A great movie can make a long trip go by very easily, especially when flying. Often however, the movie you watch on the small screen at the front of your cabin is edited and interrupted by announcements from the crew about dinner. Have you ever considered taking a portable DVD player with you? With one of these and a good set of headphones, you can enjoy that action flick while everyone else is stuck hearing about the Grand Canyon. Check out our list of recommended features below to help you choose the best portable DVD player.
* Dimensions A portable DVD player can end up feeling like a small brick to some, especially those which have large rechargeable batteries attached to them. While all players tend to run small, weight can vary by several pounds so make sure to check the side of the box before you buy.
* Disc Formats Supported Besides playing standard DVDs, many portable players today can double as CD players as well, eliminating the need to take one extra device on your trip.
* You should also consider seeing if your player can support CD-R,CD-RW or DVD-R as well, as these do-it-yourself disc formats are becoming popular amongst those who have burners at home.
* Outputs One of the great things about portable DVD players is that they can substitute for regular size cousins on the fly when you need to plug into your home entertainment system. You'll want to consider a player which has high quality outputs, such as S-Video for video and Optical Out for audio, so you can get the best quality playback possible.
* Screen Many players today come with built-in screens, which make it the ultimate DVD entertainment device for the road. While screen size varies somewhat, larger is definitely better. You should expect to pay a higher price however. If you are looking for budget, you can also consider a player without a screen, though you'll need to make sure you have something you can hook it up to so you can watch your movie.
* Virtual Surround Sound For those times when you don't have the ability to hook your DVD player up to a home entertainment system, consider a model which has virtual surround sound. This neat feature enhances the sound quality of the movie, giving it a more realistic edge.
Now that you have down the basics about what makes a great portable DVD player, put your skills to the test by browsing our Top Portable DVD Player picks and choosing the player which best fits your needs.
http://portables.about.com/cs/portabledvd/f/portdvdbg.htm
Saturday, October 27, 2007
True vs 'PMPO' Power
1 Introduction
The term '''audio power''' is used in the specification or measurement of audio amplifiers or loudspeakers. A meaningful and reliable measure of the power output of an audio amplifier, or the power handling of a loudspeaker is ''continuous sine wave power'', or more strictly 'continuous average sine wave power'. Such a figure will often be found in advertising literature referred to as "true RMS power", but this is quite incorrect. Although there is such a thing as RMS (root mean square) power, it is neither useful as a measurement nor what is intended by those who use the term. The sine wave power is found by averaging the instantaneous power output over a long period of time (or one complete cycle), so it is actually the ''average power'' or ''mean power''. The term RMS is used mistakenly due to the fact that the mean power is calculated from the RMS voltage and current (or one of them and the impedance); power being proportional to the square of voltage or current.
2 ‘Music Power' - the Real Issues
The term ''"Music Power"'' has been used in relation to both amplifiers and loudspeakers with some validity. When live music is recorded without amplitude compression or limiting, the resulting signal contains brief peaks of very much higher amplitude (20 dB or more) than the mean, and since power is proportional to the square of signal voltage their reproduction would require an amplifier capable of providing brief peaks of power around a hundred times greater than the average level. Thus the ideal 100-watt audio system would be capable of handling brief peaks of 10,000 watts in order to avoid clipping (see Programme levels). Most loudspeakers are in fact capable of handling peaks of several times their continuous rating (though not a hundred times!), since thermal inertia prevents the voice coils from burning out on short bursts. It is therefore acceptable, and desirable, to drive a loudspeaker from a power amplifier with a higher continuous rating several times that of the speaker, but only if care is taken not to overheat it, which is difficult, especially on modern recordings which tend to be heavily compressed and so can be played at high levels without the obvious distortion that would result from a 'real' recording when the amplifier started clipping.
Music power is a less valid term when applied to most amplifiers. Most power amplifiers can give more output on brief bursts than their continuous rated output, but not usually to an extent that is relevant in the context of the above. There are three reasons for the enhanced short-burst power.
Most amplifiers do not have regulated power supplies but rely on a full-wave rectifier and large smoothing capacitor to provide a reasonably steady supply voltage. This charges to its peak voltage on quiet passages where little current is being drawn, but 'sags' to around 10% less under heavy current demand. Since 10% voltage drop corresponds to 20% power drop, the steady-state power output of the amplifier, which has to be quoted is always some 20% lower than the brief power capability. A 100-watt amplifier is therefore likely to handle brief peaks of up to 120 W without clipping. This might sound good in a specification, but it should be noted that it is only 1 dB, which is a change in level not usually even detectable by the human hearing system! It is also usually only available for some 10 milliseconds, which is too short to be of much benefit in real programme material. The term peak music power, in this context, is of no real significance.
