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Home Theater Ideas For Small Rooms

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Just because you have a small room does not mean that you can’t enjoy the Lord of the Rings Trilogy or any other feature film that is best viewed on the latest in home theater advancements. You can bring all the qualities of the home theater system into a smaller apartment, or even enjoy the full effect in your bedroom, by choosing some home theater options that will fit better in your smaller space.

Start your search for the perfect home theater system in your small room by looking for the right television. Your television should not overwhelm everything else in the room, especially if you are choosing the components for a bedroom. High Definition and wide screen TVs are available in any size now, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a screen that fits nicely into your room.

You might want to consider incorporating a cubby hole for your home theater in your smaller room. This will allow you to actually lessen the floor space that your system takes up, and will not make the room appear any smaller. Another idea is to buy a piece of furniture such as a compact entertainment cabinet, although keep in mind that this will cut down on the amount of space in a room that may already appear crowded. If you want to go this route, a good option is to utilize a cabinet which has a built-in slide drawer for your television, such as the ones used in hotels.

As far as the rest of the system in small rooms, the best bet for a general purpose home theater system is one of the many home theater systems sold in boxes, with all the components included. Look for a set that includes a DVD/CD player and wireless rear speakers, as you will not want a bunch of wires taking up the valuable space in your room. Avoid small satellite speakers, and look for woofers that are over 3” and a 7” or larger subwoofer.

Advanced home theater users may want to shop for their components separately, and this option will allow for greater flexibility and may help to match up to the décor in your room. Remember to include all the components in your search, and that your main objective is to cut down on the floor space used as much as possible, in both wiring and surface area.

A small room does not mean that you can’t enjoy a wide range of experiences that come with a home theater system. A home theater system can be the perfect addition to a bedroom for watching a movie or listening to some music before you go to bed or when you are feeling under the weather. Shopping small will help save some money without taking away from the enjoyment of the overall experience- in fact, smaller rooms can be ideal for complete home theater systems as the sound is used more effectively. The key is not to overwhelm, but to make your audio/visual experience as realistic as possible.

Hidden Digital Video Recorders on the Move

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There are many reasons to own and use hidden digital video recorders. You may need them to keep an eye on things around your home, office, warehouse, or other places of business. You may even need to have one to protect your mobile home, vacation home or barn where you keep your valuable horses. But there are also times when the need for hidden digital video recorders goes beyond watching some place stationary. Sometimes you need hidden digital video recorders to be as mobile as anything on four or more wheels. When you do, you may want to consider a mobile security VCR.

These types of hidden digital video recorders are especially necessary for use with police forces. We’ve all seen numerous accounts of traffic violators on film, being pulled over for speeding, reckless operation, drunk driving, but hidden digital video recorders can also be a critical factor in the prosecution of criminals, who have been involved in robberies, kidnappings and other types of felonious activities. These hidden digital video recorders are also great for private investigators.

Other types of agencies can also benefit from the use of hidden digital video recorders. They are great for use in buses and taxis as well. Can you imagine how beneficial it would be if, for example, a taxi picked up a suspicious character for a fare. Then later when questioned by police, there would be a perfect video record of the person in question, which could be quite beneficial for identification purposes.

Go Digital!

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It seems like yesterday when I made my first attempt at finding an affordable digital multi-track recorder for my small home recording studio. Needing to replace my outdated 4 track analog recorder, I searched quite awhile for a reasonably priced recorder. Finally, I was able to find a digital recorder with most of the features I was looking for.

I was amazed at the capabilities of this machine; the clarity of sound it duplicated and the ease of operation were fantastic. My music mixes never sounded better.

Every month or so, some new technological invention, especially in the digital realm, appears on the market. For today’s young people, it is common place to have at their disposal anything they find appealing.

For some of us “older folks” to say the least, we are amazed, at times, even overwhelmed by all the “techno” gizmos on the market. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I research all the new devices out there, but I am a rare bird for my age and sex. I’m one of the very few women who pine over “electronics” instead of the latest fashion craze.

I constantly search the internet for information on all the new products. I want them all, but can only afford a few of these new devices. But, when narrowing down my choices, I usually opt to keep up with all the music related products for enjoyable listening and more efficient and advanced ways to take my music and recording to the next level.

