The History Of 35mm Still Photography Cameras

35mm film cameras revolutionized still photography.

35mm film cameras are the most popular and widely used film cameras in the world. The measurement of 35mm refers to the width of the film that the camera takes, rather than any dimension on the actual camera. Initially developed for use in moving image cameras, it was adapted for still photography at the start of the 20th century and has remained popular.

Origins

The first 35mm film stock was developed for shooting motion pictures and remains the most commonly used film stock for shooting cinematic releases. Using film given to them by George Eastman, the founder of the Kodak company, William Dickson and Thomas Edison adapted it for use in movie cameras in 1892. While other systems over subsequent decades saw the invention of other gauges of stock, the 35mm version remained the preferred choice and was adopted as a standard gauge internationally in 1909.

Development For Still Photography

Oskar Barnack was a German engineer specializing in optical devices. He was also a keen amateur photographer who, hampered by the heavy camera equipment of the day and his poor health, set about inventing a small, portable still film camera. In 1913, he became the chief of development at the German camera company Leitz and began making prototypes of the 35mm camera. Because of World War I, the company began marketing the first 35mm portable camera in 1925, calling it the Leica (a combination of "Leitz" and "Camera").

Importance

What made the invention of the 35mm camera and its attendant film stock so revolutionary was its compact size and thus its portability. Barnack's designs incorporated the ability for a small area of the light-sensitive film to be exposed in capturing the image (a "frame" on a roll of film), the negative from which a larger positive image could be produced in a darkroom. This is among the most important developments in photographic history, as cameras could be taken anywhere easily (e.g., into war zones) and were more affordable, allowing anyone to take up photography.

Spread

Leitz remained the only producer of 35mm cameras for 10 years after the launch of the Leica. This meant that their equipment was still comparatively expensive. In 1936, the first American-made 35mm camera was produced by the Argus company, enabling American consumers to afford the new technology. It was after this development that Kodak, the biggest name in camera film and equipment, began producing their own 35mm cameras, having previously concentrated on medium-sized film formats. The lower cost of producing 35mm cameras combined with Kodak's reputation and national distribution capabilities accelerated the spread of the 35mm camera. Other notable producers are Olympus, Canon and Pentax in Japan.

35mm Vs. Digital

Since the 1980s, digital cameras have become increasingly sophisticated and more widely available. They enable the photographer to transfer images onto computers and also to be able to see the result of their picture-taking immediately on an in-built screen, rather than having to wait for a 35mm film to be developed. Digital cameras have had a huge impact on modern photography. However, fears that it could spark the death of the 35mm camera appear to have been unfounded. Many professional photographers, such as Ryan McGinley and Terry Richardson, still prefer to use the 35mm. For them it remains truer to the chance element that film photography originally entailed, the unique play of light an shadow and captured by the opening of the shutter, being less open to post-development manipulation. 35mm and digital cameras offer different effects and possibilities and continue to co-exist.

Tags: 35mm camera, 35mm film, 35mm cameras, film cameras, film stock

Print Panorama Photos

Panoramic prints can have stunning visual results.

You might think that printing a panorama would be more effort than it is worth. Piecing together dozens of separate prints precisely can be tiresome. However, by using a paper roll you can produce stunning panoramic prints with minimum effort. Follow a few simple steps to adjust your panorama to your desired size, edit the print options for the best result, and print your panorama with ease.

Instructions

1. Invest in a roll of good-quality photo paper. Good-quality rolls of photo paper can be found online from sites like Amazon and Photo Paper Direct. Before buying your roll, check the specifications of your printer to ensure that the roll you buy is compatible with the printer you will be using.

2. Connect the roll holders to each side of your roll, before carefully attaching the holder onto the rear of your printer. Gently push the paper through the back of the printer until the paper catches onto the printer's roller. The printer should then automatically move itself into the correct position to print.

3. Prepare your panorama to be printed. Open up your panorama in an image editing program like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or an alternative program of your choice. Navigate to the window that will let you adjust the size of your image. Change the width to the size you want, bearing in mind that a 100-centimeter width will result in a 1-meter-long panorama. Once you have edited the width, the program should calculate the appropriate adjustments for the height automatically. Take care to prevent the height exceeding 21 centimeters---the largest size the majority of desktop printers can process. Use the "Rotate" button to rotate your image into a portrait position.

4. Set the correct print settings. Open the print properties window, then, under paper options, edit the source from sheet to roll and choose "Cut Sheet" mode. Set the type of paper you are using from the options in the drop-down menu. Finally, change the size options to user-defined, before naming your new size and inputting the correct dimensions. Save the settings as a preset for printing future panoramas.

5. Check your ink levels and set the print option to portrait mode. Print your image. Take care not to pull the paper as it is being printed, as this may damage your panorama. Be patient; the printing process can be lengthy, depending on the size of your panorama.

Tags: your panorama, your image, photo paper, size your, Take care, your printer

Recover A Corrupt Xd Flash Camera Memory

One of the many advantages of digital photography is the ease with which you can store images on your camera's memory or an external memory card such an xD card. If your memory card breaks, is lost, or becomes corrupted, however, recovering the images requires some specialized software and a way to read the card--either a direct card reader or a camera that can be connected to the computer.

Instructions

1. Turn off your camera and remove the memory card until you have time to begin the card recovery. This will prevent you from accidentally writing over or using the corrupted card further.

2. Download and install an xD card recovery program. There are many card recovery programs available; they will differ in price and levels of effectiveness. You may need to download several programs before one will work to get the images off of your card. Start the program.

3. Place the memory card in your camera or card reader and connect the device to your computer. Turn on the card reader and camera so that the device is now recognized.

4. Use the software to select your card or device. You may be asked to select a target folder to store any recovered data. Once you have completed the software's requirements, run the software to begin image recovery.

5. Format your memory card once the images have been recovered. This can be done by placing the card in your camera and using the "Format" option, which will vary based on your make and model of camera. This may return the card to a usable state, although you may wish to back up images on the card often for security.

Tags: memory card, your camera, card reader, card recovery, card your

How Do Laser Range Finders Work

Laser rangefinders are common for several uses.

Laser rangefinders are used for finding distances between two points. The accuracy and distance parameters vary depending on the product and price. Laser rangefinders are not as precise as more complicated methods of measurement, but they are useful in situations where a small amount of error is acceptable.

Lasers

Light travels at a constant speed, which makes it useful as a method of measurement. Lasers generate a powerful, highly coherent beam of light. Laser rangefinders take advantage of the physical properties of this light in order to generate their measurements. Laser rangefinder manufacturers make their tools to various degrees of accuracy for different purposes.

Time-of-Flight

This method of laser measurement uses the light beam's time-of-flight to calculate the distance. A laser sends out a light pulse and measures the amount of time it takes for the pulse to bounce back. The time-of-flight method is best used for large distances and has an accuracy of a few centimeters.

Phase Shift

The phase shift laser is good for longer distances, but not as accurate. It uses an intensity-modulated beam to determine distance. When the beam returns from the target, a comparison between the modulations of the sent light and the reflected light is used to determine the distance. It is sometimes mistaken for the time-of-flight method because the phase shift is mathematically related to the time of flight and the light beam's frequency.

Tags: Laser rangefinders, determine distance, light beam, phase shift, time-of-flight method

Make An Easy Charger For A Cell Phone Battery

Cell phone batteries tend to die at the worst possible times. If your cell phone battery has ever run out of juice while on the road, you know how frustrating it can be when you do not have the charger with you (or you do have it and there is no electrical outlet around). If you want to avoid this scenario in the future, and do not mind spending a few dollars on some parts, you can create your own mobile charger to carry with you and use in an emergency.

Instructions

1. Purchase a battery tray designed to hold four AA batteries. Buy one from a local electronics store or order one online. Try to get one that has alligator clips attached to the lead because this will make connecting it to the cell battery much easier. If you cannot find one with the alligator clips, you will need to purchase the clips separately and then connect them to the leads from the battery tray.

2. Insert the correct number of AA batteries in the tray based on the output voltage of the cell phone battery. Most cell phone batteries produce either 3.7 volts or 5 volts. If your cell phone battery is the 3.7-volt variety, insert three batteries in the tray. If the battery produces 5 volts, fill all four slots in the tray. Both configurations result in output voltages that are slightly higher than the required voltage (4.5 volts with three installed batteries and 6 volts when using four AAs). Nevertheless, it is better to have a little too much current when charging the battery than to not have enough.

