Things to Consider when Looking for a Camcorder

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When considering a new camcorder, one of the first choices to make is the recording medium that you will use to record your movies. Selecting a recording media first will significantly reduce the number of camcorders you need to consider, so decisions made afterwards will be quite a bit easier. Let's review the types of storage media available as well the types of user/usage each media is best suited for.



== Tape Camcorders ==



Even though it's been around for a long time, tape provides the highest grade recordings for camcorders. When recording to tape, the image is subjected to the least amount of compression so your recordings maintain the best possible image quality. In addition to providing sharpest images, tape-based camcorders also tend to be cheaper than camcorders that make use of other storage media.



One downside to tape-based camcorders is that the tapes are limited as to how much can be recorded to between 60 - 90 minutes. But the recording tapes are fairly cheap to buy, so carrying backup tapes is usually not an issue. An additional issue with camcorders that record to tape is that to get your recordings onto a format you can send to Grandma (a DVD for example) requires that you download your movie to a computer first. The downloading transfer takes place in real time. So if you need to download a 90-minute recording to your computer, it will really take 90 minutes. With tape-based camcorders, you cannot perform any sort of editing (other than backing over the tape and recording over it again); all of the editing needs to take place on your computer.



Tape-based camcorders are ideal for two types of users: people who want high quality recordings, and people on a budget.



== Hard-Drive Camcorders ==



Hard-disk drive (HDD) camcorders tend to give the longest possible recording lengths. With typical amounts of compression, you can typically get as much as 10 hours of recording time on an HDD camcorder. With an HDD camcorder, you never need to buy additional tapes. Depending on the specific model, you can edit your recordings right on your camcorder. And when it is time to transfer your movies to your computer, the transfer rate is substantially higher than when transferring recordings from a tape-based camcorder.



The main downside with HDD camcorders is that the movies are most often very compressed and this can lead to poorer image quality. HDDs themselves are also comparatively power hungry and can be more easily ruined from environmental extremes or drops (as can your camcorder itself). But if you ruin your tape-based camcorder, while the camera may be dead, you still have the tape. In the case of an HDD-based camcorder, if it gets destroyed, you are unlikely to get your existing recordings off the camcorder.



HDD camcorders are extremely versatile and they are principally meant for the home user.



== DVD camcorders ==



Camcorders that store directly to a DVD as their recording medium are a good choice for folks who desire a recording format that is widely playable and for those without a computer. There's nothing simpler than recording a movie on your camcorder and putting the result right into the DVD player.



The primary negative for DVD camcorders is the length of recording and the image quality. The amount of recording time available will depend on the compression employed, but at the best recording quality settings, you can expect to get only get 20 - 30 minutes per DVD. If you reduce the quality of the compression you can get longer recording times, but then your recording quality is reduced.



DVD camcorders are an excellent pick for people without computers since there is no need to upload the video from of the camera; it comes off directly on the DVD. If you have a computer, and it's a model that you do not think is appropriate to the increased demands of video transfer and editing, a DVD camcorder may also be a good pick for you.



== Flash Camcorders ==



As advances continue to be made in the flash memory field, flash-based camcorders are becoming more prevalent. Solid-state flash takes up very little space and is relatively low-power, so camcorders with flash memory as a storage media tend to be lighter and smaller than other camcorder models. They also tend to be more rugged and are able to take more abuse such as drops. Like many other models, flash-based camcorders need to have their recordings transferred to a computer before the video can be put onto a DVD, but the transfer is typically very fast for most models.



As with other non-tape based camcorders, there may be issues around image quality and compression. Also, depending on the amount of the flash memory available, there may issues around the amount of the recording time available.



If you are searching for the lightest and smallest camcorder obtainable, a flash-based camcorder is probably your best bet.

The Wonderful World of the iPhone

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Once you've entered the iPhone universe, the chances are good that you'll never go back. When it comes to making calls, it's simply a matter of tapping a name or number - forget having to scroll down a tiny display.



But making calls is just the tip of the iceberg. The iPhone has SMS with a QWERTY keyboard, visual voicemail, a 2-megapixel camera that takes beautiful images, and a half million possible ringtones are all at your fingertips - literally. The iPhone gives you all of the features of an iPod, and then some. Its widescreen display lets you listen to audiobooks or watch videos, movies, and television shows. You have instant access to the Internet, email, maps, and a YouTube player that launches from the home screen. The iPhone maps feature ensures that you'll never get lost, and myriad widgets keep you endlessly delighted. But a list of features doesn't begin to express what's at the heart of the iPhone revolution. It's gorgeous, it's intuitive, it's sleek, and it's absolutely cool.



iPhone Portals



Best of all, when you buy an iPhone, what you pull out of the box is just the beginning. The possibilities are virtually limitless. That's why an increasing number of iPhone aficionados are turning to what are, in essence, iPhone portals - gateways to accessories, downloads, and information for this technological wonder.



The right iPhone site will unlock a world of resources for both new owners and old-timers. In the accessories department, you'll be able to find leather cases, gel skins, and even books to help you get the most out of your iPhone. You can also find tutorials and software for your device, as well as information about iPhone repair.



Download Services



But perhaps the most useful aspect of an iPhone gateway is that it presents a number of services to download music, music videos, movies, games, and much more. For example, you can find a service that, for a one-time fee, provides you with access to unlimited downloads. This circumvents the cumbersome pay-per-download fees of most sites.



When deciding which service to purchase, make sure that the service you choose has millions of files from which to choose, that it's free of spyware and pop-ups, and that it offers free online help and 24-hour tech support.



Media Transfers



Typically, when you sign up with a download service, you'll also receive easy-to-install software and tutorials on how to transfer media from a DVD or a PC to an iPhone. Look for software that supports multiple video formats, such as .avi, .mpg, .mov, .wmv, and .mp4. Similarly, the software should support a variety of types of images, such as .gif, .jpg, and .bmp.



The iPhone was undoubtedly the best invention of 2007. Now that the iPhone is available in 16GB and 32GB (as well as 8GB), it's easy to download movies, music, and videos to your heart's content. Finding the right iPhone portal will enable you to load up your iPhone and get out the door in no time at all.

