What Is A Prosumer Camera

Prosumer cameras are used by professionals and consumers.

A prosumer camera is one that is designed for both professional and serious amateur users. It features more controls and has a higher quality than the low-end consumer-level camera and a lower price and build quality than a more expensive professional model. This term applies to both still photographic cameras as well as video camcorders.

Definition

The word "prosumer" was originally coined by futurist Alvin Toffler to describe a future where consumers would become involved in the production and design of products. However, the term was later changed to reflect camera products that can be used for professional applications, but at a price that amateur users could also afford. This allows amateur photographers and videographers to obtain a professional quality camera to hone their skills with -- for a lower price.

Features

Prosumer cameras allow users to have more control over the image they are creating. When using a prosumer camera, a photographer can control the aperture, shutter speed, focus and many other settings with the same ease that a professional camera allows, as opposed to consumer cameras, which often use automatic settings. Also, prosumer cameras typically feature the same lenses and sensors included on professional cameras, which will result in a much higher quality image. Prosumer video cameras also include professional-quality audio inputs, including some models with phantom-powered XLR inputs that support high-end microphones.

Uses

Because prosumer cameras offer quality that is comparable to high-end professional models, they can be used in place of professional cameras for low-budget video and photo shoots. In contrast, the affordable price on these cameras make them perfect for amateur and personal uses, such as shooting home videos and family photographs. Also, prosumer cameras are great for students learning the basics of photography.

Examples of Professional Use

Some examples of professional productions that have used the low costs of prosumer cameras include independent and Hollywood films such as "28 Days Later," "Paranormal Activity," "Crank 2: High Voltage" and "Super Size Me." Also, these cameras have been used in television. Shows such as "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Last Call with Carson Daly" have utilized prosumer cameras to get the most out of their budgets.

Tags: prosumer cameras, Also prosumer, Also prosumer cameras, amateur users, cameras which

Facts College Students' Cell Phone Use

Facts About College Students' Cell Phone Use

College students make an average of 11 calls a day from their cell phones, according to a Virginia Tech survey. Cell phone use can be both beneficial and harmful to the education and safety of college students.

Effects

According to a University of Michigan study, cell phones are a serious source of distraction in college classes and a potential source of cheating.

Significance

A study from Staffordshire University in England found that 36 percent of college students can't get by without their cell phones and that they view them as a necessity, like a car.

Risks

College students are more apt to take risks with their safety when using a cell phone, according to a study appearing in the "International Journal of Urban and Regional Research." Cell phones can create a false sense of security, leading college students, especially women, to walk with them in dark, dangerous places where they normally would not.

Benefits

College students can use cell phones to download, access and read course materials, according to a University of North Florida study. Today's cell phones have the computing power of a mid-1990s personal computer.

Potential

Some colleges, like Danville Area Community College in Danville, Illinois, have implemented emergency text-messaging systems to alert students to on-campus emergencies, as well as class cancellations due to weather.

Tags: cell phones, Cell Phone, College students, college students, Students Cell

Who Invented The Disposable Camera

Since the late 1940s, people have been intrigued with small, inexpensive cameras. The ability to take snapshots of everyday life ended the era when photography studios and newspaper photojournalists were the only ones with cameras. With the invention of the disposable camera, photography became even more accessible to common people, not simply those who could afford expensive cameras.

History

According to the encyclopedia section of the Seattle-based reference website AbsoluteAstronomy.com, the first single-use film camera without a film transport mechanism was created by A.D. Weir, a mechanical engineer, in 1949. The camera was called the Photo-Pac and retailed for $1.29.

Size

The cardboard Photo-Pac camera was larger than the compact palm-sized disposable cameras made popular by Kodak and Fuji in the mid-1980s. Similar to the size of a brick, the Photo-Pac disposable film camera was pre-loaded with enough film to expose eight frames. Once used, the entire camera was mailed for processing. Prints and negatives would then be returned to the customer by mail.

Time Frame

Kodak developed The Fling camera in the 1980s. This disposable camera used 110 size film. Later, the FunSaver line was introduced with the popular 35mm size film. During that same time period, Fuji developed the QuickSnap line of disposable cameras, which also used 35mm film.

Benefits

The disposable camera option made photography more readily available for the masses. The portability and low cost camera option allowed the industry to grow and expand the features of disposable cameras.

Features

Simple point and shoot operation was the key selling point for the first disposable cameras. A fixed focal length lens, and hands free focusing, made the portable lightweight camera enticing. Later developments such as built-in flashes, waterproof housings and the ability to zoom were added. In the early 2000s, disposable digital cameras were introduced. By paying a fee up front when purchasing the camera, the camera user could return the camera to specially designated photo labs to receive their final images on a CD.

Tags: disposable cameras, camera option, disposable camera, film camera, size film

Build An Fm Transmitter Antenna

Portable satellite receivers let you listen to music through your car's FM radio by using a built-in FM transmitter. You can make an FM transmitter antenna, which will amplify and boost the FM transmission capabilities of the satellite radio's FM transmitter. This will provide a better signal for hearing the music being transmitted. You will need a few parts from an electronics supply shop and expertise in using a heat gun and soldering iron. The satellite radio must have a plug to accept an FM transmitter antenna or the antenna cannot be used.

Instructions

1. Unscrew the back off the phone plug. Unwind some copper wire from the copper wire spool. Strip a half inch of insulation off the end of the copper wire with the wire strippers.

2. Push the end of the copper wire through the hole in the bottom of the back of the phone plug.

3. Heat up the soldering iron for two minutes. Solder the end of the copper wire to the inside metal lug attached to the phone plug. Let the solder cool for a minute.

4. Cut a piece of heat shrink tubing that is about the same length of the metal lug with the utility knife.

5. Put the piece of heat shrink tubing over the metal lug. Hold the heat gun over the heat shrink tubing. Turn on the heat gun.

6. Turn off the heat gun after a minute has gone by.

7. Screw the back of the phone plug back onto the phone plug.

8. Measure two feet of copper wire from the back of the phone plug. Cut the copper wire from the copper wire spool at the two-foot mark with the wire cutters.

9. Plug the phone plug into the phone plug connection on the portable satellite radio.

Tags: copper wire, phone plug, back phone, back phone plug, copper wire from, heat shrink, heat shrink tubing

Save Pictures From One Sd Card To Another

MicroSD cards require adapters to work in most memory card readers.

Most digital cameras and camera phones store pictures on special memory cards called SD cards. These cards are available in different capacities and styles for different devices. You can replace the card in your device with a compatible card in a larger size. Yet, if you want to transfer the pictures from the old card to a new card, you will need to use a computer. Many computers have memory card readers that will help you transfer the data. If your computer does not have a memory card reader, you can purchase one that will connect to your computer via USB.

Instructions

1. Inspect your memory cards. Both cards should be the same type. If they are both labeled "SD," they are standard cards and you will be able to use them as they are. If they are labeled "miniSD" or "microSD," you will need a miniSD to SD adapter or a microSD to SD adapter, to use them with your memory card reader.

2. Click on "My Computer" in your computer's start menu, to view the list of devices that are connected to your computer.

3. Insert the memory card containing your pictures into the SD card slot on your memory card reader. If you have a miniSD or microSD card, put it in the correct adapter first, then insert the entire adapter into the memory card reader. If you are using a USB memory card reader, plug it into one of your computer's USB ports.

4. Double-click on the icon that appeared in the "My Computer" window when you inserted the SD card into the card reader. Browse to the folder on the card that contains your pictures. The folder may be labeled "Media," "Pictures," "DCIM" or something similar.

5. Press "Ctrl" and "A" on your keyboard to select all of the pictures. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the pictures to your computer's clipboard. Alternately, if you want to remove the pictures from the original SD card, press "Ctrl" and "X" on your computer's keyboard. Press the "Back" button until you return to the "My Computer" window.

6. Right-click on your desktop; select "New" then select "Folder." Type "Temporary" and press "Enter" to name the folder. Double-click on the new folder to open it. Press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the pictures into the new folder. Press "Ctrl" and "X" while the files are still highlighted, to copy them back to your computer's clipboard.

7. Right-click on the memory card icon in the "My Computer" window and select "Eject." Remove the memory card from the memory card reader and insert the new memory card into the memory card reader.

