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A Merrier Christmas for Music Lovers?
2007-11-12 11:53:00
Most of us have a true music lover on our Christmas list.  Many of them have an MP3 player, but do they have the one they want? There have been some important changes to some of the primary players in the MP3 player world in the current year that you might want to consider. For many who have an older MP3 player the option of adding WiFi capabilities, video- or better video, a radio feature, more memory, or a slicker looking appearance may prompt gift givers to consider some of the upgrades offered by Apple and Microsoft.First iPod. As most know iPod introduced their next generation of devices which included the long awaited iPod Touch with touchscreen, 3.5 inch widescreen viewer, and WiFi capabilities. The 8GB now comes in around $299 and the 16GB at $399. While the Touch brings the new features mentioned, some of the older models have been revamped with new colors, more memory, and price cuts. iPod Nano now has a 2 inch wide screen and comes in a rainbow of colors with a 4GB m...
More About: Music , Lovers

Your Television and Energy Conservation
2007-11-09 10:21:00
Your television can be a great entertainer as we all know; indispensable in most households actually. However, like so many things it is important to choose wisely and to use with care. Increasingly, the general public is becoming aware of our environment and the conservation of energy.In the past I've discussed the end of life issues related to your television; about recycling and such. (read my earlier article here) At this point, I just want to make mention of some of the things to consider on the front end, when you are selecting your television and beginning to use it that can help in reducing it's demands for energy.One starting point is to consider a set that has the Energy Star certification. Of course, even this doesn't assure you are getting a model that is truly the most power conscious. The technology behind the television and the screen size are often major determinants of it's power consumption.  As you might guess, a small screen consumes less power so if one...
More About: Television , Conservation , Energy Conservation

A More Simple Form of Portable Music
2007-11-05 14:08:00
Certainly MP4 and MP3 players receive nearly all of the "press" when it comes to personal, portable music entertainment in recent years.  However, for some of you who have bemoaned the loss of a more simple time when music was not a file but a disc you hold in your hand, personal CD players are still out their in abundance. For those who simply want a portable device to play music from their CD collection or who are a little more retro and a little less of a techno snob, then these devices can be a perfect fit.The price range on personal CD players is approximately $35 to $300.  When picking out the device that is right for you headphones can be an important consideration to assure not only comfort and wearability, but also the quality of sound.  Other critical features would include anti-skip protection, rechargeable batteries as a long term cost saver, and for those who are interested, the inclusion of a radio. To assure satisfaction with your listening experience I...
More About: Music , Portable , Simple , Form

Digital Camera Tips: Getting Better Group Photographs
2007-11-02 13:34:00
Family reunions, little league teams, birthday parties, and class field trips are just a few scenarios when many of us have tried and failed to get the perfect group shot that reflects the mood of the occasion. Where did we go wrong and how can we get the photographs we want?   One option, although a bit pricey for "everyday" purposes is to hire a professional photographer.  I am assuming however that most people reading on this topic are hoping to learn the tips they need for getting better group shots with their own camera. Thus, here are some hints that can help:   Get set up.  People get impatient, tired, children begin to wander and fidget, and everyone's smile begins to wither if they have to wait around while you select the perfect location, get your camera set up, rearrange your subjects and so forth. Be sure to find a spot that is large enough to accommodate the number of people you will be photographing.  Be sure there is adequate lighting. Op...
More About: Digital Camera , Camera , Tips , Photographs , Digital

Good News for Cell Phone Owners?
2007-10-29 10:50:00
I ran across a couple of news items that may bode well for cell phone users. The first item may spell the end of the problems experienced by a number of users who find they have spots with little or no reception within their home. It seems there are a number of technologies that are coming along to eliminate such dead spots; from signal boosters to mini home based cell towers.  Read about some of these newer developments in the Washington Post.  Another newsworthy article indicates that consumers in the US may have an easier time unlocking their cell phones when they decide to switch carriers.  (Unlocking a cell phone when switching providers is necessary if a consumer hopes to forgo buying a new phone)  A recent lawsuit with Sprint Nextel has apparently had the result of a new company policy in which they freely disclose how to unlock their cell phone when service is terminated. With other companies facing similar litigation it would seem a trend will develop.&n...
More About: News , Phone , Cell Phone , Cell , Good News