There is no better way to find out all the tricks and tips about a new device than to read about it. Oftentimes the manufacturer’s supplied user’s manual, to say the least, is in another language. Yes, I am one of those people who prefer to learn by doing, but sometimes this is the slow way and does more harm than good. I have lost many good demos because of my hasty button pushing. My eyes often play tricks on me because part of using digital devices is getting used to the tiny menu screens.

E-books are great for reading in your spare time. I like to download them and read at my leisure. When my eyes are not working properly, I use the “zoom in”, sit back and read all about my new device.

Just bought an iPod or still trying to figure out how to use one? Check out my latest e-book about your favorite “device”, The Incredible iPod at http://www.the-incredible-ipod.com

Fujifilm FinePix A303 Digital Camera

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Two years ago I purchased my first digital camera. At that time, prices for a 3.0 and higher mega pixel camera were around $350. Since then, as with all electronic gadgets, prices have dropped significantly while the mega pixels have gone up. I chose the Fujifilm’s A303 digital camera, which has fared well for me, so permit me the opportunity to tell you why.

I desperately needed a digital camera when my web business took off. On many different occasions I found myself wanting to take a picture of a person, place or thing and having to rely on a 35mm camera. Trouble was I wasn’t very good at taking pictures. Usually my subject came out blurry or the picture needed cropping. Yes, getting pictures developed on disk would have resolved the <i>latter</i> problem, but it was the <i>former</i> problem — blurry pictures — that was causing me the most grief. If only I could see “on the spot” how my picture turned out. If it turned out poorly, I could reshoot. Naturally, a digital camera presented to me something that no 35mm camera could offer; I made the purchase of a 3.2 mega pixel camera by Fujifilm after considerable shopping around and reading product reviews online.

Packed within a tough grey shell, the A303 is lightweight and can fit easily into your pant pockets. The camera’s controls are simple to figure out and include a Menu/OK button, Back button, viewfinder, viewfinder lamp, a display buttion and LCD monitor to <i>preview</i> pictures without looking through the viewfinder or to <i>review</i> pictures already taken. A round dial in the back of the camera features a self timer mode where you can set the camera and ten seconds later have the picture go off. Great for when you want to get the entire family’s picture and no one is around to take it. There are also close up modes, still image, playback and movie modes. The movie mode results in a fairly choppy and short film, but it is a neat feature to have nevertheless.

The standard camera comes equipped with a 16mb picture card. Most people will find that inadequate, so I paid a little bit extra and bought the 64mb upgrade. I also purchased rechargeable AA batteries — it takes two — and a recharger. You will sap your batteries quickly if you take 30-40 or more pictures at a time, so the recharger makes sense. I purchased the accompanying Fujifilm carrying case to house my other supplies.

Pictures come out clear and in two years of picture taking I have not experienced a single problem with the camera. At 3.2 mega pixels the pictures are more than adequate as virtually everything I do gets posted to the internet. Supposedly you do not need more mega pixels when posting/viewing pictures online. With the included USB cable and HP software, you will be uploading pictures to the internet in no time.

If there are any drawbacks with the A303 there is just one and it is a <u>glaring</u> problem: the time between shots can seem endless! I suppose the elapsed time is only about ten seconds, but it seems like an eternity especially compared to 35mm cameras. Technological improvements have closed the gap considerably with newer models, but if you need this camera to take a group of shots quickly you will be disappointed.

All in all, the A303 is a very good camera. I give it a 4-star rating for ease of use, price, and dependability.

Four Essentials to the Ultimate Home Theater System

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The high-definition television revolution is already under way, as most of the major TV networks and cable outlets are quickly adopting this cutting-edge version of digital television as their broadcasting standard and offering consumers more shows in high definition.

In fact, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, 9 million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months. Another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

This newer technology can be overwhelming for consumers, especially when they are not properly educated about the tools needed for the best setup of a high-definition home theater system.

Four basic elements are needed: picture, source, sound and assembly. Interestingly enough, the CEA says that approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes already have these basic ingredients.

* Picture: Most digital, high-definition televisions feature large screens in widescreen formats that create a theater-like experience right in your home. HDTV delivers crisp images that make you feel like you’re part of the action.

Plasma and liquid crystal display televisions have generated the most excitement so far. These thin, lightweight sets can hang on a wall and only take up four inches of depth. Other examples include the microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing sets. These TV sets are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional projection TV sets.

