4096 pixels by 3072 lines when digitizing the analog film negative.
High definition (HD) refers to the video system of higher resolution than standard definition (SD) video. The HD format can also be referred to as "digital," while the SD format is more often attributed as "analog" (except for the analog film format that offers optimum image quality better than HD). The most commonly involved display resolutions for the digital format is 1280 --- 720 pixels (720p) or 1920 --- 1080 pixels (1080i/1080p). The "i" refers to interlaced while "p" refers to progressive. These two involve more technical descriptions that need in-depth technical explanation on how each one works.
35mm and 70mm Film
70mm film is a wide high-resolution film gauge with higher resolution compared to the standard 35mm motion picture format. As used in a camera during the shoot, the film is ideally 65mm (2.6 inches) in width; while in projection, the original 65mm film is printed to a 70mm (2.8 inches) film stock. The additional 5mm is meant for the magnetic strips holding four of the six tracks of the film's sound.
Although more recent 70mm prints can already use digital sound encoding, the majority of 70mm prints still predate this technology. And a number of film theaters are still unable to handle 70mm film because this entails a huge investment in theatrical equipment. Thus, 70mm films are better shown in 35mm print versions by utilizing the regular Cinemascope/Panavision aspect ratio of 2.35:1. This format provides wide-screen image that has a longer width than regular 35mm film, which has an aspect ratio of 16:9. Using the right anamorphic film equipment usually achieves the wide-screen format.
Digital Film
The digital format offers improved signal/noise ratios, which are considerable compared with the sensitivity of film. However, the challenge in digital filmmaking is achieving enough dynamic range (the ability to resolve extremes in dark and light areas in a scene to result in the specific exposure of the footage) as that when using the film format. In fact, even the best HD cameras today are still inferior to the dynamic range a regular 35mm film can offer.
The best part in shooting digitally is how it provides a significantly much cheaper option to filmmakers. A conservative budget for a digital feature film can go as low as $20,000, while a minimal budget for a 35mm feature film can be more than four times its digital counterpart. This is because each film stock, one can of 35mm film negative (around 3.5 minutes of footage) already costs around $270. The filmmaker also needs film prints. A can (worth around 18 to 20 minutes of footage) costs around $1,290. There are still other requirements, including intermediate films and laboratory expenses, among other things. Kodak's Motion Picture Catalog for March 2009 reports these cost figures.
On the other hand, shooting digitally requires just HD tapes (one tape is worth 30 to 60 minutes of footage) costing around $300 each. The post-production process can also take place in a home editing suite with decent hardware and software for a reasonable price.
Tags: 35mm film, film stock, digital format, minutes footage, picture shot
If you are in the market for a television, you might have decided that you want to purchase a HDTV. Now that you've decided on the type of television you're going to buy, it is time to find the right HDTV for you. Doing a little research will help inform your decision.
Instructions
1. Measure the area where you intend to put the HDTV. Know the maximum space available for your TV choice.
2. Determine which style of HD suits you best. There are three types: HD-ready (can display standard-definition programs on their own, but require a digital cable/satellite box to get other digital channels), integrated HDTV (has an ASTC digital tuner built in and need no additional equipment when used with a roof antenna) and Digital Cable Ready (DCR-or plug-and-play, can plug a digital card from a cable/satellite company directly into TV).
3. Consider aspect ratio. The 4:3 aspect is a square screen, similar to conventional TVs. A wide screen aspect, 16:9 or 15:9, has a rectangular shape that resembles a movie screen, also known as a letterbox. Any content set to one type of aspect ratio will have to be modified to the other, should you use it.
4. Think about any extras you'd like in an HDTV. If you watch a lot of DVDs (in non-progressive scan modes), you'll want to look for 3:2 compensation, also called CineMotion or film mode. Stretch and zoom modes can expand or contract images to best fill screen space.
5. Consider what you'll be hooking into your new HDTV. Be sure there are enough outputs that are conveniently located for devices such as cable/satellite boxes, VCRs and DVD players.
6. Find how much HD content is available where you live. If there's not much content availability, it may not be worth the extra expense you'll pay for HD, or you may want to wait until more HD programming is available before you spend the money on an HDTV.
7. Search the Internet for options. Look at review Web sites, such as Consumer Reports and chain store Web sites, such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Target and Wal-Mart. By typing "HDTV" into any search engine, you can find many different pieces of information.
8. Go shopping. See what's available and compare prices. Talk to sales staff and get their opinions from their personal sales experience and expertise.
Tags: cable satellite, aspect ratio, much content, sites such
Transduction happens when DNA from one bacterial cell is transferred to another. One way this happens is through a virus. The virus takes the DNA from a bacteria and keeps it stored until it comes in contact with another. When the virus infects the second bacteria cell, it transfers the DNA from the other cell and causes a mutation of the second cell. The virus carries the mutated bacteria DNA with it to infect other bacteria and continues to mutate the virus. This is the reason that some viruses are difficult to treat. The virus continues to adapt to medications by changing constantly.
