Why are Wireless Headsets so Popular?

There are a few reasons why wireless headsets are popular. Wireless headsets can give you freedom as well as keep you connected to the phone. Having the freedom to move around and get up from one certain spot is always a plus if you are on the telephone a lot. Another reason why wireless headsets may be popular is because of the fact they are so small. Most of the wireless headsets that are being sold are very small and compact, making wearing them more of a pleasure than a chore.

Can you buy a wireless headset for a cell phone? Yes, Bluetooth has recently come out with a headset that is wireless for the cell phone. This makes talking on the go even easier than before. Without the aggravating wire getting in the way and tangled around you, talking on the phone has been brought to new heights.

Will a wireless headset be compatible with my cordless phone? Yes, depending on the model and brand of your cordless phone, you may be able to get a headset that is wireless to accommodate you. When you go shopping for your headset, be sure to take your cordless phone specifics with you so that you can make sure you get the correct one for your phone.

Can I hook up a wireless headset to my corded phone? Yes, headsets that are wireless originally came out to be used with corded phones. If all you have are corded phones, a wireless headset will set you free to be able to be on the phone and have your hands free. Wireless headsets come in a large variety of brands. Each brand having their own particular styles and models gives you an even bigger selection to choose from. Headsets that are wireless provide you with more freedom while talking on the phone. Not being tied down to a certain spot while on the telephone is a great thing if you are a multitasker.

Waldo has been a sound technician at a recording studio for over ten years. In his line of work, he has tested literally hundreds of different headsets and on http://www.bigheadset.com , he shares his in-depth analysis of different brands, models and bluetooth headset reviews.

Comparison of Digital Television Technologies

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

This is the picture tube based technology that traditional TV sets have used for years. CRTs do not have a fixed (or native) resolution, they are analogue devices. This doesn't mean they can not display digital signals, however any digital signal must be converted to analogue in order for the TV to display the picture.

Advantages:

* Tried an tested technology. CRTs have been used for decades and are considered to have excellent durability before their picture tubes wear out. Generally a good CRT will require very little if any servicing.

* Many claim that many modern digital technologies lack the black level detail that a good CRT provides. CRTs have a higher contrast ratio that generally results in richer shadow details.

* CRT TVs are generally a lot cheaper to purchase than digital sets.

* Can be viewed in bright surroundings.

Disadvantages:

* CRTs are a lot bigger and heavier than their digital equivalents.

* In order for CRTs to display the best picture their red, green and blue images from their tubes must be perfectly converged (aligned over one another). However this can drift out of alignment over time and require user adjustment which many find annoying.

* CRTs can suffer from the dreaded burn-in. When a stationary image is left on the screen for prolonged periods of time, such as a TV station logo or a heads up display in a video game the stationary part of the image can get a shadow temporarily or permanently burnt into the screen. This is much more likely to happen with very high contrast settings. More moderate settings minimize the risk of burn-in.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

A matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) supplies voltage to liquid-crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. When hit with an electrical charge, the crystals untwist to an exact degree to filter white light generated by a lamp behind the screen.

Advantages:

* Usually are very thin light panels, which can be hung on a wall.

* Insucseptable to burn-in issues.

Disadvantages:

* Typically more expensive than plasma displays of an equivalent size.

* Black levels can be quite poor.

* LCD TVs are prone to image lag. This is where a rapidly moving object has a tendency to have a ghosting effect due to the pixels not being able to shut off quick enough. This can be especially problematic when playing video games. Newer models are getting closer to eliminating this effect but they are not there yet.

Rear Projection DLP

This projection TV technology was developed by Texas Instruments, which is based on their Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) microchip. Each of these chips has hundreds of thousands of swiveling mirrors which are used to create the image.

Advantages:

* Not susceptible to burn-in issues.

* Smaller and lighter than CRT equivalents.

* Excellent brightness and picture.

Disadvantages:

* Really needs low ambient light levels in the room when viewing a DLP TV. Not recommended for viewing in a bright sunny room. Settings can be adjusted for ambient light levels but a dark room is really required to get the best out of these TVs.

* DLPs contain a lamp that must be replaced every 6000 - 8000 hours (roughly - there are other factors that effect this). These lamps are quite expensive at several hundred dollars a piece. These lamps are considered a consumable and are not covered in warranties. If you watch TV for many hours a day you really need to factor this cost into your purchasing decision.

* Some people are susceptible to seeing a rainbow like shadowing effect on DLP televisions, especially where there are scenes with highly contrasting dark and light aspects. Newer DLP TVs with 3 chips have greatly reduced this problem. I own an older one chip DLP and have never experienced this problem.

* Poor off-axis viewing. Picture is significantly poorer when watching from an angle, especially vertically.

Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS)

Similar to LCD, consists of a liquid crystal layer which sits on top of a pixelated, highly reflective substrate.

Advantages:

* Not susceptible to burn-in.

* Generally excellent brightness and color quality. Black levels considered to be very good.

Disadvantages:

* Still quite expensive compared to LCD and DLP rear projection sets.

* Like LCD and DLP rear projection sets the lamp must be replaced as necessary.

Plasma TVs

Plasma TVs consists of hundreds of thousands of individual pixel cells that allow electric pulses to excite rare natural gases (usually xenon and neon), causing them to glow and produce light. This light illuminates the proper balance of red, green, or blue phosphors contained in each cell to display the proper color sequence from the light.

Advantages:

* Can be viewed from angles and still retain excellent picture quality.

* Thin and light, can be hung on a wall.

* Excellent colour, detail and brightness.

Disadvantages:

* Significantly more expensive than rear projection digital sets.

* There seems to be more variation in the quality across the range of makes and models of plasma sets. The gap between the best sets and some of the cheap ones can be pretty high.

* Plasma TVs are less energy efficient than other technologies.

* Plasma sets are susceptible to burn-in. Similar to CRTs (above), moderate contrast levels can reduce this risk greatly, but it's still an issue.

Front Projection Systems

Front projections systems comprise two components a projector and a screen. The projector must be placed in front of the screen to projects it's image. Typically a projector will be mounted to a wall or ceiling above and behind the viewing position. Front projectors, like rear projection systems, come in three main flavors CRT, LCD and DLP. For truelly massive screen sizes (>2 meters) front projectors are the only real option for home theatre enthusiasts.

Advantages:

* Capable of scaling picture size to suit your needs. The only option for very large screen viewing.

* Low footprint. The projector itself is quite small and typically ceiling mounted and out of the way. Some screens are retractable and need only be opened when using them.

Disadvantages:

* Lamp life is very short, typically only 1000 - 4000 hours depending on the type.

* Really need a darkened room to properly view the picture produced by projectors.

* If ceiling mounted may need to be professionally installed.

Jof is the owner of Digital TV Spot. More of his articles can be found there.

LCD TV Checklist: Are You Prepared?

LCD flat screen TVs provide a superior picture as compared to a traditional television - and they can come in more attractive styles to boot. A flat screen LCD TV can be mounted on a wall, under a cabinet, on the ceiling? or can sit on a stand or on top of furniture. LCD TVs are versatile, flexible, and provide a better entertainment experience? but how do they work?

LCD flat screen TVs, and LCD technology itself, is based on the properties of polarized light. LCD TVs consist of two, perpendicularly arranged panes of polarized glass stuck together by a liquid-crystal-filled polymer solution. When they are exposed to electrical currents, the crystals untwist to varying degrees, permitting specific amounts and colors of light to pass though them. Flat screen LCD TVs are, in effect, projection TVs that depend on an extremely bright lamp as their light source, so they're considered a passive display.

So how do you choose the right flat panel LCD TV for you? You should at least consider the following factors when shopping for a flat panel LCD TV.

1. Look for a HDMI input. This port keeps the signal all-digital, avoiding degradation that can occur as the signal passes through other components (like your cable box). HMDI carries high-definition audio as well as video. Some satellite receivers and DVD players also connect through this port.

2. Match the LCD TV size to the size of the room where it will be placed. Because LCD TVs have higher resolutions than conventional TVs, you can sit closer than you normally would, so you can view a larger screen comfortably. (Keep in mind a 42-inch screen may overwhelm a small room, though.)

3. Decide if you want the picture-in-picture feature. The picture in picture feature allows you to simultaneously view two video sources at once, with one appearing as a small window on the screen. If you do want picture-in-picture in your flat panel LCD TV, keep in mind that single-tuner picture-in-picture lets you watch TV in one window and another source (like a DVD) in the second window. A flat panel LCD TV with two tuners lets you watch two television sources at once.

4. Do you need HDTV? A flat panel LCD TV with EDTV is cheaper, but it can't display high-definition signals. The price difference between smaller flat panel HD-ready LCDs and ED-ready LCDs is fairly low, so you're better off buying a HD-ready set. In fact, most experts say there's little reason to buy a non-HD LCD television. These lower resolution LCD TVs won't be able to accept high-definition signals, so the picture won't look any better than regular analog TV. And small HD-ready LCD TVs can be found for $500 or less, which is cheap enough that there really isn't much to save on a non-HD LCD TV.

Check to see if the TV comes with a stand or mounting hardware. Most flat panel LCD TVs come with a basic table stand, but wall-mounting hardware costs an additional $100 to $200.