* Source: Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These are referred to as having “HD Built-In.” Sets without an integrated tuner are “HD-Ready” and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal. Starting next year, many digital televisions will come with a high-definition tuner and the cable box built in, simplifying the connection for consumers.

* Sound: Most people don’t realize that the high-definition television format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving you that “in the middle of the action” feel. For a truly engaging viewing experience, it is important to get a sound system that is comparable in quality to your television.

* Assembly: To tie it all together, you need to make sure you have the right cables and accessories to connect your system. Many consumers prefer using service personnel to deliver and set up the system at home – making sure everything is in place, connected and calibrated for the optimal home theater experience.

So how much does a home theater system cost? A wide range of prices are available, depending on an individual’s needs and desires. For example, high-definition televisions sold at Best Buy start at less than $500 and go all the way up to $10,000, with numerous models in between.

Flat Screen Monitors: A Technological Wonder

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You probably are already aware that there are two types of computer monitors available today: the big and clunky cathode-ray (CRT) tube monitors and the newer flat screen monitors. These flat panel monitors have a number of advantages over the older type of computer monitors. They are far sleeker, more space-saving and weigh much less. Flat screen monitors are also designed to be more energy-efficient and reduces eye strain. Flat screen monitors use the technology called Liquid Crystal Display or LCD. There are also flat screen CRT monitors available. Both LCD flat panel monitors and CRT flat-screen monitors are fast gaining popularity as a much sleeker and more modern alternative to traditional, bulky monitors of yesterday.

An LCD or liquid crystal display is characterized by a thin and flat display device that is composed of either color or monochrome pixels that are arranged in front of a light source or a reflector. There are two types of LCDs: transmissive and reflective displays. These types differ according to the source of light. A reflective LCD is illuminated by exterior light. A common example of a reflective LCD is the display of a digital watch. Meanwhile, a transmissive display draws its light source from the back through a backlight. This category of LCDs usually requires high luminance levels. Televisions, computer displays, PDAs and mobile phones use transmissive LCDs.

Flat screen monitors have significant advantages over the traditional CRT monitors. Because these monitors are perfectly flat visually and physically, they offer a clearer, more vivid and undistorted pictures from any angle. The images on a flat panel monitor is much more crisp and high quality. This is the reason why flat screen monitors significantly reduce eye strain among its users, another important advantage. There is no curvature on the screen’s surface that will distort any on-screen images. And since the pictures are sharper with more brilliant colors, staring at a flat screen monitor becomes more of a pleasure than a strain.

Flat screen monitors are also much more ergonomic. This means that these types of monitors follow ergonomic requirements and thus add comfort and convenience for the worker. The flat screen monitor is viewable from any angle and is typically fitted on a swivel base with adjustable headlight. This allows for more freedom of movement for the user since the flat screen monitor can be easily adjusted to meet the specific viewing needs. Flat screen monitors are also very space-efficient taking up less desk real estate than older computer monitors. Most LCD flat screen monitors are only about an inch thick and weighs nearly five kilograms.

If you are planning to buy a new flat screen monitor, there are some aspects you should consider. First, choose the resolution that is most appropriate to your needs. Next, assess the price. Generally, flat screen monitors will cost you about $200-$250 for a CRT screen while LCD flat panel monitors cost $500 to $700. Both LCD and CRT flat screen monitors have an average lifespan of about 5 to 7 years, and also come with warranty ranging from 1 to 3 years. Before you purchase, make sure that you do your research on the many different brands of flat screen monitors available in the market today. A flat screen monitor will definitely enhance your computing experience, whether for work or for play.

Finding The Right 27” LCD TV

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A 27” LCD TV provides a much better picture than the old CRT televisions – and they come in much more attractive styles. In many homes an LCD TV has become an integral feature in the entertainment room’s decorating scheme. They’re versatile, too. A flat screen 27” LCD TV can be mounted on a wall, under a cabinet, on the ceiling, or it can sit on a stand or on top of furniture. A 27” LCD TV comes in a size that is big enough to comfortably watch from a reasonable distance, but it’s also small enough to fit in even the smallest viewing rooms.

The 27” LCD market is also highly competitive – almost every television manufacturer makes at least one 27” model. Choosing the right model for your needs can be time-consuming; to get you started, take these steps as you search for the right TV for you.