In some cases, the transduction is done on purpose. Scientists do experiments on cells to manipulate DNA and use the transduction process to bring a foreign gene into another DNA. The purpose of this is to find ways to help build stronger DNA or fix cells that are damaged in some way. This might enable scientists in the future to cure diseases that damage cells or fix a health issue in a fetus. Examples would include curing cancer or strengthening a vital organ. It might even be possible to help with HIV.
The DNA that is introduced to another bacteria during the transduction process has the possibility of doing two other things when it connects with the second cell. The new cell can break up the DNA for spare parts to be used when needed to repair damage. Or it can be a similar match to the DNA in the second cell, in which case the second cell will take the parts that have become stronger and discard the rest. An example of this would be if the parts from the first cell had developed a resistance to antibodies, the virus would implement those in the second cell.
Knowing use S-Video can make your Internet and television viewing easier. If you have a theater system, you want the S-Video cable to plug into the TV from the base system so you get the quality visuals of the movie you are watching. If you have a computer, you can plug the S-Video into the laptop and into the TV so the TV acts as a monitor for quality visuals. The S-Video works for camcorders and video games.
Instructions
1. Hook up the theater system base receiver to the TV with an S-Video cable. The TV must have the S-Video input. Simply run the S-Video plug from the back of the receiver (in the S-Video output) to the TV's S-Video input.
2. Use the S-Video to hook up your X-box to the TV. This will enhance the picture quality when you are playing any game. Run the cable from the S-Video output to the TV input S-Video.
3. Use the S-Video to hook up the camcorder to the TV for viewing. The cable is plugged into the S-Video output on the camcorder and plugged in on the back of the TV's S-Video input.
4. Connect your computer to your TV with the S-Video cable. You will find the S-Video output on your computer (usually on the bottom back section of the computer) and run the other end of the cable to the TV S-Video input. Check your computer manual to see if you need to make any adjustments on the computer to use the S-Video. All computers are different and some require no additional adjustments.
5. Use the "Input" button on your TV or remote to find the proper input to view the S-Video after you have it hooked up. This could be Video 1, Video 2, Aux or L1. It all depends on your TV and how the input is set up.
If you are in the market for a new cell phone, it can be extremely difficult to determine which devices are better than others and what features you really need. Your cell phone purchase should depend on a combination of factors that focus on your intentions with the device and your available budget. Understanding what features make a great cell phone will help you choose one that meets your needs and compliments your style.
Instructions
1. Consider the size and weight. As technology improves, electronic devices like cell phones continue to get smaller and lighter. However, you might be more comfortable with a larger or heavier phone, especially if you have bigger hands and fingers. Smaller phones have small buttons, which may be difficult or uncomfortable to accurately press. The "best" size and weight is a matter of opinion, and you should hold a phone in your hands to get a better sense of how it feels before you buy it.
2. Consider the shape and form. Today's phones come in three major designs: bar, flip and slide. Bar phones, also called "candy bars," are ordinary rectangular-shaped devices. Flip phones, also called "clamshells," have a hinged design. The inner top portion of the clamshell typically contains the screen, and the bottom portion contains the keys. Many of these phones also have a smaller secondary screen on the outside of the clamshell, which provides you with information such as the time and caller ID. Slide phones, or "sliders," are a relatively new design compared to bars and flips, and offer a large screen with few or no buttons and a keypad that slides out from beneath the screen. The keypads slide out to the side or below the screen. The specific shape and design of the cell phone you buy will be a matter of preference, and this factor alone cannot be used to determine which device is "best."
3. Consider the interaction method. Modern cell phones come in two choices of interaction: standard and touch-screen. Standard devices require you to press buttons on the phone to send and receive calls, navigate menus and access additional features. Touch-screen phones allow you to control the device by simply touching graphic buttons and images that appear on the screen, which senses the pressure of your finger. The interaction method is also a personal preference and there are many high-quality devices that are both standard and touch-screen.
4. Consider the text input method. If you will be sending text messages and emails with your phone, the method in which you input text is extremely important. Most phones require you to press the number on the keypad that corresponds to assigned letters and symbols. However, many devices contain QWERTY keyboards that are laid out similarly to ordinary computer keyboards. Most slider phones contain full keyboards beneath the screen, and many bar phones have one as well. It is rare for a flip phone to have a full keyboard, but some do exist. Nearly every touch-screen phone can display a full keyboard as well. The text input method is another personal choice and the method alone cannot be used to label a device as "better" or "worse" than another.
5. Consider the operating system. Many phones are operated by the manufacturer's proprietary software, while others use independent operating systems provided by the industry's largest and most popular companies. Microsoft provides Windows Mobile, an operating system similar to the desktop version of Windows, and allows for many more advanced uses of the device. Palm and Symbian are two other common operating systems, reducing the learning curve that is often problematic with a new device purchase. Additionally, the independent operating systems allow for simpler integration between the phone and your desktop computer, making them better if you will need your device for more than just phone calls.
