Monday, April 28, 2014

How to Build Your Own Effects Pedal

A guitar effects pedal is an electronic piece of equipment, usually kept in a stompbox, that works in line with your guitar to transform or strengthen the output sound to greater or lesser stages.
While there are thousands of different effects pedals available for sale from both top brands together with boutique pedal makers, a great number of pedal lovers relish building their own individual effects pedals.
Here's a few areas to consider if you'd like to construct your own effects pedal.
First of all, be sure that the guitar enclosure you end up picking isn't too light as you'll need a couple pounds to your pedal to avoid it lurching across the floor when you're rocking out.
It's also important to select a superior quality push-button footswitch as this is what you will be clumping on to run the effect, and so it ought to be durable enough to resist the full strength of your foot! It's a good idea to to incorporate the switch a minimum of 5cm in from the edge of the stompbox to protect yourself from it flipping over when your foot comes rushing down.
Concerning the other knobs on your pedal, you might need to consider utilising chicken heads. Not only do they look classic and cool, but they also make altering your effects in the gloom easier.
You'll want to make use of three-pole switches as a minimum when it comes to latching (push-on, push-off) applications, so that you can maintain both a confidence LED as well as a true-by-pass set-up.
When you come to inserting the jack socket, look at exactly what supply polarities are needed for the pedal. It is important to use a plastic jack for mixed polarities since the sleeve of the jack plug will very likely make contact with the enclosure. Still, if the polarities isn't a major problem you might opt for an open-frame jack socket because they're generally more tough.
Also, don't forget to locate your input jack around the left or right side of the stomp box, looking at it from above, depending on if you're a rightie or a leftie. If you ever play right-handed and put your input jack at the left you will quickly discover you will have a cable consistently getting in the way of your feet.
It is recommended to stay clear of battery holders within the enclosure since it is possible for batteries to get dislodged during performances caused by pedals getting kicked about on stage. Preferably, use moulded assemblies to ensure that your batteries stay securely together.
Last of all, if you've installed DSP or tubes within the effects pedal it's always best to prevent the irritation of rechargeable batteries which require frequent charging. Rather, select a low voltage DC power jack, either plastic or metal depending on your necessities.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

An Insight Into Xenon Bulbs Vs Ordinary Bulbs asdasd

High intensity lamps are electric bulbs which provide illumination by establishing an electric arc between tungsten electrodes infused within quartz or alumina tube. These are also known as xenon bulbs whose interiors are filled with gas. In fact, most of the vehicles are equipped with such kits instead of standard halogen bulbs.
The light generated is brighter than ordinary bulbs which enable drivers to drive safely at night. Also, it is extremely easy to install these xenon bulbs kits with basic tools although it entirely depends on the type of car you have. Prior to installing new lights it is best to look into forums and car modification websites for updates from those who use such lights in their cars. The Hid conversion kit installed in the car will function rather differently from ordinary light bulbs. Hence, it becomes imperative to understand the basic difference between using xenon bulbs to halogen headlights. asd
The xenon bulbs provides increased illumination when compared to normal halogen lamps. This light that is exhibited is extremely sharp that covers almost about 70 per cent of the road. Thus drivers acquire better vision which meets safety aspects. These last almost for ten years compared to the average life span of halogen lights which is quite less.
This is primarily since the ordinary household light bulb uses just a plain filament to produce light. It is in contrary to the filament embedded in quartz located within xenon bulbs. However, the filament in normal lamps tends to erode due to constant heat generated and use over time. The xenon bulbs headlights use gases instead of filament to produce lights. The result is a brighter beam that incorporates less electricity. This is another advantage than these gas-filled bulbs have over normal household lamps which usually consume more power leading to higher electricity bills.
There are several benefits of replacing bulbs in cars with the high intensity xenon bulbs. This can be measured by the intensity of temperature of various colors. The light reaches its highest in much less time that to enable efficient heating of the vehicle. In contrary, halogen lights are low in intensity and probably installed by the car manufacturing company at the factory.
The xenon bulbs provide much more power while regulating current. The functioning of the bulb is controlled by the kit to monitor HID ballasts when compared to ordinary bulbs that use filaments. The market is filled up with cheaply made xenon bulbs for quick profit. Most experts will definitely not recommend such kind of Hid conversion kit. Make sure the store from where you purchase such bulbs has a refund policy.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Information on Notable Properties of Nokia Bluetooth Headsets

