home stereo

Youngster had their home stereo installed in the car

2008-12-01T00:07:00.000-08:00

More and more youngster had their car modified with home stereo. Some even had home stereo theater sound installed in their car. You can even played video with today's technology such as the high tech CD players and MP3 players. The price of today's high tech are so much cheaper then the yesteryear when we want to installed a simple radio or cassette players.

With most youngster had their home stereo installed in the car, more and more auto shop coming up. Some auto shop even show photos to their customer how they modified others car. some had their price go down and even give warranty to their customer. My brother had his car modified until no relatives would like to sit at the back of his car.

Cars with home stereo

2008-07-03T02:22:00.000-07:00

Most car owners are enjoying the best music from an ipoh which are made easily with a number of car receiver products which have iPod adapters and more and more car would have their car install with stereo that cannot not removed due to their reasons. This it takes is the right adapter or a add-on, to give the sound you want.

With the modern technology all cars are equipped with the best car stereo system and with a Gps tracking system and even with a phone kids to make the driver more at ease while driving and feeling more relax.

purchasing a home stereo at home

2008-04-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

When purchasing a home stereo at home, it is better to understand and know what we want and the model we want rather blindly purchase a set and later regret about it. Yes I did buy a very expensive set that was highly recommend by my friends but after a week i feel very frustrated because the sound was not what I expected and the service of the company was very bad as its staff are hard to contact and the promised was not keep.

If you are very not good in home stereo get a set that give you the best sound rather then a very good set that is hard to operate. Besides get the set from a stereo shops that is near to your home so you can expect a fast and better service.

home stereo are going cheaper and cheaper

2008-03-07T01:51:00.000-08:00

With the modern technology home stereo are going cheaper and cheaper each year. Each year you can notice a new design out in the market from one company to another company. Some big company just a two years stock will go for 50 percentage sales discount. Now you can purchased a good set with affortable price. You can purchase through internet inline or from big complex selling all electricity goods.

Most home stereo set comes with subwoofers, two large home speakers equip with dvd sets, radio and tapes and the sound was fantastic good like you are watching a movies in a theater.

Enjoying a good music with ipoh hi fi set

2007-11-06T01:27:00.000-08:00

When you reached home all you want is to relax your tired leg. Sit down on your favourite beanbag chairs, reading your newspaper or listending to good sound music. Now you have not much problems enjoying a good music. With the advance technology you can find a varity of good brand Ipoh home stereo which a price that most people can effort.

You can fixed an ipoh Hi Fi set where the compact comes in a multi speaker set which allows the persons to fixed their ipoh to a home stereo or television to listen to music, Ipoh HI-FI features comes in three speaker cones which provide balance sound that filled your room natural music and sound

A new home stereo for my new apartment

2007-09-06T01:45:00.000-07:00

Recendly I moved in to a new apartment, after spending about fifty thousand in renovation I find that I missed a nice new set of home stereo in my apartment which I am stil listending to the old set of home stereo which is quite old and the sound was not so good compare to a set that I hear at my friends house. The set he brought recendly cost him about a few thousand that arouse me to buy a new set.

Spending one day going around with another friends who is very good in audio, looking for a new set with a recent price. After the third shop I make up my mind to have it installed in my apartment. The set cost me around seven thousand with two big speakers and two small speakers and the centre a small speakers and a subwoofer.
Now I readly enjoying the picture with the sound and even the music you are playing is much better compare to my old home stereo.

Ipoh HI-FI the easy ways

2007-07-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

Home stereo like Ipoh Hi fi comes with a pumping bass and bridht treble. Ipoh HI-FI features three speaker cones which provide balance sound that filled your room natural music and sound. You can listen to great sound that comes from the speaker box. Home stereo are so comfortable that you use it at home or carry to picnic party or a day at a beach or a overnight camping.

Most Ipoh HI-FI home stereo comes in two 80 mm wide-range cones and the bass providing mid and high frequencies that sound and generated by a 130 mm woofer. When plugged into an AC outlet your Ipoh battery is charges using a dock adapter and you can listend to the sound, the music and the song everywhere you like to be.

Fixing an ipoh Hi Fi at home or inside your car

2007-06-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

There are many variety of home stereo on the markets and online that provides home stereo speaker systems. Several of this product offer excellent sound quality and allow music lovers to listen to their favourite songs at home with or without earphones. The price of todays home stereo are compartitive and affordable many peoples. You can easily get a set of home stereo for just a few hundreds.

You can fixed an ipoh Hi Fi set where the compact comes in a multi speaker set which allows the persons to fixed their ipoh to a home stereo or television to listen to music, watching picture on the television or watching your favourite movies. Besides you can enjoyed the music on an ipoh in the car which is also make easier with cars having ipoh adapters receiver products.

A home stereo at home or in car

2007-05-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

With ipod home stereo offer excellent sound most home can install an iPod home stereo which can connect to allowing listening at home without the earphones with excellent sound quality like having a home stereo speaker system at home. If you want to enjoy a nice music there are variety of ipod home stereo for you to choose from prices of nearly a hundred to a few thousand depending the sound and the quality of the home stereo.

A ipod hi fi a compact multi-speaker set up, is quite portableto move around and place in your home as its does not occupy big place. The iPod HomeDock Entertainment Center is also available and allows the user to connect their iPod to a home stereo or TV to listen to music or watch video/slide shows on these devices. You can also design your cars with ipod home stereo set to make your travelling more enjoyarable.

Home stereo a music entertainment

2007-04-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

Stereo systems are electronic devices designed to reproduce high quality sound on speakers. Stereo systems can be as small as a personal CD player that fixed in the car or big enough to fixed in your home. Nowadays, using a stereo system is the latest to amplify your taste in music quality, as well as jazz up the aura of your domicile. However, before deciding to buy a stereo, it is recommended that you give consideration to the specific things that you want.

The height of satisfaction and entertainment a stereo provides depends largely on the functionality of the stereo system that you have. Although, all stereos are designed to mimic a pleasant sound quality that you will enjoy listening to.

Stereo speakers are used to enhance the audio system in cars. They are usually described as distinctive in view, since they are used for duplicating audio frequencies. By and large, they are regarded as a very crucial component that constitutes an excellent stereo system.

Stereo Receiver

2007-02-12T00:13:00.000-08:00

Stereo receivers are the unsung heroes of the entertainment electronics and home theater field. They aren't flashy or in your face, and yet most of the other components have to connect to the receiver in order to function best. Stereo receivers are expected to tune in FM/AM broadcasts, provide surround sound, and switch between home theater components, so as you can see it's a very important piece of equipment. So what features should you look for when you want to buy a stereo receiver? Here are a few:

* If you plan on using your receiver in a home stereo setup, check to be sure that it has all of the correct connections for the components that you have. There are still several stereo receivers that only have audio connections, but if you wish to include video as well, the receiver should have enough connections for your DVD player and any other video sources that you want to send to your TV including either cable or satellite. Regular composite connections will work for video, but if you want better, sharper color and detail opt for an S-video connection instead as this cable separates the black-and-white portion of the video from the color portion and produces a better overall picture.

* Make sure that you have enough connections for your audio needs as well. If you are getting into digital surround sound you will need at least 6 speakers with their appropriate connections on your receiver. If it's a digital receiver it should support both Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround sound at least, which employs separate channels for 5 speakers and a subwoofer. If you choose to use the more recent 6.1 or 7.1 format, you will have to have the extra necessary speakers and connections for that.

Gift Ideas

2007-02-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

Popular options that are over $50 include a variety of products that provide stereo speaker systems which an iPod can connect to allowing listening at home without the earphones. Several of these products offer excellent sound quality and are said to be reasonable replacements for home stereo systems. At the lower end of the spectrum is the iLuv which comes in around $89, the iHome clock radio which is priced around $99, the Banshee iPod surround sound speaker system and the Altec Lansing inMotion which are just over $100. Moving up in price there is also the iPod Hi-Fi which offers a compact multi-speaker set up that is quite portable and is priced around $349. The iPod HomeDock Entertainment Center is also available and allows the user to connect their iPod to a home stereo or TV to listen to music or watch video/slide shows on these devices.

Entertainment Forever

2007-01-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

Difference between old and new version of the multimedia.

2007-01-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

Responding to the storm of demand for multimedia entertainment generated by MP3 players and iPODs, today announced the DMA-1000, a network device that delivers digital music and video to the home stereo system and TV with ease. DMA-1000 is power-packed with support for 1080i high definition (HD) streaming, HDMI connection to HDTV and USB 2.0 support. The DMA-1000 is packaged in a smaller form factor than other digital media adapters on the market and is designed as the hub of digital home entertainment - connecting the digital world with home entertainment.

With major players such as Microsoft and Intel predicted to launch multimedia technologies early next year, 2007 has been declared the official start of the Digital Home. The DMA-1000 plays digital video or audio files stored on personal computers on the home stereo or TV via Ethernet 10/100 connection and 802.11g - both wired and wireless connections. In addition, a USB thumb drive, or any USB-based storage device, can plug into the adapter to play music, video, and HD video directly to the TV or stereo.

In the past, consumers used a computer to view their images or photos. With the DMA-1000, consumers can enjoy HD video and images on their TV and can listen to music from their MP3 player in surround sound on their home stereo system.

2006-12-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

When you hear the words iPod Dock, you think, blah, not another one of these things, there’s been at least 100 released now and they all seem exactly the same. Well the iSymphony is indeed an iPod Dock, but it does do some other cool stuff that separates it from the pack, like the built in CD player, and the card reader that plays music off of your SD cards.

This dock isn’t exactly compact, the speakers alone take up more room than your average iPod dock, but for a home stereo replacement, this is fine. Any docking iPod will fit into the docking station, and it will be charged when plugged in, and iPod Shuffles, along with those non-iPod MP3 players, can use the USB port to play their tunes, yep not some boring aux jack. CD wise, the player can handle MP3, CD-(RW), and even WMA. While the card reader isn’t universal, it handles a variety of cards: SD, MMC, microSD, and miniSD. Every morning you can have the alarm clock wake you to your iPod, CD, or an AM/FM radio station. A 21 key remote control is included, but that sounds like it’s a bit complicated for simply controlling your music and checking the time.

For about $150, you can replace your old fashioned, aging alarm clock with a feature packed iPod stereo system that also handles charging, CDs, and even comes with a remote. Not that bad of a deal. Of course, you could just get an iPod HiFi for $350 and get 1/8 the features.

Electronics For Your Vehicle At SEMA Show

2006-11-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

During this year's Special Equipment Market Association (or SEMA) show which was held in Las Vegas, the Visteon Corporation has once again showcased its most attention grabbing and very useful gadgets and inventions. Included in their display are some of their most recent mobile creations that make use of electronics.

One of the most promising innovations that Visteon has showcased is the HD Radio receiver which is the very first transportable and mobile of its kind. Another one in the list from Visteon is the portable entertainment system which you can use inside your vehicle. This one can be used to play your favorite movies while on a travel. You can also play music and even use this one to plug in your Nintendo Game Boy Advance video games.

As the very first HD Radio technology that you can use for your vehicle and also for your home, this one is quite simple to use. It is just a transportable receiver and you can simply dock it into a cradle you would have to put in your vehicle. To use this one at home, all you need to do is connect this one to your home stereo and enjoy the music. You can use this for the usual types of radio use or you can also use this for multicasting. You would think that you were using a CD while playing the FM stations on this radio.

As per the dockable and also portable entertainment system which you can use with the Game Boy Advance, experts say that this one shows off performance and even versatility. This is also Visteon's first and the fact that you can also use this at home and even in your vehicle makes this one quite a good buy.

You sure can also find the best types of other innovations and mobile inventions that would grace your vehicle and would best match your chosen Eagle performance parts or your son's Ford auto parts. You can find this year's SEMA Show at the main floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada. As per the Visteon exhibit and booth, it is that No. 11250 which you can find at the section on mobile electronics and technology.

About the Author
Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine.

Best buy!!

2006-11-16T22:23:00.000-08:00

Universal Electronics Conductor Sirius Satellite Radio Kit
For the Stones or Stern Fan: Universal Electronics’ Conductor remote control system is a complete kit for adding Sirius Satellite Radio and its 130 channels of programming to any home stereo. The kit bundles a Sirius tuner, antenna, RF adapter and Universal Electronics remote control with LCD readout. Built-in ZWave technology enables you to view artist and track information on the remote’s display and flip between channels from any room. MSRP: $149, plus $12.95 monthly subscription.

2006-11-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of home stereo, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of home stereo.

The iPod is the greatest, little invention of my time. It's the greatest way to play music and be organized. The versatility of the iPod is by far the best companion in this materialistic world. It can go with you anywhere. I play it in my car and connect it to my home stereo. The sound is crisp and pristine. It's the most perfect sound you'll ever hear. It's the best gift to buy for a friend or relative. It's the best gift to buy for yourself. You will have no regrets.

I am fortunate to have a job where I can strap on the iPod and listen to my favorite music during my shift at work and never having to attend to it. I particularly like the shuffle mode. It's like listening to non-stop FM radio without the DJs and commercials. I like the idea of not knowing what will play next in the shuffle mode. It's all a pleasant surprise.

The best time to learn about home stereo is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable home stereo experience while it's still free.

In many ways, the iPod, I'm sure, has taken away many sales from businesses selling home stereo systems, car stereos, CD changers and other audio equipment. Who needs them if you own a slim, thin, smart and dynamic instrument, like the iPod? It's all you'll ever need. Consumers deserve the best quality money can buy--and i Pods are affordable. Even auto makers are installing direct sources, in which iPods are able to connect as their optional equipment. No longer will the consumer fear the theft of their car stereo system. Now they can take it everywhere they go.

Music plays a major part in my life. Listening to music is my ultimate hobby. I can't imagine life without music. I play music daily. And I play lots of it. My shift at work is so much more enjoyable--thanks to the iPod. I can't afford another change in how I listen to my music. I hope the availability will always be there. I love you, iPod , happy birthday #5 and many, many more birthdays to come. I sincerely wish you continuing success. You have made my life so much better. Thanks again, iPod. Take care.

There's no doubt that the topic of home stereo can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about home stereo, you may find what you're looking for in the next article.

articles about home stereo

2006-11-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with home stereo.

Having announced the Gear4 Procontrol last month, we were given one of our very own, to turn our own lowly iPod into "a complete solution for the home". But don't get over-excited over the complete solution - you can't get your iPod to do your dishes, make your bed or even do a bit of light dusting. What it will do for you is synch it, charge it and link it with your home AV system.

Most of these things can be done straight out of the box - the AV components are included (SCART connector and RCA cable) making it easy to show photo slideshows on your TV as well as connect it to your home stereo. The IR remote also means you can control your iPod without having to leave your sofa. Phew.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

Not included in the box is a USB cable that would allow you to synch it with your computer. And be warned, the USB connector on the dock is USB B - the smaller, fatter one, so you might not have this kind of thing lying around.

That's the latest from the home stereo authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.

2006-10-29T23:36:00.000-08:00

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of home stereo, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of home stereo.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

The cost of a satellite radio installation is broken down into two different groups, the startup (installation costs) and the monthly subscription to either XM satellite radio or Sirius satellite radio. Receivers and mounting hardware, the cost of activation are all start up costs. Recievers are available for your car, your home, your computer and now portable receivers are available. Portable units are now being offered and can give you the ease of using your satellite radio anywhere you want! Each room in your house would require a home kit, which includes antennas, output cables, and power supplies. Home kits offer flexibility and ease of use as they can be plugged into your home stereo, computer, and boom boxes.

Knowing enough about home stereo to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about home stereo, you should have nothing to worry about.

information about home stereo

2006-10-13T01:10:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about home stereo to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from home stereo experts.

XLNC's sound is gorgeous. The audio stream coming through my PC speakers is as good and possibly a bit better than the local classical music station that I can listen to on my home stereo system.

Classical music broadcasting has made something of a comeback in recent years, thanks in part to satellite radio (XM and Sirius), and thanks in part to the Internet. Classical music has always had a devoted following, but one that was relatively small. As a consequence, it was in danger of disappearing from radio altogether.

The more authentic information about home stereo you know, the more likely people are to consider you a home stereo expert. Read on for even more home stereo facts that you can share.

Nowadays, though, classical music fans can breathe easier. As long as they are connected to the Internet (or have a satellite radio subscription), they can find an abundant choice of classical music stations to enjoy. I found the XLNC link through a Web site that listed and described 100 Internet radio stations whose programming is wholly or in large part devoted to classical music.

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on home stereo.

Audio Master For CD Duplication

2006-10-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

tuned your home stereo on!

2006-10-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

When most people think of home stereo, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to home stereo than just the basics.

What am I talking about here? Consider that when you’ve got a Sonos ZonePlayer connected to your home stereo system, and you’re sitting in front of that system—rather than in front of your computer—it doesn’t really matter where music is stored: on your computer, on a network drive, or somewhere on the Internet. Nor does it necessarily matter whether or not you “own” that music or if you can transfer it to your iPod. What matters is that you have instant access to the content—you just want to be able to call up a track and play it, or stick it in a playlist, right then and there in your living room. In this context, not only does a subscription service work, but it’s downright attractive. For $10 a month—less than the cost of a single CD, or the same price as an album on the iTunes Store—you have instant access to somewhere in the neighborhood of a million tracks. Feel like hearing David Bowie? You can listen to him all afternoon. Have a playlist of 80s favorites you’ve set up? Press play and they’re

streamed to your stereo. It’s a bit like on-demand cable television—you pay a fee in order to have instant access to virtually any music at any time through your home entertainment system.

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Sure, the quality of subscription-service audio isn’t as good as music you’ve ripped yourself (although that’s true of iTunes-purchased music, as well). And if you’re a heavy portable-player user, subscription services still have significant flaws. But if you listen to most of your music while at home, being able to instantly play back nearly any song you can think of is a compelling feature. And in this particular case, the Sonos system, with its Controller’s large, clear display and iPod-like scroll-wheel interface, makes accessing that content easy and allows you to listen in every room where you’ve got a ZonePlayer. And at only $10 a month, the cost of the Rhapsody subscription is low enough that it’s easy to justify using both Rhapsody and a for-purchase service such as iTunes or eMusic.

Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

the technology for both Internet broadcasting

2006-10-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with home stereo? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you've ever wanted to know about home stereo.

Tonight, for instance, I was on the British Broadcasting Corporation's Web site. Not only does the BBC have a wealth of great audio programs available for free download, it also offers live streams of its various channels.

Web radio makes it possible for me to listen not only to BBC 4, but to news and entertainment from anywhere in the world. It allows me to enjoy continuous streams of the narrowest genres of music imaginable, a form of on-demand, personalized programming that does not depend for its existence on an appeal to the broad masses.

If your home stereo facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important home stereo information slip by you.

As the technology for both Internet broadcasting and playing streaming audio rapidly improves, I think we'll see more and more people going to their computers to take advantage of the rich offerings of Web radio. But also, market-driven engineers are going to figure out how to stream those offerings to people who are not tethered to a PC or laptop. That's when Web radio will really take off. Even now, you can buy a device that will broadcast Internet radio streams from your computer to your home stereo system two rooms away.

So now you know a little bit about home stereo. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.

Stereo systems are electronic devices

2006-09-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about home stereo? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about home stereo.

Stereo systems are electronic devices designed to reproduce high quality sound on speakers. Stereo systems can be as small as a personal CD player, or as large as a night club system. Nowadays, using a stereo system is the latest to amplify your taste in music quality, as well as jazz up the aura of your domicile. However, before deciding to buy a stereo, it is recommended that you give consideration to the specific things that you want.

Stereo systems offer an all-in-one music package composed of stereo speakers, CD player, equalizer, amplifier and a receiver. Picking out the type of system you desire depends solely on your preference and on the type of room where it will be stationed.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on home stereo now have at least a basic understanding. But there's more to come.

More often than not, stereo speakers can be classified into two types -- component speakers and full range speakers. Both encompass a number of pluses and minuses. Basically, full range speakers come in different sizes, made up of the tweeter, woofer and super tweeter. However, if you desire the best possible audio quality, then component speakers are the best choice.

You need to think over several factors to get the sound quality that you desire before purchasing stereo speakers. Apart from the type of speaker, other vital factors to consider are the speaker’s efficiency, frequency response and maximum power. These three things are interrelated with each other, and the absence of one may affect the entire sound frequency. The speaker’s frequency response must be superior and broader to achieve improved sound control and simulation. The efficiency of the speaker should also be taken into account. Keep in mind that the greater its efficiency, the better the result. Last but not least, maximum power must also be assessed for a long-lasting quality audio sound.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of home stereo. Share your new understanding about home stereo with others. They'll thank you for it.

quality of home stereo

2006-09-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about home stereo in the following paragraphs. If there's at least one fact you didn't know before, imagine the difference it might make.

Today, I can fire up my media player software, choose a radio station, and sit back at my computer (or work on other things) while beautiful, CD-quality music pours from my speakers or into my headphones.

The diversity of music genres is also gratifying. My own tastes are quite eclectic, but thanks to Internet radio, whenever I tire of reggae I can jump straight over to a Motown stream, or perhaps to an all-British Invasion station. Electronica, hip hop, bluegrass, r&b, Latin. honky tonk, easy listening, metal, doo wop, disco, folk, Americana, New Wave -- the musical spectrum can now be sliced as thin as anyone might desire.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

At one time, you could be certain of hearing classical music on almost any public radio station you tuned to. But over time, even these stations began shifting away from classical to more popular music forms such as folk, bluegrass, Celtic, blues, etc. Or, they became more talk-oriented.

Nowadays, though, classical music fans can breathe easier. As long as they are connected to the Internet (or have a satellite radio subscription), they can find an abundant choice of classical music stations to enjoy. I found the XLNC link through a Web site that listed and described 100 Internet radio stations whose programming is wholly or in large part devoted to classical music.

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on home stereo.

All about home stereo

2006-09-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

XM Satellite Radio, the most popular satellite radio station in North America, offers two different options for those in the market for a digital radio alarm clock. The first is to purchase a plug and play receiver for your digital radio alarm clock. A receiver such as the Audiovox Xpress offers the user with the versatility to plug it into the car for road trips or a home boom box like device to act as an alarm clock. All you have to do is set the alarm time, the channel and go to sleep. If your daily commute does not involve a car, perhaps a portable XM receiver like the Delphi MyFi is the best option. This portable receiver can be carried around during the day like an iPod or Walkman and then placed into a home stereo device at night. Once it has been placed into its cradle, the MyFi can act as a digital radio alarm clock, awakening you whenever you want.

You can see that there's practical value in learning more about home stereo. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?

