What's the Best Waterproof Digital Camera For Me?

A waterproof digital camera is not just a cool thing to have but is also quite equipped to capture those wonderful moments of life. There is no more need for you to worry about developing films or changing them. All you have to do is plug these into your computer and download the photos you have taken.
Additionally, there is no need for you to worry about taking photographs in water now. However there are a few things which you need to consider when you are planning to buy a waterproof digital camera.
The digital and optical zoom: The pictures would be of a better quality if the optical zoom is high. And compared to digital zoom, the optical one is better.
The pixels: Again here the image quality gets better with more pixels. For instance the pictures taken with a waterproof digital camera is up to 10 mega pixels whereas the normal ones will only give you up to 8 mega pixels or 6 mega pixels. The clarity of the picture would hence be more good even when blown up twice the original size.
Stabilization of images: You can use this option to steady the pictures and remove any external movement to get a photo of good quality.
Simple: The simplicity involved in using the waterproof digital camera is another feature of interest. There is no need for you to fidget around for setting the camera in the right position in order to get a good picture.
Life of battery: No one would want to own a camera which would require you to charge them very frequently. People want to take photographs without any kind of interruptions.
Depth of waterproof: This is a very important aspect that you need to check out in the digital camera that you buy. You should know how waterproof your camera is before using the same.

Which Television is Right For Me? A Review of the Latest Flat Screen Technologies

Walking into your local electronics shop today is a very imposing endeavor. The sheer number of television options is overwhelming. What do I buy: LCD vs. LED vs. Plasma? These three types of televisions now dominate the flat screen HDTV market. All three have certain advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider when buying your next television. Hopefully this article can give you a better idea of which suit will suit you.
Plasma televisions tend to be less expensive than the other options. Plasma televisions also tend to have the best contrast of the three with extremely dark blacks contrasting with clear, bright lights. Viewing angle is also a significant win for the plasmas with clear bright pictures being viewable at most any angle. This is very important to consider depending on where the TV will be and the viewing angles the room will afford people while watching television. High motion television, such as sporting events, is also much crisper and clearer on the plasma sets. This is due to the extremely high refresh rates at the level of the individual plasma cells.
LCD, or liquid crystal display televisions, remain very popular, especially in screen sizes under 42 inches. The prices for the larger screens tend to be quite expensive and more noticeably highlight some of their inadequacies. Black levels are notably less impressive than plasma sets and this effects contrast dramatically in the larger sets. Viewing angle is also much narrower than plasma, again a significant factor depending on the room you will be placing the TV in. LCD televisions are clear winners when it comes to longevity and lack of screen burn-in. Both of which have plagued plasma televisions in the past.
LED televisions are a subset of LCD televisions. They employ light emitting diodes (LED) to illuminate the LCD pixels rather than traditional florescent lamps seen in traditional LCDs. Because individual LEDs can twist themselves off in the dark areas of the picture, contrast is much better than the LCDs, nearly rivaling the plasmas in this regard. Of all the current technologies, LEDs also have the best record with regards to power consumption. Brightness is also clearly in the LEDs favor, however plasmas have made strides in this area in the latest models.
More than any one factor, value to screen size may be the deciding factor for most buyers. In general, LCD is probably the top choice in smaller (less than 42 inch) screens. At these smaller sizes, prices have come down considerably and the contrast and brightness issues are nearly unnoticeable. For larger screens, both plasma and LED are nearly comparable with regards to picture quality and contrast with a slight edge to plasma. The LED have a distinct advantage in regards to power consumption and have no issues with screen burn-in.

Regardless of your final decision, always research your possible purchases before buying. Both in store viewings and online consumer reviews are critical. These candid reviews often are a buyer's best friend.

Power Protection in the Home Theater - Use of Surge Suppressors to Guard Expensive Electronic Gear

