Tag: Wireless

How To Use AT&T Coupons To Save On Your Next Wireless Bill
by David Burgess on 0

How To Use AT&T Coupons To Save On Your Next Wireless Bill

AT&T is one of the four major carriers in the United States, and it offers a variety of services to its customers. These services include wireless service, home phone service, internet service, and television service. AT&T also offers a variety of discounts to its customers.

Wireless service discounts:

AT&T offers a variety of discounts on its wireless service. These discounts include a discount for customers who have AT&T service through another AT&T service, such as home phone service or internet service. AT&T also offers a discount for customers who have multiple AT&T services.

Home phone service discounts:

AT&T offers a variety of discounts on its home phone service. These discounts include a discount for customers who have AT&T service through another AT&T service, such as wireless service or internet service. AT&T also offers a discount for customers who have multiple AT&T services.

Internet service discounts:

AT&T offers a variety of discounts on its internet service. These discounts include a discount for customers who have AT&T service through another AT&T service, such as wireless service or home phone service. AT&T also offers a discount for customers who have multiple AT&T services.

Television service discounts:

AT&T offers a variety of discounts on its television service. These discounts include a discount for customers who have AT&T service through another AT&T service, such as wireless service or home phone service. AT&T also offers a discount for customers who have multiple AT&T services.

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How To Choose The Right Printer For Your Needs.
by David Burgess on 0

How To Choose The Right Printer For Your Needs.

Printers come in all shapes and sizes these days. They range from the very basic and simple models that are designed for occasional use, right up to the high-end professional models that are designed for heavy-duty use. So, how do you choose the right printer for your needs?

The first thing you need to consider is what you will be using the printer for. If you only need to print the odd document or photo here and there, then you won’t need to spend a lot of money on a top-of-the-range model. A basic printer will do the job just fine.

However, if you need to print a lot of documents or photos on a regular basis, then you’ll need to invest in a more heavy-duty model. These printers will be able to handle large volumes of printing without breaking a sweat.

Another thing to consider is the quality of the prints that you need. If you only need to print text documents, then you won’t need a printer that produces high-quality photos. However, if you need to print photos as well as text, then you’ll need a printer that is capable of producing high-quality prints.

Finally, you need to consider the cost of the printer. Printers range in price from around $50 to several thousand dollars. Obviously, the more you spend, the better the quality of the printer will be. However, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good quality printer. There are plenty of good quality printers available for a reasonable price.

So, there you have it. A few things to consider when choosing the right printer for your needs. With a bit of thought, you should be able to find the perfect printer for your requirements.

When it comes to choosing a printer, there are a few things you need to take into account in order to make sure you’re choosing the right one for your needs. The first thing to consider is what you’ll be using the printer for. If you’re only going to be printing text documents, then you won’t need a printer with fancy features like photo printing or duplex printing. However, if you’re going to be printing photos or other images, you’ll want a printer that offers good photo quality.

The next thing to consider is how much you’ll be printing. If you only ever print a few pages at a time, then you won’t need a printer with a high page per minute (ppm) rating. However, if you’re going to be printing a lot of pages, you’ll want a printer that can handle high-volume printing.

Finally, you’ll need to decide what features you want in your printer. Some features, like wireless connectivity, are becoming more and more common, so you might want to consider a printer that offers this. Other features, like automatic document feeders, might not be as important to you.

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of what kind of printer you need. If you’re still not sure, it might be a good idea to consult with a printer expert to get their opinion on which printer would be best for you.

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Top Camcorder Trends
by Leland Richardson on 0

Top Camcorder Trends

Camcorders may not spring to mind when you think of cutting edge technology, but just because they’ve been around a while doesn’t mean technology isn’t constantly shaping, and reshaping, the camcorder market. In fact, thanks to new technologies, recording formats and designs, today’s camcorders are a far cry from models just a few years old. Here’s a look at some of the major trends:

Pocket Parade

Pocket camcorders – those portable, easy-to-use video cameras popularized by the Flip – have become all the rage of the camcorder market. And what’s not to like: they’re easy, cheap, offer decent quality and make sharing videos online simple. By some estimates they’ll make up about 2/3 of all camcorders sold.