If you're a music lover, you probably already have a home stereo. Use it to listen to your MP3 music files! However, take note that Like car stereos, conventional home stereos will not be able to play back native MP3 songs. You will need a newer home stereo set with MP3 playback capability. New models from Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony usually have MP3 support. With the optional home kits available for any of the Sirius Satellite Radio receivers, nearly any receiver can be used as a digital radio alarm clock. The beauty of the Sirius designed satellite receivers lies in the similarity of the technical specifications which allows nearly every add-on to be compatible with nearly every receiver. All you need to do is purchase a receiver and a home system, plug one into the other and set the time for your alarm. It’s that simple. With products like the Sportster, you are able to use your receiver in your car or as a portable device if you take the train, bus or subway to work.

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on home stereo.

wondered what exactly is up with home stereo?

2006-09-20T02:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with home stereo? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you've ever wanted to know about home stereo.

Here’s your problem. You have a ton of music on your computer. Your computer speakers sound ok but music from your Itunes software would sound a lot better playing through your nice home stereo in the other room. If you run a cord all that way from your computer to your home stereo your house won’t be featured in Architectural Digest because it won’t look aesthetic. Solution? Connect an AirPort Express Base Station to your home stereo and play your Itunes music wirelessly. Sound difficult? It really isn’t. I connected one for a customer of mine some time ago.

There has been a revolution taking place in the home entertainment and electronics field in the past decade that will change how we view and listen to entertainment forever. Not long ago, you watched TV and listened to stereo music separately. But increasingly audio and video sources have become combined and now we have a multitude of audio/video devices that we can choose to enjoy including dvd players, camcorders, video games, HDTV, and more. And with this audio/video consolidation the home stereo receiver has had to keep up with the times. For most modern uses though, you will need a receiver that can handle both digital audio and video inputs and then routes the signals to the correct component like your TV and speaker setup. On the video side look for receivers that have enough video inputs to support all the video devices that you plan to use, and also be sure that the connection types match up between the video devices you have and the receiver inputs. On the audio side, if you plan on using the

The best time to learn about home stereo is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable home stereo experience while it's still free.

digital surround sound capability that much of today's entertainment is going to, your receiver should be able to decode both Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround sound and then support at least 5 speakers and a subwoofer to distribute each channel's sound to the appropriate speaker.

Since Apple’s website does not tell you, I had to call to find out that the airport does not come with the cables you need to hook it up to your home stereo. To connect the Airport to your stereo, you’ll need either a mini stereo to RCA cable or if you’re stereo has the input, a toslink to mini digtal fiber optic cable.

There's a lot to understand about home stereo. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

home stereo competitors

2006-09-19T01:18:00.000-07:00

The following article presents the very latest information on home stereo. If you have a particular interest in home stereo, then this informative article is required reading.

The cost of a satellite radio installation is broken down into two different groups, the startup (installation costs) and the monthly subscription to either XM satellite radio or Sirius satellite radio. Receivers and mounting hardware, the cost of activation are all start up costs. Recievers are available for your car, your home, your computer and now portable receivers are available. So how much does satellite radio installation really cost?

Satellite Radio installation costs are broken down as follows:

Activation costs are the amount that both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio charge to start service. Activation costs vary, where $5.00 with Sirius and $9.99 with XM will get you ready to go. Telephone activation is $15.00 with Sirius and $14.99 with XM. Monthly subscription costs then play into the cost, but these depend on some factors. Recent media campaigns are dramatically dropping the cost of installation and activation, both XM and Sirius are offering free activation in some instances. Further Detail at: www.TopSatelliteRadio.com

Think about what you've read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about home stereo? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

A typical cost of a car satellite radio installation can vary depending on whether you use a Satellite radio which is dedicated only to satellite radio reception or if it also can play CDs.

Exclusive talk shows, news, sports, cultural and educational programs. From Howard Stern to Martha Stewart, there's something for everyone. The data transmitted includes the name and artist of songs and programs, as well as the channel. With this feature you can easily choose what you want to listen to.

Although some may question why they should pay for radio when they can listen to free FM and AM stations, more and more people are choosing satellite radio subscriptions. With so many choices of music and programs to listen to and the virtual commercial free environment, they consider it well worth the price.

It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on home stereo. Compare what you've learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of home stereo.

Know more about home stereo.

2006-09-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

We all know what a CD is, we use it to play music in our cars and home stereos. By definition it is an optical disc used to store digital data, usually 80 or 120mm in diameter. It was introduced in 1982 and is now the standard playback format for commercial audio recordings. An audio CD consists of one or more stereo tracks of audio, stored using the 16 bit PCM (Pulse code modulation), with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. Originally the first audio CD was going to hold 1 hour of audio, with a disc diameter of 11 ½ cm. The final length of the CD was bumped up to 74 minutes. Some say that this was because Sony’s vice-president suggested it, so that it would be able to fit the full recording of Beethoven’s 9th symphony. But this is most likely untrue, although it sounds pretty cool! In 1988 the CD-R (also known as the CD-WO (CD Write Once)) was introduced. It retained all the functionality of the CD, plus it added the feature of being able to store both music and data. Let’s take a deeper look into the world of the
CD-R disc. The Epic T60 treadmill offers a 3HP commercial grade continuous duty motor, walking deck up to 20” x 60”, PWM controller, 2-ply commercial belt, adjustable cushion deck, 2 cm MDF with 2-sided phenolic coating, 6.3 cms rollers (front & rear), incline up to 12%, six LED window displays, digital controls, feedback displays to speed, time, distance, incline, calories, pulse, 10 preset programs, 2 pulse programs, 2 use defined programs and 350 lbs user weight capacity.

A couple of concern for the Epic T60 treadmill could be the keypad which seems to give some Icon models trouble. The deck coating in this Epic treadmill model is considered to be thin. Epic T60 treadmill uses the cheaper rollers. Users while buying an Epic T60 treadmill should get an extended warranty from Universal technical Services (UTS).

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Epic T60 treadmill is a commercial grade treadmill offering range of features so as to achieve the performance and workout needs of users. Users can achieve their body results and fitness by exercising on the Epic T60 treadmill.

Now that you have a better understanding of how CD-Rs work and how they differ from regular CD media, you should have no trouble burning your own CDs. This article is definitely not a full explanation or analysis of CD-R media, but it contains some very important information that all computer users should know. I really hope this makes your next burn project a lot easier and more fun!

Knowing enough about home stereo to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about home stereo, you should have nothing to worry about.

Mustek launches Paragon tabletop and tower iPod home stereo systems

2006-09-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about home stereo. When you start sharing the fascinating home stereo facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Pros: The most inexpensive Bluetooth stereo audio kit yet released for the iPod, combining a wireless transmitter with a stereo audio receiver that connects to your home A/V system via included RCA cables or a self-supplied fiber optic cable. Allows you to use iPod as a wireless remote control/jukebox for home stereo. Delivers nicely balanced audio without compromising on bass, very powerful broadcasting range. Great value.

Cons: Audio signal includes slight distortion, which when combined with old Bluetooth 1.2 audio standard doesn’t output quite the clean level of audio one would hope for from a device with optical audio output; picky listeners won’t be thrilled, except for the price. No iPod volume adjustment.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about home stereo. But don't be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

Yes, the glut of new iPod-friendly products continues (and we've not finished yet) with Mustek's new Paragon range of iPod home stereo systems, avilable as either a compact tabletop model (DT260) or in a large tower design (TW450), both available in black and white.

As you'd expect, both incorporate the iPod universal docking cradle for plugging in Video iPod, iPod nano, iPod photo, iPod mini or earlier FireWire iPods. The systems recharge your iPod while it plays your tunes through the three-way shielded speaker system and built-in subwoofer. A wireless infrared remote lets you navigate your iPod music library, as well as to advance and rewind tracks, mute the sound, or control volume and power.

When word gets around about your command of home stereo facts, others who need to know about home stereo will start to actively seek you out.

home stereo: Preparing Your Audio Master For CD Duplication Or Replication

2006-09-13T02:32:00.000-07:00

When setting up your CD duplication or replication project, you obviously know that you must provide the duplication house with a master copy of your CD audio to duplicate from. This should be a carefully burned copy of your final, edited and mastered audio recording. Since this master copy is going to be used as a blueprint for all your CDs, it is the most important piece of the pie. While most people think that you can take your final recording, burn a copy from your computer, and have it be done; this is not always the case. There are a few different things to take into account when preparing your master for duplication or replication. These are the things we will be discussing today in this article.

1. CD-R Media

For CD masters, you will need to use high-density, Red Book approved CD-R media. A few of the most widely accepted brands are, HHB, Mitsui, Maxell, Taiyo Yuden, and Apogee. You will want to ask your duplication house which brands they recommend, as the preferred brand of CD-R tend to vary from house to house.

2. Burn mode

Most all duplication facilities will ask that you burn your CD master in Disk-At-Once mode. This is because in the Disc-At-Once mode, there are no gaps placed in the audio data. When you burn your discs in the Track-At-Once mode, a gap of 2 seconds is added in between each song. These gaps will be read by the duplication house’s machines as errors or glitches in the audio, and may cause problems during the duplication process.

3. Burn speed

The optimal burn speed for your master depends on your CD burner’s drive speed. The optimal burn speed setting for your master discs will be 15 to 30 percent of your drive’s maximum capacity. I.E., if your drive’s max capacity is 52X, you’ll want to set the burn speed for your master to be 12-16X.

4. Labeling

Most duplication houses recommend that you do not use a Sharpie to label your discs. This is because the xylene or toluene in Sharpies may damage the data you have recorded onto the discs. If you need to label your discs, it is recommended that you use either a water-based permanent felt tip marker, or label it with a sticker type label made for CD-R labeling. This will ensure that your data is not damaged and will be just as it was when you burned it to the disc.

5. Testing

Make sure that after you’re done burning your CD-R, that you test it out on your home stereo. I usually test mine on a boom box, my home stereo, and my car stereo; just to be sure.

These 5 things are generally the most important factors when it comes to burning a master in preparation for CD duplication and replication. But please do not treat this article as the final authority on audio CD master preparation. You will want to contact the company who is doing your duplication and ask them about their CD master standards, as they vary from house to house. I hope this article shed a little light on the dark and mysterious subject known as preparing your audio master for disc duplication.

Jason Cole and DiskFaktory offer great tips and information regarding CD Duplication. Get info about DVD Duplication as well by visiting http://www.diskfaktory.com/tips/CD-duplication-tutorials.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Cole

home stereo: Amazon Unbox attempts to take PC into living room

2006-09-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

By Stan Beer
Monday, 11 September 2006

It’s what Microsoft has been aiming for since it released Windows Media Center. However, the release of Amazon Unbox, is a true test of whether consumers are ready to make the PC part of the living room entertainment set up.

Some consumers will want to watch movies on their notebooks. Fewer will want to watch full-length movies and TV shows on portable players with 4-inch screens. Even fewer will want to watch movies or TV shows on their PCs in their home office sitting at a desk.

Since Amazon Unbox does not enable users to burn movies to DVD, the only viable option that will give home consumers the sort viewing experience comparable to what they already get from renting or buying DVDs is if they hook their computers to the TV.

Amazon makes the point that you can watch the downloaded video on a TV if you can connect your PC to it using a “standard” s-video connection. You also need to use the audio system of the PC or connect it via the audio out to a home stereo system for sound.

According to Amazon, an average 2 hour movie is about 2.4GB. So a 1.5M DSL connection will take about 1 hour to download. However, the Amazon Unbox system has a progressive download feature that allows you to watch your video while you download. So theoretically, you can be up and watching you movie within a few minutes while it’s still downloading.

As far as price is concerned, taking the movie Office Space as an example, since it’s one of the biggies being advertised right now, the price for a download at US$13.45 is exactly the same as the price that Amazon sells the DVD. It can also be rented for 24 hours for US$2.99.

In order to accomplish all of this, you need to first download the Amazon Unbox Video Player software, which is copy protected using Microsoft’s PlayForSure digital rights management (DRM) system. Don’t even think of trying to play a downloaded video from Guba, CinemaNow or Guba using the Amazon Unbox player because it won’t work.

As for Apple Mac, well Amazon reckons you may be able to use its system with a Mac running Windows but doesn’t guarantee the results. No doubt if Mac releases its own video downloads this week, Mac users won’t care.

The bottom line of all this is that the emerging video downloads space is bringing the video DRM issue to a big white pimply head. Forgetting the Apple space for the moment, there are now a number of video download sites, all of which are protected by PlayForSure, most of which can be played on portable devices and notebook computers. Amazon has gone the extra step of trying to lock users into its own system by not allowing downloads from other sites to be played on the Amazon Unbox player.

It is fair to say that video downloads have not exactly become an overnight sensation and probably the main reason is that the PlayForSure DRM precludes users from burning their downloaded videos to DVD. For rentals, it is understandable. For downloads costing the same price as a DVD, it is sheer madness, given the ubiquity of DVD players.

Looking at the music downloads space, both the Microsoft and Apple DRM systems enable users to burn tracks to CD. It makes sense given that most consumers have CD players in their homes, on their computers and in their cars. Likewise, most consumers now have several DVD players in their homes and on their computers. To expect them to buy into a video downloads system that leaves their DVD player out of the loop simply does not make sense for consumers.

It will be interesting to see what Apple comes out with this week at its media briefing. The chances are it will also preclude DVD burning. Is it a coincidence that the new iMac includes a model with a 24 inch monitor?

home stereo: Review: M602 iPod speaker system offers solid sound in compact design

2006-09-08T00:29:00.000-07:00

Altec Lansing’s M602, an US$199.95 iPod speaker system for the home, is a portable, good-sounding unit. It won’t replace a home stereo, but then I’ve never listened to a portable speaker system that could (including Apple’s own iPod Hi-Fi; sorry, Steve).

Actually, though it’s touted for the iPod, it has a universal MP3 cradle that creates a stage-like docking system for a variety of MP3 players—though I own none except iPods. For those who own 5G (video enabled) iPods, the M602 comes complete with a composite video output that conveniently lets you watch iPod videos on TV.

One of the niftiest things about the M602 is its portability. Less than the size of a MacBook—more specifically, it’s 14 inches wide, 5.4 inches deep 8.2 inches high and weighs five pounds—it can be carried from room-to-room. My latest “honey-do” chore from my lovely wife Laura is working with my son and father-in-law to build a sun room on our house. A lot of the work is tedious, but playing my iTunes on the M602 has helped make the tedium more bearable. You can also mount the speaker system on a wall with a kit available for free on Altec Lansing’s web site (well, free except for the $3 for shipping and handling).

A top-located control panel offers fingertip adjustment of the M602 operations, including treble and bass. LED indicator lights, located behind the grille, provide instant visual of master volume, treble and bass levels. The lights fade after adjustments are made. The M602 has a wireless remote that you can untuck from its caddy and use from a distance (which I did repeatedly during my sun room work). The remote handles most of the iPod functions, including play/pause and back/forward.

Setting the base/treble settings was a little tricky. In order to adjust the bass and/or treble levels, you have to hold down the corresponding button, then press the plus/minus volume button to raise and lower levels. This isn’t exactly intuitive.

The M602 is a good-looking system. Its silver-and-white motif matches well with all iPods, especially the white models.

The speaker system boasts two 3-inch full-range drivers and two 1-inch silk dome tweeters and built-in XdB bass enhancement technology. The latter offers more bass oomph than I expected, and good treble and midrange sound, though, like most speaker systems of this sort, the M602 has little in the way of stereo separation. And if you crank it up all the way, there’s some distortion. The M602 is AC powered with 60 watts total RMS. It would be great if battery power were an option considering how compact and portable it is.

The Altec Lansing unit doesn’t quite dislodge the JBL On Time as my favorite iPod speaker system—see our April 27 review—but it’s $100 less expensive, sounds almost as good and is certainly worth the price tag.

Macsimum rating: 7.5 out of 10

home stereo: SanDisk offers dock for MP3 players

2006-09-06T02:33:00.000-07:00

posted 9:31am EST Tue Sep 05 2006 - submitted by Brian Osborne
BLURB

SanDisk is showing it's not just a flash memory company, having launched a base accessory for its SanDisk MP3 players. The Sansa Base Station can be connected to a home stereo or powered external speakers. The base is compatible with the company's e200 line of MP3 players as well as the more recent c200 series.

It is an easy way to connect your MP3 player to a stereo system and the docking station hooks up to your PC to allow for quick transferring of music. Making things even nicer is the included remote control that also rests in the docking station, making it easy to change music without having to use the controls on the MP3 player. The Sansa Base Station will retail for US$69.99 and will be available by October in the U.S. and Europe.

MP3 players are great, but what makes an MP3 player nice is accessories. Being able to quickly access your music while at home through a docking station with a nice remote control makes the SanDisk MP3 players a nice option. I'm sure that's partly behind SanDisk's intention to market its MP3 players more by offering more accessories.

home stereo: iTunes Movies... and New Media Device?

2006-09-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Monday September 04, 2006 07:49 PM EST
Posted by arn

Appleinsider reports that Apple is ready to introduce the iTunes Movie Store at the upcoming September 12th Media Event.

They expect that Jobs will announce that movies from at least one major studio will be available at $9.99/download with additional studios following. Appleinsider, however, also claims that Apple has been working on their next killer device. Instead of a video iPod device to drive movie sales, they believe a video streaming device is in the works:

Jobs many months ago commissioned an elite group of Apple engineers to get the ball rolling on an intuitive hardware solution that would more closely tie the company's digital media strategy to the living-room.
....

Insiders can only presume the device will take up the form of a video-enabled version of Apple's existing AirPort Express wireless base station, which lets users stream their iTunes music tracks from their computers to their home stereo receivers. It also acts as a wireless 802.11 router and printing hub.

Details are scarce, and the rumor site also reports that the release could still be delayed.

home stereo: Motorola iRadio(R) and Taldia Bring Hometown News to Your Mobile Phone

2006-08-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Monday August 14, 12:08 pm ET
Local, National, and International Audio News From Taldia Inc., Featuring Hometown Newspapers Now Available on Motorola iRadio Service

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Motorola iRadio® listeners can now customize their news radio experience by choosing from a wide selection of local, national and international news reports. Available whenever and wherever listeners want to tune in, current news, business and lifestyle stories from local sources will be read by Taldia, Inc.'s voice over professionals and made available on the iRadio network.

The new channels will be powered by Taldia and Taldia's content partners, including local US newspapers and the Associated Press. The audio content will span business, sports, entertainment, top news, technology, health, U.S. and International events, politics, science and key stories of the day. Localized content will include news from large regional newspapers such as the Orange County Register, as well as from small community papers like The Eagle (Texas). The announcement adds to Motorola iRadio's growing collection of local and regional, providing subscribers with a diverse array of coverage and opinions.

"Over the years, terrestrial radio has lost much of its local connection and character as the radio industry has consolidated," said Dave Ulmer, senior director of marketing, Motorola Digital Media Services. "Motorola iRadio is bringing back local content and making it accessible whenever and wherever you want it, directly from the one device you are never without -- your mobile phone."

"We are excited to bring our client Newspapers and AP content to Motorola iRadio listeners who want their news up-to-date and on-the-go," said Rys Fairbrother, Taldia founder and president. "This agreement will provide added value for our clients with additional distribution and to iRadio subscribers, who treasure their news as much as their music, and will help iRadio extend the reach of print news into the growing realm of personalized digital audio content."

"Motorola iRadio is continually looking for new and innovative forms of 'long-tail' content to add to our service," said Jeff Stinson, Senior Director, Business Development, Motorola iRadio. "The services provided by companies like Taldia can help content that is not traditionally radio-friendly get heard on the iRadio network."

Motorola iRadio is the first digital music service to offer a truly seamless listening experience with audio that easily transitions from one location to the next-through the car stereo, home stereo and mobile phone. The service includes a growing library of over 600 channels of music and talk, best-selling audio book content, educational and language courses, self-help programs, local news and weather, classic radio shows, all alongside your personal digital music collection. Motorola iRadio is currently in consumer and partner trials in several major US cities.

About Taldia

Taldia, Inc. of Altadena, CA, realized early on that new mobile technology could support the potential of daily news content being converted from text to audio so people can listen to the news up-to-date and on-the-go. Through a content deals with print publishers and creating technology to manage the process, the daily news is available in categories such as Sports, Entertainment, Politics, Business and many more. News stories are recorded by Taldia's stable of professional voiceover talent with experience in radio, book narration and on-air announcing for such outlets as CNN.

Taldia's proprietary content management software and distribution platform enables other media companies to monetize their existing assets in this new space. Current content and technology partners include the Associated Press, Motorola iRadio, Media Bay and iLoop Mobile.

Taldia continues to actively pursue additional content agreements, as well as partnerships with media outlets that are looking to offer subscribers alternative means to access their content.

About Motorola

Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News) is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.8 billion in 2005.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. iRadio is a trademark of Motorola, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

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Source: Motorola, Inc.

home stereo: Logitech offers new streaming music system

2006-08-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

By Keith Shaw on Wed, 08/09/2006

If you've been aching for a digital music system that streams music from your PC's music collection to a stereo system or powered multimedia speakers but can't afford those giant home audio systems, Logitech is offering an alternative.

The company this week launched its Wireless DJ Music System ($249.99, available in late September), which connects a PC to a stereo system or speaker system through its Music Anywhere wireless technology. The system can play any PC audio file, including MP3, iTunes (AAC), Windows Media Audio, Internet radio and podcast files (listen to Twisted Pair on your home stereo!), Logitech says. An included remote control includes a display and scroll wheel that lets users change songs from anywhere within the house, and includes a "DJ List" option, which lets users add songs or albums to the queue without having to stop the music.

The system includes a transmitter that plugs in via USB on the computer, and a Music Receiver/Dock, which connects to a stereo system via RCA connections, or a powered speaker system through a 3.5mm headphone jack. The system can stream music at a range up to 150 feet (50 meters), and the remote control automatically connects to the PC and offers the same range, Logitech says. The system also includes Logitech's StreamPoint PC software, which compiles audio files, playlists and Internet radio stations from iTunes, Windows Media Player and Musicmatch Jukebox to create a unified music library, the company adds.

Additional Add-On Receivers will cost $79.99, which allows for additional systems to connect to the unit. Up to four additional receivers can be added to the system, creating a multi-room audio system.

home stereo: Logitech Wireless DJ Music System to ship in September

2006-08-08T23:16:00.000-07:00

Posted by: John P. Falcone

Logitech today announced the Wireless DJ Music System, a streaming audio device with a unique three-part design. The $250 system is anchored by a wireless remote control with a built-in LCD readout that allows you to access and navigate digital music files on your PC or the Internet and hear them on your home stereo.

