Unravelling The Mystery Of Vesa Wall Mounting

Writen by Darren Coates

When planning to mount your LCD or Plasma TV to the wall, ceiling or on a stand / trolley, you will no doubt come across VESA, a term used widely within the AV (Audio Visual) industry. In this article, I will clarify a few important points about this term and provide examples of the things a consumer needs to look for and consider.

VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)

VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) is an international body, founded in the late 1980s by NEC Home Electronics and eight other video display adapter manufacturers whose aim was to establish an industry-wide interface standard designed for PC's, workstations, flat panel monitors and TVs.

Identifying the VESA Standard

The standard defines, amongst other things, the various types of 4-hole patterns displayed normally in the middle on the rear side of a large number of monitors and TVs, to which alternative mounts and brackets can be attached once the base stand has been removed.

Occasionally the term is abbreviated to FDMI which is defined as Flat Display Mounting Interface standard, but is more widely known as VESA mount or bracket.

The main groupings of VESA are as follows:-

VESA MIS-D

Has mounting hole patterns in either an 100 mm x 100 mm or 75 mm x 75 mm square pattern.

VESA MIS-E

Mounting holes are in a 200 mm x 100 mm rectangular pattern.

VESA MIS-F

Several holes spaced in 200 mm increments (e.g. 400 x 200 mm, 600 x 400 mm etc.).

Making An Informed Choice

When purchasing an LCD / Plasma mount / bracket the description of the product should state whether it conforms to one or several of the VESA standard dimensions mentioned above and/or whether it has numerous hole patterns to fit non-VESA screens, often described as universal fittings. Often, the manufacturers fail to specify the exact standard, and the consumer will have to check the fittings on the back of the screen. It has even been known that different production runs of a particular screen have had mounting holes that complied with different standards. My advice would be to wait until the back of the screen can be checked, or ask a reputable dealer for advice.

Although the standard was initially limited to smaller LCD monitors and televisions, it is becoming increasingly common as the availability of third-party universal mounting has increased. Many manufacturers are now adopting the larger MIS-F standard for larger plasma and LCD screens.

Further information can be found at http://www.chaseavdirect.co.uk and http://www.chaseavdirect.co.uk/bcatalog/LCD-Mounts--LCD-Brackets-and-LCD-Stands.html

Darren Coates is the managing director of Chase AV Direct. This UK based company has been supplying premium quality LCD, plasma and projector mounting solutions and accessories online since 2001. During that time, we have offered advice and assistance to many thousands of customers seeking mounting solutions that fit.

Mini Dv Decks

Writen by Kristy Annely

Mini DV decks are generally meant for the high end user. These decks have may functions and features, all available in a single device. Some Mini DV decks are meant for home use while others are restricted to offices, educational institutions, and presentation halls.

Mini DV decks are mostly player-recorders, with most of them having editing facilities. The main problem with use of decks is their size. Because of their bulk, they are not portable and cannot be carried on outdoor locations.

The Panasonic AGDV 2500 recorder player is meant only for office or educational/ business institution use. It is more compact than other recorder decks with similar features, weighing around 5 pounds. It records in DVPRO as well as Mini DV format, and can play DVCAM. It comes with a built in microphone and remote control.

JVC's S and B series are also very popular when it comes to Mini DV decks. The models in the series are named in multiple of 3, for example, the SR VS 3 U, the SR VS 30 U, the SR VS 300 U. The newer the model, the higher the number. JVC's Mini DV decks have many features in different combinations. The DVS 3 U, for example, has a two way format system, which allows Mini DV as well as S-VHS format recording. Additionally, DVCAM cassettes can be also played. It comes with a remote control and VHS stereo. JVC's SR VS 30 U, on the other hand, allows editing and Mini DV-to-VHS conversion features, apart from dual format recording. It costs around $2000 and is good for professional video making.

Mini DV decks can be quite expensive, since they come with a variety of features. The most economical Mini DV deck can set you back by $2000. However, for those who need professional recording and playback qualities, editing of pictures and sounds and conversion of recording formats on a regular basis, purchasing a Mini DV deck is a good option.

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

Price Range Of Region Free Dvd Players

Writen by John Dulaney

Various Formats

Newer players are being developed with different configurations, and present day DVD players are compatible with more than one format, like regular CDs, MP3, CDRW, and so on.

High–definition units, DVD/VCR combos, DVD recorders, portable players, you name it and the big players have a model ideally suited to meet your needs and purse. The only problem you will face while in the market is to make a choice! It is a really daunting task with such a huge variety being offered.

Most of the leading brands operate globally with their presence spanning countries like the U.S., Canada, Italy, Spain, France, UK, Greece, you name it. Big brands like Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Samsung or even some lesser known brands like Cyber Home and Apex have a significant global presence. This being the scenario, you can easily shop for the latest code free DVD player with your neighborhood electronic store.

Code Free DVD Players are Priced According to Location and Features

Basic region free DVD players would set you back by around $60 or so. Prices may vary even within states and various countries, depending on the tax structure and market availability. A player may for example cost you less in New York when compared to some other region such as California. A basic player will give you good picture quality and comes with a remote control and on-screen control. Having said this, features could vary from one manufacturer to another. For prices less than $80 they make for great buys, unless you are a technical guru, looking for something straight out of the sci-fi movie, which you watched in your basic DVD player!

A basic player with a high quality S-video cable may be priced at around $100 . The S-video cable enables better picture quality. One good thing with the latest basic model is that most of the players now come with the most up-to-date features, which could be found only in higher end models just a couple of years ago.

If you are willing to shell out more than about $100 you can get models that can handle DVD-R discs, or players than can also handle hi-fi DVD-audio format. They can double up as your music center along with your home theater system. Such players could cost you around $130. The Toshiba SD – 3950 is a good example of a model in this price range.

Scan Type for a Code Free DVD Player

One thing to watch for in a codefree dvd player is the scan type. Check out whether it is offering progressive scan or interlace scan. A player with progressive scan would offer you a much sharper picture. It also reduces flickers. Basic players in the price range of $50 - $100 often come with interlace scan option only. Once you go $100 and upwards, you will see players offering progressive scan. Picture quality is great, enabling you to watch the latest Hollywood flicks - without flickering! Also, a code free DVD player with the progressive scan option will work only if your TV supports progressive scan. You need not worry though, since most of the modern day TVs support progressive scan technology unless you have one of those antique TVs with cathode ray technology.

If you have a high-definition TV, then it will make for a great combo along with a codefree DVD player offering progressive scan. A hi fi TV will ensure truer picture quality. You can also get even better picture quality with a digital video interface connection. Pricing for a high-end DVD player with digital video interface can be around $300. Good examples are the Samsung DVD – HD931, or even the latest Toshiba SD-3950, which both offer great picture quality. Such models can also offer advanced music playback since they can also handle DVD audio discs.

Code Free DVD/VHS Combos

If you are looking for a regionfree DVD/VHS combo you will have to shell out around $200 - $250. The price may seem steep, but remember, they offer you the best of both worlds. You can now enjoy both region free DVDs and VHS tapes. The VHS tapes translate into better pictures than in the case of a regular VCR. These players also allow you to record your TV shows for example, into VHS format.

Most of the basic regionfree DVD players are not able to record shows from TV, whereas the higher models can. These players will be priced anywhere from $350 – $800. Sony's RDR-GX7 is a good example. Lesser-known brands may cost you less while offering you the same technology. The good news though is that prices are expected to drop, even if it is only gradually.

Convenient for Travel

If you are one who is usually mobile and would like to watch your latest favorite flicks wherever you are, you can get a portable region free DVD player, which would weigh in at around three pounds, with a battery back up and come with a 7-9 inch screen.. These sleek models would cost you around $800 and act as your audio player too. Panasonic DVD-LA95 portable is one of the latest models to hit the market. Be on the lookout for other brands with portable models soon.

Most Affordable Brands

Perhaps the cheapest regionfree DVD players are from the Chinese manufacturers, which have flooded the markets, recently. Whichever part of the world you are in, region free DVD players, are available by the dozen. The prices may vary slightly, but that's it.

Whether you are in any of the European countries like UK, France, Greece, Spain or Italy or from any other Asian or Asian-Pacific nation, you can rest assured that you will be able to get a region free DVD player within your budget. All you need to do is search, either in person or on the Internet.