5. Look into the manufacturer's warranty policy before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. If you buy a Sharp LCD Television, for example, from an unauthorized dealer, Sharp may not offer warranty coverage. (However, the retailer may offer a substitute warranty that sufficiently covers you.) The difference in price between an authorized Sharp dealer and a discounter can sometimes be hundreds of dollars, so make sure you're comfortable with the risk of not having a warranty, or make sure you ask the dealer for information about their warranty terms for the flat panel LCD TV you're considering.

6. Finally, learn about LCD TVs. There are far more things to learn about LCD TVs than the above mentioned points. Get educated on how to buy an LCD TV.

Tim Jeffries is author of ?The LCD TV Shopping Guide.? Get your copy at http://www.llcdtv.com

DVD Wholesale Distributors

Wholesale DVD distributors license the DVD distribution rights from studios producing the movies and supply DVDs to retail stores, online merchants, DVD rental companies and mail order stores. Often the DVDs are manufactured or imported by wholesalers themselves.

DVDs are sold as bundles containing different titles. Action, comedy, drama, family, horror, kids, martial arts, and western are some of the popular DVD genres. They are sold as pre-boxed bundles or customized according to orders. Often DVDs contain extra content not available to viewers in the movie theatres. These include interviews with the stars, behind the scenes action from the movie sets and scenes which have been deleted from the movie. These extras are an added attraction for DVD consumers.

The major revenue accruing to wholesale DVD distributors is through the sale of video products to retail shops and video rentals. There has been considerable growth in the mail order rental via the Internet in the US. Netflix, which is one of the largest online rental companies, has more than two million customers. The company expects to have about five percent share of the entire US market in 2006. It ships about three million DVDs each week.

DVD retailers enjoy a good margin and an increasing number of people are taking to purchasing DVDs in bulk from a wholesaler and selling them on auction sites such as EBay and online stores. Several DVD distributors offer drop shipping and mail the DVDs directly to the end consumer on the retailer?s behalf.

DVD mail order via the Internet, digital distribution which includes providing a movie download service via the distributor?s own broadband infrastructure, game stores, video on demand services, and pay-per-view services are the current trends. Video on demand (VOD) systems allow users to watch video over a network as part of an interactive television system. The video can be seen at any time, whereas a pay-per-view system allows television viewers to purchase events for a private telecast in their homes.

Wholesale Distributors provides detailed information on Wholesale Distributors, DVD Wholesale Distributors, Wholesale Clothing Distributors, Wholesale Food Distributors and more. Wholesale Distributors is affiliated with Candle Wholesalers.

How to Use Your LCD TV as a Video Monitor

Unlike a plasma television that offers the danger of burn-in, you can learn how to use you LCD TV as a video monitor. It makes for a clear and crisp picture to go with yoru computer or video games. The versatility of an LCD TV is perhaps what makes it most attractive to many buyers. A few tips on how to use your LCD TV as a video monitor will help you see just how great an LCD television can be in your home.

LCD screens actually have their roots in computer monitors. The wild success of LCD computer screens has led to the development of larger screens to use as television sets. Many of the characteristics are the same, but in order to compete with plasma, the televisions have actually developed higher quality pictures in the last couple of years.

A word of advice, though: if you are planning to use your LCD just as a computer screen, consider actually buying an LCD monitor. If you do not, you will end up paying for a tuner, AV inputs, and other television features that you don?t need. On the other hand, if you are gaming on your LCD screen, a big 30 inch screen can be impressive when you show it off to your gaming buddies.

The first step in learning how to use your LCD TV as a video monitor is making sure you have the right television. In order to make the switch from TV viewing to monitor for your computer or games, your television needs to have a VGA or other options for connection to a PC or gaming system. If it does not, then you are going to be very disappointed.

Make sure your computer is near your LCD television. You do not want to have to run cables and wires all over the house to accommodate your computer usage. Additionally, it needs to be close enough that your view of the monitor will actually be reasonable when using the computer. You would be surprised at how many people say they want to use the LCD screen for their computer monitor, but forget to put the computer near the television.

Next, in learning how to use your LCD TV as a video monitor, you need to make sure you have all wires and cables run that you need so you can switch easily. Run cables through the walls or conduit to both your computer and the cable input for your home. That way when you decide to switch your LCD screen between television and computer use it will be smooth. If you are really savvy, you can also set it up so that a switch or channel change will move you from computer or video monitor to television screen without a lot of work.

Learning how to use your LCD TV as a video monitor is valuable. Since the picture is so clear and well contrasted, you will reduce eye fatigue and squinting headaches brought about by traditional monitors. Just make sure you have the right television and are prepared. Then, you will be all set for dual use of your LCD TV.