Unlike competing audio devices that stream PC audio over a home network, the Logitech Wireless DJ broadcasts music from a small wireless transmitter that plugs into your PC's USB port. The audio is sent to a small receiver that can be placed more than 300 feet away (according to Logitech) and plugged into any stereo system with a free auxiliary input. The receiver doubles as a charger for the Wireless DJ's third and most important component, the wireless remote control. In addition to the familiar transport buttons (Play/Pause and Track Up/Down), the remote includes an LCD readout and an iPod-like scrollwheel, which gives you full access to your music files, playlists, and Internet radio stations.

The Wireless DJ Music System is essentially a step-up product from Logitech's previous streaming solution, the Wireless Music System for PC. But while the addition of the informative visual interface on the Wireless DJ's remote makes it a big step forward, it also retains two of the big advantages of last year's version: no network setup hassles and no DRM (digital rights management) restrictions. Installing Logitech's new StreamPoint software enables the Wireless DJ System to control a variety of leading audio software, including iTunes, Windows Media Player, Rhapsody, Yahoo Music Unlimited, and Musicmatch. Paid subscription content streams just as easily as any home-ripped music.

Logitech provided CNET with a brief hands-on preview of the Wireless DJ Music System a few weeks ago. Despite the fact that the hardware and software weren't yet finalized, the system performed smoothly, letting us easily choose songs, artists, albums, and playlists on a remote PC and hear them on the stereo attached to the DJ's receiver. If we had one complaint, it was that the remote's scrollwheel wasn't quite up to the tactile response we're used to on an iPod.

The Logitech Wireless DJ Music System is scheduled to ship in September, and we'll have a thorough hands-on review as soon as we receive our final review sample. But we're hoping the system will prove to live up to the positive first impression we experienced. If so, the Wireless DJ Music System may be the closest thing to a "poor man's Sonos" that we've seen yet.

home stereo: Griffin Ships RocketFM USB FM Transmitter for Desktop Computers

2006-08-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

Griffin Technology has announced that they are shipping the RocketFM, a unique wireless solution for broadcasting Mac or PC audio applications to any FM radio.

RocketFM uses any available FM frequency to transmit music or audio through your home or office stereo system. Applications such as iTunes, GarageBand, video soundtracks and even streaming audio can be conveniently broadcast with RocketFM.

"Not only is RocketFM practical for playing your computer's audio over your home stereo, its stylish design makes it a great-looking desktop accessory," said Don Stratton, product manager for the RacketFM.

RocketFM includes software for Mac and PC that presents a familiar and easy-to-use interface for tuning to any desired station. Remove the RocketFM from its desktop stand and it's perfect for traveling, use your laptop in your car to broadcast your tunes to the car stereo, in a hotel room or DJ the next party.

Pricing & Availability

Price for the Griffin RocketFM is $39.99 USD. It is available at http://www.griffintechnology.com.

Get Griffin at Amazon.com!

home stereo: "Studio on Wheels": Infiniti Fights Competition With Super Sonic 2007 G35

2006-08-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Date posted: 08-05-2006

NEW YORK — The 2007 Infiniti G35 will debut this fall with an optional Bose stereo audio system designed by the two companies with the goal of outperforming every other factory-installed car audio system, found in any car at any price.

Named "Studio on Wheels," this new car audio system was modeled after a superlative two-channel home stereo system that cost more than $33,000 to assemble — as much as the entire car — using components such as "electrostatic tower" speakers priced at $10,000 a pair and a $4,000 CD player, said Thomas Crahan, regional product manager for the Infiniti G35 at Infiniti North America in Gardena, California.

Like this home system, Crahan says, the Studio on Wheels system is capable of reproducing sounds in a wider frequency range than most audio systems, and it is designed to "stage" the sound entirely from the front.

Crahan demonstrated the system last month at a cocktail reception for journalists in New York, hosted by Infiniti and Bose. A jazz quintet played live, and then the journalists were invited into the car to hear a recording of the same music played by the same band through the Studio on Wheels system.

The system incorporates audio components and architecture never before used in a car: a CD player with a 24-bit digital audio converter (DAC) chipset from Burr-Brown, a high-end audiophile brand; Burr-Brown op-amplifiers in the head unit; and, in each front door, a set of 3 speakers that includes a 10-inch woofer for bass as well as a tweeter and a midrange speaker.

"It's a very different approach" to car audio, Crahan says.

To date, Infiniti has not planned to offer the new sound system as a stand-alone option; it is expected to be offered only in an optional "premium package" in the 2007 G35. The price of this package has not been announced yet, but an Infiniti spokesperson says it is expected to be similar to the price of the premium package offered with the current G35 — which ranges from $3,150 to $3,500.

By comparison, in some competitively priced vehicles from other automakers, premium stereo audio systems are available either as stand-alone options or embedded in packages. For example, in the 2006 Chrysler 300, a premium Boston Acoustics stereo audio system is available as a $635 option or is standard in the Heritage model of the vehicle. Volvo charges $995 for the premium stereo audio system with Dolby Pro Logic II in the 2007 S60 T5 or includes it in the $1,595 "Sport Package" for the S60 2.5T and 2.5T AWD — down from $1,200 for the stand-alone option in all 2006 S60 models. Meanwhile, in the 2007 Audi A4, a premium Bose stereo audio system costs $1,000 in an "audio package" with Sirius satellite radio, or the same audio system can be bundled with a navigation system for a package price of $2,100.

The 2007 Volvo S60 and 2007 Audi A4 models are at dealerships now.

The 2007 Infiniti G35 is expected to be at dealerships in November.

What this means to you: Stereos are major selling points as cars turn into homes away from home. And it appears Infiniti is thinking it can win some people over with a truly high-end offering.

home stereo: Altec Lansing aims for the high end of the iPod speaker market with the M602, offering custom drivers, bass enhancement, and "universal"

2006-08-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

It's not like the market is experiencing a dearth of speaker systems designed to convert Apple's iconic iPods into boomboxes and home stereo systems—heck, even Apple itself has gotten in on the act. Now, Altec Lansing (who itself is responsible for a good portion of the market's clutter) is aiming at the upper echelons of the home stereo market with its M602 high-end speaker system for iPods (and, coincidentally, for other portable music devices), promising crisp, clean sounds, deep bass, and an elegant look which will "add flare to any home or office décore."

The M602 is 14 inches wide, just under 5.5 inches deep, 8.2 inches high and weighs about five pounds, and was designed to deliver high-quality in-air audio using a 60 watt amp, custom-designed 3-inch drivers with 1-inch tweeters, and patented XdBTM bass enhancement technology pumps the low notes without a subwoofer. Altec Lansing says the unit will put out a plenty-loud 100db, and offers a system response of 60 Hz to 20Khz.

A universal iPod dock handles any third, fourth, and fifth generation iPod (that includes the mini and nano models, but omits the shuffle), charging the iPod while in use, and comes with a "universal" dock which enables uers to put non-Apple MP3 players "front and center" in the M602's staging area. The M602 is wall-mountable, but can also be lifted and easily moved from room to room, and the system features a wireless remote and built-in controls for managing iPod and speaker functions. There's even a composite video output for pushing video content on your iPod to a television (though you need to supply your own cabling).

The Altec Lansing M602 is available in the U.S. market now for a suggested price of $199.95.

home stereo: Exile: Dirty Science

2006-08-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

home stereo: Griffin Tune Center

Earlier this week I met some folks from Griffin and got a preview of their recently announced Tune Center iPod accessory. Further decentralizing your connectivity and entertainment content, the sleek little dock connects to your TV or TV and home stereo to provide a big screen, remote controlled experience for iPod based home music and video playback. The Tune Center can also connect to your home network (via ethernet or WiFi) to allow you to tune in to internet radio. Check out the screen shots below (click to zoom)—the interface is as straight-forward as it gets.

from Griffin.

home stereo: ICast wireless connects iPod to home stereo

2006-07-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

Soundcast Systems (http://www.soundcastsystems.com) on Monday introduced iCast, a US$299 wireless interface for the iPod that helps it to interface with a home stereo system. Soundcast Systems (http://www.soundcastsystems.com) on Monday introduced iCast, a US$299 wireless interface for the iPod that helps it to interface with a home stereo system.

The price of the iCast includes both a transmitter and receiver -- the receiver plugs into the home entertainment or stereo system, while the transmitter provides a dock connector for the iPod (multiple inserts are included to accommodate different iPod models). The transmitter and receiver connect without requiring any programming or setup.

The iCast transmitter charges the iPod's battery when it's placed in the dock, and tracking and menu controls continue to operate while the iPod is in the dock. The iCast receiver -- made in black to match most home stereo gear -- also duplicates several iPod functions, so it can operate as a remote control if the stereo is located in another room from the iPod.

The iCast uses the 2.4GHz frequency range to communicate between transmitter and receiver. It employs Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to search for open bands, to prevent the iCast from being disrupted by interference with microwave ovens, cordless phones and other devices that work in the same frequency range. Soundcast said the iCast base can work up to 150 feet through multiple rooms indoors.

Soundcast also plans to offer separate iCast receivers if you want to connect your iPod to different stereos in your home -- the receivers alone cost $129. Expect to see the iCast hit retail stores in April.

Jetzt testen!

home stereo: Friendtech iDea Wireless Home Dock and Wireless Hi-Fi Headset Hands On

2006-07-25T00:50:00.001-07:00

This iDea Wireless Home dock is pretty much an iPod dock that can support PSPs, any MP3 player and mobile phones (using the cellphone adapter).

The iPod portion of the dock works just like a standard iPod dock&mdash you plug in your iPod, plug the dock AC adapter into the wall and USB 2.0 cable into your computer and blammo, just like the official universal dock. The neat part comes when you use the RCA and S-Video cables to connect this to your TV.

By doing so, you can watch your iPod Video's movies on your regular TV screen—yes, this dock comes with both cables. You can listen to your tunes on your home stereo system, which is honestly going to sound much better than any standard dock's speakers. Navigation from the couch is fairly easy using the wireless remote. All the functions are there: scroll right, scroll left, menu, ok, play/pause, and volume adjustment. The only problem we had was actually seeing the iPod's screen from the couch. It would have been much better if they could replicate its UI on the TV instead of having to squint at the iPod to find the next video or song to play.

This dock also works with a PSP, but unfortunately we didn't have a PSP to test it with, so we can't tell you how well it works. The audio jack and power port fits directly into where the PSP's ports are so it can charge and play simultaneously.

You can also plug in a standard MP3 player (read: Non iPod) into the audio jack to pipe the music over your TV or Stereo. Just don't expect any video usage out of it like an iPod Video. Cellphones like the Sony Walkman series also work fine with this too. All three device types give pretty great sounding audio without any kind of distortion from passing through the dock.

The other fun item is the Wireless Hi-Fi headset. This thing was super easy to use. All you had to do was put in the included AA batteries, click the "RF Power" button on the wireless remote for the dock, turn on the headset and instant audio. The dock uses 2.4 GHz to broadcast audio for the internal wireless version (the one shown), and 900 MHz for the external wireless one. That means you'll have to cycle through the available channels to find one that doesn't get interference from your WiFi. The range was pretty good, and we could hear music all the way from the living room into the john.

All in all, the headset's sound quality was nice, if a little lacking in power. The construction feels a little plasticky, but solid enough so it could fit around my giant noggin.

So, if you're looking for something to hook up your iPod/Cellphone/MP3 player to your home stereo or TV, this is it. Lots of functionality with little to no problems with the execution. – Jason Chen

home stereo: Friendtech iDea Wireless Home Dock and Wireless Hi-Fi Headset Hands On

2006-07-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

home stereo: iPod’s tower of power!

2006-07-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

[2006-07-21]

Apple fans regularly put the iPod on a pedestal – but now there’s a speaker dock that does the same!

Literally towering above the competition, Intempo’s new iPod dock wants to replace your home stereo – and its swish styling might just swing it a place in our living room!

Dubbed the iFi-01 the dock’s got two 15 watt speakers, which rotate for proper stereo separation, plus a 30 watt subwoofer to give your tunes some grunt.

There’s a remote control too, which will shuffle forward and back through the iPod’s selected playlist, not just change the volume up and down.

It’d be nice to have seen a DAB radio too – after all, that’s what Intempo’s famous for, but it’s a solid speaker system all the same, made from sturdy aluminium to really challenge your home Hi-Fi.

home stereo: Shure ships E500PTH sound-isolating earphones

2006-07-18T01:02:00.000-07:00

Posted by Dennis Sellers Jul 17, 2006 at 2:43am

Shure has released the E500PTH Sound Isolating Earphones, which utilize three miniature speakers—one tweeter and two woofers—in an in-ear package.

The E500PTH ships with the PTH control, which lets listeners alternate between “complete immersion in their music” or audio activity and a connection with outside ambient sounds, according to the folks at Shure. The sound isolating earphones block 30-37dB of outside noise with a good seal, the company adds. The E500PTH comes with soft, flexible sleeves that contour to the inside of the ear.

With eight pair of sleeve options for a personalized fit, the E500 also offers two modular cables, a 1/4-inch to 1/8-inch adapter for home stereo listening, a volume attenuator for airplane use, and a zippered carrying case. Priced at US$499, the E500PTH carries a two-year limited warranty.

Shure’s PTH accessory will also be sold separately for $59 and is compatible with Shure’s E500 or any other standard earphone.

home stereo: Curbed Enthusiasm for Apple Nowhere to be Seen

2006-07-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

Thomas Catino
07/10/2006 11:00 AM EST

Last Saturday, the new Apple Store in Stamford, CT opened in the Stamford Town Center amid great fanfare. Hundreds of people lined up outside the store well before its 10 a.m. opening to get the first taste of the “Apple experience.” Security guards were in sight to make sure Apple enthusiasts kept their emotions in check and did not get out of control. Even before its openin, Apple employees held a pep rally inside the store before running outside the store to give high-fives to customer in line.

Though the store offered t-shirt giveaways to the first 1,000 visitors, as well as a Grand Opening Sweepstakes giveaway valued at $2,229 (includes an iMac, iPod nano, printer, camera and camcorder), most came out of curiosity to see the much-anticipated Apple store and test out its wide range of products. Apple literature puts it best when saying that “the hands-on Apple Store experience provides visitors with a chance to test-drive Apple's entire product line including the iPod Hi-Fi, an all-new high-fidelity speaker system that works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system, the fifth generation iPod with its gorgeous 2.5-inch color screen that can display album artwork, photos and video, as well as the iPod nano, the revolutionary full-featured iPod that holds 1,000 songs yet is thinner than a standard #2 pencil.”

Additionally, to entice consumers, the store has a weekly schedule of workshops and other events. However, judging by the crowd of people that flocked to the newest Apple store, the products alone are enough to appeal to consumers and build brand loyalty for Apple that has never been higher. Yet, with all the excitement and buzz created by the launch of new Apple retail stores, Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL) shares have been treading water.

According to a Bloomberg News report, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is preparing to roll out a competitor to the market-leading iPod that could reach shelves by the end of the year, building on its Windows Media Player. Even though it is destined to have a difficult time competing with Apple, since the iPod holds about 75% of the U.S. market for digital media players, analysts are concerned that innovation within the digital media player market could jeopardize Apple's top spot. However, within the next few months, Apple is expected to redesign the iPod and make some product enhancements and features, such as designing an iPod cellphone or creating a new video iPod. One last concern that plagues Apple is the recent drop in flash memory prices. Baird analyst Tristan Gerra said that prices of NAND flash memory could forecast that Apple's upcoming 6 Gigabyte and 8 Gigabyte nano iPods may be delayed.

Despite being hit with some bumps in the road, these minor roadblocks are not something to fret over. Apple shares have already been discounted from its 52-week high of $86.40 and at the current beaten down price of $55.55 and with a relatively low price to earnings ratio, are a great value considering the momentum and future mileage of the Apple iPod.

home stereo: HT820 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones & DC800

2006-07-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

Music lovers will discover the freedom of listening to music without the hassle of cables or wires. The Bluetooth stereo headset allows you to listen to music from your mobile phone and the DC800 gateway makes it possible to access many different music sources – home stereo, Playstation or iPod and to control music volume and tracking remotely. All of this without missing a call, whether at home or on the go! Top class battery offers up to 14 hours of music, 17 hours talk time and 500 hours standby, with a 3.5mm cable for airplane use. Price at time of press is from RRP €99.90.

Technorati Tags: IrishDev.com - News

home stereo: Are You Protecting Your Childs Hearing Properly?

2006-07-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

5.2 million 6-19 year old have hearing loss directly related to noise exposure. Don't let your child be part of this unfortunate group. PEACE & QUIET Offer your child peace and quiet, says the Noise Center. Noise poses a serious threat to children's hearing, health, learning and behavior. (And I can't think of an adult who functions well in a noisy environment either.) "Peace" and "quiet" usually go together because without "quiet" there can be no "peace" ...

by Susan Dunn

5.2 million 6-19 year old have hearing loss directly related to noise exposure*. Don't let your child be part of this unfortunate group.

PEACE & QUIET

"Offer your child peace and quiet," says the Noise Center. "Noise poses a serious threat to children's hearing, health, learning and behavior." (And I can't think of an adult who functions well in a noisy environment either.) "Peace" and "quiet" usually go together because without "quiet" there can be no "peace."

Aside from turning down the TV and stereo, lowering your voice, and providing the opportunity for quiet time in both their work and leisure, take a look at the toys you allow your children to play with.

Fortunately my children didn't suffer hearing loss from the obnoxiously loud toys they played with, but I must admit I told them to quit for my sake, not theirs, and I was always standing a good bit father away from their toy than they were. One father I know immediately disarms any noise-making function on a toy his child receives, and this may not be a bad idea.

And because they're young doesn't work in this case. You might assume, for instance, that your teenager can take that 85 decibels (dB) music because he's a teenager, but that isn't the case. Children's ear canals are shorter than adults, and therefore more vulnerable to damage in this way.

A study conducted by the Henry Ford Health System found that many current toys, including tape recorders, bike horns, cap guns, and toy telephones, are not safe for your child's hearing. Of the 25 they tested, more than half of them made sounds higher than 115 dBs.

According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, at 110 dB, the maximum undamaging exposure time is one minute and 29 seconds.

NOTE: In researching this article I found a variety of decibels, as well as length of exposure before damage and also read studies saying that individuals varied in their tolerance for noises. The data is not consistent, but will give you a range. Should you be wondering what protection to take when, ask your personal healthcare professional for medical advice.

PERMANENT INSTANT DAMAGE

The ear is more unforgiving than you may know. A loud enough noise can cause instant, permanent damage, some noises can cause damage if heard long enough, and there is also cumulative effect over time. Prevention is crucial because noise-induced hearing loss can't be corrected, and hearing aids don't do much good.

Sound is vibration and has three properties: intensity, frequency and duration. "Intensity" is what is measured in decibels (dBs). A measure called dBA indicates damage to hearing. The higher the dBA number, the greater the risk of damage to hearing. This is because intensity translates to pressure on the eardrum.

What sound has what dBs? There is a long list of dBs (which they equate with dBAs) on the League for the Hard of Hearing website ( http://www.lhh.org/noise/decibel.htm ), including various recreational and work situations. A noisy squeeze toy rates an alarming 135dB from them.

"Noise levels above 85 dB will harm hearing over time," they caution, and "noise levels above 140dB can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure." 140dB is also the pain threshold; most of us hearing a sound at this level will feel it as well. All values are approximate.

According to www.dangerousdecibels.org , harm can occur with 103 dBs after 7.5 minutes, 106 dBs after less than 4 minutes, 109 dBs after less than 2 minutes, and 115 dBs after around 30 seconds.

Here is a list of sounds and the decibels to give you an idea:
·0 The softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing aka "hearing threshold"
·10 normal breathing
·20 whispering at 5 feet, broadcasting studio, rustling leaves
·30 soft whisper, library
·50 rainfall, light traffic, average home
·60 normal conversation, air conditioning unit
·80 alarm clock
·85 noisy restaurant
·90 city traffic
·110-120 rock concert, speedboat, headphones on maximum
·110 shouting in ear, baby crying, many power tools
·120 thunder, jet takeoff at 200'
·130-140 firecracker, gunshot, powerful car speakers
·180 rocket launching
According to the Noise Center, musical toys measure over 110 decibels, comparable to many power tools.

TEENS

With your teenagers, pay special attention. So many of the things they love are not advisable:

Clubs and discos, 91 - 96 dBA +
Dance floor, 85 - 100 dBA
At the bar, 90 dBA or more
Personal stereo systems. 60 - 114 dBA
Rock concerts, 100 dBA or more average
Car stereos, up to 154 dBA in the car!!
Home stereo, 80 - 115 dBA

If you take your kids hunting or to the shooting range, take the hearing protectors along. Firearms are all high and a single exposure can cause permanent hearing loss. Examples, 12-guage shotgun, 150-165 dB, shotgun, 163-172 dB, rifle, 143-170 dB. Most firearms start at 100 dB and can go as high as 190 Db.

You may also assign your older child or teenage chores involving power tools which require supervision for safety, including hearing safety.

Also note than a firecracker can cause immediate damage.

RECREATION

Two other things children and teens like should be monitored. Noise levels at video arcades can exceed 100 decibels (similar to factory machinery), and computer games and stereo systems can go as high as 135 dB (the level of a jackhammer), with car stereos reaching up to 154 dB, and an action movie is generally beyond 90 dB.

No one knows exactly what level damages a child's ears, but the Noise Center's Rule of Thumb is: IF YOU HAVE TO SHOUT TO BE HEARD THREE FEET AWAY, THE NOISE IS TOO LOUD AND IS DAMAGING TO YOUR HEARING.

Don't let your child become a statistic. According to Dangerous Decibels, approximately 30 million Americans have hearing loss, and 50 million have tinnitus, an early indicator. According to a study done by Montgomery and Fujukawa in 1992, "Over the last 10 years, the percentage of 2nd graders with hearing loss has increased 2.8 times; hearing loss in 8th graders has increased over 4 times."

Check with your child's pediatrician for specific information. This is not medical advice.

*According to the 3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [Niskar, 2000]. Reported on DangerousDecibels.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1.Educate yourself about noise levels
2.Provide your child with peace and quiet
3.Make it clear you value peace and quiet
4.Counteract that "loud is cool"
5.Ask your local theater to lower decibel levels
6.Provide ear protection
7.Model good hearing protection
8.Include instruction the same way you do when you tell them brushing their teeth twice a day prevents tooth decay
9.Turn down the volume of everything at home and tell your child why you're doing it

About the Author

©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I offer coaching, distance learning courses, and ebooks around emotional intelligence. Free ezine, Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc. Daily tips, send blank email to EQ4U-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . I train and certify EQ coaches. Get in this field, dubbed "white hot" by the press, now, before it's crowded, and offer your clients something of real value.