First consider your room’s décor, and think about how you’ll sit relative to the TV. Because a 27” LCD TV has significantly higher resolution than a conventional TV, you’ll be able to sit closer than you normally would and view a larger screen much more comfortably. The optimum viewing distance for a 27” LCD TV is approximately 6 feet, so plan your furniture arrangement accordingly.

Then make a decision about whether you want or need HDTV. A 27” LCD TV with EDTV is less expensive to purchase but it won’t display high-definition signals. The price difference between a smaller HD-ready 27” LCD TV and an ED-ready 27” LCD TV is relatively small, so you’re better off buying an HD-ready set. Many experts indicate there’s little reason to buy a non-HD 27” LCD TV. A lower resolution LCD TV won’t be able to accept high-definition signals, so the picture won’t look any better than regular analog TV. In the next few years more and more TV signals will be in HD; since your 27” LCD TV should last for more than fifteen years, make sure it will grow with the technology.

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

Narrow your choice of 27” LCD TV down further by determining if you want or need picture-in-picture functionality. Picture-in-picture allows you to view two video sources at once, with one appearing as a small window on the screen. If you do want picture-in-picture capability on your 27” LCD TV, remember that single-tuner picture-in-picture lets you watch television in one window and another source (like a DVD) in the second window. A 27” LCD TV with two tuners lets you watch two television sources at once. It’s a cool feature and once you have it you’ll find you don’t want to do without it, especially if you’re a sports or news junkie.

You’re almost done, but now you’ll want to check to see if the different models of 27” LCD TV you’re still considering are sold with a stand or mounting hardware included. Most 27” LCD TVs will come with a table stand wall mounting hardware costs an additional $100 to $200. If you do purchase a stand or mounting hardware separately, make sure it’s appropriate for the size and weight of your TV. The average 27” LCD TV is pretty heavy, so it pays to make sure your stand or hardware will safely support it.

Last, but certainly not least, inspect the manufacturer’s return and warranty policy before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. If you buy a 27” LCD TV from an unauthorized dealer, the manufacturer may not offer warranty coverage. The retailer may offer a substitute warranty that sufficiently covers you – the only way to know for sure is to ask.

The price difference for a 27” LCD TV from an authorized dealer and from a discounter can be hundreds of dollars – and sometimes that’s the sole reason for the price difference – so make sure you’re comfortable with the risk of not having a warranty, or make sure you ask the discounter for information about warranty terms for the 27” LCD TV you’ve narrowed your choice down to.

Ebook Review: The One Month Magnate

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EBOOK DETAILS

File Size: 1.55mb Unzipped.
Number of Pages: 1 long scrolling page.
Format: Executable (.exe)
Subject: The One Month Magnate is a step by step guide to how Tony Shepherd created a product to sell on the internet starting from scratch. That means no mailing list and no website, just his past experience.

ABOUT TONY SHEPHERD (AUTHOR OF THE ONE MONTH MAGNATE)

Tony Shepherd is one of the UK’s most private Internet Marketers. Co-owner of Laycock Publishing with marketing guru Sara Brown, Tony has written several books and made his living from the Internet for a number of years. Tony usually writes under different names and keeps his private life away from work, making sure the latter is kept to a minimum.

ABOUT THE EBOOK

The One Month Magnate shows how Tony Shepherd given a computer and an Internet connection went from earning nothing to over $4,000 in 30 days. He did not use a website or his mailing list. The ebook tells in great detail, with screenshots and links, how Tony did this. He divulges all the tools he used and exactly how he did it. In his own word “I follow this blueprint every time I’m setting up a new business.”

In the ebook Tony discusses:

· How most Internet users willingly tell you what they’re prepared to pay money for, without you even realising!!
· How experience is NOT Important!!
· The blueprint he uses to launch all his new businesses!!
· Why he will never work for an Employer again!!
· How he did it EXACTLY including the EXACT amount of money earned, and the EXACT way he implemented the blueprint, with screenshots to illustrate this!!
· How to become an Expert in your chosen field!!
· How to use free gifts to make Money!!
· How experts can help you make money for Free!!
· What he would have done the following month to increase his Profits!!

The process Tony follows involves three main stages; Research, Becoming an Expert, and Marketing and Selling the Product. In the research stage, Tony tells you all the tools he uses to decide upon and research his product. Then he tells you about the sources he uses to become an expert in this field. Finally, Tony tells you the methods he would use to market and sell his product (without a website remember). On top of this there is even a bonus section outlining what Tony would have done if he had an extra 11 days to market his product.