Surge Suppressors - A First Line of Defense
All home theater equipment should be equipped with at least some form of surge protection. Surge suppressors represent the most basic form of power protection - a first line of defense for all sensitive electronic gear.
Keep in mind that a surge in the ac voltage or a lightning strike, could lead to disaster - turning expensive gear into a smoking heap of plastic and metal. Investing in a suitably rated surge protector is surely a lot cheaper than having to replace expensive home entertainment electronics.
The large selection of suppressors available on the market at an even wider range of price levels can make the process of selecting an appropriate protection device far from simple. Many of these surge suppressors would look the same to a non-technical person - with almost nothing that distinguish the cheapest from the best.
In their simplest form, surge suppressors often come as an inexpensive surge protected multiple-outlet power-strip. More expensive units would normally incorporate additional surge protected connections for the phone line and the coax TV input; some units include surge protected LAN connections as well. In this manner, anything that interconnects with your equipment would have to go first through the surge protection circuitry within the power-strip.
How Surge Suppressors Work
The basic operational principle behind surge suppressors is to clamp high transient voltages while absorbing this potentially destructive energy. This energy is then dissipated in the form of heat - thus protecting vulnerable circuit components and preventing system damage.
In the event that the surge lasts for several milliseconds, the process may also cause enough current to trip the house circuit breaker, or blow the equipment fuse, thus protecting your gear.
Surge suppressors usually make use of a mix of components to suppress voltage spikes on the line. However, the mostly used component in surge protection circuitry is the Metal Oxide Varistor (or MOV).
The MOV is not the only surge protection component - gas-tube surge arrestors, avalanche diodes (similar to power zener diodes), and reactive type passive circuitry using inductors and capacitors, all possess the desired electrical properties required to dampen a transient behavior.
None of these devices does represent the perfect surge suppressor. Some lack speed, while others - like avalanche diodes - though extremely fast acting, do have a limited energy absorption capacity. For this reason, commercial surge protection devices combine several of these technologies arranged in multiple stages, to prolong surge suppressor life and improve response times.
Surge Suppressor Ratings
This discussion will not be complete without highlighting a few of the most basic parameters that define the capabilities of a surge suppressor; these are the UL listing, voltage rating, peak surge current, and power handling.
IEEE 1449 Underwriters Laboratories Listing: Referred to as 'UL 1449' or simply 'UL listing', represent a set of specifications that determine if a surge suppressor is safe during use.
Ensure that the selected surge suppressor is labeled as 'UL-listed transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) 2nd edition'. A UL-listing as 'power tap' is not sufficient.
A UL-listed TVSS does not imply that it will protect your equipment from surges, but rather that the surge protector is not likely to pose any personal hazard to you during use e.g. through electrocution, fire, etc.
Operating Voltage: The lower the voltage rating of a surge suppressor, the more effective protection the surge suppressor will provide, however the voltage rating has to be in line with the respective application. In particular, the chosen suppressor voltage rating should allow the normal peak AC voltage to exist across the line - this is 1.414 times higher than the specified RMS value.
Peak Surge Current: This represents the maximum transient current that the suppressor can handle during a surge.
Joule Rating: Also referred to as 'Energy rating', this is a measurement of the energy absorption capability of the surge protection device. Typical values may vary from 500 to 3000 and over. The higher the joule rating, the better is the surge suppressor capability to absorb energy spikes on the line.
A Word of Caution
Designed properly, surge suppression devices can work over-and-over again, but...
Do not take surge suppression devices for granted. Beware of cheaply made power line conditioners and other protection gear. Some surge suppressor components used in these devices are typically a one-time use only. This means that your system may end up completely unprotected after a surge.
Quality: The quality of a surge suppressor is reflected in the price of the protection device, but not only. Check the joule rating of the surge protector to get an indication of how much damaging energy the suppressor can handle. The bigger the joule rating is, the better. Keep in mind however that unlike the UL-1449 Listing, there is no standardized testing methodology to determine the energy rating of a surge suppressor. Hence, do not rely on the joule rating alone - look also at the built-up quality and in particular, at the product warranty on offer.
Warranty: In addition to the standard product warranty, some manufactures also offer a 'Connected Equipment Product Warrant'. This is normally in the region of several tens of thousands of dollars.
A longer product warranty period and a higher connected equipment warranty value reflect a higher level of confidence on part of the manufacturer that the surge suppressor can protect your expensive home theater gear. Try to go for surge suppressor devices that come with at least a 5-year product warranty period, and a minimum of $10,000 (preferably $25,000), connected equipment warranty.
Performance: The performance of surge suppressors degrades with each surge absorbed. The problem here is that the rate of degradation is totally unforeseen due to the unpredictable nature of the surge. Surge rise time, peak voltage, energy level, and duration, all have a varying effect on surge protection circuitry.
A surge may have a higher energy level than the suppressor can handle, leading to the destruction of the suppressor and zero protection against possible future surges. To minimize this risk, top-quality power protection gear would normally make use of over-rated components in protection circuitry - thus allowing multiple surges to take place without any damage to the equipment.
Surge Suppressors are not lightning protection devices: Surge suppressors can provide adequate protection from 'normal' surges on AC power lines. Protection against lightning strikes it is a completely different story. No surge suppressor device can offer you the required level of protection in this respect.
Personal safety: Ensure that your surge suppressor is clearly specified as UL listed Transient Voltage Suppressor (2nd edition). This will reduce the risk of personal harm from fire or electrocution especially during a surge. At the same time, keep in mind that a UL-listed device does not guarantee that it will protect your equipment.
Conclusion:
In reality, surge suppressors are just a first line of defense - they do not provide protection from damaging voltage fluctuations and noise on the line that can seriously degrade the performance of your AV gear.
Surge suppressors should form part of an overall power protection solution - the use of line conditioners and ac-regenerators coupled with an appropriately rated surge suppressor would surely provide a more comprehensive approach to protecting expensive electronic gear.

Apple iPhone 4 Gadget Dominates Electronics Market

In earlier times, kings used to dominate common people. In same manner, apple iPhone 4 can be taken as king of the UK electronics market because it dominates all types of multimedia gadgets. This handset is highly configured and loaded with all the latest multimedia feature like mega pixel camera, high storage capacity and many more. All these features are fantastic and serve at every step of life. If you are infatuated with apple gizmo and want own then buy with lucrative mobile phone deal that can get cheap iPhone 4.
UK electronics market offers many schemes for gizmos. Out of those, you can pick any of your choice. If you want buy iPhone 4 then we recommend iPhone 4 deals. It is a bunch of profitable schemes which can save money on purchase of handset. To get optimum benefit for hard-earned money, you can go for iPhone 4 contract deals. According to such schemes, you get apple gizmo loaded with network service at cheap price. Such deals are being offered by top-most service operators of UK including vodafone, virgin, orange, o2, three and t-mobile.
Those all want boost in business, therefore offer free gifts with purchase of every unit. If you will search before buying and lock deal with right store then there are chances to get a device that you must needed nowadays. It may be iPod, mp3 player, DVD player, home theater system, gaming console or a device for what your wife was demanding for long period of time. If you are not able to spot suitable deal after taking lots of round to market then shop online. There are various portals available on internet which not only provide detailed and authentic information but also let buy in a convenient way.
To buy with those, you do not need to pass through hectic process. Just switch on computer from a fixed place, order with few simple clicks and get device delivered at mentioned address without any delay. The whole process is simple and comfortable. Throughout the procedure, you will not meet any inconvenience. In case, you feel any type of doubt or confusion then take assistance of their customer support service. Like online portals, it also runs round the clock and anybody can use absolutely free.

Buying Refurbished Electronics - Is it Worth the Risk?