Where to get REGION FREE DVD players/recorders. To prevent the latest movies from reaching countries where a film has not reached theaters yet, Hollywood studios imposed a block. This regional coding is a digital flag on the disc that tells the DVD player where a particular DVD comes from. This is supposed to prevent the disc from being used by an incompatible player in another country. A normal DVD player can only play discs designated for the player's own particular region. However, a codefree DVD player is a capable of playing DVD discs from anywhere around the world. A codefree DVD player can play DVD discs from all 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. That's every DVD movie on earth! PAL-NTSC 110-220 volts DVD/VCR Combos for use worldwide. CODEFREE DVD / PAL-NTSC VCR combos and MULTISTANDARD VCRs will play 100% all known DVD discs including FRENCH DVDs.

You can buy region free and region free converting DVD players and region free DVD recorders from http://www.mindlogic.com in California. They give you a LIFETIME Warranty and ship worldwide. Tel.800-514-2984 or tel. 925-686-9945

They have more thank 140,000 consumer electronics including multisystem pal TVs such as plasma, LCD, DLP etc. They also have free standing video standards converters from Tenlab and converting PAL-SECAM,NTSC, PAL-N , PAL-M VCRs and much more.

Mini Dv Camcorders

Writen by Kristy Annely

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.

Advantages Of Dvd Duplication

Writen by Kristy Annely

Did you know that duplication is the best for quantities up to a thousand and for faster turn-around time?

The master disc is duplicated onto a high quality media to ensure that the end product is compatible with the most number of electronic hardware. All master copies should be tested in a lot of playback devices prior to DVD duplication.

Multi-session is the term used for the ways of writing information in different increments. This is not recommended, though, since many CDR and CDRW drives do not have the proper support for multi session CDs. On the other hand, almost any CDR drive, CD player, or CD Video player will play the recorded CDR.

There is no truth to the rumor that CDs and DVDs that are duplicated are not as reliable as CDs and DVDs that are replicated. In many cases, DVDs were invented for the storage of audio, video and data, despite the current issues on incompatibility with recordable DVDs. Audio CDs are the byproducts of the data CD. Similar to many new technologies, there were kinks to iron out when the CD-Rs were mass produced. To place their products in the marketplace quickly, some manufacturers produced below-par products which have trouble loading audio and keep the CDRom spinning in an audio only player.

Today, CDRs are manufactured under stricter guidelines. Although there are still inferior brands of CDRs and DVDRs, choosing a reputable duplication company that uses only professional equipment and high-quality media will result in a quality product. Here, the finished product is verified with the duplication equipment to completely match the master copy.

CD/DVD duplication and replication both have their advantage in terms of cost and quality. The customer will choose the best method of manufacturing their products. Sales people are there to help customers choose the best method for their quality demands and budget restrictions.

DVD Duplication provides detailed information on DVD Duplication, DVD Duplication Services, DVD R Duplication, CD DVD Duplication and more. DVD Duplication is affiliated with DVD Duplicator Printers.

Home Entertainment Taking It To The Next Level

Writen by John Gibb

Of course, if price is no object and you're willing to spend anything to get the very best home entertainment system, then there is a lot of expensive specialist equipment out there for you.

The first thing you will probably want to spend money on is a better sound system – audiophiles are forever coming up with new ways to fill rooms with speakers, and get a better sound experience. If all the wires running across your floor would upset you, then don't worry, as you can get wireless surround sound speakers for not too much more than normal ones.

If your sound system is good enough, you might even want to have sound insulation put into whichever room the home entertainment system is in, to keep the sound from escaping and disturbing others. This means that you can have the sound up very loud without having to worry about what anyone thinks of you.

When you get to the point of buying a separate TV from your normal TV just to play films on, you might think about buying a projector instead. The main problem with projectors is that they're not much good for normal TV viewing, but if you're planning to keep one aside and use it just for films, then it can be much better quality, as long as you have a clear wall to point it at.

To take it to the next level, you might consider putting your home cinema in its own 'cinema room' (sometimes called a 'screening room'), complete with sound insulation, a screen for a projector and extra-comfortable cinema-style seating. Some enthusiasts go as far as to decorate this room to look like a cinema, with red curtains, movie posters, and a popcorn machine. If you do go this far, then you don't have to keep the home cinema just for yourself – you can invite friends over to enjoy it too, and even hold screenings of particularly rare and good films.

John Gibb is the owner of Home Entertainment-guidance For more information on home entertainment systems check out http://www.Home-Entertainment-guidance.Info

Home Theater Projectors

Writen by Peter Emerson

Some people who set up home theater systems prefer to use projectors rather than the traditional television sets because projectors typically produce higher quality pictures. A projector also appeals to some people due to the fact that it can offer a more authentic movie-viewing experience with its large projection.

Disadvantages of Projectors

Most light-projection theater systems produce a big picture that is not suitable for smaller rooms. These products are also not good in rooms with bright, ambient lighting. Since these projectors produce the picture by emitting the picture on a screen using light, any other light source can interfere with the projection.

If you intend to use projectors in your home theater system, you will need to have a dedicated room for theater purposes. It requires you to have a room capable of being in complete darkness, as well as having enough room for a large screen for your projector to project the picture.

Cost

The cost of the average projector is comparable to a high-quality, big-screen, HDTV-capable television. The higher quality projectors can end up costing more than the television set themselves.

The least expensive projectors can cost as much as $3,000. These products will have lower resolution than the more expensive ones. It is not be better to purchase a large-screen, HDTV-capable television rather than a $3,000 projector.

The good, quality projectors begin at $5,000 and can go as high as $12,000 or more. These are the products with very good resolution, which will give you the proper home theater experience.

If you are in the market to purchase a theater projector and are only looking to buy an average system, expect to spend up to $7,000 for the projector. You should then modify the room to allow for complete darkness.

Home Theaters provides detailed information on Home Theaters, Home Theater Systems, Home Theater Projectors, Home Theater Speakers and more. Home Theaters is affiliated with HDTV Antennas.

Digital Cameras Explained

Writen by John Gibb

Over the last few years, the picture quality in digital cameras has becoming amazing. As recently as the year 2000, even the very best digital cameras you could buy produced grainy, poor-quality images that could never compare to what film had to offer. Today, though, digital cameras can easily rival and even exceed the quality of film, capturing pin-sharp digital images and never needing to be refilled with anything except power.

When you buy a digital camera, the most important thing you should look for is how many mega pixels (million pixels in the image) the photos it takes are. Cameras available today range from about 3MP at the low end to 10MP or more at the high end, with the price increasing steadily with each extra mega pixel.

However, how many mega pixels the camera has is not the only thing you should consider. Battery life is very important, as cameras with a short battery life can be frustratingly unusable, and the presence of various features in the camera's software like auto focus and digital zoom should also be a consideration, as well as the camera's ability to record non-photographic material like sound and video.

Ultimately, the best thing to do with digital cameras is to either buy the cheapest one you can find or a very high-end one – if you go for something mediocre, you will just be frustrated at having paid a lot of money for a camera that isn't really all that great. If you are choosing between two cameras at a certain price point, it is almost always better to buy the one made by a known brand, as they will tend to have much better build quality, software and battery life, as well as being generally better-designed and easier to use.

As a final note, if you just want a cheap digital camera to take around with you and take occasional snaps of your friends and places you go, it's well worth considering getting a mobile phone with a digital camera built in. As you take your phone around with you anyway, it's no extra hassle to carry a camera phone, and the pictures they can take are rapidly increasing in quality, to the point where they are now where digital cameras were only a few years ago. As technology gets even better, a camera phone is increasingly becoming a very smart alternative to a digital camera for the casual user.

John Gibb is the owner of digital camera sources, For more information on digital cameras please check out http://www.digital-camera-sources4u.info

Digital Audio Players Produce Great Sound But Remember To Turn Down The Volume

Writen by Urbain Beck

Digital audio players are constantly improving. By playing computerized audio formats, they allow the listener to hear music with exceptional quality that far exceeds the analog radio of days gone by. Examples of digital audio players include MP3 players and iPods.

Many of the digital audio players are portable and come with headphones that pipe crystal clear sound directly down the ear canal. While enjoyable, millions face potential hearing problems down the road from using these devices.

That is because without the distortion created by analog audio devices, digital audio player users may be exposed to unsafe sound levels without realizing it. The distortion from analog radio naturally governs the volume a listener is willing to hear.

According to testimony presented to Congress in 2005 regarding Medicare coverage of hearing aids and devices, preliminary observations about digital audio players revealed that the music reaching the eardrum topped 115 decibels. Hearing specialists say that exposure to noise that loud for more than 28 seconds per day, over time, can cause permanent hearing damage.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidelines about what it considers to be the maximum exposure time to certain decibel levels. According to OSHA, a maximum of 90 decibels (or dB) for 8 hours a day is safe. While many hearing specialists disagree, applying OSHA's guidelines for the workplace indicates a little bit more flexibility about how long you can safely listen to your digital audio player before damaging your ability to hear. For every 5 dB increase in volume, the maximum exposure time is cut in half. For example:

95 dB - 4 hours
100 dB - 2 hours
110 dB - 30 minutes
120 dB - 7.5 minutes

Using OSHA's standards and the observable level of 115 dB listened to by many digital audio player users, the maximum time you should be listening to your audio player is about 15 minutes a day. Remember, hearing specialists believe that you should not be topping 28 seconds a day of 115 dB exposure.