8. Double-click on the new icon that appears in the My Computer window. Right-click, select "New," then select "Folder." Give the folder the exact same name as the folder where you found the pictures on the original memory card. Double-click the folder to open it. Press "Ctrl" and "V" on your computer's keyboard to move the pictures to the SD card. Wait for the files to finish copying.

9. Press the "Back" button until you return to the My Computer window. Right-click the memory card icon and select "Eject." Remove the memory card from the computer. Close the My Computer window and the Temorary window. Right-click on the "Temporary" folder icon on your desktop and select "Delete," to remove the folder from your computer.

Tags: memory card, your computer, card reader, memory card reader, Computer window, Press Ctrl

Insert An Sd Card Into A Brigade Phone

The Brigade, also known as the Verizon Casio Brigade, is a rugged clamshell cellphone with a full QWERTY keypad that is waterproof and resistant to dust, temperature and shock. The Brigade also offers up to 16 GB of additional data file storage through a micro SD card. The slot for the card is only accessible through the battery compartment. For quick insertion of the card, you simply need to remove the sealed back cover and the battery.

Instructions

1. Turn off your Brigade phone and turn it so that the backside faces up and the display side down. If it is plugged into a charger, unplug it.

2. Slide the battery compartment cover lock switch on the left side to "Free" to unlock the cover.

3. Locate the molded, recessed area on the left side of the cover near the top. Place your fingertip in this area and lift up to pry the cover from the back. Lay the cover off to one side.

4. Place your fingernail under the tab on the battery on the right side of the phone. Pull up to lift the battery from its compartment. Set it aside.

5. Pick up the micro SD card, position it in your hand with the contacts face down, then slide it fully into the slot at the bottom of the compartment until you feel it lock into place.

6. Reinsert the battery. Replace the cover and apply pressure to all of the sides of the cover to secure it to the phone. Slide the switch to "Lock" to lock the cover in place.

Tags: back cover, battery compartment, Brigade also, left side, micro card, Place your

Remove A Stock Ford Radio

If you plan on installing an aftermarket stereo into your Ford vehicle, one of the first things you'll need to do is to remove the factory stereo from the dash. Fortunately for you, the factory radio in many Ford models is very easy to remove. You just need a simple set of tools and you'll be done in a minute or two.

Instructions

1. Purchase a pair of DIN tools. These are simple wire tools that unlatch the radio from its mount. You can get these tools at many auto supply stores or purchase them online (see link in Resources).

2. Insert the DIN tools into the face of the factory radio. One DIN tool goes into each side of the face. Simply insert the pointed ends into the holes on the face of the radio. Insert the tools far enough until you detect a click.

3. Push the DIN tools slightly outward and then pull the radio toward you and out of the dash. Disconnect the plug and antenna connection on the back of the radio by pulling them out with a firm outward motion. Your factory radio has been removed.

Tags: factory radio, Insert tools

Calculate How Long A 9 Volt Battery Will Last

A Typical 9-Volt Battery (Note The Side-By-Side Terminals)

Known originally as "PP3" batteries, rectangular 9-volt batteries continue to be very popular with designers of radio-controlled (RC) toys, digital alarm clocks and smoke detectors. Like 6-volt "lantern" models, 9-volt batteries actually consist of a plastic outer shell that encases several small, cylindrical cells wired in a series. However, 9-volt batteries use different types of a cells (e.g. alkaline, lithium, nickel-cadmium), which have different output capacities To calculate the approximate lifetime of a battery powering a specific appliance, you simply need to know the appliance's power rating and the battery's capacity.

Instructions

1. Determine the power rating (in watts) for the appliance using the battery. In general, this information is printed on a label on the bottom or rear of the device. If you're not sure, visit the manufacturer's website, pull up the device's model number and search under "Technical Specifications."

2. Divide the power rating by 9 volts. The result will be the number of amperes or "amps" that the appliance draws from the battery.

3. Find the "capacity" for the 9-volt battery by checking the Technical Specifications section of the battery's packaging. Note: the battery's capacity will most likely be measured in milliampere-hours or "mAh."

4. Divide the battery's capacity by 1000 to convert its units to ampere-hours or "AH."

5. Divide the battery's AH capacity (from Step 4 ) by the amps drawn (from Step 2). The result is the amount of time (in hours) that the battery will be able to power the appliance.

Tags: battery capacity, 9-volt batteries, power rating, Divide battery, Divide battery capacity, from Step

Digital Camera Crop Factor Explained

Full-frame digital photos may appear cropped compared to film prints.

Camera developers model many features of digital cameras after their film predecessors. Digital film speed equivalence settings correspond to film speed ratings such as 200, 400 or 800 while white balance settings adjust for light-based color casts. Unfortunately, not all digital camera designers followed suit with digital camera sensors -- the area of the camera that captures and records images -- which gave rise to the term "digital camera crop factor." Not all digital camera sensors mirror the size of a 35mm film negative. This variation in size may initially confuse new digital camera users.

Definition

As photographers transition to digital technology, they often re-use their film-based accessories on digital camera bodies. When mounting a camera lens designed to coordinate with a 35 mm film camera on a digital camera that accepts interchangeable lenses, the image produced by the lens and the size of the image capturing sensor may differ. Photographers call this slight overlap the camera's digital camera crop factor. The phenomenon also becomes apparent when users of compact digital cameras request prints of their pictures.

Aspect Ratios

Since 35 mm film has graced the world of photography longer than digital, many assume a 4-inch by 6-inch print provides the full frame of any image captured, by any camera. As digital cameras evolve, designers have created sensors in various aspect ratios, not just the two-by-three ratio made popular by 35 mm film. For example, full-frame prints made from a charged coupled device sensor, or CCD, measure 4 inches by 5.4 inches, not 4 inches by 6 inches.

About CCD Sensors

Both compact and the larger interchangeable lens digital single-len reflex, or DSLR, cameras can utilize a CCD sensor, one of the smallest digital capture sensor types. The physical measurements of a CCD sensor dwarf a 35 mm film negative. Cameras utilizing a CCD sensor have an approximately 1.6x focal length modifier, meaning the resulting image will be 1.6 times the size of a 35 mm negative. For example, if you mount a 50-mm lens on a film camera and a DSLR and take a snapshot of the same scene using all the same camera settings, the image produced by the camera with the CCD sensor will appear slightly magnified. Since the sensor is smaller than the 35-mm negative, you won't see the image data recorded around the edges of the film negative on the digital image. The small sensor size has cropped off the data, making the digital camera crop factor visible.

Eliminating Crop Factor

If you don't want to worry about the digital camera crop factor, use a digital camera with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor, or CMOS sensor. Considered a full-frame sensor by 35 mm photography enthusiasts, a CMOS sensor offers the popular two-by-three aspect ratio. Everyday prints made from a camera with a CMOS sensor measure 4 inches by 6 inches. As of 2011, only DSLR cameras utilize CMOS sensors.

Tags: digital camera, digital camera crop, inches inches, camera crop, camera digital

How Do Digital Video Recorders Work

How Do Digital Video Recorders Work?

Types of Digital Video Recorders

Digital Video Recorders (DVR) are devices that record television shows as they air on TV. Differences in DVRs are generally in how many tuners they have. Each tuner in a DVR allows it to record another program. For instance, a dual-tuner DVR (which came out in 2003) can record two programs at the same time or record a program while another is being watched. Although DVRs can have multiple tuners, most DVRs use only one hard disk to record programs.

DVR Recording

DVRs use a hard disk drive to record information from your TV. A hard disk drive records information by magnetizing a magnetic strip in one of two directions. As one may surmise, the direction determines whether the coding is a 1 or a 0, the code of binary. DVRs use tuners to tune into information broadcast over the television, which they then record on hard drives.

Playback of Programs

Playing program recorded on a digital video recorder is similar to reading information off a computer hard drive. The magnetic information stored on a hard drive can be read by magnetic detectors, or readers. This means that the information for the program recorded on the DVR can be read by the DVR then fed as a video to your TV, similar to how a DVD player feeds video to your TV.

Tags: Digital Video Recorders, Video Recorders, Digital Video, hard disk, disk drive

Choose The Best Pocket Digital Camcorder

Use a small digital camcorder to easily record your vacation.

A pocket digital camcorder is a handy gadget to own when you're on vacation. Between shopping, sightseeing and other activities, the last thing you want to carry around is a big, clunky camcorder. Today's pocket camcorders are light and extremely versatile. Consider all the different features available when you're considering such a purchase.