Stu Pearson has an interest in Business & Technology related topics. To access more information on lcd flat panel tv or on

Recycled CD Cases

Most CD cases, especially the jewel case CD cases, are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. When PVC is used for making CD cases, it releases toxins into the atmosphere that are dangerous for the environment and human beings. PVC is a non-biodegradable substance. This is to say that these substances linger in the atmosphere and the soil for thousands of years, making it impossible for anything to grow there and thus rendering the soil infertile.

Also when a plastic CD case is burnt, it releases dioxins that are toxic carcinogenic agents. One of the best ways to protect one's planet while also protecting one's CDs is to buy recycled CD cases.

There are companies that make and pack their CDs in special recycled CD cases. There are also many companies that provide CD cases with 100% recycled and reused plastic jewel cases. This is the most eco-friendly case for protecting and packaging one's CDs and DVDs. There are also many companies that make cardboard CD cases. But even some of these cases have a PVC tray to hold the CDs.

A better idea would be for people to recycle the CD cases themselves. Instead of throwing away the jewel CD cases, one can reuse them to store their CDs and DVDs. Often, for CDs that have to be kept and preserved, one can obtain spindles. One can also use the paper covers that are available on the market. This will not only reduce the production of new CD cases but also protect the environment in the long run.

One must remember that many of the damages we are doing to Mother Nature are nonreversible. Hence, each one of us should contribute in our own way to protect the environment that we live in. Recycling CD cases is just one of the ways of doing so.

CD Cases provides detailed information on CD Cases, Jewel CD Cases, CD Carrying Cases, Blank CD Cases and more. CD Cases is affiliated with CD Label Makers.

Plasma Television Mounting Options

Mounting plasma television sets is relatively easy. You have a variety of ways of positioning your television including hanging it on a wall.

Location, Location

Where you want to put your plasma television set will be influenced partially by the television that you buy. Before going shopping for your plasma television, first determine where you would like to mount it.

For example, if you wish to do something specialized, like hang it over a bed, or have it installed over your fireplace, you will need carpenters do the work.

Television Dimensions

No matter where you wish to mount your new plasma television, always carry with you the dimensions when you go to the store. And if you can, take pictures of the space where you wish to mount your plasma television.

How To Mount It?

Once you have determined where you want to place your new television, you will need to decide on how you want to mount it. Unlike a normal television, gravity just will not work with a plasma television. If you need to ask why, have your plasma television professionally installed.

You will need to mount your television to a wall, a piece of furniture or a stand. The great advantage is that cords used can easily be hidden. The disadvantage of installing it yourself is that if by accident something were to happen to the plasma television, the manufacturer will try to blame it on your installation.

Hence, you will not be covered by the guarantee. A plasma television is a large, heavy and delicate piece of equipment. In fact, it might not be a bad idea to encase it in glass. You want this television as secure as you can get it. It costs way too much to take chances.

Shopping for a Television

Now that you know how and where you want to mount your plasma television, it is time to go shopping.

Go to a store that specializes in electronics. You do not want the largest or most expensive model. You want the model with the right size and weight to look and fit right into your space.

Also, if you want to mount your plasma television upside down, there are only a few models that can do that without voiding the warranty. With all this information in hand, you are ready to go shopping.

Conclusion

There are several ways of mounting plasma television sets. Depending on the type of set up you have in the room where you plan on having your television, you can choose from any number of means. Wall mounts and specially designed TV stands are among the most popular mounting forms.

Ready for plasma? Louis Zhang provides jargon-free, relevant information on plasma television technology, selection and installation. For more information on setting up your plasma TV, go to www.cool-plasma-television.com/recommends/plasma-tvmounts

The Next Revolution in Home Entertainment IP Based MultiRoom Distribution

The Holy Grail of distributed audio; unlimited zones and unlimited sources, cost effectively. That milestone will be achieved, and soon, through the combination of digital amplification and IP based distribution systems. There are systems available today that use one or both of these technologies, such as Oxmoor's Zon system and Netlinks' Netstreams product line. The trend will only continue to grow.

The beauty of this approach is that digital music is data, and, as such, can be distributed easily via an Ethernet network. The traditional concept of zones virtually disappears, as each amplifier on the network gets a unique IP address, enabling an audio stream to be routed to it. When combined with a digital music server, the number of zones is limited only by the ability of the server to serve independent audio streams.

The advent of cost effective digital amplification, produced by companies such as D2 Audio and Flying Mole, allows a small, highly efficient audio amplifier to be located close to the speakers, either in the room or mounted in an electrical box. The logical evolution of this approach is to collocate amplifier with the speaker, creating an active speaker. Additional benefits are realized by incorporating the speaker as part of the circuit. This enables the designer to engineer the speaker and amplifier circuits for optimum performance as a system.