If you want to enjoy your digital audio player for more than 28 seconds to 15 minutes a day, turn down the volume ... no matter how stomping those tunes are! When you are in your teens, it's hard to imagine being 40 years old, let alone being 40 years old and hard of hearing, but aging happens.

It is estimated that over 50 million Americans may have hearing impairments by the year 2030. In losing their ability to hear speech, hear alarms, or even enjoy the radio or television, this hearing loss can severely affect a person's independence.

Enjoy the great sound produced by your digital audio player today – but at safe levels that won't jeopardize your enjoyment of life in the years to come.

Urbain C. Beck is a freelance author who warns readers that with all medical and health advice found on the Internet, you should be sure to consult with a medical professional. If you have questions about potential hearing impairments and the volume of sound you can safely listen to on your digital audio player, be sure to consult with your doctor or an audiologist. You can learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids at http://www.hearing-aide-directory.com

32 Inch Lcd Tv Review

Writen by Roger Wembley

If you are looking for a good size TV that will go well in a living room then you should choose a 32 inch LCD TV. 32 inch LCD TVs are big enough that everyone in the room will be able to see the picture. At the same time it is small enough that it won't take over the room. When looking for any 32 inch LCD TV you should choose a brand that is well known in the electronics industry for producing high quality electronics.

If you are in the market for a 32 inch LCD TV the first thing you should do is read reviews on some of the many 32 inch LCD TVs available. Consumer Reports is a great place to start your search for 32 inch LCD TVs because they will give you unbiased reviews of all the models they have available without all the sales fluff you get when looking at the manufacturer's website. You can check out Consumer Reports website at http://www.consumerreports.org.

Once you have a model of a 32 inch LCD TV in mind, it is very easy to do some comparison shopping thanks to the internet to find the best deal. You can either shop online or find a retail store near you that carries the model you are looking for. While there are many deals when shopping online you do need to take a few things into consideration before pulling out your credit card.

First 32 inch LCD TVs are big and are generally expensive to ship; shipping costs can add a couple hundred dollars to the total price you pay. Also, when buying online you have to make sure that you are buying from a reputable dealer who offers warranties and everything else you would get when shopping in a bricks and mortar store.

That being said, here is a review of a 32 inch LCD TV model that will get you started on your search along with the cheapest price and where you can find them on the web.

The Samsung LN-R328W is a good quality 32 inch LCD TV. This 32 inch LCD TV has a high resolution of 1,366 x 768 and an aspect ration of 16:9. This means that you will have high definition, crisp pictures. This 32 inch LCD TV is HDTV ready with a built in NTSC and ATSC tuner and is both slim and light to make this TV a work of art. The cheapest price found on the web for this 32 inch LCD TV is $1,077.95 from http://www.electrodiscounts.com.

Roger Wembley writes for http://www.lcd-tvs-here.com. Come visit our site for lcd tv stuff and cool lcd television info.

How To Get Hdtv Programming For Your Home

Writen by Jim Johnson

OK, so you have your brand new HDTV or are seriously thinking about getting one soon. That's a great decision because this new television technology is going to quickly become the standard for broadcasting television signals. In fact by 2007 all television broadcasting will have switched over to digital format under the direction of the FCC, and that paves the way for high definition television to become the accepted norm.

So how do you actually get the HDTV signal then? Well, there are different ways to do that and the best decision for you probably depends most on where you live. If you live in close proximity to television stations that broadcast HDTV programming then all you will need is a television that already has a HDTV tuner built in to be able to receive and display high definition broadcasts, and a suitable antenna. However, you will be limited to receiving only a small group of local stations.

For most people, the best solution is to become a subscriber to either a cable TV or satellite service, because they offer many more channels of entertainment and news that broadcast in HDTV. To receive the signal from these providers you only need to have a television set that is HDTV "capable", or in other words, all that is needed to process high definition programming is an external receiver or tuner. Just like the ones provided by cable and satellite companies.

The other advantage of having the HDTV capable television set is that as the technology improves, you can simply upgrade the receiver as your programing provider makes the new tuners available, usually at very little or even no cost since you continue to use their service.

You can also use cable or satellite service if you have the HDTV tuner already installed inside your TV, but why pay for the tuner if you get the same thing from your programming provider instead?

So in summary, you can get HDTV programming either by antenna through local TV broadcasts, or broaden your channel selection and HDTV choices through either a satellite or cable TV company.

Jim Johnson is a successful author and publisher on consumer related matters. You can find out more about hdtv tuners and hdtv reviews by visiting our HDTV website.

Television Getting The Big And Better Picture

Writen by Christine Peppler

Television viewing has certainly changed over the years. From black and white to color in the early days, to the ever increasing size of screens more recently, the home viewing experience is improving. The more recent quest has been focused on increasing picture quality with better color accuracy and clarity. As a consumer, it can be difficult to keep up with all of the terminology and the features of the various types of televisions. For those who have not dedicated time to keep up with this changing world of television, a very brief overview is in order to help in the search for a great picture.

The first step in getting the best possible picture is to receive the best possible signal, which at this time is digital. Satellite TV and digital cable offer the majority of digital television out there at this time. However, changes in broadcasting are forthcoming as all major networks should discontinue broadcasting analog signals and convert completely to digital by February 2009. Digital signals offer many advantages but the most obvious result will be a higher quality picture (and sound). With this change, owning an HDTV set would be of benefit although owners of analog sets will probably be able to purchase inexpensive converter boxes to be able to view the digital signals. Of course, if users want the full picture such as what they see in movie theaters, they will need a "wide screen" with 16:9 aspect ratio versus the 4:3 aspect ratio seen in most traditional sets.

Secondly, a few words about HDTV are in order. HDTV is one form of digital television. It transmits six times more information than you get through analog TV. This gives the viewer stunning pictures with far greater detail, clarity, and color accuracy. An HDTV is capable of displaying resolution of 480i, 480p, 720i, 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p. The "i" means that the signal is displayed on the screen "interlaced" and the "p" means that it is displayed by progressive scan. Progressive scan generally produces a higher quality picture. The highest quality signal a conventional TV offers is 480i, but this is the lowest quality signal for an HDTV. Potential buyers looking for the best picture should accept no less that 720p.

Numerous technologies such as plasma, LCD, and DLP provide displays with outstanding color accuracy, contrast, depth, and clarity. All have a good life span, dependability, and work well in most environments. The choice is primarily based on personal preferences although plasma screens are not recommended for locations at altitudes over 6,500 feet. Plasma tends to offer the largest of screens and is somewhat less expensive than LCD screens of the same size. LCD screens on the other hand emit less heat and use less energy.

Obviously there are many options for getting an outstanding picture to enhance the viewing experience. As there are a number of great technologies, the type of display is less important than getting a digital signal and a set that can both receive the full high definition image and display it with the best possible resolution.

Christine Peppler shares information on home electronics products and home entertainment on her website at: http://www.homemedias.info

Hdtv The New And Exciting Way To Watch Television

Writen by Tim Gorman

The new High definition TV's are the best way to watch really good high quality TV and it is much better than any other TV that is available. They do this by having a higher number of pixels on the screen than usual plasma TV's. But to get the best from them you need to watch the high definition programs. But there are a lot of them being made now so it should not be a problem. But when you see a high definition program on a good quality HDTV then you will notice a real difference. The whole picture is a lot clearer and is much easier to watch.

The picture quality on a high definition TV is usually much better than it is on an LCD TV due to the fact that they have a much better contrast and so the quality of the picture is better. Plasma TV's also offer you the same view wherever you are viewing it from. There is not change in the picture as with a traditional TV and even an LCD TV is not the same when it is viewed from the side. But an HDTV will always look the same from every angle so you can always get a good picture on it.

One of the other benefits with plasma TV's is that they are so flat that you can hang them on the wall. This not only saves a lot of space but it also means that you have a really good way to view your favorite film as though you were at the cinema. If you have a good 42" HD TV then you can get a really good show but you must make sure that your dvd player can show high definition dvd's. Not all of them can and if yours is an older model then you might have to buy a new one to get the best picture for your new TV.