3. Use the metal paper clip to close the circuit in the battery tray if using only three AA batteries. To do this, wrap one end of the paper clip in the coil inside the empty battery slot. When you are ready to power up the portable charger, simply touch the other end of the paper clip to the positive terminal on the opposite side of the battery tray. If using four batteries in the tray, remove one of the AA batteries to power off the charger.

4. Remove the battery from the cell phone when you are ready to use the charger. Connect the red alligator clip to the "Positive (+)" contact on the cell phone battery. Ensure the clip touches only the "(+)" contact.

5. Connect the black clip to the "Negative (-)" contact on the battery.

6. Power on the charger by wedging the free end of the metal paper clip against the positive terminal in the empty battery slot. Insert the missing AA battery if using four batteries to charge the phone.

7. Allow the cell phone battery to charge for about 15 or 20 minutes. Reinsert the battery into the cell phone. Use the phone until you can connect it to your regular charger.

Tags: cell phone, battery tray, paper clip, batteries tray, cell phone, cell phone battery, four batteries

Use A Db4

The DB4 is a video camera display switcher manufactured by Advanced Technology Video, Inc. Up to four video cameras can be connected to the DB4, which outputs the camera's information on a monitor. When running, the DB4 automatically switches between cameras in sequential order. Users can set the amount of time before the video is switched or use the manual mode to switch between cameras. The DB4 connects to the video cameras using BNC connectors.

Instructions

1. Connect the power cord to the DB4 and plug it into a working power outlet.

2. Plug the connecting wires from the video cameras into the rear of the DB4. If you have a preference as to the order of the cameras, place them in the corresponding ports. For example, the first camera you want to see should be placed in the first port, the second camera you want to see should be placed in the second port, and so on.

3. Connect the DB4 to the monitor using the "Video Output" port on the DB4 and the "Video Input" port on the monitor.

4. Press "Auto" to start switching between the cameras plugged into the unit. The cameras will switch at a timed interval.

5. Push the up or down arrow buttons on the DB4 to change the amount of time between switching. The time can be set between 1 and 99 seconds.

6. Press "Select Camera" to chose the camera you want to view on the monitor. When "Select Camera" is pressed, the DB4 will not switch between cameras.

Tags: between cameras, camera want, video cameras, amount time, camera want should, monitor When

What Is An Ieee 1394 Cable

The growth of computers and the devices that interface with them often requires communications between the two types of devices. To transfer information, a computer may need to receive and send data through a hardware port connected by cable to a similar port on the external device. One such connection is called IEEE 1394.

Description

An IEEE 1394, or FireWire, cable is one that uses the high-speed, serial bus standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The cable allows the transfer of data, such as images, audio and video, among computers, peripherals such as portable drives and consumer electronics products such as camcorders, cameras and digital TVs.

Testing

The manufacturer must test the cable against requirements established by IEEE, which defines the types of boards used in testing, the number of samples, atmospheric conditions and measurements.

Certification

Written cable specifications then go to the 1394 Trade Association certifying that the cable meets all specifications. The association describes the cable as being certified on its website, and the manufacturer can use the 1394 Compliance Logo with the product.

Tags: IEEE 1394

Get Mp4 Files Into An Iphone 3g

iPhones can read and play a wide range of multimedia file types due to the large number of content options available through iTunes. MPEG-4 multimedia files often contain both audio and video content that can be viewed and stored on an iPhone. The iTunes store uses this container format for music, audiobooks, podcasts and some videos allowing you to download an .MP4 file directly into your phone's content library. To obtain video .MP4 files on your iPhone 3G, you can email the files to the email address configured on your iPhone or have another smart phone user MMS (multimedia messaging service) message you the .MP4 file.

Instructions

Audio .MP4 Files

1. Tap the iTunes icon on your iPhone 3G home screen.

2. Search the iTunes library by tapping the "Search" icon at the bottom of the navigation menu. Type in the .MP4 content you want to download. A list of search results will appear separated by content type.

3. Tap the name of the audio file you want to download. Click "Download" or "Buy" next to the item. The download will begin and can be viewed by clicking the "More" menu in the bottom right corner.

4. Tap the iPod icon on your desktop once the download is complete. All .MP4 audio files downloaded to your phone will be saved in your iTunes music library, which is accessed through the iPod icon.

.MP4 File Sharing

5. Open your email account on your computer. Attach the .MP4 video file to the email by clicking "Attach" and locating the file on your computer. Enter your own email address in the recipients field. Click "Send" once the attachment is finished loading.

6. Open the email from your iPhone. Click the attachment at the bottom of your email window. The attachment will open in a new window.

7. Click the "Play" button to start the .MP4 video file.

.MP4 Video Download

8. Tap the "iTunes" app on your iPhone desktop. You can also access iTunes from your computer and sync your downloads to your iPhone via USB.

9. Search for the .MP4 video you want to download by tapping the "Search" icon at the bottom of the screen.

10. Type in the name of the video and click "Go." A list of video search results will appear. Tap the video you want to download.

11. Tap the button to the right of the title containing the price of the video or the word "Free." You will be prompted for your iTunes password. Enter your password and click "Ok." Your download will begin immediately and save to your music/video library. Sync your iPhone to your computer using your USB cable.

Tags: your iPhone, want download, your computer, your email, download will, download will begin, email address

Use A Sony Camcorder As A Webcam Through A Usb Connection

Your Sony camcorder's ability to moonlight as a webcam not only allows you to stay in contact with friends and family, it also saves you money on purchasing a standalone webcam. With the help of Sony's Streaming USB driver, your computer will recognize your Sony camcorder as a webcam--and it'll function as one too.

Instructions

1. Open your Sony camcorder's tape door, allow the tape mechanism to eject and remove the tape if one is inserted. Close the tape mechanism, allow it to retract and then close the tape door.

2. Switch the camcorder's Camera/Playback switch to the "Camera" position. Press your camcorder's "Menu" button. Open the "USB Streaming" menu (Settings > Camera > USB Streaming), and turn USB Streaming on.

3. Launch your computer's web browser and navigate to the Sony's Support page (see Resources). Download a copy of Sony's Streaming USB driver to your computer.

4. Install the Streaming USB driver and then allow your computer to restart--reboot the computer manually if the software does not reboot it.

5. Plug the "Mini USB" end of your Sony camcorder's USB cable into the USB port on the camcorder; then plug the larger :"A" end of the cable into a free USB port on your computer.

6. Give your computer a minute to recognize the camcorder and install any additional drivers or updates--then launch your webcam software.

Tags: your computer, Sony camcorder, Streaming driver, your Sony, cable into

Connect A Firewire To My Computer

Connect a Firewire to My Computer

Firewire is a standardized interface that connects peripherals to computers. While Apple was the force behind the creation of Firewire technology, it soon found its way to Windows computers, usually via a third-party adapter. The most common items that use Firewire are external hard drives, scanners, early iPod adapters and digital camcorders. Though it initially outperformed USB in terms of speed, it has started to fall out of favor, as indicated by the omission of a Firewire port on some recent Macintosh laptop computers.

Instructions

1. Learn to recognize the different types of Firewire ports. The most common is Firewire 400, also known as 6-pin, which has a test-tube-shaped port. Firewire 800 (9-pin) uses a rectanglar port with a notch on one side.

2. Decide if it makes sense to attach a Firewire device to your computer, particularly if you're working with an older model. For example, early G3 iMac models don't have a built-in Firewire port, so ask whether spending time and money implementing a third-party workaround solution on yesterday's technology is a good idea.

3. Locate any Firewire jacks on your computer. The icon indicating Firewire is Y-shaped, and Firewire ports are usually located close to any USB ports on the back of the computer. If there isn't a Firewire port, you can often add one via a third-party card. If you go this route, check the specs of the card to confirm that your PC meets all the requirements, such as RAM, operating system and processor speed.

4. Shop around for the adapter that fits your computer. PC laptop users can buy a PCMCIA Firewire adapter, but an open PCMCIA port is required. Both Mac and Windows desktops can use a PCI card to add Firewire capability. For laptops without Firewire ports (MacBook Air, for example), USB-to-Firewire converters are available, but Apple offers no guarantee that these aftermarket add-ons will perform seamlessly.