Low powered designs of this nature could take advantage of power over Ethernet (POE), simplifying system wiring by allowing a single CAT-5 cable to be run from the router to the speaker. This would not supply a large amount of power (about 15 watts) due to the constraints of the 24ga conductors used in CAT-5. However, the efficiencies gained by an integrated speaker / amplifier design would mitigate this concern to some degree. This type of system is sufficient for background music applications in many residential environments.

Higher power systems can use the existing speaker wire, in the case of a conventionally wired system, to carry power. It can / does use the existing control cable, since many systems have been wired with CAT-5 to the volume control location, for the data.

The bandwidth of a traditional 10/100 network allow, for all practical purposes, an unlimited number of zones and sources in a residential environment. Partly because of this, Audio Over Ethernet has been used successfully in the commercial audio and sound reinforcement world for a number of years now. Cobranet, from Cirrus Logic is the most popular commercial AOE system used today. Another popular system is available from Digigram. These systems both use the MAC layer of Ethernet and are not actually using IP for transmission.

For both residential and commercial applications another primary advantage of using Ethernet is the ability to use the medium for transporting both audio and control signals down the same wire. This increases flexibility and reduces cost for both installation and material.

As was true in the commercial world, the distribution of audio (and soon, video) and control via Ethernet will continue to proliferate in residential distributed audio applications. The combination of flexibility, cost effectiveness and capability are to attractive to be ignored.

Steve Faber has almost 15 years in the custom installation industry. He is a CEDIA certified designer and Installer 2 with certifications from both the ISF and THX. His experience spans many facets of the industry, from the trenches as an installer and control systems programmer, and system designer, to a business unit director for a specialty importer of high end audio video equipment, a sales rep for a large, regional consumer electronics distributor, and principal of a $1.5M+ custom installation firm. Steve is currently is senior sales engineer for Digital Cinema Design, a CEDIA member firm in Redmond, WA. See much more on how to get the most out of your home theater and automation system at: Home Theater, Control and Video Distribution

Mini DV Conversion

You may need to convert Mini DV cassette recordings to a format more compatible with a certain kind of player, like a DVD player, or multimedia on your PC. Sometimes, the tape may get scratched due to constant use and replay. Converting it to other formats makes replaying it easy and harmless. Conversion is either through software like DVD Santa, or through use of hardware like DVD recorders. A third method of conversion is through manual digitization.

Software like DVD Santa is convenient to use if you need to convert Mini DV tapes to DVD format, since it does not need extensive computer knowledge. For converting Mini DV tapes to a multimedia format, in case you need to run them on your PC, a software like Firestreamer DV is available online for a nominal charge. The conversion can also be done the other way round, that is, from PC to a Mini DV cassette.

The second method of conversion is through devices such as DVD recorders. The signal from the tape is converted to a digital signal and stored in the DVD. This is an inexpensive method, though it has its disadvantages. It leaves no room for editing the pictures or sound, and the resulting DVD may skip or be jerky because of compatibility issues.

The third kind of Mini DV conversion method is manual, and it is a good option if you are looking for a professional recording quality for occasions like weddings, baby showers, or graduation ceremonies. Also, some kinds of conversion, for example, digital 8 to Mini DV format, are difficult for a non expert and call for special skills. Many professional services are offered for such conversions on various websites. This kind of service is even auctioned on EBay. Some websites offer discounts on more than one DVD copy. This kind of conversion leaves room for careful editing, and any flaw in the recording can be edited or snipped off.

With so many options for those who need to convert the format of their Mini DV recording, there is no reason why they should not be used, especially if you want to preserve the special memories of a wedding or your graduation day.

Mini DV provides detailed information about mini DVs, mini DV camcorders, mini DV conversion and more. Mini DV is affiliated with DVD R Duplication.

A Media Center PC Gives You the Ultimate in Home Automation

Our homes - and our lives - are increasingly filled with electronics, yet more often than not, our home electronics are so independent of one another that they're cumbersome at best and useless at worse. A Media Center PC solves that problem by integrating any number of home electronics and, as a result, giving you the ability to unlock the full potential of everything from your home entertainment system to your home security system.

The secret to full integration is a Windows Media Center, also known as a PC Desktop Media Center. When connected to your TV or HDTV, the Window Media Center becomes the hub of your home electronics. Offering everything from personal logins for each family member to an incredible variety of software, hardware, and services, a Media Center PC gives every person their own document and media libraries.

When it comes to home entertainment, the Media Center PC keeps everything in one place. When connected to a home network, you can watch TV and movies, listen to music, and view photos anywhere in your home. You can connect your digital camera and manipulate photos, create slideshows with music, and even burn them onto DVDs. With the Personal Video Recorder (PVR), also known as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), you can record up to three live television shows at once and watch them at your convenience. Best of all, the PC Desktop Media Center isn't simply a box dedicated to home entertainment; even while it's playing or slideshow, you can still surf the Web, check your email, and have all of the functionality of any desktop PC.