HD TV's are the latest thing and are well worth the extra money. When you first see the screen, you will realize that the high definition technology makes a real difference to the quality of the picture and this makes it well worth the cost. But you do not have to just pay the retail cost. If you look around there are some really good deals that could save a lot of money and get the best deal for you.

For more information on high definition televisions to include money saving reviews on Sony HDTV's, Panasonic HDTV's, Phillips HDTV's and Pioneer HDTV's visit ShoppingForHDTV.com located at http://www.shoppingforhdtv.com.

An Introduction To Home Theater Projector Screens

Writen by Jennifer Bailey

Home theater projector screens are great for when you want a real movie house experience. When there is a projection of a video or an image, the presence of a projector screen is inevitable. A projector screen is a specially made flat screen to be hung on the wall or erected vertically where the image is reflected, so that the image size is enlarged. The surfaces of such screens are usually rough, and white in color.

There are quite a number of types of projector screens. They are home cinema projector screens, portable projector screens, manual projector screens, electric projector screens, fixed frame projector screens, and also movie board home cinema projection screens.

All these screens are used as home theater projector screens. These home theater screens are available in multiple, specialized projection materials tailor-made to add to the video quality. These home theater projector screens can easily be put in a training room, board room, or auditorium. All these screens are available in various dimensions – starting from the standard 4:3 size to as large as 16:9 ratios. Most of the home theater projector screens are also available with black masking borders, in Video TV format, with stylish curved aluminum extruded cases, motor in-the-roller design for quiet operation, and other such facilities.

Some of the top home theater projectors are the Sanyo PLV-Z4, Panasonic PT-AE900U, BenQ PE8720, Epson Power Lite Cinema 550, NEC HT510, Optoma H31, In Focus Screen Play 4805, Sony VPL-VW100, Optoma Movie Time DV10, Runco Signature Cinema SC-1 and Sharp Vision XV-Z20000.

Projector Screens provides detailed information on Projector Screens, Video Projector Screens, Home Theater Projector Screens, Electric Projector Screens and more. Projector Screens is affiliated with Large Format Flatbed Scanners.

Rear Projection Tv Facts Understanding The Pros Amp Cons Of Rear Projection In The Home Theater

Writen by Andrew Ghigo

Rear Projection Television - An Affordable Option

A great deal of consumer appeal for Rear Projection TV systems arise out of the shear simplicity that this product offers as an immediate solution to getting a bigger TV.

No mess, no fuss, if you have the space, either visit your local big screen retailer - or better still, check at your favorite online electronics superstore - to order your product and get it delivered in just a few days; unpack the product and there you have a big screen TV in your living room ready for immediate use!

Rear Projection TV Facts:

As already stated, rear projection offers a most immediate solution to getting a bigger TV. Probably, this is also one of the main drivers behind rear projection television sales.

Yet the real 'culprit' behind the popularity of rear projection TV systems does not arise out of some particular benefit associated with rear projection, but out of the fact that most big screen retailers seem to give the impression that rear projection systems are cheaper than a front projection setup.

This may be true in retail stores, but not necessary so when buying online. The reality is that for a given budget level, prices online are such that front projectors will deliver a much more cinema-like experience for the same price bracket. Therefore, do not base your decision on price alone to decide between a front projection setup and a rear projection TV box.

Clearly, there is a market for both - the primary decisive factor should be your room size. If you don't have a large viewing room, a 40" to 60" diagonal TV will probably be more than adequate rendering a rear projection TV the ideal affordable solution - as long as it fits in the available space.

Size - or rather unit depth - is becoming less of a problem with modern LCD and DLP rear projection TV units. A typical 52" diagonal widescreen DLP or LCD rear projection TV set requires no more than 15-inches in depth; this contrasts heavily with a similar size CRT rear projection model which would normally require between 22 and 24 inches in depth.

What's more, considering that a similar size Plasma TV is still out of reach of most average household budgets, today's slim-styled LCD and DLP rear projection TV sets, with their lower prices yet high performance, are becoming the affordable 'immediate' big screen TV option in the television mass-market.

However prior to committing yourself to a rear projection TV, it is important to be fully aware of a few limitations associated with rear projection systems, namely: limited screen size, limited viewing angle, glare problems, poor aspect ratio management, poor use of floor-space, etc.

We take a look at each of these limitations in further detail below:

Screen size:
Rear projection TV systems come in screen sizes ranging from typical 42" up to a maximum of just over 70". This may or may not be a limitation. It is true that you can get a 100" projection with a home theater projector for the price of a high quality digital 50" rear projection TV, yet the screen size should be dimensioned to suit your room. If your room size does not support such big projections, rear projection is probably the way to go.

Viewing angles:
Rear projection TV systems used to have a rather limited viewing angle - with the optimum viewing position being one directly in front of and eye-level with the unit. Move away to either side, and color, contrast, and brightness will degrade substantially. A narrow viewing angle will limit the number of people who can watch the set due the lowering in picture quality at the extreme viewing angles. Most modern systems support a viewing angle of circa 150 degrees - which should be adequate for normal home theater use. However, it is always best to check on this prior to your purchase as some products are worse than others.

Reflections:
It is common that any light source at a complementary angle to your viewing-angle will result in glare - in particular if the unit makes use of a screen-saver (a clear protective material that covers the fragile screen itself). Glare can seriously degrade the picture quality. The only real solution is to take away the offending light source; in some cases the situation can improve if one removes the screen-saver – BUT remember that an unprotected screen is fragile and expensive to replace if damaged.

Floor-space:
Any rear projection TV is literally a large box with a relatively large footprint. It is true that modern slim-type models do exist that are no more than 15 to 18 inches in depth - depending on the screen size, yet the cheaper CRT-based rear projection TV sets will stand out by at least 24 to even 30 inches to allow for the necessary air-space between the back of the unit and the wall.

Remember to take this into your calculations when planning your home theater as these two feet or so will have to be deducted from your available viewing distance.

Rear Projection TV Speakers:
Forget all about them! Do not give any weighting to the speaker system coming with your rear projection unit. You would not be using them as you will surely want to replace these with your dedicated home theater surround receiver speaker system.

Do not even think of using the build-in speakers of your rear television set as a center channel replacement. They will just interfere with the sound coming out of your dedicated system - hence do not pay anything extra for this as you will surely be switching off your TV sound completely during a movie show.

Aspect ratios:
We have already mentioned a number of limitations associated with rear projection television, yet in comparison, these are just minor issues. The real serious limitation with a rear projection TV is aspect ratio management.

This is the trickiest of it all. Standard television comes only in 4:3 but rear projection TV systems come in both standard 4:3, and in the 16:9 widescreen format. Once you choose your format however, you have to live with it - so once again, you have to choose wisely.

The 4:3 (1.33) or 16:9 (1.78) referred to as the aspect ratio, is the ratio of the screen width with respect to the height of the image. All standard non-HDTV material is in the 4:3 format while most modern films come in one of the many widescreen formats - the most common being the 2.35, which in itself is not compatible with any of the fixed aspect ratio TV systems.

There are various ways to deal with this - including:

• Image stretching to fill the available screen.
• Use of black or gray bars on top and bottom of a 4:3 screen to show the movie in its correct aspect ratio as originally filmed, but then the effective film display will be smaller.
• Pan and scan editing where only the most important portion of each frame is shown with the rest being discarded.

Image stretching and horizontal bars can be extremely irritating while in the 'pan and scan' you are giving up film information to have a full screen view. Worst of all, prolonged use of horizontal bars - especially black bars - leads to tube burn-out in CRT based systems at huge costs to you.

The incompatibility between screen formats renders the decision on aspect ratio a rather complicated issue when choosing a rear projection TV set. Surely, there is no such dilemma with a front projection setup, but if your only way forward is rear projection, then you will have to choose wisely.

Here no one can help you in your decision - it is simply a matter of preference. The best way to decide on aspect ratio is by first determining what you will be viewing most.

Making the Choice:

Surely, there is a market for both front and rear projection TVs – it is all a question of knowing what are the advantages and limitations of each with respect to your specific needs.

Andrew Ghigo – A Telecoms/Electronics engineer by profession, with specialization in digital switching and telecoms fraud management systems.

Editor and publisher of http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com - a site dedicated to all home theater enthusiasts with the scope of serving as a comprehensive home theater guide to home theater systems, product reviews and home theater design.

This article is an excerpt from a series of guides appearing under the Projection Television section of the site.

Dvd Copy

Writen by Jimmy Sturo

A DVD is physically similar to the more familiar CD (Compact Disc). The diameter of a DVD measures 120mm or 80mm. However, the gap in their creations – CDs in the 1970's and DVDs in the 1990's – ensures obvious differences. DVDs can store data – movies included – with a greater quality of sound and video. Concomitant to that, it has a storage capacity that is a minimum seven times greater than that of a CD.

