articles relative to gifts and gift ideas
| | The following articles are re-produced courtesy of the Authors and are re-printed here in the hope that visitors to the IJustGottaHaveThat web site will enjoy the content and possibly derive a benefit which will enable them to gain further enjoyment from their proposed purchases. These Articles are designed to be informative, entertaining and relevant and will be updated on a regular basis, IJustGottaHaveThat.co.uk have no association or affiliation with the Authors of these Articles and it should be understood that the content of the articles is the sole responsibility and copyright of the Author. Should you have any comment on these articles please address them to the Author. If there is any particular article or subject matter you would like IJustGottaHaveThat to cover on these pages please contact us with as much detail as possible. | | # | ARTICLE TITLE | MONTH ADDED | | 1 | How to choose and buy an iPod at good prices
by: Gagandeep Dhaliwal | February 2006 | | 2 | LCD Projectors - The Jist by: Eli Aloisi | February 2006 | | 3 | Battery Chargers by: Angela Oliver | February 2006 | | 4 | DVR: Digital Video Recording. What You Need To Know by: Joe Leech | February 2006 | | 5 | Why I’ve Gone Digital – And Still Keep My Old Camera
by: Tom Juuls | February 2006 | | | | | How to choose and buy an iPod at good prices by: Gagandeep Dhaliwal
ipod is a renowned brand of portable digital media player designed and marketed by Apple Computer. The ipod is currently the world's best-selling digital audio player. The ipod family devices provide a simple user interface designed around a central scroll wheel, with the exception of the ipod shuffle.
The majority of ipod models store media on a built-in hard drive, while the smaller ipod shuffle and ipod nano use flash memory. An ipod, like most digital audio players, can serve as an external data storage device when connected to a computer. The discontinued versions of the ipod include two generations of the popular ipod mini and four generations of the full-sized ipod, all of which had monochrome screens except for the fourth-generation ipod with color screen, which was previously sold as ipod photo before it replaced the monochrome ipod in the top line. As of December 2005, the lineup consists of the fifth-generation ipod that can play videos, the ipod nano that has a color screen, and the ipod shuffle; all three iterations were released in 2005.
The bundled software used for uploading music, photos, and videos to the ipod is called iTunes. iTunes is a music jukebox application that stores a comprehensive library of the music on a user's computer, as well as being able to play and rip it from a CD. The most recent incarnations of ipod and iTunes have video playing and organization features. Other forms of data can be added to ipod as if it were a normal data storage device.
ipod or ipods is the most frequently searched keyword online. There are numerous websites offering tons of valuable information on video ipod, ipod accessories, used ipods and cheap ipod. Some sites offer ipod blog, ipod reviews, ipod news and ipod articles.
These ipod blogs, reviews, articles, news and other information are very helpful to the potential ipod customers. The guys planning to buy ipod products are advised to go through these online sources and read ipod reviews before buying any ipod product.
About The Author
Gagandeep Dhaliwal owns a website on Buying iPod http://www.buyipodguide.com. The website provides advice on how to buy cheap iPods with good deals from various electronic gadgets. You can visit his website http://www.cheapipodguide.info/. back to article list
| LCD Projectors - The Jist by: Eli Aloisi
An LCD projector is a device utilized for displaying video images or data. They are the modern equivalent to the slide projector and overhead projector used in the past.
LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors usually contain three separate LCD glass panels, one each for the red, green, and blue components of the video signal. As light passes through the LCD panels, individual pixels can be opened to allow light to pass, or closed to block the light, as if each little pixel were fitted with a Venetian blind. This activity modulates the light and produces the image that is projected onto the screen.
With a lens that "projects" the image on any flat surface and does not require large "furniture" (like a big TV would), LCD projectors tend to be smaller and much more portable than older systems. The best image quality can be accomplished with a blank white or grey surface to project on, and for this reason dedicated projection screens are often used.
Early systems were often intended to be used with existing overhead projectors, built as a large "plate" that was put on the projector in place of the transparencies. This provided the market with a stop-gap solution in the era when the computer was not yet the universal display medium.