If you own a Smartphone, you should buy a quality Bluetooth headset. These headsets are perfect Smartphone extensions and will allow you to use your high-end phone in a hassle-free manner. Nokia is known for coming up with new smart phone accessories form time to time. Recently, they have launched two Bluetooth headset models, BH-111 and BH-505. The section below will educate you about the notable properties of these two products.
BH-111: Let us begin the discussion with Nokia Bluetooth headset BH-111. This unit is basically the successor of another Nokia product, the BH-214. The biggest difference between the BH-111 and BH-214 lies in their size; the new model is much bigger than the old one. The packaging of the device contains a pair of attractive earphones and a dongle; in addition, you will also find the necessary documentation and manuals inside the packaging. The other items the box includes are: a charger that you can use for recharging the BH-111 and interchangeable ear buds.
The most fascinating attribute of this Nokia headset is its versatility; you can use it with a wide range of communication devices. The product has gained immense popularity also due to its user-friendly nature. The head set comes with a 3.5 mm jack; this allows the users to plug the device into the jack whenever they want. The unit's charging point is located on the right wall of the dongle; this Bluetooth head set takes very little time to get fully charged.
BH-505: The next model we will be discussing about in this article is referred to as Nokia Bluetooth headset BH 505. The first thing that you will notice after opening the packaging of this wonderful device is the stylish neckband that comes along with the head set. The band is light in weight and thus makes wearing the head set a less strenuous job. The other feature of BH-505 that will impress you is its ability to offer great sound even in noisy or windy environments. There are not many Bluetooth head sets that can do so. If you have a fast life, you should not think twice before buying this Nokia smart phone accessory. With this device, you will be able to take calls and enjoy music even when on the go.
We have mentioned that the BH-505 can offer high quality sound even when used in a noisy or windy place. The device is capable of doing that due to the presence of DSP technology. DSP stands for digital signal processing; it is a technology that other than offering audio of highest quality can also reduce disturbing background noises.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Bluetooth v4.0 USB Dongle

We have all seen the futuristic and bulky earpieces sported by many cell phone users. Bluetooth is what enables these users to enjoy hands-free functionality, but how does it actually work? Bluetooth is a wirelessly technology that gives mobile devices the ability to interact over short distances via radio signals. The power of Bluetooth isn't limited to cell phone usage. The technology also works with computers and a wide range of peripheral devices. Some of the most common types of Bluetooth-enabled hardware include PDAs, printers and GPS devices.
Integrating Bluetooth with Your Computing
The best thing about Bluetooth is that it allows you to integrate various devices implemented with the technology. However, if want to use a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a PDA on your PC, your computer must be equipped to handle the Bluetooth signal. More of the newer computers offer built-in support for the technology with Bluetooth adapters. If the network adapter isn't installed on your computer, you could integrate the Bluetooth devices with a dongle. A dongle is a small device that connects to the USB port and delivers the Bluetooth signal to your computer.
Installing the Appropriate Drivers
A special network adapter allows your computer to accept the Bluetooth reception. In order for your computer to recognize the hardware, you will need to install the appropriate device drivers. Whether you are using a network card or dongle, both devices should come included with an installation CD that contains the device drivers you need. Keep in mind that you will have to install the device drivers for each piece of Bluetooth hardware you want to use on your computer. Thus aside from the PDA, for example, you would also need the installation disc for your Bluetooth-enabled printer.
Troubleshooting Problematic Bluetooth Drivers
Just like all computer hardware, there may come a time when your Bluetooth devices endure problems or stop working entirely. This could happen for a number of reasons. Perhaps after installing a new Bluetooth device, the installation overwrites the drivers for an existing device.
Perhaps you uninstalled an application that removed critical files one of your other devices need. Other instances that could ruin your device drivers would be a system crash, an unexpected shutdown or failed hard drive. If you find that your Bluetooth devices are not working properly, the device drivers probably need to be updated.
While you can attempt to reinstall the device drivers from the installation CD, you may want to get the files directly from the manufacturer. This is especially true if the manufacturer has made improvements to enhance functionality.
There are two ways you can check for updates: visit the manufacturer's website online or perform an automatic search through Windows. To search from the operating system, open the "Control Panel" and select "Device Manager." Navigate the page, find your Bluetooth device, double-click it, and then lick the "Driver" tab. Next, click "Update Driver" and choose the option that performs an automatic search. If updates are found, simply follow the instructions and install the device drivers.
Tip: If you are using a Bluetooth printer, you must open the Control Panel and select "Printers." From this window, right-click on your printer, select "Properties," click the "Advanced" tab, select "New Driver" and follow the prompts for installing the appropriate driver.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Advantages of an Android TV Box - Things to Know