Instructions

1. Look for a screen size of 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches. Don't get anything larger than this, or else it may not fit in your pocket.

2. Examine the amount of video memory the device has. A pocket camcorder may have as little as one hour of space. Unless you're close to a PC or laptop, avoid the one-hour models.

3. See if the pocket camcorder takes memory cards for extended use. These can allow up to 32 gigabytes of onboard space. That's enough for about 15 hours of video. But some pocket camcorders do not have an upgrade slot. Be wary of this and choose the right pocket digital camcorder for your expected usage.

4. Get a pocket digital camcorder that is rechargeable so you won't be purchasing batteries and discarding them constantly.

5. Make sure your pocket digital camcorder has a television output if you don't want to lug around your laptop on vacation.

6. Determine what software you'll require with your camcorder. Some pocket camcorders have very robust software packages, allowing editing, slow motion or saving individual frames as pictures. Some even allow you to conveniently upload videos to YouTube. Weigh the value of the software when deciding on the best pocket digital camcorder for your needs.

Tags: digital camcorder, pocket digital, pocket digital camcorder, pocket camcorders, camcorder your, camcorders have

Lexar Vs Sandisk Sd

Memory cards for digital cameras.

In the world of digital photography there are many choices in memory cards for digital cameras. There are many elements to consider when deciding which memory card is the best for a particular type of photography. Lexar and SanDisk SD are the two top producers of memory cards. Comparing the speed, quality and size of memory cards between the two manufacturers will help narrow the choices to suit the style of the photographer.

History

Both SanDisk and Lexar are based near Silicon Valley, California. SanDisk (Formerly SunDisk Corp.) was started in 1988. SanDisk makes NAND-based flash storage products and flash memory storage devices for the professional and consumer markets as well as providing systems for the military and industrial markets. According to Business Week magazine, SanDisk employs 3,565 people and has a global market.

Lexar, on the other hand, employs 325 people (according to Business Week) and also has a global market. Lexar was started in 1996 and primarily produces flash memory, NAND and DRAM memory products for the consumer and professional markets. It sells mostly memory for computers, digital cameras, games and other consumer electronic products.

Products

Both SanDisk and Lexar have consumer and professional product divisions. SanDisk has a complete line of memory cards in various formats. This line offers speed and capacity choices for both the amateur and professional photographer. Also offered are card readers and other peripherals. SanDisk offers a wide range of card readers that accept multiple types of memory cards. However, the upper line of card readers is limited.

Lexar offers a variety of speed and capacity choices also, for amateurs and professionals. They have a larger line of professional card readers with more choices for speed and connections. Lexar caters more to professional photographers and offers them more products and choices in the professional categories.

Features

SanDisk and Lexar both offer SD, memory stick, SDHC memory cards all the way up to 32GB. SanDisk has moved ahead of Lexar in the choices offered in compact flash cards. Lexar's 16GB Compact Flash Card is the largest capacity card it currently has as of 2009, whereas SanDisk goes all the way up to 64GB.

For photographers who shoot sports or want to shoot multiple frame bursts, high write speed is important. Using a slower speed card could result in missed shots and revenue. Download speed cuts down wait time till the images can be processed. Both SanDisk and Lexar off write and download speeds up to 600x.

Cost

Cost is where the two companies have big differences. As of 2009, Lexar's prices are lower in all areas.

Reliability

Both companies produce memory cards that reliably record image data. For professionals, this is a key factor in determining a product to purchase. Lexar has an added bonus with their Image Rescue software that allows for software recovery in case a memory card should fail. SanDisk and Lexar offer limited warranties and free support for their products. Warranty statements are provided, live chat, FAQs and email support are provided by both companies. SanDisk also offers forums for their different products.

Summary

SanDisk caters to the amateur and semipro photographer in digital photography, but has more memory cards with higher capacity limits. Lexar provides more variety for the professional photographer, both in memory cards and more options in accessories. Lexar has lower-capacity cards but is always working to improve its products and meet the needs of photographers. Both companies produce quality products that they stand behind.

Tags: memory cards, SanDisk Lexar, card readers, Both SanDisk, Both SanDisk Lexar, digital cameras

Attach A Camera To A Car

Videotape events from your camera.

Attaching a camera to a car is very easy to do with the right equipment. Professional car camera mounts can be purchased for as low as 50 dollars to as high as several thousand dollars depending on the functionality and quality. A homemade camera mount is not advisable as the hours put in and materials will likely equal to more than the cost of buying a similar professional version. In addition the quality of a homemade camera, mount might be lower and result in a broken camera.

Instructions

Attaching a Camera to a Car

1. Purchase a car camera mount. High quality camera mounts can be purchased inexpensively at a website called Film Tools. Manfrodo brand mounts can be purchased for less than $100.

2. Attach the camera to the camera mount. Locate the tripod socket on the bottom of the camera (the place where the tripod screws into). Screw the camera mount into the camera's tripod socket. Ensure that it is screwed in tightly.

3. Attach the mount to the car. Most camera mounts use a suction cup to attach to the car's body or window. Locate a flat surface on the car to attach the camera mount to. Push down on the suction cup of the mount on the car body. Most mounts also have a side pump located next to the suction cup to pump out any excess air ensuring a tight seal. Pump out any excess air.

4. Adjust the camera mount so that the camera is pointing in the direction of the desired shot. Tight any screws to lock the position of the mount. Press record and start driving to test the mount. Most professional mounts are secure at speeds over 150 miles per hour with a standard sized video camera. Check the instruction manual for additional details on operate.

5. To remove the mount simply peel the suction cup off at one of the sides.

Tags: camera mount, camera mounts, mounts purchased, camera mounts purchased, homemade camera, homemade camera mount, mount Most

Take Pictures Of Glow In The Dark Items

Capture the glow from spooky subjects.

Glow in the dark items rely on phosphorescence to create their unique effect once the lights go out. Phosphorescent coatings rapidly absorb and store light, then slowly release it. Though commonly used to complement spooky Halloween decorations, clock and watch faces often sport phosphorescent coatings so they can be easily read at night. Though photographing in the dark may seem challenging, it can be done simply with advanced preparation and the right equipment.

Instructions

1. Charge the glow in the dark items under an ultraviolet (UV) light source for roughly half an hour. Black lights work especially well.

2. Set up your glow in the dark item(s) as desired. Ensure that the UV light continues to light the subject as you prepare your shooting area.

3. Place a tripod about 4 feet away from the items and mount your camera on it. Lower the camera to the height of the items.

4. Pre-focus your camera lens on the items and set your aperture (lens opening) to f/8. This will help you avoid fumbling around in the dark as your items lose their charge.

5. Switch off all sources of light and open your camera's shutter using either a remote (for digital users) or release cable (for film users). Leave the shutter open for 15 to 30 seconds.

6. Check your results if you're shooting digital. If they are too light, re-shoot and leave the shutter open for a shorter amount of time. If they are too dark, re-shoot and leave the shutter open for a longer time. Experiment with a range of exposure times from 10 to 40 seconds if you're using film. This ensures that a properly exposed shot will appear somewhere on your finished roll.

Tags: shutter open, your camera, dark items, glow dark, re-shoot leave, re-shoot leave shutter

Five Ways To Trigger Your Offcamera Flash Unit & Additional Options

Triggering an off-camera flash unit helps illuminate a subject for a sculptural effect. Flash accessories, such as cords, transmitters and wireless sensors in flash units, achieve the off-camera flash effect. These flash accessories offer an economical and often lightweight and portable alternative to expensive studio lighting systems.

Hot Shoe Extension Cord

A hot shoe extension cord connects the camera's hot shoe mount and flash unit's mounting foot. The extension cord allows the photographer to hold the external flash unit in one hand and the camera in the other hand. If the photographer and the subject are mobile, such as at a wedding shoot, this light source can adapt to changes in the distance between the camera and subject. Attaching the flash unit to a flash bracket makes the device easier to hold and extends the distance from the camera body.

PC Sync Cord

A PC sync cord synchronizes the shutter with the off-camera flash unit. The initials "PC" refer to "Prontor-Compur" connection, a standard electrical connector. This connection requires a PC terminal or socket on the camera and the flash unit. For example, the Canon 580 EX II flash unit contains this PC terminal. If the camera lacks a PC sync port, an adaptor with a PC port inserts on the camera body's hot shoe to provide the cable connection. A PC sync cord is available in longer lengths than a hot shoe extension cord. The PC sync cord also synchronizes with strobe lights. Working with a PC sync cord is better suited for stationery subjects in a studio setting.