Other Cellular Options
2007-10-26 08:02:00
Occasionally a visitor to the site is interested in finding out about a cellular option that is short term for one reason or another. There are of course options out there, although, and here is my disclaimer: I don't have personal experience with them and can't vouch for the quality of any given service or product. With that said, it does appear that the services could be quite appropriate in a number of situations.   Renting a cell phone is an option that could be worth the attention of those who wish to make use of a cell phone without committing to a cell phone plan for a couple of years. In one scenario I have encountered, a friends spouse had to go out of state for a 3 month stint and although they did not wish to pick up cellular service in general, they felt the convenience of having cellular service during this time period was extremely useful. Luckily, by renting a cell phone during this time, they avoided the lengthy commitment but were able to take advantage ...
More About: Options , Cellular

Greater Flexibility with Cell Phone Plans
2007-10-22 14:54:00
Calls from consumers to allow greater flexibility with cell phone plans apparently aren't falling on deaf ears.  During 2006, Verizon made some initial steps by changing their policy related to flat termination fees when customers decide they need to switch carriers.  Under their new policy, consumers pay a pro-rated fee which decreases the longer they have the phone/plan.   It appears that AT&T has recently decided to follow suit.  In addition to instituting the pro-rated termination fee, customers will have the ability to change calling plans without extending the duration of their current contract. Read the USAToday story for more information.   It appears likely that such moves will soon be echoed by other carriers, particularly if congress is successful in passing proposed legislation that would institute standard measures that require cellular providers to reduce termination fees by 50% after the first year of a contract and to notify consumers an...
More About: Phone , Cell Phone , Cell , Plans , Flexibility

News of the TV World
2007-10-19 13:28:00
A couple of new stories in the past day or two are worthy of mention. First, it appears that the disappearance of analog TV has officially begun here in the US. Although, broadcasters will cease transmitting via analog signals in 2009, Best Buy has now discontinued selling analog TV sets and is pulling existing stock from their shelves.  Luckily, for those who have an analog set they want to keep, Best Buy (and others of course) will be selling converter boxes to allow their set to pickup digital signals.  The cost of the boxes is projected by some to be around $50 but consumers will be offered coupons up to a value of $40 to assist in purchasing the devices. You can check out the Best Buy story at BusinessWeek.Of less immediate interest is talk about the possibility of AT&T buying up either EchoStar's Dish Network or DirectTV.  Obviously, this would conveniently allow AT&T to bundle their high-speed data and voice services with satellite TV entertainment. Ot...
More About: News , World

Trying to Choose a PDA
2007-10-15 16:27:00
So you are trying to choose your first PDA and wondering what features you should consider?  Here is a brief list to think about as you look at your options:   -      &nbs p;  Size:  Which size works best varies by individual. The smaller the better for some while others prefer larger as they feel it is easier to handle and operate. -      &nbs p;  Data entry method: Keyboard entry is the old standby, touch screens are newer and generally use a stylus pen, and some have handwriting recognition -      &nbs p;  Get enough memory: 32 MB of internal RAM is a recommended minimum and having the ability to expand memory is also suggested. Use of Compact Flash and Secure Digital (SD) are most common. -      &nbs p;  Functionality: How will you want to use your PDA? Will you want to make phone calls with it, access the internet, play games, us...
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Why Would You Decide to Purchase an SLR Digital Camera?
2007-10-12 07:22:00
In recent months, I've had a couple of questions about whether or not those of us who are casual or amateur photographers would consider buying an SLR digital camera.  Many wouldn't and probably shouldn't, but for those who want greater control they can certainly be a good option. Most of the basic point and shoot cameras offer all kinds of automatic functions to allow us to take pictures with a minimal amount of fuss. No messing around with focus, aperture settings, shutter speed, or even flash in most instances. However, for those who want to produce even better images or get more creative, an SLR is often the tool of choice. An SLR digital camera also eliminates the issue of parallax error which occurs with a point and shoot camera that has users viewing a scene through a lens which is separate from the lens that the camera uses to capture an image.     SLR cameras are more expensive than the typical point and shoot camera, and are often sold as body only,...
More About: Digital Camera , Camera , Digital , Purchase , Cide