The Technology Behind a Plasma TV Screen

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For many years, the technology that allowed you to sit in your home and watch audio and video was based on a tube technology. Very basically, light was shined into a tube which then projected the image onto the screen of your television set. The technology behind the plasma TV screen isn’t so very much different in some respects, but is very different in others.

First, keep in mind that plasma TV screens aren’t a new idea. Almost as long as people have had the power to watch television, there have been those with the idea for plasma television. It was during the 1960s that a college professor created the first plasma TV screen, though manufacturers weren’t anxious to pursue the technology until much more recently.

The technology is based on a series of very small lights. The lights are fluorescent and each pixel has three colors – red, green and blue. The lights are illuminated based on the code of the image being received so that the viewer sees a series of lights that form an image.

Plasma TVs have nothing to do with blood. In this case, plasma is a gas. The gas in its neutral state is stagnant. When electricity is introduced into the situation, these particles become active and light is released. The process is very fast, making it possible for pictures to be updated quickly so that you have the impression of a moving image when watching the television.

There are some other technologies that have been tried along the way. The liquid display screen works in a very similar manner and the result is a quality picture, though some argue that the plasma TV is the ultimate viewing experience.

One of the most beneficial points of the plasma TV is the fact that the layers needed to make this technology work are very thin, resulting in a television screen that is mere inches thick. Even for a very large screen, the thickness of the layers changes little, meaning the screens are easy to handle, mount and view.

There’s no doubt that technology will continue to develop as new people have better ideas for bringing audio and video into our homes. But when you see the crisp clear images of a plasma TV, it’s rather difficult to imagine how it could get any better than this.

The Strongest Test Of A Reliable Air Purifier - What is it?

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When it comes to selecting an air purifier for your home or office just what are the considerations that matters the most?

It is hard to believe that the air we breathe in daily, especially indoor air, is not fresh. In fact, the EPA has identified that indoor air is some 5 times more polluted than the air outside.

As much as the food we eat determines a lot of our health problems, the air we breathe also plays a dominant part in our health.

That is why we need an air purifier for our home or office.

When we select an air purifier, we need to look at dependable and reliable technology. We would like to have advanced technology that has been tested very stringently, not only in the laboratory but on actual conditions.

Now, what would be very stringent, in fact tough conditions that would really require the best quality air purifier? What is the strongest test of a reliable air purifier?

If you answered, " The Submarine", you would have gotten the correct answer.

The air within a submerged submarine needs to be purified, and the technoloqy used in the air purification system would need to be the best system, proven, tested and reliable. This is because that air within the submarine is the most critical part of the submarine system.

Imagine, technology has progressed till we can now have this same technology in our air purifier.

This alone makes the Oreck Professional Air Purifier stands out among the competition, because it protect the air you breathe with the technology used on U.S. Submarines.

The Oreck Professional Air Purifier quietly cleans by itself 24 hours a day, and captures airborne allergens, trapping particles as tiny as .01 microns (1/100 the width of a human hair.) This technology means it can capture and destroy bacteria, viruses and mold, and capture irritating cooking odors, harmful chemical fumes,unwanted pet odors, second-hand cigarette smoke and other indoor air pollutants such as dust and pollen. In short, it deep cleans very well the air you breathe in!

The technology is so dependable,the Oreck Professional air purifier has a filter that does not need replacing and is guaranteed for 12 years.

If you spend considerably long hours indoors or work from home or is a homeworker, then you should have an air purifier that meets all these requirements. That is why the Oreck Air Purifier is one of the best selling air purifiers in America today.

The Samsung 42 Plasma -- Samsung HP-P4271 42in HDTV Ready Plasma Television

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The new fourth-generation Samsung 42 plasma is out, offering state-of-the-art high performance high-definition display and resolution.

As opposed to the liquid crystal type display technology, plasmas create their stunningly life-like pictures through a complicated gas-based system. The plasma display idea has been around since 1964, but is only now coming into its own for practicality.

At a slim and trim 3.4 inches in depth, the flat-screened plasma takes up virtually no space in your room, making it the screen of choice for both home and office. This plasma's high-end display resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels gives a picture quality and depth of color that are outstanding.

The Samsung plasma television screen under discussion is 42 inches, measured diagonally. Plasmas range in sizes from 32" up to the gigantic 63" screen. A 42" plasma screen is best viewed from ten to fourteen feet away, and has a high-end 160 degree viewing angle that is completely uniform, due to its perfectly flat screen.

The "Virtual Surround" audio system for this Samsung plasma TV simulates multiple-channel surround sound using fewer speakers. It has SAP/MTS stereo which enables three-channel audio encoding, an audio leveler which evens out sudden volume changes such as commercials, and Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) which allows reception of more than one soundtrack simultaneously.

Samsung plasma televisions are built from scratch in the factory. The HP-P4271 has almost twice as many pixels as EDTV plasmas, resulting in a clearer, sharper image. A great investment in your home entertainment center.

The Rise Of The Apple iPod

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Tony Fadell, former employee of General Magic and Phillips, envisioned a brand new MP3 player. Unlike the flash memory-based MP3 players from existing companies, Fadell wanted to deliver a small hard drive-based player that was linked with a content delivery system where users could legally obtain and download music. The first company he pitched it to was RealNetworks (in 2000), who were already in control of a large content delivery system through Real's premium radio and television channels. Real could not rationalize going through the trouble of releasing an accessory to their already profitable system. Fadell then turned to Apple. The executives at Apple were very enthusiastic about implementing Fadell's plan at Apple - unbeknownst to Fadell, Apple had bought the rights to SoundJam MP months before. He was hired in early 2001 and was given a development team of around thirty people and a deadline of one year to release a successful product.



In early October, Apple began hyping the iPod's release (which was still a secret from the press after eight months of development). The hype culminated in an announcement that Apple would make a major announcement on October 23, 2001, and that it was "not Mac". The iPod was announced to the world from a rented auditorium near Apple's corporate campus in Cupertino. The audience - and the rest of the computer industry - was shocked by the product. No one grasped the importance of the device to Apple and the music industry in general until much later. Many reacted to the product with hostility, with criticisms that ranged from its $400 price to the scroll wheel and its lack of Windows compatibility.