Transmitter and Receiver

A transmitter and receiver can trigger off-camera external flash units without wires or cables. For example, the Cactus Wireless Flash Trigger system includes a transmitter for the camera's hot shoe and a receiver for the slave flash unit. Pressing the camera shutter activates the transmitter to emit the radio signal that fires the wireless slave unit. Adding more flash units, each with a receiver set to the same channel, allows more flash units to work together. For example, two or more flash units can set to different lighting ratios.

Built-In Wireless Slave

Cameras and flash units with a wireless slave feature can also fire off-camera. For example, the Canon EOS 60D camera has a built-in flash that triggers the off-camera Canon Speedlite 580 EX II flash unit. Instead of using a radio frequency, this system uses the light fired from the built-in flash to communicate with the wireless sensor on the external flash unit. The built-in flash can set to a minimum output to avoid interfering with the slave unit's flash output.

Portable Flash Unit on a Multi-Clamp Adaptor

A multi-clamp fitted with a hot shoe mount also provides off-camera flash photography. This clamp attaches over a light stand and allows the light to position higher. The external flash unit's mounting foot inserts into the hot shoe mount for a stable, yet flexible position. Communication between the camera and the flash unit can work with cords, wires or wireless transmitters. An advantage is the flexibility to move the flash unit at varying distances from the stationary subject. The disadvantage is the lighting stand is hard to move if the subject moves.

Portable SLR Flash Package

A portable SLR flash package adapts well for on-location work. Adding a battery pack allows portability without the need for an electrical outlet. A custom package, for example, can include hot shoe to PC adaptor, a PC sync cord, an external flash unit, a battery-operated strobe with a rechargeable battery pack, two light stands and an umbrella bracket. The PC sync cord connects the external flash unit to the hot shoe to PC adaptor on top of the camera. The lights stands support the external flash unit with the umbrella bracket and the more powerful slave unit with the battery pack. The external flash unit fires and wirelessly triggers the slave unit's sensor. An example of a slave unit is the JTL Mobilight, suitable for a main light, fill light or back light.

Tags: flash unit, external flash, external flash unit, flash units, slave unit, sync cord

Solar Panels Amorphous Vs Polycrystalline

The production differences between amorphous and polycrystalline solar panels create differences in efficiency, price, and reliability. Determining which panel is for you depends on budget, available space, and level of reliability.

Production

Polycrystalline panels are made of many pieces of interconnecting silicone cells, each of which has to be cut and connected to each other. According to Online Solar Inc. amorphous panels have the silicone sprayed like paint onto glass, and are connected by "laser patterning."

Price

Amorphous solar panels are by far much cheaper than polycrystalline. The difference is in thousands of dollars when you are looking at a large system.

Efficiency

According to system experts at Online Solar Inc., polycrystalline panels are five to six percent more efficient than amorphous, and amorphous takes up 50 percent more space.

Space

If you have a large space, amorphous panels are a good choice because they are less expensive. Polycrystalline panels should be used when space is limited, or when you want to minimize the panel's visual impact.

Reliability

Because polycrystalline panels are made of many interconnecting pieces called ingots, they have more mechanical pieces that can break down. Amorphous panels are essentially one piece with less opportunity for error.

Tags: made many, Online Solar, panels made, panels made many, percent more, Polycrystalline panels

How Does Ip Video Surveillance Work

Is someone watching?

In today's small world, where millions of people who have never met come into contact everyday, security is more important and harder to provide. Fortunately, security technology has improved to address this problem. Video surveillance is an important tool, being used in a wide variety of areas--from private residences to large museums. IP video surveillance is the newest form of this technology, providing a clearer picture at a lower cost.

Internet Protocol

The basic difference between an IP video system and the older CCTV technology is the transmission of the video signal over the Internet protocol. IP cameras send and receive signals over the Internet and closed computer networks. This method of transmission is much more flexible than the older analog model.

Transmission

Unlike CCTV cameras, which are limited to the resolution set by NTSC/PAL standards, the resolution on an IP camera is limited only by the bandwidth that is available. The IP video system can provide a much clearer picture than any other method of surveillance. An IP camera is generally equipped with everything that is needed for transmission over a network without any needed extra equipment.

Networks

Depending on the specific system that is in use, there are many different types of connections that can be used to establish an IP video system. From ISDN lines, to cable modems, to wireless modems, a system can be established that provides high quality video at a low price. Recent systems, in the late 2000s, have been created that take advantage of cellular networks to transmit signals, which allows for lower costs.

Static IP Address

To access the video feed provided by an IP camera, customers generally purchase a static IP address from an Internet provider. Once this has been purchased, the camera can be programed to send its signal to this address, and all that is needed to access the feed is a common Web browser. A static address is generally preferred to the more conventional dynamic address as it never changes and is therefore more reliable.

Difference Between a Webcam and an IP Camera

The difference between the typical webcam, that you can purchase for your home computer, and an IP camera, is that an IP camera is self-contained. All that's needed for the recording and transmission of video is already inside the IP camera and it can be set up anywhere without any extra hardware. The IP camera processes and stores the images it records, and then, on its own, transmits them to whatever site the user designates.

Tags: that needed, video system, clearer picture, difference between, over Internet, static address, transmission video

Instructions To Adjust Binoculars

Binoculars are typically adjusted to fit your face and match your eyesight.

Binoculars are magnifying tools that use two refracting lenses -- or telescopes -- positioned side-by-side. Many binoculars are equipped with two prisms inside the tubes; the prisms change the light-beam direction, and flip the image to an upright position. Correct adjustment is necessary to properly view your targeted object.

Facial Spacing

Adjust the binocular's barrels to match the distance between your eyes. Hold the device in the viewing position; grasp each barrel. Move the barrels further apart -- or closer together -- until you see one circular field. Reset the binoculars before each use.

Diopter

Adjust the diopter setting of your binoculars by rotating the dial; it is typically located on the center-focus knob, or above the right eyepiece. Diopter is the unit of measurement for the magnifying capacity of the lens. A proper diopter setting improves sharpness by compensating for the visual differences in your eyes.

Diopter Setting

Set the diopter ring to zero. Cover the right lens with a cap, and look at a distant object while keeping both eyes open. Adjust the focus ring until the view is at its sharpest. Switch the cap to the left lens, and look at the same view. Turn the ring until you see the object clearly and sharply. Keep both eyes open and relaxed the entire time. Remove the cap and look through both lenses; the image appears sharp when the diopter is properly adjusted.

Eye Cups

The soft, rubber eye-cups -- found on the eyepieces -- are adjusted by folding or rotating down. This setting allows for more space on the eyepiece, and is designed to specfically accommodate those who wear glasses. Rotate the eye cups down so that the eyepiece is as flat as possible. Place the flattened eyepiece on the lens of your glasses.

Tags: both eyes, both eyes open, diopter setting, eyes open, ring until, your eyes

Make A Homemade Dip Meter

Dip meters measure an antenna's resonance.

A dip meter is an oscillating device that can be used for a variety of tests on a radio and radio antenna. This piece of radio testing equipment is not a precision device but can replace several pieces of laboratory equipment. Amateur Ham operators use the dip meter so they do not have to go to the expense of purchasing the more elaborate testing devices required to maintain and troubleshoot their broadcast equipment. You must know a lot about electronics to build a homemade dip meter, but it is worth the time if you can build one.

Instructions

1. Set the detector circuit board on a flat surface. Install three of the diodes on the circuit board and solder in place, as per the electronics circuit diagram. Each diode connection will be color coded on the circuit board and diagram. Cut off any excess lead lengths once you have soldered the leads of the diodes onto the circuit board.

2. Insert five of the resistors onto their connection points on the detector circuit board and solder in place. Cut off any excess lead wires after you have soldered them in place. Insert one more resistor on the detector circuit board, but in a vertical position, on the corner of the five previously installed resistors. Solder the vertical resistor in place. Match each resistor position with the electronic circuit diagram and color codes.

3. Snip the insulation off the end of each leg of five capacitors so the insulation is even with the circular body. Solder one capacitor next to each resistor. Cut off any excess lead wires after solder, and push the capacitor over toward the closest resistor. Solder one transistor onto the detector circuit board.

