What Is A Film Scanner

What Is a Film Scanner?

Film scanners allow photographers to create digital copies of photographs from 35mm negative strips or slides. Once the digital copies are created, they can be transferred to CDs and DVDs, printed, emailed and manipulated with photo imaging software.

Types of Film Scanners

Two major categories of film/slide scanners are available: flatbed/film and dedicated film/slide.

Flatbed/film scanners are equipped with an adapter to hold slides or film strips and an additional light source in the lid. Transparency scanning is much more exact than scanning a photograph since the originals are smaller. Unless the flatbed/film scanner has an optical resolution greater than 2000 ppi (pixels per inch), it will not produce a high-quality digital image.

Dedicated film/slide scanners are more compact than flatbeds and produce a higher quality digital image. Optical resolution ranges are generally higher and the intensity of the light is more concentrated.

Scanning Film

Printed photographs tend to fade unevenly over time, creating undesirable color casts. Many old photographs have a red or yellow hue due to exposure to air and ultra violet light.

The ink used to produce negative film strips and slides is fade resistant, and maintains the hues and saturation of colors better. Unless the negatives or slides are damaged, scan from film to get the highest quality digital images.

Film Scanning Resolution

Resolution measures the number of pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI) used to create the digital image. Because negatives and slides are small, film scanners use much higher resolution, so the digital images can be enlarged.

Bit Depth in Film Scanners

Bit depth refers to the amount of information stored in each pixel in the image. Film scanners use 8-bit grayscale mode to digitize black and white photographs. Each pixel of the image can be any one of 256 shades of gray. Color film scanning typically uses 24-bit color mode, which means there are 16.7 million possible colors available to digitize the image.

Do Your Homework

As technology advances, it's always a good idea to investigate what professionals and consumers have to say about film scanners before deciding which model is right for you. PC World, Macworld and Amazon.com are excellent resources to get reviews and consumer insights on the latest technological advances and ease-of-use for the current film scanners on the market.

Tags: digital image, film scanners, film slide, create digital, digital copies, digital images

Connect A Home Audio Equalizer To More Than One Component

The equalizer controls the frequency bands of your stereo.

An audio equalizer is one part of your home stereo system. It controls the strength of different frequency ranges in the audio signal. With an equalizer, you can crank up the bass, dampen cymbal crashes or accentuate vocals. Some equalizers can be connected to several components.

Signal Chain

To understand how an audio equalizer fits into your home audio system, it's important to understand how the audio signal chain works. This is the path that an audio signal takes, beginning at its source and ending at your ears. There are many sources of audio including your CD player, MP3 player, the TV, or the radio.

From the source, the audio signal is passed to an equalizer, which shapes the sound. After equalization, the signal is amplified and sent to speakers, from which sound waves are produced.

Types

There are several types of home audio equalizers available with different features and at different prices. The most common equalizer for home audio is the graphic equalizer, which adjusts the audio frequency using sliders to control bass, mid range, and treble sounds.

At the rear of the audio equalizer, there will be at least one audio input jack to connect the source of the signal to the equalizer. As many devices can be connected to the equalizer as there are inputs.

Audio Equalizer Output

It is important to remember that no matter how many inputs an audio equalizer has, it can only control one signal at a time. Therefore, an audio equalizer with multiple inputs will have a selector that determines which signal is being controlled and passed on to the amplifier.

Tags: audio signal, audio equalizer, home audio, audio equalizer, Audio Equalizer, equalizer there

Use A Telephoto Lens For Digital Cameras

You can use telephoto or super telephoto lenses with your digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera body. Telephoto lenses have much longer focal lengths than standard lenses. Fixed telephoto lenses often have focal lengths up to 200mm, and super telephoto lenses often go up to 60mm. Telephoto zoom lenses can have focal length ranges from 80mm to 400mm, allowing greater flexibility. These long focal lengths give the lenses a narrow perspective, meaning you can focus on your subject and eliminate distracting background information. The long focal length also gives these lenses lower depth of field, meaning less of the image will appear in focus.

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with your camera's basic functions before you try shooting with the telephoto lens. Practice with a standard lens if you have one. Once you feel comfortable with the camera's operations, you are ready to begin working with the telephoto lens.

2. Attach the telephoto lens to your camera body. Hold the lens firmly in your dominant hand and align it using the matching, guiding dots on both the lens and camera body. Then rotate the lens to lock it in place. You should hear a clicking sound as it locks. If you replace the telephoto lens with another lens while you're out shooting, store the lens securely in a camera bag.

3. Open the camera's aperture to its widest setting (i.e., use your smallest f-stop number) if you wish to minimize depth of field. The low depth of field will isolate your subject against a blurred background, focusing the viewer's attention on the subject only. A wide aperture setting will also allow you to use a shutter speed fast enough to eliminate camera shake.

4. Close the camera's aperture to its smallest setting if you wish to maximize depth of field and place more of the image's foreground or background in focus. You will not be able to achieve high depth of field with a telephoto lens, but you can increase it by reducing the aperture. You will have to use a slower shutter speed to achieve the correct exposure with a smaller aperture.

5. Use a tripod to minimize camera movement and unwanted blur. Close-up photographs will call attention to any accidental camera shake. A tripod will help you achieve images with maximum sharpness.

6. Set your digital camera's sensor to a high sensitivity number. Higher sensitivity will enable you to make appropriate exposures with shorter shutter speeds, which will help you to maximize image sharpness.

Tags: depth field, camera body, focal lengths, telephoto lens, telephoto lenses, with telephoto

Repair A Dynamic Microphone

Microphones with dynamic elements are the industry standard for live performance. Ruggedly designed, they are able to withstand rough handling and difficult environmental conditions better than their delicate condenser and ribbon element counterparts. Like any piece of electronic equipment, they are susceptible to damage under extreme conditions. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to repair with a little patience and electronic soldering skills.

Instructions

1. Internal Parts and Function of Dynamic Microphones

The heart of a dynamic microphone is its cartridge. Dynamic cartridges are integrated assemblies consisting of a cup-shaped diaphragm and electromagnet very similar to a speaker. The integrated design isolates and protects cartridge components from atmospheric conditions and provides reasonable impact protection.

Sound causes the diaphragm to vibrate, and the electromagnet converts vibrations into electrical signals. The signals are sent to a small transformer and are routed to the microphone cable connector. Some dynamic microphones feature an on/off switch.

2. What Can Go Wrong

Repeated impacts can alter the balanced placement of the diaphragm, causing free movement to cease. The accidental introduction of voltage through the microphone cable can burn out the wiring, transformer, cartridge or all three.

Internal wiring and connections are well-protected and secured, and they won't fail unless high voltage has caused damage or improper wiring modification has been performed. Poor wiring repair may result in a weak solder joint or improper connection.

3. Microphone Troubleshooting

Effective troubleshooting of all electronic equipment is best performed by inspecting obvious components first. If a microphone stops working, swap it with a known working unit. If sound is still not present, change the cable. Ensure that the amplification device is operational, and that the on/off switch is in the "on" position.

4. Internal Troubleshooting and Repair

If the microphone itself is deemed to be the culprit, unplug the microphone cable and proceed with internal troubleshooting.

A voltage meter or continuity tester is handy to check wire continuity from end to end. Begin by carefully disassembling the microphone, starting at the cable connection end. A small set-screw on the lower outside housing secures the connector. Some set-screws will remove from the housing, while others screw inside to free the connector.

Gently pull out the connector with needle-nose pliers, and inspect all solder joints and wire insulation for burning or fraying. If a solder joint or wire end is loose or frayed, re-solder the connection. If burned insulation is evident, further investigation of other components is required.

The microphone transformer is between the cable connector and cartridge, or may be integrated into the cartridge itself, making inspection difficult or impossible. If the transformer is visible, check for obvious signs of scorching of the unit and connecting wires, and check the integrity of the solder joints.

If an on/off switch is installed, remove the two external retaining screws and gently pull out the unit. Inspect the wire and solder joints and move the switch back and forth, feeling for positive switching action. If the switch feels sloppy, bypass it by disconnecting the wire from the switch, making a temporary splice. Plug in the microphone to check for operation.

Most operational problems with dynamic mics are due to cartridge failure. Since the cartridge is sealed and engineered to fine tolerances, repair is generally not possible and requires replacement.