The iPod's been around for a few years now but rather than being long in the tooth, it's been re-invented numerous times by Apple Inc. and is now a seriously impressive piece of kit. The recent advent of the iPod Touch has added to the line of existing models, rather than simply replacing existing technology. The result, is a lineup of different models, each bringing their own speciality to the table. From the ipod Nano, with solid state memory and minimal size to the iPod classic, with hard drive and excessively large storage capacity, the range of iPods available will suit everyone from Gym freaks to music fans.



So why is it so popular? Well, it's not so much the design any more, but the hype that surrounds the Apple iPod. You see, when originally released, the iPod was at the top of it's game, with the largest capacity, intuitive design and ergonomics built into the control buttons and software. We've moved on from that though. Every manufacturer out there has an Hard disk mp3 player in some major store. Apple however have moved the whole idea of the iPod, let alone it's range of computers, out of mainstream sales and into a Chique, hip and trendy twenty something got to have it style. Much like say- Greenwich was once a hip place to be seen in Manhattan. Apple have currently cornered the market- even created a brand new market all to themselves. Smacks of Sony and the Walkman all over again. At least Apple have the Mac to fall back on at the end of it all.

The Retail Joke is called New

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The Retail Joke is called New



You probably feel better purchasing new products at high prices. After all, the word "new" is so much more appealing. I am going to "recondition" your mind as a consumer, by educating you. I am going to show you why buying "reconditioned" or "recertified" is a winning decision all the way around. Get ready to be a "recertified" customer.



Products that are described as "New" are products that have never been used and still in their original factory packaging. These items come complete with manuals and original accessories.

You might not know this, but it's the customer that "inspects" new products. Retailers sale you new products and the manufacture makes a deal with the retailer to take back all customer returns. It is those returns that undergo detailed inspection at the action of the customer and or store returning it.



Perhaps you’ve seen the terms refurbished or factory-serviced. By law, product packaging must state if an item is factory-reconditioned. Retailers use different terminology, but it's all means recertified. Recertified means retested for optimum use. I am going to use the term recertified throughout this article, because I want you to think recertified; not reconditioned, not refurbished or any other terms. Life guards have to be recertified, doctors, paramedics. So what’s wrong with products being recertified?



Recertified items include the flowing:



1. Products that have never been used, the only difference between the "New" and "New Open Box" is that the outside factory seal has been broken, due to cancelled order or mishandling during transporting from warehouse to warehouse.



2 Unused items can be returned to original manufacturers for various reasons: use in field tests, use in sales displays, and cancellations.



3. Most major retail superstores offer at least a 30-day money back guarantee on their products and there are those consumers that just simply take advantage of that. These items are returned to the manufacturer, inspected and repackaged like new.



a. Items where the box was damaged in shipment which are returned to the manufacturer.



b. The item was returned to the manufacturer because of a slight defect. The defective part is replaced by the manufacturer, tested and then repackaged just like new.



c. The item was returned because of a minor cosmetic blemish on the casing that was corrected.



d. Demonstration units are also considered factory recertified. These units are inspected, tested and repackaged.



e. The box was simply opened. That’s it!



f. Brand new overstocked items are also labeled factory recertified.



Such items are no longer sold as "new", but can only be sold as "recertified".



4. Manufacturer's overstock, discontinued items, products with minor cosmetic blemishes, and store demo items.



5. Enclosed manuals may refer to accessories (camera cases, straps, for example.) that are not included with the recertified product. Be sure to read over the product information page for a list of included accessories.



6. Items where the box or casing was damaged in shipment which are returned to the manufacturer.



7. The item was returned to the manufacturer because of a slight defect.



8. The part that was defective was replaced by the manufacturer, tested and then repackaged just like new.



9. The item was returned because of a minor cosmetic blemish on the casing that was corrected.



10. Demonstration units are also considered factory Recertified. These units are inspected, tested and repackaged.



11. Customers return products for many reasons: a customer may change his or her mind, not like the product, or have difficulty operating it. Whether it is returned a month later or only the very next day, such an item must be identified as recertified or recertified to be resold. Manufacturers are extremely assured about their recertified products and offer the manufacturer warranties from 30 days to 2 years.



It is impossible to know the history of each item, but for whatever reason the unit gets labeled factory Recertified it is inspected & serviced by the manufacturer then tested and repackaged to meet original product specifications. All merchandise is warranted by the original manufacturer unless otherwise specified.



Most of the recertified appliances are much better than a lot of new appliances sold in our stores today. In this microwave, cost cutting age, most new models are not as durable as older models, so reconditioning an older model is almost always better than purchasing most new makes. Recertified products are often better than new, because they undergo more rigorous inspection and testing than new products. The defect rate of recertified items is far lower than that of items sold as new. Sometimes items sold as recertified are, in fact, "new" items that have simply been repackaged due to damage to the box or casing during shipping. The item may never have even made it to a store shelf!



Recertified is a term that is used loosely. People think it always means that the appliance has been dismantled and rebuilt using what ever parts they can find. This is not true. When this is the case, the parts are usually new or as good as new and are restored to the exact manufacturer specifications by the original manufacturer in a certified refurbishing center. In addition, these products typically come with the added advantage of a manufacturer warranty.



The statistics for returning a recertified item is much lower than the returns on new items.

Recertified goods have a very low (2-percent) cost of return. Recertified items have a much lower defect rate. Out of 10 units that come back for repair only 1 is usually a factory refurb, because Recertified units are tested before they are sold.



People buy cheap off brand items to save money instead of brand name recertified items. It’s not that brand name is built any better, but brand names have better support service and warrantees.

Buy name brand equipment at unbelievable savings without compromising on quality. Why buy "new" when you can get the same equipment which has been factory recertified for up to 70% savings without experiencing any difference? Statistics state that consumers who have already purchased a factory recertified item will never buy "new" again.



In summary, if all the benefits of buying a recertified product are the same as a new one even the warranty, the only "drawback" is that annoying little label on the outside of the box. Educated consumers buy Recertified!