Cost Free Photo Editing Options
2007-10-08 15:36:00
Most digital cameras and computers come with some form of image editing software that allow users to manipulate and improve the pictures they capture.  For those who are more adventuresome however there are numerous products on the market that allow even greater creativity and control.  The price tag on such software varies widely and I have discussed such products in earlier posts.    However, for those of you interested in software but don't have a budget to support the additional purchase there are other options.  As with so many things, there is freeware available online that can be downloaded and used. Here are a few of the more common downloads available.   Picasa by Google Snapfire 1.0 Pixia Paint.net  These of course are not the only ones available, a quick search on photo editing freeware should reveal a number of other options.
More About: Photo , Free , Cost , Editing , Options

Additions to Satellite TV Providers Line-Up
2007-10-05 12:40:00
Dish Network announced a few additions to their satellite TV line-up this week. Veria TV will be launching their natural wellness channel with Dish.  The program offereings will cover topics such as food and nutrition, travel, exercise, alternative medicine, and holistic health.Dish satellite TV has offered Setana Sports for a while which provides international soccer, rugby, and other sports. Now they have announced the launch of Zee Sports America, a 24-hour sports channel which covers South Asian sports such as Indian football, cricket, golf, and motor sports as well as related talk and news programming.  Details about new and existing programming can be found on the Dish Network site.
More About: Satellite , Line , Ovid

Picking Out a Digital Picture Frame
2007-10-01 19:33:00
Digital picture frames have evolved a great deal in recent years and can be a very nice way of displaying pictures. Of course, with so many frames on the market there is significant variation as far as quality, features, and cost.  Here are a few things to think about when shopping for a digital picture frame:   The DisplayThe size of the viewing screen can vary from just a few inches to up to about 19 inches. The bigger the more expensive in most instances.  The average of course, is around 7 inches; these are popular because they display the typical 4x6 image readily. If the photos an individual wishes to have shown are larger, then a bigger display is certainly warranted.   The quality of the image that the frame is able to display is also critical and probably the primary factor to consider. Similar to a television, if a person is unhappy with the quality of the picture, they will never be satisfied with the purchase.  More pixels generally means higher ...
More About: Picture , Digital , Frame , Picture Frame , Picking

Cell Phone Plan Glitches
2007-09-28 09:45:00
It was only a few weeks ago that I published an article about some of the options parents have to manage cell phone use by their kids to provide added security and limit expenses. Among several options, I made mention of the Disney Mobile service and the new AT&T "Smart Limits" service.  The Disney service allows parents to control who children call and how long they talk in addition to providing a GPS locator feature. In a news story I found posted just yesterday it seems that the service will be discontinued by the end of this year. If you are a current subscriber, be sure to check out the whole story here.In a separate news story posted a bit earlier this week, AT&T announced that after further evaluating the recently launched "Smart Limits" service it will be suspending one of the features of the program which allowed parents to block calls during certain hours. Concerns were raised about full access to 911 during these times. For details you can review the news st...
More About: Phone , Cell Phone , Cell , Plan , Glitches

Prefer to Watch Your iTunes Movies on Television?
2007-09-24 13:00:00
This is one of those "in case you missed it" kind of things.  Millions download content from the iTunes store for their iPod. Although watching movies on a small screen such as an iPod or a laptop can be useful as it allows portability, many people still love seeing things on the larger screen of a television.   It's for these millions of people that the Apple TV can help bridge the gap between the convenience of downloading from iTunes and getting the full screen experience of watching content on their television. Apple TV is a digital media receiver that allows the user to play iTunes content from their MAC or PC on their enhanced or high definition widescreen television. The device stores content on a 40 or 160 GB hard drive or streams across a network. Users can control the device with any Apple remote giving them access to the TV shows, movies, and podcasts of iTunes in their living room.   Apple TV can connect to a computer wirelessly, with an Ethernet connecti...
More About: Movies , Television , Watch , Itunes , Refer