An Android TV box is just like a smart phone. With a television running the Android operating system, it is easy to load and uninstall software, programs, games and other services. Quite frankly, Android TV boxes present a new generation of set-top boxes which is unlike traditional television sets. Android TV offers users with a wide range of smart TV solutions. It's simple. You get more entertainment and more education solutions than with a traditional TV.
A look at the benefits you get
While you might enjoy playing Android games on your cell phone, ever thought of playing them on the television? The set-top box is equipped with an infrared sensor bar. It is convenient to play classic games also on the Android TV.
There are features galore!
The Android TV supports flash, high definition 1080p video playback, web browsing and more than 500,000 apps and games from the Android market. The variety of functions an Android TV box performs won't let you stay away from it for long. The remote supplied along with the device is great, and 1080p video is played pretty smoothly.
Getting back to the basics
The device is a great investment for people who love to entertain themselves. The technology presented through these devices make the video watching experience totally different. Your favourite videos and movies can be directly watched from your local storage or streamed from internet sources such as YouTube, and more.
Share your favourite websites and news directly from your living room with your family and friends. An Android TV delivers everything an Android device can do, but on a big television screen. Be it browsing the internet or playing games, there is a lot you can do. What you need to run an Android TV box is only a HDMI compatible TV and an internet connection. Then, the whole web world can be at your fingertips from the comfort of your couch.
Have the convenience of using internet right from the TV
The widespread use of the internet as a media source means everything can be watched online, from movies to even niche market shows. This makes the cable television obsolete. It seems now that the future entertainment televisions will have broadband connections serving the content from around the world. The box will render old cable TV networks obsolete in the years to come.
How do you set it up?
The box is simple to set up. The device needs to be plugged into a power source and connected to a compatible TV with an HDMI port so that it is ready to boot up. These devices generally run on Android. One of the biggest advantages of an Android powered TV box are the varied capabilities of the device. Pictures, movies and videos can be easily moved from a PC to the device via Bluetooth or USB. Although the box is not as powerful as a tablet or a high end smart phone, they arefully capable of running the majority of apps available in the app market.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Modern Users Acquiring BOSE Companion Speakers for Greater Listening Pleasure