The Real Value Of Plasma TVs

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You may be surprised at just how tuned in to TV many Americans really are. A recent survey found that not only do half of all Americans want a plasma television, but many of them will go to great lengths to get one. Here's a closer look:

She Said

Forget chocolate, it seems that women are craving their favorite shows in high definition. A third of women said they would give up chocolate for 12 months in exchange for a plasma television.

He Said

Forty percent of men surveyed said they would endure a 48-hour "chick flick" marathon, if it meant they would be rewarded with a plasma television. One-fifth of the men surveyed said they would give up all sports-related activities: watching, playing and reading about their favorite sports and athletic heroes.

So why are plasmas so popular? Experts say the TVs' crisp images, vibrant colors and sleek designs tend to appeal to both men and women. For instance, the Pioneer PureVision plasma television features technologies known as Deep Encased Cell Structure, Crystal Emissive Layer and PureDrive II. They help enhance brightness, create richer, deeper blacks and improve video processing. In short, they create a sharp, bright, accurate picture-something that both genders seem to appreciate.

If you plan to purchase a plasma anytime soon, Pioneer suggests taking the following factors into account:

Size

Forty- to 65-inch plasma displays are usually well-suited for viewing high-definition content in a primary home theater.

Brightness

Brightness should be consistent from different angles. Try to see the TV you are considering in a lighting environment similar to your home.

Sharpness

Lines and edges should be sharp and clean without trails.Ê Make sure the sharpness holds up in dark or fast-moving scenes.

Color

Colors should be true-to-life, not cartoonlike. You should see detail and subtle gradations in the color.

Details

You should be able to see picture details such as blades of grass, pens in shirt pockets and individual faces in a crowd.

The Perfect Home Theater System

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As with everything else, the requirements in a home theatre vary from person to person. However, all of us have something in common, that is, we want the perfect home theatre, suited to our own tastes. We want every item perfect, right from the equipment to proper placing of them which would ensure proper balance and quality of sound. We want to watch movies the way it was meant to be. Is the ultimate home theatre contained in owning a Cinema 1 True 5.1 Digital Wireless 2.4GHz headphone system? Or is a home theatre incomplete without a nice flat panel TV like a Sony KDF-E50A10 50 in. HDTV LCD Television? Then there comes the question of choosing whether to use DVD or VHS. This is almost readily decided for people who buy or rent their DVDs; they will do fine with a DVD player alone. But for people who still have tons of tapes with their favorite movies on them will definitely have to go for systems which allows VHS playback and preferably allows them to be converted over to DVDs. There might also be another factor to consider, that is, sometimes, the combo units are better performers than their solo counterparts. One such unit is the LG LRY-517 Super-Multi DVD Recorder/VCR Combo. This unit would be suited for anyone into home theatre but only if one has the money would he consider buying it.

Almost often, performance of the units is measured against their price. With the internet, this has become very easy as dedicated websites like “Price-watch” and “Ubid” dot com allows the user to make comparative price choices, and sometimes auction sites lower the prices even further. In a recent comparison, the top performing DVDs chosen were - JVC DR-MX1S DVD/VCR/Hard Drive Recorder Combo, LG LRY-517 Super-Multi DVD Recorder/VCR Combo, Panasonic DMR-ES40VS DVD Recorder - VCR Combination, Pioneer DVR-RT500 DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combination, Panasonic PV-DR2714 DVD Recorder/VCR/TV Combo, Panasonic DMR-ES30VS DVD Recorder VCR Combination, and Sony RDR-VX500 DVD Recorder/VCR Combination. All of these units were chosen considering their price to performance ratio. This indicates that service and professional quality alone aren’t the only considerations in buying a good home theatre.

While considering the television situation, it is important to note that high definition is not the only advanced technology. Though still new, plasma based displays have already taken over others in terms of performance and convenience. They work with virtually any type of input source, including computers. This makes them feasible for movies as well as gaming use. The top models available are Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY Plasma Television, LG Electronics 42PX5D 42-Inch Plasma Television, Pioneer PDP-5060HD Plasma Television, Samsung SP-R4232 42-inch Plasma TV, Hitachi Ultravision 42HDF52 42-Inch Plasma Television, Panasonic TH-37PX50U Plasma Television, Panasonic TH-50PX500 50-Inch Plasma Television; and again price was a factor of consideration. Even plasma TVs should be selected based on the price to performance ratio.

The whole emphasis is laid on the fact that buyers should be conscious of what they are buying. It is very important that the product fits the buyer, its price fits the buyer, but what is more important is that the buyer should know what he is buying, and what is that he wants. Once the buyer purchases it, it is owned by him fully. In today’s online market, two very important considerations are price at delivery, because shipping costs extra, and warranty- what is the warranty policy, on- site or carry in? 1 month or 1 year, etc. Buyers beware.

The Oreck Family History

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The Oreck company is known for making vacuums, but it also produces air cleaners and miscellaneous household products. The company makes several models of household vacuums, shop (wet/dry) vacuums, floor waxers and refinishers, and air purifiers.

The Oreck Corporation was founded by David Oreck in the United States in 1963. The company is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and its principal manufacturing facilities are in a modern 375,000 square foot factory in Long Beach, Mississippi.

Oreck Corporation started as a manufacturer of upright vacuum cleaners for the hotel industry in the United States. They designed a lightweight yet powerful and durable vacuum which was preferred by hotel housekeepers over the very heavy models available at that time. Oreck vacuums proved so popular that they are now used in over 50,000 hotels worldwide. After using these efficient vacuums at work, hotel personnel wanted to buy the machines for home use, which prompted Oreck to manufacture household models as well as their commercial line. Their products, while not cheap, are known for exceptional durability and ease of handling.

The Oreck XL 8-pound vacuum cleaner, aside from being one of the lightest models on the market, has a factory-tested estimated product lifespan of 18 years. The Arthritis Foundation gave this vacuum an Ease-of-Use Commendation for its exclusive Helping Hand Handle, which is ergonomically designed to reduce strain on wrists and arms. The user can simply push and pull the vacuum without having to grip the handle tightly, making it much easier to use for arthritis sufferers.