It is possible to take a cost-effective approach to power amp design by reducing the size of the heat sinks on the output devices below that needed to avoid overheating on continuous sine wave drive at maximum output. Such an approach was once valid, as it recognised that fact that on 'real' recordings there is no need to provide for continuous full output as the gross distortion caused by clipping on brief peaks will result in the user turning down the volume before damage is done. On modern amplifiers it is possible to take such an approach without risk of damage, using integrated amplifier chips, which tend to incorporate 'thermal protection'. However, the trend towards heavy compression and limiting on commercial recordings in recent years means that people expect to play these at high volume without clipping, and so the validity of the 'peak music power' approach to amplifier design has mostly been removed.
While the above is true for most 'domestic' amplifiers, it need not be so, especially in relation to monitoring, and uncompressed reproduction. Some professional amplifiers, and 'active' speakers, incorporate sophisticated electronic thermal protection circuits which integrate the power delivered to the speaker and take account of its thermal capacity properly. This enables them to handle peak power levels safely while limiting the continuous power that can be applied in a way that makes sense.
3 Power Handling in 'Active' Speakers
Active speakers often use two or three power amplifiers, each handling only part of the audio frequency spectrum. The main benefit of this approach is that it enables complicated crossover filters to be used on the low level signal, and eliminates the bulky and awkward inductors and capacitors normally used in crossover networks. There is, however, another big advantage that is not usually recognised. When two tones are reproduced simultaneously, a single amplifier normally has to handle the peak power that results when both are at their crest. Because of the square-law relationship, this means that two tones each generating 10 watts result in a power handling requirement of 40 watts. With multiple amplifiers, the two tones can be handles separately, by 10 watt amps. Thus a 'bi-amped' system can handle peaks of up to twice the combined rating of its amplifiers, and a 'tri-amped' system, on three tones, gains even more! This is of course because the signal has a high 'crest factor'. In practice, music peaks often consist of percussion riding on top of bass notes, and so the benefit is very real, as these are each always handled separately. This is a benefit that would cost a lot to realise if the single amplifier approach were taken, making 'bi-amping' a very cost-effective approach.
4 US Market Regulations
In the US on May 3, 1974, the Amplifier Rule CFR 16 Part 432 (39 FR 15387) was instated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requiring audio power and distortion ratings for home entertainment equipment to be measured in a defined manner with power stated in RMS terms. This rule was amended in 1998 to cover self-powered speakers such as are commonly used with personal computers (see examples below). This regulation did not cover automobile entertainment systems, which consequently still suffer from power ratings confusion. However, a new regulation called CEA 2006 includes car electronics, and is being phased into the market as slowly as possible by many manufacturers.
Unfortunately there are no similar laws in much of the rest of the world.
http://www.lindos.co.uk/cgi-bin/FlexiData.cgi?SOURCE=Articles&VIEW=full&id=15
The term '''audio power''' is used in the specification or measurement of audio amplifiers or loudspeakers. A meaningful and reliable measure of the power output of an audio amplifier, or the power handling of a loudspeaker is ''continuous sine wave power'', or more strictly 'continuous average sine wave power'. Such a figure will often be found in advertising literature referred to as "true RMS power", but this is quite incorrect. Although there is such a thing as RMS (root mean square) power, it is neither useful as a measurement nor what is intended by those who use the term. The sine wave power is found by averaging the instantaneous power output over a long period of time (or one complete cycle), so it is actually the ''average power'' or ''mean power''. The term RMS is used mistakenly due to the fact that the mean power is calculated from the RMS voltage and current (or one of them and the impedance); power being proportional to the square of voltage or current.
2 ‘Music Power' - the Real Issues
The term ''"Music Power"'' has been used in relation to both amplifiers and loudspeakers with some validity. When live music is recorded without amplitude compression or limiting, the resulting signal contains brief peaks of very much higher amplitude (20 dB or more) than the mean, and since power is proportional to the square of signal voltage their reproduction would require an amplifier capable of providing brief peaks of power around a hundred times greater than the average level. Thus the ideal 100-watt audio system would be capable of handling brief peaks of 10,000 watts in order to avoid clipping (see Programme levels). Most loudspeakers are in fact capable of handling peaks of several times their continuous rating (though not a hundred times!), since thermal inertia prevents the voice coils from burning out on short bursts. It is therefore acceptable, and desirable, to drive a loudspeaker from a power amplifier with a higher continuous rating several times that of the speaker, but only if care is taken not to overheat it, which is difficult, especially on modern recordings which tend to be heavily compressed and so can be played at high levels without the obvious distortion that would result from a 'real' recording when the amplifier started clipping.
