Detecting the presence of GPS tracking devices often requires the assistance of a mechanic. While not all GPS tracking devices are attached to the vehicle within mechanical parts, if you have recently purchased a used car and wish to find an unwanted GPS tracking device, you should use a radio frequency (RF) detector and have the assistance of a mechanic for visual inspection of the vehicle's engine and the electrical and mechanical systems.
Instructions
1. Have a mechanic perform a thorough inspection of all electrical wiring systems, mechanical parts and the entire engine. Tell the mechanic what you are looking for and ask to be notified of anything out of the ordinary.
2. Thoroughly inspect the underside of the vehicle, including wheel wells, axles, running boards and between all crevices and seams under the car. Run your fingers along any areas you cannot clearly see, feeling for any devices or small items that could be placed in hidden areas.
3. Once the outside of the vehicle and engine areas have been thoroughly inspected and cleared of any attached objects, park the car in an area that is not around other cars and where it is unlikely for any GPS systems to be detected.
4. Plug in and turn on the RF detector and set the RF detector to continuously detect outgoing signals, which could be sent from a GPS tracking device on the vehicle. Signals can be sent anywhere from every few seconds to every 20 minutes. If you have turned the RF detector on just after a signal is sent, you may have to wait up to 20 minutes for another signal to be sent. This process can be time-consuming.
5. While waiting for the RF detector to receive any transmitted signals, inspect the inside of the car thoroughly and completely. Check under the steering column, the dashboard, under gas and brake pedals, under the seats, cushions, and floor mats and under the console. Check ashtrays, even if you don't smoke.
The Midland 10001Z Citizen's Band radio is a 4-watt, 2-way radio designed to be mounted in cars or trucks. The radio features a digital display, 40 channels and a compact design that limits the amount of space it takes up in your vehicle. CB radios such as the Midland 1001Z are built to be installed by the end-user, so you should not encounter any particular difficulties in installing the radio in your vehicle.
Instructions
1. Hold the included mounting bracket against the bottom of dash or other mounting location that you've picked for the radio. With a pencil, mark the location of where the mounting holes on the bracket line up with the dash.
2. Drill a 1/8-inch hole at each pencil mark. Place the bracket and attach it to the dash with the sheet metal screws included with the radio.
3. Crimp a fuse tap onto the end of the red wire attached to the radio. Insert the fuse tap into an open slot on the fuse box of your vehicle. Drill a small hole in the metal chassis of your vehicle. Screw the tab on the end of the black wire onto the chassis with the included screw.
4. Plug the end of your antenna cable into the antenna jack on the back of the radio.
5. Slide the radio into the bracket you mounted. The radio is now ready for use.
As cable prices going up, people are searching for alternative ways to watch TV. One option is to watch satellite TV on your PC for free. This eHow can help.
Instructions
1. Make sure you have the right operating system on your computer to watch satellite TV online for free. You need to have Windows 95 through XP.
2. Check to be sure your PC has a Pentium 3 CPU, and is able to process at 333 MHz or more. A good video card, sound card, and a pretty good-sized screen can help as well. Add on some speakers to enhance the experience and you're good to go.
3. Do a search for free satellite TV by putting in "watch satellite TV online" or something similar. You can also go directly to sites such as World TV PC and BeeLine TV (see Resources).
4. Find software for your TV that allows you to watch satellite TV on your PC for free. Once you have paid for the software, you can watch hundreds of satellite TV channels without paying for them. Be careful, though-some of the software may be part of a scam. Research the software before you buy.
Tags: watch satellite, satellite online, satellite your, satellite your free, watch satellite online, watch satellite your, your free
Domke canvas bags are made to hold photography equipment, and come in various styles and colors. Domke bags are made of cotton canvas, and are naturally waterproof. Waterproofing chemicals can be applied to prevent water from soaking into the cotton canvas. Rain or exposure to other water may cause mildew or encourage mold growth on the bag. A petroleum or silicon-based commercial waterproofing product can be purchased for this purpose, or a homemade equivalent can me mixed and applied.
Instructions
1. Ensure you are in a well-ventilated or outdoor area, and that your bag is clean and empty.
2. Mix 1 cup soybean oil and 1/2 cup turpentine in a closed container. Shake well.
3. Dip the rag into the solution and rub both the outside and the underside of the canvas well. Allow it to dry for at least an hour. The surface of the canvas will appear dry. Apply two more coats in the same manner, allowing the bag to dry between coats.
4. Reapply waterproofing one to two times a year, depending on frequency of use.
A pinhole camera is simply a light-tight box with an open pinhole for a lens. You can make a pinhole camera with basic household goods. You'll also need to buy photo paper and chemicals for processing, but then you can enjoy taking and developing pictures completely on your own. Pinhole cameras make fun projects that will teach you a lot about how photography works.
Making the Pinhole Camera
You can use a shoebox, a photo paper box or a cylindrical oatmeal container for your pinhole camera. Cameras with a greater distance between the photo paper and the pinhole will have a longer focal length. A pinhole camera with a longer focal length, such as one made of a long cylindrical oatmeal box, will produce close-up images with less depth of field. In other words, less of the image will be in focus. Cameras with shorter focal lengths will have greater depth of field, but the images will appear smaller.
Whatever box you use, make sure it is light-tight. Paint the box black to prevent light from reflecting off its surface. Seal any openings in the box with black electrical tape. Cut a small hole in the box on one side, and tape aluminum foil over the hole with black electrical tape. Make a tiny pinhole in the aluminum foil with a needle.
Make a shutter with black electrical tape and attach it to the box above the aluminum foil. Tape one end of the shutter down at the top, and leave the rest movable so you can open and close the shutter. When you want the shutter to be closed, you can tape it down with small pieces of clear tape that can be easily lifted.
You should be able to open the box to load photographic paper, but make sure you tape it shut with black electrical tape once the paper is inside.
Taking Pictures
Use your pinhole camera to make exposures directly onto photographic paper rather than a negative. You can load photo paper into a pinhole camera much more easily than you can load negatives, and you can develop the images in your bathroom.
Make sure you have a light-tight room such as a windowless bathroom or closet to load the paper. You might need to stuff towels under the door to prevent any light from entering the room. In total darkness, trim a piece of photo paper so that it will fit into your pinhole camera, and tape it to the inside of the camera opposite the pinhole. Seal the box with black electrical tape before taking it into the light.
To take a picture, place the camera on a sturdy surface so that it will not move, and open the shutter. Pinhole cameras allow much less light to pass through the camera than a typical lens, so exposure times will have to be much longer. Depending on light conditions, you will probably need to keep the shutter open for at least 60 seconds. Experiment with different shutter speeds.
Developing Pictures
You can develop your pinhole camera pictures in your bathtub or home darkroom under a red or orange safe light. Buy print developer, stop bath and fixer from a photographic supply store and follow the directions on the bottles for mixing the chemicals. You'll need to dilute chemicals with some water. Prepare the chemicals in trays in a bathtub or long sink, and set up a separate tray for the water wash. Depending on whether you use RC paper or fiber paper, you'll have to leave the prints in each chemical for different amounts of time. RC paper is better for beginners because you can process it much more quickly.
Tags: black electrical, black electrical tape, electrical tape, photo paper, pinhole camera, with black
Now you no longer need Windows in order to view your TiVo recordings on your Mac or iPod. You can make a media center that can save one severything TiVo records. Once the process is done you will be able to watch everything you recorded on your TiVo on your Mac or your video iPod.