The Oreck air cleaner works by attracting air particles such as pollen and dust onto an electrically-charged collection grid. One unit can clean the air of a 30 foot square room. After passing air over a collection plate to trap particles, an Air Revitalizer is added at the end of the air cleaner which releases negative ions to revitalize the air. The Air Revitalizer can be turned on or off on the Professional Air Purifier. Leaving theAir Revitalizer on provides a pleasant, clean smell, but has no effect on the air purifier’s cleaning efficiency.

The Oreck Air Purifier is not an ozone generator because it does not rely on ozone as part of the cleaning process. However, ozone is a natural by-product of many electrical appliances. The Air Purifier’s Air Revitalizer emits only a very low level of ozone, well under UL and FDA guidelines of 50 ppb (parts per billion). Though ozone generators are sold by other manufacturers, they do a poor job of cleaning the air and generate high levels of ozone, especially in small spaces, which irritate the lungs. Consumers are advised by health authorities and the EPA not to purchase these units.

The collection grid of the Oreck air purifier, which should be kept clean to maintain the efficiency of the unit, is easy to remove and can be washed simply by a short soak in warm water and detergent. The company offers a specialized cleaning solution for the collection cell, but unless the air is full of tarry substances such as cigarette smoke, this is not necessary. Other than the carbon filter, which is not necessary to clean the air, there are no disposable filters to buy.

The Oreck model functions differently from a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance, and These filters use a mat of very fine fibers to capture airborne particles.

HEPA filters create high resistance to airflow, which gets worse as the filter loads with dirt. This resistance causes HEPA units to use more energy , and cost more to operate. As the filter becomes more and more clogged, performance declines. Therefore, HEPA units require the user to frequently change the expensive filters. Since Oreck uses only a washable collection plate, continuing cost is not an issue with their air filters.

However, it is important to keep the collection cell clean, as it does not function well once it covered with dust. The company advises users to wash the collector after 4 weeks of initial use and every 8 weeks thereafter, but every house has a different amount of dust, so it is best to check the unit every few weeks to see whether a film has accumulated on the collector.

New units come with a 3-year warranty, and reconditioned units come with a 1-year warranty. The company has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation for honoring its guarantees.

The Advancements Of Modern Mobile Phones

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Learn how the modern cell phone got to what it is now by comparing it with its past versions. Be able to choose wisely from the current popular mobile phones by knowing the multitude of features these phones have.



Communication has quickly evolved over the years. The telephone reached great heights but there was one thing that was holding it back. This was because of being connected to a phone line at all times, making it impossible to bring around wherever you may go. Thus the invention of the mobile phone, otherwise termed as cellular phone or cell phone for short.



Mobile phones definitely made a splash upon their release to the public. No longer were people unable to leave their home phones in order to get calls from others. They would bring their mobile phones anywhere with a signal coverage to make and receive urgent phone calls or even just have a chat. Having a mobile phone is a luxury. After all, people enjoy chatting. Earlier versions of mobile phones enabled the user to call another mobile phone user anytime and anywhere. It was that convenient.



Soon, newer mobile phones were developed to further enhance communication. These cell phones had Short Messaging Service, or SMS, which allowed cell phone users to compose written texts and send them to others, who in turn can read these messages on their cell phone screen. This revolutionized a whole new communication trend.



The parts of communication involve a sender, a message, and a receiver. Modern phones with text messaging capabilities accurately abide by this principle. The only factor different with traditional communication to text messaging is that traditional conversations integrate feelings with their messages. Whenever a person speaks, his/her voice, tone, and pitch can be methods to express his/her feelings. With text messaging, the message is purely bland, although later on people developed styles of creating emoticons, which are basically a group of letters, numbers, or symbols illustrating faces expressing different emotions.



Mobile phones shortly developed Multimedia Messaging Service or MMS which allows the sending and receiving of pictures, videos, and music files. Soon, a multitude of other features were added as well, including GPRS, WAP, and EDGE, which were basically used to access the internet through the mobile phone.



With the addition of cameras, integrated MP3 players, and wireless connectivity such as infrared and Bluetooth technology, mobile phones were slowly turning into versatile multimedia devices. They rival even the functionality of the digital camera, and MP3 player. No wonder sales of these devices faltered while the sales of cell phones increased dramatically.



Cell phones are evolving faster every time. The current selection of mobile phones mostly incorporates 3G technology and wireless internet access. Other than the usual text messaging and voice calls, you now have the ability to view the person you are talking to with this 3G technology. Talk about a huge leap in the field of communication!



If you plan on buying a popular cell phone, take time to learn the variety of selections first. There are basically three types of cell phones in the market today. The first is the basic budget handset. It has all the basic functions you can expect from a mobile phone, minus the flashy gadgets and functions. They are basically plain and simple text and call mobile phones. The second is the multimedia phone. It still has the basic text and call feature, along with hardware peripherals such as cameras, wireless connectivity and more powerful speakers for music. Some also have built in radio as an added feature. The third type of cell phone is the smart phone. It is usually aimed for those business people on the go. The features include a full QWERTY keypad, named after the first sequence of letters in the computer keyboard. The smart phone has all the advanced features considering its very expensive cost. These features include wireless internet connection and browsing, email, and various applications that enable the user to view documents that can only be normally viewed using a computer.



With this selection in mind, you may want to reflect on what cell phone category you want to choose. First, consider your budget. Do you have the adequate finances to buy a brand new popular cell phone? Then, you should think about how you will use the cell phone. Do you find yourself actually needing those extra features in your everyday life? Do you actually need wireless internet connection on the go if you are already retired for instance? But don’t think poorly of this functionality. For example, if you are a typical student, you can use your cell phone for convenient web browsing. This would save you a lot of time. Therefore, it is wise to think it over before buying.



Part of what drives you to buy these popular cell phones would probably be due to the appeal of these gadgets to the general public. They are definitely eye candy. These gadgets are currently one of the luxurious items that everyone craves. Mobile phones are now established as status symbols in society. The newer the cell phone, the more popular you become. The more expensive the cell phone, the richer they regard you.



