Compact, portable, light-weight, and attractive… these are all words that define our go-go-go and look-good-doing-it culture. Whether it’s a car, hand bag, package of gum, or our electronics, we want items that can fit our lifestyle. Since practically everyone has an iPod, Zune, or other variation of an mp3 player, I thought I would talk about the types of earphones available on the market today.
There are many variations but all promise to deliver one thing-- “music to your ears”. But which one is best…earbuds, sports headphones, ear-pad headphones, or full-size headphones? The truth is, they all have pros and cons but ultimately it’s what works best for you.
Earbud headphones are typically small, and are inserted into your ear canal. They are great at canceling out ambient noise that you may not necessarily want to hear (like the guy snoring next to you on your three hour plane trip) and can provide clear, crisp sound. On the other hand they can become quite uncomfortable after wearing them for long periods of time. I know that when I use them for extended periods, sometimes my ears start to feel a little sore. However, they are extremely compact. Usually, earbuds come standard with any portable player you purchase, but you can purchase aftermarket ones that provide a much better sound. Another advantage to these little guys is that they won’t mess up your hair-do and you can wear them, without interference, with earrings, glasses, or a hat.
Sports headphones are another type that you can purchase. I actually am considering upgrading my earbuds to these because they stay in place better when you’re moving around a lot. They come in a variety of styles. Some have vertical headbands, some are horizontal and wrap around that back of your head or neck, and some are not connected by a band at all and simply attach to your ear with soft padded ear clips. They are great for the gym and jogging and I feel they offer less “irritation” (Pun-Intended).
Next up are your more full-size models. These would probably be more useful at home than out in public, but they can provide a more dynamic sound and much better bass response. Ear-pad headphones and full-sized headphones can get extremely pricey but the sound that is delivered is unparalleled. Some can even offer Dolby Digital or surround sound capabilities.
BehindTheBuy offers a variety of headphones for anyone’s price range. Headphones also make a great gift idea. So take a look, pick a pair, and enjoy.
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=172541
Best,
Michael
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
What is an SLR Camera?
How many of you know that SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex? Digital cameras like the ones most of us have or purchase have two lenses. First, there is the lens that you put your eye up to and look through to see the image you wish to capture (called a “viewing lens”) and second is the lens that the camera uses when it actually takes the picture (called the “taking lens”). Cameras that utilize these two separate lenses tend to be called point and shoot cameras.
SLR cameras use only one lens that is connected by a series of mirrors constructed within the camera body. These mirrors reflect light from the lens to the viewfinder and allow the photographer (put your name here) to see the image in the same depth of view. In a sense…what you see is what you get.
The advantage to these cameras is highlighted when taking pictures in a broad setting or when photographing action shots. Another advantage to these cameras is that the lenses are interchangeable. This allows you to take one lens off and swap it with another that may be more suitable for the type of picture you are taking. For example, you can take a 50mm lens used for taking close or wider shots and exchange it for a 135mm lens which lets you zoom in and take a more selective shot.
When shopping for an SLR camera, be sure to pay attention to what the camera is actually offering you because there are different types. For example, there are interchangeable-lens full system digital SLR cameras, like what I have described above and there are also fixed-lens digital SLR’s which offer the same technology but you can not remove the lens.
If you are looking to step up your game and take pictures with a camera that offers much more control and versatility, then a SLR camera (sometimes called DSLR, for Digital Single Lens Reflex) may be for you.
BehindTheBuy offers the top ten best sellers at the best prices. Keep in mind the cameras that you find here are listed based on objective sales data…not subjective. So what you see are strictly the cameras that offer the greatest satisfaction and are sold more then any other. Here is a link to the best cameras on the market:
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=281052&pt=8
Happy Shooting,
Michael
SLR cameras use only one lens that is connected by a series of mirrors constructed within the camera body. These mirrors reflect light from the lens to the viewfinder and allow the photographer (put your name here) to see the image in the same depth of view. In a sense…what you see is what you get.