6. Consider the camera. Most modern cell phones have a camera, and the quality of the camera is only relevant if you plan on actually taking pictures. Better mobile devices have integrated cameras with at least two or three megapixels, and some of the best devices have cameras with five or more megapixels, resulting in higher quality photographs. Some phones even include a flash on the camera, making your device extremely versatile for everyday snapshots. Good phone cameras can also take videos and act as a mini camcorder.
7. Consider the multimedia capability. Great phones give you the ability to store music and video clips which can be played back by an integrated media player application. This lets you use your phone as a portable jukebox and video library, alleviating the need for a separate music or video device. The quality of the speakers and screen, as well as the phone's storage capacity, are important if multimedia is a feature you want. Some phones are designed primarily with a focus on multimedia and include much better audio and video software than others.
8. Consider the messaging. Every mobile phone can send and receive text messages, but not every device can accommodate email accounts and instant messaging. The best phones are those that can connect to multiple email accounts, allowing you to send and receive emails regardless of the time and place, and to access instant messaging platforms, allowing you to communicate in real time with friends and family.
9. Consider Bluetooth. Bluetooth capabilities are present on all good phones and let your device connect wirelessly to headsets for hands-free operation, and transfer files to other Bluetooth-ready phones. The possibilities of what can be accomplished with Bluetooth applications continue to expand, and great phones have a powerful signal transmitter to ensure stable wireless connections between your device and others.
10. Consider the web browser. Many cell phones can connect to the internet, letting you search for information, play games and access additional resources. Unfortunately, several mobile browsers are unable to access websites not specifically designed for phones, or they display websites in a crowded and confusing manner. The best mobile phones contain internet browsers capable of displaying websites so they appear identical to what is displayed on desktop computers.
Tags: cell phones, cell phone, phones have, your device, operating systems
New subscriptions usually include free installation so subscribers do not have to worry about signal reception. At times, however, you might have to install the dish yourself, especially when you move to a different location. The steps here will guide you through the process of setting up your satellite TV.
Instructions
1. Carefully go through the user manual you received with the satellite TV system. Familiarize yourself with related terminology and different components of the dish. Most requirements and a list of do's and don'ts are stated in the manual.
2. Use maps to find the latitude and longitude of your location. You can also go online or use a GPS to correctly determine location coordinates.
3. Find the satellite nearest to your coordinates. Any of several websites such as www.lyngsat.com can help you identify an appropriate satellite.
4. Look for a place free of trees, tall buildings and mountains where the dish can be mounted without any obstruction. While identifying a site for the dish, consider that the coaxial cable, connecting the satellite TV receiver to the dish antenna will need to be drawn across from your television set to the dish. A generally secluded area further avoids mishaps occurring from people, particularly kids, tripping over the dish.
5. Mark a suitable place from where the dish can point up in the general direction of the satellite.
6. Either fix a mounting bracket or a pole onto which the dish can be safely mounted. Mounting brackets can be fixed to hard surfaces whereas installing a mounting pole requires digging up a hole, inserting the pole and then filling up the gap with concrete.
7. Mount and secure the dish antenna to the mounting pole or bracket.
8. Align the dish and receiver to start watching digital picture quality programs.
Zune is a small MP3 and video player with a minimum 30 GB drive, making it capable of storing a lot of songs and pictures. It only takes a few button clicks to share playlists, images and movie files with wireless consoles such as the Xbox 360.
Instructions
1. Install Zune software on a computer connected to your network. Place the file you want to share into one of the monitored folders. This includes the My Music folder, the My Pictures folder and the My Videos folder.
2. Ensure that your music files are stored as WMA, MP4, MP3, M4A or M4B. Check that your videos are in the WMV file format. Your images must be in JPEG or JPG format, and your playlists have to be in ZPL or M3U format.
3. Open the Zune software and select "Settings" then click "Sharing." Once you open the "Media Sharing" window, click on "Enable Media Sharing with Xbox 360."
4. Name your new collection by typing it into the box and select the type of media you would like to share.
5. Select one of the Xbox 360 sharing options. Your choices are to share with all Xbox 360s or to only share with particular consoles.
6. Move to the Media section in your Xbox dashboard after you turn on media sharing. Now you can play music, watch videos or peruse images from your Zune collection on your Xbox 360.
Tags: Media Sharing, share with, that your, with Xbox, your Xbox
One of the easiest and most common aftermarket endeavors is the replacement of factory stereos. While the removal and installation of new stereos have similar procedures for varying vehicles, the Pontiac Sunfire has specific steps necessary for easy replacement.
Instructions
1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery of your Pontiac Sunfire. The ground wire is the black wire connecting your battery to your Sunfire's body frame.
2. Access the screws that secure the radio molding to the dashboard. Open the glove box and unscrew the two screws on the left wall of the compartment. Once the screws are removed, you will be able to remove the molding by hand.
3. Remove the screws on either side of the stereo. Once they are removed, you will be able to slide the stereo forward to access the connecting wiring.