For several years, DVDs were digitally guarded in an effort to save the celluloid industry from the bane of piracy. It was common for DVDs to have an in-built encryption code known as the CSS. Today, you find DVD players complete with chips that can 'unlock' a DVD – in other words, the DVD cannot be copied, just viewed.

Ironically, in 2001, it took 16-year-old Jon Johansen, from Norway, to come up with a software program to crack the seemingly impenetrable CSS. DeCSS, as the software was subsequently branded, allowed computer users the luxury to "rip" a facsimile of the DVDs original digital content on to the machine's hard drive. In the past, there were many stumbling blocks for those wanting to copy DVDs. A few years ago, drives that could write data to empty DVDs were luxuriously priced. Even buying blank DVDs was costly, as they were priced higher than a movie DVD in a store.

Today, DVD burning devices can be purchased for as little as $30. The average price is around $70, and blank DVD discs come for less than $1, if purchased in bulk. Presently, the market is littered with a profusion of DVD copying software, making it possible to copy VHS to DVD, DVD to DVD, DVD to CD, et al. The latest entrants into the DVD market seem to be the dual-layered drives with a capacity to copy entire DVDs. In other words, there is no need to compress data or cut features to produce copies.

DVD Copy provides detailed information on DVD Copy, Free DVD Copy Software, DVD Copy Software, DVD Copy Software Review and more. DVD Copy is affiliated with DVD-ROM Replication.

The Advantages Of Buying A Lcd Hdtv

Writen by Jim Johnson

If you are in the market for a new television set, there just hasn't been a better time to get high quality equipment that will last for years at low prices. Of course, TV technology continues to improve and as the new HDTV broadcasting format becomes more standardized the prices will continue to fall, but not the precipitous drops that we have seen in the past few years though.

So what about these LCD HDTVs? What makes them so special, and what should you look for when buying one?

Well, LCD monitors have been used in computers for several years now, and they are known for their bright, exquisite color rendition, so it was a natural leap to adapt that technology to the HDTV format. LCD screens are much thinner and lighter than projection TVs and older CRT screens too, so they can be very useful in smaller rooms that just could not support a larger screen before LCD or plasma screens came along. Many people even mount LCD screens to the wall using special brackets that hold them securely in place, and this is perhaps the ultimate in space saving design.

If you have such a great, eye-pleasing monitor you now need to have programming that takes full advantage of the screen's viewing capability, and that's where HDTV comes in. It is two technologies that were meant for each other. HDTV allows television broadcasting to be sent in a signal that is very dense with digital information about both the video and sound. It is a huge leap over the older analog TV broadcasts that most TV stations have been using for years.

In fact, the HDTV signal can carry screen resolution information up to ten times that of the old analog signals. So when you marry that much sharper and rich resolution with a LCD screen that is capable of displaying the signal in all it's intended glory, you have a combination that is hard to beat for sheer viewing pleasure.

Just make sure that the LCD TV that you buy either has a HDTV tuner already in it or is labeled as "HDTV Ready" which means that it can be hooked up to a HDTV tuner like those used by satellite and cable companies who feature HDTV programming.

Once you view television programming with the combined technologies of HDTV and a LCD monitor, you will wonder how you managed without it all this time.

Jim Johnson is a successful author and publisher on consumer related matters. You can find out more about a sharp lcd tv and lcd tv reviews by visiting our HDTV website.

Tips On Choosing The Best Home Theater System

Writen by Dean Caporella

Defining the best home theater system is a matter of personal choice. Does a system worth $250,000 offer better quality than one that cost just $3000 to put together? Probably, but how many people can afford to spend a quarter of a million dollars on home entertainment?

Take my case for example. I'm a home theater nut who loves nothing better than being engrossed in my favorite movies in the confines of my own home. In my spare time it's my relaxation. My home theater system which includes the basics such as a television, DVD and speakers as well a a few optional extras set me back about $6000. I love it! My two closest friends who happen to be my next door neighbors are also home theater nuts with rather deep pockets. Their interpretation of the best home theater system includes the best that Bang And Olufsen have to offer and they are happy to fork out a six figure sum to get the best quality. What's my point? It's personal choice!

Satisfying Your Budget

Setting a budget you can afford and then doing a little due diligence is your first step towards finding your best home theater system. Is your budget $3000? Do you realise that for this amount you can get yourself a very reliable and neat little system. A television, either plasma or LCD, a DVD player, speaker system and projection system plus accompanying cables for between $3-4000 is achievable. You simply need to spend a little time researching the options available.

The entry level home theater market is cut throat so bargains are there to be had. The majority of people searching for systems are usually looking at this end of the scale. Comparison shopping should be your number one priority. Spend some time checking out the various local stores. Don't even consider making a decision until you've "sniffed out" each one. Once you've done this, then it's time to get online. Why? Because this is where you will in all probability, find the best buys.

Home Theater Online

A search for best home theater systems will get you a myriad of results. Some sites are extensions of the major stores repeating many of the deals you checked out physically however, many aren't and this gives you extra choice flexibility. Other sites offer any amount of information with some going the "extra mile" and offering mix'n'match alternatives or reviews on the "best bang for your buck" available. The message here is don't be hasty and purchase the first television or DVD combination from the first salesperson you come across.

Personal choice is what it's all about. The best home theater system on the market, taken literally, will set you back thousands upon thousands of dollars however, choose what's best for you and your budget. Let me assure you, for just a few thousand dollars you can experience some pretty serious home theater pleasure!

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Do you know what the best home theater system is? Get the latest home theater news and reviews at: http://www.hometheaterinfoline.com

How To Find The Best Prices On Hdtvs

Writen by Tim Gorman

These days the big new thing on the technology front is HDTV. The new high definition sets are getting more and more popular as people realize the difference in quality that they will get with one of these sets. As with most new technology it is not cheap. Obviously the cost will drop as usually happens after a while, but a lot of people do not want to wait for that and want to get their set as soon as a possible. If you go to the stores in the mall it is not very likely that you will get a very good deal, but it is convenient and if the cost is not so important to you then this might be the easiest way for you to buy your set.

But if you want to keep the cost down, then you might have to look around for the best bargain. There are some very large discount stores that always try to sell for less than the other stores and they might be a good way to reduce your costs. But you might have to travel to get the best deal. The larger discount stores are usually in big cities, so if you are not in a big city then you might have to travel to get one. But you need to make sure that the cost of the travel does not cost you more than the saving that you are making. But if you live in a small town then it might be a good idea anyway, so that you can get a better choice of sets.

But the best way to get the best prices on HDTV is to go online. This way you are sure to get a better deal than you would get at retail store. The online stores have a lot less overheads and so can offer you a much better deal. But do not just assume that every online store is cheaper. It is a good idea to go to several sites so that you get a better idea of the cost and what is a good deal.

Another way that you could make sure that you are not paying too much online is to go to some of the price comparison sites. These are sites that compare costs from a variety of online stores and tell you where the best deal is. But it is worth looking you searching as well as some of the smaller store may not be on these sites. But some of the smaller sites can offer really good deals. There are some really good deals around on HD TV but you need to look around to make sure that you are getting the best deal for you.

For more money saving tips and information on high definition televisions to include reviews of Panasonic HDTV's, Sharp HDT's, Sony HDTV's and Hitachi HDTV's visit ShoppingForHDTV.com located at http://www.shoppingforhdtv.com

Converting Your Dvd Player To Region Free

Writen by Timothy Day

When hunting for your region free solution online the best rule (as with most things) is not to part with your hard earned money. In this article the webmaster of DVD-Unlock briefly looks over the options available.

Region Free Solution 1 - Remote Control / Key Sequence

Many low to mid-range DVD players have secret menus or "back doors", these methods can let you change things such as:

- The current region setting on your particular model (In most cases this is were the Region Free setting can be set)
- Switch between PAL and NTSC
- Modify the Macrovision setting
- Enable VCD and sometimes MP3 playback

Access to these secret menus normally requires the user to enter a sequence via the remote control, codes for particular players can be found all over the net on both free or a "paid for" basis.

Personally I would avoid subscription, one off payment or "required donation" sites because they will normally contain the same information that the free sites have.

Region Free Solution 2 - Upgrading or downgrading your players firmware

This method involves changing the software installed on your model and normally involves downloading the update from the Internet. Once the download is complete the update can be burned to a disk, (quite often in a certain way depending on your DVD model) the disk is then placed in the DVD player.