Introduction:
We are always looking for new ways to save on the bigger purchase - irrespective of whether this is a new PC or notebook, a digital camera, or a big screen LCD HDTV for the living-room entertainment area.
Seasonal and clearance sales are always on the agenda of bargain hunters, but there is a further option - that of buying refurnished products. For example, a refurbished LCD TV may sell online for anything from 50% to 70% of its retail price.
Still, even at these big savings, it is not easy to get someone to buy a refurbished product for the first time.
To the uninformed, buying a refurbished product may seem like a compromise; it is as if buying a car with dents and scratches on the paintwork, or unknown problems with the mechanics. However, in the electronics world, things are somewhat different. It is unfortunate that to many, it is not so obvious what the tag 'refurbished electronics' does actually mean.
Refurbished electronics can be either third-part refurbs or manufacturer (factory) refurbs. Third-party refurbs offer greater savings and do come with a warranty but it is only factory refurbished electronics that come with a manufacturer warranty. For the smart shopper, buying factory refurbished electronics is a way to enjoy substantial discounts and still have a product that is essentially 'like new', but...
You need to exercise constant vigilance when buying refurbished electronics.
This is only possible if you have a thorough understanding of what the 'refurbished' tag, once assigned to a product, implies in the electronics world.
What 'refurbished' products are not?
Before we delve further into what may qualify as refurbished electronics, it is important to get a clear understanding of what cannot be labeled as 'refurbished'. In particular, there is the misconception that 'refurbished' and reconditioned' are the same.
A refurbished product may or may not have been installed, repaired, or slightly used for reasons given further on in this article. On the other hand, a reconditioned item is a used product, that may have been used for an extended period by a first owner - often under lease - but then was repaired (not necessarily by the manufacturer), and resold by a retailer.
'Used' re-conditioned products represent greater savings over refurb units as these sell cheaper, but then such products constitute a higher risk. This risk is even more pronounced when dealing with expensive electronic products such as rear projection TVs, home theater projectors, flat-panel HDTV sets and the like. You can never really tell what has been the impact on the aging of the respective electronic components inside the unit as a result of the previous use.
We say: Be wary of such products. Instead, if you are after a smart buy and a great bargain, opt only for 'factory certified' refurbished products. These still represent substantial savings over the normal retail price, and carry a manufacturer's warranty.
So... what qualifies as 'Refurbished Electronics'?
In general, refurbished electronics are items that were returned for one reason or another, to the manufacturer. These items are then re-tested at the factory to make sure they are in tip-top shape. Any defective or damaged parts - if need be - will be replaced in order to restore the product to its original specification, and then the product is repackaged 'like new'.
Consumer laws prevent manufacturers from selling anything considered factory refurbished electronics as 'new' since the original factory seal has been broken; hence these items are sold as 'refurbished products' often at deeply discounted prices.
More specifically, reasons for returns include:
Customer Return: Most major retailers offer a 30-day money back guarantee; during this period, a customer may return the product for whatever reason and still get full refund. If there is nothing wrong with the product, most stores will simple reduce the price and resell it as an 'open box' special. However, if there is some sort of defect, the product is returned to the manufacturer were it is inspected and/or repaired, and then repackaged for sale as a refurbished item.
Shipping and Exterior Damage: These include damaged packaging due to mishandling, the elements, etc., in which case the product itself may be perfectly fine. These may also include minor damage to the product exterior casing, such as dents, scratches, etc., and any other exterior damage that in it self would not affect the product performance. Retailers would normally return these products to the manufacturer. The manufacturer would then inspect the product, replace any damaged casing, etc., and then repackage the item just like new. However, these items cannot be sold as new; hence they are tagged as refurbished electronics.
Demonstration Units: Sometimes demonstration units at major retail stores, trade shows, and even returned items by product reviewers, are often returned to the manufacturer where they are inspected and/or repaired if needed, and repackaged as refurbished units.
Opened Box: Sometimes, if a box was simply opened, the item is returned to the manufacturer where it is re-tested and repackaged. Even though technically, there is no issue here, yet the item cannot be classified as new; instead, it will have to be sold as refurbished electronics.
Defect during Production: If a specific component is identified as defective once the product leaves the factory - say as a result of an abnormal number of customer returns during the warranty period, a manufacturer may recall a product from a specific batch or production run that exhibits the same defect. When this occurs, the manufacturer can repair all the defective units and send them back out to retailers for sale as refurbished units.
Overstock Items: While most retailers with an overstock of a particular item would simply reduce the price and put the item on sale for clearance, yet there are instances when a manufacturer wants to introduce a new model on the market at a time when there are still a substantial number of older models on stores shelves. In these circumstances, the manufacturer may opt to collect any remaining stock of the older model and redistribute them to specific refurb retailers for quick clearance. Overstock items are brand new items; these can be sold either as a 'special promos' for quick clearance, or can be labeled as refurbished electronics and sold at deep discounts.
To strike the best deal, you have to act fast, but not too fast!
Fast... because when it comes to refurbished electronics, you cannot expect to simply walk into a store and pick up your favorite refurbished LCD TV or plasma unit off the shelf. Major refurb retailers like secoun act, work with manufacturers and distributors to acquire as many products as possible, yet the quantity they acquire can vary from just a few units to a couple of hundred units. In other words, you never really know how long they will last, and at the big savings associated with refurbished products, inventory levels change all the time. Additionally, you never really know if a particular model will be available as refurbished item.
But... do not just jump on the first deal. Act too quick and you may equally miss on the right deal. Act only when you feel you have got the right product at the right price. Once you think you have found what you want, then it is time to check with the retailer about return policies and warranty issues. If the refurbish item is factory-refurbished and comes with a full manufacturer warranty, then it is time to act!
Finally, remember: Purchasing a refurbished item can be a great way to a smart buy. There is no reason why the 'refurbished' tag should lead to a negative connotation to the product under consideration. At the same time, it is important that you inspect the product yourself within the return policy period. This is especially important since with refurbished electronics, you are getting a bit of a hit on product warranty in that you are only getting a typical 90 days warranty against the one year or so associated with standard products.