iPod Touch
2007-09-19 13:58:00
For those wondering about the new iPod Touch , it begins shipping this month. The long anticipated touch screen with QWERTY keyboard is not the only new feature. The Touch offers a 3.5" widescreen display for better viewing of photos and movies, and, in conjunction with it's Safari browser, makes for easy web surfing. Users will be able to adjust views by enlarging and zooming in and out at will. The Touch will automatically adjust brightness based on your surroundings and will switch from portrait to landscape views based upon how you are holding the device.   Another great feature of course is its wireless networking capabilities; a long awaited feature for those who want to be connected.  Luckily too, for those who are on the go is the 22 hour battery life the Touch is said to have when used for audio playback. (5 hours with video use). Less time spent charging your iPod and more time spent enjoying it.   Oh yes, and then there is the music, the listening experienc...
More About: Ipod

The Next Generation's Television
2007-09-16 15:28:00
There are numerous technologies still in development for the next generation of television. I've discussed SED and OLED, and even mentioned laser based television technologies previously but another potential leader for the future is FED (field emission display).  Sony is currently behind the FED push.   FED television is said to operate more like a CRT set but offers the flatter, thinner display like LCD and plasma. They use a more efficient emitter (carbon nanotubes) and can therefore create a higher resolution picture than an LCD, use significantly less power than a plasma, and display fast motion without blurring. For those interested in learning more about the technology behind an FED television you can read the story here: The good news of course is that the evolution of television technologies should present some options that offer outstanding viewing and yet are affordable for the average consumer. The less exciting news is that, at least for FED television, it wi...
More About: Television , Levis , The Next Generation

Managing Cell Phone Use by Children
2007-09-13 14:10:00
Those with family cell phone plans know the concerns. Kids who text or talk so much they break the family budget. Kids who aren't aware of the dangers of spyware, predators, and spammers. Now with video phones that allow viewing of video and photos that could potentially be inappropriate and web enabled cell phones that provide access to any content on the web, kids can easily be exposed to content parents might otherwise restrict. For Young Children There are options of course.  For very young children there are the designed-for-kids cell phones like Firefly and Tic Talk which inherently restrict who they can and cannot call and reject calls from numbers not in the phonebook programmed by parents. Certainly such cell phones are also not web enabled or video capable. The risk of exposure to inappropriate content is virtually eliminated. Options as Kids Mature Disney mobile cell phone plans also offer parents control over who their children call and how long they talk. Beyond ...
More About: Phone , Cell Phone , Cell , Cell-phone

Making Your Digital Camera Faster
2007-09-10 12:18:00
A common complaint about a low to mid range digital camera is the speed at which it captures images: both the delay between pressing the shutter button and getting a single picture and the time between capturing consecutive images.Many digital camera owners have learned to work around the lag time that occurs between when the shutter button is pressed and when the photo is actually taken. By simply pressing the button halfway down and holding it prior to taking the picture, the camera is able to complete much of the focusing prior to asking the camera to actual capture an image. Once the user is ready to take the shot, the button is depressed completely and, viola, the camera responds with almost no delay.    Unfortunately, users may still have to deal with the delay between taking one photo and the next which can result in missing many great shots. This delay is due to the fact that digital cameras require time to write the image to memory. Certainly buying a higher end ...
More About: Digital Camera , Camera , Digital , Makin , Aster

High Definition Television with an HDTV Ready Set
2007-09-06 10:13:00
The television set in your living room may be capable of receiving and decoding high definition programming only if it has assistance from additional equipment.  These sets are "HDTV ready" versus true HDTV, thus even if you are receiving HD programming from your television service you can't actual view HD unless the proper equipment is connected.For those with satellite TV, a receiver designated as an HDTV receiver is needed and possibly a new satellite dish if the one you have currently is an older model. Similarly, cable customers need an HD set top box. For your HD ready television to decode signals properly from traditional over the air transmission an HD antenna and receiver/tuner are needed.   Getting high definition programming is a bit more complicated than simply pulling a television out of the box and plugging it in. Even with HD integrated televisions, be sure you know what you need to do to view high definition programming before you buy.
More About: Television , High Definition , Definition , High , Hdtv