This method is one of those things that if it works, it works great. If it fails on the other hand you could be looking at a dead player.

Region Free Solution 3 - Chipped Remotes

This is a method I have never performed, but have been made very aware of.

Many sites now are offing chipped remote control units, these units are supposed to be pre-programmed to unlock your particular player normally by the touch of a button. On the face of it this seems like a great solution for DVD players that would not normally be unlocked. In reality the cost of these remotes can cost around the same price as a brand new region free DVD player. I have also been made aware of numerous sites which basically take your money and don't deliver, have poor customer support, don't answer emails, etc.

Now I am sure there are lots of reputable chipped remote dealers out there on the net, I just don't know of anyone who's found one; to be honest I could not justify the cost anyway.

Region Free Solution 4 - Purchase a Region Free Player

If you cannot find a free unlock code for your player I seriously think the best option would be to purchase a cheap region free player, you can normally pick them up locally plus take them back if you get any problems.

Tim Day http://www.dvd-unlock.co.uk/

This article may be reproduced freely on the condition the footer with my name and website address is left intact.

Although it's not required feel free to contact me via my website and let me know if you use this, you might even get a return link.

Ipods Cases For Ipods

Writen by Steve Gee

iPods have cornered the market in terms of trendy mp3 players and the latest, third generation, versions offer photograph and video options too. Then there is the 'iPod nano' and the 'iPod mini' and the 'iPod shuffle' too! These gadgets have remained popular for some time now and alongside the sale of iPods an industry has grown in accessories.

The biggest advantage of an iPod is its size and therefore the ability to take it with you wherever you go. However, this can cause problems as they are also quite delicate and the screen and case are prone to scratching, even during normal usage. Therefore there is a whole market out there offering cases to protect your iPod from damage and to make it possible for you to take it literally anywhere. Most cases now come with a variety of options for straps and clips to make sure your iPod never leaves your side until you are ready to put it away.

IPod Case Type 1: Socks

Yes really! This is just a pocket that your iPod slips into and it can be made out of sock material, usually cotton or wool. It's easy to make them fit all the different shapes and sizes of iPods and they can be made in a variety of materials and colors. You can get iPod socks from Apple but there are lots of other places to choose from offering all sorts of styles and colors. But why buy one when they are so easy to make. I used a pair of men's thick sports socks. I cut off the foot then sewed up the end where the foot would have been. That's all there is to it and you get two iPod cases for the price of a pair of socks.

IPod Case Type 2: Fabric and Skins

I'm not sure whether the fabric cases here shouldn't come under the 'socks' label, but having looked at various websites, there are some really wacky cases for iPods available, at a cost. The options should suit all tastes from pink and fluffy to textured and to practical plain "Hotromz" make the cases to fit all types of iPod available. More expensive than a sock but they do make an individual statement about the owner!

If you don't want an iPod case that issues a fashion statement then you can try something a little simpler like a wallet covered with tweed or other fabric. The problem with the wallet approach though is that you have to remove the player from the iPod case in order to use it. I think that's a bit inconvenient.

If standing out from the crowd is not your style, there are other fabric options available, such as tweed covered wallets that the iPod just slides into. However, if you wish to change anything, or look at the screen, you need to take the player out of the iPod case.

The 'Moshi' pouch is like a cross between fabric and skins. Made of a special fabric called 'Terahedron'. Inside the iPod case there are microscopic filaments that help to clean the iPod of fingerprints and smears. The iPod case is also resistant to water and dirt. With a handy pocket for storing earphones, this iPod case is not expensive and proving quite popular.

Skins are made from silicone rubber or orca-skin neoprene. The silicone variety provides a translucent skin so that you can still see the iPod inside. They have clear screen protectors too, so there is no need to remove the player from the iPod case to use it. Neoprene covers are best for those people who like to take their iPods when they are taking part in outdoor activities. Tough and strong, they are made to protect the iPod regardless of where you are. They still offer a clear view of the screen, but the cases often have shaped grips on the sides for easy handling. Some have a lid to protect the front and a pocket to store earphones.

IPod Case Type 3: Leather

Leather cases for iPods are the most expensive option there is, but not always the most practical, leather iPod cases offer a very smart alternative to the brightly coloured neoprene or silicone skin, or the fabric versions. Some manufacturers offer the opportunity for you to have your initials printed on the iPod case, just to make sure no-one mistakes whose case it is. Leather iPod cases come in several different styles, such as one that looks like a notebook with a front flap, or there is one that has a flap that fixes over the top, like a purse. The ultimate and possibly the most expensive iPod case available is one made from ostrich leather!

IPod Case Type 4: Sports Cases and Armbands

The ultimate in portable cases for iPods with elasticised straps that have neoprene cases attached, ready for you to strap on your upper arm. This turns your iPod into the ideal partner to take to the gym where you can exercise whilst listening to your favourite music or other download.

If you are not too keen on wearing it on your upper arm, a new variation is a case that slips on to your hand, which is easy to access if you wish to change whatever you are listening to. This style is most suited for those who want to exercise outdoors such as joggers or walkers.

Steve is a software engineer and likes to look after his iPod. Visit the web site iPods Cases For iPods For more information http://www.ipodscasesforipods.thememoryfoammattress.com

Digital Cameras

Writen by John Nilson

Throughout the ages humanity has always been fascinated by the possibility of "capturing moments" or in other words perpetuating moments of high significance and outstanding beauty. This provided the opportunity to share something that nobody else has seen or perceived. This idea has made a long way from canvas-paintings to using cameras. Cameras, in their turn have also experienced a rather fast evolution and nowadays everybody has a notion of what a digital camera is and the majority of people use digital cameras.

What is a digital camera? According to a standard definition a digital camera is "…opposed to a film or video camera, uses an electronic sensor to transform images and video into electronic data"[1]. Years ago people used to possess two different devices in order to take pictures and to make video. The need to spare space and make it more comfortable for people to do both things with higher quality results catalyzed the creation of digital cameras. The multifunctionalism of digital cameras and the combination of several devices in one make it the best possible choice for a modern man.

For years a digital camera has been unaffordable for many families, nevertheless, nowadays the great variety of digital cameras of different manufacturers and diverse prices make a digital camera a potential purchase of almost every single family. The formula: price + quality = satisfied customer used by the digital cameras manufacturers is especially reflected in the wide choice of cameras that offer the best quality standards for the price-range they belong to. How to choose a digital camera?

The transition of digital photography from the privilege of rich people to an ordinary home appliance has caused some problems. That is the reason a modern man has a set of questions concerning digital cameras, especially the what's, why's and where's of digital cameras. Nobody wants to make a "miscalculation"! The basic problem in choosing a digital camera is a "guarantee" that the device you are purchasing will "grow old" in couple of month due to a constant improvement and development of the sphere. The only factor that may delay this process of "growing old" is purchasing a device with the price twice or three times higher of the average market price for a digital camera at the moment.

If a person chooses a digital camera there are several criterions of a great priority he needs to keep in mind: price of the device, the image resolution of the camera, the capacity of the memory card, presence of a LCD-display, the interface of the camera, its weight and size. The price of a digital camera depends on its quality factors. The resolution of a digital camera, or in other words the "size of a digital image" is measured in pixels. Pixels in their turn are photosensitive elements. It is common knowledge, that the bigger is the amount of pixels indicated in the camera properties the better it is. Therefore, if a high-detailed photo is required, the usage of zoom on a digital camera with small resolution will not give the desired result. In this case a person choosing a digital camera needs to exactly know what it will be used for and to choose it according to its future destination. It is necessary to mention that the resolution of 640"x"480 is the lowest resolution any customer should be orientated to. It is the minimal resolution with witch the purchase of a digital camera still remains reasonable.

The lens of the camera or "the zoom properties" mentioned above allows saving a lot on the price of the device but hits the quality of the pictures obtained. The memory card is a very important issue, too. It is much better to choose a better camera with a lesser memory capacity than an overage digital camera with a larger memory capacity. The presence of the LCD-display is no longer a "wish" it is a requirement for any digital camera. It allows to choose the future image, to anticipate it and to delete bad images and therefore to save space.

The advantages of digital cameras

Along with some advantages mentioned above there are more to digital cameras than that. It goes without saying that it is possible to examine and sort out the images, create a slide show, a digital photo album, create a presentation on your computer, a ordinary TV or a multimedia projector. A digital camera offers the ability of sending images for printing directly to the printer with a DPOF standard or throughout the USB without using the computer. The images from the digital cameras may be sent throughout the Internet. For instance, it is possible to send images to colleagues, friends or relatives using e-mail. In the era of the constant lack of time this advantages become issues of the highest priority.