Electric Guitar Kits - Easier Than You Think

I wanted to build a guitar but knew I did not have the skills required to do it from scratch. That's when I turned to electric guitar kits. I found it much easier than expected and even more rewarding.
A guitar kit is a build it yourself construction project that at the end of you have a fully functioning professional quality guitar. Everything you need comes in the box and is ready to be used. Everything is designed to make it as easy as possible, even the holes and cavities are pre-drilled and there are no specialist tools required, you should already have all the necessary tools and if not a friend or neighbour will. You will require the following - Screwdriver, Coping saw or jigsaw, sandpaper (various grades), a craft knife and a wood file. That's pretty much it.
You may be asking the question. Why do we need a saw? Well most electric guitar kits come with a blank headstock to allow you to design your own shape and further emphasise that this is your guitar. The kit I brought had a headstock with three tuners on each side (holes pre-drilled). So to make sure my design was symmetrical, I found the vertical middle of the headstock and using a piece of paper drew just one half on the shape I wanted, traced it onto the headstock then simply flipped it over and traced it on the other half. Cut it with the saw and then finessed it with sandpaper until it was perfect and smooth.
There were a few things a was worried about before I even brought the kit. The first was the paint job. The body comes sanded and natural wood so the finish is up to you. Even though the body was sanded and sealed in the factory I found on my kit it was not a brilliant job so I chose to re-sand the body starting with a course paper and moving on to a fine wet & dry paper to really get a smooth professional look. I choose a navy blue colour to finish my guitar and I used an aerosol spray paint that I brought from my local car spares store. It took Four coats until I was happy with it, and then I gave it a further two coats of clear to give it a shine and protect the paint. I kept the headstock natural so just sprayed it with the clear to protect the wood. I could then attach the neck and body together which was simply a metal plate and four screws.
The biggest worry for me when I thought about building an electric guitar kit was the electrics. I was not confident about wiring the pickups, switches and knobs, so guess what, I didn't. The kit I had brought came with these all pre-wired I just simply feed them through the cavities in the guitar body and the job was done.
I plugged into my amp and was actually amazed to be playing something I had made and it sounded good. It really encouraged me to play more often and to get better. I will definitely be doing an electric guitar kits project again and really encourage you to do the same.

Chris is an avid guitar player who was so surprised by how easy and rewarding putting my own guitar together was. It really is a great way to get a guitar that is really yours. please use the links below to find more info on building electric guitar kits

The Fender "Strat" - The Ultimate Electric Guitar?

Is the "Stratocaster", Leo Fenders concept of a "working man's" instrument, the ultimate electric guitar? Just consider the roster of players: Buddy Holly, Hank Marvin, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and that's just a tiny number of "names". So Why nearly sixty years since it's introduction is the Fender Stratocaster still the most popular electric guitar in the world? (And the most copied!)
The Origins of the Strat are well known, it's inventor Leo Fender couldn't play guitar but had an inate understanding of the needs (and the problems) of working musicians. Leo had already introduced the Broadcaster/Telecaster in 1949/1950 and it was dismissed in some quarters as an "electric plank!" Leo was undeterred by the elitist attitudes of many and its initially poor sales.
The popularity of the instrument soon began to grow, it's space age look and name, it's blend of traditional and new materials were all major factors but it's subsequent enormous popularity is harder to pin down. It was a classic case of zeitgeist where mass production, innovative design and the parallel rise in the popularity of rock n' roll all came together, the Strat was no longer a tool but perhaps also a cultural weapon! It was cool, sexy and ever so slightly phallic (all factors that did not escape Jimi Hendrix!)
The truth is the Fender Stratocaster was and is hugely iconic, it oozes Rock N' Roll cred. More, much more then the right haircut, shades or a leather jacket the "Strat" endures!

Electric Guitar Effects Pedals - Using Guitar Effects Pedals With Keyboards - Improve Guitar Voices

Introduction
I recently read an editorial stating that although Keyboards are primarily used with computer DAW's, (Digital Audio Workstations) most musician users are in fact guitarists. However, for me it's the other way round as my problem as a keyboard player has been my inability to record guitar tracks, due to my lack of skill as a guitarist. As Keyboard technologies are developing continually, the Guitar voices on modern instruments are sounding more and more authentic. However, these voices still do fall short of the real thing especially when it comes to Guitar Rock solos.
Fortunately, with the advent of superb guitar software plug-ins and effects I can, with careful programming and canny use of the pitch and modulation wheels, use my keyboard to produce some pretty convincing guitar tracks when I am writing music or creating backing tracks.
Practical application for 'live' work
Using a computer on stage is impractical, so how can I adapt these new found skills in my 'live' work - and why should I need to anyway? The answer is Electric Guitar Effects Pedals.
But first, let us look at the Keyboard player's lot.
Hands up all those Keyboard Players who have struggled during a gig, to be heard over the Guitarist, whose only aim in life is to make your ears bleed.
Yep, thought so.
Also, having to provide piano, strings, brass, second lead etc., we tend to feel a bit unappreciated when the guitarist only has to play one power chord for all the males in a venue to roll up there eyes in ecstasy, and start playing 'Air Guitar'. Don't get me wrong, I have worked with some brilliant guitarists, but I have also worked with some whose only concept of balance, is not falling off the stage while totally wasted. So, back to my original question - why would I adapt my new 'keyboard/guitar' skills for live work?
No Band. No Guitarist
In my case, I also play as a soloist or with another musician in a duo. Both of these combinations have a rock influence, and as such, each requires those guitar licks and solos - but I don't have a guitarist. So I have programmed my keyboard to send the Keyboard guitar voices out via an assignable spare output and have connected that to a Guitar Multi-effects Pedal.
Many Keyboards now have spare audio output jacks that enable you to patch any voice on your keyboard via that output. This nicely separates that voice from the keyboards normal stereo output. I use a Yamaha Tyros for most of my live work, and My Korg M3 also has the ability to assign voices separately. By using a multi-effects pedal I have a wealth of Guitar effects voices at hand, and by connecting to a separate channel(s) on the PA the increased ambience and dynamics of the guitar sound is greatly enhanced to spectacular effect. Obviously, you could use a specific single Effects Pedal instead - e.g. Compressor or Overdrive pedal - to equally good effect. But personally I would go for the Multi-Effects Pedal.
The types of Keyboard Guitar Voices I use are generally the straight acoustic guitar voices which modify nicely with the Effect Pedal. I also use the clean electric guitar sounds as well, which are also very effective. Experimentation is the key.
When playing, make good use of your pitch and modulation wheels to imitate those pitch bends and vibrato techniques, and you will soon hear some pretty convincing sounds - especially during your solos. I would also add that using the Effects Pedals is not exclusive to your Guitar sounds. Assigning other voices through the pedal can produce some excellent results too. For example, try out the Hammond Organ sound with some distortion effects on your pedal - WOW - Deep Purple man. I know that all keyboards have their own inbuilt DSP (Digital Signal Processor) effects that you can apply to your internal voices, but diverting that sound separately through your PA via the Effects Pedal is really cool.
So, using my new found studio skills has now resulted in some great sounding live Guitar solos.
Conclusion
At a recent gig I had my first 'air guitar' player. Yes fellow 'Keyboardists', while playing the guitar solo to Thin Lizzys' Whiskey in the Jar, I looked up to see a guy - legs apart, eyes rolled up, actually standing in front of me 'THE KEYBOARD PLAYER', playing Air Guitar.
I had finally become a Guitar Hero. Well, the euphoria lasted almost until lunch the next day.
The thing is; as a Keyboard player, have I sold out? Do I even care?
Having an ego as big as any band member (yes, even the drummer), my answer has got to be. 'Darn it - if it works, don't knock it'.