Copyright Susan Dunn - http://www.susandunn.cc

home stereo: NEWS ACROSS THE METRO

2006-07-03T00:34:00.000-07:00

Pump down the volume, Greenwood says

Turn that radio down!

Greenwood’s aldermen last week voted unanimously to enact a noise ordinance.

If a car radio, boom box, television, home stereo or whatever can be heard 100 feet away, then it’s too loud, according to city regulations. A police officer can write a ticket to a driver, homeowner or others controlling an electronic device.

Permits can be issued at City Hall for outside events that otherwise might violate the ordinance.

Agency receives national honors

The Olathe Housing Authority once again was named a high performer by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“We have been fortunate to receive that honor almost every year,” said Kathy Rankin, Olathe’s housing and transportation manager.

The Housing Authority also received two Awards of Merit recently from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. The awards recognize innovative projects, programs and services.

“Turning Housing Into Homes” won for its innovation, using landscaping vouchers and a competition to encourage public housing tenants to take pride in their homes.

The authority’s “Welcome Bucket” program provides new tenants with housewarming packages containing educational materials, emergency contact magnets, brochures from local organizations, and advice on home upkeep and maintenance.

Software works on brain’s wiring

The Liberty School District is using software that’s said to rewire the brain’s ability to process speech.

“Fast ForWord” is a set of computer games by Scientific Learning Corp. based in Oakland, Calif. For the past several weeks, struggling readers have spent 90 minutes a day whipping through mental exercises.

Fast ForWord’s programs tackle issues of memory, attention, processing and sequencing. Scientists studying the brain’s “plasticity,” or potential for change, found that certain exercises speed learning ability.

The programs will be available to students at three elementary schools, both middle schools and both junior high schools at a cost of about $300,000.

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| Russ Pulley, rpulley@kcstar.com | Brandon Babcock, bbabcock@kcstar.com | Lindsay Hanson Metcalf, lmetcalf@kcstar.com

home stereo: TuneStage turns your iPod into a wireless remote

2006-06-30T00:24:00.000-07:00

The problem with most iPod docks that hook up to your home stereo is that it's a huge pain to control it from afar. Even when it comes with a remote, the remote is generally clunky and it's tough to go through menus on a tiny screen from 20 feet away. Didn't these companies realize that the iPod is already the perfect controller for itself and is remote control sized? Belkin finally did, releasing the TuneStage nano. A Bluetooth system that turns your nano into a remote control, it allows you to listen to all the music on your iPod on your home stereo without having to tether it to a receiver. Simply hook up the Bluetooth receiver, plug the small transmitter into the bottom of your nano, and you're all set to wander up to 30 feet away while streaming music to your stereo. The Bluetooth signal is more than strong enough to send your music without any loss in quality, but make sure to charge up your iPod every once in a while. There are drawbacks to becoming unchained from the stereo, after all. The TuneStage nano is available now for around $180, a version for the bigger 5G iPod should be out later this year for the same price. — Adam Frucci

home stereo: Home Entertainment - music to your ears?

2006-06-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

Not so long ago, watching films at home was a hopeless experience. You could only buy or rent poor-quality videos with a grainy picture and bad sound. The experience was terrible when you compared to the big-screen, surround-sound cinema.

Now, though, the advent of DVD and home stereo surround sound means that watching movies at home doesn't have to be inferior to watching them in the cinema. In fact, many people now think it's better - after all, it's cheaper, and you don't have to put up with other people making noises while you're trying to watch the film. Home entertainment systems (also known as home cinemas) are getting cheaper, better and easier to construct all the time.

So what are the ingredients of a home entertainment system? Basically, there are three things: a source of high quality video and audio, a display for the video, and speakers for the audio. To begin with, you should look for a DVD player. Although you can get DVD players for nothing now, you should get a good one if you're going to use it as part of a home entertainment system. Cheap players may output inferior quality picture and sound, and might even have trouble playing some DVDs at all.

The next step is a big television, either flat with an LCD or plasma screen, or perhaps even a projection TV - be careful with projection though, as it can break if you plan to use your TV for video games. You should consider getting an HDTV version of whatever you choose if you want to future-proof your system and make your films look just that little bit better.

Finally, you should get some good surround sound speakers, together with an amplifier or stereo system to drive them. Although you can get systems now with ridiculous numbers of speakers, Dolby 5.1 is still the best system to go with, as it is the most widely supported.

John Gibb is the owner of home entertainment, For more information on home entertainment please check out http://www.Home-Entertainment-guidance.Info

home stereo: TV Wall Mount And Widescreen And Flat Screen And...

2006-06-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Not long ago a TV was a TV, just a television set. Yes, there where sets with some extra features, stand alone home stereo speakers for example, but it was easy to pick your choice. Now you have a lot more options to take into consideration and a number of terms to learn.

So let us see what kind of guide lines we can give you.

TV Wall Mount - These TV:s sell more and more but are considerably more expensive. They are called TV wall mount as they are so thin, 2-5 inches, or 5-10 centimeters. The picture is completely flat and the set should be connected to digital systems.

The number one reason to buy a TV wall mount is the fact that it doesn´t require any space on the floor. Today you can choose one of two techniques, LCD and plasma screens.

The LCD technique is best for screens up to 30 inches and they cost from just under $1,000 up to $3,000 USD. An LCD screen can also be connected to your computer, no problem. One disadvantage can be on some screens, there is a delay in showing the picture, which can be rather annoying with fast movements like in football and other sports.

The plasma screens works better for really big screens, 32-50 inches. The prices are coming down but often start around $2,000 USD. The internet is of course the best place to start your search for a TV wall mount, LCD or Plasma. Also remember that the prices given here are probably higher than what you can find out there!

The TV techniques are developing fast, like the computer industry, so if you are not in a hurry, wait and the prices will drop. Especially for a TV Wall Mount. It is always more expensive when the technique is new. A great place to start your search for a TV wall mount is through consumer reports. They give you unbiased reviews of the best TV wall mounts out there.

If you want to experience the best of a sports game, nature or action movie, as you almost where there, you are probably ready to spend a lot of money . Then you will of course choose the widescreen and home movie equipment with a plasma or projection-TV.

There are some practical things to consider for a TV wall mount. How much is the weight of your particular TV model? Can you mount it on the wall in a safe way? Make sure that any mount that you consider is able to comfortably handle the weight of your TV. You will need a strong, sturdy equipment that can handle the weight. If the wall itself is the weak point you should perhaps look for another alternative than wall mount. Or secure the equipment to the floor or the ceiling.

Many TV models have specially made equipment for a wall mount. You can also find good universal mounts available.

It used to be that the only wall mounts were a set of metal brackets that mounted to the wall and the TV hung on those brackets. Which made it harder to move the screen. Now you can find flexible wall mount units that actually let you extend the TV from the wall and turn it to adjust the viewing angle too.

In the ads for TV sets you will always get a long list of features. Don´t care about that list for a start. It is the picture on the screen that is of most importance. If the picture is bad that is the thing that will be most annoying. Use your eyes and compare several types of TV sets in a shop even if the environment is light and very different from your home. Bring your favorite picture to the shop and ask to have it shown. Now you can get a better understanding of the quality of the screen, the colours etcetera.

The sound is easy to forget. But a bad sound can destroy the most wonderful picture. It is great if you can listen to the sound more privately or try to be there when there are few customers. Stereo sound is the most common but is not necessarily automatically hifi-quality. You can often get a better sound if you connect the TV sound to your own equipment or put up extra speakers.

A TV wall mount will in the coming years be the most sold TV equipment. The prices will go down and the weight will be reduced considerably. They will be easy to mount and with great sound and picture. To put it simple, it is the future.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related resource is TV Wall Mount Further information can be found at Home

home stereo: Stanley Miller II

2006-06-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

Stan Miller answers your questions about the latest gadgets and helps you sort out matters of the Web and computers.

Q: Dave of Wauwatosa - I might as well post my question a week early, as I'm bound to completely forget it. With the WoW expansion coming out by the end of the year (and also with a number of game updates since you stopped playing), do you see yourself getting back into the WoW addiction, or is there too much on other fronts (PS3, etc.) to make you want to go back?

A: Stanley Miller II - Dave, the Burning Crusade Expansion is tempting, and I am sure I will renew my account for a month to try it out. But any time I spend on World of Warcraft will be for editorial purposes and not for recreation. Don't get me wrong, WOW really is an amazing game, but it's a time sink I can't afford, especially since it's summer. I am going to be very eager to hear what local World of Warcraft players have to say about the expansion when it launches, though. But after two level 60 characters, countless instance runs and mob grinding, I think my hardcore days of WoW are over.
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Q: Thomas of Santee - Which would you recommend the Palm 700 or blackberry

A: Stanley Miller II - The Palm Treo 700p or the BlackBerry ... what? The BlackBerry 7250? Or the 7130e? I am a big fan of the Palm OS. It's interface is fantastic -- simple and intuitive. In my opinion the BlackBerry interface isn't as good. It's good, just not as good. These smartphones are going to share several functions, including e-mail, PDA sync, Internet access and a lot more. The difference is how you access those features, and that is very much tied to personal taste. I personally enjoy a very easy interface, so I like Palm a lot.
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Q: Bill Nachmann of Franklin - Hi Stan, I always appreciate your advice. How do I hook my 3000 song iTunes computer PC library up to my nice stereo/receiver? I don't have an iPod now. What would be the least expensive way to hook it up and get the full effect of my PC iTunes library on my killer stereo speakers?

A: Stanley Miller II - Bill, the answer depends on the proximity of your computer to your home stereo system. The solution could be as crude as running a cable from your sound card to one of the stereo's audio-in jacks, to a wireless home media adapter, to an Xbox 360, to a Windows Media Center PC. It also depends on what you want to spend. I recently reviewed the Squeeze Box from Slim Devices, a wireless music-streaming system that worked very well. There are many other competing products, including the Sonos Digital Music System, as well as various media adapters from networking companies like Linksys. I use my Xbox 360 to get the music on my computer upstairs to the stereo downstairs, and it works pretty well considering that is not it's primary function. Media PCs can be a bit of overkill unless you are interested in breaking out all kinds of media, including digital pictures and video as well as music, on your entertainment center. I'd advise you to take a hard look at the Squeeze Box or Sonos as a possible solution.
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Q: jake of london - can u rap

A: Stanley Miller II - Sorry Jake, I can't rap. I also don't play basketball very well.
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Q: Mary Lehman of Muskego - How is the latest personal gadgets and Web trends having an impact on the newspaper business?

A: Stanley Miller II - Mary, I'd say the growth of video both via streaming on a PC and downloaded to devices like the iPod and PlayStation Portable are definitely shaping the newspaper business when it comes to how we augment our coverage and add value online. For example, JSOnline has aggressively expanded its use of video, including the somewhat recent rollout of the TechWatch video demonstrations I do every other week. I think video is going to be very important to what newspapers do in the future, and I think we need to be very creative in what we do. We are off to an OK start, but we need to be willing to experiment.
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Q: Meagan of Milwaukee - Any suggestions for some good wireless outdoor speakers? Is there anything worth buying on the market now, or would it be better to wait?

A: Stanley Miller II - Meagan, check out Paradigm's new Stylus Series v.3 outdoor speakers. I haven't had a chance to test them yet. But Paradigm has won loads of awards. Paradigm sells six different models in this series, including two new stereo/mono models, providing what the company calls a dual-directional soundfield for more flexibility in outdoor placement. One speaker allegedly provides two-channel sound in smaller areas, and multiple speakers negate the sound imbalances that happen outside when people are closer to one stereo speaker than the other. Also, definitely check with the experts at Flanners, they typically give excellent advice.
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Q: Mike of Glendale - Why do IT departments place so much value in certifications? I have found that companies seem to be enamored with them. Today, it seems that a solid work ethic is being over looked. I have heard many people say that the “experience of working” is the best training they ever received. Unfortunately I have worked with many certified lazy people. What is you opinion? Will it ever change?

A: Stanley Miller II - I'm not an IT expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I know a lot of techs. Certifications mean standardization, at least in theory, and I think that is where IT managers see value. Managers want to make sure their employees have certain skillsets, and certifications establish that. I don't see that changing, just as I don't see certain expectations for other levels of professional education across other industries.
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Q: Mark of Austin, TX - Would you recommend a TREO 700P or 700W? Or some other smartphone? Why?

A: Stanley Miller II - Mark: 700p because the interface is easier. Why do something in six steps when you can do it in two or three?
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Q: John of oak Creek - what advantages does the palm 700 have over the latest blackberry phones

A: Stanley Miller II - John: a digital music player and a camera immediately come to mind.
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Q: Lori of Fox Point - Thanks for doing these chats, Stanley. I bought a Tungsten E Palm a little more than a year ago from Office Max. I also bought the extended warranty with the promise that if I had a problem with the Palm, I can bring it in a get a new one. I'm sure there have been abuses, the sales clerk was practically telling me to "upgrade" once a year--but then I did have a real problem. For some reason, the battery drained a forced me to do a hard boot to get the Palm going again. THEN...without me knowing it, the Palm reset to an earlier date, I performed a hotsync and lost data! Office Max is not helping me with their extended plan. I can't be without a Palm as I use it for my small business. When purchasing a small, new gadget are extended warranties worth it? Thank you.

A: Stanley Miller II - Lori, personal electronics fail. My iPod's battery recently permanently died on me, and the timing of the failure put it past the extended warranty had I decided to buy one. I usually never go with extended warranties, but if you decide to, you need to scour the fine print, which will typically take a lot longer than most people feel comfortable with when in line at Best Buy. One word of warning: sometimes warranty replacement will allow for the manufacturer to provide you with a refurbished replacement instead of a brand-new device, and that can lead to frustration down the line. Ok everyone, I have an interview in 5 minutes and need to get going. Sorry for the late start, and thanks for coming out! If I didn't answer your question, visit my blog regularly, I plan on answering them there over the next week or two.

home stereo: How to Backup Your Computer Files

2006-06-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

As I write this, it's early December, and try as I might, I can't remember what my new year's resolution was last time around. One thing I can say with near hundred percent certainty is that whatever...

by Christian Carvajal

As I write this, it's early December, and try as I might, I can't remember what my new year's resolution was last time around. One thing I can say with near hundred percent certainty is that whatever it was, I failed to keep it. Maybe you're the same. Maybe you resolved to quit smoking, lose weight, or read more. We all make promises with ourselves, then fail to keep those promises. Worst of all, those promises might be exactly what we need most. Consider this: When was the last time you backed up your computer files? Last month? Last year? Never?

Let's make a new year's resolution together, you and I. Let's promise to back up our computers. It's important, I promise. Just yesterday the automatic backup feature in MS Word saved me about an hour's work when my computer froze up. Given that I haven't backed up my computer in almost a year, I can't even imagine how much data I'd lose if I suffered a power surge or hard drive failure. It can happen to the best of us, and often does. Even high end hard drive manufacturers report an average failure rate of between five and eight per thousand every year. That may not sound like much, but let's face it, somebody has to be those five to eight people. Feeling lucky? There are about 185 million household PCs in the U.S., according to Computer Industry Almanac, so that means about 150,000 hard drives fail each year. But even if your drive stays intact, about a tenth of all computers suffer minor data loss in any given year. A power surge, the magnets in your home stereo speakers, or even an accidental nudge can affect data storage. According to a report from the ONTRACK data recovery service, data loss can be caused by natural disasters (3% of cases), computer viruses (7%), software problems (14%), and plain old user error (a whopping 32%). Now, I'm sure you never hit a wrong keyboard button, but do you have a button on your computer that prevents a bolt of lightning? I didn't think so.

WHEREAS our data is important, and disaster can befall even the most noble and undeserving of us, BE IT RESOLVED that you and I shall back up our computer files forthwith.

Amen, brothers and sisters. Now, where and how do we start?

STEP ONE: Choosing Favorites

Not all files are important enough to preserve for posterity. The most critical files on a computer are its operating system files. If you're a good little consumer, you bought the operating system and kept those CDs handy and secure from data loss. If you're not, then remind yourself to go stand in the corner later. The drones at Microsoft did not work for years just to watch you steal their work. It's people like you that keep Bill Gates from buying his second planet. Now that you've been suitably chastised, either go buy a legal copy of the operating system, or include the necessary files in your "must back up" list.

The same principle goes for software applications. Maybe you bought an ad and spyware blocker you really like, but the company that coded it has since gone out of business (perhaps because other consumers weren't as scrupulous as you). If so, include the files you need to run the app in your must list.

Now it's time to look at the remaining files on your computer and prioritize. If you're not a digital packrat like me, it may be possible to save everything. If so, congratulations. I don't have ten gigabytes of portable media at my disposal, so when I back up my computer, I'll be leaving a few gigs of MP3s and questionable Windows Media files at risk. One of the first things I will save is the folder I use to save my writing assignments, because that data represents money in my pocket. I'll back up my email address book, plus my digital photography and fiction writing efforts. I can live without "Milkshake" (what was I thinking?), but the guitar piece my friend recorded and sent to me is going on the list. Your results may vary.

STEP TWO: In Which I Tell You Where You Can Put It

That's right, this is the section in which I'll tell you where to store your data. It's not a good idea to put backup files on another drive on the same computer. That defeats the whole purpose. Duplicating your files on another computer in the same LAN is almost as risky, because computer viruses can spread as fast as an imaginary Anna Kournikova JPEG. You need to find a portable storage medium that can hold all the files on your must list. Your options include floppy diskettes, portable hard drives, optical drives, tape drives, and remote servers. We'll look at each in turn.

Hard diskettes, the old familiar 3.5" squares, hold up to 1.44 megabytes of data. They're cheap, but 1.44 MB is less than two percent of the ten gigs of data on my hard drive. Even if each of those files were smaller than 1.44 MB (and each weren't), I'm not keen on the idea of buying, labeling, and storing fifty diskettes. Next idea, please.

Most computer experts rely on removable hard drives for memory backups. The most popular of these drives are the Zip drive from Iomega and the ORB drive from Castlewood. They're relatively inexpensive and hold up to two gigs of data. Basically, you'll save your data on a Zip disk, then transfer it from the disk to the portable drive. The catch is that removable drives fail about as often as regular hard drives. They may even be more susceptible to damage from dust and rough handling. A sub-option here is to use a permanent hard drive as a removable drive. At up to two hundred gigs, conventional hard drives are bigger than removable drives, and prices have dropped enough in recent years to make this idea practical. Whatever kind of hard drive you decide to use, make sure to keep it isolated from dust, magnetic charges, and static electricity.

Optical drives use a laser to store information, rather than a magnet. Even if you're not a tech junkie, that's probably enough information to give you a clearer idea what we're talking about: namely, CDs and DVDs. Less common are EO (erasable optical) and WORM (write once, read many) media; they're less common because they cost over $1000 per drive. CDs, on the other hand, cost less than a buck and can hold up to 650 megabytes. DVDs hold up to five gigs and cost about fifteen dollars apiece. Most computers nowadays have either a CD or DVD writer (or both), but write times can be slow. My CD writer, for example, works best on the 300 kilobyte per second setting—if then. I'll be using the remote server option. At $250 and up, tape drives are more expensive and slower than hard drives or optical media, hence less common, but also extremely reliable.

Remote servers are third party companies that store data online for a fee. This is a great option for broadband Internet users, especially people like me who don't own a reliable data writer. SkyDesk runs Backup.com, Back-Up Solutions maintains BackUpHelp.com, and Iomega hosts iServer (Iomega.com/iStorage). XDrive.com, once a free service, now charges ten bucks a month for up to five gigs of storage. Promotions and other rates change, so it's a good idea to shop around before selecting a remote storage service.

STEP THREE: Git 'er Done

Now it's time to put the files you want to save on the storage medium you've chosen. There are several ways to do this. Your CD writer, for example, may come with proprietary disk writing software. That application may even include a backup option. If it does, and you're more familiar with that software than Windows features, then that's the way to go. Otherwise, backup is still relatively easy on all MS operating systems since Windows 98. Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows XP Professional include a built-in Backup utility. To run it, just click on Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, then Backup. How easy was that? If you're using the XP Home edition, you may need to add the utility manually. If so, insert the Windows XP CD into your disk drive and wait for the "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP" screen. (You may need to double-click the CD icon in My Computer.) Then click on Perform Additional Tasks and Browse This CD. In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, then Ntbackup. Double-clicking on Ntbackup.msi will install the utility. Once it's installed, you can also run the program by clicking Start and Run, then typing msbackup.exe (Windows 98 and Windows ME) or ntbackup.exe (Windows XP) in the Open field. Click OK, and you'll be off to the races.

Incidentally, the Windows XP Backup utility also includes a bonus application called the Automated Recovery Wizard. This creates a bootable floppy that initiates backup if the hard drive must be replaced. Other options for "disaster recovery" include BackUp MyPC from Stomp (StompInc.com, $79) and Norton Ghost 9.0 from Symantec (Norton.com, $69.95). Ghost actually allows users to duplicate the contents of their computer over the Internet. Both have earned stellar reviews from top PC magazines.

Don't let another month go by without protecting the files you value most. My girlfriend justifies her messy car by saying she "lives out of it." Well, I live out of my computer. It's not just my office; it's the home of cherished memories in the form of pictures, MP3, and other data files. I'm resolved to keep it safe.

About The Author

Christian Carvajal is a contributing writer to http://www.all-cheap-laptops.com, which provides tips and tutorials to individuals interested in buying, upgrading, and/or maintaining laptop computers.

Copyright Christian Carvajal - http://Backup.com

home stereo: Mini Ipod, Music And Everything In A Box

2006-06-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

The smaller version of Apple iPod is the iPod mini. It is a small audio player. The release of this audio player was on February 20, 2004. The machine was from Windows PCs and Macintosh, and with support from Linux and other UNIX work likes. The devise got the same sensitive touch scroll pad, but in..

by John Rivers

The smaller version of Apple iPod is the iPod mini. It is a small audio player. The release of this audio player was on February 20, 2004. The machine was from Windows PCs and Macintosh, and with support from Linux and other UNIX work likes. The devise got the same sensitive touch scroll pad, but instead of four touch notches, the buttons are made mechanical for easy navigation. The wheel is the "click wheel". You must push the edge of the wheel inward over one of the four levels of the iPod for full access to one of the four labels.

There are two almost identical generations of iPod, the difference is with their battery capacity and storage. They are both 3.6 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches and weighs 102grams. The case composes of anodized aluminum. The five first generation colors of iPod were green, blue, pink, silver and gold. Because of the unpopularity of the gold version, they dropped it to the second generation. In the first generation, the button labels are colored grey, in the second generation the buttons were colored matching the color of the iPod case.