4. Disconnect the stereo wiring from the rear of the stereo.
5. Disconnect the antenna wire also located at the rear of the stereo. Remove the stereo completely.
6. Attach the stereo connectors and the antenna wiring to the back of the new stereo.
7. Slide the new stereo into the slot in the dashboard. Screw the two screws previously holding the old stereo. Replace the molding and secure it in place with the screws through the glove box. Reattach the ground wire to your Sunfire's battery.
Professional photographers use multiple flashes and reflectors.
A single DLSR flash unit used as a main light source results in a harshly lit image with deep, unnatural shadows. Simple DIY reflectors or diffusers made from inexpensive materials soften the light from flash units to improve the quality of the final image and reduce the amount of post-processing necessary. You can use a variety of materials and techniques for adding a DIY diffuser or reflector to your camera.
Instructions
1. Bounce flash off a white ceiling. Point the flash unit up at a point on the ceiling halfway between the camera and the subject to reflect diffused light on the subject by using the ceiling as an effective flash reflector.
2. Tape a diffuser over the front of your flash unit. Any translucent piece of plastic will work. Choose a small piece of translucent white plastic, cut to the shape of the front of the flash, and attach with duct or electrical tape. Plain white paper will work as well.
3. Make a diffuser hood for a flash using a sheet of stiff opaque white cardboard or plastic measuring at least 6 inches by 10 inches. Attach the hood material to the sides of the flash unit using sticky-backed velcro if possible, or otherwise using duct or electrical tape. With the flash unit pointing vertically, fold the top hood material down at a 45 degree angle to the light projected from the flash. Trim away excess material and seal any gaps with duct tape.
Tags: flash unit, duct electrical, duct electrical tape, electrical tape, from flash
LED strobe lights are commonly used on police vehicles.
Strobe lights produce regular flashes of light and serve a range of uses. They are commonly found in aircraft and emergency vehicles, as well as for advertising and entertainment, such as sources of ambiance in clubs and parties. They are an efficient way to create excitement, or signal danger because the flashing lights attract attention. Strobe lights are commonly made with LED lights because of their relatively low power consumption. You can build your own strobe light for personal entertainment or to attract attention. This project requires knowledge of use a soldering gun.
Instructions
1. Lay a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface to establish a work area.
2. Remove the three LED light bulbs from their respective sockets.
3. Use needle-nose pliers to straighten out the two pins attached to the end of the LED. The positive contact is identified by the longer conductive pin, while the shorter one is the negative contact.
4. Place the three LED bulbs on the newspaper side by side approximately 2 inches from each other. The negative contact (shorter pin) should be on the left side of each LED.
5. Attach one of the ends of the first resistor to the first LED's negative contact. Solder the connection to secure the resistor to the negative contact. Wrap the connection with electrical tape for additional strength. Repeat the procedure to solder one of the leads from each resistor to the remaining two LED's negative contacts.
6. Use a ruler to measure four 6-inch pieces of electrical wire. Cut the six pieces with wire cutters.
7. Use wire strippers to strip approximately half an inch of insulation on each end of the four electrical wires.
8. Attach the positive contact of the first (left) LED to the first electrical wire. Use a soldering gun to secure the connection and wrap the connection with electrical tape. Repeat the procedure to connect one end from the second and third wire to the positive contact on the remaining two LED bulbs.
9. Connect one end of the fourth wire to the bare end of the resistor attached to the first LED. Solder the connection with a soldering gun and material. Wrap the connection in electrical tape.
10. Attach the free end of the fourth wire to the DCx16 circuit board by soldering the end to the contact labeled "negative signal input."
11. Attach the unoccupied end of the first wire to the free end of the resistor attached to the center LED's negative contact by soldering the double connection. Wrap electrical tape around the connection for security. Repeat the procedure to attach the unoccupied end of the second wire to the free end of the resistor attached to the third (right) LED's negative contact.
12. Join the free end of the third wire that is attached to the third LED's positive contact to the contact labeled "positive signal input" on the DCx16 circuit board.
13. Position the battery holder next to the DCx16 circuit board. Join the battery holder's red wire to the contact labeled "negative power" on the circuit board. Attach the black wire to the contact labeled "positive power."
14. Power the LED strobe light by inserting two AA-batteries into the battery holder.
Stereoscopic 3D requires using two slightly different images to create three-dimensional depth.
Anyone can shoot a photograph in 3D using a simple set-up and the right image conversion software. Since the concept of 3D viewing is based on how the human eyes work, making a photograph in 3D format generally requires two slightly different images seen at the same time, then the brain processes it as three-dimensional depth through the aid of the 3D glasses. The images' difference comes from the slight distance from where each image is shot. For a simple do-it-yourself set-up, you can do this using any still camera.
Instructions
1. Choose your subject and frame your shot. A do-it-yourself set-up requires choosing a stationary subject to maintain the similarity of each photo, especially because you are not shooting simultaneously using two cameras. The other elements on frame should also be still. To maximize the potential of the shot to have 3D depth, the different elements on the frame should also have varying distances from each other.