electric guitar

Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 Review

Every so often a truly educational toy comes onto the market with the potential to stimulate the imagination as well as the brain cells. Such a one is Electronic Snap Circuits by Elenco, and the SC-300 model includes over 60 parts which may be assembled to create more than 300 useful and exciting projects.

The SC-300 kit includes parts such as motors, sounds and lights and provides an opportunity to learn basic electronics through constructions that will entice eager young minds. These include real circuit boards, just like the ones found inside TVs, radios and computers. devices can be assembled by simply snapping the components into place on a plastic grid and connecting them with wire.

You can imagine some of the electronic devices that are possible when you consider that items provided include whistles, alarms, LED, a speaker and a fan motor. It's also possible to buy additional pieces to enable more elaborate projects to be undertaken.

Following the color-coded instruction manual, which has been designed for ease of use, projects such as a simple light switch or more advanced devices, such as a burglar alarm (noise activated) can be undertaken. The manual has been organized so that new users can progress from simple projects to more challenging and advanced ones.

As well, the different levels introduce electronics concepts so that the young engineers will not only understand the theory but see how the principles are actually applied. Diagrams assist with assembly and acquiring an understanding of how things work.

The kit is intended for children from about the age of 8 years to around 98 and those who participate, including parents, can be assured of a great deal of satisfaction as projects are successfully completed and demonstrated to work!

For instance, you can understand the excitement of building a flying UFO with the basic electronics pieces available, so it is a small leap to appreciate that young students will surely excite an interest in how electronics work and can be used for practical applications.

Naturally, those who are already studying electronics in their school classes will find that applying the theory is even more fun than simply reading about it in a text book. So don't be surprised if enthusiasm is fired and grades also begin to reflect this.

The Elenco Electronic Snap Circuits SC-300 is more than an educational experience - it is also a bonding one as interested parents get involved and contribute a little extra knowledge and encouragement. When new creations triumphantly emerge, could the parents of Tesla and Edison have been prouder?

Popular Microcontrollers

Embedded systems are not just complex projects in electronic laboratories--they are present in everyday devices. Every mobile device, electric toy or kitchen appliance has some electronic board which usually includes a programmable device--microcontroller. This is a special microprocessor with peripheral devices and I/O ports. Depending on the volume of the device the manufacturer can decide whether to develop an ASIC--a dedicated integrated circuit which performs all functions for this device or to make a standard board with discrete components. In both cases some microcontroller is used, either as a soft core in ASIC or a standard integrated circuit.

There is a plethora of choices from open-source projects to various IP cores with significant royalties for each device. Despite this choice there are few microcontroller families that are popular because of their flexibility, powerful development tools or because of historical reasons.

ARM

This is currently the hottest RISC core used in almost all mobile phones, portable devices and many other applications. It has powerful instruction set, low consumption, offers easy integration and there are many good development tools for easy development and debugging. The ARM core is also used in many popular microcontroller families from Atmel, Luminary Micro (now Texas Instruments), NXP and many other manufacturers. These microcontrollers are very popular among embedded engineers and are used in various applications from automotive industry to hobby projects.

AVR

This is one of the most popular microcontroller families from Atmel. It is also very popular among hobby engineers and it is used in many projects from simple LED controllers to complex communication devices. The RISC architecture offers fast execution and low power consumption. Development tools are available for free which is a great bonus for electronics enthusiasts. AVR is a direct competitor to Microchip's PIC. Some favor AVR, others like AVR. There is no clear winner. Both families work well. It is up to the developer/programmer what he like or prefers.

PIC

This is a leading microcontroller family from Microchip. PICs are available in very small packages with only few pins and also as powerful 32-bit microcontrollers with many peripheral modules and I/O pins. They are very popular among hobby engineers--in hobby projects you will find either AVR or PIC.

8051

This is a very old 8-bit microcontroller architecture that has managed to survive for more than 30 years. Many excellent compilers, a lot of code examples and simple development has contributed to the popularity of this family. This core is still used in many modern microcontrollers from Silabs, NXP, Atmel and many other microcontroller manufacturers. It is very likely that the 8051 is the most widely used core in embedded applications. Of course, many new designs will probably use ARM or some other advanced architecture, but because of popularity of the 8051 family in the past and availability of development tools it is still used in many applications.

Electronic Circuit Boards - Breadboard, 'Veroboard' and the 'PCB'

When you try to build a robot for the first time, you have to be an expert in electronics, mechanical and programming. Today, let us talk about or delve into the field of electronics. Did you know there is a subject called Field Theory, studied by Electronics undergraduates? Now, just for laughs, Field Theory is often called as Failed Theory. Yes, as scary as they sound, they are actually fine, these electronics when you can see them straight in the eye.

I believe many people think electronics is such a tough field because things are not so concrete at first. Power, current, voltage are things that cannot be seen by the naked eye, but yet very real. They do exist and serve us in somehow, invisible ways.

First, get to know what are the functions for each of the electronic parts. Be it the wire, transistor, resistor, capacitor, batteries, and so on. It is like building a castle. To build one, you will need every brick to support the huge castle. Just like life, it takes many experiences to excel.