4. Push the push-button switch onto the precut holes on the detector circuit board. Solder the switch's lugs to the circuit board. Mount the tuning capacity to the other end of the detector circuit board. Insert screws through the bottom of the circuit board and into the bottom of the tuning capacitor. Make sure you install washers between the circuit board and the bottom of the tuning capacitor.

5. Set the oscillating circuit board on a flat surface. Wrap the leads of a capacitor around the leads of a resistor. Solder the leads together. Make two more resistor capacitors similar to the first one. Install the resistor capacitors onto the oscillating circuit board and secure in place with solder. Solder three more resistors onto the circuit board just like you installed them on the detector circuit board. Solder a transistor to the oscillating circuit board and two more capacitors. Remove the blue insulated telephone wire and strip the ends, leaving bare wire. Solder one end of the blue wire to the foil on the oscillating circuit board. Leave the other end free.

6. Solder the other telephone wires to the detector and oscillating circuit board as described in the dip meter wiring diagram. Solder the four pieces of sheet metal together making a small electronic chassis or box with open ends. Mount the phone jack onto the chassis by drilling small holes and screwing the jack in place. Connect each end of the telephone wire to the telephone jack wire connections as per the color coding on the jack's wire mounts.

7. Solder more telephone wire to each spot on the detector and oscillating circuit board where the first wires are connected. Run one wire to each of the other electrical components, such as the coil, battery connector and round dial knobs. Test each connection with the circuit tester to make sure you have no breaks in the circuits.

8. Set the entire electronic assembly inside the metal box. Mark the positions of each mounting holes and the placement of the push-button switch. Remove the electronics assembly and drill holes where you have marked it. Mount the electronics assembly in the metal box. Place the foam under each circuit board and electronic component between the components and the metal box. Make sure you push the switch through its hole so you can turn the dip meter on from the outside of the box.

9. Install the 9-volt battery into the battery connector. Calibrate the dip meter to a known frequency. Make any adjustments as necessary and start using your homemade dip meter.

Tags: circuit board, detector circuit, detector circuit board, oscillating circuit, oscillating circuit board, excess lead

Format A Directv Hd Picture On A Pioneer Plasma

Pioneer is one of the leading providers of plasma televisions in the United States. Plasma is a kind of television that doesn't depend on projection and can be incredibly thin in size. The TV sets are also typically HD and provide better picture than standard definition television sets. If you have your HD Pioneer plasma television connected to a DirecTV HD receiver, you need to make sure the television and receiver are formatted correctly so the full HD image is displayed.

Instructions

1. Power on both the DirecTV HD satellite receiver and the Pioneer HD plasma television.

2. Press the "Zoom" button on the Pioneer remote control until the screen is marked as "Normal."

3. Push the "Menu" button on the DirecTV remote control. This brings up an assortment of options.

4. Navigate through the menu and select "Options" followed by "Aspect Ratio." In "Aspect Ratio," select the appropriate setting for your Pioneer plasma television (either 720 or 1080). Accept the changes, and return back to the television screen. You should now see your television broadcast in HD.

Tags: Pioneer plasma, Pioneer plasma television, plasma television, Aspect Ratio, remote control, your Pioneer, your Pioneer plasma

Create Playlists In Tversity

TVersity allows you to take your Internet and home media with you wherever you go and use them anytime. It can be used on a number of devices, including game consoles, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, networked televisions, phones and tablet computers. You can personalize your media collection through a lineup of channels and playlists. Enjoying the available features requires understanding create a playlist that includes your favorite songs, videos and/or photographs.

Instructions

1. Verify that the TVersity software was downloaded and properly installed onto your system. This will ensure all aspects work correctly, including the creation of playlists.

2. Click on the large plus button in the onscreen text, or graphical user interface, to add content to your media library. Select the type of media you want to add via the menu. TVersity supports video, photo and audio content, including media from the Internet.

3. Create tags on content in your media library to form new groups, also known as playlists. If you have a number of radio stations playing only alternative rock music, for example, then double-click on the file and add the keywords "alternative rock" in the tag's text box. Create multiple tags on one item to have it included in more than one playlist. The new playlist will appear in your media library.

4. Click on the Settings menu button on the TVersity home screen. The action will display a number of options. Click on the option to add a playlist folder, which allows you to find an existing playlist on the device running TVersity, such as Sony Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation 3. Locate the playlist on the device, and click on it to add it to the TVersity media library.

Tags: media library, your media, your media library, alternative rock, content your

Transfer My 127mm Slides To Digital

Film negatives come in a variety of different sizes.

For many photographers who grew up shooting film, the advent of digital imaging and photography presented them with an easy way to share pictures with friends and family. It also created a considerable amount of work, or expense, for those photographers who wanted to convert their film archives to digital files. Many dedicated film scanners are designed to scan different sized negatives. For photographers who have 127mm negatives, they need to confirm their film scanner will accept 127mm film, which has the same proportions as 120 roll film.

Instructions

1. Turn on your home computer and scanner.

2. Holding the negative in one hand by the edges, carefully clean the negative using a anti-static cloth. This cloth will remove any dust from the negative and will help prevent dust from collecting on the negative during the scan.

3. Open the scanner software and in the "Film Size" window. Select 120mm film.

4. Turn off "Thumbnail preview" if your scanner does not have a setting for 120mm film, as you will have to crop each scan one at a time.

5. Load the negative into the negative carrier and insert the carrier into the scanner. Press the start button.

6. Crop and scan each frame as it appears in the scanner software window on your computer.

7. Repeat this process until all your negatives are scanned into you computer.

Tags: 120mm film, dust from, scanner software, their film

Make A High Quality Music Cd

A music CD is only as high quality as the files on it.

A music CD only sounds as good as the files on it. You cannot make a high-quality CD from low-quality files. Once you acquire high-quality files, though, there are still several techniques to ensure they sound as good on the CD as they do on the computer. The process of making a CD is known as "burning." Though there's always a margin of error in burning, by freeing up memory on your computer, you can minimize the odds of making a less-than-perfect disc.

Instructions

1. Open your media player and create a new playlist. You can generally do this under the File menu by selecting "New Playist" or "Create Playlist."

2. Add all your high-quality files to the playlist in the order you wish them to appear on the CD. Locate the files in Windows Explorer and drag and drop them onto the playlist window.

3. Check the sound quality of your files. You can tell how good the file quality of a song is by looking at the "bitrate" from the "Get Info" or "Properties" function in iTunes, Windows Media Player or Winamp. Generally, anything above 192 kbps is considered to be high quality. If you have downloaded the files from iTunes or Amazon.com, they should be well above the cutoff.

4. Quit every open application except your media player.

5. Insert a blank CD-R into your computer's CD drive.

6. Begin burning your CD. On most media players, you will see a "Burn" or "Write" button when you select the playlist. Do not do anything else on your computer until the burn finishes. The more processing power a computer is using for other applications, the less it is using to burn your CD. The less processing power it is using to burn your CD, the more likely it is to create a skip or other imperfection.

7. Tell the computer to verify the disc after burning, if prompted. Not all players support this (iTunes is one that does).

Tags: your computer, burn your, high quality, high-quality files, media player, music only

Rewire An Outdoor Motion Sensor Light

Attach the new fixture to the wall, taking care not to snag any wires between the fixture housing and the wall junction box housing.

Motion-sensing lights automatically turn on the lights when motion is detected. In the event of failure, you may need to replace the fixture. Rewiring outdoor motion sensor lights is similar to wiring a normal, non-motion detecting light. Many jurisdictions and municipalities require any fixed lighting to be completed by an electrician. Check your codes for specific licensing requirements before beginning work.

Instructions

1. Turn the circuit breaker off at the main panel.

2. Test the existing light by switching it on at the switch, turning the light's "Test" mode on and creating motion. Test mode is likely on the fixture itself. Test mode allows for motion testing in daylight. When you are sure the circuit is disabled, remove the existing fixture and discard. Unscrew it from the junction box plate with a screwdriver and twist off the wire nuts.

3. Connect the black sensor wire to the black Hot house wire. Twist on new wire nuts. Connect the white sensor wire to the white Neutral house wire. Connect the green house Ground wire to the green Ground screw on the fixture with a screwdriver. The screw may be marked "GRND" or similar.