5. Confirm you have the correct cable for your computer and device. Firewire cables are available in every permutation--Firewire 400 port to Firewire 400 peripheral, Firewire 400 peripheral to Firewire 800 port and Firewire 800 port to Firewire 800 peripheral, all in a wide variety of lengths. You can also buy an adapter that converts Firewire 400 to Firewire 800.

6. Install the external adapter in your computer. Desktop users will have to open the case of the computer to install a PCI card. This involves powering down the computer, unplugging all cables and removing the metal cover that closes the PCI port. Make sure the card is properly seated in the slot and secure using the same screw removed from the PCI cover. If you're using a laptop, power it down before installing the PCMCIA card, and confirm it's properly seated before rebooting.

7. Install any software included with the card, or visit the manufacturer's site to download the most up-to-date drivers.

Tags: Firewire port, your computer, port Firewire, Firewire peripheral, Firewire ports, adapter that

Use A Circular Polarizer

A circular polarizer reduces unwanted glare.

A circular polarizing filter works by changing the beams of polarized light that enter your camera’s lens when you’re taking a photograph. Polarized light enters the lens directly in certain situations, creating glare or reducing the natural color in a picture. When a circular polarizer is on your lens, you can rotate it back and forth to block the direct beams of polarized light, giving you a better photograph in outdoor lighting shots.

Instructions

1. Choose a circular polarizer by looking at the size of your lens. Lenses run in common sizes, such as 55mm or 52mm, and this number will be on your lens. You will need to obtain the same size when buying the filter.

2. Attach the circular polarizing filter to your lens and head outside on a sunny day. The best way to learn use the filter is to experiment with it. Reflections on water and clouds against a blue sky make two good learning situations.

3. Point your camera towards a reflection in the water and look through the viewfinder. With the hand that you do not use to depress the shutter, slowly turn your circular polarizer 90 degrees. Notice if portions of the shot darken slightly. If there is a lot of bright sun, it may be difficult to witness the change in the viewfinder, so take one shot each of each position to study later when you are indoors.

4. Change your position in relation to the reflection. This is often the most confusing aspect for a new user of a circular polarizer. When you understand that the polarized beams of light are reflecting in a specific direction, due to the angle of the sun, you will begin to see that knowing where to stand to get the shot is the key.

5. Try an easy trick when learning where to stand in relation to the sun’s rays. Hold your hand as if you’re making a pretend gun, with your index finger pointed at the reflection and your thumb held upward at a 45-degree angle from your finger.Walk around until you can rotate your hand, while keeping the same finger alignment, so your thumb points at the sun while your index finger is still pointing at the reflection. From this position, rotate your hand from one side to the other, still pointing at the reflection. The place your thumb points to on either side is optimal for standing when photographing the reflection.

6. Take more practice shots of the reflection from the designated spots and view them indoors to see the difference. Use that technique anytime the sun is shining and you want to reduce reflections with your circular polarizer.

Tags: circular polarizer, your lens, your hand, your thumb, your thumb points

Nikon Mll3 Instructions

The Nikon ML-L3 is an easy to use infrared remote, similar to the one pictured here.

The Nikon ML-L3 is an infrared remote control designed to work with Nikon digital single lens reflex cameras and some of Nikon's Coolpix compact digital cameras. Before electronics and this technology became commonplace, if you wanted to remotely activate a camera shutter release, you needed to attach a shutter release cable that screwed into the top of the shutter release button.

Instructions

1. Mount your camera to a tripod and position it toward the scene you will be photographing.

2. Turn the camera on and press the "Menu" button. Rotate the main selector dial until "Delayed Remote" or "Quick Response Remote" is visible in the LCD (liquid crystal display) screen.

3. Press the "Set" button located in the middle of the four-way controller on the back of the camera to select the shooting mode for the ML-L3 remote.

4. Look through the camera viewfinder to compose the picture you will be shooting.

5. Hold the ML-L3 remote control in your hand, aim it at the camera and press the button to take the picture.

Tags: shutter release, camera press, infrared remote, ML-L3 remote, Nikon ML-L3, remote control

Tune A Satellite Dish

Your new dish is installed, and now you just need to get that antenna tuned for perfect reception and the maximum number of channels!

Instructions

1. Ensure that your satellite antenna meets three conditions: The line-of-sight view to the particular satellite is free of obstacles and obstructions that will block the incoming signal to the antenna; the mast supporting the antenna is rigidly mounted and level; and the reflector part of the satellite antenna (the dish) is not warped.

2. Adjust the antenna reflector azimuth angle to the position given by the manufacturer for that particular satellite. This adjustment is the east-west movement of the reflector on the mount and is given in azimuth degrees.

3. Adjust the elevation-look angle to the position given by the manufacturer of the satellite of interest. This adjustment is from the horizon to the sky and is given as elevation in degrees from that point. These two degrees form the orbit degree slot or window of the satellite to be received by your antenna.

4. Ensure that the antenna signal line is connected to the receiver and the receiver is turned on and positioned on a beacon channel (a beacon channel is a channel being transmitted from the satellite to allow you to peak your antenna to it).

5. Begin tuning by slowly moving the reflector first to the east in one-degree increments for a total of three degrees, then in the opposite direction (west) while monitoring the receiver's signal meter.

6. Peak the signal to the highest scale at this point. Peaking the signal using a signal meter is most recommended due to the meter's signal sensitivity.

7. Snug the antenna azimuth adjustment slightly on the mount once the signal level is maximized.

8. Perform the same procedure as in steps 4 through 6, using the elevation adjustment first up and then down for peaking. Snug the antenna elevation at this point.

9. Ground the antenna and the signal line entrance into the residence to electrical code standards.

Tags: angle position, angle position given, antenna signal, antenna signal line, beacon channel, Ensure that

Scan Images From Magazines Or Books

There are a number of legitimate reasons to scan images from books or magazines. Halftone images are reproduced in printed materials using screens or screening algorithms that allow us to see shades of gray or color. In color printing there are yellow, magenta, cyan and black dots that are printed on top of each other to "fool" the eye into seeing color or gray. A printing press is really a binary process. Either there is ink toner or there isn't. We don't use "fire engine" red ink or toner. We print the right density of yellow, magenta, cyan and black ink or toner on top of each other to create "fire engine red." If you scan an image from a book, magazine or newspaper you will scan in these dots which will cause a moire pattern in your image. This article will point out ways to avoid this pattern or correct it after the fact.

Instructions

1. You will achieve the best result by correcting for moire during the scanning of an image. The scanner is kind of a high resolution camera and although we can not usually see printing dots, the scanner will capture them very faithfully unless you program it otherwise. Most modern scanners have built-in software that allows them to eliminate or reduce the mount of moire. You may want to reduce rather then eliminate the moire if the pattern will interfere with the subject of the image.

Pictured is software that comes with the Dell All-In-One Printer; many other scanners have similar software. Just select the image source and scan. This is the preferred way to handle moire.

2. This is an image from another eHow article on force bulbs by only1special1. Notice the pattern in the image. You can modify this image by using image editing software, however, it will not yield as good a result as dealing with the issue while scanning and may cause mottled colors and a loss of sharpness.

3. Open your image in an image editing program like GIMP. Under the filter menu, choose the DESPECKLE option. Use the adjustment sliders for black level, white level and radius until you have the best combination in the preview window. You cannot increase black level too much or the image will become too dark. The option works by adjusting the radius of the "speck" and the relative light and dark areas. Notice in the preview window we have reduced the pattern, but the image is a little softer in sharpness.

4. Notice the image on the left no longer has the moire pattern. We have sacrificed a little sharpness and increased the mottle of the colors slightly. This can be further adjusted using the other tools of your image editing program.

Tags: image editing, moire pattern, your image, black level, cyan black, each other, editing program

Use Speaker Adapters

Speaker adapters allow your aftermarket speakers to fit into the same mounting area as your original speakers without having to drill holes or cut the door. Oftentimes aftermarket speakers are either too large or too small to be properly secured in the same way the original speakers were mounted into your vehicle. A speaker adapter screws into place in your car's original speaker mount, and the speaker screws into the speaker adapter, creating an easy custom fit.