Instructions
Install and Set up Galleon
1. Go to the site where you can download Galleon and download it and then set it up.
2. Make the destination folders. You will need to make two folders, one for incoming files and another for decoded files.
3. Enter the "Media access key" into "File, Properties" and then check the program's preferences to make sure that the download folder is the temp folder and not the final destination.
4. Go into the "File, ToGo" menu and then to the "Rules" tab. Now you can tell Galleon to automatically download shows that match the information you give.
Build TiVo Decode
5. Find the program from the project site and build it, which is very simple to do. With the "Developer Tools" go into the directory Tarbell expanded and run, "$ make."
6. You will find the tivodecode, the binary, in a directory that is called "objects.dir."
7. Place the binary code somewhere useful where you can get to it easily.
Setup the Conversion Script
8. You will now look in a folder and decode the files in it and put them in a different folder.
9. The files will still be on your TiVo and you will see a line of hashes where you will put your "Media access key." It will not be able to work without the key.
10. Change the "SOURCE_DIR" and "OUTPUT_DIR" items as needed for the system you are using. If they include spaces you must use quotes.
Setup Launchd
11. Use the queue directory feature to start Launchd above script when there is a file to process in the folder.
12. Change the paths to match where you will be putting things. The item in QueueDirectories is the folder that you already made.
13. Save this file in ~/Library/LaunchAgents so it starts when you login and then load it with launchctl load [filename] to get it started or logout/login.
Viewing
14. If you want to get the MPEG-2 streams into Front Row you will need to have a Quick Time codec, which you can buy for $20 at the Apple Store.
15. You can also transcode the video to MPEG-4 transcoding. Using a copy of VLC take the code after decoding it and start to transcode to MPEG-4 for Front Row. You can also do this for your iPod with some careful option sets.
16. Use this script in order to transcode an MPEG-2, or any video file, into a file you can use for your iPod using VLC. Run the script, fixing the location of VLC, and it will automatically covert any file that passes through it into a file that you will be able to play on a video iPod that has firmware and on a Mac.
17.Complete the transcoding as you will need this in iTunes in order to sync it to your iPod. Once in iTunes you can view the shows on your Mac or on your iPod once you have synched your iPod.
Tags: your iPod, will able, will need, your TiVo, file that, into file
A slide projector shines light through a photographic slide and uses concave and convex lenses to project a larger image of the slide. Building a slide projector means simply constructing a frame or container that will hold the slide, a light source and the lenses so that the light travels through all the pieces correctly. If you don't include a slide tray and just insert and remove slides individually, you can build a projector that is smaller than most.
Instructions
1. Assemble three square frames out of wood. The frames need to be the same size and able to fit either lens and the end of the flashlight. Cut a hole in each piece for one lens and glue the lens into the hole. Attach the flashlight's open end with the lightbulb to the other frame.
2. Make a holding frame for the slides using another square wooden frame. Cut this piece into a square "U" that a slide will fit within.
3. Construct a boxlike frame that will snugly fit all the square frames and is about 45 centimeters long. Leave the top of this frame open for now. Fasten the flashlight frame to one end of the box with the bulb pointing into the box. Attach the concave lens to the other end.
4. Insert the slide frame into the box frame in front of the flashlight. Insert the convex lens in the middle, between the slide holder and the concave lens. Don't glue this lens into place.
5. Decide adjust the convex lens from inside the projector box for focusing. Cut a long channel into the box bottom and glue a dowel stick onto the bottom of the lens so you can slide it back and forth. Or, leave the top of the frame open so you can move the lens by hand.
6. Make a hole in the top of the box right over the slide holding piece. It should be just big enough to insert and remove a slide within the holder.
7. Insert a slide into the projector and turn the flashlight on. The image of the slide should project onto the wall.
The Hubble Space Telescope is a large optical telescope launched into Earth orbit by the space shuttle Discovery in April 1990. By escaping the optical distortion caused by the atmosphere of the Earth, Hubble can see farther and more clearly into the depths of space. NASA communicates with the Hubble through a dedicated satellite network that is not open to outside access. It is not possible to pick up these signals at home, meaning that the only way to communicate with the Hubble is to make an official request through the NASA agencies controlling it.
Instructions
1. Write a proposal for a project that requires use of the telescope. Each year, around 1,000 projects are submitted;approximately 200 are chosen by a review panel of astronomers. This results in around 20,000 actual observations being made.
2. Submit the proposal to the review committee at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is located in Baltimore, Maryland. Experts assess the project and pass it on to technicians who will create the actual computer instructions that can be relayed to the telescope. The proposals are judged by whether they make good use of the Hubble's capabilities and whether they address a pressing astronomical question or issue.
3. Request that STSI technicians send the computerized telescope instructions from the Space Telescope Science Institute to the Hubble Space telescope control center at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where a team is in constant communication with the Hubble. From Goddard, the instructions are sent to the Hubble's communications ground station in White Sands, New Mexico. From there, they will be beamed to orbiting Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) and on to the telescope.
4. Contact the Space Telescope Science Institute to receive the results of the observations requested from the Hubble. Data from the telescope pass through the communication chain in reverse, starting at the telescope and passing through the relay satellites, ground station and control center at Goddard before being collected and archived at the Institute.
Tags: Space Telescope, Hubble Space, Science Institute, Space Telescope Science, Telescope Science
The Razr V3m, a popular phone with a sleek design. It features a microSD card slot on it, but it is hidden beneath the back cover of the phone since its thin design could not accommodate the insertion of the card into the side of the phone. You can use an SD card with a Razr V3m to transfer pictures and music to and from the phone.
Instructions
1. Slide the microSD card into the microSD card adapter, and then plug the microSD card adapter into your computer's USB port.
2. Locate the files you want to transfer to your Razr V3m. Drag and drop pictures into the "Pictures" folder and music into the "Sounds" folder.
3. Click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon and then unplug the adapter from your computer. Remove the microSD card from the adapter and insert it into the Razr V3m's microSD card slot, which is located beneath the back cover of the V3m and directly beside the battery.
4. Open the Razr V3m. Click "Menu," "Settings & Tools," "Memory," and then "Card Memory." Click on the folder containing the files you want to move to your Razr V3m. Scroll to the file you want to move, click "Options" and select "Move to Phone" to move it to your Razr V3m.
Tags: microSD card, your Razr, back cover, beneath back, beneath back cover, card adapter, card into
PhotoStudio is an application that allows users to view and edit their photos. The application creates a proprietary PhotoStudio file format. At times, you may come across a .PSF file and need to view it. If this is the case, you can use a PhotoStudio application, such as PhotoImpression 5 and PhotoStudio 6, or the free XnView photo viewer. PhotoStudio software applications are from $30 to $100.
Instructions
Free XnView
1. Launch a browser and go to the XnView download Web page.
2. Click the "Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP/Vista/Seven" link. Click "Save" in the dialog box. The software will download to your computer.
3. Click the "EXE" file that is downloaded to your computer to install the software. Restart your computer.
4. Save the PhotoStudio file on your desktop. Launch XnView on your computer. Click "File" in the main menu, and choose "Open."
5. Navigate to the PhotoStudio file on your desktop. Highlight it, and click the "Open" button. The file will open in the viewer.