Music power is a less valid term when applied to most amplifiers. Most power amplifiers can give more output on brief bursts than their continuous rated output, but not usually to an extent that is relevant in the context of the above. There are three reasons for the enhanced short-burst power.
Most amplifiers do not have regulated power supplies but rely on a full-wave rectifier and large smoothing capacitor to provide a reasonably steady supply voltage. This charges to its peak voltage on quiet passages where little current is being drawn, but 'sags' to around 10% less under heavy current demand. Since 10% voltage drop corresponds to 20% power drop, the steady-state power output of the amplifier, which has to be quoted is always some 20% lower than the brief power capability. A 100-watt amplifier is therefore likely to handle brief peaks of up to 120 W without clipping. This might sound good in a specification, but it should be noted that it is only 1 dB, which is a change in level not usually even detectable by the human hearing system! It is also usually only available for some 10 milliseconds, which is too short to be of much benefit in real programme material. The term peak music power, in this context, is of no real significance.
It is possible to take a cost-effective approach to power amp design by reducing the size of the heat sinks on the output devices below that needed to avoid overheating on continuous sine wave drive at maximum output. Such an approach was once valid, as it recognised that fact that on 'real' recordings there is no need to provide for continuous full output as the gross distortion caused by clipping on brief peaks will result in the user turning down the volume before damage is done. On modern amplifiers it is possible to take such an approach without risk of damage, using integrated amplifier chips, which tend to incorporate 'thermal protection'. However, the trend towards heavy compression and limiting on commercial recordings in recent years means that people expect to play these at high volume without clipping, and so the validity of the 'peak music power' approach to amplifier design has mostly been removed.
While the above is true for most 'domestic' amplifiers, it need not be so, especially in relation to monitoring, and uncompressed reproduction. Some professional amplifiers, and 'active' speakers, incorporate sophisticated electronic thermal protection circuits which integrate the power delivered to the speaker and take account of its thermal capacity properly. This enables them to handle peak power levels safely while limiting the continuous power that can be applied in a way that makes sense.
3 Power Handling in 'Active' Speakers
Active speakers often use two or three power amplifiers, each handling only part of the audio frequency spectrum. The main benefit of this approach is that it enables complicated crossover filters to be used on the low level signal, and eliminates the bulky and awkward inductors and capacitors normally used in crossover networks. There is, however, another big advantage that is not usually recognised. When two tones are reproduced simultaneously, a single amplifier normally has to handle the peak power that results when both are at their crest. Because of the square-law relationship, this means that two tones each generating 10 watts result in a power handling requirement of 40 watts. With multiple amplifiers, the two tones can be handles separately, by 10 watt amps. Thus a 'bi-amped' system can handle peaks of up to twice the combined rating of its amplifiers, and a 'tri-amped' system, on three tones, gains even more! This is of course because the signal has a high 'crest factor'. In practice, music peaks often consist of percussion riding on top of bass notes, and so the benefit is very real, as these are each always handled separately. This is a benefit that would cost a lot to realise if the single amplifier approach were taken, making 'bi-amping' a very cost-effective approach.
4 US Market Regulations
In the US on May 3, 1974, the Amplifier Rule CFR 16 Part 432 (39 FR 15387) was instated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requiring audio power and distortion ratings for home entertainment equipment to be measured in a defined manner with power stated in RMS terms. This rule was amended in 1998 to cover self-powered speakers such as are commonly used with personal computers (see examples below). This regulation did not cover automobile entertainment systems, which consequently still suffer from power ratings confusion. However, a new regulation called CEA 2006 includes car electronics, and is being phased into the market as slowly as possible by many manufacturers.
Unfortunately there are no similar laws in much of the rest of the world.
http://www.lindos.co.uk/cgi-bin/FlexiData.cgi?SOURCE=Articles&VIEW=full&id=15
Friday, October 26, 2007
Videogame Systems Top 'Planned Gift' Lists This Year
According to research by the Consumer Electronics Association, sales of consumer electronics are expected to top $22 billion this holiday season, with videogame systems topping the list of gifts people intend to give to others. Though consumers are expected to cut down on expenses like home decorations and travel, they'll still be spending plenty on gifts.
http://powerelectronics.com/power_systems/
Not surprisingly, videogames made the top five most wanted items for teens, along with clothes, computers, MP3 players, and cell phones. Adults who were hoping to get some kind of electronic gizmo for the holidays put game systems on their wish list beside MP3 players, laptops, TVs, and digital cameras.
http://powerelectronics.com/power_systems/
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wear your electronics
An electronic revolution could be on the way with the development of a thin film of plastic that conducts electricity and produces solar power, changing the way we light our homes and design clothes.