There is no great mobile phone. It is the perspective of the buyer that makes it so. There are so many phones that cater to different people with different statuses. What’s great for one group of people may not be great for another. Choose whatever phone you feel right for you.



Today, there are more people owning cell phones than people having regular phone lines at home. This speaks well to the mobile phone market. It is expected that mobile phones will still be a popular luxury for a long time.

There Is A Story In Every Digital Picture Frame

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Are you running out of space to display your favourite photographic memories? Fidelity Electronics has introduced state-of-the-art technology that allows you to view your personal photos on a high-resolution digital picture frame. This new technology allows photos that are being hidden away to re-appear again giving them the pride and place they so rightly deserve for all to see and admire. Each ingenious product has all the high technology, modern design and requisite features one requires for displaying precious and memorable moments.



Over the last year, Fidelity Electronics of Canada has been intensely involved in developing the digital photo and picture frame market. Fidelity recently launched their newest Digital Picture Frame, the DPF-1500 Pro with 1GB of internal memory, and an impressive 15" high-resolution color LCD screen.



Fidelity now carries 9 models of different digital picture frames each with different capabilities and styles. Useful features include, rotation, zoom, auto start and auto format. Many of the frames are also multimedia and play MPEG video and MP3 music on built in stereo speakers.





Digital picture framing will offer a new visual experience to people of all walks of life, from the high-tech pro for a traditional sales presentation to the grandmother that wants to display family photos on the mantel or hanging on the wall.



All frames have the capability of being viewed directly from all popular digital memory cards - without the need for a computer, camera or Internet connection and most include internal memory So you can sit back, relax and enjoy showcasing your photos. Imagine the conversations it will create as you, your friends and family admire your digital images! For something different, music can also be added making it the perfect presentation tool...



The love of photos really has no boundaries, all your vacation shots, party photos, baby snaps and other personal photos can come to life in just one picture frame, giving you a stylish touch to an instant photo gallery! It’s another marvellous breakthrough in the field of digital photograph framing. If you are looking to achieve a modern display of high resolution digital photo frames that offers crisper graphics, then bid farewell to the old photo lab and other obsolete contraptions and enjoy your photo memories with the new look of today.

With auto start and auto format functions all Fidelity Electronics products are effortlessly stylish while remaining perfectly functional in the same breath, making anyone of their range of digital picture frames the perfect presentation tool.

Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Calculator

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Calculators have shrunk in size and increased in price as consumers have sought out devices that do much more than simple arithmetic. Texas Instruments has their TI-83 Plus model which helps students with their Physics, Biology, Algebra, and Pre-Calculus classes. We'll examine why this model is so popular with today's classroom students.

Back in the 1970s, the slide rule gave way to calculators in many classrooms across the nation. Texas Instruments led the way as almost every student owned one of their models. Today, Texas Instruments [or, TI] continues to produce calculators and their TI-83 Plus calculator leads the way.

So, what sets this particular model apart from others? Well, it is pocket-sized, comes with 12MB of memory, does tons of math problems including statistical tests, has a complete alphabetical keyboard, and it can run programs to name a few. Still, if you are a Calculus student it doesn't do Calculus. However, you can bring the TI-83 Plus along for standardized tests and college admission exams.

The device runs with 4AAA batteries, so you need to make sure you are fully charged before you start your tests or at least carry spare batteries with you.

The TI-83 is not cheap as you will have to pay about $100. for a new one. Expect to pay a lot more if you purchase one through your university's bookstore; shop online to compare prices too.

The TI-89 may be a better option, especially if Calculus is in your future. Shop and compare and make sure that the model you want provides the calculations you need.

In all, the TI-83 carries on a long tradition of excellence for Texas Instruments. Sharp, Casio, and Canon are chief competitors to T.I., but judging by the TI-83 you will find what you need from the people of Texas Instruments.

Stay Up-to-Date with Quality Cell Phones where New Product Lines are Continuously Added

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Cell phones and their accessories are constantly changing and becoming more advanced. If your cell phone no longer meets your needs it might be time to look for a new one. Whatever your cell phone needs, you will be able to find the latest products online. New product lines are continuously added to offer you the best in quality products.



Cell Phone Uses



Cell phones are no longer used just to make a quick call. Many businesses use them for their main lines because they are portable and have superior reception. Text messaging has become popular with cell phone users because of the ease of use and convenience. Many new cell phones will feature cameras and video abilities to use for work or fun.



New Product Lines Are Continuously Added



Shopping online for a cell phone will impart to you the most unique selection of products and quality services. New product lines are continuously added to help you stay up to date on current products. If you are looking for a certain product you can go to your search engine and type in the key words. You will find numerous sites to look at and compare products.



There are many online malls that offer a wide variety of products and different brands. They also offer countless other products so you can do all your shopping on one site. Many offer wholesale or discount prices and make it worthwhile to check out their sites. To stay up to date and offer competitive merchandise such as cell phones, new product lines are continuously added.



Popular Cell Phones



With the heightened use of the Internet, the Skype phones have become more prevalent. With the new Netgear Skype WiFi Phone, you can make calls to anyone with a Skype phone anywhere in the world. You don't have to be connected to your PC when you have access to the WiFi network. You can even call ordinary phones for a small fee.



The Bluetooth products are popular because of their wireless features. Hands free use makes this phone ideal for active people and those who have to constantly be multi-tasked. There are assorted accessories for these phones to make it more convenient in your situation.



Find the Cell Phone You Want



Cell phones vary in price according to the features that are included. You can buy a quality phone for under a hundred dollars but can go higher for the advanced functions that you desire. Look for the online sites with a unique selection of products and quality services.



As you shop for your new cell phone, you will find many other products that are compatible with the phones. You can purchase these along with your phone and have all the components that are made to use together. Where new product lines are continuously added, you'll be able to find the cell phone that's right for you any time of the year.

Stay Ahead on Cool Electronic Gadgets and Get It before Anyone Else

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Every day new electronic products are coming out on the market. These are ideal for the person who loves gadgets and likes to try new things. For someone hard to buy for, find a new gadget and get it before anyone else. They’ll love being among the firsts to have it!