The first generation battery can last up to 8 hours. The users criticized the short duration of the battery. Because of that, Apple released the second generation claiming an 18 hours of continues play. Nevertheless, the only problem with the second generation is that they no longer contain FireWire cable or an AC power adaptor. This is the reason why the price of the device was reduced.

At the bottom of the device, you can find dock connector, specifically Hi-Speed or FireWire, which connects to the computer device. The battery of the unit is being charged when connected to the computer. It has a hold switch at the top and headphone jack and a jack for connecting some accessories. It supports AIFF, WAV, AAC/M4A, MP3 and Apple Lossless audio formats. Integration to iTunes and iTunes Music Store was retained as well, allowing for true Auto-sync between the software application and the iPod mini.

Special features:

• With 128 kbps AAC format that can hold up to 1000 songs

• Super lightweight music device with 4GB hard disk drive

• With FireWire that is used to store data

• 138 by 110 pixel resolution, 0.22-mm dot pitch

• It weighs 103 g

• Up to 25 minutes anti skip protection

• Its audio formats support AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, AIFF, WAV and audible

iPod mini accessories:

• AV connection kit- used to connect your iPod to your home stereo or television. You can now share your favorite tunes, photos and movies to your loved ones.

• Radio remote- you can listen to your favorite Fm radio stations and control it with a convenient wired remote. In addition, an earphone comes up with shorter cable that perfectly fits your remote.

• Apple remote - Universal Docks support this. It is plugged in the Dock, connect to a television or stereo and be ready for a control of everything.

• Universal dock – is convenient for home charging, it also used to connect your iPod to home audio system. It also lets you connect your iPod to television for slideshow of images.

• USB power adapter- you can charge your iPod even with the connection to your computer.

• Camera connector- use to transfer photos directly to your iPod.

• In-ear headphones- it offers quality sounds with bass response.

• USB cable- a cord used to connect your iPod to your computer.

About The Author:
John Rivers is editor of Poddies Net. A Blog site featuring news, reviews, and how-to information related to the iPod. http://www.poddiesnet.info

home stereo: $16K headphones and other iPod necessities

2006-06-13T02:29:00.000-07:00

Belkin booth

Most iPod owners are familiar with the name Belkin, as the company has released a steady stream of iPod accessories over the past several years. And although Belkin’s presence at HES was focused mainly on the company’s high-end PureAV audio/video accessory offerings, they took some time to show Playlist a number of upcoming—and potentially upcoming—products.

First up was the TuneStage nano, an iPod-nano-fitting version of the Plays of the Year-winning TuneStage. Like the original, the TuneStage nano uses a Bluetooth transmitter connected to your iPod to send the iPod’s music wirelessly to your home stereo or powered speakers, letting you use your iPod itself—with its famous Click Wheel and on-screen interface—as a “remote.” However, because the TuneStage nano connects to your iPod’s dock-connector port, it works with the nano (and, based on our observation of the design of the demonstration model, with the 5G iPod [with video]). In addition, with the TuneStage nano, Belkin officially supports pairing the TuneStage’s transmitter with A2DP-capable Bluetooth headsets, headphones, and auto head units. The TuneStage nano will retail at the same $180 price as the original and should be available in July. On a related note, Belkin told Playlist that a version of the TuneStage designed specifically for the iPod (with video) will be released in September; that model will be available in black or white and will feature new wireless technology and a new receiver design.

The company was also demonstrating the new TuneTalk Stereo, an accessory for the iPod (with video) that lets you record CD-quality audio. The dock-connector-port add-on provides two omnidirectional microphones for recording stereo audio, as well as a 1/8” (3.5mm) minijack input for using an external microphone. A switchable auto-gain feature can automatically set recording levels, and a USB-mini port on the TuneTalk lets you power/charge your iPod while recording. Also included with the TuneTalk is a plastic stand that lets you place your TuneTalk-equipped iPod upright and a spacer that lets you use the TuneTalk Stereo with many iPod cases. The TuneTalk Stereo will retail for $70 and should be available later this month.

Belkin’s TuneTalk Stereo

Belkin also showed us the upcoming TuneCommand AV, an audio/video docking cradle that lets you connect your iPod to your home stereo for playing music and to your TV or home theater system for showing video and photos; like other similar products, it also charges your iPod while docked. The RF-based, eight-function wireless remote, identical to the one used in Belkin’s standard TuneCommand, has an advertised range of 120 feet and works through walls. The $80 TuneCommand AV will be available later this month.

Finally, Belkin gave Playlist a sneak peek at one other interesting piece of potential gear: A tube-based stereo amplifier with built-in iPod dock. What we saw was clearly a prototype, with a rough metal enclosure and off-the-shelf switches and knobs, but it’s an interesting product nonetheless. Like Scandyna’s Dock, you slide your iPod in the dock cradle, connect a set of quality bookshelf speakers, and you’ve got an iPod stereo system. I call the product “potential” because Belkin hasn’t decided whether or not they’ll actually produce it.

home stereo: Living out loud

2006-06-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

GEAR | We checked out some speaker systems to go with your MP3 music collection. Here's what we thought.
By Ricardo Baca
Denver Post Pop Music Critic

Everything we do has a soundtrack - or a playlist, to use modern terminology.

We work out to Bloc Party and Kelly Clarkson, garden to Sonic Youth and Neil Young, and shower to Radiohead and A Tribe Called Quest. We drive to a pensive playlist of Akron/

Family and Sam Cooke - unless it's late and we're tired, which is when we rely on the workout playlist. We clean the kitchen to the Flaming Lips, Elvis Costello and the Dandy Warhols.

But what happens when we're mobile? What do we listen to out loud (not in headphones) when we're camping, boating, picnicking or hitting the beach? More important, how do we listen to it? How do we amplify sound from our MP3 players when we're on the move - something Colorado's outdoor-loving populace is known to do with great fervor?

The market recently has been flooded by speaker sets designed for MP3 players that mimic home sound systems in that they fulfill every possible audio need. They have bass boosts and surround sound. They're battery-powered - or they're fueled by an internal rechargeable battery. They have a dock that charges your iPod, and they have remote controls to allow you to skip that song that you simply cannot hear right now.

Speakers have turned out to be the best-selling iPod accessory, an exploding $5 billion market, according to Envisioneering Group. And all the major players are at the table - including Bose, Klipsch and JBL. The speakers come in every imaginable shape and size, from the curvaceous Klipsch iGroove to the rudimentary boombox design of the Logitech MM22 to the sterile couture of Apple's own iPod Hi-Fi Home Stereo.

But before we get too technical, let's talk situational.

These speakers, like the MP3 players they were manufactured for, truly do change lives. Say your kitchen isn't wired for audio. Instead of blaring the stereo sounds in from the living room, you could have a docking station underneath the spice rack or atop the refrigerator. Simply plug the set's headphone jack into your iPod (or iriver or Jukebox) and you're connected to your catalog.

The bigger change comes in the outdoors, where these devices - when paired with MP3 players - can change the experience entirely.

We used to camp in silence, breathing in the pure mountain air as much as the crystalline silence. Sometimes we'd open the car doors, blare some music and run the battery down - but still, your musical and portable options were limited.

Last weekend, my family took to Wellington Lake outside of Bailey armed with my iPod and portable speakers. And here's what it sounded like.

We cooked breakfast with the Old 97s, soaked our feet in the stream to Slim Cessna's Auto Club, sipped tea with Hem and read in our tents to The Flying Burrito Brothers. We fished to a playlist that was all Scissor Sisters, X, Electric Six, Photo Atlas and Fat Lip, and we watched the sun set over the lake with "Moon River," June Carter

Cash and Sufjan Stevens.
Sure, there are still quiet moments camping. But with the 15,000-plus songs on my 60-gig iPod - and the accompanying Logitech MM22 speakers that fit in my pocket - the mood-setting options were unlimited. And when else will you have such uninterrupted time to introduce your friends and family to music they should know about?

There are niche products, including '50s-radio-styled iPod docks and Hello Kitty iPod speakers. But the bread and butter are the lifestyle speakers - the Bose set in the kitchen, the Logitech set on the backpacking trip. There's a reason behind the $5 billion in sales - and it's all about expanding our life playlists and soundtracking our experiences.

Pop music critic Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.

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... sound rules
Two of the best iPod speaker systems, whether your budget is beer or champagne, are these units:

Logitech MM22, $44.99: Ideal for car-camping or trips to the beach, this cheap set-up works on four AAA batteries and can take a beating. Although not overwhelming, it's enough sound for a small picnic. Best of all, the price is right.

Bose Companion 3, $249.99: This docking system gives you money-is-no-object fidelity without the four-figure price tag. Bose brags incessantly about its sound, and the Companion 3 - with its Acoustimass subwoofer and two deceptively small satellite speakers - delivers. The tones are full, the mix is sharp, the range is broad and the distortion is minimal.|Ricardo Baca

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Looks count, but ...(clockwise in the above picture)

1. JBL Onstage 2, $118: As much as JBL would like you to think that this round wonder can fill an entire room with music, it doesn't. Distortion comes early and often, and the dock is difficult and often faulty.

2. Logitech MM50, $149: Forget about this model. It has overemphasized bass, tinny treble sounds and lacks real volume.

3. Klipsch iGroove, $249.99: While this system is stylish and convenient, it's not very good at delivering high frequencies and big rock/hip-hop sounds. Turning the volume up to 10 doesn't help, either.

home stereo: Satellite Radio: Installation Costs

2006-06-09T05:21:00.000-07:00

The cost of a satellite radio installation is broken down into two different groups, the startup (installation costs) and the monthly subscription to either XM satellite radio or Sirius satellite radio. Receivers and mounting hardware, the cost of ...

by Scott Fish

The cost of a satellite radio installation is broken down into two different groups, the startup (installation costs) and the monthly subscription to either XM satellite radio or Sirius satellite radio. Receivers and mounting hardware, the cost of activation are all start up costs. Recievers are available for your car, your home, your computer and now portable receivers are available. So how much does satellite radio installation really cost?

Satellite Radio installation costs are broken down as follows:

Activation costs are the amount that both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio charge to start service. Activation costs vary, where $5.00 with Sirius and $9.99 with XM will get you ready to go. Telephone activation is $15.00 with Sirius and $14.99 with XM. Monthly subscription costs then play into the cost, but these depend on some factors. Recent media campaigns are dramatically dropping the cost of installation and activation, both XM and Sirius are offering free activation in some instances.

A typical cost of a car satellite radio installation can vary depending on whether you use a Satellite radio which is dedicated only to satellite radio reception or if it also can play CDs.

The typical costs are detailed below:

Receiver $75 - $125
Radio $125-250
Antenna $60.00
Labor $80.00
Activation $10
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Total $400 - $600

Typical costs for a home satellite radio installation:

For this to work, you must choose to install a dedicated stereo receiver unit. Common AM/FM receivers are very similar to satellite radio receivers. Your auxiliary input is used to connect and a antenna is used to receiver the streaming content.

The typical costs are detailed below:

Receiver $150-$300
Antenna $60.00
Activation $10
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Total $220 - $370

Portable units are now being offered and can give you the ease of using your satellite radio anywhere you want! Each room in your house would require a home kit, which includes antennas, output cables, and power supplies. Home kits offer flexibility and ease of use as they can be plugged into your home stereo, computer, and boom boxes. Portable satellite radio installation costs are as follows:

The typical costs are detailed below:

Receiver $120
Home Kit $140
Boombox X 2 $100
Activation $10
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Total $370

About The Author

Scott Fish is the owner of Top Satellite Radio which is a resource for consumers seeking the history and facts about satellite radio. We also sell electronics related to Satellite Radio.

www.TopSatelliteRadio.com | Quick Access: www.TopSatRadio.com

sf@topsatelliteradio.com

Copyright Scott Fish - http://www.TopSatelliteRadio.com

home stereo: Sirius Radio - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

2006-06-09T05:18:00.000-07:00

Sirius radio, or more generally satellite radio, came out just a few years ago. If you've never listened to satellite radio or heard about it, this article is your lucky break. In this article you'll...

by Nick Smith

Sirius radio, or more generally satellite radio, came out just a few years ago. If you've never listened to satellite radio or heard about it, this article is your lucky break. In this article you'll find out what satellite radio is and how it works.

What Is Satellite Radio?

Just like the name indicates, satellite radio uses satellites and related equipment to broadcast radio channels to car or home radios. The concept really received its impetus in 1992 when the FCC set aside a chunk of radio frequency for what they called Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). Five years later, Sirius Radio and XM Satellite Radio purchased licenses from the FCC, and both companies started putting the pieces into place to be able to start broadcasting.

Conventional radio waves can only travel 35 to 45 miles before they die out. The signal for satellite radio services is broadcast more than 20,000 miles above the Earth's surface. Programming on satellite radio is subscriber based, meaning you pay a monthly fee to descramble the signal from the satellites. But, most satellite radio service comes commercial free, so you don't have to worry about channel hopping. Channels include music, talk radio, sporting events, kids programs, and news.

The Who's Who of Satellite Radio

There are currently three major players in the satellite radio game: Sirius radio, XM satellite radio, and WorldSpace. Sirius radio covers North America, including the continental U.S., Canada, and Alaska. XM provides service in the continental U.S. WorldSpace is developing coverage in other parts of the world (Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America) and are definitely the most ambitious in terms of client coverage (a potential of 4.6 billion clients covered on 5 different continents). Each company uses different satellite technology and methods to provide service in their respective areas.

Satellite radio equipment, such as car receivers and home stereos, are sold at a variety of consumer electronic stores, and are starting to become standard installations in new cars. Conventional radios cannot receive satellite radio transmissions, so picking up the service usually entails purchasing a receiver, though some kits are available to make conventional radios satellite-radio compatible.

Because of the different technology each company utilizes, receivers are not compatible with every company. For example, if you subscribed to XM but then wanted to switch to Sirius radio, you would need to get a new receiver that was compatible with Sirius. Some satellite television companies include satellite radio service in their channel packages, and you can receive the transmission through your television satellite dish.

How Does Satellite Radio Work?

This is the cool part. The music, talk show, sporting event, etc., are recorded digitally in a studio, after which the message is encoded. The encoded signal is sent to the satellites from ground stations (Sirius radio based in New York; XM based out of D.C.). The satellites then relay the signal to receivers in your car or at home. The receivers contain chipsets that decode the signal and play it through you stereo. In urban areas where taller buildings might block the signal from the satellites, ground repeaters or transmitters are used to resend the signal, eliminating pockets of dead space.

XM uses two satellites to cover the continental United States with their signal. Sirius radio uses three satellites to form a satellite constellation. The way they are set in orbit ensures that each satellite spends about 16 hours at a time covering the U.S. and that there is always at least one satellite over the U.S. at any given time. WorldSpace satellites beam three signals each to increase the amount of territory they are able to cover with their three satellites. All three companies have reserve satellites ready to launch in case one of their satellites stops working.

Satellite radio technology looks like it's here to stay. It is ideal for those that live in areas where normal radio reception is poor, or for those willing to pay a little each month to not have to listen to commercials. Chances are good that soon every new car you buy will have satellite radio installed, and that more and more homes will be equipped for it. I have only covered the basics. It is definitely worth your time to find out more about what each company has to offer.

About The Author

Nick Smith is a client account specialist with http://www.10xMarketing.com. – More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. To find out how to get Sirius radio with your satellite TV service, check out http://www.dishnetworkproducts.com/articles/sirius-radio.php

nick10x@yahoo.com

Copyright Nick Smith - http://www.10xMarketing.com

home stereo: An MP3 Player Accessory - the Perfect Way to Customize a Portable Audio Player or Just Add a Cool Look

2006-06-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio players. And many look for ways to personalize and/or enhance their experience. That's where the mp3 player accessory comes in.

Designer skins, carrying cases, arm bands and neck s

by W R Kirk

Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio players. And many look for ways to personalize and/or enhance their experience. That's where the mp3 player accessory comes in.

Designer skins, carrying cases, arm bands and neck straps are accessories that make a fashion statement. An amplified portable speaker system gives you room filling sound. Listen to your playlist through your car radio with an FM transmitter, or your home stereo system with audio interconnect cables and docking accessories.

Check out the iPod accessories, like high-tech iPod headphones that can rival a concert hall experience. Regardless of your player's brand you'll find add-on accessories to heighten your listening enjoyment. Recharge your mp3 player with a docking station, in your car, or even with an accessory that uses a 9-volt battery. An mp3 player AC adapter conserves your batteries while recharging them. And you can use it anywhere in the world with international adapters.

Hi-tech earbuds and compact headphones with noise cancellation provide studio quality sound. Share your songs with a Y splitter and second set of headphones. Add battery powered portable speakers and share your playlist with friends at the beach or a party. Choose from a variety of Bluetooth, wireless or wired remotes. There's even a combination flashlight/laser pointer accessory that plugs into the headphone jack!

The list of mp3 player accessories for grows every day. Do a little browsing and you're sure to find that perfect accessory for your player.

About the author:
Learn all about MP3 players and accessories: different types, how they work, features, comparisons and more - plus free music download tips and info at A-Z MP3 Players.com, Your Complete A-Z Resource for MP3 Players, Accessories and Information. © 2005 www.a-z-mp3-players.com All rights reserved

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home stereo: 5 Ways to Enjoy Your Music Files

2006-06-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

OK, say you've got one thousand of your favorite MP3 songs sitting in your hard disk. What's the best way to enjoy those files? Most of us probably will use the Windows Media Player to listen to thos...

by Gary Hendricks

OK, say you've got one thousand of your favorite MP3 songs sitting in your hard disk. What's the best way to enjoy those files? Most of us probably will use the Windows Media Player to listen to those files. but did you know there are other more innovative and interesting ways playback MP3, WMA and WAV files?

Let's take a look at the five methods.

Use MusicMatch Jukebox

If you think most that most PC programs for playing digital music look like the built-in Windows Media Player, think again. There are programs out there that go far beyond the Windows Media Player in functionality. One great example is Musicmatch Jukebox from Musicmatch. Musicmatch Jukebox is quite simply the world's best digital music player. It supports playback of various music formats like audio CDs, MP3s, Internet streams, WMAs, WAV files and more. You also get CD burning, music ripping and music organizing capabilities. The Plus version even allows you to automatically tag your music files with detailed info and album art!

Use a Portable MP3 Player

Portable music players like the Apple iPod, Creative Nomad and Rio Nitrus have taken the market by storm. You don't have to be confined to your desktop PC or laptop to listen to digital music! The portable music players can allow you to take your music anywhere. The compact size of MP3 and WMA music formats means that you can literally take a jukebox of thousands of songs whereever you go! You may also want to check out my review of the top 5 portable music players here. There are also other portable music options, including handphones with MP3 support.

Use a PDA

The latest Pocket PC or Palm-based personal digital assistants (PDAs) can also act as music players. Pop in a large memory card (e.g. 64 MB) and you can store many MP3 or WMA files. Then hook up a headphone, launch the music software in the PDA and you're good to go! I personally own a HP iPaq 2210 which effectively keeps track of my appointments and doubles up as a music player.

Use Your Car Stereo

This is my favorite way of listening to my MP3 collection. I recently bought a car stereo that can playback native MP3 songs. This means that I can pop in a data CD containing hundreds of MP3 files and the car stereo will play them! This does not work on conventional car stereos. If you own a conventional car stereo, but still want to listen to your MP3 songs, one way is to create an audio CD from your music files first. The car stereo will then have no problem interpreting and playing back the audio CD. Of course, in this case, you'll be limited to about 14 to 17 tracks of music only.

Use Your Home Stereo

If you're a music lover, you probably already have a home stereo. Use it to listen to your MP3 music files! However, take note that Like car stereos, conventional home stereos will not be able to play back native MP3 songs. You will need a newer home stereo set with MP3 playback capability. New models from Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony usually have MP3 support.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many ways to enjoy that digital music collection of yours. My favorite methods of listening to digital audio files is via a portable music player or the car stereo. Of course, you may have your own preference - some people like to listen to music off their desktop PC or laptop. Decide which method(s) is suitable for you and go for it!

About The Author

Gary Hendricks - http://digital-music-guide.com

gary_hendricks@digital-music-guide.com

home stereo: iDea Wireless Home Dock for the iPod and PSP

2006-05-29T21:42:00.000-07:00

The iDea Wireless Home Dock is an all in one dock for the gadget freak. The iDea Dock connects to almost any audio device, like the iPod and PSP, and transmits the audio to a matching receiver or wireless headset.

The dock comes with one remote and one Hi-Fi Receiver and sells for $150.

Features:

The FIRST Dock that supports the iPodTM, PSPTM, MP3 player and MP3 mobile phone -- 4 platforms together, a smart and stylish "One for All" design.

The FIRST Dock with its Remote Control Unit that supports the iPodTM "MENU", Click Wheel's "Scroll UP" and "Scroll Down" 3 functions remotely. Even the genuine iPodTM Remote Control Unit can NOT do it.

The ONLY Wireless Dock that broadcasts music from the iPodTM, PSPTM and MP3 player/ MP3 phone to the connected home/office stereo, and send music wirelessly to multiple rooms' stereo nad earphone (w/receivers).

The ONLY Wireless Dock that supports the "Night Listening*" mode - It playbacks iPodTM/PSPTM Audio and displays the iPodTM photo/ video on the connected Home Stereo and TV. (*Night Listening : Because the Wireless Dock supports the Wireless Broadcast, you may dim the TV and Hi-Fi volume to keep it quite outside, yet still enjoy the music through the self-amplified Wireless HD-Audio headset.)

Enjoy the PSPTM games and movies with the sound broadcasting through the home Hi-Fi stereo.

Supports the Sony Walkman MP3 and Walkman Phone for sharing the music wirelessly as well.

[via Gizmodo]

home stereo: Sharp's MP-B300 and MP-B200 Mp3 players are oddballs

2006-05-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

Monday May 29, 2006 5:25 PM EST - By: T.O. Whenham
Source: Engadget

Sharp must have focused on making their new MP-B200 and MP-B300 thin instead of attractive. The two players are only 8.9 mm thick and weigh just 65 grams, but they have a bit of an odd look to them. The players come in either a 512MB capacity, or 1GB for twice the storage fun. If that isn’t enough storage capacity for you (and why would you settle for that little amount these days?), the players have a miniSD card slot for a little extra.

The players can play tunes in either MP3 or WMA format. The built-in FM transmitter let’s you play your MP3s through your home stereo or car stereo without needing a docking station or other accessories. It also sports an FM tuner, with the added bonus of being able to record off the radio as you listen (shreeks the RIAA). It comes in a choice of several color schemes and finishes, but I’m not sure that they help.