An international research project has begun that could bring organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) to the mass market.
The devices are thin and flexible, which means that lighting and electronic display screens could be created on almost any material, so that clothes and packaging can display electronic information.
The devices' uses vary from lighting that is more efficient than current bulbs to clothes which change colour at the press of a button and beer cans that display the latest football results.
At present, the devices are used as displays in some mobile phones and MP3 players, but they are not reliable enough for larger screens such as TVs and computers as they stop working after a few months.
"Their use in large televisions, clothes, lighting etc is longer term: 1-3 years away for televisions; 2-5 years for clothes; maybe 5-10 years for lighting and large displays," Dr Alison Walker of the British University of Bath's Department of Physics said.
An international consortium of researchers, led by the university, has begun a three-year project to put the science behind the devices on a firmer basis, so helping make them efficient enough to be mass produced.
The consortium, called Modecom, consists of 13 groups from nine universities and two companies. Three groups are from Britain, six from the US and one each from China, Belgium, Italy and Denmark.
"The consortium is funded by the European Commission," Walker said.
"Modecom's output is primarily scientific and will be published in the open literature and presented at international conferences so will be accessible to Australian researchers."
The devices make use of a discovery made 15 years ago that some polymers have the property of either turning electricity into light, or light into electricity, depending on how the devices are made.
Because these polymers are thin and flexible, they could be used in a multiplicity of ways:
*
As a transparent window. This is like a conventional window during the day, but when it gets dark a switch is turned on and the entire window area emits light in a more efficient way than conventional or energy-saving bulbs, promising huge savings;
*
In clothing which displays strips of the polymer which run off solar power, allowing electronic messages to be displayed which can be updated. This could be useful for the emergency services;
*
In packaging for common goods that could be made to display electronic messages such as health warnings and recipes or could emit light;
*
As a source of solar power to top up mobile phone batteries;
*
As lightweight, solar power sources that could be rolled up and stored and which would also be suitable for people requiring electricity in remote locations, such as field researchers, mountaineers, sailors and military personnel.
However, Walker doesn't think this technology will replace traditional solar power sources as they are very inefficient.
Their key advantage is cost: they are cheap and their energy cost in manufacture would also be low, so the devices themselves will cost a few cents. They are also portable and flexible so their main use would be to replace batteries that, according to Walker, could happen in 5-10 years.
Walker goes on to say, the main thing holding the technology back is efficiency and degradation for displays, lighting and clothing and for solar cells, efficiency, then degradation.
The polymer is made from chains of molecules, and is called organic because they contain carbon. Electrons and holes injected into the polymer film form bound states called excitons that break down under electrical current, emitting light as they do so.
Walker's part of the consortium's research uses a mathematical technique called Monte Carlo analysis in which computer-generated random numbers are used to plot the paths of electrons, holes and excitons as they move across the film.
The results from this can be used to calculate how the chemical structure and impurities affect the device's performance. Chemists can use this data to design more efficient materials.
The Modecom consortium will work on the molecular level and also look at the workings of the device as a whole. This research will aid the understanding of the polymer materials used in plastic electronics in applications such as electronic paper and intelligent labels on groceries.
http://www.electroline.com.au/feature_article/article.asp?item=1319
An international research project has begun that could bring organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) to the mass market.
The devices are thin and flexible, which means that lighting and electronic display screens could be created on almost any material, so that clothes and packaging can display electronic information.
The devices' uses vary from lighting that is more efficient than current bulbs to clothes which change colour at the press of a button and beer cans that display the latest football results.
At present, the devices are used as displays in some mobile phones and MP3 players, but they are not reliable enough for larger screens such as TVs and computers as they stop working after a few months.
"Their use in large televisions, clothes, lighting etc is longer term: 1-3 years away for televisions; 2-5 years for clothes; maybe 5-10 years for lighting and large displays," Dr Alison Walker of the British University of Bath's Department of Physics said.
An international consortium of researchers, led by the university, has begun a three-year project to put the science behind the devices on a firmer basis, so helping make them efficient enough to be mass produced.
The consortium, called Modecom, consists of 13 groups from nine universities and two companies. Three groups are from Britain, six from the US and one each from China, Belgium, Italy and Denmark.
"The consortium is funded by the European Commission," Walker said.
"Modecom's output is primarily scientific and will be published in the open literature and presented at international conferences so will be accessible to Australian researchers."
The devices make use of a discovery made 15 years ago that some polymers have the property of either turning electricity into light, or light into electricity, depending on how the devices are made.