Instructions

1. Purchase aftermarket speakers and an adapter kit that fits your vehicle.

2. Disconnect the negative terminal from the car battery and remove the original factory speaker from your car door by removing the grill, unscrewing the speaker with a Phillips head screwdriver and unplugging the speaker wire. Refer to the Resources section for general help in removing speakers.

3. Use the factory speaker screws to connect the speaker adapter to the door in the same place the factory speaker was installed.

4. Connect the speaker wire to the terminals on the aftermarket speaker.

5. Screw the speaker into the adapter using the screws that came with the adapter and the appropriate screwdriver.

Tags: aftermarket speakers, factory speaker, speaker adapter, original speakers, screws into, speaker screws

Use A Vivitar 283 On A Digital Camera

Upgrade the flash on your camera to a Vivitar 283.

A Vivitar 283 is an attachable flash you can use on any camera--digital and film based--that has a flash port on the top of the camera. Smaller digital cameras are not going to have this particular port, however larger digital SLR cameras offer the flash support, so you shouldn't have any issues connecting. Once installed you can begin using your larger, more powerful flash while taking pictures.

Instructions

1. Replace the batteries on your digital camera. The new flash is going to zap the energy fast, so you need new, fresh batteries.

2. Slide the Vivitar 283 onto the metal clamp on the top of the digital camera. The metal clamp tubs against the metal connector of the flash, allowing the signal for the flash to run from the camera.

3. Set your camera to use flash. A button on the camera sets the flash from "Off," to "Auto" or "On." The "Auto" function reads the surrounding light to see if you need a flash or not.

4. Take a picture. If you need the extra light or if on "On" the flash fires right before taking the picture. Adjust the hight of the flash if you want the flash above people instead of directly in their faces. You can simply pull up on the flash to point it in a different direction.

Tags: camera flash, digital camera, digital cameras, flash from, metal clamp

Pay For Texting With Prepaid Phones

If you're using a prepaid cellphone and you want to send text messages using your phone there are several different methods you can employ. For instance, you can find a pre-paid plan with a monthly charge option or you may choose to pay per text via upfront charges. There are several methods that can you use by choosing the right pre-paid carrier plan.

Instructions

1. Find a pre-paid plan that offers "text messaging" packages. For instance, you can pay $4.99 for 200 text messages with an AT&T GoPhone plan or $19.99 for unlimited text messages (as of 2009). Check with your pre-paid carrier to see if it offers its own pre-paid packages.

2. Pay per text message. The GoPhone plans offer a $0.20 per text message option. These plans work in two ways. If you pay per minute for example, $10 is worth 100 minutes or $.10 per minutes. If you use five text messages you will have 90 minutes of talk time remaining since $1 was used for text messaging.

3. Blend a combination of text packages with pay-per-text options. For instance, you could use 200 messages for $4.99 and then pay $0.20 per text message if you have to send an emergency text. Most programs allow you to check text messaging totals directly from your devices or online.

4. Use an instant messaging (IM) program to send text messages for free. If you have a WiFi enabled device there are many IM programs which can be found at Hangango and Mobihand, several popular mobile phone software sites. Connect to WiFi and use the program to send messages for free outside of SMS fees. (See links to mobile app sites in Resources below.)

Tags: text messages, text message, text messaging, messages free, pre-paid carrier

Set Up Slingbox Remotely

The Slingbox is a home theater device that allows you to watch all of the television content from your cable or satellite provider over the Internet. In order to stream your television content over the Slingbox remotely, you must first install the SlingPlayer software. Setting up your Slingbox is simple and soon you will be able to watch television just about anywhere provided that you have an Internet connection.

Instructions

1. Insert the SlingPlayer installation CD that came bundled with your Slingbox into your computer's optical drive. Click on the "Download & Install" tab at the top right portion of the screen to download the latest version of the SlingPlayer software and begin the installation process.

2. Click on the name of the country where the Slingbox will primarily be used underneath the "Where is your Slingbox located?" header. Click on the "Next" tab at the bottom of the screen.

3. Choose the "Coax" option under the "Connection to your Slingbox" header if your Slingbox is plugged directly into the coaxial cable wire. Choose "S-Video" if your Slingbox is connected to your set-top box using a single circular S-Video cable. Choose "Component" if your Slingbox is connected to your set-top box using component video cables, which are colored red, blue and green. Choose "Composite" if the connection is made using composite video cables, which are colored red, white and yellow. Check the rear of your Slingbox to confirm that you made the proper selection and press "Next."

4. Press the "Power" tab next to the "Test Button" option to ensure that your Slingbox has the ability to control your set-top box and change channels while streaming over the Internet. Press "Finish" to complete the installation process and enjoy using your Slingbox remotely.

Tags: your Slingbox, your set-top, cables which, cables which colored, connected your, connected your set-top, installation process

Troubleshoot A Compaq Microprojector

Hewlett Packard manufactures a line of microprojectors under the Compaq brand name. The Compaq microprojectors have a worldwide limited warranty through HP. If the microprojector fails to perform as intended, troubleshoot it before contacting HP for warranty service. If the projector is no longer covered under warranty, resolve common issues through troubleshooting to avoid the cost of unnecessary service.

Instructions

No Image on Projection Screen

1. Inspect the pins on the end of the power cable. If pins are damaged, replace the power cord. Plug the cable firmly into the projector and into a working electrical outlet.

2. Press the "Power/Standby" button to turn the projector on. Remove the lens cap.

3. Disable the screen saver on the desktop or notebook computer if the projector is connected to a computer.

Image Cut Off or Scrolling

4. Press the "Resync" button on the projector to resync the connection from the projector to the computer.

5. Turn off the projector and the computer. Turn on the projector, and then turn on the desktop or notebook computer.

6. Right click on the Windows desktop and click "Personalize," "Display Settings," or click "Screen Resolution." Drag the resolution slider to 1024-by-768 and click "Ok."

Out of Focus

7. Turn the focus ring on the projection lens clockwise or counter-clockwise until the image is focused.

8. Move the projector so that it's a distance of at least 6.6 feet and no more than 32.8 feet from the projector screen.

9. Spray camera lens cleaner on a clean cloth. Wipe the projector lens in a circular motion in a single direction. If the cloth smears the lens, the cloth is dirty. Use a clean cloth to clean the lens.

Lamp Turns Off

10. Examine the "Standby" light. If the light is flashing green, this means the projector overheated and is shutting down. Wait 10 minutes to press the "Power/Standby" button when the green light stops flashing.

11. Wait a few minutes and turn the lamp back on. A power surge may have caused the lamp to shut off.

12. Turn off the projector if "Lamp May Fail Soon. Replacement Suggested" appears on the projection screen. Allow the projector to cool for 30 minutes. Unplug the projector and turn it upside down. Remove the screw on the lamp cover with a flat head screwdriver or coin. Lift the cover and remove it. Remove the screws securing the lamp module. Pull up the lever and remove the module. Insert a new lamp module. Screw the lamp module in place and push the lever down. Replace the lamp cover and tighten the screw to secure it.

Tags: lamp module, Turn projector, clean cloth, computer Turn, computer Turn projector, desktop notebook

Use Rice To Dry And Fix Your Wet Cell Phone

Believe it or not, rice can save your wet cell phone.

Dropping your cell phone in water is not necessarily a death sentence if you move fast enough. Obviously, speed is the name of the game in getting your wet cell phone dry to prevent the water from damaging its internal components. Work super fast to prevent your cell phone from succumbing to a water-induced demise.

Instructions

1. Get your cell phone out of the water and rinse it off with fresh water if you dropped it into salt water.

2. Avoid the temptation to turn on your cell phone to see if it is still working and remove the battery immediately. Dry the battery off with a soft, absorbent cloth and set it aside.

3. Remove the SIM card if easily accessible. Dry it with a soft towel by patting it gently. Set it aside. SIM cards are relatively resistant to water, but if you can remove it, do so to avoid losing your SIM card and the information stored on it, such as your contacts.

4. Get the excess water off your wet cell phone. Gently shake and blow the water off; an can of compressed air is perfect for this trick. Use a soft non-fibrous cloth or paper towels to pat your partially disassembled cell phone dry.