Affordability and manufacturers

There is a plenty of digital cameras for sale in the price-range from $300 to $9000 and more. What camera would become the best choice? An ordinary digital camera with the price around $300 is suitable for everyday usage. So do not expect any super possibilities from a camera like that. The variety of manufacturers is very wide. Nevertheless it is necessary to mention the most popular brands among the customers. They are: Sony, Canon and Nikon. And some others: Casio, Fuji, HP, Kodak, Konica, Olympus and Pentax. The most popular digital camera nowadays is Sony Cyber Shot DSC-P150.

Conclusion

Digital cameras find more and more place in the lives of contemporary people. Due to the comfort and quality of making images they are rightfully displacing ordinary old cameras from the market. After all, this is very simple: take the picture you want, connect the digital camera to your computer and open "the boundless elbowroom" of its opportunities. You may immediately print the images or by means of special programs make the images brighter, add shrill and so on. The quality of the images is much better than on the film cameras. Smart Media Card or Сompact Flash memory cards store the images and do not let them to get old. Digital cameras are the right choice of the new millennium!

John Nilson is a senior writer at Custom Essays Writing Service. He is an experienced writer of custom essays and term papers and will be glad to share his experience with you.

Home Theater Projector Screens

Writen by Alison Cole

Home theater projection screens are one of the hottest home accessories today. They not only give that lavish look, but they also make watching TV a memorable experience.

The projection screen is one of the most important parts of a home theater system, apart from the projector. Home theater projection screens also can be of various types. The most basic classification is the front projection screen vs. the rear projection screen. Front projection screens can be further divided into curved screens and fixed flat screens. Each of these has certain advantages; for example, curved screens are lightweight and hence easy to install. The image is also much brighter, with better resolution and contrast since the curve can reject the lighting in the room.

On the other hand, flat screens are ideal for front projection. They give the look of a real theater. There are also retractable flat screens that can be simply rolled up when not in use. Another interesting option is the motorized roll-down screen, which can be rolled up or down using a simple "switch" mechanism. Tab-tensioned motorized roll-down screens have external suspension cables that make the screen very taut. Then there is the floor-mounted motorized screen, which fits into a small square box when retracted. However, rear-projection screens provide more image clarity and sharpness. Moreover, the projector is completely hidden from view.

Most screens these days are covered with velvet trim to absorb any light from the projector. They have a 3-inch wide and 1½-inch deep frame that keeps the screen strong and smooth.

The common screen size ratios are 4:3 and 16:9. Projection screens are available in a wide range of sizes: 30"", 34"", 42"", 50"", 56"", 62"" and 70"". The ideal type and size depends on the kind of projector being used, seating distance of the audience, the size of the room, the placement of the screen and the projector, and the ambient room light. Home theater projection screens also have several advanced features such as three levels of contrast, variable gain, non-interference pigments to reduce color shift, and a broader reflected light spectrum. They are also very easy to install. Some manufacturers are also offering customized screens.

Prices of home theater projection screens start from $700. Some of the top brands in Home theater projection screens are: Carada, Da-Lite, Draper, Dukane, Elite Screens, Goo Systems, Grandview Crystal Screen Canada, Large Screen Displays, Optoma, Stewart Filmscreen and Vutec.

Home Theater Screens provides detailed information on Home Theater Screens, Home Theater Projector Screens, Curtains For Home Theater Screens, Discount Home Theater Screens and more. Home Theater Screens is affiliated with Home Theater LCD Projectors.

How To Troubleshoot Video Problems

Writen by Steve Faber

Few things can be as frustrating as picture problems. You get your system all ready to go, flip the switch, and WHAM! One or more channels look terrible. The good news is that the majority of video problems can be traced to just a few causes. Most problems are comprised of the following:

Snow

Horizontal bars rolling though the picture

Vertical bars rolling through the picture

Ghosting

Herringbone pattern (diagonal lines through picture)

Lower channels look fine, upper channels are not

These six are the main symptoms you'll find when seeing video problems. Thankfully, most are fairly easy to fix.

Snow -

Snow is caused by inadequate signal strength at the tuner. It's usually caused by:

1 Splitting the signal too many times.

2 A weak signal from the antenna or cable company

3 A very long cable run

If the signal is snowy at all your TVs, especially if you have more than 4 TVs, you probably need an RF amplifier. Check the strength at the demark (service entrance). If it is fine there, add an amplifier before the splitter. Make sure to use a quality unit with good bandwidth (out to at least 1000MHz). If you have digital cable or a cable modem, get an amplifier with a bidirectional return path to allow for communication back to the cable company. If the picture looks bad at the demark, contact the cable company.

If it is bad at only one TV, you may have a bad cable between the splitter and the TV or a very long run of cable. You can amplify just that run.

Horizontal Rolling Bars –

Horizontal rolling bars are caused by DC power getting into the cable system. To fix it, disconnect the TV from all other components in the system. If the bars disappear, add the other components back in until the bars return. When you find the offending component, use a DC blocker to eliminate the DC power path to the system.

Vertical Rolling Bars –

Vertical rolling bars are caused by AC power getting on the cable line. The best fix for this is to use a ground breaker. A ground breaker eliminates the electrical connection between the TV and the cable system. A ground breaker is also the main fix for a hum on your audio system's speakers.

Ghosting –

Ghosting is caused by the tuner receiving identical signals at slightly different times. It can be caused by your TV receiving a local station broadcasting over the air and via the cable system at the same time. Make sure you are using good quality RG-6 coax cable and good compression fittings. Replace any low quality cable splitters or combiners with high quality units. Make sure they are tight also. This will also cure another cause of ghosting, signal reflection inside a poor cable.

Ghosting can also be caused by multi-path interference on an antenna system. This is especially true in an urban environment with lots of hills and tall buildings. To combat this, use a very directional antenna aimed directly at the desired station.

Herringbone Pattern –

A herringbone pattern is caused by radio frequency interference from other stations transmitting on the same channel or adjacent channels, powerful radio signals, computers, etc. Another common cause is being equidistant from two transmitters operating on the same channel.

In short, this can be caused by just about any sort of RF radiation at the correct frequency. Really great shielding found on high quality cables helps to combat this. If you are getting this interference while modulating an A/V source on a certain channel, try switching to a different channel.

Poor Upper Channel Reception –

Poor Upper Channel Reception is caused by poor signal strength on the upper channels. Use an amplifier with a tilt compensator that allows adjustment of the upper channels relative to the lower channels. This will prevent overdriving the lower channels while providing the upper channels with enough gain. Also, check to see if all components in the RF system are rated to at least 1GHz and RG-6 or RG-6Quad shield cable is being used throughout.

Bio: 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. He currently is senior sales engineer for Digital Cinema Design in Redmond, WA. For more on how to get the best video in your home or theater see Home Theater Video

Dvd R Duplication

Writen by Jimmy Sturo

Your computer can prove to be your best friend in making your work a lot easier. It can also let you down if you are careless enough to store all your records and data on the hard drive without a backup system in place. If for some reason your computer crashes, without a backup, you will lose everything.

A DVD drive in your system allows you to store data on the DVD R Duplication. The 'R' in the DVD R stands for recordable. This means that the DVD is blank and data, records, movies and records can be recorded or duplicated on it. You can store data, records, movies and even music. You can also download from the net and store data on these DVD R discs, because they have lots of storage space.

DVD R duplication equipment can be found on the web. By surfing the web, you will find many companies offering bargains and great discounts. Make sure you check for quality brands, the quality of the discs, and speed capabilities. Also, buy discs that come with a guarantee. You can also visit brick-and-mortar electronics and media stores for DVD R duplication equipment. Find out what kind of deals they have going for big savings.

While searching, you will also come across companies who provide duplication services at cost effective rates. Do take advantage of these companies for significant savings.

The best way to find out what are the best brands and forms of DVD R duplication equipment or services, is to ask around with your friends and family. While a salesperson may be extremely knowledeable, he or she will always try to get you to buy the most expensive equipment or services, even if you don't need the product.

DVDR provides detailed information on Dvd R, Dvd R Discs, Cheap Dvd R, Dvd R Dual Layer Discs and more. DVDR is affiliated with DVR Cards.

Double Cd Jewel Cases

Writen by Max Bellamy

Double CD jewel cases are ideal for storing CDs and DVDs. These are two tray cases where two discs can be stored, one on each side of the flap of the case. A lot of DVD movies come in double CD jewel cases.

CD jewel cases are available in all shapes and sizes like fat ones that have sufficient space to accommodate a ?booklet? of CDs and slim ones that can only hold two CDs. They are also known by different names such as slimline double jewel case, assembled slim double jewel case, super jewel box 2-disc smart tray, chubby double CD jewel case, etc. There are also those that do not fit into normal racks that are available in the market for storing CDs.