Upon reading this ebook I was very impressed. Firstly, impressed about the amount of money Tony actually made, and secondly I was impressed about the level of honesty and detail within the ebook. Tony tells you exactly what he did and what he didn’t. For example, Tony admits that he didn’t set up a website to promote his product because he didn’t have time. It definitely gives you an interesting idea on how 30 days hard work could potentially provide you with a regular income.

This ebook is aimed at readers who have a reasonable knowledge of Internet Marketing. You will need to know how to use forums, how to create the product you decide upon, and how to accept payments online. If you do not yet know how to do this then some research is required. You can easily do this by searching on http://www.google.com/. Once you have done the above, I would heartily recommend this ebook as it provides one of the most in-depth looks I have come across on researching, promoting, and selling a product on the Internet, in such a short period. Obviously, if you had longer you would be able to market your product in much greater depth and perhaps use more methods to do so, but given the short-time period, this is a seriously impressive ebook.

GOOD POINTS

· Gives readers a step by step system with screenshots that can easily be applied to almost any product.
· The section on how to become an expert with no prior knowledge of the field is particularly useful. With this information, the products you could release are virtually limitless.
· All the methods of promotion outlined are very effective yet require no financial expenditure.
· The methods used will generate residual income i.e. Tony would have generated at least the same amount of money every consecutive month, following this blueprint.
· The style of writing is to the point and easy to follow.
· The text is broken up by images making it easier to read.

BAD POINTS

· The ebook is mainly aimed at the short-term even though Tony does say what he would have done in the next 10 days (medium-term). It does not discuss more long-term forms of Internet Marketing.
· Although it touches on a lot of key Internet Marketing methods, it does not go into great detail on them.
· It leaves you wondering what other ebooks Tony Shepherd has written (under his other aliases) with no way to find out.

HOW I HAVE GAINED FROM THE ONE MONTH MAGNATE

At the moment I have not implemented the ideas from The One Month Magnate, as I am focusing at the moment on creating an ebook on a field in which I am quite knowledgeable. However, this ebook is definitely going to be useful for future reference. I can definitely see myself creating some successful products by following Tony’s blueprint.

Digital Voice Recorders

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Using digital voice recorders in every day life has become so commonplace that most people do not even give it a second thought. There are dozens of reasons both professional and personal to use digital voice recorders, whether you need to record important business conversations or just want to have a good time with your friends.

One of the smallest of the digital voice recorders also happens to be one of the largest capacity voice recorders on the market. It is capable of recording up to one hundred-forty hours continuously. And the features on the great little unit go on and on. Not only are they digital voice recorders, but they have a stereo FM radio, and a time and date stamp, Plus they are voice activated, have a flash memory, and can be used as a cell phone recording detector and they also have a land phone recording connector, just to name a few. There is even a dot matrix LCD with blue back light and automatic microphone sensitivity. Couple all of that with a lapel microphone, stereo earphones, and a USB connector cable and you will have everything you need for many hours of great digital recording.

All of this operates on just two “AAA” batteries. Another great feature on these digital voice recorders is that you can timer record up to three programs by day, by week or by date. They also have three speeds in which to play back your recording. What more could you need or want?

Digital Voice Recorders

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Are you a busy professional with so much going on in your working day that you often forget important dates, times or information if you do not write everything down? Well, throw away your pencil and paper and start keeping that important information by using digital voice recorders. These new digital voice recorders are not only wonderfully compact, and tape free, but they are capable of recording for a phenomenally long time.

For example, one of these great digital voice recorders is capable of recording for an entire day and a half, which is an unsurpassed, sixty-four hours of recording time. Unbelievably, these wonderful little digital voice recorders are only four inches by one inch by one half inch, so it easily fits in your purse, pocket or one of those tiny compartments in your car.

One of the great things about these particular digital voice recorders is that you can set it in voice activation mode and even though it is on, it won’t record until it actually detects audio activity. But more importantly, because these digital voice recorders are digital, they begin recording after only one tenth of a second once sound is detected. And with its great 8kps voice sampling rate, these digital voice recorders are highly desirable to private investigators. They record and play back with stunning clarity and accuracy.

These digital voice recorders can be operated on two “AAA” batteries, but they also come with and external DC power supply. They also come complete with USB cable and software for downloading into your computer, variable playback speed, text to speech conversion features, fast forward and rewind control and much more.