Remove the grill covering by unscrewing it or removing any retaining screws and gently lift out the cartridge. Inspect wiring and resolder if problems are evident. If the wiring is sound, assume the cartridge to be faulty. Write down any numbers printed on the cartridge, and the full model number of the mic. Contact the manufacturer or your retailer to order replacement parts.

Installation of cartridges, transformers, switches and cable connectors is a simple operation, requiring soldering the new components in place. Be certain to label wires as to their original positions. To enhance the cosmetics of your newly repaired microphone, exterior metal grills are also available at a reasonable cost.

Tags: microphone cable, solder joints, cable connector, connector Some, electronic equipment, retaining screws

Techniques For The Pentax K10d

Like most Pentax digital single-lens reflex cameras, the Pentax K10D packs a lot of features into a small package at a mid-range price. It takes a bit of effort to get used to how it works to get the best photos possible, but it gives you a lot of tools to do just that. It also has a built-in mini photo lab to work with images in the camera.

Basics

The 10-megapixel Pentax K10D has a variety of features to get used to before, during and after shooting photos. For example, you can switch between capturing images in JPEG or RAW format with a button to the left side of the lens, something usually reserved for a menu item. If you are serious about photography, you should never shoot in JPEG format because the quality and control of the image just aren't there as they are in RAW. Another tool available without going to a menu is the mode selector dial. There are the standard Auto, Program and Manual settings, but there also are two other settings that are quite useful. The "TAv" setting combines aperture and shutter priority. That means you can choose the aperture setting and shutter speed, which directs the K10D to select the ISO speed from 100 to 1,600. The "Sv" mode allows you to choose your speed, again from 100 to 1,600 ISO, and the camera will adjust the shutter speed and aperture opening. The camera also has 72 seals against moisture and dust, so you can use it in wet conditions relatively safely.

Features

Because the K10D has an anti-shake system, you can hand-hold the camera at much slower speeds than a traditional camera. While it is common to use a tripod to expose images at 1/30th of a second or slower speeds, this limitation no longer is there. You can hand-hold for longer exposures, which means you can shoot without a tripod in lower lighting conditions such as indoors at night without a flash. This feature also helps when shooting with long telephoto lenses that magnify camera shake. You'll need to experiment with this, however, because you won't see the stabilization through the viewfinder. To stabilize further, the K10D has a mini-grip on the left side of the camera to give you two-hand holding capabilities.

Photo Lab

Since you can see the recorded image on the 2.5-inch screen on the back of the camera, you also can process the photo there before ever taking it out to Adobe Photoshop or another photo-editing software package. By pressing the Function (Fn) button, you can change the RAW image to a JPEG in the camera, then make adjustments to quality, white balance, contrast, saturation and other standard manipulations usually found only in image-editing software. You can use this feature to figure out if the photo is exactly what you want while you are at the scene, where, if it isn't, you can shoot more photos at different settings to get what you want.

Tags: camera also, JPEG format, left side, shutter speed, slower speeds, what want

Copy Incoming Calls From Metropcs

Copying incoming calls is a simple way to obtain a list of frequently called contacts or monitor who is calling your children and when. If you only need to copy and send one contact, simply click the "Menu" button while on the call list and select "Forward." The contact can then be sent via SMS to anyone you choose. If you need to obtain a full listing of all the incoming and outgoing calls, you will need to have the "Call Detail" feature added to the individual line, then follow these simple steps.

Instructions

1. Log into MyAccount. This is a free online account management service available to all MetroPCS account holders. You will need to register if you have not previously done so.

2. Click the phone that you wish to see the incoming calls for using the drop-down box at the top of the screen. All the phones on the account will be listed in the drop-down box.

3. Use the sort feature to separate incoming calls from outgoing calls.

4. Print the list or copy and paste to the program of your choice.

Tags: incoming calls, outgoing calls, will need

What Is A Pay As You Go System

A pay-as-you-go system lets you pay in advance for your cell phone and is also known a prepay. This is a good option for someone who has bad credit, worries about overages, doesn't want to sign a contract or doesn't use a cell phone often.

Providers

Companies that carry pay-as-you-go phones include T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Tracfone. Each company offers different phones and plans to choose from.

Plans

The basic plan allows you to purchase minutes and, as you run out of minutes, you can add credit to your account. Some carriers let you pick a plan that offers a set fee for a certain number of minutes per month, and you can add minutes at the end of the month if you run out.

Advantages

Pay-as-you-go plans don't require you to sign a contract or require a credit check. You also don't have to worry about going over your allotted minutes.

Disadvantage

If you run out of minutes on your pay-as-you-go phone, you can no longer send or receive calls until you add more minutes. However, you can still place calls to 911 in case of an emergency.

Tip

Make sure to regularly check how much credit you have left on your phone so you don't run out of minutes at an inconvenient time.

Tags: cell phone, minutes month, sign contract

Surround Sound Microphone Techniques

Recording in Surround Sound requires much skill.

As surround sound becomes more widespread, record producers and sound recording engineers for movies and television must become more aware of how they arrange microphones during recording. As a sound technician, your mastery of this skill will determine the quality of the sound you receive on playback. The main idea of surround sound is to create the illusion that the viewer is in the same room as the action taking place on screen.

Microphone Positioning Techniques

According to the Broadcast Engineering website, you can reduce comb filtering by the way you arrange your microphones while recording surround sound. Comb filtering is the effect you may experience when you are attempting to speak to your favorite radio or TV talk show host. You speak a sentence, or take a really deep breath, and the sounds you've made echo back to you in a matter of seconds.

To avoid this delayed effect, the Broadcast Engineering website suggests that you keep the mics far apart enough to avoid feedback or echo, but keep them in the same general area of the studio to make sure that the signals you are producing are similar enough to retain a smooth sound field production.

Group Recording

When positioning microphones during ensemble recording, in order to obtain the correct surround sound, you must know arrange the microphones in the studio. For a larger group, a wider spacing between microphones is appropriate. The Broadcast Engineering website recommends about 1.8 meters of space between the mikes. For smaller groups, you can record them more closely together, with about 1.2 meters of space between the microphones.

Dolby

According to the Soundings website, to use the Dolby surround technique of recording, you would use a special decoder. You need to use three mics, a decoder, an acoustic level controller and a mixing console. Strict guidelines for recording do exist, and accurate adherence to these guidelines must take place for it to work. According to the website, you will reproduce the signals in the left and right channels with the same amplitude and polarity through the center channels. The surround channel is responsible for producing channels with the same amplitude but are out of polarity. The signals in the center and surround channels with the same polarity and equal polarity will come through all the channels at almost the same volume. Unless you adjust these levels accordingly on your sound system, your recording in Dolby sound will not work.

MPEG II

Unlike the Dolby technique, the MPEG II recording style will allow for more creativity. As the Soundings website points out, all you need is five real channels with full bandwidth. To record surround sound in MPEG II, arrange two mics one above the other. The website suggests a color coding pattern: front left, yellow; front right, red. On the rear left and rear right, you place green and blue, respectively.

Tags: channels with, Broadcast Engineering, Broadcast Engineering website, channels with same, Engineering website, surround sound, with same

Use Mp9 Digital Pocket Video Recorder

Keep the pen in an inconspicuous place to record nonchalantly.

The MP9 digital pocket video recorder captures good quality video and audio from the guise of a regular ballpoint pen. The pen is black and silver and features a clip, so that you can fasten it to a shirt pocket. Videos are captured in AVI format through a small, pinhole lens. Once you acquire your MP9, you might need to know use its basic controls, which include a single button, a status light and a USB connector. Before performing any spy duties, you'll want to know your MP9 inside and out.

Instructions

1. Twist the grip around the bottom of the pen counterclockwise to extend the pen portion of the MP9. The pen is fully functional and can be refilled. Write with it as you would a normal pen. Twist the grip clockwise to retract the pen tip.

2. Hold the pen in both hands and unscrew the top half while holding the bottom half still. Pull the top portion away from the bottom half of the pen. You will see a USB port, which was recently concealed within the pen. Plug the USB half of the pen into a USB port on your computer, or plug the pen into the USB travel charger and plug the pronged end into a wall. Allow two hours for the MP9 to fully charge. Disconnect the pen and screw the bottom portion back onto the bottom.

3. Push and hold down the button on the top of the pen to power your MP9. You will see a small light on the back of the pen illuminate orange to let you know the pen is powered and is in stand-by mode. Push and hold down the button again to turn it on.