Second, once you know about them, it is time to burn them. What I mean by this is, most electronic projects require assembling a particular board. This is due to electronics nature. Remember when I had told you about building castles? Well, in this case, burning is referred to soldering of the electronic components.

Only then, you will practice the skills applied in soldering and how to speed up. You will also go through what many electricians go through the first time they dive into this field.

Electricity Science Fair Projects

An electricity science fair project may be set up as a part of high school or college science fair or just for fun and learning. An electricity science fair project is aimed at demonstrating the major methods of generating electricity, its principles, applications and other principles such as chemical energy, electromagnetism, static electricity, resistance, etc.

For organizing an electricity science fair project, the students need three things:

1. They should have extensive theoretic knowledge of the projects they are going to build. For this purpose, they may have to consult books and encyclopedias.

2. They need the guidance and assistance of their science teachers or perhaps of external knowledgeable advisors.

3. They need certain materials like convex mirrors, reflectors, concave mirrors, insulators, conductors, light bulbs, fuses, wires, on-off switches, step-down transformers, holders, mazes, circuits, electromagnets, and many more. The pieces that they need for these types of experiments are sometimes hard to come by.

Nowadays, unlike years earlier, commercial ready-made kits are available that make the setting up of electricity science fair project easy. Though they cannot be used directly as project models, they can be used in specific electricity science fair projects. One can get basic or advanced kits for the projects, but remember, if it was available to you, it might be available to someone else. Duplicate experiments are not good for judges to see.

Some of the examples of electricity science fair projects are listed below, but are not limited to the following ones:

* Demonstrating the effects of electric fields on plants

* Carrying out experimental exploration of the photoelectric effect

* Carrying out experiments with electron diffraction

* Building models of a simple electrostatic motor, a wooden generator, a Van de Graaf generator, a wind generator, a water turbine generator, and demonstrating their operations

* Performing Faraday's "Ice Pail" experiment and explaining the mechanism of electrostatic induction

* Building an electroscope and demonstrating the existence of positive and negative charges and of two kinds of materials: the insulators and the conductors

* Demonstrating how lightning is produced

* Demonstrating how light is faster than sound

* Demonstrating the role of electricity in separating a mixture of salt, sugar and pepper

* Demonstrating static electricity with the help of the jumping effect on rice flakes kept on a tabletop

* Building a working model of an electric cycle, electric tricycle and an electric car and demonstrating the involved principles

* Demonstrating the way a hydroelectric plant generates electricity with the help of water.

None of the above-mentioned electricity science fair projects need expensive or rare materials, but instead, they simply require the relatively easily available ones. Moreover, any high school student can do most of these projects under the supervision of an elder, be it parent or a teacher.

Electricity science fair projects remind us of the fact that electricity is indispensable to mankind, and can provide a good segway for the student into a high paying career in the field of electronics or electricity.

Project Management - Choosing The Team

Because this is my area of expertise, I shall concentrate on defence electronics projects, but the principles can be applied to projects of any kind.

Managing a project is more than just the Project Manager, it's a team effort, particularly where large and complex projects are concerned. The first thing to do, therefore, is to choose your team but how do you decide who you need in your team.

First of all, there is of course, the Project Manager. This person will quickly scan the requirements of the project in order to decide who should be on the team.

In terms of defence electronics, there are a number of people who the Project Manager will always need on the team and these are:

Technical Lead or System Design Authority (SDA)

Commercial Manager

Finance Manager

Quality Assurance (QA) Manager

The SDA is the person who will be responsible for understanding and implementing the technical requirements of the project and for deciding what support he needs in terms of technical disciplines.

These could be any or all of the following:

Software engineers

Hardware engineers

Installation engineers

Test and Acceptance Engineers

Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) engineers

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for negotiation of the contract with the customer and for ensuring that all contractual terms and conditions are adhered to.

The Finance Manager will do much as the name suggests and look after the financial aspects, from pricing and devising stage payment plans, through to invoicing and all the myriad reporting requirements in between.

The QA Manager will ensure that all quality assurance standards are met and will be involved in witnessing testing and acceptance.

In terms of a very large project, the Project Manager will also need a Planning Manager and a Risk Manager, although for smaller projects, he will probably undertake these duties himself.

A project which involves bought in items of any kind will need a Procurement Manager on the team to deal with all aspects of supplier selection and management, together with price and sub-contract negotiation.

In the initial, bidding phase, of a project, both a Bid Manager and a Marketing or Business Winning Manager will be needed. The Bid Manager will plan the activities required in the time available and will be responsible for co-ordinating the actual writing, reviewing and submission of the bid document while the Marketing Manager will liaise with the customer. He will also concentrate on gathering marketing intelligence in respect of competing companies and consider the tactical aspects of the bid.

In our next article, we'll look at what happens, now that we have a team in place.

Electronic Body Music (EBM) - Influential Bands and Artists

Electronic body music, or simply 'EBM,' as it is usually referred to by fans, is an underground genre of electronic music that originated in the early 1980's in Europe. Today the genre's fan base remains centered in Europe, though it also retains a substantial following in North America, Japan and Australia.

EBM combines the attitude of industrial music with sounds borrowed from other electronic subgenres to create aggressive and harsh yet danceable beats and melodies. Kraftwerk is attributed with the creation of the term 'electronic body music,' though stylistically their music would not generally fall under the accepted definition of EBM today.

EBM has changed in many ways since its creation in the early 80's, though it has retained many of its original elements as well. Countless bands have contributed to the genre over the years; a few of the most influential ones are profiled below.

Front 242

Though 'electronic body music' may owe its name to Kraftwerk, no other band has done more to define the genre's sound than Front 242. Heavily influenced by electro-industrial acts of the 1970's, Front 242 was formed in 1981 near Brussels, Belgium and created a much more accessible and danceable sound than had previously been known in industrial music. The self-proclaimed 'fathers of EBM' - Front 242's sound is now often seen as the textbook example of EBM at its purist. The band has remained active since the early 1980s and its members have also participated in numerous side projects. In addition to having played a key role in the development of EBM, Front 242 is also one of the most well-known music projects ever to come out of Belgium.

