Consumer-Electronics Articles
Home Audio Speakers Considerations When Buying Home Theater Speakers
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 611)
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There are a number of things that you should consider before purchasing home theater speakers. Depending upon the brand you purchase and the components that make up the rest of your system, you might find that you experience unwanted distortion or that the speakers you choose simply can't handle the volumes at which you set your surround sound system. Take the time to talk to employees at the home theater equipment store and, if possible, listen to demo speakers that have been set up in-store so that you can get a feel for any distortion that might occur.
There are a lot of speaker systems out there, ranging from the PSB Image Series to the various Dali Ikon lines. To help you in making the right decision, make sure that you keep the following considerations in mind.
Distortion
One of the most common causes of audio distortion is having the volume set too high or having too much power coming through the speaker cables. Different speakers can have different amounts of distortion, so it's important that you choose a brand that will have as little distortion as possible. This is definitely one situation in which you want to talk to a professional. Provide them with as much information about your home theater system as you can, including the type of receiver and amplifier that you're using and how you plan to have the speakers mounted, so that they can better match you with something that will meet your needs.
Placement Requirements
Not all speakers are going to be mounted the same way, or even be the same size. You're going to have to consider the space that's available to you as well as the types that you want to include in your home theater system. You'll need to choose from among tower speakers, in-wall speakers, wall-mounted speakers, and even in-cabinet speakers in order to decide how you want your speakers to appear. Tower speakers will require floor space or at least something to set them on, whereas wall-mounted speakers will need to have enough support within the walls to keep them from pulling out their mountings. In-wall speakers are unobtrusive, but require alterations to the walls that can be inconvenient if you decide to remove them later, while in-cabinet speakers are built in to you entertainment center or other audio cabinet but are limited on where they can be placed. Of course, a combination of different types can be used as well to help you get the most out of your speaker arrangement.
Volume Limitations
Just as some speakers will start generating distortions at higher volumes, others can also be seriously damaged if you try to turn the volume up to a higher level than they are designed to handle. Home theater speakers that can handle higher volumes may cost a bit more, but that cost is worth it if you plan on having music, movies, or other audio playing at higher levels. If you don't want to have your audio system turned up very high, you might be better off with standard speakers.
Bass/Treble
It is important to remember that specialized speakers such as woofers and tweeters are also available and can be used to customize your audio experience to your preferences. Be sure to get assistance in designing your home theater system's speaker arrangement so that you can bring out exactly the sounds that you most want. Many audio professionals can help you to find the perfect balance that will take your surround sound audio to the next level and make sure that you're finished with the end result.
What Is Pocketdish
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 505)
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PocketDish by Dish Network is an ingenious video, music, game and photo device that's compact enough to fit into a pocket or purse. You can store TV programs, music, your favorite games and photos on PocketDish.
PocketDish was created by Dish Network, the fastest-growing U.S. satellite-television service, and the first pay-TV service provider to enter the market of portable video players. Using cutting-edge digital technology, the designers of Dish Network's PocketDish have created a miniature, multi-purpose entertainment system that's perfect for people on the go, offering super-fast downloads and crystal-clear images.
This portable media player is available in three versions: two compact, handheld media recorders, and one portable media player. The video recorder has a 7-inch liquid crystal display and a 40GB hard drive, The two media players have 2.2 and 4-inch displays and hard drives of 20 or 30GB. Each of the three PocketDish models come equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gives you four hours of video and 12 hours of audio.
All PocketDish models can be plugged into the USB 2.0 ports on Dish's Network's Dish Player 942 for fast downloading of programs. An hour of Dish Network programming can be downloaded in about five minutes. You can transfer a full-length movie with PocketDish in under 10 minutes!
Transferring Dish Network content is easy. Just connect the PocketDish to your DVR using the USB cable included with PocketDish. Once connected, a series of prompts on the screen will direct you through the transfer of content stored on your DVR. With the receiver, you can also manage the content of your PocketDish. When the transfer is concluded, simply chose "Done" and disconnect the cable from the PocketDish and the DVR. PocketDish will then update all files. The new programs can be accessed using the Video icon; they're stored in the folder called Dish Network.
PocketDish offers great options for music and TV lovers:
TV/VIDEO: With more options than a portable DVD player, PocketDish lets you transfer programs from select Dish Network DVR receivers. You can enjoy your favorite programs anytime, anywhere.
MUSIC: Download your entire digital music library. With PocketDish, you can have thousands of MP3, WMA or WAV music files at your fingertips, all attractively presented, with cover art and play lists to suit any mood.
PHOTOS: Store up to an incredible 400,000 images and view them on the PocketDish's crisp LCD screen or on a connected TV.