When it comes to a Media Center PC, home entertainment features are just the tip of the iceberg, though. You can also integrate video gaming systems and automatically synch your Windows Media Center with any number of portable devices.

Most compelling of all, a Media Center PC gives you the ability to automate any number of other devices around the home. You can, for example, turn your lights on or off, control the thermostat, and make sure your doors are locked - all with a click of the mouse or the remote control. You can also create your own video security system and run any number of other security devices right from your Windows Media Center. And, you can even set the entire system up to use voice control.

Although such functionality and integration may still seem like the wave of the future, with a Media Center PC, the future is now.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Media Center PC: The Ultimate or Majon's Electronics directory.

StayAtHome Mom's Be Prepared To Join The Music Revolution With The Age Of The MP3 Player

These lightweight, economical portable jukeboxes are showing up everywhere. The MP3 player is the newest rage first among electronic enthusiasts, or electrophobes but now the MP3 is a must have everybody.

The need for a MP3 player is escalating among joggers, stay-at-home moms. The MP3 craze has reached the masses who want more and more music. They want to download their entire collection of music into their player. A music junkie can have thousands of songs stored in one MP3 player. These portable, wireless wizards of entertainment have the ability to store organize and play digital music on demand.

The MP3 player has created so much mass appeal that the introduction of the MP3 player created an entirely new industry of highly profitable paid download sites. The popularity of MP3 players has exploded forcing manufacturers to become alarmed and jumping to find new uses for these products. Podcasting is one of the newest applications for the MP3. Some manufactures have incorporated an mP3 player into a telephone.

Podcasting is like a radio program or even TV like feeds are automatically downloaded into the MP3. The word Podcast refers to the most popular MP3 makers. That is the Apple Ipod. All MP3's can store several hours of podcasts to be played at the owners discretion. You can find thousands of podcasts in dozens of categories. You can download a Podcast on almost any subject because there are podcast about art, comedy, academic subjects, entertainment and politics and this is just a partial list of what is available.

There are three main types of digital audio players:

1) MP3 CD Players

A MP3 CD player (Philips Expanium) devices play CDs. Often they can play both audio CDs and homemade dataCDs that have MP3 or other digital audio files.

2) Flash-based Players (iBox Mediaman)

are solid state devices that hold digital audio files on internal or external media like memory cards.

3) Hard Drive-based Players or Digital Jukeboxes

An embedded hard drive-based player (Apple iPod) These devices read digital audio files from a hard drive. These players have higher capacities, ranging from 1.5GB to 100GB, depending on the hard drive technology.

The Apple iPod and Creative Zen are examples of the popular digital jukeboxes. Of course, the Apple's iPod is the most popular MP3 player. But there is a surprising new competitor for this market.

Surprisingly, a Korean company by the name of Cowon American, part of a Korean multimedia giant,was chosen as the second most popular MP3 player in a gallup poll like survey. It looks like Cowon may be a big player in the MP3 market. Their MP3 players are sold under the name iAudio. Some of the iAudio. The popularity of the iAudio was contributed to the fact that the player is compatible with some of the music subscription services.

Hower, a CNET review of the Cowan system seems to think that the Ipod may still win the MP3 war. The bottom line states the reviewer, The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps.

For more information and ultra hot deals on MP3 players please visit Hot-Deals-On-MP3-Players.info located at http://www.hot-deals-on-mp3-players.info where you will find money saving offers on MP3 accessories, cases, batteries and an Apple iPod overview.

My Review of the JVC Digital Video Camera

My brother is an amateur film-maker. It was he who introduced me to the wonderful JVC digital video camera. He loved it so much that I was tempted to buy one of my own. After a few years I finally had enough dough to purchase my very own JVC digital video camera. I had no idea that I would be in for quite a surprise.

After buying it I began a thrilling adventure as an amateur film-maker. The quality you get from this amazing camera was close to that of feature length films made in Hollywood. As long as you have proper lighting, and acquire a competent sound boom, you can make a decent movie with the help of a JVC digital video camera. All at the cost of the camcorder and the editing software needed to put your movie together.

I become hooked with the idea of being a film-maker after trying out my JVC digital video camera. Watching movies is great, but it pales in comparison to the thrill you can get from making your own movie. I was also able to involve my fiend?s in my new found hobby.

We would fashion out a script and with my JVC digital video camera and a few necessary filming equipment, we were on our way in making a potential blockbuster. It usually takes a couple of weeks to finish a respectable twenty minute film.

We would then get together and watch the finished product and try to figure out ways to improve our project. The JVC digital video camera is also excellent for filming the final project. WE entered our project in a amateur movie contest and although we have yet to win a competition our work elicited a good bit of encouraging feedback.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning JVC Digital Video Camera. Visit our site for more helpful information about JVC Digital Video Camera and other similar topics.