PhotoStudio 6
6. Save your PhotoStudio file to your desktop.
7. Launch your PhotoStudio application on your computer. Click "File" in the main menu and choose "Open."
8. Navigate to the PhotoStudio file on your desktop. Highlight it and click the "Open" button. The file will open in the application.
PhotoImpression 5
9. Save the PhotoStudio file on your desktop. Launch PhotoImpression 5.
10. Click the "Folder" icon in the top-left corner of the window that appears.
11. Navigate to your "Desktop" folder in the left column. Double-click the PhotoStudio file that you saved to your desktop in Step 1. It will open in the main window of the PhotoImpression 5 application.
Tags: PhotoStudio file, file your, file your desktop, PhotoStudio file your, your computer
Placing a hidden camera somewhere in your home or workplace can allow you to observe certain actions and events to which you would not otherwise have access. After installing your camera in a hidden location and running its video output cable back toward your television, you will need to decide on an input channel. Once you have chosen an input port on your television, you will be able to view your hidden camera's video at any time.
Instructions
1. Set up the hidden camera in your desired location. Run the hidden camera's video cable back to your television so that the cable is not conspicuous.
2. Insert your hidden camera's RCA video output cable into one of your television's available video input ports. Connect the hidden camera's cable to a yellow RCA input jack, as this is the video component. Remember the input port's name---such as "Input 2," "Aux" or "Component"---you will need to turn your television's mode to view it.
3. Turn the television on.
4. Change the television's input mode to whichever mode you have connected the hidden camera's video output cable---such as "Input 3," "Aux" or "Component." Your hidden camera's video will display on the television's screen.
Tags: camera video, hidden camera, hidden camera video, your television, hidden camera, video output
A lot of buttons, but you can learn them in a flash.
Camcorders let you record your life in full color, sound and motion. Many people prefer them to still cameras, since they can provide a much fuller version of an event than a flat snapshot. Beyond recording events for posterity, camcorders can be used to make documentaries and films, especially with the high quality video now available. Using a camcorder is very simple, and by using a few simple tips your movies can look close to professional.
Instructions
Getting to Know Your Camcorder
1. Read the instruction manual. Many owners ignore it, but manuals will explain all the features of your camera in detail, including tricky-to-find settings.
2. Familiarize yourself with the controls. You don't need to understand every button, but knowing where the "On/Off" switch, "Record "switch and zoom controls are found is important.
3. Ensure you know what media your camcorder records on. It may use mini DVDs that can play in a DVD player, small MiniDV tapes (or their high-definition versions), an internal hard drive or flash memory cards. Purchase media if you need to.
Making Movies
4. Turn the camcorder on.
5. Press "Eject." This will open your camcorder and allow you to insert recording media. If you have hard-drive camcorder you will not need to do this, and some flash card camcorders will have a simple door that can open and slot for an SD card, without needing an "Eject" button.
6. Select "Recording" mode. Most camcorders have a switch near the viewfinder (facing you) that can be set to either "Record" or "Playback." Recording is indicated by a red circle, playback by a green triangle surrounded by a border.
7. Open the screen if it has one, or look down the viewfinder. This will give you an idea of what is in your shot.
8. Press "Record." This will be an obvious button with a red circle on it. You are now recording your movie.
9. Move the camera slowly and smoothly as you film. Jerky or quick motion will be difficult to watch on a big screen.
10. Zoom slowly when looking at objects of interest. Zooming too quickly can be disconcerting for watchers of your film.
11. Press the "Record" button again to stop recording. You now have a movie saved on the tape or disk in your camcorder.
Watching Your Movie
12. Connect your camcorder to a computer or television using the cables that came with it. Camcorders generally have audio/video outputs combined into one plug, but will ship with a cable that has standard red, white and yellow composite plugs at the other end. These can connect to any television--just be sure to match the color of the plug to the color of the jack on the back of the TV. Most modern cameras also come with a USB or Firewire cable that will let you output the movie to a computer. Plug one cable end into the camcorder and the other into a free USB port. Your camera should mount just like an external disk, and you will see the movie when you double-click on its icon. Finally, if your camcorder records to mini DVDs, you can just eject the disk and put it in any DVD player or computer DVD drive.
13. Switch the camera to "Playback" if you are playing to a television and press "Play."
14. Turn on your television and select the input that matches the jacks you have plugged the camera into, or the DVD player playing the camera's disk. If using a computer, double-click on the movie file and press "Play" when it opens.
Editing and Sharing Your Movies
15. Edit out parts of footage that you wish to cut by connecting the camera to a computer and opening the movie file in movie-editing software. This software will allow you to cut parts out, add transitions and other effects and record the result as a new file.
16. Record DVD copies of your video. If you have loaded the video onto your computer, you will be able to burn it directly to DVD if you have a drive that can record DVDs. You can also record VHS tapes if you have a VCR. To do this, just connect your A/V cable to the inputs on a VCR, insert a blank tape, turn on the camera, press "Play" and press "Record" on the VCR.
17.Distribute copies of your movie to anyone you would like to see it.
Tags: press Play, This will, your camcorder, cable that, camcorder records, camcorder records mini
You can remove the lens assembly from a compact digital camera.
While it is not designed to be changed like the lens on a single-lens-reflex camera, you can replace the lens on your compact point-and-shoot camera at home if the need arises. Most compact digital point-and-shoot cameras have optical zoom lenses built into them. These lenses are self-contained units moved by electrical signals to very small motors that are located inside the housing. When replacing the lens, you will need to work in a well-lit area.
Instructions
1. Turn you point-and-shoot camera off and remove the battery from the camera.
2. Remove all the small screws from the camera casing. Depending on the age and model of your compact digital camera, there may be a locking ring located at the front of the lens housing. If so, carefully remove the ring.
3. Pry the camera apart. Compact digital cameras usually come apart in two sections, with the front section holding all of the electronics and the lens assembly.
4. Remove the small screws that are holding the main circuit-board assembly in place inside the front section of the camera. Carefully lift this assembly out of the camera casing and turn it over. On the front of the board you should see a capacitor that resembles a "AA" or "AAA" battery. This stores power for the built-in flash. Do not touch it; it may produce an electrical shock.
5. The lens assembly should be on the right side of the circuit board, held in place with small screws, or it may be held in place with glue or solder, depending on the make and model of your camera.
6. Remove the screws from the lens assembly and set them aside. If the lens is being held in place with solder or glue, heat up a soldering iron and melt the glue or solder so you can remove the lens.
7. Lift the lens assembly up and follow the ribbon cable from the lens assembly back to where it is plugged into the main circuit board. Unplug the cable. The lens assembly is now free of the camera.
Tags: lens assembly, camera Remove, held place, held place with, place with, small screws
The ability to make a color adjustment to your photo prints has never been easier. Photoshop allows you to actually watch the colors change as you adjust them. The directions below will walk you through a simple yet easy way of color correcting a RGB photo file in Photoshop. This method of adjusting color to print photos should be performed on a calibrated computer monitor.
Instructions
1. Open the photograph in need of a color adjustment in Photoshop.
2. Add a color adjustment layer. From the menu bar, select Layer, New Adjustment Layer and Color Balance. A window will open. Press OK and a box titled Color Balance will become visible.
3. Slide Color Balance box to the right so that you can see your entire photograph again.
4. Evaluate your photo for colors that need adjusting by examining the highlights of the photo. Decide if you see a cast of Cyan, Red, Magenta, Green, Yellow or Blue in the highlight areas.