GAMES: Download all kinds of fun, from mind-bending brain puzzlers to your favorite role-playing and adventure games for fast, challenging entertainment.
PocketDish by Dish Network offers the best in portable audio and video. Take PocketDish with you anywhere, anytime, and you'll have easy access to your favorite TV programs, photos and games. With Dish Network's PocketDish, you can also record and play downloads from PCs and Macs, from digital cameras, digital video players, camcorders and VCRs. Plus, PocketDish is compatible with most television sets. Fun and convenient, PocketDish is ideal for the frequent traveler.
Toshiba Qosmio G15 Av501 Notebook Computer
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 130)
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Purchasing a notebook computer can be a mind boggling experience with all the different makes and models out there. Toshiba has a strong entry in their Toshiba Qosmio G15-AV501 notebook computer. Let's examine why this particular model is certain to be an effective competitor.
Unlike most laptops the Qosmio takes computing to the next level. You can watch your favorite TV programs, play DVDs, or listen to music by way of its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. Sporting a 17? screen the Qosmio offers a nifty 1440 x 900 pixels resolution perfect for TV or video watching. Other key features of the Qosmio include:
Intel Pentium M 745 Processor (Centrino), 1.8 GHz
512MB Memory
Television Tuner
Exceptionally Bright Screen
DVD
The Draw Between Hd Media
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 631)
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For those who have not yet settled on which high definition disc to invest in, this article will
help bring several issues to light. First of all, the potential video and audio quality remain
alike between both formats, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. The difference lies in the laser that reads the
disc; where the former uses the identical red laser used to read DVDs, the latter employs a blue
laser that reads only Blu-Ray. Both lasers can decode an identical amount of information, called
the bitrate. A bitrate can be labeled as the amount of "bits" decoded per second. Generally, the
higher the bitrate the higher the quality of video/audio. So a bitrate of, say, 30mbs (megabytes
per second) should be preferable to a meager 10mbs. The average hi-def picture, with its superior
clarity and contrast, can maintain a bitrate between 15mbs-35mbs; compare this with an ordinary
DVD, which averages 2mbs-7mbs.
With its ability to store and transmit at a higher bitrate, hi-def media easily trumps the quality
of DVD. This higher bitrate allows for less compression, and thus can retain most of the clarity
from the original master print of a movie; whereas a DVD will look blown-up and fuzzy. But the
differences between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray begin with how they can be played. HD-DVD players have the
advantage of backward compatibility, as it can playback DVDs. Blu-Ray players cannot, due to their
unique laser, which completely isolates it from older generation technology. But the advantages of
Blu-Ray lay in its inherent differences.
Blu-Ray players come equipped with Java software, which some believe to allow more interactivity
with the user. This gives it the ability to have fancier menus and in-depth bonus options, such as
picture-in-picture display. At the moment, bugs and slow performance have hindered some confidence
in its support of Java, where Bill Gates complained that it was not user friendly enough to be used
in PCs. Counter this with HD-DVD, which uses Microsoft's own HDi Interactive Format. It allows
anyone to author simple content, where Java requires a more intimate knowledge of scripting.
If all the information so far sounds redundant, it is. The only thing that can make or break a
hi-def entertainment center does not stem from the format at all. In fact, it all depends on what
you choose to display it on. Be weary of interlaced televisions. Rather than playing back video at
1080p (progressive), the user gets short-changed with 1080i (interlaced). Progressive scan means
that the picture gets scanned upon each frame; this results in a properly displayed picture, like a
solid photograph, with no aberrations. Interlacing occurs when no progressive scan exists in the
television, and so the picture gets displayed as a series of individual lines rather than as a
single, uniform "photograph." In short, the fine edges in a progressively scanned movie may
otherwise appear to be jagged, or even fuzzy, on an interlaced display.
The only reason to get invested in the so-called format war would be to avoid a costly personal
investment if "your" format ever loses. Blu-Ray may be considered to be the superior technology, as
its unique blue laser, while radically different and incapable of DVD playback, allows for exciting
future developments. HD-DVD, largely compatible and user-friendly, is considered by some to be a
static technology. Lately, however, Toshiba released its plan to market the format as cheaper,
practical alternative to Blu-Ray. And, in the event that you still cannot make up your mind, there
exists a combo Blu-Ray/HD-DVD/DVD computer drive that sells for less than $300.
Warm Mist Home Humidifier Review
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 468)
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A home humidifier review is the best place to look for information before purchasing an appliance for your home. You have the choice between a whole house humidifier or a portable unit for use in the bedroom. Unless you live in a very dry climate, a single room humidifier should be sufficient.