Plasma Television Life Span Why You Shouldn't Worry about it

Though there are varying opinions, the general consensus is that plasma televisions do have a long life span. Because a television set with a plasma screen is generally a bit more expensive than other television sets, plasma television life span is generally used as a justification for the added expense.

These televisions also provide a clearer image which makes this investment a sound one for a person?s television viewing pleasure.

Plasma Televisions Do last a Long Time

When people begin to ponder the possibility of adding a plasma type television to their collection of electronics, they will typically wonder what the average plasma television life span is.

Plasma televisions deliver clearer, more pronounced images than an LCD television screen and tend to last just as long. The average person only watches a couple of hours of television a day and that means a plasma television life span can last up to ten years if you only watch eighty hours of television a week.

Comparing Early Plasma Televisions

Early versions of today?s plasma technology were not economically or environmentally efficient. These older versions ran quite hot and a person would not be able to hear over their cooling fans. When the pricing is considered first before the plasma life span is considered, most people will not take the time to investigate further.

However, should a person consider the average plasma television life span, and not be the type to watch more than a couple hours a night, they will tend to take their checkbooks or credit cards out and purchase one as soon as they can afford one.

Nowadays, the average plasma television life span is just as impressive as the picture. Due to the advance in technology, and the fact that new models do not burn quite as hot, the picture is clear and crisp.

For people who like to simply watch a film every now and again, or the news while they are getting ready for work or bed, a plasma television will be a wise investment.

Models can be hung on walls, or set on special stands that are built for plasma televisions. The fact that they are space saving is sometimes used to justify the purchase, but when the plasma television life span is thrown in; there's quite a few good reasons to consider a plasma television.

Conclusion

When purchasing a plasma type television set, the plasma television life span should be taken into consideration. Most will last a very long time with extended viewing so you should not be worried that your investment will not be worth it.

Ready for plasma? Louis Zhang provides jargon-free, relevant information on plasma televison technology, selection and installation as well as a guide to consumer reviews. For more on plasma television technology tips, go to Plasma TV Life Span

Mini DV Camcorders

Mini DV camcorders have many advantages over traditional analog video cameras and even Digital and DVD camcorders. Mini DV camcorders are compact, small and afford better editing. They have a better picture resolution compared to Digital Camcorders and even though they cost more, it comes as no surprise that many people prefer them over their more traditional counterparts.

Mini DV camcorders are sold on many websites, electronics stores, through shopping magazines and niche magazines like the ones dedicated specially to white goods. These camcorders are sold by brand, zoom strength, LCD display properties, price, and size, so it becomes easy selecting the one that best suits your needs.

The major brands of Mini DV camcorders are Sony, Panasonic, and Canon. Sony is the market leader in the Mini DV camcorder segment, while Canon, though a late entrant in the market, is fast catching up. Sony camcorders are popular owing to a wide variety and many innovative features, and they come with a reasonable price tag . The Sony Handy cam DCR HC 42, for example, is a Mini DV digital camcorder with still recording as well as MPEG movie recording features. This light, compact camcorder delighted users with it?s easy to use features and high sound and image recording quality on it?s May 2005 launch into the Mini DV camcorder market. Another new feature is the facility for low light and night time recording. And it has a lithium battery which lasts up to eight hours, far more than the batteries of it?s nearest rivals Panasonic and Canon. The camcorder costs around $600.

Panasonic Mini DV camcorders are the next popular after Sony Camcorders. The PV-GS 150 model, for example, comes with 3 CCDs, instead of one, as is the case with the Sony camcorders. You can choose between internal or external microphone for sound recording. Canon?s ZR 300 camcorder series has similar features, but it is available with only one CCD.

The mini DV camcorder market is still evolving, and newer features are being introduced almost every day, with a decreasing price tag. It is important to research the products available in the camcorder market to check suitability regarding your needs, and to see if the recording format is compatible with players in other formats.

Mini DV provides detailed information about mini DVs, mini DV camcorders, mini DV conversion and more. Mini DV is affiliated with DVD R Duplication.

The Danger Of Extended Warranties

Consumer insurance, extended warranties. You know, these expensive insurance policies that they pressurize you into buying, just as you?re standing at the checkout before the transaction goes through.

Normally, if your new piece of household gadgetry breaks within 1 year, the manufacturer will repair or replace it free of charge. But if it breaks after 14 months, it's your problem. You have to pay for it to be fixed, or (more likely) pay for a new one.

So when you have the chance to extend the cover in return for a 'small' premium, the offer sounds rather tempting. I expect the retailer hopes that you?ll be so keen to get your latest purchase home, that you?ll just say yes and pile it onto your credit card.