5. In the previously opened Color Balance box, make sure that Midtones, Preserve Luminosity and Preview are selected.
6. Gently move the slider away from the color that appears to be dominating the highlight areas of the photo you will be printing. For example, if your highlights appear to be too yellow, cancel out the yellow by adding a touch of blue until the yellow colorcast disappears from the photo's highlight. Continue this process until the highlight areas of your photo look perfectly white and click OK when you are finished.
7. Save the color corrected image. It is a good idea to save your color corrected image as a copy with a slightly different name to prevent losing your original file.
8. Print the image on high quality photo paper.
9. Evaluate the printed photograph and decide if your color adjustment is satisfactory. If there are no visibly unusual colorcasts, then you have successfully adjusted the color of your printed photo. If you are not happy with the printed photo's color, reopen the adjustment layer by double clicking on it and try again.
Tags: color adjustment, Color Balance, highlight areas, your photo, color corrected, color corrected image
The Canon 580EX was Canon's top of the line flash until it was replaced by the 580EX II in 2007. The 580EX features a range of up to 190 feet (58 meters) at ISO 100. The flash is compatible with Canon digital SLRs and film SLRs, as well as some of the Powershot G-series cameras. It has 14 custom functions as well as most standard flash modes.
Bounce
As the first Canon flash to feature a 180-degree swivel, the 580EX was ideally poised to work as a bounce flash. Using a flash straight on at a subject often causes glare and red eye, and results in harsh shadows and lighting. This light can be softened by using the flash in a bounce mode, and combining that with the built-in catchlight. To change the flash angle, press the button on the side of the flash at the joint and rotate the flash forward/backward and up/down. If inside, try different angles for bouncing the light off the ceiling to get the best light.
Multi-Strobe
The 580EX has a multi-stroboscopic feature that allows a photographer to fire the flash rapidly and capture multiple shots of a moving object into a single image. To activate this feature, push the mode button on the back of the flash until Multi is displayed. After activating multi-strobe, set the shutter speed on the camera according to the formula (Number of Flashes divided by Firing Frequency=Shutter Speed). Do not fire the flash in multi-strobe more than 10 times, and allow it 10 minutes to cool off after doing so.
Wireless
The 580EX has built in wireless capability, and can operate as either a master flash or a slave flash. Photographers can use multiple 580EX's to create studio quality lighting. The best way to do this is to have one flash on the hot shoe acting as the master flash; on the back of the flash, turn the wireless slider to Master, and turn the mode to ETTL. Change the wireless on other flashes to Slave. Now when the master flash fires, it will trigger the other flashes.
Tags: master flash, back flash, fire flash, flash until, other flashes
It's simple to change the megapixels on your Nikon 40D.
There are a number of reasons to change the number of megapixels on a photo you are about to shoot. If you want to increase the number of photos you can fit on a memory card, or reduce the amount of space they take up on your computer, one option is to reduce the number of megapixels. If you want the highest quality photo available, or plan to make a very large print, you will want to increase the megapixels as much as possible.
Instructions
1. Turn the camera on and go to the menu function. On the top right corner of the camera, turn the switch to the "on" position. Then, turn the camera over. Press the "Menu" button, located on the left side of the LCD screen.
2. Navigate to the "Image Size" setting. Using the up and down arrow buttons, located on the right side of the LCD screen, scroll down until you find the camera icon located second from the top of the menu screen. Depending on the last menu setting, you may have to push the left arrow to navigate back to the icons, and then navigate up or down to the camera icon. Once the camera icon is highlighted, push the right arrow button. This will control the camera settings menu. Scroll up or down in order to highlight "Image Size".
3. Choose the size (or megapixels) of the pictures you want the camera to take. With "Image Size" highlighted, push the right arrow button. A new menu window will open to display three size choices. Scroll up or down to reach the desired size. Once the size you want is highlighted, click the right arrow button to set the size. The screen will revert back to the camera settings (camera icon) menu. The right side of the menu will indicate "L" for the largest size. "M" for the medium size. Or "S" for the smallest size.
4. Close the menu. Push the "Menu" button once to remove the highlight from the "Image Size" setting. Push the "Menu" button a second time to close the menu. You are now ready to take pictures in the megapixel size of your choice.
Tags: camera icon, Image Size, arrow button, Menu button, right arrow, right arrow button
The German-made Voigtlander camera is the grandfather of most cameras on the market today. Founded by Johan Voigtlander as a lens company in Vienna in 1756, the first daguerreotype all-metal camera was introduced in 1841. From the mid 1920s to the mid 1950s, Voigtlander cameras were the market leader and still command high prices today, even for used models. The company sold the rights to the name Voigtlander in 1999 to a company named Cosina who now uses the name for their own products.
Instructions
1. Download the manual for the Voigtlander model that you have (see link in Resources). Once you have the manual, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the various knobs, buttons and options on your Voigtlander. Older Voigtlander are not point-and-shoot cameras. F-stops, the aperture ring and focus all have to be set manually. On some models, the film has to be advanced and rewound manually, also.
2. Purchase 35mm film. Some models made after WWII can utilize color as well as black and white film. While you can still find 35mm film at your local super center, unless you plan to develop this film yourself, you will need to locate a retailer that will develop the film for you. In many locations, photo development from film can only be found at camera shops. In some cases, the film may be sent out to labs in other cities and it may take a few days to receive your photograph prints.
3. Load the film into the camera. This is accomplished by dropping the film cartridge into the empty cavity inside the camera and pulling the film to the other side. Fold over the edge of the film and hook it into the slot of the empty spool on the opposite side. Close the camera and use the film advance lever to advance the film to the first photo position.
4. Set your shutter speed. Use "1/16" speed as a place to start. This can be set on the adjustable lens ring closest to the camera.
5. Set the next ring, the aperture ring, to "4." This is the best setting for a beginner to start as it allows full use of natural daylight.
6. Set the focus by looking through the viewfinder and turning the focus knob until the double lines of the rangefinder fuse together. You are now ready to take pictures.
If you have a digital camera and you want a larger screen to view your subject matter instead of the small LCD view finder on the back of the camera, you can connect it to your computer. Once connected to your computer you can see everything your camera lens sees, except in a much larger scale. This allows you to easily notice everything that is in your shot.
Instructions
1. Plug the USB cable into the USB port on your video or still camera, then connect the other end of the cable into any available USB port on the computer. Power on the camera and set it to the record mode.
2. Launch the video-editing software you have on the computer. Although most computers come with a preinstalled software title you can use other store-bought programs.
3. Click the "Capture" option on the video editor. A window appears, asking what you want to capture from. Select the connected camera. In a moment a screen appears and displays everything the camera sees.
4. Take a picture with your still camera or press the "Record" button on the video camera. While the camera is recording its data you can see the content on the computer screen.
Tags: your computer, cable into, camera sees, still camera, your camera
The EVO is the most recent in the line of HTC Droid phones that is offered exclusively by Sprint. It uses 4G for fast Internet browsing and is designed to handle and store media, including games, movies and photos. You can download photos off your EVO Android and transfer them to your computer in a few easy steps.
Instructions
1. Connect your EVO Android to your phone by plugging the USB cord into your computer. Your computer now has access to the EVO's media that has been saved on the SD memory card.