Most of the double CD jewel cases are one of two types, the black or the clear tray. There are distinct advantages and disadvantage of each type. The advantage with the clear tray is that one can see through easily while the main advantage of the black clear tray is that it does not show marks and scratches on the surface too easily and it retains its elegance for a long time. What one goes in for is totally dependent on one's needs and preferences.

The slim versions of the double CD jewel cases can hold two CDs in a slim profile case with double-sided trays that can be black, transparent, or made of graphite. Quite a few of them have notched centerpieces for easy opening. A lot of manufacturers in the market sell bulk quantities of double CD jewel cases, and this can be a good business proposition for people.

A good search on the Internet can provide many options for someone wanting a double CD jewel case.

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.

A Look At The Various Formats Of Plasma Tv Technology

Writen by John Dulaney

It is also important for those in the market for a plasma TV to be aware of other purchases that may be required besides the television itself. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the fact that in most cases these TVs will not come with their own tuner. The buyer of the television therefore needs to be prepared to provide a cable TV, satellite TV, DVD, VCR or computer input.

It is also important to purchase only the highest quality cables to connect these external devices to the plasma TV. These high quality televisions are very sensitive, and using the highest quality cabling will help owners get the most out of their new TVs.

The PAL Format

PAL is short for phase alternating line, and it is a color encoding system that is used to broadcast television signals in large portions of the world. The PAL form

The terminology PAL is generally used to refer to the 625 line/50Hz television system found primarily in European countries, and to differentiate the system form the 525 line/60Hz systems, known as NTSC, that have become the norm in North America, Central America and Japan. It is important for buyers of DVDs to understand this difference, since not all DVD players are capable of playing both formats.

PAL formats are used in a number of different countries throughout the world, including all of Europe, many parts of Asia, and many parts of Africa as well.

The NTSC Format

The NTSC format, on the other hand, is primarily used throughout Central and South America, including the United States, as well as in Japan. Again, it is important for both television shoppers and DVD purchasers to be aware of the differences between the competing PAL and NTSC formats, and to make sure they purchase the right products for their part of the world.

The term NTSC is an acronym for National Television System Committee, the industry wide standardization body that was responsible for the creation of the format.

The National Television System Committee was first established back in 1940 by the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) in order to resolve conflicts which had arisen over the introduction of a national analog television system in the United States. In March of 1941, the committee issued a technical standard for black and while television, built on an earlier recommendation by the Radio Manufacturers Association.

After a few years of inaction, the National Television System Committee came back into being in 1950, this time in order to make a decision about color TV. The committee unanimously approved what is now known as the NTSC color television standard in 1953.

Throughout the years there have been a number of changes in the NTSC standard, known as NTSC I, NTSC II and NTSC III. The specifics on each type of NTSC are as follows:

*NTSC I first became the standard in 1941, starting in the US and later moving to Canada. The NTSC I standard was the original black and white broadcasting standard.

*NTSC II is the color version of the NTSC standard.

*NTSC III was developed to deal with the new digital television revolution which began in the 1980s,and unlike NTSC all aspects of the NTSC III format have been rigidly designed.

The NTSC format is used throughout North America, including the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as throughout Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Panama among others. The NTSC format is also used extensively throughout South America, including Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela, as well as Japan and many other parts of Asia.

The SECAM Standard

The SECAM standard is commonly used throughout France, and in fact the acronym SECAM is short for sequential couleur avec memoire, or "sequential color with memory". SECAM is an analog color TV system first used in France, and recognized as the first color television standard to be used in Europe.

Like PAL, NTSC and other color standards, SECAM is a compatible standard, meaning that those black and white television receivers that predate its adoption are still able to show the programs, although only in monochrome. This compatibility is achieved by adding a second signal to the basic black and white signal. This signal is designed to carry the color information to the television set.

The work on the SECAM standard began in 1956, and by the end of the 1950s the standard was in place. It was still too early, however for widespread introduction of the standard and the devices capable of playing its signals.

The first SECAM standard was introduced in France during the 1960s, but the color television was not an instant hit in France. A year after the final SECAM standard came online, only about 200,000 color sets had been sold, in contrast to the million that were expected.

In addition to France, the SECAM standard was eventually adopted by the former colonies of France and Belgium, as well as the countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Soviet Union. With the fall of the Soviet Union, however, came the introduction of competing standards, and many Eastern European countries have since made the switch to the PAL format.

With all these competing color television standards on the market, it is easy to understand why it can be so important to choose a plasma TV capable of playing several different formats. The advent of these multiformat capable plasma televisions has been one of the most important technological improvements in the world of electronics, and those in the market for a new television set or DVD player would do well to keep these standards in mind as they shop.

For more info. see: http://www.planetomni.com

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

How To Download Ipod Games

Writen by Jessica Smith

It's quite easy to download Ipod games. Most sites provide the converter you need in order to put the Ipod software downloads onto your Ipod.

Once you've downloaded the games of your choice, you can play them directly on your Ipod Mini, Ipod Nano or video Ipod.

There are so many different games you can download to your Ipod; sports, action, strategy, puzzles, driving, adventure, simulations and role-playing. Some of the most popular games at the moment are action games such as Persuit Force, Daxter and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Popular shooter games include Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials. A popular arcade/puzzle game is Me and My Katmari. Two popular fighting games are Fight Night: Round 3 and Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai.

There are so many Ipod software downloads out there that you're spoiled for choice. It can be very time consuming surfing from site to site trying to find the particular games you want to download. Wouldn't it be great if you could download hundreds of Ipod games from the one site?

Well, I've just found such a site. It has hundreds of Ipod games to download and the game database is updated daily. I'm in Ipod game heaven! Want to join me?

Jessica Smith is an Ipod game fanatic. If you'd like to find out more on downloading hundreds of Ipod games, visit http://www.coolwebstuffonline.com/Ipodgameheaven now

Just When You Thought Tv Antennas Were A Thing Of The Past

Writen by Dennis Duplessis

Many experts including myself are convinced TV antennas are the new wave of the future. Why? Because at this time nearly every broadcast TV station in the United States is now available in crystal clear digital HDTV and best of all it's free. All you need to enjoy your favorite programs in picture perfect high definition is an HDTV set with a digital tuner and a TV antenna.

The best possible HDTV pictures come from those you get using a TV antenna. Snowy pictures and poor sound quality are a thing of the past. With digital HDTV broadcast television you'll enjoy crystal clear life like pictures and CD quality Dolby surround sound, along with many more channels to choose from, all provided to you free of charge by your local broadcasters.

The nature of digital broadcasting allows each broadcaster in your area to provide up to six channels where there once was one analog channel. In other words digital broadcasting makes it possible for your local broadcasters to provide you with up to six times as many channels. Many areas of the country now have dozens of channels available, free for the watching.

The average American households spends more than $60.00 a month for pay TV. Whether or not free digital broadcast television will replace your current cable or satellite TV is strictly a personal choice. Digital television along with the rising cost of pay TV has many people dropping their pay TV, installing a TV antenna and eliminating their monthly cable bill altogether.

If you choose to keep your pay TV provider the addition of an over the air TV antenna to receive free digital TV is still likely to be in your future. In most areas pay providers offer you just a fraction of the local channels that are available with a TV antenna. They choose the channels you get, charge for what they do offer, and most of what they offer is of poorer picture and sound quality when compared to over the air digital TV. Last but not least, when your cable or satellite goes out, and it will, you'll still have your digital broadcast channels.

I'm not saying you should do away with your pay TV provider. I have satellite TV in my home, we use and enjoy it. Too many people think it's an either or decision when it comes to pay TV or a TV antenna. The truth is, a TV antenna system compliments pay TV and vice versa. Its not your pay TV providers fault they can't offer you all the local channels that a TV antenna can. In many cases Federal law prohibits pay TV providers from broadcasting many of these channels.

With the introduction of digital HDTV the benefits free over the air TV can offer are tremendous. I think the following statement released by an industry spokesperson says it best. "Thanks to over the air digital broadcasting, we can broadcast data which will revolutionize the way you communicate, entertain yourself and live your live. We will be able to marry the convenience of television with the freedom and power of the internet. Datacasting wiil make truly interactive TV possible, empowering the viewer to make television viewing an incredible experience.

Denny is considered to be an expert in his field. He has been installing TV antennas for nearly twenty years. His website TV Antenna Source at www.dennysantennaservice.com is full of helpful tips and useful information for the do-it-yourself TV antenna installer.