And why do retailers sell these warranties? Is it out of the goodness of their hearts to prevent the poor customers being left with a two year old television that explodes and cannot be repaired? No, it?s because they make a damn good profit on the commission they get from the insurance company for selling these policies.

And that gives a clue regarding my next piece of advice. DON?T TOUCH THEM! AAAARRGGHHH! NEVER! DEATH TO EXTENDED WARRANTIES! They?re a blatant waste of money. The very fact that the retailer makes so much profit from these extended warranties means that they?re a waste of money for the consumer.

Buying a four year extended warranty can often add as much as 40% to the cost of the item. So a TV with a ticket price of $2000 could cost $2800 with a four year extended warranty. $800 extra!! And how often do electrical goods breakdown between the end of the manufacturers? one year warranty and the end of a four year extended warranty?

Well certainly no more than 40% of the time. If they did, the cost of the cover would be even higher to allow the insurer and the retailer to make a profit. So here is what I suggest you do.

Refuse to pay the inflated price for any extended warranty and, if you?re the cautious type, save the money that the warranty would have cost you in a bank account. (The checkout assistant will even ?tell? you how much you need to put away to do this! Isn?t that nice of them?).

Then, if your purchase breaks down after the manufacturers? guarantee is over, you?ll have the money (plus the interest that it has earned) ready to buy a replacement. But here?s the best bit?.if nothing goes wrong with the equipment, your money will still be sitting in your bank account rather than the bank accounts of RIP OFF ELECTRONICS PLC and THE EXTORTIONATE INSURANCE CO. You could even use it to help with the cost of replacing the item when it reaches the end of its natural lifespan. How many extended warranties will allow you to do that?

Brilliant!

Still not sure? Well let me put it this way. An extended warranty is just an insurance policy, and insurance is just money paid to cover the potential risk of a certain event happening (i.e. your shiny new super-duper TV exploding within years one to five of your ownership). So, to set the premium, the insurance company uses their experience to decide upon the chances of your new purchase breaking down or being damaged within the time of the extended warranty. The higher the risk, the higher the premium they will charge.

Still following? Good.

But then they need to make some profit, so they charge a premium that reflects a higher risk of these insured events occurring. In effect, you?re paying to cover the actual statistical risk of these events happening, PLUS the insurance companies? profit on the policy.

By keeping your own money, you can cover your own potential loss AND avoid having to inflate the profits of some vast insurance company. Obviously there are potential problems with this tactic. You could be incredibly unlucky and end up in a situation where every piece of electrical equipment you buy blows up or is irreparably damaged one year and one day after you bought it (in which case you?d only have around 40% of the cost of a replacement). But how likely is that to happen?

But the more household goods that you protect in this way the safer you?ll be, because the working lifespan of the different items will average themselves out over time. Some items may last 15 years, while others may only last three.

by Stuart Laing

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Plasma Part 4B LCD Plasma: Things to Know Before Buying an LCD Television

All LCD televisions are also ready to accept HDTV (high definition television) and DTV (digital television) signals and would thus be quite functional a few years down the line, when these signals become more widespread. A majority of LCD screens can also be used as computer monitors because they can be hooked up to a VGA or DVI signal, though the resolutions of various screens tend to vary with different models and brands.

Issues with the LCD television and emerging solutions

Potential buyers who wish to replace their traditional CRT with the latest LCD need to be aware of the pros and cons of the new LCD technology and how the differences between the two technologies would alter their lifespan and viewing pleasure. The viewing angle for LCD televisions based on PVA and S-PVA LCD panels is limited to about 140 degrees, after which distortion sets in. For both light scenes and images and their darker counterparts, LCDs work better due to their high contrast ratio. The disadvantage of this technology lies in the appearance of ?ghosting? when the image varies and moves between different dark shades.

Televisions with CRT technology do not suffer from ?ghosting? as the phosphor contained in the CRT panel is charged by the strike of a beam of electrons. Most of the light is emitted in a comparatively shorter period of time, usually less than 1 millisecond, compared to a refresh period of about 20 milliseconds. For an LCD television, each pixel emits light of a fixed intensity for a stretch of approximately 20 milliseconds in addition to the time it takes to go over to the next state (or the refresh period, which is usually between 12 and 25 milliseconds).

This stretch of time, also known as the response time, can be lessened by the design of the panel, or through the use of overdriving technology, but the response time can only be cut down to the length of the refresh period. Bringing the response time to a level equal to the refresh period is usually enough to watch films and television programs, but for those who want to watch videos shot at 50 or 60 frames a second on certain LCD televisions, some ghosting issues still remain.

110-220 Volt Electronics - A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC. You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as http://www.planetomni.com for $1.95. With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you'll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you'll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world's 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 other products are available here: http://www.planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984