Because these polymers are thin and flexible, they could be used in a multiplicity of ways:
*
As a transparent window. This is like a conventional window during the day, but when it gets dark a switch is turned on and the entire window area emits light in a more efficient way than conventional or energy-saving bulbs, promising huge savings;
*
In clothing which displays strips of the polymer which run off solar power, allowing electronic messages to be displayed which can be updated. This could be useful for the emergency services;
*
In packaging for common goods that could be made to display electronic messages such as health warnings and recipes or could emit light;
*
As a source of solar power to top up mobile phone batteries;
*
As lightweight, solar power sources that could be rolled up and stored and which would also be suitable for people requiring electricity in remote locations, such as field researchers, mountaineers, sailors and military personnel.
However, Walker doesn't think this technology will replace traditional solar power sources as they are very inefficient.
Their key advantage is cost: they are cheap and their energy cost in manufacture would also be low, so the devices themselves will cost a few cents. They are also portable and flexible so their main use would be to replace batteries that, according to Walker, could happen in 5-10 years.
Walker goes on to say, the main thing holding the technology back is efficiency and degradation for displays, lighting and clothing and for solar cells, efficiency, then degradation.
The polymer is made from chains of molecules, and is called organic because they contain carbon. Electrons and holes injected into the polymer film form bound states called excitons that break down under electrical current, emitting light as they do so.
Walker's part of the consortium's research uses a mathematical technique called Monte Carlo analysis in which computer-generated random numbers are used to plot the paths of electrons, holes and excitons as they move across the film.
The results from this can be used to calculate how the chemical structure and impurities affect the device's performance. Chemists can use this data to design more efficient materials.
The Modecom consortium will work on the molecular level and also look at the workings of the device as a whole. This research will aid the understanding of the polymer materials used in plastic electronics in applications such as electronic paper and intelligent labels on groceries.
http://www.electroline.com.au/feature_article/article.asp?item=1319
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A Helmet Camera Captures All of Your Daring Feats
If the spirit of adventure runs through your veins, a helmet camera can help you capture all of your daring feats, whether for motocross, flying, ATV, road racing, kayaking, skydiving, cycling, snowboarding, karting, or other adrenalin-pumping sports.
Helmet cams give you the capability to record every moment of the action without depending on an outside cameraperson. These action video cameras are popular with television and movie recordings as well as daredevil athletes, and now you can record your feats just like the pros! You can show the recording to your friends, and they can imagine being there with you on every twist and turn.
What is a Helmet Camera?
A helmet camera is a very small type of camcorder that can be attached to a protective helmet to record all the action while doing extreme sports activities. It can also be used for more relaxed sports such as fishing, golf, hiking, and biking. Helmet cameras are also called helmet cam, bullet cam or bullet camera, lipstick cam or lipstick camera (resembles a tube of lipstick), or wireless helmet camera.
A helmet camera works in conjunction with a DVR (DVD video recorder) and can be played back again and again for your enjoyment.
Benefits of Helmet Cams
Helmet cams provide hands-free recording during your extreme sports activity. This promotes safety and easy use. You won't have to worry about holding the camera or adjusting it as you go. You can concentrate on the activity and still capture all the details without distraction. Also, you can record sound with a helmet camera and narrate the activity as you go. If you're participating in an extreme sporting competition, you can record every moment as a keepsake for years to come.
Buying Helmet Cameras
When you get ready to buy a helmet camera, check online for a dependable retailer. You can always find great deals on quality lipstick cameras with all the accessories to go along. Search for helmet or bullet camera reviews to find good quality products. Also, check for sound quality, durability, and features before buying. Sometimes paying a little more is well worth it if you get a better quality helmet camera. There are affordable, high-quality cameras available online such as the Oregon Scientific ATC-2000 action adventure cam.
Tips for Using Helmet Cameras
Once you buy a helmet camera, take time to study on how to use it properly. Be sure the helmet cam has been properly secured before starting your activity. High speeds, bumps, and falls can cause the helmet camera to become lost or broken if you don't secure it properly. The camera's cable should also be secured so that it doesn't flap in the wind. Take quick breaks to check the lens to make sure it's clean if you're out on the road or in the dirt, water, or mud. Also, be sure the camera is actually recording before getting started!
http://www.majon.com/articles/Electronics/helmet_camera_719.html
Helmet cams give you the capability to record every moment of the action without depending on an outside cameraperson. These action video cameras are popular with television and movie recordings as well as daredevil athletes, and now you can record your feats just like the pros! You can show the recording to your friends, and they can imagine being there with you on every twist and turn.
What is a Helmet Camera?
A helmet camera is a very small type of camcorder that can be attached to a protective helmet to record all the action while doing extreme sports activities. It can also be used for more relaxed sports such as fishing, golf, hiking, and biking. Helmet cameras are also called helmet cam, bullet cam or bullet camera, lipstick cam or lipstick camera (resembles a tube of lipstick), or wireless helmet camera.