5. Fill a bowl full of rice. Place your cell phone, battery and SIM card into the rice and bury them completely. Allow the rice to absorb the moisture out of your cell phone and its parts all night. If your cell phone is really drenched, leave it in the rice for at least 24 hours.

6. Remove the cell phone, battery and SIM card from the rice. Blow off the rice dust with your can of compressed air, or blow on it yourself being careful not to spit.

7. Reassemble your cell phone and turn it on to see if it is still working.

Tags: cell phone, your cell phone, your cell, battery card, cell phone, cell phone battery

The Iphone Apps That Scan Books

Page-scanning applications allow you to scan books.

Page-scanning applications allow you to use the iPhone's built-in camera to convert physical documents into digital files. A number of page-scanning apps are available on Apple's iTunes Store. JotNot Scanner Pro, Page Scanner, Genius Scan and Scanner Pro are among the highest rated and most downloaded. All four apps are compatible with iPhones, iPads and iPods.

JotNot Scanner Pro

JotNot Scanner Pro is a multi-page document scanner. Its features include onboard file size and resolution adjustment, document search, document tagging, a PDF preview tool, built-in camera stabilization, automated backup scanning and email integration. In addition to scanning books, JotNot has built-in functionality allowing it to scan receipts, business cards, billboards, posters, whiteboards and art. The application has support for English, French, German, Chinese, Spanish Korean, Italian and Japanese languages. It sells for around $1, as of the date of publication. JotNot Scanner Pro requires iOS 3.1.2 or later.

Page Scanner

Page Scanner is designed specifically for scanning books. Its tools include a continuous scan function with customizable timer, batch page editing, folder merging, PDF creation and OCR-to-plain-text conversion. Individually scanned pages can be rotated, flattened and cropped with a few taps of the screen. Page Scanner has support for both English and Chinese languages. As of publication, Page Scanner sells for around $6 and requires iOS 3.1.3 or later.

Genius Scan

Genius Scan allows you to quickly scan documents and convert them to PDF or JPEG files. The application's features include perspective correction, smart page detection, image post-processing and simple document merging. It also lets you output your documents to iBooks and other PDF-compatible applications, and share them over Wi-Fi on Twitter, Dropbox and Google Docs. As of publication, Genius Scan sells for around $3 and requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Scanner Pro

Scanner Pro is another multi-page scanning tool that allows you to use your iPhone, iPad or iPod like a portable scanner. Scanner Pro's features include automatic edge detection, onboard image processing, custom page sizes, PDF creation and password-enabled document protection. You can also move, delete and reorient individual pages within a document, combine pages from different documents, send your scans over email and share them on places like Dropbox and MobileME. Scanner Pro sells for around $7 and requires iOS 3.0 or later, as of publication.

Tags: Page Scanner, Genius Scan, JotNot Scanner, requires later, sells around

Use The Sp And Lp Recording Modes On Your Camcorder

With the increasing popularity of digital systems, people are forgetting some of the basic terms of analog recording. Several years ago anybody that recorded television on their VCRs knew what SP and LP meant (along with their lesser used cousins SLP and EP) but now those terms don't come up as often. In short, they tell the recorder how much tape to use when recording, SP uses more tape and LP uses less. Read on to learn use the SP and LP recording modes on your camcorder.

Instructions

Setting Up Your Recorder

1. Open up your camera menu and find your recording options.

2. Look over your options. While SP (Standard Play) or LP (Long Play) are the most common modes, some recorders have SLP (Super Long Play) or EP (Extended Play). Each of them uses a different tape speed when recording; the faster the speed, the less you can fit on a tape. From fastest to slowest the speeds are SP, LP and EP/SLP.

3. Select your camera speed and you are ready to record.

Choosing a Mode

4. Recording high activity scenes, like a sports event, require a high speed to avoid blur. In these cases, you need to use a fast speed.

5. Use a slow speed to record slower or less active events such as a classroom lecture.

6. Decide the level of picture quality you want. Fast speed gives the truest images, while slower speeds are often a little fuzzy. The trade-off is that the faster speeds go through tape much quicker.

Tags: Long Play, when recording, your camera

Clean Cd Player Lasers

If your CD player skips or sounds less than perfect, the laser may need to be cleaned. These steps show you clean CD player lasers.

Instructions

Clean CD Player Lasers in 5 Steps

1. Open the CD tray and turn the power off.

2. Remove the cover of the CD player. Usually, there are just a couple of screws you'll need to remove to take off the cover. Once it's off, you have easy access to the laser. If you have a top-loading CD player you probably don't even need to unscrew or remove anything, since most don't have covers over the laser.

3. The laser moves from the edge of the CD to the center on tracks when it's playing. Greasing the tracks ensures smooth movement. Take a cotton swab and spray it with WD-40. Dab at the swab with a paper towel so it's not dripping, then carefully grease the laser's tracks. You must move the laser to clean the part of the track it's sitting on. To do this, turn the largest of the cogwheels very gently.

4. Saturate another cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Again, dab at the swab with a paper towel until it is damp, not wet. Gently rub the laser lens with the swab to clean it. Repeat with a second swab, then wait a few minutes for the lens to dry.

5. Reassemble the CD player cover, turn it on and you're ready to play a CD.

Tags: swab with, Clean Player, Clean Player Lasers, cotton swab, paper towel, Player Lasers, swab with paper

What To Do With An Analog Tv Antenna

In early 2009, the nation made the big switch from analog to digital transmissions in order to free up airwaves for emergency communications, such as police and fire. This switch also allowed broadcasters to offer more programming with better picture and sound quality, as well as improved wireless services. While some consumers ditched their analog television for more modern television sets, others used digital converters. So the question for those who still have those analog television antennas is what to do with it. There are a couple of options.

Putting Analog TV Antenna to Good Use

If you still have your analog television antenna, whether set-top or rabbit ears, you can still put it to good use. If your television antenna received quality reception with your analog television set, it should be able to do so with the digital one. You will not have to buy a DTV antenna nor an HDTV antenna to receive those signals; that is if your analog television antenna receives both VHF and UHF signals. Some digital channels appear in the UHF band and others on the VHF band.

To find out if your antenna will work after you have connected your converter box to your analog television, or your analog antenna to your digital television, scan the channels. The channel scan should be performed periodically to find out if more digital channels have become available. Unfortunately, if you live in an area that receives transmission interruption because of buildings or trees, you may have to upgrade to a digital antenna.

Think Green

For people who want to toss their analog televisions and antennas, one choice is to recycle instead of throwing it into the local dump. If recycling is what you decide, you should contact your local household hazardous waste collection and recycling program. Some of the programs sponsor recycling events solely for electronics (see Resources section).

Tags: analog television, your analog, your analog television, television antenna, Analog Antenna

Buy A Digital Camera

Point-and-Shoot Camera

There are so many different types and manufacturers of digital cameras today that it can be tough to make a decision. Before looking at the camera's specifications, it is important to understand your requirements from a digital camera. Do you just need the camera for website images? If so, you don't need to buy the highest resolution camera. Do you plan to print your images? If so, what is the largest size print you will need? Are you looking for a camera to replace your old film camera? Do you need different lenses? Ask these and other questions that will help you refine your needs. People selling cameras will always try to "sell up" and they always have "deals." Understanding your requirements will help you negotiate their sales pitches. Do your research online before entering a camera store--and follow the tips below to help you define your requirements.

Instructions

1. What type of camera do you want? Even small digital cameras like the Canon Powershot SD1100 have resolution of 7.1 megapixels offering high quality. Do you want a camera you can carry in your pocket or purse? Do you need multiple lenses? What sort of zoom capabilities do you need? Explore the websites of the camera manufactures to understand and explore the capabilities of the cameras you are considering. There are basically three types of digital cameras. First there are cameras that come with your phone, which have fairly low resolution and can be frustrating to use. The second types are compact digital cameras or "point-and-shoot" cameras that offer many features and resolution choices and are small enough to carry in your pocket. The third types are digital SLR cameras which are full-featured cameras that look like old analog 35mm cameras and offer many different lenses and accessories.

2. What are your resolution requirements? Digital camera manufacturers describe resolution in terms of megapixels. A megapixel is equal to one million pixels. A pixel is the smallest component of an image, but the pixel also carries color and intensity information. Sometimes pixel information is presented by a grid expression like 800 x 600 resolution which is 480,000 pixels The higher the megapixel number, the higher the resolution and also the higher the cost. A 6 megapixel camera is roughly equivalent to a 35mm film camera. This will allow you to print images with clarity up to 11 by 14 inches.