No word on where or when they will be released, or what they will cost, but with that FM recording feature you can pretty much bet it's not leaving Japan.

home stereo: Personal Tech Review: Apple iPod Hi-Fi

2006-05-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

By David Haskin
InformationWeek

May 29, 2006 12:00 AM

Historically, Apple Computer has had a fairly hands-off approach when it came to accessories for its venerable iPod. While offering a few essential attachments, Apple always seemed to stop short of encroaching on the third-party products coming from companies such as Belkin, Bose, and Monster Cable. With the release of the iPod Hi-Fi, Apple has changed its course and is directly vying for a piece of the add-on action. This first attempt looks and sounds wonderful but falls a bit short on features.

The iPod Hi-Fi is basically a complete speaker system designed to complement your iPod. It houses two midrange speakers, with a single large center woofer. A dock connector on the top makes it easy to drop in your player and turn on the tunes. For older iPods or other devices, a dual-mode auxiliary input is available in the back, allowing playback from either an analog or digital optical source. The only controls on the Hi-Fi itself are touch-sensitive volume up and down on top of the unit, in front of the iPod dock. The unit is powered either from a standard AC cord or with six D-cell batteries. The battery option and the built-in handles make the Hi-Fi a rather heavy but still portable way to take your stereo system with you.

Straightforward Setup

Setup was mindless. The hardest part was determining which of the 10 included inserts fit my particular iPod. When the iPod was securely docked, a Speakers menu option appeared on the display. From there, three options are available: tone control, backlight settings, and large album art. The tone control was straightforward, allowing me to boost either the bass or the treble. The large album art setting turned out to be a mixed blessing. While it was nice to be able to see the album cover from across the room, the track information wasn't shown, whether or not the particular track has attached art. Unfortunately, it's likely going to be a feature that most people will play with for a few minutes before turning it off and forgetting about it.

In its main function--pumping out the tunes from my iPod--the Hi-Fi performed well. Sound quality was generally good, and it had a good range. The system did the job of filling whatever room I put it in, without having to make the output too loud.

An Apple remote, now universal across Apple's product line, is included and provides basic play/pause, next/previous tracks, and volume control. A subtle LED blinked from behind the speaker grill as an acknowledgement of commands from the remote.

One annoyance was the complete lack of menu control from the remote. In order to select a playlist, a specific song, or even the Shuffle Songs option, I needed to get up and use the iPod's click wheel. This annoyance was compounded by the fact that the remote had a Menu button, but its function is apparently disabled for use with the Hi-Fi.

Unfortunately, the sound quality alone couldn't sell me on the iPod Hi-Fi. Considering it's being billed as a replacement for my home stereo, I was disappointed in the lack of features built into the unit. With its $349 price coming at a premium compared with other products already on the market, the iPod Hi-Fi delivers good sound and the Apple logo as its main selling points.

home stereo: Central Ohio resident in spotlight after taking regional guitar-miming title

2006-05-25T00:56:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Aaron Beck
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Since ancient times, man has taken up the guitar, practiced methodically and appealed to the masses. Since the late 1960s, with the advent of the electricguitar god, man — in front of his home stereo, behind the wheel of his car, next to the jukebox, in his arena seat — has mimed riffs and chords.

Millions are continuing the tradition, although a splinter group of six-stringers is performing sanctioned air-guitar tunes.

One sultan of silence is 23-year-old David "the Rocktopuss" Ayling.

The Columbus resident, whose actual guitar skills "suck," floored three U.S. Air Guitar judges at the Midwestern regionals Saturday in Metro Bar & Grill.

Thanks to a flamboyant stage presence, spot-on ghost-guitar wizardry and the requisite lack of shame, Ayling mimed his way to the U.S. Air Guitar National Championships — to take place June 22 in New York.

Outside the Metro bar, holding a suitably gaudy 1-foot trophy for his lightning fretting on the Darkness track Get Your Hands Off My Woman, Ayling said: "Wow, I can’t tell you how ridiculous I feel."

Yes, in the world of official airguitar competition, feeling ridiculous is required — at least after the fact.

In front of about 200 patrons, Ayling and 11 other contestants — male and female, from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan — took turns air-guitaring on a ramshackle plywood stage.

During a series of blaring, 60-second clips from selfchosen guitar-centric music, the performers riffed lead runs and chords; and mimicked Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young of AC/DC and Warren DeMartini of Ratt, Swedish classical-metal madman Yngwie Malmsteen and several other men who play actual instruments.

Guitar picks and cases, costumes and "air" roadies were allowed and encouraged, but official U.S. Air Guitar rules barred the mimes from using anything that resembled a guitar. Air rhythm sections, pyrotechnics and air banter were not permitted. (Official rules do apply, as listed at www.usairguitar.com.)

Three judges evaluated the talent, using a system (4.0 the lowest, 6.0 the highest) to score performances.

The judges, the master of ceremonies said, were looking for "technical merit, stage presence and the most difficult and most decisive quality: ‘airness.’ "

Moments before fake guitarists took the stage, the Metro bar was pregnant with tension.

Shirtless Josh Dolen, a wiry 18-year-old from Zanesville in black faux-leather pants and a shoulder-length blond wig, said: "This is one of the biggest moments of my life. I’ve been practicing Cowboys From Hell for months."

Practicing?

"I’d get in my bedroom and turn it all the way up and just let my airness flow, man."

Dolen, who like most of the other contestants doesn’t play guitar, has "been playing air guitar for years."

Brian "Duke Thrashington" Shapiro twirled his curly locks, made many a heavy-metal guitar face and raced his fingers up and down an imaginary fret board to an earpiercing clip of super-shredders Malmsteen and Michael Angelo Batio.

Shapiro, a senior at the University of Toledo, heard about the competition after tuning in an episode of Late Night With Conan O’Brien with 2005 national champion Fatima "Rockness Monster" Hoang.

"I practice air guitar all the time," the 20-year-old said — "in my room, in my car, walking down the street. I’m always rocking out."

So said Pete Rose look-alike Jamie "Rockin’ " Russell, 38, of Campbellsville, Ky.

"All of my friends think I play guitar because I actually look like I’m playing," he said.

The real-estate agent started his segment with a snippet of Ratt’s Lay It Down — then, biting his lower lip, closing his eyes and confidently strutting toward the audience, segued into Eddie Van Halen’s shred masterwork Eruption.

Afterward, as the Airoin Junkie — dressed in red-whiteand-blue briefs — strolled by, Russell said, in all seriousness, "I’ve been doing this for 20 years, but this is my first official competition."

His maiden public air-guitar demonstration — spring break 1987, Daytona Beach, Fla. — featured Eruption and another Van Halen chestnut, Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love.

"I had 8,000 people eating out of my hand," he said. "I won 30 cases of Budweiser for me and my friends."

During the weekend, however, Russell walked away empty-handed.

"This was all about flash," he said in disgust — "nothing technical at all.

"I’m coming back next year as Gene Simmons. I already got the wig and the kabuki (makeup). If that’s what they want, I can give it to ’em."

As for Ayling, he is setting his sights entirely on becoming the fourth U.S. Air Guitar champion.

The videographer and documentarian for Ignition Films in Toledo also commutes there to sing in the rock band Onceover.

"I missed a recording session tonight to do this," he said.

"My band mates will understand, I think. But I can’t wait to tell my boss I have to take off work to go to the national Air Guitar championships."

abeck@dispatch.com

home stereo: Nike takes Apple's Ipod for a run

2006-05-25T00:54:00.000-07:00

New York (NY) - You connect the Ipod to your computer to your computer, to your home stereo and to your car. Now Apple and Nike want you to take that extra little step to hook the device up to your workout wear: Nike will be offering a "Nike+Ipod Sport Kit" that connects running shoes with the MP3 player - not to playback music, but to store and display workout data.

The first product to be able to connect to the Ipod will be Nike's Air Zoom Moire, a higher-end running show that will retail for around $100. According to Nike, the model is equipped with numerous sensors that calculate various types of workout information such as time, distance, calories burned and pace. The information is transmitted wirelessly to an Ipod Nano, where it is stored and displayed. Alternatively, the device can also provide real-time audible feedback through the player's headphones.

After a workout, the Ipod can be connected to a computer system to synchronize and store workout data in a customized workout log on Nike's website. According to the company, the application allows users to track training goals, and review distance, time, pace and calories burned.

Since the Ipod does not have wireless capabilities, users need to purchase a "Nike+Ipod Sport Kit," which includes a thumb-sized wireless transmitter that is connected to the charger interface of the music player. The transmitter is based on Bluetooth technology and - at least theoretically - could also be used to support wireless headphones. Apple did not say if it will offer such functionality through the Sport Kit.

Nike said it will be expanding its Ipod wear this Fall with six more shoe models: (Air Zoom Plus, Air Max Moto, Nike Shox Turbo OH, Air Max 180, Shox Navina and Air Max 90.)

It is not the first time that firms such as Nike try to add some additional value by connecting their products to electronic devices. In the late 1980s, it was Adidas that actually integrated a microcomputer into a $180, funky silver shoe to track workout data. In more recent days, the company introduced the "Adidas 1," an expensive ($250) sensor- and microprocessor-equipped running shoe last year. And then there are various efforts to bring Bluetooth technology into sports wear, such as the collaboration between Burton and Motorola. The success rates of these efforts range from moderate to flop.

Can the Nike Sport Kit break the barriers and convince joggers and runners to enhance their workout with the help of the Ipod? On a positive note, the Nike/Apple model is the first truly easy to use networked model to store and track workout information, but some users may feel that the capability to track information only on Nike's web server and not on a local PC may be not enough. And then there's a Bluetooth device that is constrained to only one function and apparently works only with the Ipod Nano.

Wolfgang Gruener
May 23, 2006 21:12

Home Stereo: Now Batting: The XM Inno

2006-05-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to surreptitiously listen in your office to that baseball game that's being played so inconveniently in the middle of the afternoon (like today's Yankees/Rangers game)? Wanted to listen to it while walking around, but forgot your transistor radio? The Pioneer inno, as well as the nearly identical Samsung Helix, is XM Satellite's $400 answer to this pressing humanitarian need, giving the user the ability to listen to live satellite radio while walking around, and in a pretty stylish way, too.

The inno's dimensions are comparable to a full-size iPod, except that the front edges are beveled slightly, and the bottom rounded. The body is made of a metallic bluish-gray facade, with a small stubby antenna protruding out the top. Taking a cue from the Motorola Razr, the buttons on the face are all outlined with bright blue lights.

The inno comes packaged with goodies, including a cradle to recharge the unit, a 20-foot antenna, a remote control, uncomfortable headphones that also double as an antenna, and a pair of ear buds that, while snug in the ear canal, sound muddy. (Not helping this is the fact that, unlike the iPod with its myriad audio profiles, you can only adjust the treble and bass levels.) The device plugs into the cradle on its side, which seems a little awkward, even if the crisp screen automatically reorients images 90 degrees when plugged in. The cradle also comes with a line out jack for connecting the unit to a home stereo, but it's almost redundant considering the power of the unit's FM transmitter. Aside from the fact that you have your pick of the spectrum to stream the device, it also comes in clearly even when the stereo is a good 15 feet away. Annoyingly, though, the same transmitter that works so well in the home is next to useless when trying to stream it to your car stereo.

Outside the office, reception was remarkably clear, with only a few dropouts even in the cavernous avenues of New York; In fact, walking from Penn Station to Grand Central, I got better reception than the FM radio for my iPod. One of the nice things, especially when listening to aforementioned baseball games, is that the screen displays and continually updates the score, inning, and number of outs. While that's no so demanding for, say, a pitcher's duel, it's quite helpful when you're dealing with a slugfest and rambling announcers.

For those times when you can't get a signal, you can listen to music you've uploaded to the device from your computer (not with iTunes, of course). Adding to its functionality is that, like your old-school tape deck, you can record music being broadcast over the air; thanks to the device's 10-minute buffer, if you've been listening to the same station, you can even start recording mid-song and get all of it. You can even program the inno to record a certain station at a specified time. Unfortunately, the song can't be downloaded onto your computer, and there's only 1 GB worth of storage on the inno, which seems paltry these days. Even so, the ability to record songs has drawn the ire of record companies, who are seeking $150,000 for every song downloaded by XM customers. As Geddy Lee, the frontman for Rush sings in "The Spirit of Radio," (which I recently recorded on the inno)
One likes to believe in the freedom of music
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity

Posted by Michael Prospero at May 18, 2006 03:11 PM

Home stereo: MPEG SURROUND: HIGH QUALITY MULTI-CHANNEL AUDIO COMBINES HIGHEST EFFICIENCY AND BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY

2006-05-18T23:44:00.000-07:00

PARIS, May 18 /PRNewswire/ --
- Development Parties Jointly Showcase the Full Potential of MPEG Surround at Audio Engineering Society Pro Audio Expo in Paris
Agere Systems, Coding Technologies, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Ciruits IIS and Philips, the inventors behind the groundbreaking MPEG Surround technique, jointly demonstrate the full potential of the new Surround Sound system at AES (Audio Engineering Society) Pro Audio Expo in Paris. Combined with an underlying audio codec such as MPEG-1 Layer-2, MPEG-4 AAC or MPEG-4 HE-AAC (aka aacPlus), MPEG Surround fundamentally reduces bit rate requirements for high quality multi-channel audio compression and maintains backwards compatibility to existing stereo equipment at the same time.
MPEG Surround comprises a full set of tools enabling the representation, reproduction and rendering of multi-channel audio for a broad spectrum of applications, from digital broadcasting, to mobile entertainment, to Internet music distribution. In the past month, already a number of real-world demonstrations have been showcased by the developing parties, such as 5.1 surround audio for digital radio and TV via DVB-T, DAB, or HD Radio. The MPEG Surround demonstration at the AES Pro Audio Expo will be the first joint presentation by all four parties, showing the full potential of MPEG Surround across various application fields. The new MPEG Surround standard will be frozen in July this year.
"We are excited to be jointly demonstrating the MPEG Surround technique. After mono and stereo, MPEG Surround is the next step for sound quality in today's media entertainment", commented Dr. Peter Kroon, Chief Multimedia Architect of Agere Systems Mobility Division. "It brings true surround sound to any media system at next to no overhead in transportation and storage, and preserves consumers' investment as existing home stereo equipment can stay in use. This level of flexibility will be the key for MPEG Surround to be deployed on a global scale."
"It has been the goal of MPEG to design something really outstanding in the multi-channel space, and thanks to the deep expertise of all four parties a system is available now that fits all needs and provides a remarkable performance", says Martin Dietz, CEO and President of Coding Technologies. "Asked two years ago, not many experts would have expected this enormous accomplishment, and today it's reality."
"The surround sound world has been waiting for a technical solution to smoothly integrate multi-channel and stereo audio into present and future systems," says Juergen Herre, Chief Scientist at Fraunhofer IIS. "MPEG Surround does even more than this: it easily outperforms any conventional technique with regards to features, performance, and flexibility. We are proud of our contribution to this exciting new standard."
"MPEG Surround is a great example how innovatively engineered solutions directly cater to the requirements of the market," says Leon van de Kerkhof, Program Manager Audio, of Philips Applied Technologies. "Surround sound has proven to be a huge success in packaged media, and has an even stronger potential in new entertainment services. MPEG Surround creates added value and new opportunities for all parties across the chain, from content providers, to device manufacturers, to consumers."
MPEG Surround will be demonstrated in the MPEG Surround demo room 'Asie' at AES Pro Audio Expo in Paris, May 20-23, 2006
Agere Systems
Agere Systems is a global leader in semiconductors for storage, wireless data, and public and enterprise networks. The company's chips and software power a broad range of computing and communications applications, from cell phones, PCs, PDAs, hard disk drives and gaming devices to the world's most sophisticated wireless and wireline networks. Agere's customers include top manufacturers of consumer electronics, communications and computing equipment. Agere's products connect people to information and entertainment at home, at work and on the road-enabling the connected lifestyle.
More information about Agere Systems is available from its web site at http://www.agere.com.
Agere, Agere Systems and the Agere Systems logo are registered trademarks of Agere Systems Inc.
Coding Technologies
Coding Technologies provides the best audio compression for mobile, broadcasting, and Internet. SBR(TM) (Spectral Band Replication) from Coding Technologies is a backward and forward compatible method to enhance the efficiency of any audio codec; putting the "PRO" in mp3PRO and the "Plus" in aacPlus. Parametric Stereo from Coding Technologies and Philips again significantly increases the efficiency of audio codecs for stereo signals at low bit rates. Products from Coding Technologies are fundamental enablers of open standards such as 3GPP, 3GPP2, MPEG, DVB, Digital Radio Mondiale, HD Radio, and the DVD Forum.
Coding Technologies is a privately held company with offices in Sweden, Germany, and Silicon Valley. Founded in 1997 in Stockholm, the company later merged with a spin-off of the renowned Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, the inventor of MP3. Coding Technologies' customers include America Online, EMP, iBiquity Digital, KDDI, mmO2, Nokia, Orange, RealNetworks, SK Telecom, Sprint, T-Mobile, Thomson, Texas Instruments, Vodafone, and XM Satellite Radio.
For more information, visit www.codingtechnologies.com.
Fraunhofer IIS
Founded in 1985 the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, today with 450 staff members, ranks first among the Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues. With the development of the audio coding method MP3, Fraunhofer IIS has reached worldwide recognition.
It provides research services on contract basis and technology licensing.
The research topics are: Audio and video source coding, multimedia realtime systems, digital radio broadcasting and digital cinema systems, integrated circuits and sensor systems, design automation, wireless, wired and optical networks, localization and navigation, imaging systems and nanofocus X-ray technology, high-speed cameras, medical sensor solutions and communications technology in transport and logistics.
The budget of 52 million Euro is mainly financed by projects from industry, the service sector and public authorities. Less than 20 percent of the budget is subsidized by federal and state funds.
For more information, visit www.iis.fraunhofer.de/amm.
Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions.
News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Home Stereo: Basic Home Stereo Connections

2006-05-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

What do I do with all these wires?..

Home Stereo connections can certainly be a challenge. Here's the scenario: you have a friend who's asked you to help move them into a new home. You've finally unpacked all their belongings into their new home. Next, they ask you to help reconnect their home stereo equipment. You look at this mass of wires lying in front of you, and you freeze. "What does all this stuff do," you ask. We're going to demystify cables and connections.
This topic can be fairly technical in nature, but to make home stereo connections easier we've divided this complex into several different pages. Each of the four main categories of cables has a page in this complex that describes them in some more detail. At the most basic level, this is what the wires in your system accomplish the movement of an electrical (or light) signal from place to place.

These are the types:
Different types of Home Stereo Connections
Stereo Interconnects: low voltage wires called "RCA", "interconnects", or "Phono" cables connect most of the pieces of your home stereo at what's called "line level."
Speaker Cables: high-voltage high-current speaker cables carry electrical signals from your amplifier or receiver to the loudspeakers which produce sound based on those signals.
Digital Connections: optical digital cables connect can connect your CD or SACD/DVD-A player to an outboard digital-to-analog converter or A/V receiver.
Electrical Cords: Lastly, and maybe the most crucial connection: your stereo equipment and the 115/120-volt electrical service of your home.
Most audio equipment sold to consumers nowadays comes with the required interconnects in the box.
Here is a lovely definition of what a home stereo interconnection should do courtesy of eCoustics, a really cool website devoted to the pursuit of wonderful sound:

"The basic purpose of a cable is to transfer the signal from point A to point B unadulterated. At audio frequencies the goal is to minimize losses by controlling the amount of Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance. For speaker cables, we have found the primary concerns for optimal signal transfer is to minimize resistance, followed by inductance, while also keeping capacitance in check to eliminate the possibilities of amplifier oscillation or frequency peaking. For line level analog interconnects it򳠡 good idea to use cables that are low in capacitance and are well shielded to eliminate interference and external noise sources from mitigating into the signal. For video, good shielding and maintaining the proper characteristic impedance is vital." eCoustics.com.

Additionally, one of the best discussions on this topic can be found in Chapter 11 of The Complete Guide to High-End Audio by Robert Harley. I strongly recommend you run out and purchase this book as it presents some of the more esoteric aspects of home audio in a fun and easily understood fashion.

As with everything dealing with home stereo, there are design differences between various products used in home stereo connections. What will lead to better performance in one product versus another is a matter of dispute. To be sure, cables and wiring do have an effect, even on the entry-level piece, as well as at the farthest margins of product spectrum.

home stereo: A new way to savor satellite sounds

2006-05-18T02:27:00.000-07:00

May 11, 2006
By Terry Maxon / The Dallas Morning News

If there was a shortcoming in the original XM Satellite Radio service, it was that the equipment for home and cars didn't have the ability to save the music. You had to pretty much take the programming as it came, with no built-in way to record it.

Pioneer
Pioneer's Inno player serves up new ways to get XM Satellite Radio service.

XM Satellite Radio hasn't changed, but the recently released Pioneer Electronics Inc.'s Inno player serves up new ways to get one's XM.

The Inno, announced in January and now available, lets users record up to 50 hours off XM and also plays MP3 and WAV sound files. Users can also set timers to record programs.

It adds up to a lot of capability in a small package. How small? It's narrower, shorter and lighter than Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod, although the Inno is a little thicker.

Users can carry the Inno with them, plug it into a supplied dock for the home stereo or, with an optional kit, play it in a vehicle. The Inno can be tuned to transmit on FM frequencies from 88.1 to 107.9 to play through an FM radio.

Recording a song off the live XM radio is simple. At first, it seems counterintuitive; who would want to begin recording a song after it already has begun? However, the Inno has a built-in buffer that remembers the song from the beginning. Hit record, and the Inno captures all the song.

Setting the timer to record is simple. The setup screen lets the user quickly establish what day, hour and minute the recording is to start and stop — useful when there's a game, talk show or other bit of programming that you can't listen to live.

One feature we didn't try was the ability to move MP3 and WAV files from a personal computer onto the Inno or using the tie-in with Napster to buy songs for the computer and the Inno.

All this convenience comes at a price, of course. The basic Inno unit costs $399.99, which includes a wealth of accessories — a home dock, an external antenna, cords to hook it up to a home stereo, earphones and a remote control.

The car kit, with mounting equipment, power adapter, antenna, dock and remote, costs another $70. The car kit includes a cassette adapter, although the Inno does have the FM capability.

Optional headphones with built-in antenna can add another $39.99.

But for a true XM believer, it may be a small price to pay. The Inno offers the ultimate flexibility for ways to get that daily fix of music, talk, sports and other programming.

Pros: The Inno adds the ability to record and transfer music to XM's core service.

Cons: It's a pricey way to get one's XM dose.