The advantage to these cameras is highlighted when taking pictures in a broad setting or when photographing action shots. Another advantage to these cameras is that the lenses are interchangeable. This allows you to take one lens off and swap it with another that may be more suitable for the type of picture you are taking. For example, you can take a 50mm lens used for taking close or wider shots and exchange it for a 135mm lens which lets you zoom in and take a more selective shot.
When shopping for an SLR camera, be sure to pay attention to what the camera is actually offering you because there are different types. For example, there are interchangeable-lens full system digital SLR cameras, like what I have described above and there are also fixed-lens digital SLR’s which offer the same technology but you can not remove the lens.
If you are looking to step up your game and take pictures with a camera that offers much more control and versatility, then a SLR camera (sometimes called DSLR, for Digital Single Lens Reflex) may be for you.
BehindTheBuy offers the top ten best sellers at the best prices. Keep in mind the cameras that you find here are listed based on objective sales data…not subjective. So what you see are strictly the cameras that offer the greatest satisfaction and are sold more then any other. Here is a link to the best cameras on the market:
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=281052&pt=8
Happy Shooting,
Michael
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Mind~Body~Soul
There are no secrets to the health benefits of working out-- you feel better, you look better, and you are more confident. At BehindTheBuy not only can you find the latest Plasma Television or Digital Camera, but there are also a variety of other items like exercise equipment.
Did you know that cardiovascular exercise could help you with more then just losing weight (as if that’s not reason enough)? A good cardio workout can also reduce your stress as well as temporarily relieve your depression or anxiety. I know that I personally spend about 45 minutes, 5 days a week on the elliptical machine and after each session I feel calm, relaxed, energized, and euphoric. Yes, it may be difficult to get motivated but I assure you that once you start, you may find that you’re suddenly looking forward to your next cardio regimen.
Other exercise benefits include stronger heart and lungs, more confidence about how you feel and look, and more energy. In addition, you will also sleep better. I invite you to take a look at the “exercise and fitness” tab which can be found under “Sports and Outdoors” in the list of categories. Thumb through the price ranges and you will be amazed to see all the health and fitness items that are offered. I have seen everything from jump ropes to rowing machines, and stop watches to exercise bikes!
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=3407731
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=3407731&pt=3
Enjoy a better you,
Michael
Did you know that cardiovascular exercise could help you with more then just losing weight (as if that’s not reason enough)? A good cardio workout can also reduce your stress as well as temporarily relieve your depression or anxiety. I know that I personally spend about 45 minutes, 5 days a week on the elliptical machine and after each session I feel calm, relaxed, energized, and euphoric. Yes, it may be difficult to get motivated but I assure you that once you start, you may find that you’re suddenly looking forward to your next cardio regimen.
Other exercise benefits include stronger heart and lungs, more confidence about how you feel and look, and more energy. In addition, you will also sleep better. I invite you to take a look at the “exercise and fitness” tab which can be found under “Sports and Outdoors” in the list of categories. Thumb through the price ranges and you will be amazed to see all the health and fitness items that are offered. I have seen everything from jump ropes to rowing machines, and stop watches to exercise bikes!
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=3407731
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=3407731&pt=3
Enjoy a better you,
Michael
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Alphabet Soup
Ok, so there’s DTV, SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV? What does all this mean? Did I buy the wrong TV? “What a headache!” you are probably saying to yourself, but don’t worry…I got your back! There is a simple breakdown for all these categories and I will put it down for you in a non-tech, easy to understand way. If you haven’t read my blog on “Analog to Digital Conversion”, you may want to give it a quick look-see just to get the nuts and bolts of exactly what DTV is.
DTV is really just the TV standard which will take place as of June 12, 2009 and encompasses all the other formats. If you wanted to, you could say that there is a good, better, and best way to view the same Digital Television (DTV) signal.
SDTV – Standard Definition Television would be the basic digital television picture quality you would receive with any television hooked up to your cable box, satellite dish, or an HD antenna and decoder box. Even if you have an analog television, you will be watching SDTV.