2. Choose "Disk Drive" as the connection mode on your EVO when prompted.
3. Open "My Computer" to access the EVO folder. If your EVO folder is not named, look for the removable disk that matches your phone. Open that folder, click on "DCIM" and then "100Media" to see all of your Android pictures.
4. Right-click on specific photos and click "Copy," and then click "Paste" in the folder where you want to save the photos. You can also drag and drop photos to the folder if you wish.
Photographers can use X-ray film in normal photography by building a "camera obscura."
Like monochrome photographic film, X-ray film consists of a layer of photosensitive material with layers of silver halide crystals on either side. The crystals create a microscopic flash of energy when exposed to X-rays or light, and each flash turns the photosensitive material near it opaque, thus creating the overall negative of the image. Photographers can use X-ray film to create black-and-white photographs, but such films may not fit into modern cameras. In such a case, a photographer may have to construct a "camera obscura" device to use them.
Instructions
1. The box for a "camera obscura" must have no openings that allow in any light.
Inspect the box. Holes or depressions in the box's material may permit light into the box, and any light entering the box from an opening other than the pinhole will lighten the film evenly, obscuring the image. Cover any holes or depressions with electrical tape.
2. A pinprick will make the camera's "lens."
Stick the pin through the very center of one of the box's smaller upright sides. This hole will permit light into the box to expose the film.
3. Go into the darkroom. Place the film on the wall of the box opposite the pinhole and tape it in place. Close the box and tape its seams shut to prevent the entry of light. Tape the pinhole. The device is now ready.
4. The camera will project the image in front of the pinhole upside down onto the film.
Test the exposure of your pinhole camera. While in the darkroom, light the candle. Point the covered pinhole at the candle, then pull the tape off the hole. Leave the pinhole open for three seconds to expose the film, then re-tape it to prevent stray light from reaching the film.
5. Remove the film from the camera and develop it as a test.
Remain in the darkroom. Extinguish the candle and open the box. Remove the film and either develop it or place it in a lightproof container for later development. This is now a test exposure.
6. Inspect the test exposure. An overly small image at the center of the print means that the pinhole is too small; in such a case, reinsert the pin into the hole and wiggle it to widen the hole. A vague or very light image implies that the pinhole is too large; in that case, build a new camera with a smaller hole. Correct any defects, then use the camera to photograph any high-contrast image of light and dark.
Portable air conditioners allow you to cool a small room without the expense of installing central air conditioning. These room size air conditioners do not take much time to set up and you do not need to be a home improvement expert to do so. Several companies make portable AC units, each with different features and different sizes. However, the basic information you need to know to set one up in your room is the same for most portable air conditioning units.
Instructions
1. Place your portable AC unit ona flat surface (typically on the floor) near an electrical outlet that is not crowded with furniture and other objects.
2. Measure the space around the unit. Depending on the portable air conditioner specifications, you should have about 10 to 14 inches of clear space around the unit. This means that it cannot be pushed up against a wall or any furniture, as this creates a fire hazard.
3. Vent the hot air produced during operation of the portable air conditioner to the outside of the house. The unit will come with a window venting kit or with some units you can drill a hole in the wall to fit the venting hose through. Both kits hold the vent hose in place and take just a few provided screws to secure. Since each unit will have differences in venting set up, follow the user manual for instructions specific to your unit.
4. Check that the vent hose does not have a kink or "U" shape once set up. The hose should be as straight as possible with only a slight curve to reach the window or hole in the wall.
Tags: around unit, hole wall, portable conditioner, space around, space around unit
Insert new SD memory cards for additional image memory.
The small portable VuPoint digital camera takes high-quality images, which you can late upload to your computer. After using your device several times, you may begin to experience some problems with the device. Following a few simple steps and performing your own maintenance will have your device operational again in little time. You can determine why your camera is suddenly losing power, remedy an unclear picture due to lens smudge or shaky hands, and correct issues with computer and camera connectivity.
Instructions
Power Problems
1. Press the "On/Off" button (located on top of the camera to the right, next to the "Shutter Release" button) as a first step to remedying a VuPoint that won't power on. The camera may have gone into "Sleep Mode" after several minutes of non-use. Pushing the "On/Off" button will wake the camera up and power it back on.
2. Turn the camera upside down and remove the battery cover by applying pressure with your fingers and pushing it open. Remove the batteries from inside the chamber. Insert two new AAA batteries, being careful to mind the polarity indicators printed on the inside of the compartment. Replace the cover.
3. Inspect the battery chamber cover and SD memory card cover. If the covers aren't fully closed, the camera will not operate. Remove each cover and replace them correctly by pressing them closed with an audible snap.
Unclear Picture
4. Inspect your lens glass for dirt or grime. If the lens is dirty or smudged, obtain a fine dry glass cleaning cloth, and clean your lens very gingerly (so as not to scratch it).
5. Hold the camera steady when you're about to snap a picture. Grip the camera with both hands and brace your elbows against your body. A shaky camera will make pictures blurry (in low-lighting situations especially).
6. Frame the subject within the focus brackets of the viewfinder, and stay at least five feet away from the subject when snapping the shot. If you're too close to the subject, or the subject is outside of the focus brackets, your subject is out of your camera's unchangeable focus range.
Computer Communication Problems
7. Power the camera on by pushing the "On/Off" button, so that your computer can locate your device. The computer can't find the camera if there is no power coming from it.
8. Inspect the USB cord connection from the camera to the computer. Plug the USB cord securely into your computer's USB port and your camera's USB port. Unplug the USB cord from each of the ports to reset the connection, and then plug them back in.
9. Reinstall the camera driver (supplied) into your computer. Insert the disc into your PC's disc tray, and follow the onscreen prompts given by the setup wizard which will automatically start upon setup.
Tags: your computer, into your, your camera, your device, camera will, focus brackets, into your computer
Big screen TVs provide great options for home entertainment.
Although the overall size and weight of big screen sets has changed dramatically since about 2003, when thinner sets began to supplant tube-based rear projection televisions, screen sizes are in approximately the same range. Defined loosely as any TV with a screen larger than 50 diagonal inches, big screen sets are offered in plasma, LCD, DLP, and other iterations.
Plasma TV
Plasma sets operate by allowing electrical current to excite internal inert gases, such as neon and xenon, illuminating the individual phosphors. These phosphor chemicals create a bright, colorful, and engaging experience, simulating a thin version of a tube TV in terms of detail in the shadows and dark areas. Although it is possible to "burn in" (create a temporary retention of an image on the screen), this is caused primarily by lack of attention paid to the display. In most cases, it's not a permanent problem. It can be alleviated by continuing to play moving images until the issue resolves itself.
LCD TV
Liquid crystal TVs are a little more energy-efficient than plasma sets and are virtually immune to burn-in. Images are created by a back light that shines through the individual LCD cells. These color cells open and close at various intervals, blocking light to create black and other shades of gray. The processor tells each picture element (or "pixel") what color to display, and at what intensity. Most LCD TVs are a little poorer in performance if the viewer is dramatically to one side or the other. He or she will experience reduced black levels. However, LCD sets tend to have less reflection on the screen and brighter overall light output.