The world of electronics is led by the Bose brand with its plethora of hi-tech products that hits the market regularly. There is a wide range of electronic components from Bose to complete any home's entertainment requirements. The Bose Companion speakers offer a wide selection of models with its best sellers in 2, 3, 5 and 20.
BOSE 2 speakers
Bose provides a high quality multimedia speaker system with its Companion 2 speakers in elegant black and silver colors. These branded speakers epitomize sophistication in high technology and luxury in home entertainment systems. These are compact components to fit any space in the home and still look awesome with its sleek frames. They can be connected to the laptop or computer with an easy control using the headphone jack and volume knob at the front.
There is a 2-year warranty on these Companion 2 speakers which is standard with Bose products. Users can enjoy listening to their favorite music and songs at leisure all day and night. These speakers are offered in a package deal with auto adjustment on tone balance and dual inputs with a ported cabinet design. Its portability feature allows it to be hooked up anywhere with a simple plug in.
BOSE 3 speakers
Bose Companion 3 speakers offer an enhanced stereo performance although the design is similar to Companion 2 models. These desktop speakers can deliver excellent stereo sounds anytime in any environment. Users can feel enveloped with the fuller and richer sounds coming out of Bose Companion 3 speakers.
BOSE 5 speakers
An advanced model of Bose 3 speakers is the Bose Companion 5 speakers with digital audio playbacks. There is sense surround sounds with digital processing and USB simplicity incorporated to make these pre-assembled speakers easy to install and control. An active equalizer in Bose 5 speakers permits higher quality sounds to fill the air.
BOSE 20 speakers
The latest speaker model from Bose is its Companion 20 in sleek silver and black with multimedia features. This Bose speaker model enjoys stereo signal circuitry with dual inputs. These speakers are designed to be shielded against magnetic forces with easy volume adjustment via a control pod. It can be hooked up to another audio device or headphone for high quality sounds to be released.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Advantages of an Android TV Box

Android TV boxes have suddenly become very popular. Even though companies like Apple and Roku have sold many set-top boxes, another option has hit the market - the Android TV box. Also known as a 'Google TV' or XBMC Steaming player, these devices are simple. They are available for as little as $60 and as much as $100.
This android device is a small box shaped product that is about 5 inches wide and 2 inches tall.
This product has access to apps and functions that you can find on other android devices. However, it is able to run a variety of Android apps, games and even a web browser.
Advantages of buying Android TV Box
The question is should you buy an Android TV box? With the variety of functions it can perform, including downloading apps from Google Play store, you won't be able to stay away from it for very long. They are reliable and their hardware is just as good as the Roku or Apple TV. The supplied remote is great and they are able to play a 1080p video pretty smoothly.
These devices are a great investment for people who love to tweak their definition of fun. People who only want to watch videos can buy other simpler devices. It's like the difference between having a mobile with push buttons and one with a touch screen. Which technology would you prefer?
Because of popular demand, the market for Android TV boxes is growing. But the problem is where to find quality products, as most of the ones available on the market are fairly lackluster. You can, however, buy them from online shops. There are many Chinese products that have come onto the market. They are cheap, not a deal breaker and easily run for a long time.
This device has an advantage over an HDMI stick. The box has extra connectivity options, while for the stick you need at least a USB hub for it to be useful.
The main reason why the Android TV box is more popular is because other devices come with a lot of restrictions. These devices cater to specific platforms only.
Understand your requirement
It is important to know that not all Android TV boxes are created equally. So, you may have to buy a box that supports over 1GB RAM, if that is what you require. Basically, you need to understand what functionalities you are looking at before spending money.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