EDTV – Enhanced Definition Television is a step up. With EDTV you receive more line scanning--480 lines to be exact and every line paints a complete image on your television instead of splitting the information received into two parts like the old analog signal. This simply means your TV is taking the image received and making it better by enhancing the signal it receives and giving you a clearer and more stable picture.
HDTV- High Definition Television offers you the best picture possible. It is like EDTV but it takes it a step further when it comes to your line scanning. It’s all about the lines. The more lines your TV can produce on your screen the more amazing it looks. HDTV can show you a picture with 1080 lines or 720 lines. It can get a bit technical when talking about your line scanning (interlaced/progressively) but what you should be concerned with is that, when it comes to HDTV, the television will figure all that out. No matter how many lines are transmitted in an HD signal the picture quality is virtually the same. Your HDTV will translate that information and give you a beautiful picture.
So whether you have an SDTV, EDTV, OR HDTV, they are all DTV’s and all will produce a digital picture. The differences between each would just be on a scale of good, better, and then the best possible digital picture you can receive.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Or if you have a clarification of a certain point, you’re welcome to post it here.
Best,
Michael
DTV is really just the TV standard which will take place as of June 12, 2009 and encompasses all the other formats. If you wanted to, you could say that there is a good, better, and best way to view the same Digital Television (DTV) signal.
SDTV – Standard Definition Television would be the basic digital television picture quality you would receive with any television hooked up to your cable box, satellite dish, or an HD antenna and decoder box. Even if you have an analog television, you will be watching SDTV.
EDTV – Enhanced Definition Television is a step up. With EDTV you receive more line scanning--480 lines to be exact and every line paints a complete image on your television instead of splitting the information received into two parts like the old analog signal. This simply means your TV is taking the image received and making it better by enhancing the signal it receives and giving you a clearer and more stable picture.
HDTV- High Definition Television offers you the best picture possible. It is like EDTV but it takes it a step further when it comes to your line scanning. It’s all about the lines. The more lines your TV can produce on your screen the more amazing it looks. HDTV can show you a picture with 1080 lines or 720 lines. It can get a bit technical when talking about your line scanning (interlaced/progressively) but what you should be concerned with is that, when it comes to HDTV, the television will figure all that out. No matter how many lines are transmitted in an HD signal the picture quality is virtually the same. Your HDTV will translate that information and give you a beautiful picture.
So whether you have an SDTV, EDTV, OR HDTV, they are all DTV’s and all will produce a digital picture. The differences between each would just be on a scale of good, better, and then the best possible digital picture you can receive.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Or if you have a clarification of a certain point, you’re welcome to post it here.
Best,
Michael
Friday, May 29, 2009
Bluetooth… an Easy Explanation
I was sitting here listening to a little ZZ Top on my computer. Well, actually, I was listening to it on my Saitek A-250 Bluetooth speaker system which is set up on the other side of the room. Suddenly, it occurred to me that we have never really talked about what Blue Tooth is.
Bluetooth is a fantastic technology that allows us to transmit information or data from one device to another as long as both are enabled with a Bluetooth chip (radio/receiver). What does this mean for you and me? Well, it means that we no longer have to fumble around with a spider web of wires and it also means that we are no longer limited by how far a cable will reach. For example, the same speakers that I am listening to now… I can also put outside on the driveway so I can listen to music when I am washing my car.
Bluetooth is not simply for listening to music. When you have equipment that has Bluetooth technology you can do a variety of things. You can transmit a video recording from your camcorder to your television, you can print an email from your computer on the printer, or you can send a picture from your camera phone to a file in your computer without the use of any cables connecting the two. These are just a few examples to illustrate the possibilities of uses that Bluetooth can offer. In a nutshell, Bluetooth is a cable-replacement technology.
Interested in a little history lesson? The trademarked name Bluetooth is actually named after a Danish King who united and controlled Norway and Denmark. His love for blueberries and his over indulgence over time turned his pearly whites into blue stained teeth. Hence, the name Bluetooth.