DLP TV
Digital light processing (DLP) televisions have effectively replaced bulky CRT (cathode ray tube) big screens in the rear-projection category of televisions. DLP technology processes images through a prism and off of a chip the size of a slide. The chip is comprised of millions of micro-mirrors that move, and each mirror represents one picture element, or pixel. Although off-axis response suffers a little due to reduced brightness, this happens only when viewing at extreme angles, and DLP still offers a bright overall image. All DLP sets currently share technology from Texas Instruments, allowing them to be sold at lower average prices than technological competitors. Because DLP sets are available in some of the largest screen sizes and offer the lowest weight per screen-inch, these big screen TVs can offer an amazing value. In fact, despite their larger overall size, DLP sets can be as much as 30 percent lighter than comparable LCD or plasma sets.
OLED Displays
Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) offer the potential for even slimmer displays and less power consumption than other flat panel sets. Flexible enough to create curved screens and resistant to temperature extremes, OLED sets are slimmer and brighter than their competitors. Picture elements are coated with an organic compound that reacts to electrical current. These materials are placed between layers of conductors and energized to create the image, replacing the phosphor or liquid crystal found in other flat panel technologies. Like LCD TVs, OLED sets feature individual pixels that are told what colors to display (and at what intensity) by the set's processor. OLED sets offer displays whose thickness is measured in millimeters rather than inches.
Tube or CRT Sets
CRT big screen televisions have been around since the 1970s. Mostly supplanted by DLP and other technologies by 2004, CRT sets offer great black level detail. This is beneficial because it allows the sets to more easily display accurate color--as all colors are affected by black, white, and associated shades of gray. This advantage is offset by heavy cabinets, inefficiency, and the ever-present issue of burn-in. CRT technologies in television sets require convergence (the process of aligning three guns to form one image), and the individual CRT guns must be in near-perfect alignment to generate an accurate picture. Each gun represents a primary color (red, blue, and green). These drift over time, due mainly to vibration. The CRT chassis also requires a high potential charge, needed to energize the guns. This ever-present charge creates a static field, attracting dust and other airborne contaminants, so the chassis must be cleaned periodically.
Tags: OLED sets, display what, display what intensity, electrical current, element pixel
Having duplicated photos saved on your computer results in you having numerous copies of the same file. This does not add any extra detail to the image and merely serves to take up more of your computer's memory. Getting rid of duplicate images is an easy task that can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Instructions
1. Turn on your computer and go to your desktop screen.
2. Move the mouse cursor over the icon named "My Computer" and double-click on it with the left button of your mouse.
3. Select the "C:" directory in order to gain access to your documents. Double-click on the "C:" to open it up.
4. Double-click on "My Documents" in "C:" with your left mouse button. Locate your duplicate pictures within your documents.
5. Right-click on the duplicate picture with your mouse and a drop-down menu will appear. Scroll down the menu and locate "Delete." Click on the word. This will present you with a warning asking you if you are sure you want to delete the image. Click "Yes" with the left button in order to get rid of the duplicate image.
Tags: your computer, left button, with left, with left button, with your, your documents, your mouse
Polarizing filters help reduce window reflections.
Polarizing filters are placed on the front of your camera's lens for a number of reasons. First and foremost, these filters help limit the amount of polarized light that passes through the lens and reaches the film or sensor screen. When used in landscape photography on a bright, sunny day, this has the effect of darkening a blue sky and saturating the colors of foliage. The filters are also used when shooting through window displays, as they help combat excessive glare. Circular polarizers allow you to rotate the filter to achieve the desired results.
Instructions
1. Check that the filters are the appropriate size for your lens. The number on the outer edge of the filter should correspond with the number on your lens's nameplate. Look for both numbers to be followed by a small circle with a diagonal slash through it.
2. Screw the polarizing filter onto the front of your lens. Most lenses can only support one filter, so your second PL-Cir filter will function as a backup. It can also be placed on a second camera if you desire.
3. Look through the camera's viewfinder and compose your shot. You will notice that the scene or subject appears noticeably darker.
4. Compensate your exposure by decreasing your shutter speed or widening your aperture (lens opening). For most filters, 1.5 stops of exposure compensation is required. For example, if your shutter speed is 1/180, you'll need to drop down to 1/60 for proper exposure. If your camera is set to auto mode or any other shooting mode that meters light automatically, this step is not necessary.
5. Rotate the end of the filter until you achieve your desired results. As you rotate the filter, you'll notice reflections fading or the sky becoming more saturated.
Tags: your lens, your shutter speed, desired results, filters help, front your
Disposable cameras help ensure you are never without photo memories.
Color film is perishable. It has a shelf-life and it will go bad, though not in a spoiled-vegetable sort of way. This is why reputable film manufacturers will encode film products, including single-use cameras, with a "best before" date. Like produce, how film is stored has a lot to do with how well it performs after its expiration date.
Color Shift
Color film is made of three or more color dye layers. Each dye has its own properties and much research went into each film brand to balance these factors to give realistic results. As film ages, each dye layer ages at a different rate, and the balance is shifted. How it shifts changes from brand to brand, but generally prints made from expired film stock will exhibit a magenta shift, showing a pink tinge to neutral subjects like clouds.
Exposure and Base Fog
Conventional film uses silver halide technology and this, too, is perishable. The light-sensitive silver layers for each color will lose sensitivity over time, although not in a predictable way. In a disposable camera this problem is compounded by the inability to change exposure. Also over time, silver emulsions gain their own density, what is called "base fog," and essentially makes the film less transparent, so prints have dull looking highlights.
Storage
How your disposable camera is stored has much to do with the results you achieve. Heat is a big enemy of color film. Sticking a disposable camera in the glove box of your car in hot summer weather can cause film to degrade even before its expiry date. On the other hand, photographers have for years been buying up near-expired film at low prices and freezing it. This preserves the film, but it introduces a problem of condensation if not thawed carefully.
Batteries
Some disposable cameras have built-in flashes, powered by a single AA battery. In a new camera, this battery holds sufficient charge to expose the film, but like all batteries, it will lose some power as it ages. A camera past expiry may not be able to charge the flash capacitor. However, because the cameras use a capacitor, a weak battery can still build sufficient charge, so if the flash indicator comes on, you need only worry about the film's sensitivity, not the power of the flash.
Tags: disposable camera, camera this, charge flash, Color film, over time
Posting pictures to Twitter is easier than ever on TwitterBerry.
TwitterBerry is an application designed to take advantage of Twitter from a BlackBerry. In the past, there have been difficulties getting it to function properly with TwitPic, which is a picture sharing service working in tandem with Twitter. Since TwitterBerry's name was changed to OpenBeak, the adjustments to the program make the process is much smoother and easier. OpenBeak has integrated TwitPic into the application for picture services.
Instructions
1. Launch the OpenBeak application on your BlackBerry by selecting it from the applications menu on your home screen and login using your Twitter username and password.
2. Click on the menu button and use the trackball to highlight the "Configure" option. Click on the trackball.
3. Highlight the "Connection Mode" using your trackball and click it to open the drop-down menu and scroll down to TCP. Click to select it. Click "Test Connection."
4. Open your camera application and take a picture. Click on the menu and click on the option to "Send to TwitterBerry." The picture posts in your TwitPic account and on Twitter.
Television technology has changed drastically since its inception in the 1940s. Vivid color and hundreds of channels have replaced the limited channels and snowy black-and-white images of early network broadcasts. The method for sending broadcast signals has also changed. In order to free broadcast space for emergency services and provide a better viewing experience, the FCC has mandated stations to switch from analog to digital broadcasting. With the change, some televisions may not be able to receive a digital signal. Checking your TV to determine if it will receive digital signals is a simple process that only takes a few minutes.