If you really want a moving object to be part of your shot, it may be a bit more challenging for a homemade stereoscopic 3D shoot. However, it is still possible by using two cameras that you can operate at the same time to shoot your stereo images.
2. Take your right and left photos. Place your body weight on your right foot, then shoot the photo. This will be your "right photo." Without changing your shooting composition, simply shift your body weight on your left foot before shooting the second shot, which will serve as your "left photo." Simply copy a relatively the same framing for it like what you had with your first shot.
3. Transfer your stereo photos to your computer. Make sure you label each photo accordingly so you know which one is the right photo and which one is the left photo.
4. Open your images in an image conversion program that can convert 2D images to 3D. There are a number of software programs readily downloadable in the Internet for free like the StereoPhoto Maker.
5. Adjust the color, brightness and tone of both images using your program's "Auto Color Adjustment" menu. The menu or button name may slightly vary depending on the software used, but essentially, you just need to make the right and left photos looking almost identical to each other in terms of image attributes.
6. Go to "Auto Alignment" to instruct the software to run an algorithm that can correct any misalignment between the stereo images. Wait for te "Stereo Window" to show your processed images side by side.
7. Choose the "Color Anaglyph Mode" from the menu found in your "Stereo Window." This allows the program to process the images for 3D viewing using the anaglyph 3D system.
8. Export your stereoscopic 3D image and view it using a pair of anaglyph 3D glasses. This is the popular red-cyan glasses, which you can create on your own or purchase at an affordable cost.
Tags: your right, body weight, body weight your, different images, do-it-yourself set-up, each other, each photo
Portable televisions have been available for decades, however, televisions must be digital in order to receive a signal from broadcasting stations. Because of this, analog-based television sets are not capable of tuning into a digital signal. A variety of different digital portable televisions are out on the market, some made exclusively for viewing in vehicles while others can be set up on tabletops. With enough patience in searching, you should be able to find a portable digital television that fits your exact needs.
Instructions
1. Look at when the portable television is made. If the device is made within the last year or so, it is going to be digital.
2. Inspect the package box. Do not buy it unless it specifically says "portable digital television."
3. Avoid looking at portable televisions that are no longer in a package. It can be hard to tell if a newer portable television is digital just by looking at the device itself. This means you should avoid buying a device from a garage sale or pawn shop unless you don't mind risking the money.
4. Power the television on and see whether you can receive a signal for any local station. This may be one of the best tests if there is a portable television without a box and you are permitted to turn it on. You may want to turn it on near an actual non-portable television using an antenna. Here, you can compare the reception. If the device is analog, it is not going to receive any channels at all.
Tags: portable television, digital television, portable digital, receive signal
Converting your 35 mm slides to digital format is the best way to show a portfolio of all your film taken over the years. Though this process isn't easy, it takes a lot of patience. Having your slides digitally on hand helps prevent the originals from getting scratched. You also have a chance to edit slides that have permanent scratches. You won't need any pricey equipment to get started, either--all you need is a computer, scanner and your film.
Instructions
1. Take negatives out of the negative sheet. Make sure you clean your negatives with a cue tip and film cleaner. Place negatives emulsion side down on the scanner.
2. Place the slide attachment into the scanner. Place film gently into the slide attachment. Turn your scanner on, and a scanner icon should appear in the My Computer folder.
3. Open photo editing software on the computer. At this point you can tweak some settings and choose from either black and white or color. There should be a "Scan" button in your photo editing program.
4. Save your newly scanned slides in either JPEG or TIFF formats. JPEG format loses information when opened and is also compressed. TIFF format is the best because all the information from the slide isn't affected. It is also a format that keeps its quality.
HDV video can be down-converted for storage on standard DVDs.
The HDV ( High-definition Digital Video) recording format allows you to record high-definition video images onto Mini DV tapes, using cameras such as the Sony HDR FX1E. The advantage of this is that Mini DV tapes are inexpensive and readily available, as they have typically been used in consumer video cameras. You can down-convert high-definition footage to standard definition, when you create standard-definition DVDs from HDV footage you have shot and imported to your computer, in a process known as capturing.
Instructions
1. Check to be sure that the Mini DV tape containing your HDV footage is in your HDV camera. Connect a Firewire cable to the camera and to a Firewire port on your computer.
2. Use an editing or capture program that supports high-definition video, such as Adobe's Premiere editing program, Sony's Vegas editing program or the AVS Video Recorder. Follow the instructions for your particular editing program to begin the capture process. If you are using a sophisticated program, such as Adobe's Premiere, you can use the program to control the camera's videotape player and wind the tape to the point where you want the capture to begin. If your capture program does not support this feature, you will have to set the start point by using the controls on the camera to line up the tape.
3. Stop the capture process once all the HDV footage that you want to convert to DVD has played. You will now have HDV footage available to work with in your editing program. Some programs, such as Adobe Premiere, allow you to convert the HDV footage and burn the result directly to a DVD. You need to down-convert the HDV footage to the DVD MPEG2 file format separately if you are using a program such as Sony Vegas or AVS before using a separate DVD-authoring program to create your DVD.