New Gadgets Every Day



There are numerous products available for all different lifestyles. Companies are constantly upgrading and redesigning products to interest all ages. It is easy to get excited about something that is smaller, better and more fun than previous models. These new gadgets are hard to resist and make cool gifts.



In our modern times it is easy to stay ahead on the new products as they hit the market. There are various websites that cater to those interested in gadgets. If you want to get it before anyone else, these sites offer you the first look at new products.



Get It before Anyone Else



If you enjoy buying gadgets, bookmark the sites that interest you. Check on these sites frequently to see what they are offering. Watch for accessories to gadgets you already have and keep a watch for innovative products that are just coming out. Get it before anyone else by staying updated through the Web.



Take time to browse websites to find the best deals and lowest prices on electronic gadgets. This will give you a chance to find gift ideas and innovative devices not found in other places. Get it before anyone else by finding the latest unique electronic gadgets and accessories.



Gadgets for All Ages



Buying electronic gadgets can make everyone's life more enjoyable and less stressful. There are products for babies and children to learn with as well as play with. All ages of children and teens enjoy electronic games, computers, cameras, phones, etc. These products are always being upgraded and improved. They make great gifts, and the next generation will be even more dependent on them than presently.



Adults are making use of electronic gadgets every day. In the same way as computers and calculators have evolved, electronics are being improved. Every-day language now includes references to all manner of electronic gadgets. Senior adults down to the young adults use these devices to communicate, work and relax. Keeping up with the new products will give you new gadgets to make your life more interesting.



Don't miss out on the newest electronic gadgets! For original gifts or a treat for your self, watch for those new gadgets that are "must-haves." Be the first, and get it before anyone else!

So you want an iPod or MP3 Player?

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Why buy an iPod or MP3 Player?

1. Have you ever been driving somewhere listening to your favorite radio station and all of a sudden the station is nothing but static or fades in and out? Quick, grab your iPod or Mp3 player! Now, you have your favorite music or sport at your fingertips.

You can choose your favorite show or music on your iPod or MP3 player at a touch. No more trying to adjust the radio or be distracted from watching the traffic.

2. With an iPod or MP3 player along, that much needed exercise, whether its at the gym, jogging or just staying home to exercise, will not seem so boring. Some players allow you to monitor your mileage while you run. The time will go faster when you are listening to your favorite music, sport or watching a video on your iPod or MP3 player. Put a spring in your step while cleaning your home or shopping by listening to your favorite tunes.

3. Your iPod or MP3 player can brighten your day, regardless of your activity.

4. If you play sports, for fun or professionally, you can record your “moves”, then analyze them to see if you are following thru or need to make some adjustments.


What to consider before your purchase an iPod or MP3 player

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you want your iPod or MP3 player solely for music or do you want it for video, sports, music and photos?

2. What size iPod or MP3 player do you want? They can be as small as a pack of gum and weigh less than a car key. Depending on the capabilities will increase or decrease the size. IPod or MP3 players are very portable, going anyplace with you.

3. Is price a factor? IPod or MP3 players come in a range or prices – the price range is dependant on what features and capabilities you get. Ipod and MP3 players’ general price ranges vary from up to $100.00 to $300.00 or more.

4. What kind of display for your iPod or MP3 player? Screen size is a personal choice and can be as varied as the players themselves. Screens can be as small as a 4-line graphic LCD to as large as 3.6" color high-resolution LCD with 320 x 240 pixel resolution.

5. What memory capacity do you want? 512K to 30GB? From 120 songs to 10,000 songs, photos and videos? These are things to think about.

6. Depending on the investment you make in your iPod or MP3 player, is it upgradeable to future formats and features?

7. What about battery life for your iPod or MP3 player? Depending on how you plan to use your player will help you decide how much battery your will need. A 16 to 24-hour playing time is a good length of time before needing to recharge. Most iPod or MP3 player batteries are lithium, rechargeable Li-on or lithium polymer rechargeable. Other use alkaline batteries. Recharging your iPod or MP3 player can also be done in various ways, with either car chargers, wall chargers and/or via USB port on your computer.

8. Additional considerations are: digital audio, micro-photo, FM transmitter, PC compatible and voice recorder. Depending on the iPod or MP3 player you purchase will determine which options are available and work for you.

9. Do you have a favorite color for you iPod or MP3 player? Ipod and MP3 players come in many colors and you can get different color cases for them.

10. When shopping for an iPod or MP3 player consider sound quality, durability, ease of downloading music, cost, benefits and design.


What functions, features and accessories are available?

1. Various iPod or MP3 player system requirements are:
· PC: Microsoft® Windows® 98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP, Intel® Pentium® II 350MHz or AMD K6®-2 450MHz processor
· Macintosh: USB port, Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later (Mac OS X 10.3.4 or later recommended for use with low-power USB ports)

Additional system requirements can be: Windows Media Player, CD-ROM drive (for installation and import or playback from CD), USB 2.0 compatibility and Internet connection, (broadband suggested).

2. Large memory in your iPod or MP3 player enables you to store thousands of songs for music on the go plus thousands of photos and videos. Below is an example of iPod and MP3 players and their song capacity. As you can see, the size of the players is as diverse as what they can hold.

Flash or Hard Drive Based on 4 minutes per song
512MB 120 – 350 songs
1GB 250 – 500 songs
2GB 480 – 500 songs
4GB 1,000 or more songs
5GB Stores 166 hrs of music
6GB 1,500 songs
8GB 4,000 songs
20GB 5,000 – 9,000 songs
30GB 7,500 songs
40GB 10,000 songs
60GB 15,000 songs

3. Some players have available expansion slots. Expansion slots are integrated receptacles for installing additional memory via a removable memory card (Secure Digital, Multimedia Card, Compact Flash, etc.). Installation is simple; the card simply pushes in and clicks into place.

4. Via the USB 2.0 connection from your computer, you can transfer your favorite tunes from a music website to your iPod or MP3 player in as little as a few seconds. IPod or MP3 players have a wide compatibility with many online subscription and pay-per-download music services. Some iPod and MP3 players are “PlaysForSure” compatible. When purchasing your player, look for this logo on the packaging. Any music download service displaying the “PlaysForSure” logo will work.