3. What sort of controls do you need? Most digital cameras, including digital SLR cameras, offer a variety of automatic shooting modes. If you are taking a portrait, choose the portrait setting and shoot away. However, many of these cameras do not offer many manual controls. Do you need to control shutter speed to blur or freeze motion? Do you need to adjust ISO sensitivity to shoot in low-light conditions? Do you need to control the f-stop to adjust depth of field? Professional and advanced amateur photographers want to be able to control these factors and will frequently choose a digital SLR because these features are included. This doesn't mean that it is the right choice for you. Personally, I think everybody needs two digital cameras: one for the pocket and one for the camera bag.

4. What sort of focal range do you need? One of the more confusing specifications is the listing of optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom is the focal range that is produced by the camera's optics. On a digital SLR you actually zoom using the lens much in the same way you would on a film SLR camera. The range is adjusted by moving an element inside the lens that adjusts the focal range. Optical zoom produces clearer images than digital zoom in which the zoom is created by algorithms. When purchasing a point-and-shoot camera select the one that has the best optical zoom. Also keep in mind that the more zoomed in you are on a subject, the more camera shake will impact the clearness of the image. Consider image stabilization features on digital SLR lenses above 200MM.

5. Do you need to be able to focus manually? Anyone who uses a digital camera will tell you that sometimes auto focus just doesn't work. Auto focus uses contrast information to help make the focus, and if there are heavy contrasts in the center of the image area it may have trouble focusing. Some point-and-shoot cameras and all Digital SLR cameras allow you to manually focus.

6. Do you need to adjust white balance? White balance is the way the digital camera sets the white point allowing for the pure creation of color. Most people leave white balance set on auto and never adjust it. There may be times that you will want to change the white balance. This is especially true when shooting vivid colors. All digital SLR cameras and many point-and-shoot cameras allow for the manual adjustment of white balance. If you are just buying a camera for family snapshots this may not be a needed feature, but if you plan to approach photography seriously, you should consider white balance control as a needed option.

Tags: digital cameras, white balance, cameras offer, cameras that, digital cameras, film camera

Set Up Pandigital Ereader

The Pandigital Novel e-reader's short setup process must be completed in order to start using the device. When you set up the e-reader, you create a Wi-Fi connection, enter email information and load previously purchased electronic books from Barnes & Noble. A Barnes & Noble online account is needed to complete the setup process.

Instructions

1. Plug the small, round end of the supplied AC adapter into the DC jack on the right side of the Pandigital Novel and plug the other end of the adapter cable into a wall outlet to charge the device before use. A battery icon with a lightning bolt appears on the screen, indicating the battery is charging. The lightning bolt disappears and is replaced by six bars when the battery is fully charged. It takes approximately four hours to charge the battery.

2. Press the "Wi-Fi" switch, found on the top right corner of the device, to the left to turn on the Wi-Fi functionality.

3. Hold the "Power" button on the left side of the Pandigital Novel and release it when the screen turns on. The "Network" screen, which is used to connect to a Wi-Fi network, appears.

4. Tap the name of the W-iFi network you want to connect to, enter the password if it is a secure network and tap "Connect." Touch "Next" once the device is connected to the network. The "Email" screen appears.

5. Enter your name, email address, email password and touch "Next." The next screen gives you the option of naming your email account.

6. Type the name you want to give your email account, if you want to name it, and touch "Next."

7. Touch the white arrow on the bottom of the screen to open the Application Quick Launch Bar.

8. Tap "Settings," enter your Barnes & Noble username and password, and tap "Login."

9. Select your time zone based on your location and then touch "Set Date/Time." The Pandigital Novel is automatically updated with the current date and time. The "Bookstore" row on the top of the screen is filled with books available for purchase.

10. Touch the gray "X" at the upper right corner of the screen to close the "Settings" screen.

11. Tap "Update Library" above the "My Library" bar in the middle of the screen to download all of the books stored in your Barnes & Noble online account to your e-reader.

Tags: Barnes Noble, Pandigital Novel, Barnes Noble online, email account, lightning bolt

Recover Photos After Taking Photos

Photo recovery software can help restore deleted or reformated photos.

Accidentally deleting photos after taking them can seem like a disaster, especially if you don't have the right tools for recovering them. Fortunately, there are a few software tools available for recovering photos after taking photos. These programs are installed onto your computer and can retrieve photos before they are overwritten. The process varies between software and it could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to successfully recover your files.

Instructions

1. Stop taking photos with the existing memory card and remove it from the camera immediately. Taking photos after formatting will decrease the chance of recovering photos from the card.

2. Use your web browser to search for and download photo recovery software. This software will allow you to analyze and recover deleted and formatted photos in a way that the file browser on most operating systems cannot. Some of this software is available free of charge.

3. Install the photo recovery software of your choice onto the computer. Insert the memory card into your computer and follow the instructions for recovering the lost photos. After recovering the photos, burn them onto a CD or DVD for safe keeping.

Tags: recovering photos, recovery software, after taking, memory card, photo recovery, photo recovery software

Use A Canon Speedlite 430ex Ii

The Canon Speedlite 430EX II is similar to its predecessor the 430EX pictured here.

The Canon Speedlite 430EX II is the successor to the Canon Speedlite 430EX. The most significant improvements include a 20 percent faster and quieter recycling time, and a new mounting foot with an easier to use release and locking mechanism. The flash unit looks similar to the previous model, with the only real visible difference being the aforementioned mounting foot. The flash is designed to work with all of Canon's digital single lens reflex (DSLRs) in either Canon's E-TTL (electronic through the lens) metering system or in manual mode.

Instructions

1. Turn the Canon Speedlite 430EX II and your Canon DSLR off, slide the Speedlite onto the camera's hot shoe, and lock it into place by sliding the locking level to the right.

2. Turn the camera and flash unit on. Press the "Mode" button on the back of the flash until the letters "E-TTL" appear in the upper left corner of the flash's LCD (liquid crystal display) screen. Set the camera exposure mode dial to "Tv" for shutter priority and set the shutter speed at 1/125th of second. The flash will work in any of the exposure mode settings, other than the "Flash Off" setting. While the flash will sync with the camera's shutter at speeds up to 1/250th of second, 1/125 is a good speed and won't exhaust the flash's batteries as quickly.

3. Press the button on the side of flash head and tilt the flash head toward the ceiling. This is called bounce flash, and it produces a more natural light. If you are shooting with the camera in a vertical position, you can also swivel the flash head so it points toward the ceiling to accomplish the same results.

4. Hold the camera to your eye, look through the viewfinder, and press the shutter release half way to activate the camera's metering and auto-focusing systems. You will see a small lightning bolt in the bottom of the viewfinder. This is the flash indicator light letting you know the flash is ready to be used.

5. Press the shutter release the rest of the way to take the picture.

Tags: Canon Speedlite, Canon Speedlite 430EX, flash head, exposure mode, flash unit

Palm Centro Vs Samsung Ip 830w

The Palm Centro and Samsung IP 830-W are two qwerty PDA-style smartphones that let you view important documents and emails on the go. The sleeker, sexier design and budget-minded price of the Palm Centro crown it a clear winner against the IP 830-W.

IP 830-W Hardware

The Samsung IP 830-W is a large, thick PDA-style phone with a slide-out qwerty keyboard. The keyboard tends to be a bit cramped and the phone becomes a bit top-heavy when you use the full keyboard. There is a 2.8-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels displaying 262,000 colors. The phone has an expansion slot for an SD card and dedicated headset jack. The IP 830-W is 4.5 inches tall by 2.2 inches thick and weighs 6.4 ounces. It features a 1.3 megapixel camera, a GPS receiver and dual-band CDMA/GSM functionality, allowing the phone to work overseas on other networks.

Centro Hardware

The Palm Centro has a full qwerty keyboard, though the condensed keyboard may prove to be too cramped for some, especially those with larger fingers. The Centro has a touchscreen above the keyboard and comes with a stylus to navigate. The Centro, which weighs 4.2 ounces and is 4.5 inches tall by 2.1 inches wide, has a brighter and larger screen with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels. It features a 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom.