4. Place a blank DVD in your computer's DVD burner. If you are using Adobe Premiere or an editing program that allows you to burn your HDV footage directly to DVD, follow the program instructions to begin the DVD-creation process.
Convert the HDV footage, in editing programs such as Sony Vegas, to an MPEG2-format file. During the conversion process, give the file a name and select a location on your computer's hard drive to store the converted file.
5. Open a DVD-authoring program, such as Sony DVD Architect or AVS DVD Authoring, if your capture and editing program did not allow you to create a DVD directly. Select the MPEG2 file you created by down-converting your captured HDV footage.
Follow the DVD-authoring program's instructions to burn your footage to a DVD. DVD-authoring programs allow you to create DVD menu screens and set chapter markers, and if you want to include these you should follow the program instructions.
Tags: editing program, Adobe Premiere, such Sony, your computer, DVD-authoring program, program instructions, program such
Anyone can see the number of pictures taken and how many are remaining on his digital camera.
Cameras today are digital and no longer use film, but knowing how much space is available on your memory disk is important before any big event. To see how many pictures are available on your Panasonic digital camera, it is necessary for you to be familiar with the basic on and off functions of your camera. Knowing how many pictures have been taken will help you evaluate the availability of room to take more pictures.
Instructions
1. Press the power button. Turn the digital camera on by pressing the power button. This button is usually located at or near the top of the camera.
2. Press the play button, or green arrow button. To view the current pictures, on your Panasonic camera, you can press the play button. The play button sometimes looks like a green arrow on Panasonic digital cameras. Once you press the play button, any past pictures you have on the camera will be visible on the digital screen.
3. Press the right or left arrows to page through pictures. As you page through the pictures you will notice numbers in the upper right hand corning. The number showing will be the picture number out of the total number of pictures on the disk. For example, 1/204, would mean you are looking at the first picture out of a total of 204 pictures.
4. Press the button with a picture of a camera on it, to continue taking photos. This is the photo button and will allow you to take more pictures.
5. View total picture count in corner. The number of pictures you have available on your memory disk will display in the upper-right corner. When taking pictures in this mode, there will be one number in the upper-right corner of the camera. This number will count downward with each picture you take.
Tags: play button, available your, digital camera, number pictures, pictures have, available your memory
Installing an amplifier into your car audio system is a great way to improve the sound and capabilities of your mobile stereo. But if you don't tune your amplifier properly, you won't get nearly the full potential out of your car amplifier. While there are many different models of car amplifier, understanding make some basic tuning adjustments will go a long way to improving the sound your amp yields. Best of all, tuning your amp doesn't require any special tools.
Instructions
Set the High-Pass Filter
1. Set the high-pass filter to ensure you get the proper frequency range of signals to your smaller, full-range speakers. The high-pass filter blocks out low frequencies, and lets higher frequencies pass to the speakers. If your amp is connected to full-range speakers, like door speakers, these speakers are carrying the weight of reproducing the instruments and vocals in your music.
2. Look on your amplifier for a switch or knob labeled "high-pass." If the channel is connected to full-range speakers, turn it "on" or adjust the knob so it is set to about 100 Hz.
3. Listen to some music you know well. Adjust the setting downward if you want a little more bass in the full-range speakers, or adjust the setting upward if the sound of your full-range speakers is muddy or too bassy.
Set the Low-Pass Filter
4. Set the low-pass filter to ensure you get the proper frequency range of signals to your subwoofer. The low-pass filter blocks out high frequencies, and lets lower frequencies pass to the sub. If your amp is connected to a sub, you want this speaker to concentrate on the lows, not the highs.
5. Look on your amplifier for a switch or knob labeled "low-pass." If the channel is connected to full-range speakers, turn it "on" or adjust the knob so it is set to about 100 Hz.
6. Listen to some music you know well, and adjust the setting downward if to much of the mid-range is coming through your sub, or adjust the setting upward if you want a little more of the mid reproduced by your subwoofer.
Set the Bass Boost
7. Set the bass boost if you want more "thump" out of your subwoofer. Many amps have a bass boost circuit that will add a boost to the sound output at a low frequency, making your subwoofer more effective.
8. Turn on the bass boost (an on/off switch) and listen to the sound.
9. Keep it on if you like the sound. If the bass boost is a variable knob, adjust it up or down to match your taste in bass.
Tags: full-range speakers, bass boost, your amplifier, your subwoofer, adjust setting, connected full-range
Lovely as birds are, they can become a nuisance around homes and gardens.
While bird-watching homeowners like to entice birds to their homes with birdhouses and suet, others find themselves plagued with unwanted birds that damage their gardens and leave droppings on their houses. For those who'd like to keep birds away without hurting them, a number of options exist. Many of these bird-repellent products are available at larger hardware stores and garden supply stores.