Instructions
1. Examine your TV to determine if it is a standard CRT/analog set or a newer model. If you own a newer, wide-screen TV, check for a sticker or marking that states "HDTV," "SDTV" or "480i." If any of these are posted on the unit, receiving a digital signal should not be an issue.
2. Check the user manual for information about your model. If you have lost the manual, download it online (see Resources).
3. Determine if your television was manufactured before March 1, 2007. If so, it's unlikely to have the digital tuner necessary to receive the proper signal.
4. To continue using your current analog television, install a DTV converter box to receive a digital signal. Converter boxes are available at most retail and electronic stores.
Tags: digital signal, receive digital, receive digital signal, your determine
The Sirius Sportster 5 allows users to listen to 130 channels of Sirius satellite radio in your car. You can program up to 30 channels, and the Sportster lets you record up to 60 minutes of radio. Installation of the Sirius Sportster 5 is simple as it attaches to your windshield or air-conditioner vents and plugs into your radio. There is no need to hardwire anything.
Instructions
1. Select a place in your car for the Sirius Sportster 5. It can be attached to your windshield or your air-conditioner vents. Screw the proper mount onto the radio and clamp it onto you're AC vent or stick it onto your windshield.
2. Plug the Sirius Sportster 5 into the magnetic antenna. Run the wire through your car. Keep the wire as well hidden as possible. Push the wire under the edge of the carpet and up the side of the back window. Attach the magnetic antenna to the inside top of your car.
3. Plug the Sirius Sportster 5 into the cigarette lighter with an adapter. Plug the Sirius Sportster 5 into your car's radio with a cassette adapter or with an aux/line-in input jack.
4. Turn your Sirius Sportster 5 to Channel 184 and input your 12-digit ID number.
Zoom lenses bring you closer to the subject and should be chosen carefully
Choosing a zoom lens for your camera is almost as important as choosing the camera itself. The proper zoom lens will allow you to photograph your subject from a distance, ensuring that your subject remains undisturbed by your presence. Even though you will be farther away from your subject, you still want your picture will be as sharp as possible. Whether you are working with a digital format or film, a 35mm SLR or a 2 1/4 large-format camera, the lens is what makes the photo.
Instructions
1. Research your possibilities. Not all lenses fit all cameras. Know the camera you have and explore what options are available. Keep in mind that some lenses will fit multiple brands with the simple addition of a converter ring. This may open up your options somewhat, but you will need to add the cost of any conversion rings to the price you are willing to pay for your lens. The best place to start is with any of the popular photography magazines or the Internet. Both will not only give you what accessories are available for your camera, but they also should show photos taken with each lens described.
2. Decide what factor zoom you want. There are basically 2 types of zoom lenses. Some only go to a specific distance, such as a 150mm lens or a 250mm lens; and some span a number of distances, such as the 50 to 150mm lens. In this category, there are also lenses that provide macro and wide-angle capabilities, as with a 28-150mm lens. Consider what you will be shooting with the lens. Many photographers lean towards the multiple range capability, rather than purchasing 2 or 3 lenses with different capabilities.
3. Test the lens. If possible, before you purchase any lens, you should try it first. Find a store in your area that handles the lens you are thinking of purchasing. Attach the lens to your camera and take a couple of pictures with it, using all the capabilities it contains. This means that if you are looking at a 28-150mm lens with macro, you want to make sure you take photos using the macro feature, as well as pictures at 50, 75, 100 and 150 distances. If you are shooting digital, you will be able to see the results immediately. With film you will need to process the roll before purchasing your lens. Check the prints for clarity and sharpness.
4. Check the quality of the lens itself. Confirm that all the dials, rings, attachments, buttons, and so forth are tight with no slack. Focus the lens at the closest distance and turn it vertically with the lens facing down. Do you see the lens begin to slide? Is the focus twisting without you moving it. This shows that if you were to be photographing an object that is angled either up or down, the subject would become out of focus as the lens begins to shift all by itself.
Many of the larger zoom lenses will need a tripod to assist with the weight of the lens. Consider how heavy the lens is and whether you will be able to hold it steady while shooting. If not, will it need a separate tripod attached to it to hold it straight, or will a camera mounted tripod be able to handle the weight?
Tags: will need, your camera, your subject, 150mm lens, 28-150mm lens, lens Consider, lens your
The Kodak Carousel slide projector uses gravity to drop a 35mm slide from the Carousel tray into position for viewing and then return the slide back up into the tray. Dirt that has gotten inside of the projection slot combined with a bent corner of a 35mm slide will cause the slide to stick inside of the projector slot, leading to damage of the slide from the heat of the slide projector's bulb. Repairing the film slot of the projector will keep the slide from getting stuck and just requires a few household tools, supplies from a photography store and a couple of minutes of your time.
Instructions
1. Turn off the Kodak Carousel slide projector. Let the bulb cool down until it is cold.
2. Twist the Carousel tray off of the Kodak Carousel slide projector. Turn the Carousel tray over and put it face down on a table.
3. Insert the coin in the slot and twist the metal bottom of the Carousel tray until it clicks into position. Turn the Carousel tray over. Twist the retaining ring from off of the Carousel tray.
4. Blow out the projection slot of the Kodak Carousel slide projector with compressed air. Grab the 35mm slide that is stuck inside of the projection slot by a corner with the tweezers. Pull the 35mm slide out of the projection slot.
5. Unbend the bent corner or corners of the 35mm slide. Put the 35mm slide upside down and backwards into the empty slot in the Carousel tray. Put the retaining ring back onto the Carousel tray.
6. Blow out the projection slot with compressed air again. Moisten a cotton swab in the photographic cleaning solution. Wipe the inside of the projection slot with the cotton swab. Discard the cotton swab.
7. Let the photographic cleaning solution inside of the projection slot dry. Blow out the projection slot with the compressed air.
8. Place the Carousel tray over the center hub of the Kodak Carousel slide projector. Push the Carousel tray down onto the Kodak Carousel slide projector. Twist the Carousel tray until it clicks into position.
9. Turn on the Kodak Carousel slide projector's fan by adjusting the control knob. Press the "Forward" button on the Kodak Carousel slide projector to advance the Carousel slide tray and drop a 35mm slide into the projection slot.
10. Press the "Forward" button again to return the 35mm slide back into the Carousel projection tray, advance the Carousel projection tray and drop another 35mm slide into the projection slot. The Kodak Carousel slide projector has now been fixed and the bulb can be turned on to watch the 35mm slides being projected.
Multi-disc changers afford car audio enthusiasts with the ability to listen to a variety of music for hours, without the hassle of having to change discs. To install a CD changer, you first need to choose a location to store the unit. A common location is the trunk of your Ford car or behind the seat of your Ford truck. You can choose to have your CD changer installed by a technician at an aftermarket retailer, or you can do it yourself and avoid paying the labor cost.
Instructions
1. Disconnect the negative grounding cable from the Ford battery using a Phillips head screwdriver. Unscrew the cable's clamp bolt and remove the clamp from the negative battery lead.
2. Insert the DIN removal tools into the slots on the face of the radio.
3. Pull the DIN tools outward and toward you (away from the dash) to remove the stereo.
4. Disconnect the wiring groups from the back of the Ford stereo by hand.
5. Connect the wiring groups to a wiring harness adapter. The wiring groups are for the antenna, the amplifier, the speakers and the power supply. Connect the wiring harness adapter to the corresponding outlets on the Ford's stereo.