4. Attach the new fixture to the wall, using the enclosed screws and a screwdriver. Take care not to snag any wires between the fixture housing and the wall junction box housing. Turn the circuit breaker back on and test.

Tags: Test mode, Attach fixture, Attach fixture wall, between fixture, between fixture housing

Install A Parrot Bluetooth

If you would like to install a Parrot Bluetooth system in your vehicle, you can do the job yourself as long as you follow a few steps carefully. A Parrot Bluetooth system lets you make and receive phone calls wirelessly while driving. A Bluetooth headset rests in your ear, letting you receive calls without having to touch the phone.

Instructions

1. Press the suction cup that came with the Bluetooth system against the windshield and lift the lever beneath it to secure it to the glass. Attach the suction cup in a spot that will not hinder your ability to see clearly while driving.

2. Press the phone cradle into the suction cup by pushing the small ball attached to the end of it into the corresponding hole until it clicks into place. Insert your cell phone into the cradle by placing the top of the phone in first, then following with the bottom half. Push the phone until it clicks into place. The sides of the cradle will adjust to fit different phone sizes. The Bluetooth device is attached to the back side of the cradle.

3. Plug the charger into an available cigarette lighter and connect the other end to the power port on the side of the Parrot device to charge it. The device must be charged for two hours before using. After that point, the power port only needs to be connected to charge the device.

Tags: Bluetooth system, Parrot Bluetooth, charge device, clicks into, clicks into place

Use Piping Gel

Piping gel is a clear smooth medium used in cake decorating. Piping gel is made mostly out of corn syrup and has a hair gel-like consistency. This gel is best used to transfer a design, write on a cake and create patterns.

Instructions

1. Insert the coupler into the piping bag and push it down to the bottom. Attach the #2 tip to the outside of the coupler and secure with the coupler ring. Fill a small amount of piping gel into the piping bag with the tip attached. Twist the bag three times clockwise, hold it between your thumb and index finger and apply pressure with the palm of your hand to extrude the gel. In most instances, you will not need more than 2 tablespoons of piping gel, so be cautious of using too much.

2. Place a picture you would like to transfer onto the cake under a piece of waxed paper. Trace over the design with the piping gel, making sure to cover all lines with a small amount of gel. Turn the waxed paper upside down and transfer the design onto the cake. Using your index finger gently apply pressure tracing each line on top of the waxed paper. You will know the gel has adhered to the cake when it appears less shiny through the waxed paper. Peel the paper away gently and you will see the piping gel design you can fill in with further icing decorations.

3. Color the piping gel in a bowl by adding a small amount of gel color using a toothpick. Mix the piping gel and the gel colors well. If you use regular food coloring to color your piping gel, it will water down the gel and make it too thin in consistency. Fill the colored piping gel into a piping bag with the #2 tip and coupler attached.

4. Write with the colored gel on birthday cakes, cupcakes and even cookies. Piping gel will write much more smoothly than the typical buttercream lettering. If you wish to practice your writing prior to applying lettering to your cake, write out several practice words on a piece of waxed paper. You can scrape up the practice gel and put it back into the piping bag and write on the cake.

5. Wash piping bag, tips, spatulas, bowls and couplers clean of piping gel throughly. Piping gel is quite sticky and is best cleaned immediately with hot soapy water. Once opened, piping gel will keep for 8 months to a year in the pantry.

Tags: waxed paper, into piping, small amount, apply pressure, index finger

Balance A Graphic Equalizer

Balance a Graphic Equalizer

Graphic equalizers let you boost or attenuate (lower) specific sound frequency ranges in the output of your stereo system. By using a graphic equalizer, you can adjust the sound of your stereo to compensate for any acoustic irregularities in your room or other listening space. The best way to balance your graphic equalizer so that your system has a precise, accurate sound is to use a graphic equalizer setup and calibration disc in conjunction with a decibel meter.

Instructions

1. Place your calibration disc into the compact disc player of your system.

2. Put your decibel meter in the primary listening position of your room. For example, in your living room, put the meter in or near your favorite chair. In a larger space, like an auditorium or church sanctuary, choose a spot in the middle of the room.

3. Start the CD and follow the prompts to adjust your equalizer. The CD will play a series of test tones and frequency sweeps that allow you to set the equalizer to achieve a balanced, flat sound in the room, so that music played sounds clean and lifelike without excessively attenuated or boosted frequencies.

Tags: graphic equalizer, Balance Graphic, Balance Graphic Equalizer, calibration disc, decibel meter, your room, your stereo

Remove A Delco Car Stereo

Delco, the electronics arm of GM, produced car radios for a large number of GM vehicles throughout the years. While the sheer number of vehicles they produced radios for means that there are many variations involved in removing a Delco car stereo, these basic steps will probably see you through the majority of removals.

Instructions

1. Examine your dashboard for a contiguous trim panel that surrounds the radio. In some cases there is a relatively small trim panel surrounding the radio, while at other times you may need to remove a larger portion of the dashboard.

2. Look for any screws that hold the panel in place. The trim panel surrounding the radio is usually held in place only by retaining clips. However, sometimes there are extra screws in locations you may not see immediately, like behind the ashtray. Remove any portions of the dash that are easily accessed, like the ashtray or knobs, and look carefully for any screws or bolts you'll need to remove.

3. Pry the trim panel away from the dash with your panel tool. Work around the perimeter of the panel until it is entirely loose. Pull the trim panel slowly away from the dash and disconnect any electrical plugs on the back -- these may be in place if there is lighting or climate controls incorporated into the trim panel. When you've disconnected any, take the panel and set it aside.

4. Release the radio from the dash. Some Delco radios will be held in place with plastic tabs on each side. Press down on them to release the radio. More commonly, the radio is held in place with three or four screws. Choose the appropriate tool to loosen and remove the screws and pull the radio out of its cavity.

5. Disconnect any connections on the back of the radio. Typically there will be two -- a wiring plug and an antenna plug. When they're disconnected, pull the radio out of the dash, and you've completed removing the radio.

Tags: trim panel, from dash, held place, away from, away from dash, held place with

Fix A Wet Mobile Telephone

There's nothing like that sinking feeling you get when your phone is sinking. Water can wreak havoc on a mobile phone, either from shorting out the electronics or from corrosion of the metal parts inside. If your mobile phone has taken a bath, you need to dry it out as soon as possible in a way that won't cause more damage. The secret to removing the moisture without damaging the phone is dried rice. Rice absorbs moisture from the air, which is what makes it puff up when steamed. It can also draw the moisture out of your phone.

Instructions

1. Open the battery compartment and remove the battery.

2. Rinse the phone using fresh water if it was submersed in salt water. As salt water dries, it can leave behind salt crystals that may damage your phone's components.

3. Shake out as much of the water as you can.

4. Wipe the phone and battery with a paper towel. Get as much water off as possible.

5. Fill a bowl halfway with dried rice. Then place the phone on top and pour dried rice over the top until the phone is completely covered. Leave the phone in the rice for up to 24 hours.

6. Stack a few sheets of paper towels one on top of the other, then lay the phone on top, buttons side down.

7. Check the paper towels for signs of water after an hour. If you see water stains on the paper towels, place the phone back in the rice bowl for another 24 hours. If you don't see any stains, flip the phone over and let it rest on the towels for another hour.

Tags: dried rice, paper towels, your phone, mobile phone, much water, place phone, salt water

How A Home Photo Scanner Works

The Basics

A home photo scanner is an evolution of the photocopier. The two work the same way, by taking a picture of whatever is on the glass plate, and reproducing it. Photocopiers, of course, originally were far more crude, and it took a while to create a usable photo scanner. Essentially, a photo scanner takes an electronic "photo" of the picture, converting the analog image into ones and zeros to make it digital.

The Works

Inside a typical flatbed scanner is a moving element that takes this "photo" by "seeing" lines of data at a time. Early scanners made three passes---one each for red, green and blue---then combined this separate files into one full-color image. The technology has improved, so most modern scanners collect the image in one pass. The scan element collects data at different speeds depending on the quality of the resolution you want. For a low-quality (about 100 dots per inch), the scan is fast. For 1,200 dpi, it takes a bit longer.