Bottom line: A lot of features in a small package, for those with the bucks.

home stereo: Satellite shows are interfering with some FM stations

2006-05-18T02:24:00.000-07:00

By Clea Simon, Globe Correspondent | May 18, 2006

The majority of listeners who hear Howard Stern on Sirius Satellite Radio pay for the privilege. But a growing number who pick up shows from both XM and Sirius satellite services are getting Stern but would prefer not to. The occurrence of satellite ''bleed through" -- when regular FM programming is broken into by a satellite signal -- is small, but as the number of satellite subscribers increases, so does this radio interference problem.

Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | Breaking News Alerts This interference is neither a Stern prank nor promotion. It's an unintentional side effect of the services' cost-saving measures. Satellite radio requires special receivers to pick up its signal, and when these receivers are professionally installed, they do just that. However, to attract listeners who want a low-cost option, both XM and Sirius have licensed ''do it yourself" plug-in receivers that can be used in a car or with a home stereo. These plug-in receivers, known as FM modulators, usually contain small, low-power wireless transmitters.

Once they pick up the satellite signal, the FM modulators use these low-power transmitters to rebroadcast the satellite signal to the car or home stereo on a low-end FM frequency, such as 88.1 or 88.3. This makes it possible for the user to ''tune in" satellite on their regular radio. Unfortunately, as the number of these FM modulators grows, more and more outside radios pick up their signals as well. This low-power retransmitting is allowed by the FCC's so-called Part 15 rules and isn't supposed to interfere with licensed broadcasters. But according to both listeners and traditional broadcasters, the interference is there and growing.

''We have gotten numerous complaints," says William Kuhlman, chief engineer of MIT station WMBR-FM (88.1). Listeners trying to tune in to this small MIT-based station, he says, ''hear bits of Howard Stern bleeding through into our morning shows when they commute to work." The problem is national. The Vermont public radio system in particular is encountering difficulties with its new classical radio network, according to Scott Fybush, editor of the Rochester, N.Y.-based NorthEast Radio Watch. The network is carried by repeater stations across the state. But since the network uses the 88.1 frequency, at times the repeaters rebroadcast satellite shows, instead of the public radio content.

''It's a perfect storm of circumstances," says Fybush. ''Nobody anticipated when the Part 15 rules came about that there would be so many of these devices." Another problem, he says, is that many of these low-cost receivers are manufactured overseas where, without domestic oversight, they may not all be made to the legal specifications. ''Some engineers think they are putting out more [power] than Part 15 allows," says Fybush.

The FCC is looking into the problem and is investigating both XM and Sirius. One solution, suggests Kuhlman, would be to push the satellite signals further down the dial below most stations -- to 87.9 FM for example. But this may be too little, too late.

''The cat is very much out of the bag," says Fybush. ''All of these devices are out there. There are millions in cars and homes. You can't just turn around and say none of these are legal anymore."

© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.

home stereo: iPods Edge Out Home Stereo Systems

2006-05-18T02:22:00.000-07:00

Morning Edition, May 2, 2006 · The popularity of digital music players like Apple's iPod is reshaping the home-stereo business. Users aren't just relying on the devices to store their music. In some instances, they're using them as their main listening device in the home. Sales of high-end audio equipment have taken a dive as a result.

Greg Thomas considers himself something of an audiophile. But these days, he usually listens to music on compressed digital files played through his iPod. He has downloaded about 10,000 songs onto the digital-music player, which are available at the touch of a button.

"I never have to go into my CD cabinet and cruise through there trying to find the title [I'm] looking for," Thomas says. "It's all right there, so the iPod has completely replaced using CDs for me."

And it's not just his CD collection that's gathering dust. The 39-year-old Maryland schoolteacher says his trusty home stereo, the one he's had for years, now sits tucked away in a closet.

Thomas says that sound is still important to him, but he's replaced his bulky stereo -- with its wires, cables and individual components -- with a small, stylish, white speaker system that lets him to listen to his iPod without using headphones.

The changing listening habits of Thomas and millions like him are causing a profound shift in the audio market.

The Consumer Electronics Association, the industry's main trade group, says sales of digital-music players tripled last year, with the value of shipments of digital-music players totaling $3.7 billion versus just $1.2 billion for traditional home stereos. That's something which hasn't been lost on those who sell stereos for a living.

"It's a landscape that is fraught with peril, but also fraught with opportunity," says Gary Yacoubian, president of MeyerEmco, a small, specialty-audio chain in the Washington, D.C., area. He says it's the first time ever that sales of small, portable, digital-audio devices, like the iPod, exceeded those of home entertainment systems.

Yacoubian says that, at first, there was resistance to carrying digital-music players in his stores. But now, alongside the super-expensive stereo receivers and speaker systems sit small music systems designed specifically for the iPod and other MP3 players. Some of the systems are made by personal-computer makers rather than traditional audio manufacturers.

Unlike the thousands of dollars a high-end stereo might cost, these devices retail for just a few hundred dollars.

And while some audio purists point to the fact the iPod and similar devices play back compressed digital files at a lower quality than CDs, listeners don't seem to care, at least not according to the sales numbers.

Cream of Fresh Asparagus Soup

2006-05-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

What a great way to use that spring-fresh asparagus!"
Original recipe yield: 6 servings.
Prep Time:10 MinutesCook Time:40 MinutesReady In:50 MinutesServings:6 (change)
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
6 tablespoons butter
1 pinch salt
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups water
4 cups hot milk
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce

DIRECTIONS:
Break off and discard tough asparagus bottoms. Break off tips; set aside. Coarsely chop stalks.
Cook in skillet over medium heat with onion in butter, salting lightly, for 8 to 10 minutes.
When onions are clear, sprinkle with flour. Continue to stir over lowest possible heat 5 to 8 minutes.
Slowly add water or stock, stirring constantly. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Cool slightly.
In blender, puree sauce bit-by-bit with milk until thoroughly smooth.
Return puree to 3-quart pan, preferably a double boiler. Add dill, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and tamari. Heat gently but don't boil.
As soup heats, cook asparagus tips in boiling water until tender, but still very green, about 2 minutes; drain. Add whole pieces to soup.

Submitted by: Holly

What Kind Of Stereo Do I Need?

2006-05-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

To determine the type of stereo best-suited to your needs, let’s go back to the questions asked in the Getting Started section of the site. You’ve undoubtedly evaluated your finances, and know what your tastes in music are. You’ve also likely taken a look at the myriad of types of audio equipment that populates the marketplace. With those things done, we can now safely attempt to answer what kind of stereo is best for you.
If you are a “gadget person” or need to have the best of everything, cost-no-object, then a high-end system is for you. Otherwise, you can work with a less sophisticated solution.

Consider the following as you decide which stereo solution is best for you:

MONEY
Remember, one of our earliest considerations was the amount that you were planning to spend on your stereo system. If your planned expenditure is less than $500.00 you are going to be seriously limited in your choice of gear. You can still get good performance, but there will be plenty of compromises that need to be made. If you have more money to spend, your choices multiply quickly. But bear in mind, just because an item is more expensive, there’s no guarantee that it will out-perform a less expensive piece.
SPACE
Look closely at your personal situation. If you live in an apartment, your space is most likely limited. Having a 300-watt per channel system might be overkill. You may never fully exploit the capabilities of your system and your “investment” might be more of a waste. On the contrary, if you have a large listening room or family area that you wish to have filled with sound, its advisable that you get a more advanced, and more capable system.
PERFORMANCE
In my opinion, the most important aspect of choosing, buying and setting up your home stereo is the performance consideration. Everyone has a different expectation regarding the level of performance they expect from any purchase. For example, the purchaser might not need or want the home theater effects or equalizer in the all-in-one system. Instead they may value faithful reproduction of music from digital sources like Compact Disc, or a rare recording format like reel-to-reel tape.
You must determine much utility and enjoyment you expect going to get from the purchase of this stereo system or component. This is known as the “value proposition.” You are seeking a strong value proposition: highest utility for most reasonable price. Regardless of the type of music you’re fond of, there are some key performance goals you should have for your stereo system.

Some people simply want static-free reception of FM radio. Today, even budget micro-systems give entirely passable sound. Others want to be engaged by the sound; they want to feel apart of the recording session. If your desire is to hear a saxophonist breathing into his reed, and want to actually “see” the performers in front of you, there is only one way to go: high-end.

Balance of Forces
Getting the right kind of stereo involves balancing the price/performance/space considerations, and purchasing equipment that sounds good working together, to provide the best performance possible while not blowing your budget. The key to creating the best system is getting your equipment to work “synergistically”. By that I mean, finding pieces whose individual characteristics are complimentary. Each component or piece in the reproduction chain will most likely “color” the music in some way. Our job is to reduce this.
If you think in terms of price/performance/space, the result will be a system that is best-suited to your personal tastes and priorities.

From Anthony Armstrong,

iPods Edge Out Home Stereo Systems

2006-05-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Morning Edition, May 2, 2006 · The popularity of digital music players like Apple's iPod is reshaping the home stereo business. Users aren't just relying on the devices to store their music. In some instances, they're using them as their main listening device in the home. Sales of high-end audio equipment have taken a dive as a result.

Greg Thomas considers himself something of an audiophile. But these days, he usually listens to music on compressed digital files played through his iPod. He has downloaded about 10,000 songs onto the digital-music player, which are available at the touch of a button.

"I never have to go into my CD cabinet and cruise through there trying to find the title [I'm] looking for," Thomas says. "It's all right there, so the iPod has completely replaced using CDs for me."

And it's not just his CD collection that's gathering dust. The 39-year-old Maryland schoolteacher says his trusty home stereo, the one he's had for years, now sits tucked away in a closet.

Thomas says that sound is still important to him, but he's replaced his bulky stereo -- with its wires, cables and individual components -- with a small, stylish, white speaker system that lets him to listen to his iPod without using headphones.

The changing listening habits of Thomas and millions like him are causing a profound shift in the audio market.

The Consumer Electronics Association, the industry's main trade group, says sales of digital-music players tripled last year, with the value of shipments of digital-music players totaling $3.7 billion versus just $1.2 billion for traditional home stereos. That's something which hasn't been lost on those who sell stereos for a living.

"It's a landscape that is fraught with peril, but also fraught with opportunity," says Gary Yacoubian, president of MeyerEmco, a small, specialty-audio chain in the Washington, D.C., area. He says it's the first time ever that sales of small, portable, digital-audio devices, like the iPod, exceeded those of home entertainment systems.

Yacoubian says that, at first, there was resistance to carrying digital-music players in his stores. But now, alongside the super-expensive stereo receivers and speaker systems sit small music systems designed specifically for the iPod and other MP3 players. Some of the systems are made by personal-computer makers rather than traditional audio manufacturers.

Unlike the thousands of dollars a high-end stereo might cost, these devices retail for just a few hundred dollars.

And while some audio purists point to the fact the iPod and similar devices play back compressed digital files at a lower quality than CDs, listeners don't seem to care, at least not according to the sales numbers.

by Jack Speer
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5375728

Zyng Asian Grill

2006-05-08T01:51:00.000-07:00

For many people who regularly dine out in Rockford, you may have noticed that we are starting to get a lot of new restaurants in town. The hard part is, however,deciding which ones to try. We will try to check out a few of them to let you know which ones are worth it. Zyng's is one awesome place that I recently tried and really enjoyed.

First of all, the cuisine is Asian, so if you don't like Asian food obviously don't go. But for anyone who loves Asian food, it was perfect! What I really enjoyed about the restaurant was the ability for you to pick out exactly what you want. They have a make your own stir fry type of dish, which allows you to pick the noodle or rice, meat, vegetables, and seasoning you want. They then cook it, and bring it out to you at your table.

Besides the make you own stir fry, they also have many other entrees to choose from. They, also, in addition to entrees, have a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, and specialty teas.

The restaurant's warm, friendly atmosphere made me have an enjoyable time and definitely want to go check it out again. Go try it for yourself with some friends this weekend and let us know what you think!

posted by Emily Johnson

Home Stereo :DLO ships HomeDock Deluxe for iPod

2006-05-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) today announced it is now shipping the DLO HomeDock Deluxe Home Entertainment Dock for iPod with On-Screen Navigation. The HomeDock Deluxe lets users view and select their iPod's music on a television screen using the included 18-button remote control that navigates through the iPod's music, videos and photos. The company says the new device adds a new twist to the iPod by displaying music content onto a television screen. The remote allows users to control over 14 playback functions via an original, customizable interface. Song information is large and easy to read from anywhere in the room, according to DLO. The HomeDock Deluxe has two distinct modes: On-Screen Navigation Mode (for music interface on a TV) and iPod Mode (to play videos or photo slideshows on a TV directly from the iPod).
"On-screen navigation of iPod's music on your TV has been a dream of iPod owners for a long time and now DLO will be the first company to put that feature into customers' hands," said Jeff Grady, CEO of DLO. "The Homedock Deluxe's innovations expand the iPod's reach for our customers. The Deluxe changes the way you experience your iPod."

The HomeDock Deluxe features four color theme settings: Aqua, Forest Green, Metal and Teal, enabling owners to personalize their HomeDock Deluxe to match their personal taste or a room's decor. It also features three Screen Savers including Status Bar (which shows the current song info and play status), Black Screen and DLO Logo.

The DLO HomeDock Deluxe connects to a Home Stereo and TV with standard RCA plugs and S-Video connection -- without any adapters or Y-cables. The iPod's music is sent to the stereo through the audio line-out from the dock connector of the iPod. The HomeDock Deluxe continuously powers an iPod while connected to a home stereo or TV. Optionally, HomeDock Deluxe owners can simply connect it to a stereo or pair of powered speakers for music-only playback (without on-screen TV navigation or video playback).

HomeDock Deluxe offers everything needed to connect an iPod to a home stereo and/or TV in one simple package, including an AC power adapter, a 6-foot AV cable, an 18-button IR remote control and a powered speaker adapter cable. With an adjustable docking stand, the HomeDock Deluxe works with any dockable iPod back to the 4th generation iPods, including the iPod nano and iPod mini. It features a USB 2.0 port for syncing from a user's computer and is available now for $150.

Home Stereo: Tiny Pico Plays iPod® Songs Through Your Radio

2006-05-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

Published 1st May 2006

Kensington launches Pico FM Transmitter for iPods® to play music wirelessly through a car or home stereo...

Kensington, the computer accessories company, is launching an ultra-thin and sleek FM transmitter for use with any clickwheel iPod®. The Pico, designed to connect perfectly with the iPod nano, transmits whatever songs the iPod is playing to any car or home stereo via the radio function, without the need for any wires, software or setting changes.

The Pico uses the iPod’s LCD screen to display radio frequency information, making it extremely easy to tune a nearby radio into the same frequency. The Pico has a side scroll-wheel that enables the user to select a free band, and can be preset to two frequencies so that users can match car and home devices to pick up their iPod’s music automatically.

The technology inside the Pico’s transmitter has been designed to minimise battery drain on the iPod, removing the need for a separate power supply. It is the same colour, width and depth as a nano, but works with any iPod with a 30-pin doc connector. Designed in California, the Pico has a ‘made for iPod’ endorsement and comes with a two-year warranty.

Kensington’s Pico FM Transmitter will be on sale pending a review of the legislation surrounding radio transmissions by the British Government. It will retail at around £34.99: pricing and retail outlet information will be confirmed once a decision has been made on the legality of the device.

“The Pico is a really clever little device that enables you to wirelessly connect your iPod to your home or car stereo – with no set-up or configuration,” said Phil O’Neill, managing director at Kensington Europe. “All the user needs to do is tune their car or home stereo to a clear radio station, select the same station on the iPod and press play. This will quickly become a must-have for iPod users everywhere.”

Home Stereo: iCast wireless connects iPod to home stereo

2006-05-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

Soundcast Systems on Monday introduced iCast, a $299 wireless interface for the iPod that helps it to interface with a home stereo system.

The price of the iCast includes both a transmitter and receiver — the receiver plugs into the home entertainment or stereo system, while the transmitter provides a dock connector for the iPod (multiple inserts are included to accommodate different iPod models). The transmitter and receiver connect without requiring any programming or setup.

The iCast transmitter charges the iPod’s battery when it’s placed in the dock, and tracking and menu controls continue to operate while the iPod is in the dock. The iCast receiver — made in black to match most home stereo gear — also duplicates several iPod functions, so it can operate as a remote control if the stereo is located in another room from the iPod.

The iCast uses the 2.4GHz frequency range to communicate between transmitter and receiver. It employs Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to search for open bands, to prevent the iCast from being disrupted by interference with microwave ovens, cordless phones and other devices that work in the same frequency range. Soundcast said the iCast base can work up to 150 feet through multiple rooms indoors.

Soundcast also plans to offer separate iCast receivers if you want to connect your iPod to different stereos in your home — the receivers alone cost $129. Expect to see the iCast hit retail stores in April.

By Peter Cohen

Home Stereo: Logitech Introduces Wireless Music Solution

2006-05-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Logitech has announced three new wireless products built around the proprietary Logitech Music Anywhere technology, which streams music from a PC or portable music player to a home stereo. The Music Anywhere system uses adaptive frequency hopping to avoid interfering with existing wireless services, and, since it doesn't use 802.11 frequencies, can't be used for other home-networking purposes.

The first product, the Logitech Wireless Music System for PC, streams music from users' computers to connected home entertainment systems within a range of about 300 feet. The three-piece system includes a wireless transmitter that connects to a PC via USB, a wireless receiver that connects to a home stereo receiver via RCA or 3.5 mm jack, and an infrared remote control.

The remote is used to control the PC's music playback, and can also be used from another room. Logitech says the remote control is compatible with iTunes, WinAmp, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, and MusicMatch.

The Logitech Wireless Music System for PC will be available in September for $149.99 (list).

Logitech's Wireless Music System for iPod does the same thing as the PC system, but connects to any portable music player through the headphone port and has a range of about 30 feet. The Wireless Music System for iPod will be available in October for $149.99 (list).

Lastly, Logitech has also built the proprietary wireless technology into the new Wireless Headphones for PC. The headphones have the same wireless receiver built in, and connect to the PC via USB with a claimed range of 165 feet. The headphones will be available in October for $129.99 (list).

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.

Home Stereo: MusicGiants

2006-05-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

You sign up with a music download service, get your 128-Kbps (or 192-Kbps, if you're lucky) music files, and put those files onto your portable audio player. Everything sounds fine when you're listening through your low-end earbuds on the subway, but when you try to play those files through your high-end home stereo or headphones, you will notice that their sound quality is pretty poor because of all that compression. Enter MusicGiants: Finally, a company is offering a music download service that uses a lossless compression format, Windows Media Audio (WMA) Lossless, which provides true CD-quality audio in about half the file size. For comparison, most commercially available MP3 and WMA files are encoded at from 64 Kbps to 192 Kbps; the WMA Lossless codec outputs files that are generally between 380 Kbps and 1,100 Kbps. The company believes that the high fidelity of the lossless files will entice artists who have previously shunned the digital download scene (Led Zeppelin, for example) to make their music available.

by Michael Kobrin

Home Stereo: Belkin TuneStage for iPod

2006-05-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

It didn't take long for Belkin's new TuneStage for iPod to become one of our favorite iPod accessories. It lets you stream music wirelessly from your iPod to your stereo from up to 33 feet away via Bluetooth 1.2. Setup is a snap, and the sound quality is good. The TuneStage does have some limitations—most notably that it doesn't work with the new iPod nano or the iPod shuffle—but none were deal-breakers for us. And the metallic silver and white base station with its bright-blue LED looks classy next to any home stereo (plus the LED just happens to match the blue lights on our Harman Kardon receiver).

The compact base station (6.5 by 4.5 by 1.2 inches) plugs into your home stereo using the included gold-plated RCA-to-stereo mini plug cable. We like that the device itself has both RCA jacks and a 3.5-mm mini jack, so you can choose which end of the cable to plug in to your stereo based on its input capabilities. All you need to do from there is plug the base station in and turn it on.

The small silver and white transmitter plugs into any iPod with a remote-control jack—that's the little 4-pin connector next to the headphone jack. Alas, iPod nano and shuffle users are out of luck (for now) since neither of those models have that port. Pairing with the base station is automatic. Just plug the transmitter into your iPod and press Play.

The transmitter is rated for up to 33 feet, depending on the shape of your home, the number of obstacles blocking the signal, and the proximity of items such as microwave ovens, 2.4-GHz WLAN, and cordless phones. The system can work around most interference problems, however, via its adaptive frequency hopping. We tested the unit at a distance from the base station of about 16 feet while using a microwave oven, and we only experienced a dropped signal when we put our iPod right in front of the oven.

by Michael Kobrin

How To Connect Your Digital Receiver To Your Home Theater Setup

2006-05-04T23:26:00.000-07:00

In the not too distant past, stereo receivers were only used for connecting components of your home stereo system and switching between them, but times have changed drastically in the home entertainment field in just the last few years. Today a stereo receiver, or digital receiver as they are sometimes called, is expected to also handle video inputs from any number of devices and be able to route that as well to the TV set. In addition, today's receivers must have the capability to decode surround sound and support up to at least 5 speakers and a subwoofer. That's a lot to ask, and also a lot to connect up, so let's discuss how to connect your digital receiver to your home theater setup.

If you buy an all-in-one home theater system package, you probably won't have much problem setting things up because it's all usually laid out for you in the instructions and the components should all match very well. But if you are putting together your own home theater package made up of different components then you need to plan ahead and buy the right equipment to get the job done.

As far as the receiver is concerned, be sure that you buy one that has the number of connections that you will need to handle all of your system components. For video, almost all receivers give you a connection for a DVD player, a VCR, and a cable or satellite box, but do you also plan to connect up a digital camcorder, a video game system, or digital video recorder? If so, you will need enough inputs for all these pieces of equipment too. And you can expect to pay more for that many extra connections, but if that is what you need, the cost is worth it.

Now you need to be sure that the connection types are what you want too. Almost all video equipment can be connected through a standard composite connection cable, but if you want to improve the video quality you will use an S-video connection instead. Having a good mix of input connections between the two can be a good idea as most camcorder video will not have to be of the highest quality anyway.

On the audio front, many digital receivers are coming with surround sound decoders built into the unit and that is usually the simplest solution. Just make sure that the digital connection for sound from your system components matches the input connection on the receiver. Usually it is either an optical or coaxial connection. Just be sure that whichever it is, they match on both ends.

Then be sure that you have enough speaker connections to drive your speaker setup. If you like to use the newer 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound system format you will need enough speaker connections on your receiver to power all those separate speakers.

Once you have the right equipment with the right connections, actually installing the receiver is a matter of staying organized as you go. It may be a good idea to label each cable set on both ends to remind you what goes where. And be sure to keep the polarity straight when you install the speakers too. Each speaker has a "+" and "-" terminal, so make sure that you match them up correctly with the corresponding terminal on the receiver or your sound quality will suffer.