How Phone Call Tracking Increases Your Sales

How do you choose the right software and tools for your business? You've probably seen a lot of sites and ads about call tracking, explaining that what's and the how to's. However, in this article you'll read some tips about choosing a software.
You can always buy online, but a recent research found that 63% of web- related purchases are carried out offline. That is, like many internet users, you find some ads, click through them and read through the details. If you like what you read and feel confident about the product, you do an offline transaction. The same happens in SaaS or Software as a Service businesses and other businesses off the net. These businesses publishing their numbers increases the overall sales conversion of their products.
As a online merchandiser, you keep track of your site visitors' behavior using certain tools. However, it is another thing when a website visitor decides to call a number on your site and leaves. You lose track. This is where a phone call tracking software comes handy.
Whether you're running an online store or posted offline ads, a call tracking software lets you measure and analyze the phone leads that came in from any channel.
Why does Phone Call Tracking matter?
You can measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign on TV, the radio, social media or Google using phone tracking in conjunction with other web analytics tools. The tracking software measures not only the number but the quality of the leads generated by online and offline channels of your advertising campaign. To be able to do so, you assign a unique phone number, either a local number or a toll- free number to each of your advertising campaigns. The software includes a feature of a prominent call-to-action of making the phone call.
Every lead generated by your campaign is accounted for by the software, and combined with web analytics tools such as Mixpanel or Google analytics you can view browsing data about each caller.
Choosing the right call tracking software is not merely about picking something with a slick interface tagged with a cheap price. There are behind the curtain details you should be particular about when buying the right call tracking tool:
  • Number coverage
  • Dynamic number generation
  • Integration with third party services
  • Customisation flexibility
  • Uptime and reliability
  • Call recordings and transcriptions
  • Detailed analytics
  • Affordability

Thursday, April 10, 2014

LED Headlights: A Unique Blend Of Technology And Style

Of late, one particular device is creating a buzz with its widespread applications all around, ranging from torch lights to street lights and now it is available for headlights too. Yes, you got it right, they are LED lights! Today, LED lights are being used extensively in the form of brake illuminations, garage illuminations, street illuminations, and much more. However, have you ever wondered what attracts the automotive world towards these lights and what makes them such an excellent headlight option?
Well, the answer lies in the efficiency and high lumen output of the LED illuminations as compared to the halogen illuminations. The replacement of the halogen headlights with the LED headlights has not only resulted in brighter and crisper light output, but they also provide a much longer lifespan and higher rate of dependency. This is the reason why this lighting technology has emerged as a new standard in other industrial applications as well. The high lumen output of these LED lights provides a longer visibility range and thereby improves the level of safety. On average, a halogen headlight assembly lasts for about 1,000 hours, which is 1/50th the amount of time that a LED headlight assembly lasts. With a high color temperature of about 5,000 K, LED lights compare much closer to the sun as compared to the incandescent or halogen illuminations.
When compared with the halogen or incandescent lights, LED lights produce a higher lumen output, rendering them a much more efficient lighting option. Unlike the traditional illumination systems, they do not require any type of filters for gaining colors. Moreover, these headlights are mostly maintenance free as they emit much less heat.
Owing to these valued advantages, LED headlight systems are quickly replacing the halogen or incandescent lights. As of now, the only hurdle which stands in their way is the higher cost of these illuminations. However, with the growing market of these products and the development of more efficient production methods, LEDs are expected to cross this hurdle easily.
The development of the more efficient LED headlight systems has revolutionized the domain of vehicle lighting. Ranging from a quicker reaction time to a much longer lifespan, these illuminations are here to stay and will soon creating a much stronger impact in the automotive industry. The introduction of the LED headlights has emerged as a unique combination of style and technology. Nowadays, the vehicle designers can not only impart an iconic look to their designs, but also make it look noticeable in all sorts of situations, irrespective of the time of the day.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Portable Bluetooth Speakers - Benefits and Uses