So cut the strings and start living life wire free. You will be surprised to see how many tech items you purchase will be enabled with this technology.
If you’re interested in learning more technical aspects of Bluetooth, I have included in this blog a link that will take you to a tutorial overview of what Bluetooth is all about.
http://www.palowireless.com/infotooth/tutorial.asp
Best,
Michael
Bluetooth is a fantastic technology that allows us to transmit information or data from one device to another as long as both are enabled with a Bluetooth chip (radio/receiver). What does this mean for you and me? Well, it means that we no longer have to fumble around with a spider web of wires and it also means that we are no longer limited by how far a cable will reach. For example, the same speakers that I am listening to now… I can also put outside on the driveway so I can listen to music when I am washing my car.
Bluetooth is not simply for listening to music. When you have equipment that has Bluetooth technology you can do a variety of things. You can transmit a video recording from your camcorder to your television, you can print an email from your computer on the printer, or you can send a picture from your camera phone to a file in your computer without the use of any cables connecting the two. These are just a few examples to illustrate the possibilities of uses that Bluetooth can offer. In a nutshell, Bluetooth is a cable-replacement technology.
Interested in a little history lesson? The trademarked name Bluetooth is actually named after a Danish King who united and controlled Norway and Denmark. His love for blueberries and his over indulgence over time turned his pearly whites into blue stained teeth. Hence, the name Bluetooth.
So cut the strings and start living life wire free. You will be surprised to see how many tech items you purchase will be enabled with this technology.
If you’re interested in learning more technical aspects of Bluetooth, I have included in this blog a link that will take you to a tutorial overview of what Bluetooth is all about.
http://www.palowireless.com/infotooth/tutorial.asp
Best,
Michael
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
DVD Recorders
How many times have you wanted to record your favorite TV program, or make a backup copy of one of your favorite movies? What about making copies of cherished family moments--like a wedding, birth, or your son’s winning touchdown at his little league football game.
Today’s DVD player is yesterday’s VCR. One thing, however, that every standard DVD player doesn’t have is the capability to record. Why is this? I have often wondered why that sacred button is not one of the controls featured on my DVD player. Should we chalk it up to today’s legal environment where you can sue for having coffee that is too hot or win millions for getting overweight because you ate too many cookies?
Well, there is a solution that will allow for the recording of your favorites: upgrade your home theater system with a DVD recorder. This piece of equipment is a great asset to anyone who wants to make copies of his or her favorite movies, memories, or songs. DVD recorders also do more then just make copies. In a sense, they are dual functioning because they are also a player. So if you are limited on space and don’t think you have room for adding another piece of equipment, you can rest assured that you can not only record with a DVD recorder but also play your home favorites.
There are many types of recorders on the market that can play and record in different formats. I have found many of the best DVD Recorders on the market at Behind The Buy-- thanks to the trend reports that are supplied by Amazon.com. I’ve posted a link to help you find the best one for your home. All you have to do is enter your price range and you will see the top sellers that have provided the highest level of satisfaction. Take a look and let us know what you think.
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=1036920
Best,
Michael
Today’s DVD player is yesterday’s VCR. One thing, however, that every standard DVD player doesn’t have is the capability to record. Why is this? I have often wondered why that sacred button is not one of the controls featured on my DVD player. Should we chalk it up to today’s legal environment where you can sue for having coffee that is too hot or win millions for getting overweight because you ate too many cookies?
Well, there is a solution that will allow for the recording of your favorites: upgrade your home theater system with a DVD recorder. This piece of equipment is a great asset to anyone who wants to make copies of his or her favorite movies, memories, or songs. DVD recorders also do more then just make copies. In a sense, they are dual functioning because they are also a player. So if you are limited on space and don’t think you have room for adding another piece of equipment, you can rest assured that you can not only record with a DVD recorder but also play your home favorites.