Following a few well planned guidelines and being as organized as possible can help you to not only buy the right digital receiver equipment for your home theater setup, but also install it correctly as well.

Find free stereo receiver reviews and the best stereo receivers by visiting our Home Theater website.

by Jim Johnson

The Future of Radio

2006-05-04T23:24:00.000-07:00

What a huge idea! To have the ability to listen to commercial free music, wherever, whenever! One great idea can change everything. XM Satellite Radio has changed everything. XM is now America's #1 Satellite Radio provider. It features over 160 digital channels -- over 30 channels of news, sports, talk and entertainment, over 20 dedicated channels of XM-brand Instant Traffic & Weather, and the largest playlist in the industry with access to over 2 million song titles.

Probably the best thing about an XM Satellite radio is that you don't have to replace your old radio to get XM. It's swift and simple to add XM to your existing car or home stereo. With the XM system, you'll still be able to listen to your regular AM, FM stations and your CD or cassette player. A great feature of XM radios is its ability to display the channel name, artist name and song title, so you won't ever have to ask "what's the name of that song?" That's priceless! If you're in the market for a new car, be sure to ask about having a XM Radio installed. XM-equipped audio systems are offered in over 100 new cars for the 2005 model year.

There is no doubt that satellite radio is the future of the music and audio entertainment industry. Satellite radio is doing to radio what cable television did to television years ago. An explosion of information is ready for your ears! Founded in 1992, as the American Mobile Radio Corporation, XM offers receivers from the price range of $30 - $300. For the budget-friendly consumer, XM also offers these receivers at a month-to-month plan, with service fees at about $12.95 for the first receiver. Subscribers may purchase packages from 1-5 years, in which the average cost is under $10 per month. XM also offers internet only packages and mobile (i.e. Ipod) services for satellite radio.

For those you curious to how they "do it", here's a synopsis. XM provides digital programming directly from three satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator. There are the XM-1 ("Roll"), XM-2 ("Rock") and XM-3 ("Rhythm"). The integration of three satellites and a ground-based repeater network is designed to give gap-free coverage anywhere within the continental United States. Unfortunately, XM-1, and XM-2 were created with a design fault on the Boeing 702 series of satellites, which basically means that their life spans will be only about six years, instead of 15 like the maker intended.

You can compare prices and reviews for XM Radio at Affordable XM Radios

by Bo

Modern House Floor Plan

2006-05-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

It used to be that the word "modern" brought to mind the idea of spartan or monastic spaces. Possibly even bland and boring in terms of what we call the modern house floor plan. What most people have in mind is a more livable mix of form and function. Sleek architecture combined with state of the art technology create a modern, minimimalist appeal.

State of the art speaker systems can be concealed in the drywall of rooms throughout the house to create the ultimate home stereo without the clutter. Home theater equipment placed on a revolving table can double as new age art for both living rooms and bedrooms.

Living space can be divided into sections with simple ideas such as plain rice paper screens. This eliminates the need for some walls which could crowd the open floor space. Screens can also be easily moved if you tire of them. Windows and doors should be kept free of excess decoration. If naked windows bother you, keep the coverings to a minimum with blinds or a single pair of plain curtains.

Not all design elements need be expensive. Floor to ceiling facing mirrors can infinitely expand a room as well as multiply any decor you choose keeping necessary purchases to a minimum. Look for bargin furnishings that can do double or even triple duty in your house.

Paint and lighting are best friends to the modern house floor plan. Paint can add color, depth and even texture without taking up space while lighting, particularly recessed lighting, allows for the artistic addition of light and shadow without clutter.

A modern house floor plan can allow for open floor spaces and provide a minimalist look without being bland or boring.

Entrepeneur and free lance creative writer. For more of my works please visit House Floor Plan

home stereo: Hi-Fi questions and answers

2006-05-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

Should I bi-wire?

Simply, yes if you have bi-wire terminals on your speakers. Bi-wiring terminals at the back of your loudspeakers allows you to disconnect the join between the electronics in the speaker (crossover) and then connect a cable from your HF unit (tweeter) and bass/mid range driver to your amplifier. You will get better sound quality. For further advice on this visit any Hifi Corner branch.
Should home cinema speakers be all the same brand?

Convension wisdom is that for the best cohesive sound then all the speakers in a home cinema system should be of the same brand, ideally of the same quality. It is then less likely you will hear tonal differences between the actors as their voice moves across the sound stage. Practically it may not be possible, and the choice to keep the speakers throughout will depend on the overall quality of the hifi/home cinema system. The higher the quality the more it is recommended to have the same or very similar speakers. The only exception may be the sub-woofer or low bass frequency unit. Ideally one should not 'hear' this but 'feel' it working. As a good many sub-woofers don't work as they should; you may be better off buying one from a specialist sub woofer manufacturer.
What brands of loudspeakers does Hifi Corner stock?

Hi-Fi Corner stocks Art, Bose, REL, B&W, KEF, Quad,Spendor, Tannoy, Mission (NXT), Yamaha (sub woofers), and many more. You are advised to phone before travelling.
Why you should pay a visit to Hi-Fi Corner.

Hi-Fi Corner use only the very highest quality comparators from NEXUS to demonstrate the differences between loudspeakers. We recommend you always listen to speakers before purchase.

Hi-Fi Corner have customers not only throughout Scotland but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our reputation extends throughout the UK.

http://www.hificorner.co.uk/tips/loudspeakers.htm

home stereo: Hi-Fi FAQ

2006-05-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

How should I position my speakers?

In an ideal world once the carpet is down in your room you should position your speakers, then the rest of the furniture around your hifi.

For a variety of reasons (or people) this isn't practical. You may have no choice in the matter but ideally try and position the speakers in a triangle. Preferable an equilateral triangle (helps if you did geometry) where you are at the apex of this triangle. If the speakers are too far apart you will get a left and right sound with no centre stage. If you are too far away you will also not have a wide sound. The distance apart depends on the dispersion characteristics of the speaker. Your ideal listening position is also determined this way as well. Better quality loudspeakers have greater flexibility in listening position. This is quite often forgotten in the decision making process of buying.

Remember that the room and furnishings will have an effect on the sound, so be brave and experiment.
Why do my speakers keep blowing when the power output is above the amp?

Speakers have drive units in them. These are the electro-mechanical parts which produce the sound. Each drive unit is designed for specific frequencies and has a different power rating. If your amplifier is say 10watts and the speaker is rated at 20 watts, the high frequency unit may only be rated at 5W. So it is still possible to overdrive it. More likely the reason the speakers have been damaged is that the amplifier has reached its peak output power and instead of sending out a nice sine wave music signal, for which speakers are designed, it has sent out a square wave spike. Speakers don't like this and basically it burns the fragile wires at the back of the drive unit. It is Hifi Corner's experience that more speakers are damaged by amplifiers having too low a power output rather than the reverse. Melted or fused wires at the back of the speakers are not under guarantee, so take great care. Overdriving of amplifiers often happens under the following conditions:- when the tone controls are turned up (this demands more power even at same volume levels); wild parties (the more you have to drink the harder of hearing you become); and when no-one was in the house (except the children/cleaner who deny ever touching the hifi).
How many drive units should I have?

The working parts of a loudspeaker, the drive units, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Like the size of the speaker itself, a good speaker with two drive units will sound better than a bad speaker with five. The more drive units the harder it will be for the designer to make it sound good. So be wary of inexpensive designs with multiple drivers. Speakers sold on specifications tend to be aimed at the less experienced buyers. Hifi Corner have superb demonstration facilities and there is no substitute for listening yourself.
What is "in phase"?

Terminals at the back of the speaker are marked 'plus' or 'positive' and 'minus' or 'negative' . Amplifiers also have at the back 'positive' and 'negative' terminals. They may be colour coded. If one of the terminals is misconnected then the speaker is said to be out of phase.

Basically when one of the drive units is moving out on one speaker, it will move in on another. The net effect is that bass is lost as the speakers are working against each other.

Stereo becomes diffuse and it is difficult if not impossible to localize sounds in the middle of the speakers. Correcting this balance means the speakers are 'in-phase'. This is a common problem which if careful connections are made should be avoided.

If you are not sure if your speakers are 'in-phase', reverse the polarity of one of your speaker terminals, and listen to which setting gives you the most bass. Be careful to switch the amplifier off before changing and do not let the terminals cross (or short circuit) each other.

http://www.hificorner.co.uk/tips/loudspeakers.htm

home stereo: Hi-Fi Loudspeaker Q and A

2006-05-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

The questions below are often asked in Hifi Corner's stores.

Hi-Fi Corner are the oldest established audio specialist in Scotland, with stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Falkirk.

FAQ'S on loudspeakers. All Hifi Corner FAQ's are non technical and represent questions often asked by our customers. There are more technical sites elsewhere which cater for those requiring in-depth knowledge.
Should I have a bookshelf or floorstanding speaker?

You should buy what suits you sound wise, is always the correct answer when talking about loudspeakers. Technically larger units can give a deeper bass due to the cabinet dimensions, but size isn't everything. It is better to have a good small speaker than a big bad one! Whilst you may get more bass from a larger speaker, if its not well designed, the larger cabinet can cause colourations (unwanted colouring of the sound).
Why should I have my speaker off the floor?

Most speakers are designed to have their working parts (the drive units) at a certain height. Normally in bookshelf speakers the height of the tweeter (High Frequency or HF unit) should be at head height. Having small speakers on the floor means the height is therefore wrong. The floor also introduces colourations and the bass (low frequency) notes will resonate with it giving a poor diffused boomy sound. Ask a friend to lift one speaker off the floor whilst you listen to it and hear the difference.

Vibrations through the floor also feedback into your hifi equipment, be it a turntable, cd or even amplifier. These vibrations interfere with the music.

The ideal solution is a purpose made speaker stand at the correct height for your speaker. Hifi Corner stores can advise in this matter.
What advice have you regarding speaker stands?

A loudspeaker stand is designed to get your speakers at the correct height. In many speakers (although there are exceptions) this is head height when sitting. The stand should be of stable construction. Its purpose is also to isolate the speaker from its surrounding.

Spikes are generally used on the base of the stand to minimise the vibrations going through the floor. There is a train of thought that the stand itself should be solidly mounted to the spaeker, whilst some people prefer another set of spikes between the speaker stand and the speaker itself for further isolation. Try blu-tack between the speaker and the stand and then the spikes and see which sounds better to you.

If stand can be filled with sand or lead shot, or a mixture, this will give extra density. It is demonstrably better to have filled stands.

Hifi Corner stock and recommend specialised equipment and speaker stands from Atacama, Stands Unique and Soundstyle. The Atacama Nexus stand offering fabulous sound and value for money at present.

http://www.hificorner.co.uk/tips/loudspeakers.htm

The Top Two Choices From Onine Stereo Receiver Reviews

2006-05-04T02:31:00.000-07:00

When considering any electronics purchase there is usually more than enough brands and models to choose from and it can even start to get confusing for the average person who is not an electronics equipment whiz. Fortunately, the internet is a vast storehouse of independent consumer ratings and if you do some homework you can usually spot the top products very quickly.

When looking for stereo receivers these days there are a few features that come to mind that should be included on the latest models to really give you the most for your money as the digital entertainment age comes into it's own. One is that unlike receivers of the past, today's stereo receivers need to incorporate video into the mix as well as audio capability. For years a home receiver was used mainly for the home audio system, but now a typical home entertainment setup requires a receiver to process video signals as well.

A modern receiver would also be able to decode and process both Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround sound and support the 5 speakers and subwoofer that is required for creating a true surround sound experience. The receiver should have plenty of inputs for the audio/video devices that will be used with it and a variety of connections for those devices to insure the best audio and video quality.

With all of that in mind, we have found that two digital receivers have the features and positive reviews that we like to see to be able to meet the needs of most people. And here they are:

1. The Yamaha RX-V650 is a great receiver that produces clean, crisp sound and can actually function well with either 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers, which can be important if you aren't sure what your speaker setups's ohm rating is. It also develops plenty of power, being rated at close to 100 watts per channel. That amount of power will fill even the largest rooms with sound. The rear video inputs are: Composite: 4, Component: 2, S-Video: 4, and the video outputs are Component: 1, Composite: 2, S-Video: 2. There are 4 rear audio inputs and two outputs. This receiver will also support on up to Dolby 7.1 surround sound. It costs just under $400 online and is a great piece of equipment for most home theater needs.

2. The Panasonic SA-XR50 - This is a less expensive digital receiver that still delivers great value and performance by all accounts. It supports up to 6.1 surround sound and puts out 100 watts per channel of power making it an easy choice to power speakers effectively even in large rooms. The audio inputs are: 4 A/V, 1 coaxial, 1 optical; and the video inputs are 3 composite, 3 S-video, 2 component. This receiver often sells for under $300 online making it a great bargain.

Either receiver mentioned above would no doubt make a fine purchase for either your home stereo or home theater needs as both are highly rated in most online stereo receiver reviews. There are also other fine receivers available though, and it's always good to make a thorough search to find the one that fits you best.

Find free stereo receiver reviews and the best stereo receivers by visiting our Home Theater website.

History of the Computer - Analog or Digital?

2006-05-04T02:30:00.000-07:00

In 'History of the Computer - the emergence of Electronics', we saw how the development of Radar during the second world war led to an understanding of pulse technology. At the same time methods were refined for the calculations required for the ballistic trajectories. From these beginnings, the digital computer was developed.

What is meant by 'Analog' and 'Digital'? A couple of examples will explain the difference. An analog is something which is analogous, obviously, but you may know that an analogous process or function is one that is equivalent, or very similar to another one. An analogy is often used to explain, or to assist the understanding of, some new feature in terms that are understood.

For example a home electric circuit for house wiring to operate a lamp. The supply is controlled by a circuit breaker, when it is available at the outlet where the lamp is plugged. This can be compared to plumbing, where the water supply is controlled by a valve or tap on entering the home, then pipes carry the water to the kitchen, where the supply can be turned on or off by a tap or faucet, and is immediately available. The rate of flow of the water can be controlled, which is analogous to a dimmer on the lamp.

The analogy is not absolutely the same, but aids in the understanding of the electricity supply by someone who knows the plumbing system.

Digital, concerning digits or numbers, refers to the use of numbers to represent all things. As an example, a digital watch uses numbers to indicate the time. The numbers on the face of traditional watch are distributed around the dial, so that the hands pointing to them are analogous to the passage of time. For example the minute hand pointing straight down, half way through the circle of the clock, represents the passing of half an hour. If the hour hand is pointing to the number 3, this indicates 3 hours of the 12 for a complete circuit. When we learnt to tell the time we knew that this was half past three. The digital watch however says 3:30.

Closer to our topic, we can consider the evolution of the gramophone record. The vinyl LP was the standard medium for music recording and playing from the 1950s, tape recordings were also developed in parallel. Both these media use a modulation system, where the amplitude, or strength, of the modulation is proportional, or analogous, to the loudness of the original live singing or playing. This music had been converted by a microphone into an variable electrical signal, analogous to the sound.

With the invention in the 1980s of the Compact Disc, digital techniques were employed to represent the changes in sound levels, by using a sampling pulse to monitor the loudness of the sound. This sampling pulse is used at a high frequency, so that it is not audible, and traces the progress of the sound. The principle is analogous to the movie camera where a sequence of still pictures are shown at a rate of 32 frames per second, so that they appear to show a moving picture. Similarly a tv uses a frame rate of 50 or 60 per second (strictly speaking 25 0r 30 interlaced).

The big advantage of a digital recording and reproduction system (amplifiers etc are also digital) is that, due to the nature of the high frequency pulses, it is possible to copy them exactly when transferring from one medium to another, for example copying a from cd track to compilation cd. With an analogue system there are losses in every transfer, so that a recording on a cassette tape copied from a vinyl lp via a home stereo is noticeably poorer quality than the original.

A computer can also be analog or digital, though the digital type have vastly outgrown the analog. An analog computer might be used in research work, where, for instance a record may be made on a moving chart of the temperature and humidity in a room being air conditioned by a new design air conditioner, the chart could also be a display on screen. Either way, the graph is an analog representation of the temperature and pressure.

Early electronic controls in aircraft were run by a form of analog computer, the amount the ailerons moved was proportional to the movement of the joystick, but not directly proportional. A calculation was performed, which depended on the speed and height of the aircraft, and other factors. The electronic 'boxes' involved linear amplifiers and variable response circuits, all fed by sensors from the flight controls etc.

Subsequent articles in this series are concerned only with digital computers. We look at how they are put together, and how they perform, in simple steps, more and more advanced calculations.

Tony is an experienced computer engineer. He is currently webmaster and contributor to http://www.what-why-wisdom.com . A set of diagrams accompanying these articles may be seen at http://www.what-why-wisdom.com/history-of-the-computer-0.html . RSS feed also available - use http://www.what-why-wisdom.com/Educational.xml

What You Need To Know About Stereo Receivers

2006-05-04T02:28:00.000-07:00

There has been a revolution taking place in the home entertainment and electronics field in the past decade that will change how we view and listen to entertainment forever. Not long ago, you watched TV and listened to stereo music separately. But increasingly audio and video sources have become combined and now we have a multitude of audio/video devices that we can choose to enjoy including dvd players, camcorders, video games, HDTV, and more. And with this audio/video consolidation the home stereo receiver has had to keep up with the times.

Today we have a wide selection of receivers to choose from. Of course, you can still get the most basic stereo receiver that accepts sound inputs and powers only two speakers at a time. In fact, you can get some very high quality equipment in this area very inexpensively now. In fact, you can build a very cheap and basic home theater setup by using the stereo receiver to process sound from a DVD player, VCR, and your TV.

If you get a receiver that has support for Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, and Pro Logic IIx, you can even get simulated surround sound from your home theater system if you have four or more speakers. Of course, the pro Logic formats are not digital, they are for analog sound inputs but it can help improve your sound quite a bit if you still use analog components.

For most modern uses though, you will need a receiver that can handle both digital audio and video inputs and then routes the signals to the correct component like your TV and speaker setup. On the video side look for receivers that have enough video inputs to support all the video devices that you plan to use, and also be sure that the connection types match up between the video devices you have and the receiver inputs. On the audio side, if you plan on using the digital surround sound capability that much of today's entertainment is going to, your receiver should be able to decode both Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround sound and then support at least 5 speakers and a subwoofer to distribute each channel's sound to the appropriate speaker.

You will want to have plenty of power to accomplish all of this and so for a typical home theater setup you will need about 50 watts of power for an average room, 75 watts per channel for a larger room, and for very large rooms 100 watts per channel or more will be needed to truly get the sound you want.

The top stereo receiver manufacturers are Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer, and Yamaha. If you browse their current offerings you will find that most of these companies make high quality products that will work well. The biggest question is what your needs are instead. Once you understand what your needs will be, you can then choose the best stereo receiver from any of those brands to fill those needs very well.

Find free stereo receiver reviews and the best stereo receivers by visiting our Home Theater website.

Channeling in California

2006-05-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

Native vegetation is rebounding on Santa Catalina Island.

A dense fog hung over the Gulf of Santa Catalina as my wife, Beverly, and I boarded a high-speed boat at Dana Point, not far from the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano, southeast of Los Angeles. It took just an hour and a half to cross the thirty-five miles that separated the mainland from our destination, Santa Catalina Island. Covering seventy-six square miles, Santa Catalina is one of southern California's eight Channel Islands. Five others--San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara--constitute Channel Islands National Park. The remaining two are San Nicolas and San Clemente.

The Channel Islands (often called the Santa Barbara Islands) began emerging above sea level about 5 million years ago as volcanic, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks were uplifted by tectonic forces associated with the San Andreas Fault. Some, including Santa Catalina, were also overlain by lava flows. During the last glaciation, when sea levels were roughly 400 feet lower, a few of the islands were connected to each other, but all of them have always been isolated from the mainland. As a result, each hosts a variety of endemic plants and animals--that is, species or subspecies found only there.

Santa Catalina is twenty-two miles long and ranges in width from half a mile, at an isthmus, to eight miles. It is essentially a mountain ridge, the highest point being 2,097-foot Mount Orizaba. Along the coast, precipitous cliffs up to 1,400 feet high are interspersed with coves and bays leading into deep, V-shaped canyons. Most of the beaches in the coves are covered with cobblestones, while a few are sandy. Summers are warm and dry: most of the annual rainfall of twelve or more inches falls during the winter. Although the Santa Ana winds that blow from the mainland in winter are often violent, temperatures remain mild.

The original vegetation of Santa Catalina Island has been altered by human activity, particularly through the introduction, more than a century ago, of sheep, goats, and cattle, followed by mule deer, wild pigs, and bison. After years of intense grazing, existing chaparral and coastal scrub communities were largely replaced by nonnative grasses. During the last half of the twentieth century, however, efforts were made to control feral goats and pigs and to remove some of the cattle and bison (only a small herd of bison now remains as a tourist attraction). Today, 88 percent of the island is owned by the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, which was formed in 1972, and the original vegetation is gradually being renewed.

The habitats include oak woodland, riparian woodland, chaparral, coastal scrub, bluff faces, maritime desert scrub, grasslands, and marshy areas and ponds. About 640 plant species have been recorded on Santa Catalina, nearly two-thirds of them native. Most of the native plants can also be found in the Santa Monica Mountains on the mainland, but several are restricted to the Channel Islands or just to Santa Catalina. Some of the rarest plants live on steep rocky cliffs that have been inaccessible to the island's feral goats.

A California quail and a Bewick's wren are among four bird subspecies found only on Santa Catalina. Native mammals include five endemic subspecies, the largest of which is a Channel Island fox. There are also various endemic invertebrates, including two snails, several butterflies and moths, a few beetles, a cricket, and a walking stick.

Oak woodland develops best in moist, protected canyons and valleys with deep alluvial soils. Island oak, canyon oak, and scrub oak are common, along with Catalina cherry, elderberry, and summer holly (actually a member of the heath family). The rare Catalina ironwood is found in Toyon Canyon and in a few other canyons. Wildflowers include miner's lettuce, lacepod, a buttercup, and the showy fiesta flower (a member of the same family as waterleaf). Among the ferns are California polypody, maidenhair fern, and golden-back fern.

by Robert H. Mohlenbrock

Interviewing The 3 Million Dollar Man ...

2006-04-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

Finally, I managed to get hold of
Matt Morris, a man who had made
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He's also the founder of a new self-improvement
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Matt will be interviewed on 7th July on
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and you're invited to attend this
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Not only that, you're allowed to
participate in the interview to ask
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Get the details and register now before
it's all fully book (Only 200 f.ree seats
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http://www.esuccessmastery.com/seminar/matt.html

Take care.

Warmest regards,

Patric Chan
CEO, eSuccessMastery.com

P.S: Remember, this tele-seminar is absolutely
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motivation