Operating System

The Samsung IP 830-W comes with Windows Mobile 5.2 Pocket PC Phone edition. This operating system features a Mobile Office Suite that lets you view PowerPoint slides and Excel charts and spreadsheets. It also features Outlook Mobile for emailing.

The Palm Centro runs PalmOS. The PalmOS includes support for basic document viewing and email capabilities and syncs with Microsoft Exchange servers. It also includes popular instant messaging communications.

Cost

The Palm Centro runs $79 to $99 USD with a new two-year service agreement. The Samsung IP 830-W is priced at $599 with a new two-year service agreement.

Bottom Line

The Samsung IP 830-W is clearly aimed at the professional, given its feature set and price. The Palm Centro is aimed more toward the mainstream market looking for a more stylized connected device. Unless Windows Mobile is absolutely needed for work purposes, it is hard to justify the price tag of the clunkier device. The Centro is a much sleeker and friendlier device.

Both devices were released a couple of years ago and are highly outdated. Windows Mobile is updating to version 6.5 at the end of 2009, and as of mid-2009, Palm has all but abandoned its PalmOS in favor of the new WebOS, which lacks backwards compatibility. Despite their obsolescence in the wake of the Apple iPhone, WebOS and Google Android, the Palm Centro is the clear choice over the Windows Mobile-enabled Samsung IP 830-W. The Centro is a much more consumer-friendly, streamlined device.

Tags: Palm Centro, Samsung 830-W, Windows Mobile, Centro much, Centro runs, Centro Samsung

Diy Electronic Surveillance

Do-it-yourself surveillance equipment, like this camera, is easy to find

In today's YouTube world, videotaping events is quite common and today's video technology offers surprisingly small cameras that can easily be adapted for use in surveillance. This technology is not expensive and easy to obtain. For any number of reasons you might be in need of the ability to set up electronic surveillance of a person or place. Proper planning can help you get the right equipment for your task,

Evaluate Your Need

There are numerous ways to watch or track someone electronically. Ask yourself what you would like to know. Then determine the best way to get that information. Do you want an audio recording or a video? What is your budget? Answering these questions will help you design the plan that you need.

Research the Equipment

Finding the right equipment will help you produce the results you desire for the least amount of money.

For example, you can find wireless monitoring systems for less than $200. One setup features two small wireless cameras that can be used either outdoors or indoors. This setup would be perfect if you want to know what the babysitter is doing while you are out.

Video recording can be done with stationary cameras or hidden video cameras that you hide on your person. For example, there are micro surveillance cameras that are hidden inside pens. With a push of a button the pen will record audio and video. To access the recording the pens come apart to reveal USB connectors. You simply plug the pen into a USB port in your computer and download the recorded file to your PC's hard drive.

Set Up the Surveillance

Laws vary from state to state on the legality of recording or videotaping other people without their knowledge. Check with your state attorney general's office to find out.

When setting up your surveillance, make sure you allow adequate time to install and test the equipment. Keeping cameras or microphones out of sight while making sure they have an unobstructed view of the target must be thoughtfully done.

For those struggling with setting up a surveillance plan, there are many prewritten plans available online. Some online stores offer plans for various surveillance situations, such as home surveillance, adding alarms to medicine cabinets or intercom systems.

Tags: cameras that, right equipment, will help

Different Kinds Of Biometric Devices

Biometrics capture, process, store and compare personal identification traits.

Personal identification methods have been advancing through the study of biometrics. As technology progresses, inexpensive, user-friendly identification techniques are becoming the norm. Permanent identification applications are being relied upon for business and private use which focus on distinguishable traits that cannot be lost or stolen. Networks that communicate and share single-person identification data are being developed, eliminating the need for passwords and decreasing the problem of identity theft.

Fingerprint and Hand Scanners

Fingerprint scanning eliminates the need for multiple passwords.

Biometric fingerprint scanners capture and process a person's fingerprints. Each person's fingerprints are unique and can only be used to identify that person. Fingerprint scanners allow a person to imprint their fingerprint into a device that stores and is able to compare it against other fingerprints. Fingerprinting technology has advanced allowing fingerprint scanners to be installed in laptop computers, at ATMs, in real estate lockboxes, as employee recognition in schools and businesses and for national security purposes.

Hand scanners are similar to fingerprint scanners except they authenticate features of the complete hand, measuring lengths and thickness of fingers, curves and bone structures of fingers and surface area of palms. Because many hand traits can be disturbed by injury, hand scanning is often used with other types of biometric identification.

Facial Recognition Cameras

Cameras are used in facial recognition biometrics.

Cameras are used in biometric facial recognition technology. Main features of the face are captured, while expressions, piercings and facial hair like beards and mustaches are not. Infrared cameras are used to detect heat patterns in the face. Some facial recognition devices incorporate several cameras to capture more detail and reduce light interference. Facial recognition is not reliable for identifying people through photographs and cannot identify people wearing masks.

Voice Recognition Microphones

Microphones record unique voice characteristics.

Microphones tape the acoustics and inflections in a person's voice. Voices are distinguished by physical shape and build of the mouth and throat, age and learned behavior related to culture, tone, pitch and volume. Voice recognition software usually uses a password to digitize a person's voice, filtering out unique characteristics. It is used for security purposes and has also become an invaluable tool for physically disabled people, making it easier for them to use computers and function in society.

Iris Scanners

Portable iris scanners detect distinguishable traits in eyes.

Iris scanners detect individual traits of a person's eye. They are often portable devices used mainly to track people. Recent software developments have been improved so that iris detection works when a person is wearing contacts or glasses. Prison guards use iris scanners to track prisoners, strengthening security and monitoring inmate arrivals and departures.

Signature Pads

Computerized signatures protect against forgery and identity theft.

Signature pads are becoming commonplace in retail outlets. They capture and process a person's signature. These biometric devices perform handwriting analysis, pauses during writing, rate of speed used when writing and pressure applied when writing. Advancements in signature pad technology limit forgery of documents, lessening the chances of identity theft. Signature pads are used with increasing frequency in Internet business.

Tags: capture process, facial recognition, identity theft, Cameras used, capture process person, distinguishable traits, fingerprint scanners

Transfer Data To The Htc Imagio

The HTC Imagio was one of the only phones to be released with Windows Mobile 6.5 installed. While the interface for Windows Mobile 6.5 (as well as HTC's proprietary TouchFlo interface) saw some pretty drastic changes, the essential functions were basically unchanged. If you're familiar with HTC Windows phones, transferring files to the device is easy. If you're not, it doesn't take long to learn.

Instructions

1. Turn on your Imagio phone. Use the stylus to tap the "Start" Button, then "Settings." Select "All settings" (the gear-shaped icon) on the scroll pad at the bottom of the screen.

2. Tap "Connections," then "USB to PC." Tap the "Disk Drive" option. Tap "OK." Set your phone aside.

3. Turn on your computer and log in. Connect the phone to the computer using the MicroUSB cable. Make sure that your MicroSD card is inserted into the slot beneath the phone's battery cover.

4. Click the "Start" button, then "Computer" or "My Computer." Locate the MicroSD card in the window.

5. Start a new Explorer window and locate the files you wish to transfer. Click and drag the files into the MicroSD card folder. When you are finished, unplug the phone from the MicroUSB cable.

6. Pick up your phone and tap "Start," "Programs," then "File Explorer." Locate the files you transferred in the"/SDcard/" folder.

Tags: MicroSD card, MicroUSB cable, Turn your, Windows Mobile, with Windows, your phone

Transfer Music To An Sd Memory Card

Transfer Music to an SD Memory Card

An SD card, short for "Secure Digital," is a portable memory card used to increase the storage capacity of electronic devices such as cell phones, video game consoles and digital cameras. To transfer music from your computer to an SD card, you will need to use an "SD card reader." Some computers have SD readers built in. External SD card readers are cheap USB devices that can read the contents of SD cards.

Instructions

1. If your computer already has an SD card reader slot, insert the SD card into it. If not, connect the external SD card reader to an available USB port on your computer and insert the SD card into the reader's slot.

2. Click the "Start" icon in the Windows taskbar. Click "My Computer." Double-click "Removable Disk [F:]." This will open the root storage directory of the SD card. This is where all files on the SD card are stored.