Nitzer Ebb

Next to Front 242, Nitzer Ebb is one of the most influential EBM bands in the genre's history. The band started out in the early 1980s in Essex, England. More militaristic in their sound and imagery than Front 242, the band found a large following both in England and abroad. Nitzer Ebb broke up in the mid 90's but reunited for a world tour in 2006 and have since resumed recording of new material.

Combichrist

Originally formed in 2003 as a side project of the synthpop group Icon of Coil, Combichrist has since become one of the most well-known EBM acts of all time. Combichrist draws influences from techno and rhythmic noise to create hard-hitting tracks popular in EBM clubs around the world. More distorted than its predecessors, Combichrist has defined the modern sound of EBM.

In just a matter of a few years, the band rose from being relatively unknown to one of the most popular alternative electronic projects in the world, and has since played shows around the United States, Europe and Australia and even supported Rammstein on their 2010 tour.

Building Simple Electronic Projects Makes Learning Basic Electronic Theory and Skills Fun

There are two schools of thought when it comes to teaching electronics. The first school of thought is that it is important to develop a solid foundation in basic electronic theory before tackling any hands-on activities. The other school favors the hands-on approach that combines learning theory while conducting experiments and while building practical projects. Personally, I favor the latter approach and I have incorporated it in all the Adult Ed classes that I have taught over the years. Building simple electronics projects allows the student to see electronic theory in action, and it allows them to develop essential skills like soldering, disordering, working with pc (printed circuit) boards, etc.

Electronics is a hobby that the whole family can enjoy. Nevertheless, before tackling your dream project, you need to learn some basic theory, develop some practical skills, and build up your electronics workshop. One of the first skills you will need to learn is how to properly solder and unsolder electronic components because components and pc boards can be damaged if it is not done properly. Using excessive amounts of heat can loosen the copper traces on a pc board and destroy components like diodes and transistors. The good news is that soldering is an easy skill to master. Carl's AK-100 Learn to Solder Kit is one of those simple electronics projects that not only teach you how to solder, it teaches you another essential skill, how to read color codes, while building a working electronic siren. This kit also provides you with all the tools and supplies you will need to handle any basic soldering job that you will encounter in assembling any electronic kit. The good news is that it will cost you less than $20 and applicable S & H costs.

After you have mastered the art of soldering and after having added a professional grade 30-watt soldering iron and a pair of diagonal pliers to your tool collection, you are ready to tackle another project. Why not surprise your lady with a custom-built music box for Christmas. Well you can buy the box and then install the electronic playback unit that you have built from a kit. Carl's Music Box kit is another of those simple electronics projects that allows you to practice the skills that you have already learned while developing new skills and mastering new theory. You can select any one of a dozen romantic tunes for it to play when your loved one opens the box or you can set it to cycle through all twelve tunes. Again, you can build this kit for less than $20, of course that does not include the cost of the jewelry box that you install it in.

The fun has just begun. Enjoy your newfound hobby of building simple electronics projects. Carl's is just one o many online sources for electronic kits, tools, and supplies. A simple Google search will turn up hundreds.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

Science Fair Projects Ideas Using Elenco Electronic Lab Kits

It is surprisingly easy and enjoyable for a student to create a science fair project that uses electricity. This article offers five ideas for great science fair projects using readily available electronic kits, such as Elenco Electronic Project Lab and Thames and Kosmos.

So why is it important for beginner electronics students to always use an electronic kit from a reputable brand, such as Ramsey, MadLab, Amerikit, or Elenco Electronic Project Lab? It is important because high-voltage electricity can be deadly without proper precautions, students can safely explore electricity with low-voltage electronic kits. Even at low voltages, electricity can be dangerous if not handled properly. Products like Elenco Electronic Project Lab avoid dangerous activities like soldering and use only battery power, which is much safer than AC power.

Another benefit of using electronics kits is they come with detailed instructions, which is very helpful for beginners. Before doing any experiments with electronic kits, students should read all directions included with the kit and follow those directions exactly. Improper use could result in fires, property damage, or even personal injury. Reputable brand name products like Elenco Electronic Project Lab include a lab manual with step by step instructions for every electronics experiment.

So here are a few ideas for projects. The simplest experiment with electricity might be an exploration of conductors versus insulators. A conductor is simply a material through which electricity will flow with little resistance; an insulator prevents electricity from flowing. This can be tested by creating a simple circuit with a battery and a light bulb. If a material completes the circuit, the light bulb will luminesce, indicating that it is a conductor. Most metals are conductors, while most nonmetals are insulators. Therefore, it will not be a surprise to see that silver and copper are conductors, while cotton and glass are insulators. However, you may be surprised by the results of lead (a metal) or graphite (a non-metal).

Depending on the requirements and the amount of time allotted for the experiment, another interesting and particularly applicable experiment would be an exploration of light bulbs. Which light bulb is the best value for the money? The student can explore the differences between brands or between types of bulbs (incandescent, compact florescent, or halogen). At the end of the experiment, the student can compare the price of each bulb to the number of hours the bulb burned. This experiment may require a closet or a room away from the bedroom, so that bulbs that remain on during the night will not awaken the family.

Another interesting and low cost experiment would be an exploration of temperature on the output (in volts) of a standard alkaline or dry cell battery. Another, similar variable would be the output of different brands of batteries (Energizer, Duracell, Eveready, etc.). If enough time is allotted for the experiment, the student can also explore the lifespan of a battery, and whether the battery will last longer if it runs continuously or if it is started and stopped on a regular basis. Any combination of these variables can form a fascinating hypothesis.

Part of the adventure of a science experiment is using imagination to explore a particular aspect of the world around us. Using this imagination, a student could explore a different application for an existing electronic device. For example, the student could investigate the possibility of creating a different type of clock that expresses time using lights instead of numbers. Similarly, the student could explore rewiring a low-cost radio to improve sound.

Creating a science experiment using electronic kits is a way for a student to explore a scientific hypothesis while still having fun. The hands-on style of science experiments is a particularly unforgettable experience. In the 21st century, career opportunities in electronics and technology are expected to abound. For many people, their interest in these industries begins in childhood with simple experiments with electricity!