5. You can press a button and transfer an entire CD to your player in as little as a few minutes using the USB 2.0 connectivity from your PC.

6. "MP3" might be the buzzword, but it's not the only digital music file format out there. Fortunately, most online stores and digital music players support a full range of digital file formats. Here are the more popular formats in use:

· ATRAC3 which stands for "Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3", WMA, MP3, ACC (used only used by the Apple® iPod™), and WAV/AIFF
· There are many additional file formats used by the MP3 and iPod industry, not all of which are listed here:
· MP3, WMA, WAV and DRM are audio formats.
· Display formats are JPEG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, and PNG.
· Image formats and AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPG, MPE, VOB, DAT, ADF, QuickTime MOV and WMV video formats

7. Docking cradles, power supply, AC adapters and cables, belt clips, personal speakers, headphones/ear buds, cases, car FM stereo transmitters, lanyards, sync adapters and management software are some of the accessories available with iPod or MP3 players.

8. Removable, rechargeable batteries are used in iPod or MP3 players, some use lithium, rechargeable Lithium-ion or lithium polymer rechargeable type batteries, while others use alkaline batteries.

9. Some players have vertical touch pads to make navigation easier than ever. These are micro-sized and curved to fit your hand, allowing for enjoyable pure ergonomic comfort and bliss.

10. If you get tired of your stored music, tune in to your favorite radio station with the built-in FM radio. As many as 32 preset stations are available on some iPod or MP3 players. Some players have games already loaded, while others allow you to download games for playing, as well.

11. Use the recording feature for multi-function convenience or record music from the FM tuner. With the built-in recorder in your iPod or MP3 player, you can record your baby’s first words, the interview at the office, or anything else that is important to you. Record messages to yourself and play them back later, never again forget that anniversary gift!!

12. Personal organizers including daily tasks list, contact list and calendar; which easily syncs with Microsoft Outlook, are available on Ipod and MP3 players with hard drives instead of flash drives.

13. Make your ears happy!!! Enjoy skip-free playback, with custom equalizer and pre-set EQ settings, this lets you get your music just the way you like it – there are settings for acoustic, classical, disco, house, jazz, new age, pop, rock and vocal at the touch of a finger.

14. Ipod and MP3 players fit on your arm, in your pocket, on your belt, just about anywhere. Some iPod and MP3 players weight as little as 0.8 oz. The lightweight of the players makes them as portable as your lifestyle demands.

Sony MEX-1GP: The Next Generation of Car MP3 Players

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For all of those MP3 music owners, the future of car audio is finally here for you. Gone are the days where you had to burn your MP3s onto a CD for playback in your car audio system. Sony recently released the MEX-1GP CD receiver, a CD receiver that also features a built-in 1 GB flash memory unit. So now your car audio CD receiver behaves in the same manner as your iPod or other type of MP3 player. The 1 GB flash memory unit can store up to 500 of your favorite songs, giving you plenty of playback time for your music. This little device will make even the longest of trips in your car smoother and more enjoyable, since you will not have to worry about changing CDs any longer.

Aside from playing MP3s, this CD receiver also plays CDs (as the name implies) along with burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs so that those who wish to play their old CDs can still take advantage of this nifty product. However, the real attraction to this new car audio head unit is the MP3 playability. The flash memory unit is located in the detachable faceplate. Here resides the USB port which allows you to connect the faceplate to your PC (similar to your iPod or other MP3 player). Once your faceplate is connected to your CD, you simply drag and drop the MP3 files onto the flash memory unit of the faceplate. Unfortunately the faceplate is only compatible with Windows operating systems, so all of you Mac owners will have to go to your buddy’s house to copy the MP3s to and from the Sony MEX-1GP.

The new receiver is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well. It is finished in a high-gloss black color and features a 13-segment LCD display for simple navigation of track and title information. The screen displays album, artist and track name when playing your MP3 music files. Users can shuffle or repeat tracks, albums or personalized groups through controls on the faceplate or with the supplied remote control. The MEX-1GP unit has a built-in 208-watt power amplifier and a three-band equalizer enabling clear, rich sound. The selectable rear/subwoofer preamp outputs, controls the frequency and output level of an external amplifier.

After installing this receiver and experiencing it for a little over a week, I must say that I am quite impressed with this product. For one, the sound quality when playing MP3s through this unit is nothing less than phenomenal. If you didn’t know any better, you would think that you were playing a CD with the crisp and clear playback quality of this head unit. While traveling on a three hour road trip (three hours each way, six hours total) I was able to listen to one selection of songs on the way up and an entirely different selection of songs on the way back, all without the hassle of changing CDs and enduring a pause in play. I’m just a little surprised it took so long for a product like this to hit the market, especially with the increasing popularity of portable MP3 devices such as the iPod over the last several years. While it may have taken awhile for a product like this to hit the market, I’m sure Sony will have plenty of competitors very soon, which will benefit car audio enthusiasts like myself.

Solar Chargers

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Solar chargers are a great option for people always on the move. If people are always traveling, a solar charger is a wonderful user-friendly option that won’t drain resources.

ICP solar chargers are an excellent brand of charger that is guaranteed to work. If you are dependent on your battery to operate machinery or vehicles, this guarantee is essential. Having a battery charger that does not work when you are stuck miles away from civilization is not a good thing. ICP solar chargers are also a great idea for backup power in a small home or cabin.

Solar power has often been commended for its environmentally-friendly capability to provide energy. One solar panel can charge a 12Volt battery in full with direct sunlight at a rate of 7 Amps or more. The power is then electrochemically stored within the battery.

ICP offers a range of chargers for devices like cell phones, PDAs, and other small electrical appliances. With these chargers, you simply plug the device into the solar charger and let it do its job. ICP also offers chargers for higher power machines like cars, motorcycles, heavy duty trucks, even marine and RV applications.

The ICP solar chargers range in price from $30 to $500. However, it is well worth the investment and there are no recurring electrical utility costs associated with charging.