There are many types of recorders on the market that can play and record in different formats. I have found many of the best DVD Recorders on the market at Behind The Buy-- thanks to the trend reports that are supplied by Amazon.com. I’ve posted a link to help you find the best one for your home. All you have to do is enter your price range and you will see the top sellers that have provided the highest level of satisfaction. Take a look and let us know what you think.
http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=1036920
Best,
Michael
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Analog to Digital Television Transition
On June 12, 2009, watching television as we know it will come to an end. By order of federal law, the transmission of Analog broadcasting will cease and Digital Television broadcasting will reign supreme. Time is rapidly approaching for this conversion, so what does this mean for us…the consumer? Do I have to purchase a new TV? Can I still receive over the air channels using my antenna? Why do we have to have a new signal anyway?
The age of digital is upon on us and this is not a bad thing, so don’t be scared and confused. Analog broadcasting has been the standard format for transmitting television programming since the invention of the TV. Now it’s time to evolve. Digital Television, or DTV for short, can provide a better picture and sound quality than the former Analog signal. Comparatively, it would be like watching a DVD as opposed to a VHS (remember those). A digital signal offers the transmission of more data and allows us to view and hear an image with better resolution, sharper images, and cleaner sound.
In most cases, there is no need to purchase a new television even if you have an analog TV. If you have satellite or cable programming, chances are your provider is already providing you with a digital signal and you should experience little or no change after June 12, 2009. If you are using an antenna, then you may have to get a converter box which sits right on top of your TV and is the connection point for your antenna and your television. There will still be free broadcasting of channels just as there is now; it just will be offered digitally and you can get digital converter boxes at most electronic retailers.
If you do decide to purchase a new Digital Television, there is a couple to choose from. You can get one with a built in digital tuner called an integrated DTV, or you may purchase a DTV monitor. The difference is that if you are viewing programming via antenna, you will need a digital converter box with the DTV monitor. If you have cable, or satellite programming as mentioned before, your provider will already be transmitting the digital signal and no box will be needed unless you want to watch a program that is over the air.
Finally, the analog signal will not be completely gone. Analog transmission will be used for many other important functions like communications for emergency personnel and other technologies. By converting to DTV after June 12, 2009 the airways will have less interference and thus provide a reliable source of safety broadcasting, emergency communications, and other technological advances.
If more information on this subject is something you’re interested,I would recommend this website www.dtvtransition.org .
Best,
Michael
The age of digital is upon on us and this is not a bad thing, so don’t be scared and confused. Analog broadcasting has been the standard format for transmitting television programming since the invention of the TV. Now it’s time to evolve. Digital Television, or DTV for short, can provide a better picture and sound quality than the former Analog signal. Comparatively, it would be like watching a DVD as opposed to a VHS (remember those). A digital signal offers the transmission of more data and allows us to view and hear an image with better resolution, sharper images, and cleaner sound.
In most cases, there is no need to purchase a new television even if you have an analog TV. If you have satellite or cable programming, chances are your provider is already providing you with a digital signal and you should experience little or no change after June 12, 2009. If you are using an antenna, then you may have to get a converter box which sits right on top of your TV and is the connection point for your antenna and your television. There will still be free broadcasting of channels just as there is now; it just will be offered digitally and you can get digital converter boxes at most electronic retailers.
If you do decide to purchase a new Digital Television, there is a couple to choose from. You can get one with a built in digital tuner called an integrated DTV, or you may purchase a DTV monitor. The difference is that if you are viewing programming via antenna, you will need a digital converter box with the DTV monitor. If you have cable, or satellite programming as mentioned before, your provider will already be transmitting the digital signal and no box will be needed unless you want to watch a program that is over the air.
Finally, the analog signal will not be completely gone. Analog transmission will be used for many other important functions like communications for emergency personnel and other technologies. By converting to DTV after June 12, 2009 the airways will have less interference and thus provide a reliable source of safety broadcasting, emergency communications, and other technological advances.
If more information on this subject is something you’re interested,I would recommend this website www.dtvtransition.org .
Best,
Michael
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