4. Face the small lens (located on the side of the pen directly above the clip) toward your subject. Avoid covering the microphone, which is a small hole located on the left side of the pen. Push the button on top of the pen once to begin recording. The small light on the back of the pen will change from orange to blue to let you know it's in recording mode. Keep your lens pointed toward your subject.

5. Push the top of the pen again to stop recording. The light on the back of the pen will illuminate orange, indicating it's in standby mode. Push the top of the pen to begin recording again. Do this as many times as you like. The pen will record for about an hour non-stop at 15 frames-per-second, or until it reaches its 2-gigabyte capacity.

6. Unscrew the top half of the pen and pull it away from the bottom half. Plug the pen into a USB port on your computer. Select the MP9 icon with your mouse from the device window, and click it to see its components. Select the files you wish to view from the MP9 and drag them to the folder of you choosing. Once the files are copied, you can delete them to free-up space.

Tags: bottom half, light back, away from, away from bottom, back will, begin recording

Connect A Digital Camera To An Hdtv

Connecting your digital camera to your high definition TV can allow you to view your photos on a large screen. This is useful to get a better view of your pictures or videos and makes it easier to present your photos to your family and friends.

Instructions

1. Determine what cable you need. High-end digital cameras have i.LINK, which is also called firewire, inputs, which deliver the pictures and videos to the HDTV at its best quality. Other digital cameras may have A/V jacks and you may have to buy an HD output cable. This cable has A/V connectors on one end and a HDMI connector on the other.

2. Turn on your HDTV and your digital camera.

3. Take the appropriate cable and connect the devices. The HDMI and i.LINK inputs will be on the back of each device. Look to the inserted image to identify the inputs. Both sets of inputs will be labeled on your HDTV and digital camera.

4. Select the device from the "device list" that appears on your HDTV screen. Once the camera is connected correctly, the HDTV recognizes that a device has been added and brings up a list of devices. If the device appears on the list, you will be able to use the HDTV remote to control the device. Otherwise, select "Other device," which still recognizes the device but won't allow you to use the HDTV remote to control it.

Tags: digital camera, your HDTV, cameras have, digital cameras, digital cameras have

Studio Lighting Tutorial

When it comes to professional looking photography, using studio lighting sets apart the pretenders from the pros. Studio lighting is available in a wide variety of configurations and price points, from basic two-light kits with umbrellas that cost $300 to mutli-light setups where the power supplies alone are $5,000. Configuring the lights is an art that can take some trial and error, depending on where you are setting up, but there are some basics that can improve the overall results.

Soft Box

To get the softest, most even lighting, use a softbox on the main light. Placing the light closer to the subject will give softer results as well. Using umbrella reflectors casts a harder light and can result in more glare. Softboxes give a softer, more realistic cast to the illumination. Softboxes are available in a variety of sizes and price points (see Resources). Bigger softboxes also provide a better cast of light from subject to background.

Lights

Lights are available in a large number of configurations and power outputs (measured in watt seconds). Monolights are a good entry level point, offering a lot of flexibility, usually an adjustable power output and multiple f-stop measures. They are also designed so that when one fires, it can trip the others. For instance, the main light, with softbox, can be placed next to the portrait subject illuminating the face, and a secondary light can be placed near the subject, casting light down to illuminate hair. When the main light is triggered, the secondary light will also fire. Triggering the lights is simply a matter of running a trigger cord from the camera to the light (or power pack, for more advanced systems).

Another option is the hot light; hot lights are always on, making composition easy and accurate, since the photographer knows in advance what kind of lighting shadows will be cast. Hot lights have gotten much better over the years, and do not run as hot as they used to; they are used commonly for video applications. However, the light is cooler, closer to a tungsten output (3200 Kelvin) than daylight (5400K). Monolights are able to provide daylight illumination, which can give better results in a portrait studio.

Backgrounds

Muslin backgrounds are probably the best choice, as they can be reused again and again. Good quality muslins will run $100 and up, and are generally made of a heavier fabric. Some photographers prefer to use seemless background paper instead of muslins, so that they can avoid having and folds or ripples show up in the background. While it is possible to simply tape the muslin to the wall, better results will be achieved by using a background stand that lets you draw the material tightly and avoid folds showing. Background stands can be adjusted to a variety of heights and widths.

Tags: main light, better results, give softer, price points, secondary light

Connect A Tv To An Ipod

Using iPod's "TV-out" feature, you can view slideshows and videos from your iPod on a TV screen. There are a couple ways to do this depending on what kind of accessories you want to buy. These steps will walk you through ways you can connect a TV to an iPod.

Instructions

Using the iPod AV Cable

1. Use the Apple iPod AV cable. This plugs into the RCA ports on your TV or VCR. This is by far the easiest method.

2. Connect the AV cable into your iPod. Plug the small end into the iPod where the earbuds would go.

3. Connect the red RCA plug. This goes into the right audio input of the television or VCR. The colors should match.

4. Connect the white RCA plug. This plugs into the left audio input of your TV. Connect the yellow RCA plug. This goes into the video input of your TV.

5. Begin playing a video on the iPod.

Using the iPod Dock

6. Find the right input on your TV. First, try channel 3 or 4. Next, find an "Input" or "Video" button on your TV or remote and scroll through the options until the video appears.

7. Use the Apple universal iPod dock. This lets you use S-video for a slightly better picture. Place the iPod in the dock.

8. Connect the S-video cable to the S-video Out port on the dock. Connect the other end of the S-video cable to the S-video Input on the TV.

9. Connect the AV cable to the Line Out port on the dock. Follow steps 3 through 5 to complete the connection.

Tags: input your, plug This, Using iPod, audio input, cable S-video

Minn Kota Maxxum Specifications

Minn Kota has produced boating motors for over 75 years. These motors are considered to be some of the best trolling motors in the world, according to their website. The Minn Kota Maxxum is a freshwater bow-mounted boat motor that is available in a foot and hand controlled model. The bow-mounted motor design allows for greater control, quick responses and positioning.

Standard Features

The Minn Kota Maxxum is available in 15 different models. All models except the Maxxum 70/SC, 55/SC, 70/SC/H and 55/SC/H come standard with a digital maximizer (DM). All Maxxum motors include a composite shaft and a Bowguard 360 degree mount. According to the website, the 360 degree mount allows break away on impact from any angle, then automatically resets itself. This feature helps to navigate through obstacles and prevent damage to the boat. It is detached easily for portability and storage.

Performance Specifications

The maximum thrust of the Minn Kota Maxxum motors ranges from 55 to 101. The motors operate at 12 to 36 volts. Shaft measurements vary in length from 42 to 52 inches depending on the model chosen. Controls are available in a cable steer and Tilt/Extend Tiller option. The motors come with a variable speed system or a 5-speed motor, which allows you to put the boat in forward, reverse and multiple speed settings.

Special Components

The Minn Kota Maxxum is available with an array of design features that enhance performance and ease of use. The Maxxum mount helps boaters navigate through rough conditions and obstacles, and is designed to prevent motor budging, flex and vibration. The Illuminated Directional Indicator is easy to read and provides boaters with information on travel direction. An available foot pedal provides additional speed control in a responsive unit. The pedal has had a number of design improvements to allow more room for the operator's foot and exact speed control.

Warranties

The composite shaft on all Minn Kota Maxxum motors is stronger than steel. It is designed so that it flexes on impact to prevent breaking, kinking or corrosion. This shaft carries a lifetime warranty. The motor and all components are covered by a standard, two-year warranty provided by Johnson Outdoors, Inc. These items will be repaired or replaced free of charge during the warranty period at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Tags: Minn Kota, Kota Maxxum, Minn Kota Maxxum, Maxxum motors, available foot

Buy A Stateoftheart Sound System

If music is important to you--indeed, if you find that your daily life requires a soundtrack--then having the best-quality sound may be your top priority. Forget those department-store all-in-one-systems. There's a whole world of high-end, high-priced audio equipment just waiting for your discriminating ears (and discretionary income).

Instructions

1. Let your listening habits and desires be your guide. You should assemble a system that sounds great to you, not a salesperson.

2. Assess your living and work spaces. A system that sounds incredible in a small demonstration room might sound crummy in a large, high-ceilinged living room.

3. Bring your own music when you shop. You'll know the nuances of that music better than demo CDs designed to highlight an audio system's strengths.