A helmet camera works in conjunction with a DVR (DVD video recorder) and can be played back again and again for your enjoyment.
Benefits of Helmet Cams
Helmet cams provide hands-free recording during your extreme sports activity. This promotes safety and easy use. You won't have to worry about holding the camera or adjusting it as you go. You can concentrate on the activity and still capture all the details without distraction. Also, you can record sound with a helmet camera and narrate the activity as you go. If you're participating in an extreme sporting competition, you can record every moment as a keepsake for years to come.
Buying Helmet Cameras
When you get ready to buy a helmet camera, check online for a dependable retailer. You can always find great deals on quality lipstick cameras with all the accessories to go along. Search for helmet or bullet camera reviews to find good quality products. Also, check for sound quality, durability, and features before buying. Sometimes paying a little more is well worth it if you get a better quality helmet camera. There are affordable, high-quality cameras available online such as the Oregon Scientific ATC-2000 action adventure cam.
Tips for Using Helmet Cameras
Once you buy a helmet camera, take time to study on how to use it properly. Be sure the helmet cam has been properly secured before starting your activity. High speeds, bumps, and falls can cause the helmet camera to become lost or broken if you don't secure it properly. The camera's cable should also be secured so that it doesn't flap in the wind. Take quick breaks to check the lens to make sure it's clean if you're out on the road or in the dirt, water, or mud. Also, be sure the camera is actually recording before getting started!
http://www.majon.com/articles/Electronics/helmet_camera_719.html
For the Holidays, Go Online to Buy Hot Consumer Electronics
Experts are forecasting that, again this year, consumer electronics will top wish lists in the upcoming holiday season. And, although some shoppers continue to favor brick-and-mortar stores, an increasing number of consumers are finding better prices and greater selections of consumer electronics through online stores.
There are three categories of consumer electronics that are forecast to be especially hot this holiday season:
Gaming Systems
The recent launch of Halo 3 left no doubt among entertainment industry experts that video games and video game consoles can rake in more money than Hollywood movie premieres. With over $3 million in sales the first week, Halo 3 - the Xbox 360 signature game - dealt Microsoft a winning hand.
But the Xbox 360 isn't the only gaming system set to heat up during the holiday gift giving season. With its enhanced physicality and interactive community, Nintendo Wii is still considered the breakout gaming system of the decade. From the compelling Wii characters to the dexterity-challenging Nunchuk, every aspect of the Nintendo Wii is engaging and enchanting.
Although in some circles Sony's PlayStation has been left holding the bag, PS3 gaming systems are still hot commodities, especially for families with children. As some of the other gaming systems have skewed their video game releases to the teenage and adult markets, PS3 and PS2 systems have remained home to a vast array of kid-friendly games.
Cell Phones
Although cell phones are ubiquitous, they continue to be in demand. And, despite the hoopla associated with this year's launch of the innovative Apple iPhone, this holiday season will find most shoppers buying established cell phone brands like Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola.
Music and Video Players
When it comes to consumer electronics and the holidays, more people than ever before will be unwrapping music and video players. Apple iPods are expected to be in high demand, as will portable DVD players. And, with an increasing number of people becoming familiar with DVD recorders' multitude of features, DVD player/recorders will also be hot commodities this holiday season.
Buying Consumer Electronics Online
Because online stores don't have the overhead expenses associated with retail brick-and-mortar stores, they are often able to offer the most popular consumer electronics at rock bottom prices. Plus, online store offer the added bonus of allowing consumers to comparison shop in order to find the best deal on gaming systems, cell phones, and music and DVD players.
For example, some online stores will offer a variety of video games bundled with an Xbox 360, which can literally save consumers hundreds of dollars. Aside from bundled systems and other bargains, there are other factors to consider when choosing an online store to buy consumer electronics. These factors include real-time ordering and online inventory (so your gift won't be stuck on backorder), warehouse shipping (rather than having to wait for a middleman to ship the merchandise), and exceptional customer service (such as timely communication and non minimum purchase requirements).
When you find the right store, shopping online for consumer electronics can be a breeze - and a bargain!
http://www.majon.com/articles/Electronics/consumer_electronics_782.html
There are three categories of consumer electronics that are forecast to be especially hot this holiday season:
Gaming Systems
The recent launch of Halo 3 left no doubt among entertainment industry experts that video games and video game consoles can rake in more money than Hollywood movie premieres. With over $3 million in sales the first week, Halo 3 - the Xbox 360 signature game - dealt Microsoft a winning hand.