A review of humidifiers is the best source of information before you start shopping for a unit for your home. Most reviews are separated by type of humidifier. The most common are cool mist or warm mist types. There are benefits to each type. Read about both before you shop.
Once you have decided on the type you want, read reviews of specific models. Reviews have a variety of sources from professional reviews, to consumer reviews. There are even some slick advertisers that are able to disguise their advertising to look like a review.
Consumer sources are great for information about how a particular unit has worked for others. However, they generally don't give a comparison to other products. A professional review should be unbiased and often will give comparisons between different models. Read from a variety of sources to give you a good picture of a particular model.
Cool Mist Home Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier uses cold water and vibration in creating the mist. Because these machines use only cold water, they are a great choice for the nursery or a younger child's bedroom. There is no risk of scalding with hot water, like there is with warm mist humidifiers or a steam vaporizer.
Because the water is not heated, these machines have a greater risk of releasing bacteria and mold spores into the air. The stagnant water inside the machine is a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. Proper cleaning and disinfecting the machine can help prevent this problem. Empty the water after every use. Clean out the machine and use a disinfectant cleaner regularly. Make sure to dry the tank completely. Add fresh water before each use.
A warm mist humidifier uses hot water to create steam in the room. Because the water is heated, there is less risk of bacteria and mold spores in the air. Proper cleaning and maintenance of the machine will eliminate the risk altogether. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the machine regularly and changing filters as needed.
Warm mist machines are great for treating colds and congestion that are so common in the winter. Many allow you to add liquid medications to the water to help relieve symptoms. Because they use hot water, they are often not the best choice for use in a child's bedroom. There is always the risk of burns if your child pulls the unit down. This is particularly dangerous with infants or young children.
What Is A Plasma Television
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 470)
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The popularity of the plasma television has widely increased since its first release to the general public. People are now seeing the benefits of having a plasma tv in their home. Before, plasma televisions were so expensive but now, since a lot of manufacturers are making them, the competition has grown and the cost of the plasma tv eventually decreased.
Plasma televisions are often advertised in tv commercials and on the Internet. Great offers are always available. The advertisers often talk about the benefits of having a plasma television at home but what they do not usually mention is what a plasma tv really is and the technology behind it.
A plasma television contains transistor electrodes. The pixel cells of this new technology have transistor electrodes that prevent the scan lines from appearing in the tv screen. The pixels are made up of three fluorescent lights that are colored green, red and blue. Scan lines are usually noticeable on the conventional tv screens because these screens use beams of electrons.
Plasma television provides a higher resolution than any other type of tv monitors. It can display the high-definition signals of HDTelevision and DTelevision. Plasma tv's can also receive the computer signals XGA, SVGA and VGA.
The most expensive and the most powerful plasma television can display over 16 million different colors. This means that the color of the pictures seen on the television is so much closer to its color in real life. Your old tv screen is not capable of displaying these kinds of colors.
The design of the plasma television is also for a specific purpose. Plasma tv's are flat. The flat screen gives a wider viewing angle so wherever you are, you are sure to have a clearer view on the screen. You might have noticed that your ordinary tv has limited viewing angles because of its curved screen. It has a smaller viewing angle than the flat tv. The viewing angle of the plasma television is 160 degrees. Therefore, it is very suitable for group viewing.
Unlike the usual tv screens, the plasma television screens are space savers. With ordinary tv's, you need a tv table or stand to hold your tv, occupying a lot of space. Since the screen is flat, only about 4 to 6 inches thick and approximately 50 inches wide, it can be hung on the wall or even on the ceiling if you want to view in a reclining position. Very thin materials are used to produce these wide but flat monitors. Since all the pixels are lit in the process, clear colors are produced.
Everybody would surely want to have his or her very own plasma television at home. It is definitely becoming the most popular way to watch your favorite movies and tv shows.
Texas Instruments Ti 83 Plus Calculator
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 309)
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Calculators have shrunk in size and increased in price as consumers have sought out devices that do much more than simple arithmetic. Texas Instruments has their TI-83 Plus model which helps students with their Physics, Biology, Algebra, and Pre-Calculus classes. We'll examine why this model is so popular with today's classroom students.
Back in the 1970s, the slide rule gave way to calculators in many classrooms across the nation. Texas Instruments led the way as almost every student owned one of their models. Today, Texas Instruments [or, TI] continues to produce calculators and their TI-83 Plus calculator leads the way.
So, what sets this particular model apart from others? Well, it is pocket-sized, comes with 12MB of memory, does tons of math problems including statistical tests, has a complete alphabetical keyboard, and it can run programs to name a few. Still, if you are a Calculus student it doesn't do Calculus. However, you can bring the TI-83 Plus along for standardized tests and college admission exams.