3. Drag music files into the root storage directory of the SD card. Each file will be automatically transferred.

Tags: card reader, your computer, card into, directory card, insert card, insert card into, Music Memory

Why Is The Camera Important

Cameras have evolved since their early days and are now available in all shapes and sizes.

A camera, by the most basic of definitions, captures still photographs or video, either on film or digitally. The importance of the camera is not in the device itself, but in what it produces. Photographs and video have become vital to communication, education and preservation of history.

Communication

A camera helps communicate a story of a person, a place or an event

Cliches are cliches because everyone has heard them before. A picture is worth a thousand words. Photos and videos taken with cameras are used to communicate, to tell stories. The camera was and is a tool or war, used to capture events or people. It is also a tool of everyday lives--just browse an album on Facebook and you'll have "read" a kind of story.

Education

Photographic visuals produced by cameras can enhance the learning process.

Some people learn by hearing, others by writing, some by seeing. The camera has added a new dimension to education, allowing photographs and video to become learning tools. Imagine a medical school textbook without photographs. Learning takes on a whole new dimension when a student can visualize the medium.

Preservation

Cameras capture special events and preserve memories.

The camera helps to create and preserve memories of historical and/or sentimental value. Famous photographs of notable moments and events from history were made possible by the camera. Every day babies are born, people get married, and all of it is documented with cameras, a source of helping us remember our past. The camera is a valuable source to preserve history.

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Troubleshoot The Slingbox

You can use a laptop loaded with Sling software to access your stream in a remote location.

Slingbox hardware provides a channel for your existing television source to be streamed onto the Internet. The device takes programming that you've already paid for, such as a cable or satellite subscription, and creates a private stream. You can access the stream in a remote location, such as a hotel room, by using a laptop loaded with Sling software. The device isn't quite plug-and-play, though--you need to make configuration changes to your router at the Slingbox location. Other problems can include bandwidth issues. These kinds of problems can be corrected by following some troubleshooting steps.

Instructions

1. Open Port 5001 on your home router if the Slingbox won't stream outside of your home. The Slingbox needs a path to the Internet and uses Port 5001 to do this. Access your router's home page with a Web browser and look for a menu item described as Gaming, Firewall, or similar. All routers are different, so you may have to check the documentation that came with the router for the IP address of the home page, the user ID and password, and the exact location of the port opening page. Once you've opened the port, your Slingbox will stream externally. If the Slingbox won't stream externally, this issue is the reason.

2. Look for a "Show Statistics" option in the Slingplayer menu and check it if the picture is blocky or pixelated. This option will provide a running calculation of the kilobits per second (kbps) used by the stream. It's based on the bandwidth available at the Slingbox location. Slingboxes ideally need 600 kbps, but if you're desperate you can work with 250 kbps. Check this figure and make sure it's over 600 kbps. If it isn't, call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and request an upgrade to your Internet service.

3. Allow the Slingbox to settle down when starting the Slingplayer. The Slingbox needs a minute or so to calculate how much available bandwidth it has to work with and to make adjustments to the stream to optimize the picture for that bandwidth. Pixelation when starting is normal.

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The Bestselling Earbuds

Earbuds are convenient, tiny headphones that fit snugly inside the ear. Because they are inside the ear, the noise shouldn't carry and disturb those around you. Comfort is one of the most important factors when buying a new pair. The fit should be snug, but shouldn't hurt, and the buds should not be loose enough to fall out when moving your head or running. The best-selling earbuds are a combination of comfort, value and practicality.

Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 Noise Isolating Earphones

The Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 buds direct three types of frequency: low, middle and high. This means that sound is projected by three tiny speakers in each ear, giving a crisp, clear quality to music. These gun-metal blue earbuds are foam cushioned for comfort and have a shapeable cord for wearing over the ear. The Ultimate Ears TripleFi earphones are compatible with any home audio, MP3 device, or game console that uses a 3.5mm jack and comes with a hard-shell case for safe storage.

Monster Turbine High-Performance In-Ear Speakers

The Monster Turbine High-Performance In-Ear Speaker earbuds are excellent for deep bass music and noise isolating. This means that these in-ear speakers produce sounds at a low-end frequency and eliminate the vibrating that sometimes happens with bass-heavy music. The Monster Turbines also come with customizable ear tips for a one-of-a-kind fit to keep outside noise out, and keep your music from annoying those around you. Multiple eartips are included as well as a protective case.

JBuds Hi-Fi Noise-Reducing Earbuds

The JBuds Hi-Fi Noise Reducing Earbuds are a premium, compact choice. These earbuds come with a choice of three sizes of silicone cushions to maximum comfort and fit, and are compatible with all audio-playback devices that have a 3.5 mm jack. This JBud model is simple and classic and produces clear crisp sound for a wide variety of music.

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Pentax Lens Information

Pentax manufactures a wide range of lenses for their cameras.

If you've bought a Pentax digital SLR, you might be wondering what types of lenses are available for your camera. Perhaps you have an older film Pentax camera and would like to know if your lenses can be used on a digital camera. No matter your particular situation, as long as you have a Pentax SLR you should be able to get lenses to fit it.

Film Lenses to Digital

If you've got an old Pentax film SLR and have acquired a set of lenses over the years, perhaps you are hesitant to get a digital SLR. You've probably got a lot of money invested in lenses and hate to just let them go to waste. Any type "A" (it will have an "A" setting on the aperture ring) will fit a "K" series Pentax digital SLR camera in manual mode. In addition, any "S" series lenses (they are screw-mount) can be used with an adapter.

DA Star Series

The Pentax DA Star series of lenses are manufactured specifically for Pentax digital SLR cameras. They feature a quiet focus system. They are tightly sealed to be both weather- and dust-resistant. There are currently (as of July 2010) six lenses available in the series. They range from a standard 55mm lens up to 60-250mm zoom lens. In addition, there are two telephoto lenses (200mm and 300mm) in the series.

DA Series

The DA series of lenses are designed to be compact and affordable. They are also made specifically for the Pentax digital SLR cameras. There are 10 models currently available in the DA series. The only one that isn't a zoom lens is the 14mm F2.8, which is a wide-angle lens. There is a wide-angle zoom available and a fish eye zoom lens. The longest zoom in the DA series is the 55-300mm lens. There are two weather-resistant lenses in the series.

DA Limited Series

The DA Limited series is a higher grade of lens than the DA series. They are designed to deliver a higher level of sharpness and image quality. There are currently five lenses in the series. There are no zoom lenses in this series, but there is a macro lens (35mm F2.8). The standard lens in the series is a 40mm one. There are two wide-angle lenses offered and one medium-range telephoto lens.

D FA

The D FA series will work with the 35mm film cameras manufactured by Pentax, but are designed for their digital SLRs. They are designed to prevent lens flares and ghosting. There are currently three lenses in the series. All are macro lenses. One is a 50mm F2.8. The other two are 100mm F2.8. The difference between them is that one of them is built to be weather resistant.

FA Series

The Pentax FA series fills a different need. Those with Pentax film cameras who are shopping for new lenses with the intention to eventually purchase a new digital SLR should probably look at these lenses. They are designed specifically for film cameras, but will work on Pentax digital SLRs. There are four lenses available in the series: a wide angle, two standard lenses and one telephoto.

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The Advantages Of Using The Document Camera

A classroom is the perfect environment for using a document camera

The document camera is a device only recently introduced to the general marketplace. Standing about a foot high, it is a modern replacement for overhead projectors. The camera can view and project almost any image onto a white board by using an attached video projector. This camera is perfect for showing a full classroom dissect a frog or formulate a particularly difficult geometry equation.

A Versatile Teaching Instrument

The document camera has a flat-surfaced document base with a movable arm piece attachment for the camera. The versatility and easy mobility of using this camera over a standard overhead projector are huge. With the camera's SD memory card, a teacher can save all pictures taken for future use.

Microscopic Images Visible to All

The unit's arm piece holding the camera is long, very flexible, and bendable at will. This allows the user to align the camera's eyepiece to almost any microscope. Germs and other microscopic images project onto a screen for easy viewing by everyone in the room.

Vivid Details Come to Life

An instructor can manipulate the document camera to show highly detailed images, such as leaf configurations and other inanimate objects. The user just moves the camera's arm piece closer to the object, and the camera focuses automatically for proper imaging.

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