Electronic Work Benches - Bringing New Technology to Old World Work Projects

Because it is a work where heavy tools are not involved, most people think that doing electronic repair or other kinds of electronic projects can be done in any type of table. That perception is absolutely wrong. You don't just do electronic projects on your dining table. For one thing you need to work on a place where you can focus. However, that is not enough. You also need to have an electronic work bench to do your job properly. But before you rush and buy an electronic bench, you need to take into consideration several factors that will help you find your ideal work bench.

Material
The first thing you should think about is the material and built of your bench. Wood is a great material for an electronic work bench. It is sturdy enough to hold many compartments and shelves where you can store your tools. Proper storage of your tools is important if you want to make your job easier. You don't want to delay your electronic repair work by searching your work area for a missing tool. So it is really important that your work bench is sturdy enough to accommodate spacious compartments.

Another great thing with wood is that it is not a good conductor of electricity. When you are working with electronic tools, chances are there might be instances when electrostatic discharges may leak from your tools. An electrostatic discharge can potentially cause electric shock, which is a very undesirable experience.

Yet wood is somewhat expensive. So you might just opt for an antistatic electronic bench made of fiberboard or gray laminate tops equipped with an earth lead for wiring into the earth circuit. These antistatic electronic work benches are not entirely made of fiberboard or gray laminate. To ensure that it will have a sturdy base, an antistatic bench may have legs, railings, or shelves made of aluminum or steel.

Size
The bigger, the better. Most folks say that. Sometimes, it is true. But when it comes to getting an electronic work bench, size depends on your workspace. If you have a large work area, then you can get a large electronic work bench. But if your workspace is already cramped, you should consider getting a medium-sized bench. Normally, a bench with a width of 39 inches and height of 30 inches would suffice.

Accessories
Of course, an electronic work bench with only its bare parts-legs, railings, and top-is incomplete. You also need to add drawers and shelves where you can neatly place your tools. You can put your most essential tools-such as anti-static equipment and testers-within easy reach if you have a nice top shelf installed on your bench. Things that you have finished working on should be organized in stackable drawers underneath the work surface. Since your work will require you to plug in several devices at once, you can avoid using annoying extension cords by having an outlet panel installed on your electronic bench. Other useful accessories are cupboards, top fluorescent light frames, rear service ducts, bench mats, and etc.

Cost
When searching for an electronic work bench, cost will be one of your top priorities. There are many online stores that offer brand new high-quality electronic work benches at bargain rates. If you are looking to save more money, then you can also buy a used work bench online.

Tools You Need For Electronics Projects

Assembling electronic circuits is a great way of learning electronics, and depending upon the project undertaken, a number of tools and components may be needed accordingly. However there are some basic tools and electronic components which are needed in almost all electronic projects and are a 'must have.'

The first thing to consider is the type of circuit board being used. The circuit board is what the circuit is assembled upon and connected. There are three main types of circuit boards - the breadboard, the stripboard, and the printed circuit board.

The breadboard is used for making temporary circuits and does not require soldering whereas the other two types are both permanent and require the parts to be soldered on to them.

When working on printed circuit boards or stripboards, the first tool that is required is a soldering iron. Along with the soldering iron, a solder stand, reel of solder, and solder removal wick would also be required.

In addition to the above, side cutters are required for trimming the component leads, and wire strippers for trimming the wires. A small pair of snipe nose pliers is needed for bending leads or holding small parts in place while soldering.

A flat blade screwdriver, heat sink, and electrical drill will also be very useful when working on electronic projects.

In addition to the tools, a number of electronic components are also required depending upon the project. A good collection to start with will contain capacitors, resistors, variable resistors, diodes, transistors, wires, switches, and a power source.

Having these basics will get you started experimenting with electronic circuits.

8 Recommended Electronic Kits For Science Fair Projects

Some of the electronic kits ideal for science fair projects are as follows: Snap Tricity kit, electronic playground, 300-in-1 electronic lab, electronic bell, lemon clock, radio AM/FM radio kit, Go electric, and car alarm simulator kit.

Science is full of mysteries that need to be discovered and explored. Experimentation is the sole solution to curiosity. Thus, a science fair, which is a common school event, is launched almost every year to allow children to discover things on their own. One of the most common things children love to research is electronics. Below are some of the good science fair project ideas such as:

Snap Tricity Kit

This is a good project that deals with magnetism and electricity. It has an instructional manual that contains a step-by-step procedure on how to go about the experiment. With complete parts, it demonstrates how circuits affect electricity and how magnetism is produced.

Electronic playground

Ideal for children 10 years and above, all the basics of electricity are covered such as voltage, current, antennas, transistors, and more. The cost is worth the knowledge because there are more than 50 experiments possible with just one piece of kit.

300-in-1 Electronic lab

For beginners, you will be amazed of the numerous experiments while using this gadget. This is safe even for children because no soldering is required. You can build a transistor radio, alarm, electronic game, rain detector, and so much more - fun and excitement awaits all the students.

Electronic bell

A fun way to learn simple electronic experiment is by discovering how a bell rings. It has its own motor, meter, and generator that allow a child to learn the mechanism of electricity the simple way.

Lemon clock

To discover nature's magic, you can generate electricity out of lemon fruit. At least 18 experiments can be made using this simple kit through the chemical reactions of the substances.

Radio AM/FM radio kit

Be a scientist in your own way. Learn how to make your own radio the fun and safe way. Children will surely enjoy doing the experiment because they get to tune in to their favorite station with just a quick set-up.

Go electric

Explore the world of electricity by learning the fundamental Ohm's law, amperes, fuses, and Mores code. These are essential if you want to create your own electric puzzle, light bulb, and the likes.

Car alarm simulator kit

Although this requires soldering, yet this is easy to install alarm that automatically gets activated once engine is off. It only uses a flash and LED, which is a cheaper way of deterring thefts.

Always remember that anything that involves electricity can be very dangerous. Whether these experiments are simple or not, utmost care must still be practiced to ensure safety of the students.