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!