4. Listen to systems without regard to price range, at least at first. You want to hear--if it's perceptible--why prices vary so much. Try to listen to various components in isolation. If you're comparing two amplifiers, use the same CD player, CD and speakers during your test.

5. Select a system with separate components (including amplifiers and preamps). Each component should have its own power supply to reduce electrical interference between components. Get a power conditioner to further reduce interference.

6. Splurge on speakers, if you're making budget trade-offs. Crank up the music as loud as you're likely to play at home.

7. Shop for a digital audio receiver if you want your stereo to play Internet-based music or MP3s from your computer. Digital audio receivers are a new and varied breed of component. Some connect directly to the Internet via your broadband connection; others connect via your computer and can access MP3s on your hard drive. They require a network connection in addition to stereo cables. (See Network Your Computers.)

8. Buy high-quality cables. It makes little sense to connect top-end audio components with dime-store cables.

9. Link your high-end audio system into whole-house media and control systems. (See Buy a Home Theater System, Buy a Home Automation System, and Buy an Audio-Video Distribution System.)

Tags: audio system, system that, system that sounds, that sounds, your computer

Buy A Plasma Tv

Investing in a plasma television brings you to the next level of picture quality with low picture distortion and a space saving flat screen. There are lots of plasma TVs on the market these days, so use these steps as a guide when you buy a plasma TV.

Instructions

1. Decide on screen size. The optimal screen size depends on where you'll be setting up your plasma TV. Measure the room and the space where you'll be setting up the TV. Make sure there is 3 inches of open space around the top of the TV and an additional 3 to 6 inches if you plan on attaching speakers. Allow 6 to 10 feet of space between you and the TV for a 32-inch to 37-inch screen, about 10 to 14 feet for a 42-inch display and about 12 to 16 feet for a 50-inch screen.

2. Consider HD. High definition TV is considerably more expensive than Enhanced Definition, but the actual picture quality depends on the input signal and quality of the manufacturer. HDTV units will look better with PC inputs or an HD tuner, but for regular cable, DVDs and satellite, an EDTV plasma TV may perform better.

3. Choose your audio options. Generally, you have 2 basic choices: built-in or external. External usually provides better sound quality and is best for home theater setups that require a lot of wattage. Currently, Phillips and Sony are the only manufacturers that provide built-in speakers. This is best for general TV viewing and space-saving. You can also buy flat, slim speakers that attach to the sides of the TV.

4. Make a decision on mounting. Flat wall mounts are the most common and affordable option. These attach directly onto the wall, adding 2 inches or less of depth and work well for almost any setup. A tilt wall mount can be used when the TV has to be positioned higher up on the wall, allowing you to angle the display. A table stand is a more traditional setup and allows for flexibility since nothing is permanently affixed. There are also more options for special setups, such as an articulating wall mount, TV cart or a ceiling mount.

5. Choose a brand and model. This is possibly one of the most important factors in determining quality. Currently, the Panasonic TH-42PH9UK is the top rated 42-inch TV with Panasonic, Samsung and Phillips models trailing close behind. Read up on some consumer reviews and compare prices and features to make this decision.

6. Find a dealer. You have a couple options here: a brick and mortar "big box" retailer such as Best Buy or a smaller, specialty store that offers more models and has better trained staff but higher prices. There are online dealers which offer much lower prices, but reliability is significantly more questionable. Few online dealers are authorized and few offer an extended warranty. It is strongly recommended that you read some of the resources on online dealers before purchasing from one.

Tags: online dealers, about feet, picture quality, screen size, wall mount

Spy Cameras & Recorders

A modern pinhole camera might be observing you.

Spy cameras and recorders have been a staple of espionage technology in movies, TV shows and books for decades. These cameras and recorders are typically very small and easily concealable, making them useful for spying on unsuspecting subjects. They have undergone numerous innovations over the years, and are available from a variety of retailers for use in the home or for security.

Types

Spy cameras and recorders come in a variety of types. Most spy cameras use pinhole technology, according to VedoSoft.com. They do not use lenses or use very small lenses (small enough to see through a pinhole, which is approximately 1/8 of an inch), and are tiny and concealable in objects such as soda cans, toys, books, or even jacket pockets. They come as both wired and wireless devices. Audio recorders typically come in two varieties: a standard recorder can be hidden in a room and record audio using a sensitive microphone onto a tiny tape or memory card. Later, you can retrieve the device and examine the audio. Some recorders, however, known popularly as "bugs," transmit a live feed via a radio transmission to a receiver.

Wired and Wireless

In terms of spy cameras, there are really two different types. The wired camera is typically implemented in homes where it and its wiring can easily be hidden from view. It contains a camera, but must be hooked up directly to a VCR or other recording device that can record the video it captures. A wireless camera transmits its images via a radio signal, which can be captured using a receiver hooked up to either a VCR (for recording the images) or a monitor, where the viewer can witness a live feed. Wireless spy cameras are popular as portable espionage devices, as you can conceal them in numerous objects, like a breast pocket or even a stick of gum or a pen, and transmit the images to a monitor or recorder somewhere off in the distance, away from view.

Nanny Cams

Spy cameras have become popular as "nanny cams," according to Home Security Information. These cameras are often put in household objects like teddy bears or tissue boxes to keep an eye on children while parents are away or even to monitor a house guest like a babysitter to make sure the house is being respected. Different localities, however, may have different regulations pertaining to the use of such spy cameras and the respective privacy laws.

Sound Recorders

Sound recorders, or "bugs," come in a variety of styles. Some popularly seen bugs are simple microphones that transmit sounds over a radio signal, where a receiver can pick the sounds. Other recording devices, like ones for personal use in schools or during seminars to record lectures, can operate as spy devices by setting them to record, hiding them near a subject and retrieving them later to analyze any sounds picked up.

Media

Spy cameras and recorders have been featured throughout film, television and literary media. In the popular James Bond series, the title character uses a tiny Minolta Spy Camera in the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" to photograph maps and documents, reports the MI6 Q Branch website. Bugs are used in various police and espionage shows, particularly as undercover aids to catch criminals. In the film "Never Been Kissed," the protagonist infiltrates a high school with a tiny pinhole camera and microphone attached to her shirt, which transmits images and sound to her partner's receiver, who monitors everything from a van outside.

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What Are The Functions Of The Objective Lens Of A Reflecting Telescope

Telescopes bring the night sky into focus.

Telescopes magnify light so stars and other astronomical bodies, previously unseen by the naked eye, can be observed. Two basic types of telescopes exist: refracting and reflecting. Refracting telescopes bend light to create an image, while reflecting telescopes use a mirror as the objective lens to reflect light. The objective lens, or mirror, serves several functions for the reflecting telescope.

Collection of Light

A reflecting telescope collects light; more light means greater magnification. Increase the diameter of the objective lens or mirror, and you collect more light. The ability to magnify light from stars is really the ability to collect more light, which allows faint stars to appear brighter. The telescope works on the same principle as the human eye. Enter a dark room and you cannot see at first, but then as your eyes adjust you regain vision. The increase in vision results from your pupil enlarging, which enables more light to enter your eye.

Reflection

Light enters a reflecting telescope, and the objective lens, or mirror, reflects the light. The first reflecting telescope was designed by Sir Isaac Newton and is called the Newtonian reflecting telescope. In this telescope, the function of the objective lens is to reflect light to another smaller mirror, which is flat. That small mirror in turn reflects the light to the eyepiece, where an image appears.

Size

Reflecting telescopes contain objective lens up to 8 meters, or just over 26 feet in diameter. This large size serves the function of the reflecting telescope, which is increased magnification. Combine smaller mirrors and the size increases up to 10 meters, or almost 33 feet.

Types

The function of the objective lens or mirror varies depending upon the type of reflecting telescope. While the Newtonian uses the mirror to reflect light to a flat mirror, the prime focus reflecting telescope reflects light directly to a camera or other device without the use of a second mirror. The prime focus works for cameras and very large telescopes. The Cassegrain reflecting telescope uses include large instruments like photometers and spectographs. It employs a hyperbolic second mirror with a magnification factor that allows for a shorter telescope with the same power.

Tags: objective lens, reflecting telescope, lens mirror, more light, objective lens mirror

Transfer My Videos From My Canon Camcorder To My Computer

Camcorder

Video takes up a lot of space either on a video tape or on your computer. Because the files for video are so large, there needs to be a way to move the files to your computer where you can save them, edit them or burn them onto a DVD. Because of this, most camcorder manufacturers including Canon have long since included the ability to transfer the video through a fast interface known as FireWire, which is a built-in connection on the camcorder.