But the Xbox 360 isn't the only gaming system set to heat up during the holiday gift giving season. With its enhanced physicality and interactive community, Nintendo Wii is still considered the breakout gaming system of the decade. From the compelling Wii characters to the dexterity-challenging Nunchuk, every aspect of the Nintendo Wii is engaging and enchanting.
Although in some circles Sony's PlayStation has been left holding the bag, PS3 gaming systems are still hot commodities, especially for families with children. As some of the other gaming systems have skewed their video game releases to the teenage and adult markets, PS3 and PS2 systems have remained home to a vast array of kid-friendly games.
Cell Phones
Although cell phones are ubiquitous, they continue to be in demand. And, despite the hoopla associated with this year's launch of the innovative Apple iPhone, this holiday season will find most shoppers buying established cell phone brands like Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola.
Music and Video Players
When it comes to consumer electronics and the holidays, more people than ever before will be unwrapping music and video players. Apple iPods are expected to be in high demand, as will portable DVD players. And, with an increasing number of people becoming familiar with DVD recorders' multitude of features, DVD player/recorders will also be hot commodities this holiday season.
Buying Consumer Electronics Online
Because online stores don't have the overhead expenses associated with retail brick-and-mortar stores, they are often able to offer the most popular consumer electronics at rock bottom prices. Plus, online store offer the added bonus of allowing consumers to comparison shop in order to find the best deal on gaming systems, cell phones, and music and DVD players.
For example, some online stores will offer a variety of video games bundled with an Xbox 360, which can literally save consumers hundreds of dollars. Aside from bundled systems and other bargains, there are other factors to consider when choosing an online store to buy consumer electronics. These factors include real-time ordering and online inventory (so your gift won't be stuck on backorder), warehouse shipping (rather than having to wait for a middleman to ship the merchandise), and exceptional customer service (such as timely communication and non minimum purchase requirements).
When you find the right store, shopping online for consumer electronics can be a breeze - and a bargain!
http://www.majon.com/articles/Electronics/consumer_electronics_782.html
Friday, October 19, 2007
Safely Setting up and Using a Residential Standby Generator
One of the most tragic stories after a big storm is the inevitable tale of a family that was poisoned by carbon monoxide or electrocuted by an improperly installed or operated standby generator. These tragedies can be easily avoided by just following a few simple rules to ensure adequate isolation and ventilation.
Since they are most often used in the event of a storm or weather related events, residential standby generators are often forgotten until they are needed. This is, of course, the wrong time to find out that the suggested maintenance regime hasn't been properly followed. A improperly maintained generator may simply not start, send a spike that damages all your equipment and sometimes unlucky operators suffer severe shocks or burns. Careful testing when the storm season can mean the difference between being prepared or not.
However, it's not such a major project to maintain a standby generator that's only used in emergencies. This can usually be accomplished in a once-per-year check. When properly stored outdoors and undercover - an outbuilding or shed is an ideal location - this will likely entail little more than annual attention to the oil. In the case of portable generators or those systems used on a very regular basis, it's best to check on them on a more regular basis as you might an automobile.
In the case of gasoline or diesel generators, they should be treated like motorcycles being put away for the winter. If left alone, the fuel could turn into varnish and render the engine useless. There is likely a recommended maintenance regimen for managing the storage of fuel, that came with your standby generator, as generators from manufacturers such as Winco, Gillette and Pramac do. A yearly draining or treatment with an octane stabilizer is the usual course.
Portable generators are very nearly always gas, diesel or propane and require no major installation. However, it's often a good idea to have them on wheels since even so-called portable generators can be quite heavy. Most residential generators are at least semi-portable, so they may be moved into a suitable position before a storm or they may be essentially anchored to a location in the backyard. Thanks to modern satellite weather, such disasters are rarely a total surprise, so there is almost always time to bring the generator into position for use if necessary. Portable generators are often brought into the home or basement to ride out the storm in the case of severe weather.
Since appliances and devices will be plugged directly into the generator, you'll also need some thick gauge extension cords that are free of defects and nicks. Never try to plug the generator into your house grid. This is dangerous and rarely effective. It is unlikely you took every single appliance in the house into consideration, and the possibility of having no power at all is very real.
Heavy duty power-strips are suitable, but be sure and check on the maximum recommended current levels for any given device. You can easily figure this out if the rating is not given in watts. Since you know how much power (in watts) will be used, you can easily figure out the current (measured in amperes or amps) by dividing the number of watts by 110 volts (in North America) or 220 volts in the rest of the world.
Another type of problem that can occur is the result of a gas or propane generator that isn't properly installed. Natural gas powered standby generator installations are stationary by definition. The additional need of “plumbing” for the gas lines and valve maintenance is sometimes problematic and absolutely must be attended to yearly and inspected on a regular basis. If one isn't familiar with such work, it is often best to include the price of hiring a professional to assist in the install in your purchase price of this type of residential generator.