This year, thanks to the success of the Flip, there are literally over a dozen competitors. That means these models were begin to diversify, with features such as water-proofing, infrared and optical zooms emerging to help distinguish these video cameras from a very crowded field.

It’s a High Def World

HD camcorders have been on the market for several years now, but this year they’re expected to cross over into 50 percent of the market. They’re still pricier than standard definition models (at least when talking about traditional – not pocket – camcorders) but those prices continue to fall sharply. You’ll find several feature-rich HD models, capable of 1920 x 1080 recording, for under $500.

Flash in the Pan

Flash memory cards, the type found in digital cameras, are rapidly becoming the recording format of choice for digital camcorders. Camcorders that use flash memory are lighter, use less battery power and can store more video than any other format except for hard drives.

The popularity of flash camcorders has all but crowded out DVD and tape formats, leaving only hard disk drives as an alternative.

Ultra-Portable

Thanks in no small part to the use of flash memory, camcorders are getting tinier and more portable. That means you don’t have any excuse not to carry one around with you wherever you go.

Web Friendly

What good is your video if you can’t share it, or turn it into 15 seconds worth of Internet fame? While the higher-end HD camcorders are less computer-friendly, a number are using the H.264 video format for easier editing and viewing on a computer. Together with built-in upload buttons that send video off to YouTube whenever the camcorder is connected to a computer, today’s camcorders are more Web-friendly than ever before.

Back-lit CMOS

While it’s not front and center in many of the specs, the type of image sensor used in a camcorder is critically important. In 2010, a new version of the CMOS image sensor will be more popular with higher-end models. The so-called “back illuminated” CMOS technology offers improved video quality performance where it counts the most: low light environments.

Wireless

Connecting your camcorder to a computer or TV isn’t the hardest thing in the world, but it could still stand to be easier. At least two camcorder makers thus far have introduce products with a form of wireless networking. Samsung has added Wi-Fi to a trio of high-end HD camcorders while JVC has announced a camcorder with built-in Bluetooth. Given that camcorder video files are very large, it remains to be seen whether wireless offers a viable alternative to the tangle of cables, but this is the year we’ll find out.

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Which Microphones Should You Invest In?
by Leland Richardson on 0

Which Microphones Should You Invest In?

Almost everyone likes to capture the moment. Parents like to capture their children from newborn until they are adults because it is a precious moment that they will not return. Moments can be well preserved into a beautiful memory with today’s digital equipment such as smartphones or video cameras.

Video images can be exciting, dramatic, beautiful, or shocking, but the image is only a part of the picture, so to speak. Good, clean audio can make or break a production. Background noise, hiss, muffled vocals, distortion or other factors can all make a good video bad.

We all know that audio is captured through a microphone, but without going so far as to hire a sound engineer to join us on shoots, what can we add to our setup to ensure decent audio quality?

Let’s take a quick walk through some of the basic microphone types, and why we might want to use them.

Built-In Camera Microphone

This is probably the least desirable of the options, and video pros and enthusiasts alike will talk down about the relative merits or drawbacks of the built-in microphone, but listen to yourself on this one. While the audio quality is not going to be great with a built in microphone, it might be all you need. Filming your kid’s soccer game? Taking a camera along on an evening stroll? It’s important to assess the application of the final video to determine what’s worth bringing along. If you’re doing something where the final video doesn’t need great audio, and the time and hassle of attaching an external device will take away from the moment, just toss a camera in your bag and be done with it.

Of course, if a bit of nicer audio is going to make a difference, maybe you’d consider bringing along a simple…

Shotgun Microphone

Sitting atop of the camera is the proud shotgun microphone.Highly directional, a sensitive shotgun microphone should make a substantial improvement over the camera’s built in mic. This said, a shotgun will generally be a fair distance from a subject, so be thoughtful of the mic’s capabilities as they relate to the project at hand. If you’re shooting an interview, you’ll want to get close enough to make the speaker’s voice the dominant sound by a large margin. If you’re filming the soccer game, you needn’t worry as such.