Instructions

1. Install a FireWire card in your computer if you do not have one. You can buy a FireWire card from most computer retailers. Open the side of the computer case by removing the door that is screwed into the back of the case. Find an available card slot and push the FireWire card straight down into the slot. You may have to first remove a blank metal plate covering up access to the card slot from the outside of the computer. The plate should be unscrewed and moved out. Screw the FireWire card to the case where the empty plate was screwed in. Restart the computer and install any drivers on the CD that may have come with it.

2. Put the tape in the Canon camcorder that has the video you want to copy. Move the tape to the appropriate place using the camcorders controls. You can do this later in the software if you wish.

3. Connect a FireWire cable from the port on the Canon camcorder to the FireWire card on your computer. Turn on the camera.

4. Open software to copy the video. You can buy software or use Microsoft's Moviemaker that comes with Windows. Open the software and go to the "File," or first menu. Choose "Capture" and a screen will come up with the video. You can use the appropriate choices to control the camera to move the tape to the right spot. Click the "Start" choice and the video will be copied from the camcorder to the computer.

Tags: FireWire card, your computer, Canon camcorder, card slot, card your, card your computer, come with

Specifications For The Denon Dp 1200

Despite the advent of cassette, CD, DVD and digital media, the record is still used today by disc jockeys and by those who spent years amassing a large collection. Record players, like all audio players, only produce sound equal to the quality of their components. The DP 1200 turntable by Denon produces high quality hi-fi sound by incorporating several features and specifications designed to pull the most from a record.

Speed

Many record players play at multiple speeds. This is because records come in different sizes, and smaller records must be played at a faster rate to compensate for their size. The DP-1200 can accommodate both full album LP records and the smaller single-track records with both 33 and 45 rpm settings.

Drive

The drive system does the work of turning the record at an even speed and at an even height. The Denon DP 1200 features a direct drive AC servo motor. This is compatible with the standard American 120 V plug. Additionally, errors in the drive speed or balance are detected by a frequency-detection servo system built into the unit.

Starting Time

Record players often require a warm-up time from the moment a record is started to the time the music starts. Denon has made an effort to shorten the start time as much as possible without sacrificing accuracy of needle placement. The approximate starting time for a record is less than 1.5 seconds.

Dimension

The Denon DP1200 is about as low profile as a record player can get. Including its dust-protector hood, the unit measures approximately 19.1 inches long by 6.41 inches high by 15.59 inches wide. What the unit lacks in size it makes up for in weight: at a heavy 24 lbs., the record player has the gravity to absorb the light shocks made from dancing feet or slamming doors.

Cartridge

The cartridge houses the needle through which the music is taken from the record to the player. This housing must be substantial enough to read the information on the record effectively while still being light enough to prevent damage to the disc. The cartridge weight ranges between ¼ and ½ oz.

Tone Arm

The tone arm is the arm on which the needle cartridge sits and moves along a record's groove. The Denon DP 1200 includes a static balance-type tone arm with an automatic arm lift.

Tags: Denon 1200, record player, from record, Record players

Use A Flash Light Meter

A flash light meter is simply a device that allows you to measure the amount of light present from a certain angle. A flash light meter allows a photographer to find the perfect amount of exposure for a photograph. Put simply, this means that the camera's shutter speed will change depending on the amount of light available. Flash light meters are meant to find the optimum exposure, so your pictures look as clear and vivid as they possibly can.

Instructions

1. Find the film speed that your camera will be using. You will be able to find this right on the roll of film, or on the camera itself, where you load the film. If you are unable to locate the film speed in either of these locations, check the camera's owner's manual.

2. Set the film speed on your flash light meter. You will be able to do this with knob that turns on the front of the meter, or on newer flash light meters, with a button that controls a digital display.

3. Point the light meter in the direction you would point the camera, as though you are going to take a picture with the flash light meter. The flash light meter will measure the light and provide a number. Take note of this number.

4. Secure your cameras shutter speed, so it corresponds with the flash light meter number. Some cameras will have a knob on the top that you can turn, while digital cameras are likely to have a menu option that allows you to set the shutter speed.

5. Set the shutter speed on your camera, so it coordinates with the number given by your flash light reader. When you are ready, take a picture. The coordination of the light and your shutter speed will ensure the picture turns out perfect.

Tags: light meter, flash light, shutter speed, film speed, flash light meter, flash light meter, amount light

Use Only The Offnetwork Radio On My Old Motorola I580

Sprint's Motorola i580 phone doubles as a walkie-talkie. In order to use the walkie-talkie feature, you must be on the Sprint Network. Whenever you are outside of the Sprint Network, or when the Sprint Network is down, you can use the device's DirecTalk feature. DirecTalk functions as an off-network radio that allows you to still communicate "walkie talkie style" with other individuals.

Instructions

1. Ensure that you are within 6 miles of the individual you are attempting to communicate with. He must also have a DirecTalk-enabled phone.

2. Press the "Menu" button on your device to reveal all the menu applications.

Select the DirecTalk" application. Select "Go to DirecTalk." It will take a moment for your phone to switch to DirecTalk mode. When the feature is ready to be used, you will see "DT Ready" on the bottom of your screen.

3. Access your "Contacts" to locate the individual you wish to call. Press the walkie-talkie button on your device to initiate the call.

When using the DirecTalk feature, you are speaking over channels. Everyone on your channel can hear your conversation to the other person.

4. Change to a private conversation if you don't want others to hear your conversation. To do this, advise the individual of the channel you are on. You can also change your channel to match his channel. To change your channel, press the "Options" button on your phone keypad. Select "Edit" and "Channel."

Once your channel is changed, dial the the 10-digit Nextel telephone number of the person you wish to speak to privately.

5. Exit DirecTalk by pressing the "Menu" button on your keypad. Select "DT Options" and "Exit DirecTalk."

Tags: button your, your channel, Sprint Network, button your device, change your, change your channel

Roll Around Air Conditioner Work

Confirm that the exhaust hose is as straight as possible and not kinked.

A portable air conditioner can be carried from room to room, set up and turned on to cool the area. Repositioning the unit is easy, as the air conditioner is mounted on casters. Once you acquire your new portable air conditioner, you'll need to learn use it.

Fan Function

The fan can be turned on independently of the cooling mechanism of the air conditioner to circulate the air within the room. Press the "Fan" or "Mode" button repeatedly until you reach the desired fan speed and the indicator light illuminates. High, medium and low are common air conditioner fan speed settings. The display clears on some units instead of showing the thermostat setting as the "Fan Only" setting doesn't affect the room temperature.

Cool Function

The portable air conditioner features an internal cooling element that activates when the "Cool" button is pressed. The cool mode is sometimes accessible through the "Mode" button. Once the cool mode is activated, the compressor turns on and powers the cooling element. Room temperature air is taken into the portable air conditioner, is cooled and blown out through the louvers. Press the temperature down button to lower the temperature. When the air conditioner's internal sensor reads the room temperature and determines that the thermostat setting has been met, the compressor shuts off until the room temperature rises.

Dry Function

The "Dry" cycle is designed to draw moisture from the air within the room. The leeched air is evaporated and expelled from the air conditioner through the exhaust hose attached to the back of the unit via a window. Excess moisture is accumulated in the internal drain pan, which must be drained when the "Water Full" indicator light is illuminated. Press the "Dry" button or the "Mode" button repeatedly until the "Dry" cycle indicator light is illuminated. After the cycle is complete, unplug the unit and carry it to a drainage area, such as a bathtub. Unscrew the cap off of the back of the unit, and remove the plunger. Allow the unit to drain completely, replace the cap and plunger and plug the unit back in.

Timer Function

The timer allows you to designate an automatic shutoff time. Press the "Timer" button on the remote control or on the unit's front panel to activate the timer. Once the timer is activated, press the up or down directional buttons to raise the timer in 30-minute increments until you reach the desired shutoff time. Press the "Timer" button once again to enable the timer.

Tags: portable conditioner, indicator light, Mode button, back unit, button repeatedly

Sony F Series Specifications

Sony actually manufactures two completely different types of products under the heading "F Series." A line of 2010 Sony VAIO laptops and a line of 2009 Sony microphones use the term F Series to categorize the specific models within each line. In addition, both the F Series of laptops and microphones contain four unique models, each with its own set of specifications.