Most generators take as long as half a minute to power on completely. You can rely upon the protective circuits of a new standby generator, but with older models, they could be faulty, and that means disaster. Also, when large devices that have lost power and discharged completely, the initial power up could result in current draws that are nearly three times the normal load, as the very large capacitors fill back up like sponges.
When turning on a residential generator, a good plan of action is to let the generator power up for a moment, until operation stabilizes. There is very often an indicator that monitors the electrical performance. When everything is all settled down, you can then plug your essential items in one at a time.
Of course, for very expensive or critical gear, such as computers or medical equipment, it is imperative to have a battery backup system that will keep these devices running while the standby generator can be coaxed into life.
Maintaining and carefully operating a standby generator will allow you to feel confident when storms are bearing down upon your community. From the massive natural gas generators that power hospitals to wheeled and portable generators keeping your frozen food from melting, each has its own set of concerns.
http://www.articlebase.info/Article/Safely-Setting-up-and-Using-a-Residential-Standby-Generator/1973
Since they are most often used in the event of a storm or weather related events, residential standby generators are often forgotten until they are needed. This is, of course, the wrong time to find out that the suggested maintenance regime hasn't been properly followed. A improperly maintained generator may simply not start, send a spike that damages all your equipment and sometimes unlucky operators suffer severe shocks or burns. Careful testing when the storm season can mean the difference between being prepared or not.
However, it's not such a major project to maintain a standby generator that's only used in emergencies. This can usually be accomplished in a once-per-year check. When properly stored outdoors and undercover - an outbuilding or shed is an ideal location - this will likely entail little more than annual attention to the oil. In the case of portable generators or those systems used on a very regular basis, it's best to check on them on a more regular basis as you might an automobile.
In the case of gasoline or diesel generators, they should be treated like motorcycles being put away for the winter. If left alone, the fuel could turn into varnish and render the engine useless. There is likely a recommended maintenance regimen for managing the storage of fuel, that came with your standby generator, as generators from manufacturers such as Winco, Gillette and Pramac do. A yearly draining or treatment with an octane stabilizer is the usual course.
Portable generators are very nearly always gas, diesel or propane and require no major installation. However, it's often a good idea to have them on wheels since even so-called portable generators can be quite heavy. Most residential generators are at least semi-portable, so they may be moved into a suitable position before a storm or they may be essentially anchored to a location in the backyard. Thanks to modern satellite weather, such disasters are rarely a total surprise, so there is almost always time to bring the generator into position for use if necessary. Portable generators are often brought into the home or basement to ride out the storm in the case of severe weather.
Since appliances and devices will be plugged directly into the generator, you'll also need some thick gauge extension cords that are free of defects and nicks. Never try to plug the generator into your house grid. This is dangerous and rarely effective. It is unlikely you took every single appliance in the house into consideration, and the possibility of having no power at all is very real.
Heavy duty power-strips are suitable, but be sure and check on the maximum recommended current levels for any given device. You can easily figure this out if the rating is not given in watts. Since you know how much power (in watts) will be used, you can easily figure out the current (measured in amperes or amps) by dividing the number of watts by 110 volts (in North America) or 220 volts in the rest of the world.
Another type of problem that can occur is the result of a gas or propane generator that isn't properly installed. Natural gas powered standby generator installations are stationary by definition. The additional need of “plumbing” for the gas lines and valve maintenance is sometimes problematic and absolutely must be attended to yearly and inspected on a regular basis. If one isn't familiar with such work, it is often best to include the price of hiring a professional to assist in the install in your purchase price of this type of residential generator.
Most generators take as long as half a minute to power on completely. You can rely upon the protective circuits of a new standby generator, but with older models, they could be faulty, and that means disaster. Also, when large devices that have lost power and discharged completely, the initial power up could result in current draws that are nearly three times the normal load, as the very large capacitors fill back up like sponges.
When turning on a residential generator, a good plan of action is to let the generator power up for a moment, until operation stabilizes. There is very often an indicator that monitors the electrical performance. When everything is all settled down, you can then plug your essential items in one at a time.
Of course, for very expensive or critical gear, such as computers or medical equipment, it is imperative to have a battery backup system that will keep these devices running while the standby generator can be coaxed into life.
Maintaining and carefully operating a standby generator will allow you to feel confident when storms are bearing down upon your community. From the massive natural gas generators that power hospitals to wheeled and portable generators keeping your frozen food from melting, each has its own set of concerns.
http://www.articlebase.info/Article/Safely-Setting-up-and-Using-a-Residential-Standby-Generator/1973
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