Shotgun mic’s come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with prices ranging from around the cost of a case of beer, all the way through the stratosphere. Most camera stores will let you test out a couple of them to see how they work on your camera, but YouTube will be your true friend in this case. Head there to hear the results others have captured using various shotgun microphones.

Boom Microphone

Like the shotgun mic, the boom microphone is a directional microphone designed to work better than your camera’s internal microphone. Mounted at the end of a long pole, the boom mic will either be placed on a stationary stand or moved to accommodate a scene by a special operator.

The real benefit of a boom mic is that it can be positioned to capture excellent audio from a close proximity to the subject. No wires or devices will be visible on camera. This is a bonus.

Of course, closer is better, and nothing gets closer than a…

Lavaliere Microphone

A lavaliere, lapel or lav microphone is a versatile microphone designed to clip to a subject’s lapel, shirt or other garment. The idea is that a lav mic can be hidden, and it will sit closely to a subject’s mouth, delivering clear, crisp vocal audio.

There are wired and wireless models on the market now, with options at nearly any price point. The value of owning a wireless lav mic is proven every time you want to put a subject in front of the lens. The difference in audio between this and other options is clear, and the ability to achieve clean audio without the assistance of a boom operator is a true plus.

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Wacom Bamboo Tablets: Differences and Reviews
by David Burgess on 0

Wacom Bamboo Tablets: Differences and Reviews

An Overview of the Different Types of Wacom Bamboo Series of Drawing Tablets

If you’ve never tried a drawing tablet before, but you’re looking to get into the world of graphic art, getting one of the Bamboo drawing tablets made by Wacom is an excellent place to start, because they are extremely functional and easy to use. However, if you’ve been looking around the market at all, you may have noticed that there are a few different types of Bamboo pen tablets out there, and it’s not necessarily that easy to tell the differences between them all unless you really devote some time and energy to research.

I’m here to lay it all out for you, giving you the specifics you need in order to decide which Bamboo drawing tablet is the right one to buy. Whether you’re looking for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, I aim to provide you with enough accurate and detailed information in order to make an informed decision that you’ll never regret. (Hint: you may also want to check out all of The Best Drawing Tablets.)

The Bamboo Connect Tablet

Wacom Bamboo Connect Pen Tablet (CTL470)

Key Features
– Size: Small
– Pen Eraser: No
– Multi-Touch: Not compatible
– Wireless Option: Not compatible

Free Bundled Software
Autodesk SketchBook Express

Review of the Bamboo Connect

The simplest and most lightweight Bamboo model in terms of size and functionality, this is excellent for either a beginner artist or someone who needs the ability to write by hand or annotate documents. It’s not great, however, for those who are looking to practice graphic art as a serious hobby or profession. If you’re looking to get your creative child something cool for a holiday or special occasion, this would make a great gift, but be aware that they may soon grow beyond the capabilities of this tablet.

The Bamboo Connect was designed with the professional communicator in mind rather than the professional artist. It is perfect for people who are frequently in meetings online and needs to draw something to the screen. It’s also the perfect tool for making notes in documents, signing signatures, writing annotations, and other activities that require hand-written text.

From an artist’s perspective, it’s quite lacking. There are no extra buttons or shortcut keys in order to quickly move through in-program menus or change tools, and it doesn’t support easy zooming or scrolling control due to the lack of multi-touch. I would however, recommend this to anyone who travels and uses a laptop a lot. Because of its small size and weight, it’s very portable, and it is great for getting out a quick sketch or doodle when inspiration hits.