VPCF1390X

The VPCF1390X is the most basic and least expensive Sony VAIO F Series laptop. However, consumers can customize this model with all kinds of extra options. The basic specifications include a 16.4-inch widescreen display, built-in webcam, Intel Core i7-740QM processor, 320 GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 310M GPU, DVD+/-RW drive, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system and 4 GB of RAM. All VAIO F Series laptops feature a standard lithium-ion battery--up to 2.5 hours of power--and 13 ports/card slots, including two USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0/eSATA port, 4-pin i.LINK connection, VGA output and SD memory card slot.

VPCF13BFX/B

One step above the VPCF1390X, the VPCF13BFX/B Sony VAIO F Series laptop features many identical specifications. However, the hard drive has been bumped up to 500 GB of storage space and Blu-ray read-only capabilities have been added to the optical drive. In addition, the video card has been bumped up to an NVIDIA GeForce 425M, which includes 1 GB of dedicated video RAM.

VPCF13AFX/B

A step up from the VPCF13BFX/B, the VPCF13AFX/B model features identical specifications, with the exception of a few notable upgrades. The RAM in this model has been increased to 6 GB, the Blu-ray player can both read and burn Blu-ray discs and the screen, although the same size, displays in full HD.

VPCF12XHX/B

The top-of-the-line F Series laptop, the VPCF12XHX/B is also known as the VAIO Signature Collection F Series laptop. This model is the only F Series laptop to feature either an upgraded processor (Intel Core i7-840 QM) or an upgraded operating system (Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit). In addition, the hard drive has been increased to 640 GB of storage, the RAM has been increased to 8 GB and the screen is an LCD HD display.

F720

The cheapest Sony F Series microphone, the F720 is a fairly basic dynamic handheld microphone. It features unidirectionality, a frequency response of 50 Hz to 13 kHz and sensitivity of roughly -57 dB. In addition, the F720 experiences an output impedance of roughly 500 ohms, less than 10 dB SPL of induction noise from an external magnetic field and less than 55 dB SPL of wind noise. Like all Sony F Series microphones, this model features an XLR-3-12C type connector.

F112

Just barely more expensive than the F720, the F112 is an omnidirectional interview microphone. The specifications for this microphone include a frequency response of 60 Hz to 18 kHz, sensitivity of roughly -52 dB, output impedance of roughly 400 ohms, less than 5 dB SPL of induction noise from an external magnetic field and less than 50 dB SPL of wind noise.

F780

A hyper-cardioid handheld microphone, the F780 is essentially a much higher quality (and much more expensive) version of the F720. This unidirectional microphone features a frequency response of 50 Hz to 18 kHz, sensitivity of roughly -57 dB, output impedance of roughly 400 ohms, less than 5 dB SPL of induction noise from an external magnetic field and less than 50 dB SPL of wind noise.

F115B

A top-of-the-line interview microphone, the F115B is by far the most expensive Sony F Series microphone. This omnidirectional model features a frequency response of 40 Hz to 12 kHz and sensitivity of roughly -52 dB, output impedance of roughly 400 ohms, less than 5 dB SPL of induction noise from an external magnetic field and less than 40 dB SPL of wind noise.

Tags: less than, Series laptop, external magnetic, external magnetic field, field less, field less than, frequency response

Transfer Pictures To A Tivo

With the use of an Internet connection, you don't need to copy files from a computer to your DVR to access them. Your computer can stream pictures wirelessly to your TiVo through your home network, thus allowing the TiVo to access and display the pictures on your TV screen. A TiVo software program called TiVo Desktop needs to be installed on your computer for the TiVo to have permission to access the photos. TiVo refers to this as "Publishing" pictures.

Instructions

1. Download and install the TiVo Desktop program to your computer. Go to the TiVo download page and click "Download Now" to start the download. Run the installer and follow the prompts. The program will install itself to your computer.

2. Open the TiVo Desktop program on your computer and select "Share Music, Photos, & Video," then select "Photos."

3. Select "Add Photos" and choose the folder on your PC that contains your pictures. Selecting a PC folder will display the pictures on the right side of the TiVo Desktop screen.

4. Click on the pictures you want to publish to TiVo and select "Add." If you want to add an entire folder, select the folder and click "Add."

5. Start up the TiVo unit and select "Music & Photos" from the TiVo central menu (this is for units with an HD menu). For other TiVo units, select "Music, Photos, & Showcases."

6. View the pictures by clicking on the folder containing the pictures. Click "SELECT," then choose a picture and press "SELECT" again.

Tags: TiVo Desktop, your computer, Music Photos, computer TiVo, Desktop program, Desktop program your

Select A Directv Dvr

DirecTV DVR models were combined with TiVo, but since November 2005, DirecTV discontinued those models and started marketing its own DVR models. There are two types of DirecTV DVR models available: DIRECTV Plus DVR (standard DVR) and DIRECTV HD DVR (High Definition DVR). A few simple steps to focus on your needs will make it easy for you to choose the most appropriate model of DirecTV DVR.

Instructions

1. Determine what functions you want in your DirecTV DVR. Do you want only the basic features or enhanced capabilities? DIRECTV HD DVR comes with enhanced features such as Season Pass (which allows you to record every episode of your favorite show for an entire season) and Wish List (will automatically record your favorite films, actors, or directors).

2. Establish your budget right from the beginning. The DIRECTV HD DVR model is much more expensive than the standard DVR model.

3. Is the quality of color, sound and contrast of the telecasted program of high importance to you? Then the DIRECTV HD DVR is the right system for you. It captures and reproduces the finest and clearest reception quality and gives you a movie theater experience at home.

4. Choose a DIRECTV Plus DVR model if you have limited recording requirements. The DIRECTV Plus DVR model records up to 100 hours of standard definition digital TV and the DIRECTV HD DVR model records up to 30 hours in high definition and 200 hours of standard definition digital TV.

5. Choose a model based on the warranty period. DIRECTV Plus DVR usually comes with a 90-day warranty, whereas the DIRECTV HD DVR model comes with a 1-year warranty.

6. Save on time and effort by choosing a model that has an interactive programming menu so you can predetermine your requirements on the basis of favorites, alphabetical order or dates, and then set it accordingly. Easily find the programs you want to watch or record using the TiVo 14-day interactive TV guide that comes with the DIRECTV HD DVR model. Choose this model if you prefer the functionality of TiVo. Alternatively, the DIRECTV Plus 14-day program guide that comes with the DIRECTV Plus DVR model is also simple to use, although not as interactive as the TiVo guide.

Tags: DIRECTV Plus, comes with, DIRECTV model, DIRECTV Plus model, Plus model

Sony Cdpc500 Specifications

The compact disc (CD) is a common form of media and the precursor to current DVD and Blu-ray technologies. Sony capitalized on the compact disc market by developing a line of CD players. The CDP-C500 is a Sony personal compact disc player. It features five trays for holding compact discs and a programmable entry system for customizing media playback. An additional remote helps provide easy access to the player's systems.

Physical Specifications

The Sony CDP-C500 compact disc player is approximately 17" wide, 4-3/8" high and 15-1/4" deep. It weighs approximately 10 pounds 13 ounces. The CD player outputs sound via standard audio RCA and 3.5mm head phone ports.

Performance Specifications

The audio system performs at a frequency response ranging from 2 hertz to 20 kilohertz. It performs with less than 0.05% harmonic distortion and more than 95 decibels of channel separation. During standard operation the CDP-C500 consumes 10 watts of power.

The laser which reads the compact discs can output a maximum of 44.6 micro watts at a width of 780 nanometers.

Remote Control Specifications

The Sony CDP-C500 is packaged with a remote control that measures 1-11/16" wide, 13/16" high and 6-15/16" long. It uses an infrared sensor to transmit information to the CD player. The remote weighs approximately 4 ounces, with batteries.

Tags: compact disc, compact disc player, compact discs, disc player, Sony CDP-C500, Specifications Sony, Specifications Sony CDP-C500

Make A Laptop Camera Work

An older webcam.

Many laptops come with built-in webcams. You may not even notice the camera, but it's usually a small lens on the top inside of the laptop. The camera lets you do videoconferencing with friends or colleagues. The camera will not be very high quality, but it will do the job. Many instant messaging services have built-in webcam functionality to share video with your friends.