Portable Bluetooth speakers make it effortlessly easy to listen to your favorite music on the go. Working on the same technology (Bluetooth) that allows you to send and receive files and data on your cellphone wirelessly, these portable Bluetooth speakers are easy to use, easy to set up, lightweight, and perfect for anyone who likes to carry his music with him.
I can think of dozens of scenarios where a set of portable Bluetooth speakers would be handy. Recently, on a picnic with friends, I found myself craving some good music. While I had plenty of songs in my iPod, I could listen to them only through my headphones. But at that moment, I wanted music to be a shared experience, to listen to it along with all my friends. In such a scenario, a set of battery powered portable Bluetooth speakers would have been very handy. Just plug it in into your iPod, and enjoy your favorite tunes with friends or a loved one.
And really, that is the primary job of these portable speakers: to make music more social. In terms of portability, nothing can beat a pair of earphones. But if you want to share the music experience with others, you will need to invest in a set of Bluetooth speakers. Imagine camping with a loved one, lying under the stars, and listening to your favorite tunes. This is possible only with portable Bluetooth speakers.
Let me forewarn you though that you should not expect the same performance from a set of Bluetooth speakers as you would from a regular 2.1 speaker system. These speakers are underpowered and lightweight. Their motto is portability, not large sound. Although some speakers, especially those by Bose and Altec Lansing deliver crystal clear and lucid sound, you can't expect to go too high in terms of volume. If you are expecting these speakers to play music for a party of 20 people outdoors, you may have to look for alternative arrangements.
In terms of price, portable speakers are slightly more expensive than standard speakers. Typically, the work through USB or single pin adapters. Major brands are Logitech, Altec Lansing, Creative, and Bose. Many speakers are designed specifically to work with an iPod and have special docks to play from the iPod directly, without any cables. If you are a heavy iPod user, you should look to buy one of these.
You can also buy desktop speakers which sacrifice portability for better, bigger sound. These are like any regular speakers, except that they work through USB.
Portable Bluetooth speakers are great for bringing your music with you, wherever you go. They make music a 'shared' experience. If you are a music aficionado, these 

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Sencha Touch - Cross Platform Mobile App Development Using HTML, CSS3 and JavaScript

Sencha Touch application development has been around since a while. But its popularity has increased during the last couple of years. Mobile platforms like iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry have become more and more popular during the last few years. Sencha Touch is a technology that helps developers to build apps for different mobile platform using HTML 5 and CSS3. It is the leading technology for mobile HTML.
A Few Facts About Conventional Mobile Development
Mobile apps weren't too popular before the release of iPhone. While other smartphones existed in the market before iPhone was launched, none of them gave such a boost to mobile app development. Once Apple allowed independent app developers and software development companies to develop apps for iPhone through iPhone SDK and other platform-specific tools, the floodgates opened.
In 2010, Android OS entered the smartphone market and captured a large chunk of the mobile market. BlackBerry couldn't grow as fast as other mobile operating systems, but BlackBerry mobile development stayed relevant owing to the large number of people using BB devices. Recently, Windows Phone has also entered the market, and it is expected that Windows 8 operating system will attract a number of new users.
Businesses had to create apps for all of these mobile platforms using different tools. If you want to develop apps for a particular mobile platform, you'd need to learn how to use its specific SDK and tools. Companies would have to hire an iPhone app developer, an Android app developer and a BlackBerry app developer if they wanted users using different mobile platforms to use their app.
What Makes Sencha-Touch Development Special?
A Sencha Touch developer who doesn't know everything about iPhone, Android or BlackBerry can still use HTML 5 and CSS3 to create apps that work well with different mobile platforms. This is made possible by Sencha Platform development. Not only does the developer need to learn new coding languages, but he also doesn't have to write the code three times. A single code written in Sencha works well with iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices. It is also planning to extend this support to Windows Phone.
Using Sencha brings several benefits:
• A single code will make your app work on 95% smartphones across the world
• Reduces the time and effort of mobile app development - saves a lot of money
• Allows developers to use several features of HTML 5 and CSS3 in mobile apps
• Flexibility of Sencha platform helps create highly scalable and extensible apps
• Offers customization option for smartphone-specific actions like tap, double tap, pinch, rotate and swipe
• Programming for enhanced touch events and GUI-based controls
• Works perfectly with devices running iOS 3.0 or more and Android devices running Android OS 2.1 or more
Sencha Platform development is the logical choice for any entrepreneur or company that wants to develop a mobile app for all the major mobile platforms. Unless you want to developer an incredibly complex application, a Sencha touch application developer can program the perfect app for you within a short time. Choose Sencha Touch technology to bring flexibility, cost effectiveness and speed to your mobile app development process.