The Bamboo Splash Tablet

Bamboo Splash Summary and Review

Key Features
– Size: Small
– Pen Eraser: No
– Multi-Touch: Not compatible
– Wireless Option: Not compatible

Free Bundled Software
Autodesk SketchBook Express; ArtRage 3 Studio

Review of the Bamboo Splash

I like to think of the Splash as the older brother of the Connect. It can do all the same things and little more. It’s designed to be more of a step in the artistic direction, but the only notable difference is that it includes a copy of ArtRage. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a great deal, and it’s really good for anyone still working on building their skills as an artist. This extra feature may not seem like much, but it allows you to view the tablet in a new light. It teaches the user the basics of art programs (they all can do pretty much the same basic things), and any child who’s given a drawing tablet without an environment to use it in that’s geared towards art will probably be inclined to treat it as a toy instead of the sophisticated tool that it really is.

The size and weight make this just as portable, but it also allows it to be durable. If it gets dropped, thrown, bumped, or anything else, unless it’s been attacked with heavy machinery or dropped from a couple of stories high, there isn’t anything heavy or bulky about it to cause it (or anything else) any damage. This also makes the Splash quite easy to store away when it’s not in use.

The Bamboo Capture Tablet

Bamboo Capture Summary and Review

Key Features
– Size: Small
– Pen Eraser: No
– Multi-Touch: Compatible
– Wireless Option: Compatible

Free Bundled Software
Adobe Photoshop Elements; Nik Color Efex Pro Filters (Wacom Edition); Autodesk SketchBook Express

Review of the Bamboo Capture

As far as an artist is concerned with the Bamboo line of Wacom tablets, this is where it starts to get interesting. Of course, you can do all the same stuff that you could with the other models (annotating documents, signing papers, etc.), but this is the model where Wacom started to design things specifically for artists.

If you take a look at the software that’s included with this tablet, you’ll notice that there are two new programs: PS Elements, and Nik Color Efex. These programs are specifically designed for more serious photographers who want to spice up their pictures with effects, filters, cleaning tools, and more. As you probably know, Adobe is the industry leader in the field of creative software, boasting a track record that includes Flash CS, Photoshop, Illustrator, inDesign, and a ton more.

If you want to get into photography, image editing, vector art, and other popular design media, this is a great tablet to use to get started. Though, it’s not the perfect fit for you if you’re into digital art that looks more realistic such as painting, drawing, watercolors, and rubber-stamping. And it’s a bit overkill if you’re just looking to get your feet wet and not quite a serious artist yet.

The Bamboo Create Tablet

Bamboo Create Summary and Review

 

Key Features
– Size: Medium
– Pen Eraser: Yes
– Multi-Touch: Yes
– Wireless Option: Yes

Free Bundled Software
Adobe Photoshop Elements; Corel Painter Essentials; Nik Color Efex Pro (Wacom Edition)

Review of the Bamboo Create
This right here is the mother of all Wacom Bamboo Drawing Tablets. With an active work area of 8.5″ x 5.4″ it has the largest amount of work space you can get. This is definitely something for serious artists to consider, because it scales the best to whatever screen size you’re looking at, and it allows you to use full motions with your drawing.

While it still includes PS Elements and Nik for photography work and image editing, you’ll notice that it also comes with a copy of Corel Painter Essentials, which is an absolutely excellent program for any artist to work in if you’re more interested in classical media. Realistic oil, watercolor, pencil, marker, and other tools allow you to make full use of this tablet when you’re working to create your best works of art.

If you’re familiar with other Wacom tablets, you’ll probably already know about the Intuos series. What you should know is that this models of Bamboo is only a small step below an Intuos in that the only real differences are the potential in size (this only goes up to medium size, when an Intuos can go up to large), and in the shortcut keys. The Create only has a couple of buttons, but if you’re not yet a professional graphic designer or artist (and by that I mean making steady money off your artwork), then this is a fine investment for you to begin with. It will increase your productivity and allow for a vast improvement in the quality of your work, depending on your skill of course 😉

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How to Transfer Pictures to Computer
by David Burgess on 0

How to Transfer Pictures to Computer

Need Help Getting Those Images to Your Computer?