Movie Downloads Go Mainstream
2007-09-02 17:32:00
Several years ago movies were available on the internet via peer-to-peer file sharing sites.  Of course, issues of piracy and the risk of exposure to viruses prevented the average consumer from considering movie downloads a viable option however. More legitimate movie downloads came along a bit later in the form of Movie link and CinemaNow, but the selection was limited, download technology was a bit slow, and the equipment in the homes of most consumers made watching the films undesirable. For these reasons, movie downloads for the most part remained the domain of early adopters rather than the mainstream public.   Online movie rental services such as Netflix and Blockbuster have been more prominent forces in the home entertainment industry due to their much larger selection of movies. The primary drawback for such movie rental services was the delay between choosing the movie and receiving it in the mail a day or two later for viewing. However, the distinction between mov...
More About: Downloads , Mains

Portrait or Landscape Shot?
2007-08-30 14:18:00
I received another basic photography question. The question is, "When I'm setting up a shot, how do I decide which will look better: portrait or landscape?" Which way you orient your camera often depends on one of two things: the subject's position or the movement of the subject.For instance, if the subject is a person standing, most often the orientation should be portrait.  If the subject is a person reclining, the orientation of the picture is more often landscape.  Another example would be in nature shots. If the subject you want to focus on is a single tree, you would probably go for a portrait orientation reducing some of the extraneous objects to the left and right of the subject. On the other hand, if you are hoping to capture a gradually sloping mountain or winding river going on a somewhat left to right path, you will need a landscape orientation.  Following movement is the other factor that determines the best orientation of the camera. If your subject is...
More About: Landscape , Shot , Portrait , Scape , TRAI

Satellite TV News
2007-08-27 15:46:00
In a couple of blogs in the past year I have talked a little bit about how satellite TV  provider Dish Network was branching out into the world of bundled services; specifically in regards to providing internet access through WildBlue.    There is now additional information this month that satellite TV competitors DirectTV and Echostar (Dish Network) are bidding on blocks of the radio spectrum that are being auctioned off.  They appear to be headed toward being able to send voice and data signals allowing them to offer a full spectrum of communications services.   The full story is in the New York Times.
More About: News , Satellite

The Switch from Film to Digital Camera: Making the Adjustment
2007-08-24 14:51:00
From all of the books, advertisements, and products in stores it would appear that no one continues to use a film camera.  This isn't true of course. Although a digital camera can offer much greater control during the editing process and perhaps even a cost savings over the long run, a traditional film camera still has advantages for some consumers. One of those being that if their film camera is a good one and meets their needs, there is no reason to change.However, for those who do decide to switch to a digital camera there will be significant differences to which they must adjust. Certainly the technology behind a digital camera makes them different; how images are captured and stored, the optics themselves, pixels, resolution, and so forth.  But there are a handful of basic changes to which even those who photograph on a very limited and casual basis will need to adapt.   Response TimeWith a more affordable, point-and-shoot type digital camera there can be a sign...
More About: Film , Digital Camera , Camera , Switch , Digital

Care for a Photo Scanner
2007-08-20 17:56:00
Scanners are a great way of converting images from traditional film and slides into digital form.  A scanner can also be used to make digital images of text and small objects. Once in digital form, images are easy to manipulate, print, store, send via e-mail or publish on the internet.  Proper use of a photo scanner helps to not only assure that it continues to function well into the future but can also result in better quality images. Following just a few basic tips should preserve longevity and quality output.   Avoid touching the glass.  As with most electronic products, grease and oils can damage the glass. The presence of such smudges on the glass can also obscure the scan resulting in blurred images.  It is therefore important to avoid touching the glass as much as possible. Keep the glass and underside of the scanner cover clean.  Review the manufacturers care instructions and use only approved cleaners.  In general, never apply the cleane...
More About: Photo , Care , Scanner