Instructions
1. Secure shiny reflective foil or flash tape to appropriate outside areas. Tie this bird-deterrent tape to the branches of fruit trees, garden fencing and the eaves of your house. Sunlight reflected off the flash tape will startle birds and help keep them away from plants and rooftops.
2. Apply nontoxic, polybutene bird-repellent gel to level surfaces (such as eaves or windowsills) that you're trying to keep birds away from. Place the bird gel in a standard caulking gun and squirt it on the surface in a winding, zigzag movement; reapply every six months. The gel creates a sticky landing area that birds won't want to touch.
3. Spray trees, grass, garden areas, windowsills and rooftops with methyl anthranilate, a nontoxic, food-grade grape flavoring extract. The sweet, fruity scent is unpleasant to many different species of birds; however, the extract should be applied regularly, particularly after periods of rain, for best results.
4. Wrap fruit trees in and drape garden beds with fine-mesh bird-proof netting. The netting will allow sunlight and moisture to enter in, but will not leave openings big enough for birds to peck or claw through.
5. Place bird spike strips on home surfaces such as windowsills, rain gutters and rooftop peaks. Bird spike strips are easy to install and are not lethal; the spikes aren't actually sharp enough to skewer a bird, and the mere presence of the spike strip will prevent a bird from landing.
Tags: away from, birds away, flash tape, fruit trees, keep birds, keep birds away, Place bird
Lighting makes all the difference in photography, which is often called "the art of light." If you're a fledgling photographer, learn to create ideal lighting situations and your photos will take on a professional look. You don't have to spend a lot of money to light your studio space -- just re-purpose some items you may already have.
Instructions
1. Set up a shop light to use as your main light source. Shop lights have the same output as a professional photography light and come on a stand. This is a bright light and will need to be diffused. Hang a white sheet in front of the light to spread it evenly throughout your space. Don't let the sheet touch the light bulb because these are continuous lights that run hot.
2. Use the clip-on light as a fill light. This helps eliminate shadows; the hood can be used to create more directional lighting.
3. Get a small clip-on desk lamp to use as a hair light. This creates separation between your subject and the background. For added manipulation, use a cone formed from aluminum foil as a snoot. Create a cone shape using several layers of aluminum foil; attach the wide end to your small lamp and point the narrow end toward your subject's head.
4. Re-purpose an accordion car shade to use as a reflector. Set it up opposite a light source to bounce subtle light back onto your subject.
Tags: your subject, aluminum foil, light source, light This, light your
The Canon PowerShot A630 is a compact 8 megapixel digital camera. The camera, which has been tested to work with Windows 7, also contains a 4x digital zoom, allowing you to take pictures of smaller objects, such as plants. While the camera is designed with simplicity in mind, over time you may encounter trouble using it. Fortunately, many of the PowerShot A630's problems are user-correctable.
Instructions
1. Remove the batteries from your Canon Powershot A630 if your camera will not power on. Ensure that the battery contacts are not dirty or dusty, as that will prevent them from making the proper connection needed to operate the camera. If you notice dirt on the contacts, gently clean them using a dry cloth. Replace the batteries back into the Powershot A630 and power the camera on.
2. Wait before taking another picture if an orange LED light begins to flash near the top of the camera's viewfinder. During this period of time the PowerShot A630 is processing your previously taken images. Begin snapping photos when the orange LED light turns off.
3. Close the PowerShot A630's battery cover and power the camera off and back on again if you cannot get the lens to retract. It is likely that you opened the battery door while your camera was powered on, which causes the camera to lock the lens in position.
Tags: PowerShot A630, orange light, power camera, Powershot A630, your camera
SD cards are commonly used as storage in electronics.
Many printers, cell phones, GPS units, MP3 players and other electronics utilize Secured Digital (SD) and Secured Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) cards. While they both utilize the same storage technology, SDHC is the successor to the SD format.
Physical Size
Both the standard SD card and SDHC cards share the same physical dimensions. They're 32 mm by 24 mm at 2.1 mm thick.
Storage Capacity
SDHC cards, as the name suggests, have a greater storage capacity than regular SD cards. SD cards can only hold up to 2 GB of data, whereas SDHC cards are capable of storing up to 32 GB.
Compatibility
SDHC cards are backwards compatible, meaning they can work in devices designed for SD cards. With a firmware upgrade to your device or card reader, it will read SDHC cards.
Sizes
MiniSD cards are smaller versions of the standard SD card. MicroSD cards are even smaller, still. Mini and Micro SDHC cards are also available. While physically smaller, they are have the same storage capacity as their larger counterparts. MiniSD cards require a device or card reader to have an actual MiniSD slot. MicroSD cards come with adapters, allowing them to fit into slots for normal SD/SDHC cards.
A light box is a useful tool to have when you want to create papercraft projects as it allows you to easily trace a picture or see a grid through a piece of paper so you can align elements on the project. Light boxes are sold at craft stores, but they can be costly. Make your own light box with some inexpensive supplies available at mass merchandisers.
Instructions
1. Glue the bottom of the fluorescent lamp to the lid of the plastic storage bin. Center the lamp on the lid running in the same direction as the lid.