If you’re new to digital photography you may have questions about how to download or transfer photos to computer where you can edit, save, or share them on the internet.

The process to transfer pictures from your digital camera to computer is usually very quick and simple but there are a couple of options, learn more about them here on this page.

The Primary Ways to Transfer Photos to Your Computer

Hear are the most common methods used to download or transfer photos to computer:

Connecting your camera to your computer via a USB cable or Firewire

Inserting the memory card from your camera into a memory card reader (or into your computer) and downloading directly from it rather than the camera.

Wireless transfer

How to Download Photos to Your Computer via USB Cable

A USB cable usually comes included with your camera purchase and is a fairly straightforward way to transfer pictures to computer.

In many instances, you’ll need to upload the image transfer software that came with your camera onto your computer.

Next you will need to connect your camera and your computer with the USB cable. Read your camera’s manual it will describe any specific instructions. For instance, some cameras need to be turned off when connecting and then turned on once the connection is made. Be sure to use AC power if you use this method to avoid draining the batteries on your camera.

Adjust the camera setting to allow image transfer. Again check the camera’s manual for the specific setting on that model.

At this point the computer will launch a wizard to walk you through the process of transferring the images.

For Windows XP owners this step by step guide for transferring images should be useful.

For Windows Vista owners there is this page about downloading and editing photos to help them.

For those with a Mac, here are helpful instructions for downloading pictures.

How to Download Pictures to Computer Using a Memory Card Reader

Memory Card readers can be a great way to transfer pictures to computer. They allow users to conserve their digital camera’s battery and make the transfer process even faster.

Users merely plug the memory card reader into the computer, remove the memory card from their camera, place it into the card reader, and transfer to the computer hard drive. This is very similar to moving files from a disk onto the computer hard drive.

The memory card reader can be attached one time and left in place so that each subsequent time you transfer pictures to computer there is no set up time involved.

Some newer computers also have a card reader built-in and allow the user to download by merely inserting the memory card directly into the computer.

Downloading Photos to Your Computer

Printing and Burning to Disk

How to Download Pictures to Your Computer Wirelessly

There are a couple of options that allow you to transfer pictures to computer without any wires or cable at all. Some digital cameras have WiFi cababilities or Bluetooth that allow the user to wirelessly download or transfer photos to computer through their wireless network. In fact, the photos can also be printed without the use of cables or a memory card reader.

For those without a WiFi digital camera, there’s also the Eye-Fi Share Memory Card. It has a built-in wireless connection and is able to transfer photos and video to photo sharing sites in the absence of any USB cables. The Eye-Fi Explore 2GB SD Card also adds geotagging information to images and the 2 GB Eye-Fi Home transfers wirelessly to a MAC or PC.

Eye Fi Memory Cards

Transferring Pictures from Your Cell Phone to a Computer

Images can be downloaded from your phone to a computer in much the same was as they are transferred from a digital camera.

Some camera phones have an appropriate USB cable to allow a connection in order to transfer photos to computer. These phones should also have the necessary software available to allow this downloading.

Some camera phones use memory cards to store images making transfer via memory card reader an option. A mobile media format card reader is often necessary, otherwise an adapter may be needed.

It depends upon the phone, but some Bluetooth capable phones allow you to transfer pictures to computer wirelessly.

Transferring Old Photos to Your Computer

If you have old photo prints that you would like to have in digital format you can easily do this with a scanner. Many modern printers offer a scanning function. In addition, affordable photo scanners are available if you have a lot of old photos, negatives, or slides.

After connecting the scanner, or your printer/scanner, you’ll need to be sure the glass is clean and you will want to select at what resolution you will scan the images. If you will be printing the images you will want a dpi of 300 or so. A lower resolution is acceptable if you will only be sharing these images online. As you scan the images you will want to name them so that they are easier to find. You can arrange them by year, by subject, or whatever suits your situation, but organization will be critical if you have many photos.

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