Values

The scan element projects light at the photo as it rests face-down on the glass plate that is the surface of the scanner. This part essentially is just like how traditional photography works in that film records light and dark areas of a scene at a variety of "values." Pure white becomes pure black on a negative. Colors in between black and white have different values. The scanner changes this values into digits and creates the digital image that can be seen and manipulated in the computer via software. You must adjust the scanner for varying quality photos because the scanner doesn't always "see" everything in a poor or very old photo. Most scanners come with software that allows some basic control over light and dark, contrast and color. This further can be manipulated in software such as Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

Tags: glass plate, light dark, photo scanner, scan element

Reactivate Worn Out Leadacid Car Batteries

Set your battery charger to "trickle charge" to reactivate your lead-acid battery.

Lead-acid car batteries only last a certain length of time before they need replacing or refurbishing. The lead plates in the cells start to break down, and their ability to retain energy depletes. If you've got a worn out lead-acid car battery that doesn't retain its charge, give it a last chance and see if you can reactivate it before disposing of it and buying an expensive replacement.

Instructions

1. Wear protective gloves. You need to top up the fluid levels of the worn out lead-acid battery cells and they contain sulfuric acid.

2. Place the worn out lead-acid car battery on a battery tray on a flat surface. Unscrew the six caps on the top of the battery using your fingers, or a flat-head screwdriver, depending on the type of caps.

3. Check the fluid levels. You see two marks in each cell indicating the maximum and minimum fluid levels. If the levels are below the maximum you need to top them up. Carefully pour distilled water into each cell until the fluid level reaches the maximum marker. Replace the caps.

4. Attach the black negative cable extending from the battery charger onto the negative terminal of the worn out lead-acid battery. It's labeled "-" or "Neg." The cable has a spring clamp on the end so simply squeeze it using your hand so it opens, then place it over the terminal and release the pressure. The clamp attaches firmly.

5. Attach the red positive cable extending from the battery charger to the positive terminal of the battery using the same method. The positive terminal is labeled "+" or "Pos.".

6. Select the lowest charge rate on your battery charger. Some charges have a switch called "trickle charge". Select it if you have this switch, as trickle charge means the battery gets charged at the lowest possible rate.

7. Plug in your battery charger. Turn it on and check that the charge rate is low. The "trickle charge" light should be on, if it has one, otherwise read the display to ensure it's at the lowest setting.

8. Let the battery charge for 36 hours. Check the battery charger display to see if the battery is still charging. The display will show near zero if the battery's charged, or the "trickle charge" light will turn off. Leave it for a few more hours if the battery is still charging. Turn off the charger and unplug it once the battery is charged. Remove the battery charger cables from the battery terminals.

9. Check the voltage using a voltmeter. Attach the sensors on the end of the wires from the voltmeter to the battery terminals: the sensor on the end of the red wire from the voltmeter needs to touch the positive battery terminal and the sensor on the end of the black wire needs to touch the negative battery terminal.

10. Make a note of the reading on the voltmeter. It says 12 volts.

11. Let the battery rest for 24-hours. Use the voltmeter to check the voltage in the same way as before. Make a note of the reading. If the reading is 11 to 12 volts you have successfully reactivated your lead-acid car battery. If it's below 11 volts it's time to buy a replacement.

Tags: battery charger, lead-acid battery, trickle charge, worn lead-acid, worn lead-acid battery

What Is Ttl Auto Focus

TTL focusing has transformed modern photography.

Through the lens (TTL) auto-focusing has transformed professional and amateur photography. Manufacturers can produce "point-and-click" cameras that do not need manual focusing before taking a picture. TTL focusing technology simplifies photography and increases your chances of snapping a crisp image.

Purpose

TTL systems use light passing through the lens to perform various calculations, such as automatically adjusting the focus, aperture or shutter speed to ensure photographers capture a crisp, well-exposed image.

Function

TTL lets photographers aim, depress the shutter release button and not worry about focusing the image -- the camera's electronics identify the main feature in the image and focus on it automatically. Focusing options in the camera menu allow some control over how the camera selects the focus, the rest is automatic.

Process

There are two common auto-focus systems: Active systems and passive systems. Active systems bounce light or sound waves off the subject. The time they take to return to the camera is used to find the distance. Passive systems split the light entering the lens into two beams, forming a basic range finder, or they measure the contrast in the image and adjust the focus until the strongest contrast is achieved.

Tags: Active systems, systems Active, systems Active systems

Take Photos At Wwe Events

World Wrestling Entertainment hosts live and exciting wrestling events that feature some of the best WWE Superstars of all time competing in the ring. Going to these events are a fun and memorable time, but more often than not you can return with blurry or just plain bad pictures. It is possible to come out of an event with amazing looking pictures; it just requires the right camera and technique.

Instructions

1. Do not even bother taking a disposable or low-end film camera. Film is expensive and you will end up wasting shots that will either come out blurry or just be of a waving fan in front of you.

2. Purchase or borrow the best digital camera that you can find. It is recommended that you use a Digital SLR like a Canon Rebel XTi or a Nikon D80. These cameras will provide the customization and quality needed to take the photos.

3. Get the closest seats possible. Just like watching the show, the closer seats you have, the better shots you will take when you are at the event.

4. If you do not have close seats, consider upgrading your camera to a bigger sized lens for better views. If you have close seats, a big lens will also help when you are taking pictures.

5. Prepare your camera before the event begins. You will not want to be playing with the camera or the settings in the middle of the match, you will end up missing the match and excellent picture opportunities.

6. Set the ISO on the camera to 100. This is the best setting for indoor shots and will provide you with the best quality pictures.

7. Depending on where you are sitting, you will need to adjust the aperture. Take a couple of test shots of the ring to see how the light is coming into your camera.

8. Set the shutter speed according to the style of pictures that you want. If you want to freeze the action then set it to a fast shutter speed. If you want to show some motion with the wrestler’s moves then set the camera to a slow shutter speed.

9. Disable the flash on the camera. WWE provides enough lighting for all of your pictures and the flash will only delay your next picture and drain battery life. The flash could also pick up on a random arm or head and make your picture come out bad.

10. Take as many pictures as you can. You can always sort out the pictures later and delete the ones you do not want. Just make sure that you have plenty of space on your camera’s card.

Tags: your camera, shutter speed, blurry just, close seats, have close, have close seats, shots will

Find A Samsung L100 Usb Camera Cord

Buy the correct USB cable for a Samsung L100 digital camera.

To download pictures taken with a Samsung L100 digital camera to a computer you must use a compatible USB cable or cord. The Samsung L100 uses a 2.0 USB with an A male to mini-B male 5-pin cable. This cable has a data transfer speed of 480 megabytes per second, and is compatible on both PC and Mac systems with a USB 1.0, 1.1 or 2.0 connection.

Instructions

1. Buy the correct USB cable directly from Samsung. Samsung sells accessories online for its devices including the Samsung L100 camera. The correct 2.0 USB A male to mini-B male 5-pin cable sells for $19.99 as of August 2010 (all pricing in this article is as of August 2010).

2. Find a USB cable that is compatible at ShopTronics. ShopTronics sells this particular USB cable for $14.99 as of 2010. This USB cable is made by Logitech. In addition, to being cheaper than Samsung this cable extends 6 feet.

3. Buy the correct USB cable for the Samsung L100 from RadioShack. This retailer sells the USB 2.0 A male to mini-B male 5-pin online for $7.99. This cable is 6.6 feet long. The cable will ship out within one to two business days of purchase.

4. Purchase a USB cable for the Samsung L100 from ComputerCableSource. The cable is available for $5.95 (as of 2010) and is 6 feet long.

5. Find a compatible USB cable for the Samsung L100 at CablesForLess. This site sells this specific USB cable in three different lengths, from 3 feet long to 10 feet long. In addition, each one sells for less than similar cables found on other sites. For a 3-foot cable the cost is $1.79. A 6-foot cable is $2.19 and a 10-foot cable is $2.99.

Tags: Samsung L100, cable Samsung, cable Samsung L100, feet long, correct cable, male 5-pin, male mini-B

Save Cell Phone Text Messages To A Printable File

Save Cell Phone Text Messages to a printable file

Texting has quickly become a popular way of communicating. We often receive important information relating to sales agreements, custody and legal matters. Here's a tip on save your text messages to a printable file.

Instructions

1. Did you know that text messages can be used in court? However, your cell phone provider will not provide you with your detailed text message unless you have a court order.

2. Begin by testing your service to be certain it can send and receive text messages through your email service. Log onto your email and send yourself a text message. Once received on your smartphone, try and send a test reply. Most email services do have IM or MSN etc.