This technology is employed in some sizes of rear projection television consoles, as there are cost advantages when employed in mid size sets (40 to 50 inch diagonal). This is not expected to have much longevity in the "home theater" marketplace due to expected improvements cost/performance of competing technologies, particularly in direct-view LCD panels at the lower range of sizes and DLP projection in the larger sizes.
In 2004 and 2005, LCD front projection has been enjoying a come-back because of the addition of the dynamic iris which has improved contrast up to the levels of DLP.
About The Author
Eli Aloisi is one of the many knowledgable staff members that encompass the PlexHomeTheater.com community. For more great articles check out www.PlexHomeTheater.com.
eli@plexhometheater.com back to article list
| Battery Chargers by: Angela Oliver
Many new portable appliances and electronic devices use rechargeable batteries. Cars, boats, and motorcycles are also equipped with rechargeable batteries. How do battery chargers differ for each type of battery? What are the different options for recharging batteries?
Auto and marine and truck batteries are 12 volt batteries. Chargers for 12 volt batteries are much more advanced than traditional versions. Battery chargers such as the Battery Minder charge batteries without overcharging which can ruin a battery. Another very useful tool for auto and marine batteries are jump starters. Many newer models are portable and can jump start up to 30 cars without having to be recharged. A great model is the PowerTank jump start equipped with a florescent light and battery tester. Solar battery chargers are available for a wide range of devices. ICP Solar chargers are great for people on the go.
Cell phones, PDAs, and other small electronic devices use different chargers than auto or marine batteries. Typical small appliance battery chargers are wall or desk mountable. They can charge batteries much quicker than conventional battery chargers. Some even pop out the battery when it is fully charged to avoid the “memory effect” that is common with NICD batteries. ICP Solar chargers are also available for small portable appliances. When charging a cell phone battery, chargers vary greatly by brand and are only compatible with the cell phone manufacturer.
Many types of batteries are rechargeable. However, choosing a battery charger varies for each type of battery. Factors include voltage, type of battery, for example, lithium, NICD or lead acid, all require a different type of battery charger because they use different technologies. How a battery is charged can greatly affect the life of a battery, so it is important to follow procedure for each type of battery for proper charging.
About The Author
Angela Oliver writes for BatteryWeb at http://batteryweb.com/. Please visit the site at http://batteryweb.com/charger.cfm for some of the greatest deals on all your Battery Charger needs. back to article list
| DVR: Digital Video Recording. What You Need To Know
by: Joe Leech
The Digital Revolution is upon us.... In fact, it’s been sneaking up on us for a long time with devices such as calculators, digital watches, and many other consumer goods, not to mention the devices we actually use but see very little of. Such devices are common to us in "the first person" in the form of many automotive controls in our car, and indirectly common to us if we fly.. things like aircraft engines, etc.
But the first area possibly to have a major impact in terms of comparison has been in the cameras we use. This effects us both in camcorders and in the still cameras. While the purist will probably always win the argument that the film camera gives greater quality control than the digital, there are those who would argue against this principal very vociferously.
Now, most Americans who own a TV are about to experience first hand another upward leap on the scale of digital technology as our televisions will be mandated to use digital transmission and reception technology within the next few years. Yes, for many years our current televisions will still work.. possibly with adapters, and the upgrade is not too unlike the upgrade from the old AM radio to FM, or if you are a "ham" from AM to SSB.
Sometimes we have to wonder if progress takes place simply for progress own sake.. or to justify some new selling point or to create obsolescence so the engine of progress can march on.
Without going into a technical discussion of digital Vs its predecessor, analog, and going the comparisons of an analog watch (one with hands) to digital, suffice it to say that in this case, the move to digital technology in most cases DOES bring substantial benefits. Clarity, use of less power, higher resolution when it comes to video.. these are but a few. However, it is not the scope of this article to lead into a technical discussion which could fill pages, but to "segway" and introduce one to the subject of DVR: Digital Video Recording.
The DVR is on the way "in" and the old recording devices are on they way out at about the same speed as your old 33 1/3d and 45 RPM records.. and the VHS tape you use. Probably half the of reader base of this article owns and has used a DVD player by now, and you see the many advantages of not having to contend with tape that gets tangled in heads some times, must be rewound, and has limited audio and surround sound capability. Recording with the VCR has always been a challenge, particularly if one wants to record multiple programs at multiple times, or do an extended recording. Instant and simultaneous replay is virtually impossible.