The Next Television Technology
2007-08-17 13:07:00
For anyone holding out on buying a new plasma or LCD television despite their falling prices over the past couple of years, there is soon to be another choice. Mitsubishi should be unveiling its new laser based HDTV models by the end of the year.    The television is a slimmed down rear projection model that will rival the space saving design of plasma and LCD screens. Said to be only 10” deep they should not be too imposing in any room. It is also anticipated that they will be lighter in weight, due in part to their lightweight plastic screen versus traditional glass. Other attractive features include improvements in picture quality.  These sets are said to offer better color content and blacker blacks than current technologies. In addition, this new laser based television will reportedly consume significantly less power and is expected to be priced well below that of similarly sized plasma or LCD screens.
More About: Television , Technology , Ology , Levis

Connecting Your Digital Camera to Your Computer with a USB Cable
2007-08-14 08:38:00
Here's a question I've received a few times, "I'm a newbie, how do I connect my digital camera up to my computer with a USB cable?"   This is simple and doesn't require you to power down your computer. The appropriate software should of course already be downloaded onto your computer to allow it to recognize the camera. Once this is done, it's time to connect.  You can use your camera owners manual if needed to help identify connection points, but merely need to hook up the USB cable to the USB port on your computer and to the camera. Once this is accomplished turn the camera on; if you want to conserve battery power it's best to have the camera connected to AC power.   At this your computer should automatically start the transfer software and you can then double click on the appropriate icon to access the images on your camera. You should see all of your images in the "DCIM" (digital camera images) folder.  It is then simply a matter of clicking and draggi...
More About: Digital Camera , Camera , Computer , Digital , Cable

A Computer Monitor for Displaying and Working with Images from Your Digital
2007-08-10 15:47:00
As the digital camera has become the norm, many people now display images on their computer as frequently as in a photo album. Others of course use their computer to edit images before printing.  CRT screens are capable of doing the task however these screens do have a fair amount of flicker which can cause eye strain over time. LCD screens provide excellent image quality and a more stable image but are also significantly more expensive. So determining your budget and how much time you will spend at the screen may help in making the decision as to which type of screen is right for you.When manipulating images during the editing process, a user will probably want no less that a 15 inch screen on which to do their work.  A flat screen helps to reduce glare but this is available with both CRT and LCD monitors. To get the color accurate, sharp images wanted, a screen resolution of at least 1,024 x 768 is needed.  A final characteristic that should be considered is the abi...
More About: Computer , Images , Monitor , Digital , Working

Camcorders: Weighing Your Options
2007-08-08 01:30:00
Some Home Media Store visitors have inquired about why they might consider an HDD camcorder, especially in view of the greater savings available on more traditional models.  Certainly, cost is an important consideration and other film and DVD camcorders are fully capable of producing excellent films but for those weighing their options here is a summary of the benefits of HDD.Higher Initial Cost But Potential Savings In the Long Term?Although an HDD camcorder tends to be more expensive than other film and digital based camcorders a cost savings can be had as an HDD camcorder can eliminate the cost of purchasing other media for storage.  More Storage Has Other Benefits TooIncreased storage space also increases efficiency and ease of use as an HDD camcorder uses a hard disk drive which allows it to capture and store far more hours of film without the need to stop and insert alternate media or download to computer. Of course, this also eliminates the problems encountered with...
More About: Camcorders , Options , Opti , Orders , Amcor

Sunsets: Another Camera Tip
2007-08-03 18:45:00
I've received some more photography type questions from some of our digital camera owners recently.  The current question is about how to best photograph a sunset.   In many instances, to capture the best color it is best to simply wait a few minutes after the sun has actual set to take the photograph.  The colors can be stunning and the overexposure caused by the sun is eliminated. Of course, most other elements, such as in the foreground add interest but are often blacked out by the back lighting.Another options is to shoot the sunset without capturing the sun; getting an image of the brilliant sky and/or horizon.  Some photographers recommend filters to allow capturing the sun itself but knowing how to expose the image correctly through light metering is the best option of you want to capture the sun itself.  As I don't consider myself a photography expert, I will refer those who are interested here to see a discussion about this topic.
More About: Camera , Sunsets