Instructions

1. Find the program that works with the webcam. If your laptop came with a camera, it should have also come with a software program to use the camera. Look through your program list to find the camera software.

2. Start the webcam software and look for any settings to adjust. There may even be a setting to turn the camera on. Adjust any additional settings, such as picture size and microphone settings.

3. Find the application that you want use the camera with and click the camera button on the software to turn it on. This can be the software that came with the computer or instant messaging software such as Yahoo! Messenger.

Tags: came with, come with, instant messaging

Adjust Amplifiers To Get The Best Electric Guitar Tone

Getting different tones on an electric guitar amplifier can be obtained by adjusting four basic settings: the volume, the gain, the equalization (EQ), and the reverberation. Your settings will depend on the style of music being played, and the type of tone that is desired. Modern guitar amplifiers often have have two channels, one for clean tones (tones without distortion, often called the clean channel), and one for overdriven or distorted tones (often called the dirty channel). The channels can be switched between using a switch or button the control panel of the amplifier, or with a footswitch.

Instructions

Get Clean Tones

1. Use the clean channel for your clean tones on a two-channel amplifier or set the gain control to the minimum setting on a single-channel amp.

2. Adjust the volume control of the channel to the desired volume level. Then set the equalizer controls to obtain the correct character of the sound.

3. Turn the bass knob up for a sound with more low end, which will produce a "boomier" sound that can be felt as well as heard. Be careful not to set this knob too high--it can make the sound so boomy that it interferes with or drowns out other players.

4. Adjust the treble or presence knob to give the sound the desired amount of high frequencies. Lower treble settings give the sound a darker flavor, which is often used in jazz, moody rock or blues playing. Higher treble settings give the sound more "sparkle" or "bite", which allows the guitar to more easily cut through the mix of instruments.

5. Adjust the midrange frequencies last. Higher midrange settings give body to the sound. Setting the midrange to the maximum will give a "nasal" quality to the tone, which is useful in giving the guitar a distinctive sound in the mix. If the nasal sound is not for you, avoid high midrange settings--less midrange will result in less body and set the guitar back in the mix.

Get Distorted Tones

6. Use the distortion or "dirty" channel on a two-channel amplifier or, on a single-channel amp, start with a low volume setting and a high gain setting. The gain knob on either type of amp controls the amount of distortion in the sound. The amount of gain will determine the type of distortion obtained.

7. Set the gain control very high to produce a very distorted tone with lots of sustain. This is suitable for rock guitar solos and heavy rock or metal playing.

8. Use a lower gain setting for a more subtle distortion, useful for blues or rhythm playing. Lower gain settings also create a more dynamic distortion. At these levels, the harder a note or chord is played, the more distorted it will become, especially on a tube guitar amp. Notes played very gently will hardly sound distorted at all.

9. Affect the type of distortion generated with the equalization settings. Start with all of the equalizer controls at about halfway. For lead guitar solos, add more midrange and high frequencies to the sound, as this will give character and bite to the tone. For heavy metal playing, especially metal rhythm playing, add lots of bass and treble and set the midrange frequencies to almost minimum. This produces a heavy, scooped, tight sound that is great for metal.

Tags: give sound, settings give, clean channel, clean tones, dirty channel, equalizer controls

Buyer'S Guide To Cctv Security Camera Systems

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems provide private video feeds for security or monitoring of areas where theft or crime are a potential problem. There are a number of things to consider when selecting your system, like whether to use wireless or wired cameras or whether your cameras will be used in low-light conditions that may require infrared cameras. Proper selection of the monitoring system ensures that the proper areas are monitored and visible as needed, including at night.

Wired or Wireless Cameras

Many different types of CCTV cameras are available. At the highest level, cameras are available as a wired camera or camera that transmits images or data via wireless radio signals. Standard CCTV cameras transmit a video signal over a video cable or, in a few cases, via radio waves to a receiver that forwards the video signal along standard video cabling. In some cases, wireless or wired Internet Protocol cameras may be appropriate. IP cameras convert a video signal to packets that can be transmitted over standard networks. IP cameras use standard networking infrastructure instead of dedicated video cables. Some IP cameras have a built-in server and can be monitored from any computer on the network. This can be useful for installations that need the ability to monitor a security camera from multiple locations. Other IP cameras require a separate server that captures the data for monitoring. Some of those servers also offer networked remote monitoring capabilities.

Visible Light or Infrared

All CCTV cameras work well in areas with adequate light. However, at night or in the case of lighting failure, many cameras are equipped with infrared LEDs that can illuminate an area using light not visible to the human eye. The sensors in these cameras can detect reflected infrared light and create an image based on that reflected light. In effect, these cameras can see in the dark. In addition, infrared cameras also capture visible light, so they are good for daytime use. In most cases, cameras with built-in infrared illumination are more expensive than cameras without infrared.

Monitoring and Recording

The final thing to decide is whether recording facilities are necessary. In some cases, simple monitored video may be enough. However, in some installations the ability to record the video may be an advantage. Recording video allows security personnel the option of reviewing recent or past events. A number of options are available for recording, including recorders that only activate when they detect motion and recorders that only record a series of still snapshots of an area. The use of recorders or a simple monitored system will be defined by your security requirements.

Tags: CCTV cameras, video signal, cameras available, infrared cameras, recorders that, recorders that only

Softbox Lighting Techniques

A soft box provides even, diffuse illumination

For working with lighting for studio photography, a soft box is a wonderful alternative to an umbrella for diffuse lighting. When a photographer uses a soft box, many of the same lighting principles apply to illuminating the subject as when the photographer uses an umbrella as a light diffuser.

Size

Soft boxes come in a range of sizes. As a general rule, the larger the soft box, the softer the light it produces will be. However, the subject must be smaller than the soft box for the lighting to fall evenly across the subject. Large, soft boxes may be as wide as 2 meters or over 6 feet across. These produce diffuse light.

Distance

A second principle that can affect the diffuse quality of the light is how close the subject is to the soft box. The closer the soft box is to the subject, the harsher the light produced is. Because of this, small soft boxes are typically used in macro photography or for dramatic lighting while larger soft boxes are used for portraits.

Numbers

Soft boxes may be used in any combination in flash photography. The most popular way to use a soft box for portrait photography is to use one larger soft box as a "key" or primary source of light and either use a second soft box or a reflector as a "fill" or a light that fills in shadows so that they are not so harsh. For macro photography, one single soft box placed directly in line with the camera and close to the subject is the preferred way to use a soft box.

Tags: larger soft, boxes used, close subject, macro photography, photographer uses, soft boxes

Smallest Game Cameras

Game cameras are used by hunters to watch their prey and study habits for future hunting trips. Keeping a game camera hidden creates the most natural footage of animals that are not suspicious of the devices. Using the smallest game cameras allows hunters to capture high quality footage but remain camouflaged.

Size

The smallest game cameras are about the size of a wallet or small cell phone. They all feature mounting brackets that can easily wrap around or directly attach to trees. The camera lens is no bigger than a quarter, but has enough focal length to capture a wide area of land.

Quality

The highest quality with which the smallest cameras capture footage is 720 high definition (HD) video. Picture cameras capture frames from 3 megapixels to 7 megapixels, enough to easily view images on a PC or TV.

Identification

The smallest cameras feature different types of camouflage designs to blend in with nature. Tree patterns, green and black or tree bark designs are common on the cameras. Hunters can also purchase full black cameras for nighttime capture.

Features

Small game cameras feature the same things as larger models. This includes night vision, zoom, audio capture, storage disk (SD) card data capture and time-lapse photography.

Memory

The majority of small game cameras capture footage directly onto a SD card. A few of the cameras feature an universal serial bus (USB) drive capture and some have built-in memory, but that is not as common.

Tags: cameras capture, cameras feature, cameras capture footage, capture footage, game cameras

Micro Adjust Canon 50d

Micro Adjust Canon 50D

The Canon 50D digital camera has an autofocus feature that automatically sets the focus according to the subject of the photograph. The autofocus chosen by the camera is adequate for most shots. Some photographers prefer having more control over the focus when taking pictures. Canon designed the 50D with an autofocus microadjustment tool, which changes the focus point of the camera before taking a picture.