With DVR, which by the way not only applies to the entertainment area, all of these things become things of the past, and options open up that were not previously available.
One can either own equipment and record on site, with the most commonly known device being the TiVo.. although there are devices now made by virtually every known electronic manufacturer. The only question in buying one of these is, "Will this become obsolete in 36 months?" A web site referred to in the resource block goes further into evaluating this.
The other option is to let a outside source do the recording. Many of the TV cable providers offer this as an optional service now. You don’t have to buy a thing.. only be a subscriber to their DIGITAL service (which we all will be eventually).
In the meantime, the only question is, "Do I want these benefits now enough to pay the cost for them?". That’s an individual question.
In the meantime, this article gives those who have come across it some general background, and the opportunity to prepare some questions before wondering into your TV and Electronics dealership. We suggest you prepare by doing searches on terms like HDTV; "digital ready", "digital TV converters"; "Digital Recorders". Ask about the total number of inputs; the total recording time; Ask if you can make a copy of the recording onto a CD or DVD, and will it play universally, or only on the machine it was recorded on.
Many questions.. but in the end, all of us will soon be in the DVR owner ranks.
About The Author
Joe Leech has been involved with electronics since getting his first "ham" license in high school, and keeping up with DVR technology is just natural. His full service DVR information web site can be seen at http://www.new-dvrinfo.com.
author@leechent.com back to article list
| Why I’ve Gone Digital – And Still Keep My Old Camera by: Tom Juuls
There has always been a debate about what is better. Traditional cameras using film, or the so called new technology, storing pictures in digital form on memory cards, in computers or on CD-Rom.
As being a photographer for more than half of my life, I stuck with traditional film for very long. About 7 years ago I started to supplement my work with photos taken the digital way. A point and shoot camera with just 640x480 pixel resolution was the most attractive gadget I had these days. Its lens was even capable of doing close-up work, using a macro switch.
That Fujifilm DX-7 was upgraded with a bigger Memory-Card and the camera served me well for several years.
Anyway, over time, I was still more satisfied with the possibilities my collection of Pentax SLR cameras gave me. It started with using the best lenses for each picture or just using a Zoom (which offers a range from wide angle to telephoto), changing the shutter speed to either stop or blur the motion of objects in the picture, use external flashlights, change the aperture openings to adjust the range of sharpness and lots more. Not forgetting the better picture quality I could get from a 35mm negative or slide. I was happy to use my heavy, solid metal camera.
The world changed for me when camera makers like Nikon and Canon introduced their Digital SLR Cameras. I went to my local camera shop every week and debated with the salesman about advantages and disadvantages of the models they had on sale. Also I checked with lots of users in online services to get first hand feedback on how these cameras performed. Finally, when Pentax introduced their Digital SLRs, I couldn’t wait much longer. I needed to have one of those.
With the Pentax 1st DS have a whole list of advantages over smaller Digital Cameras:
I can use the same lenses that fit my traditional camera
Have full control over speed and aperture
I can see the picture immediately after it is taken
I can shoot a series of pictures and choose the best (at no extra cost for film or paper)
A good resolution of 6 Megapixel which allows quite big prints
It weights more than a compact digital camera, so you can hold it steady more easily
Make use of all the filters, flashlights, lenses and accessories I have collected over the years.
Storing the pictures on the PC via a fast USB connection
Up to 1 GB storage on a SD Memory Card (about 380 jpg photos)
Selecting only the best photos for printing
With all these advantages of digital SLR Cameras, you may wonder why I still keep my old 35mm film cameras with me. First, it is emotional, and second, photographing the old fashioned way keeps me calm. You just need more time to produce an excellent, satisfying photograph (because you cannot see the result right after the shot).
Article © 2006 www.digtialcameratips.de
About The Author
Tom Juuls has spent most of his free time behind cameras of different types. He specializes in close-up work and travel photography. To share his experiences and fascination about digital photography, he has set up www.digitalcameratips.de which covers topics for beginners as well as advanced users of digital cameras. back to article list
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