3. Now that you can send and receive text messages to and from your email service, begin forwarding the text chains of importance. Forward text message chains such as custody arrangements, agreements for business and anything that may someday be of importance.

4. After you have forwarded the text messages, now set up a file on your computer where you can save these messages. If necessary, print them out and keep as a hard copy of the text conversation.

Tags: text message, text messages, your email, Cell Phone, Cell Phone Text, email service, Phone Text

Pioneer Av Receiver Instructions

Pioneer audio/video receivers are well-engineered to serve as the heart of a home theater system. Most have some form of speaker calibration built into them, as well as advanced automatic EQ, to get the best sound out of them.

Video Connections

Pioneer A/V receivers support video upsampling. If you have an HDTV with an HDMI input, connecting multiple video sources, including older technology like VHS, is a snap. Run the video cables from all your sources into the inputs on the receiver, and run a single HDMI cable from the HDMI monitor out on the receiver to the HDMI input on your TV.

Audio

Connecting the cables for audio is relatively simple. For DVD and cable box, as well as newer video games like Playstation 3, use an S/PDIF digital cable out from all the sources and run it into the inputs on the receiver. For older sources without digital audio outputs, connect the RCA audio cables from the source component output to the inputs on the receiver.

Calibration

After connecting your speakers and positioning them in your room, run the Auto MCACC Setup calibration tool. First, turn on the TV (to access the receiver's menu), then connect the included microphone to the input on the front of the receiver and place the mic at the main listening position. The MCACC setup will appear on the TV as soon as the mic is connected. Select Normal Surround Back and press Start. It is important to be quiet during the process. The receiver will send test tones to the speakers and calibrate speaker distance and EQ based on the information it receives through the microphone.

Tags: inputs receiver, cable from, cables from, HDMI input, into inputs, into inputs receiver

Retrieve A Sirius Number

Finding a Sirius XM radio's ID number is simple.

Each Sirius XM satellite radio receiver is encoded with a radio identification (ID) number or an electronic serial number (ESN). The ID or ESN is specific to the equipment and may be composed of letters and numbers. Knowing the number is necessary to activate the Sirius radio and to add existing Sirius equipment to your account. Most radio ID/ESN numbers can be found by tuning to station 0. If this method does not work for your factory-installed Sirius radio, you can display its ID by pushing one or two more buttons. The procedure to use depends on your vehicle's make and model.

Instructions

Audi Navigation Radios

1. Turn on the Audi vehicle that has a navigation radio.

2. Press the radio's "Sirius" button.

3. Press the radio's "Setup" button.

4. Press "Setup Sirius." The radio's ID/ESN will display on the screen.

Rolls Royce Vehicles

5. Turn on the Rolls Royce.

6. Turn the source knob to "SAT Settings" on your model MY radio, and then push the knob.

7. Turn the knob to "Sirius ID." Push the knob, and the radio's ID/ESN will display on the screen.

Land Rover Vehicles

8. Turn on the Land Rover.

9. Touch "Settings" on the navigation screen.

10. Touch "SAT options."

11. Touch "SAT info." The radio's ID/ESN will display on the screen.

Ford and Lincoln Navigation Radios

12. Turn on the Ford or Lincoln vehicle that has a navigation radio.

13. Touch the "I" button on the navigation screen.

14. Touch "System info" or "Subscription info" on the screen. The radio's ID/ESN will display on the navigation screen.

Ford and Lincoln Non-Navigation Radios

15. Turn on the Ford or Lincoln vehicle that has a non-navigation radio.

16. Hold the "AUX" button.

17.Hold "Preset one" while still holding the "AUX" button. The radio's ID/ESN will show on the display area.

Volvo Vehicles 2007 Through 2009

18. Turn on the Volvo that is a 2007 through 2009 model year.

19. Press the "Menu" button on your model MY radio. Wcroll to and select "Sirius Settings."

20. Select "Sirius ID. The radio's ID/ESN will display.

Volvo Vehicles 2005 Through 2006

21. Turn on the 2005 through 2006 model year Volvo.

22. Turn the source knob to "SAT Settings" on your model MY radio, and then push the knob.

23. Turn the knob to "Sirius ID." Push the knob, and the radio's ID/ESN will display on the screen.

Tags: radio will, radio will display, will display, Sirius radio, display screen, Ford Lincoln, will display screen

Homemade Microscope Photography

Homemade Microscope Photography

Micro photography can be an interesting hobby, creating pictures that reveal a world much too small for viewing with the naked eye. There are commercially available microscopes with integrated camera systems. However, a homemade attachment can be used to place a camera in the proper position to take pictures of the images created by the microscope.

Microscope Photography

Good results can be obtained using amateur or hobbyist microscopes and low-end digital or film cameras. The process involves mounting the camera above the eyepiece of the microscope in such a way that the camera can focus on the image while all other light is excluded from the image. The system utilizes the eyepiece of the microscope as part of the focusing process.

In its simplest form the microscope camera adapter is a tube that can be attached to the microscope eyepiece and to the camera lens. The camera's focusing mechanism is used to maintain the sharpness of the image. The tube gives some distance between the camera and the image, allowing the camera to focus. The tube also excludes outside light, creating a circular image of the item under the microscope set against a black background.

Select a camera with a lens housing similar in size to the physical size of the eyepiece of the microscope. This often makes lower-end digital cameras easier to use with a microscope than more expensive digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs). The adapter can be constructed from plumbing parts and even salvaged parts. The parts need to fit together closely to prevent light from entering the adapter.

The English Web site Microscopy on a buBdget has plans for a more complex coupling between the camera and microscope. This plan uses a salvaged lens from a video camera to enlarge the image of the microscope. This increases the size of the image and may create a full-frame image of the item under the microscope.

By using a lens to enlarge the image before it reaches the camera, this type of system works better with larger cameras such as DSLRs. The mounting system and housing of this assembly will still need to exclude all external light from the lens.

Digital cameras have several advantages over film cameras in micro photography. The image can often be previewed in the electronic viewfinder before the shutter is tripped.

In some cases digital cameras can be directly connected to a computer and images displayed on the screen. Digital images can also be manipulated for brightness, contrast and sharpness.

Tags: eyepiece microscope, Microscope Photography, microscope This, between camera, camera focus, enlarge image, film cameras

Convert A Camcorder To Ir

Convert a Camcorder to IR

Camcorders capture video using the same wavelengths of light that the human eye sees. Converting a camcorder so that it can capture infrared light gives those watching a whole new viewing experience since everything looks different in the infrared spectrum. The basic procedure requires opening up the camcorder and inserting a filter that absorbs all light from reaching the camera's video sensor except for the infrared. The procedure is the same for all camcorders, although there will be slight differences between manufacturers' makes and models. Converting an inexpensive toy digital video camcorder will let you discover just how different things look when shot in infrared.

Instructions

1. Put some newspaper down on a table. Put the toy digital video camcorder down face up on the newspaper. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove all of the screws from the back, sides and bottom of the camcorder. Put the screws aside. Remove the screw from the battery compartment using the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Open the battery compartment and remove the battery. Put the battery and battery compartment lid aside.

2. Separate the back shell of the camcorder from the front shell. Put the back shell down next to the front shell, taking care not to pull off the wires going from the back shell to the front shell.

3. Loosen the black plug that is inside of the front shell using the flat-edged jeweler's screwdriver. Remove the black plug and place it onto the newspaper with the lens assembly facing up.

4. Use the flat-edged screwdriver to remove the lens assembly from within the black plug. Pull the lens assembly out using the tweezers and place it down on the newspaper.

5. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the screws holding the bracket that is over the bypass filter inside of the lens assembly. Remove the bracket and discard the bypass filter.

6. Use the utility knife to cut eight pieces out of a piece of infrared gel filter, such as Congo Blue Gel (see the link in Resources) that are each as big as the bypass filter.

7. Place all of the cut pieces of the infrared gel filter into the opening where the bypass filter was. Put the bracket on and screw it back down. Put the lens assembly back into the black plug. Put the black plug back into position on the front shell. Reassemble the toy digital video camcorder. Reinsert the battery and close the battery compartment. Turn on the toy digital video camcorder and shoot unusual videos now that you have converted it to shoot using infrared light.

Tags: black plug, front shell, lens assembly, battery compartment, bypass filter, digital video