Instructions

1. Press the "Menu" button on the back of the Canon 50D to access the main menu.

2. Highlight "Custom Functions" by spinning the "Quick Control Dial" and press the "Set" button.

3. Choose "Autofocus/Drive" and then "AF Microadjustment."

4. Select "Adjust All By Same Amount" to bring up the "AF Microadjustment" window. A graph will appear on the screen.

5. Turn the "Quick Control Dial" to the right to move the focus point backwards, and to the left to move the focus point forward.

6. Review the new setting by pressing the "Info" button on the camera. Return to the graph to make further adjustments by pressing the "Info" button a second time.

7. Save the "AF Microadjustment" by pressing the "Set" button.

Tags: focus point, Adjust Canon, Control Dial, Info button, Micro Adjust, Micro Adjust Canon, move focus

Lux Level Calculation In Lighting

Illuminance is a measure of the amount of light falling on a surface.

Planning for the proper amount of lighting in a home or work environment requires a detailed analysis of how the space will be used. Also needed is a working knowledge of the vocabulary of light used by lighting architects and engineers. Illuminance, formerly known as illumination, is one of the factors to consider when designing a lighting system.

Definition

A light source emits a flow of energy measured by a unit of power called a lumen. The density of light that falls on a surface is measured in foot candles, or lux. A foot candle is one lumen of light density per square foot. A lux is one lumen of light density per square meter. The foot candle is an older British measurement that is largely being replaced by the metric-based lux. One lux equals 10.752 foot candles.

Measurements

Outdoor light levels, as measured by a light meter, can range from 107,527 lux in bright sunlight to 107 lux on a very dark day. A full moon provides .108 lux, while an overcast night might produce only .0001 lux. Recommended light levels (in lux) for indoor work spaces are 500 for personal computing work; 750 for supermarkets; 1,500 to 2,000 for detailed drawing work; and 10,000 to 20,000 for visual tasks in extremely low contrast using small-sized objects. Direct, intense lighting is required for the latter tasks.

Quality

Creating good lighting is not as simple as increasing lux levels. Other factors must also be considered. Light direction, distribution, temperature and color all affect visibility. Illuminance levels are influenced by the complexity of the tasks performed within the space, how the light is reflected, the incidence of shadows, the age and condition of the eyes of workers and whether the job requires speed and accuracy.

Productivity

If a space is underlit, any resultant energy saving may be offset by a reduction in human productivity. As eyes age, lux levels must be increased to allow the older worker to perform effectively. A classroom designed for adults may require twice the illuminance as one designed for young children. General room lighting can be effectively supplemented through the use of task lighting on office desks or directed pot lights in a kitchen workspace.

Recommendations

Since 1958, illuminance recommendations have been published in table form by the Illuminating Engineering Society. A four-step process determines proper lighting. The visual task is defined, an illuminance category is established, a range of lighting is determined and the result is weighted according to the ages of the occupants, the reflectance of the environment (i.e., lighter paint colors reflect more light) and the importance of speed and/or accuracy of the tasks performed.

Exceptions

Valuable art works and rare museum pieces may require less light to avoid damage due to fading. A dark stairwell may require more than the recommended level of lighting to ensure worker safety. Advertisers wishing to draw attention to a product increase lighting for visual effect. Whatever the application, lux level calculation is an important part of the lighting engineer's or architect's job.

Tags: density square, foot candle, foot candles, light density, light density square, light levels, lighting visual

Stiletto 100 Vs Stiletto 2

The Stiletto 100 and Stiletto 2 were two entries in the portable radio line-up from SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a New York-based satellite radio service operating in the United States and Canada. More than just radios, these products functioned as multimedia players with a host of features.

Main Features

With either the Stiletto 100 or 2, users can listen to SIRIUS Internet Radio over most home or office networks via Wi-Fi connectivity. The radios also allow users to download and organize music files, with the Stiletto 2 being compatible with MP3s and SIRIUS adding WMA compatibility to the Stiletto 100. Other major features include the ability to record up to 100 hours of SIRIUS programming, one-touch recording of up to 10 hours of individual songs, and the choice to track and list favorite sports teams.

Other Features

Each portable radio has 2GB worth of built-in memory, with the ability to expand it using microSD™ cards of up to 8GB. The Stiletto 100 accommodates the 802.11b Wi-Fi standard, while the Stiletto 2 is compatible with the 802.11g as well.

Physical Specifications

The Stiletto 100 is 116 mm wide and 53 mm high. Since it came with two lithium-ion batteries instead of one, the slimmer version of the battery reduced its thickness from 25.5 mm to 18.25 mm and its weight from 5.6 oz to 4.6 oz. Even with the slim battery, the Stiletto was smaller and weighed less. It measured 110 mm wide, 50 mm tall and 16 mm thick and weighed 4.3 oz.

Boxed Accessories

Each portable radio came with an AC power adapter, PC cable with a My SIRIUS Studio™ CD, a headset antenna and a pair of earbuds. As mentioned earlier, the Stiletto 100 included two batteries, while the Stiletto 2 had only one.

Price and Availability

SIRIUS has discontinued the Stiletto 100 and 2. As of June 2010, however, a few online outlets still sell what they have left in stock. As of June 2010, the Stiletto 100 can be purchased from Avenue Sound for $200, while Amazon.com sells the Stiletto 2 for $490. Retailers like MWave and EWorldSale were selling the Stiletto 2 within a $140 to $170 range before they ran out of stock.

Tags: portable radio, came with, compatible with, Each portable, Each portable radio, June 2010

Specs For The Sony Xavc1

The XAV-C1 is an in-dash vehicle multimedia player developed by electronics company Sony. It's designed to fit in the standard sized slot for the stereo system made available in most consumer vehicles. It operates as a full-functioning DVD player in addition to a car audio player. The specifications for the XAV-C1 will give you a sense of what it's capable of doing.

Screen

The 7-inch wide-aspect LCD screen is motorized and at the touch of a button will slide horizontally out and bend upward to become fully viewable. It features a touch-responsive control system for control of all featured functions. The pixel count is 336,960.

Radio

The FM tuning range of the XAV-C1 is 87.5 to 108 megahertz, the standard usable radio frequency range for the United States. The AM tuning range is between 531 and 1,602 kilohertz, also standard for the U.S.

Compatible Formats

The XAV-C1 plays standard music CD's, as well as the standard DVD's for film and television. It can play Video CD's, CD-R's and CD-RW's. In addition, it can display JPEG images and play MP3's and video loaded onto a DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW disc.

Audio

The XAV-C1 has the ability to separate audio into two different zones within the vehicle, with output of two separate sound sources simultaneously with an auxiliary audio setup in the back of the vehicle. It can also handle Dolby Digital and DTS sound outputs. For audio playback, an equalizer (EQ7) can be selected for seven types of music. The bass is 10 decibels at a level of 100 hertz, and the treble is at 10 dB at a level of 10 kHz.

Power

The maximum power output for the amplifier is 50 watts. The power requirements to operate the XAV-C1 is 12-volt DC, and is connected to the car battery.

General Specifications

A remote control is included that controls all functions and is run on a lithium battery. The inputs for the XAV-C1 include one for the power supply and three for outside sources, or auxiliary sources. The outputs include one on the front and one on the rear for exporting monitor signals to other sources. Outputs also include two for subwoofers, one for the power amplifier control lead and one for the power aerial relay, which includes functions such as extending the antenna when the radio is turned on.

Tags: tuning range

Instructions For The Cobra 10 Band

The Cobra 10-Band Radar/Laser Detector is a part of the Cobra Extra Sensory Detection series of devices. This radar/laser detection device is designed to help you detect the presence of radar and laser scanning device signals that may be in your driving area, such as scanning devices commonly used by law enforcement officials to capture the speed of a vehicle. The basic instructions for the Cobra 10-Band Radar/Laser detector are fairly straightforward.

Instructions

1. Plug the power cord into the "Power" port on the side of the detector device; plug the cigarette lighter adaptor on other end of the cord into the vehicle's cigarette lighter.

2. Press the "Power" button on the side of the detector device to turn it on.

3. Press and release the "City" button to have the device enter city mode. The device will beep once to indicate the mode is active. Press the "City" button again to enter highway mode. The device will beep twice to indicate the mode is active.

4. Press the "DIM" button to toggle between the two display brightness modes -- bright and dark -- to select the desired display brightness.

5. Press the "Mute" button to silence the detector's audio signals.

Tags: 10-Band Radar, 10-Band Radar Laser, active Press, cigarette lighter, City button