The device runs with 4AAA batteries, so you need to make sure you are fully charged before you start your tests or at least carry spare batteries with you.
The TI-83 is not cheap as you will have to pay about $100. for a new one. Expect to pay a lot more if you purchase one through your university's bookstore; shop online to compare prices too.
The TI-89 may be a better option, especially if Calculus is in your future. Shop and compare and make sure that the model you want provides the calculations you need.
In all, the TI-83 carries on a long tradition of excellence for Texas Instruments. Sharp, Casio, and Canon are chief competitors to T.I., but judging by the TI-83 you will find what you need from the people of Texas Instruments.
What You Need To Know Before You Shop For A Microwave
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 720)
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The microwave oven is one of the most used appliances in most kitchens. Millions of people use them everyday to warm up leftovers, cook frozen dinners, and even make popcorn. As much as people use microwaves on a daily basis, most people only utilize a small percentage of a microwave ovens capabilities. Before you go out and purchase your next microwave oven, it is a good idea to have an understanding of everything a microwave can do for you as well as a knowledge of the types of microwaves that are available.
Most microwave ovens see the majority of their use coming from simple tasks such as reheating leftovers or thawing frozen food, but they are able to do so much more. Microwaves can also be used to cook complete meals in very little time. Because microwave ovens cook food much faster than a conventional oven or stove, more nutrients are allowed to remain in your food, making the microwave a healthy cooking option. Microwave ovens are also an economical choice because they save a lot of money in energy costs. With such quick cooking times, they will be at full power for much less time than a conventional oven or stove, using less electricity and saving you money on your utilities. They also are a wonderful alternative to cooking with your oven on a hot day. There is nothing worse than heating up the kitchen when it is already sweltering outside. Try preparing your whole meal using the microwave instead of the oven and not only will your house remain at a much more comfortable temperature, you will save money by not having to run a fan or the air conditioner to compensate for the heat the oven or stove caused.
There are several things to consider when buying a microwave oven. If you have an understanding of your cooking and reheating needs, you will be better equipped to choose exactly the right microwave oven for you. Capacity and power are the biggest differences in the microwave ovens on the market today. Before you shop around, it is best to determine what capacity and power your family needs.
If you plan to use your microwave to cook a lot of food for a large number of people you need to buy a microwave oven that is a higher powered unit. Look for a microwave with a wattage of at least 1000 watts. Compact microwave ovens run between 500-800 watts, midsize microwave ovens tend to range from 800-1000 watts, and full size microwaves are over 1000 watts. The higher the wattage, the more power the microwave has, which means faster cooking times.
The capacity of a microwave is almost as important as the wattage. You want to make sure that you get a microwave that is big enough to fit your favorite cookware. If you are planning to cook large casseroles in your microwave, you should consider buying a full size model. Compact microwave ovens have a capacity that is less than .8 cubic feet. Midsize microwave ovens have a capacity that is .8 to 1.2 cubic feet and full size microwaves are always larger than 1.2 cubic feet.
The last thing to consider when buying a microwave oven is storage. The size of the microwave will limit where you can place it, so it needs to be taken into account. If you have limited counter space, a full size microwave may be out of the question. If you are set on getting a high wattage microwave with the capacity to cook a roast, but your counter space is limited, there are a few alternatives. You can buy a microwave cart to set it on or invest in a microwave that fits over your existing range. You can also find microwaves that fit under cabinets or built in to your walls.
If you are in the market for a new microwave, carefully consider how much capacity you need, how high a wattage system you require, and how much kitchen space you can allot to your new microwave. Once you have figured out the three basics, you can easily narrow down your choices based on your list of needs. Buy the microwave that best fits all three of your criteria.
Four Easy Steps To Buy A Plasma Flat Screen Television
(category: Consumer-Electronics, Word count: 180)
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If you're looking to purchase your first plasma flat screen television, there are 4 simple steps to insure a pleasant shopping experience.
First, you must decide how much money you want to spend. Take an inventory of your financial situation, and think about what you really want. If you're on a budget and can't afford to spend $2,000, you should begin your search with the lower priced models in the 37?- 42? range. Conversely, if you can afford more than $2,000 your screen choice is unlimited.
Second, decide the screen size and manufacturer you like. Plasma monitors are measured diagonally across the screen, as are other television sets and monitors. Plasma screens start at 32? and increase in size up to 103?. The most typical sizes are: 37?, 42?, 43?, 50?, 61?, and 63?. The best selling plasma televisions are made by Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, and Samsung.
Third, you should consider buying a plasma television from an online e-tailer. Here are some reasons to buy online:
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