6. Connect the patch cables to the wiring harness adapter and run the patch cables to the location of the CD changer. Use a trim panel tool to remove the panels in the door openings holding the Ford's carpeting to the floor of the vehicle. Place the cables beneath the carpeting. Replace the panels by hand with a medium amount of force.
7. Replace the Ford's stereo into the stereo dock. Remove the DIN removal tools.
8. Connect the patch cables to their outlets on the CD changer.
9. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative lead post of the Ford's battery. Place the clamp around the lead post and screw in the bolt, tightening the clamp using a Phillips head screwdriver
Instructions for Taking Pictures With a Kodak Fun Saver Disposable Camera
Kodak Fun Saver cameras are single-use, disposable cameras. These units come pre-loaded with Kodak film and have a built-in flash. Using a Kodak Fun Saver camera is straightforward. They can be used right out of the package with little to no preparation.
Kodak Fun Saver Cameras
Kodak Fun Saver cameras arrive packaged in a box and an inner seal made of plastic or foil to keep the film fresh. Start by removing the camera from its carton and from the protective foil wrapper. Do not open the camera itself or touch the seals on the camera, this will cause light to leak into the camera and compromise the film.
To take a picture, wind the film to prepare the camera for use.The Fun Saver contains 800 speed film. This is suitable for both indoor and outdoor photography. The roll of film will contain up to 27 prints, depending upon the camera; you can keep track of the number of exposures using the exposure counter on the top of the camera. When you open the camera, press the shutter button, then wind the film. Repeat until the film counter needle points to the number "1." The camera is ready to use.
Look through the viewfinder to compose your image. This will show the image as it will appear on the finished print. Press the shutter button to activate the shutter and take the picture. If the shutter button will not move, try using the gear wheel on the right-hand side of the camera to wind the film. After taking the picture, use the gear wheel and wind the film until the wheel stops. You are now prepared for the next picture.
These single-use cameras have a built in flash with batteries already installed. When photographing in low-light situations, turn the flash on by pressing the flash button and waiting for the flash light to appear. Once this light has appeared, the picture can then be taken and the flash will activate. After you have taken a picture using the flash, reset the flash by pressing the flash button again.
When finished using the Fun Saver camera, take it to a film processor to have the film removed from the camera and your photos printed. Many film processors will recycle the camera body to be reused; you can request this specifically from your processor.
Installing a DirecTV DVR should be an easy task if you have basic home entertainment knowledge. DirecTV DVRs provide users the flexibility of watching TV when they want. Recording shows and programs allow you to skip commercials and watch episodes in a fraction of the time it would take to watch live. DirecTV DVRs can be purchased online or in many home entertainment stores. No special tools should be required. All wires and cables should already be installed or come with DVR purchase.
Instructions
1. Screw two coax cables coming from satellite dish into inputs labeled "Satellite In." Refer to DirecTV DVR user guide for exact location of inputs. These cables should have already been supplied when the technician originally installed DirecTV.
2. Screw desired video cables into back of DVR and TV input. Many types of cables can be used. Composite and S-Video cables are the most common and should be provided with the purchase of a DirecTV DVR. High Definition Multimedia (HDMI) cables can only be used if you upgraded your service to high definition (HD) programming. HD programming requires a HD DVR. HDMI cables can be found in most electronic stores.
3. Plug power cord into wall outlet and turn DVR on. DVRs should turn on with your DirecTV remote.
4. Call DirecTV technical support to finalize installation. DirecTV’s technical support team needs to perform the final stages of the installation. This process will probably take a few minutes. You should be able to watch DirecTV like you did before once the final stages are complete.
Tags: cables should, DirecTV DVRs, final stages, HDMI cables, home entertainment, technical support
Confused about which disposable camera is best for your outing? Variables such as lighting and fast moving objects will dictate which single use camera is best for your situation.
Instructions
1. Begin by assessing the settings you are going to be taking pictures in. Will you be in bright sunlight? Indoors with normal or low lighting? Did you want these pictures to be in black and white? Will you be taking pictures near splashing water or maybe even under water? Take note of these settings and read the next step.
2. If you have decided the majority of your roll will be taken in direct or bright sunlight, you will need to purchase a camera that is using a fast film speed. Film speed is indicated on the camera by a 3-digit number. With disposable cameras these numbers usually range from 400 to 800, 400 being the slowest speed and 800 being the fastest. The more light there will be, the faster you will need your film speed. A disposable camera with a film speed of 800 will be perfect for a bright or sunny outing.
3. When deciding on a disposable camera for an indoor or low lighting situation you will want to examine the cameras that have slower speed film inside of them. For general indoor use, a disposable camera using 600 speed film with a flash is perfect. For lower light settings try a camera using 400 speed film also with a flash.
4. Maybe you want your pictures to be in black and white for a more distinguished effect. Although, a little easier to find online than in a storefront, disposable cameras that use black and white film are available. Their film speed is usually 400, and usually they do come with a flash.
5. Thinking about taking pictures at the beach with clear water or maybe even under the water? Disposable cameras sealed to be waterproof are available now in stores. They are just as easy to use as a regular single-use camera and come with flash as well.
Tags: film speed, with flash, black white, speed film, taking pictures, best your
The home theater experience is defined by immersion and big production values. An easy way to achieve immersion is with a projector. But electronic projectors can be expensive, as can their maintenance. The cheap and effective alternative is to harness the laws of physics and bend light from an existing television or computer monitor. This can be done with a Fresnel lens--a large square magnifying lens that doesn't curve the light that passes through it--and an apparatus constructed from wood boards cut to the size of a tube television or tube computer monitor.
Instructions
1. Measure the sides of the computer monitor or television around its screen. Mark two boards of wood with the exact width dimensions of the top and bottom sides of the monitor. Cut along the markings using a circular saw. Cut two more pieces of wood the width of the remaining sides of the monitor plus 1 inch: the length of two board thicknesses.
2. Set one of the longer and one of the shorter pieces of wood perpendicular to each other, in an "L" shape. Hammer two nails through the flat side of the longer piece of wood and down into the shorter piece of wood; hammer them in at the extreme ends of the boards. Do the same for the other longer and shorter board of wood. Then nail all four pieces together.
3. Measure the inner dimensions of the newly created box. Cut two boards to match any two parallel sides of the inner box. Cut two more boards the length of the remaining two sides of the inner box minus 1 inch--the board thicknesses are subtracted because the new box must fit snugly in the original box. Nail these boards together into a four-sided box.
4. Measure the inner dimensions of the smaller box. Mark these dimensions as lines on the lens with a marker. Dip the cutter's rotary blade in oil, and wipe off the excess oil with a dry paper towel. Roll the cutter back and forth across the drawn dimensions until the blade penetrates the lens and all outer edges are cut off.
5. Place the smaller box on a flat surface so that the two open sides are perpendicular to it. Apply superglue to the edges of the lens. Balance one flat side of the lens in one hand, and reach through the box to grip the opposite flat side of the lens. Slide the lens upright into the box, and hold it at the edge of one open side until the glue sets and the lens doesn't budge.
6. Slide the larger box over the front of the television or computer monitor. Slide the smaller box into the larger box with the Fresnel lens side facing out. Point the monitor at the wall you would like to project onto, and slide the inner box in and out of the outer box to focus the image.