2. Drill a 1/2-Inch hole at one of the corners of the lid, right against the lip of the lid, to allow the lamp cord through. Make a snip from the edge of the lip in to the circle you drilled so that you can get the cord into the circle; the plug won't fit through the drilled hole.
3. Plug the light in and place the bottom of the storage bin on the lid. The lid should lay flat on top of a table or on the floor so that the bottom of the storage bin is the top of the light box.
There are a number of different ways to record analog audio to a computer. They all vary in quality and difficulty, but at its core, the process is relatively simple to comprehend. Its not a very difficult thing to do, and this tutorial will provide the basic outline of turn analog audio into digital sound files on your computer.
Instructions
1. Connect your cables from the output jacks of your analog source into the input jacks on you computer. Or, if you are using an Mbox recording system, the cables should go into the aux input slots on the back on the box.
2. Open your recording program, and set it to record.
3. Playback your audio on the analog source. If done correctly, your program should be recording the playback.
4. When finished, press stop on the analog source and stop on the recording program.
5. Listen to playback to make sure it is what you had desired, and then save and export the file to your hard drive. That's it,
Tags: analog source, analog audio, into input, recording program
The flip video is a device for recording home videos. It comes in two models, the Mino and the Ultra, the difference being in capacity, size and looks. The Mino can be custom designed with patterns and is smaller than the Ultra. The Ultra, comes only in solid colors. You can choose between a capacity of 60 and 120 minutes. The devices cost between $150 and $229. Both of the models come in a High Defintion option.
How the Flip Works
The Flip video is meant to record videos and store them until it is plugged into a computer's USB port, whereupon preloaded software (from the Flip) will automatically start. The software is both Mac and PC compatible. The user will be given options to share the videos, save and delete, email, edit, or upload them to a website such as facebook or myspace. The editing option allows for the user to isolate individual clips for editing. There are also accessories available like a tripod and an underwater case that expand the device's functionality.
Use the Flip
The easiest way to learn to use the flip is become acquainted with what each physical feature does. You can download a user guide off Flip's website for both the Ultra and the Mino.
The front of the device houses the speaker and lens for recording. The back has the viewing screen and buttons for use. Before you begin you'll have to insert two AA batteries in an Ultra, a Mino has an internal rechargeable battery, and turn the device on. Once you do so for the first time, wait for the logo to appear, then hold down the record button. You will then have options to set the date and time.
The red button below the screen is for recording, push to record, push again to stop. The +/- buttons are for zooming in and out. The left and right buttons are to view the previous and next shots. To the far left is the play/pause button, and to the far right is the trash/delete button.
When you've recorded a video and are ready to transfer it to your computer, slide down the USB hatch on one side and the USB connector will pop up, you can then plug it into your computer's USB port and follow prompts from the software that starts automatically. You can also plug the device into your computer the same way to charge the battery (for the Mino). The devices also come equipped with cables to plug directly into your tv so that you may view from it.
There is also a support option on Flip's website where you can get answeres to FAQs or speak with a technician to reslove any issues you may have.
Tags: into your, your computer, computer port, Flip Video, Flip website, Instructions Flip, Instructions Flip Video
Leaf River trail cameras are digital scouting cameras.
Leaf River trail cameras are specialized digital cameras designed for mounting on trees via a bracket. They can record still images or videos of deer or other large game. The cameras use a test light that automatically trips the camera to record any movement within range. Using the camera with a Macintosh to see and edit the recorded images or video constitutes just as straightforward a process as performing the same function with a standard digital camera. Use a card reader when you don't have direct access to your computer.
Instructions
Card reader
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the memory card from the camera. Your Leaf River trail camera will use either the secure digital (SD), multimedia card (MMC) or compact flash (CF) memory card type. Consult your owner's manual to see which type your camera uses.
3. Insert the card into a memory card reader, then plug the reader into your Macintosh's USB port.
4. Double-click on the mounted memory card icon on the Macintosh's desktop.
5. Navigate through the folders on the memory card to find the saved photographs.
6. Copy the images to your Macintosh's hard drive: Either drag and drop them from the memory card folder to the folder on the hard drive, or select them with the mouse, copy them by pressing the "Command" and "C" keys simultaneously, then paste them into the new folder by clicking the folder to select it and then pressing the "Command" and "V" keys.
Connecting via USB Cable
7. Power on the Leaf River Trail Camera, and wait until the back light goes off in the lower display.
8. Push the "CAM-PW" button, then wait for the red light above the memory card slot to turn on and off.
9. Press the "Preview" button to see the recorded photographs on the camera screen.
10. Connect your computer to the Game Camera with the provided USB cable. It will mount as a removable disk.
11. Navigate through the folders on the mounted memory disk to find the photographs.
12. Drag and drop or copy and paste the recorded files to your hard drive. Once the file finishes copying, you can safely disconnect the camera from your computer.
Tags: memory card, Leaf River, hard drive, Leaf River trail, your computer, card reader