Bluetooth Speakers - Advantages and Disadvantages

Bluetooth speakers are the latest advancements in the wireless world. Working on the same Bluetooth technology that allows you to share music and files on your mobile phone wirelessly with friends, these speakers provide a high quality listening experience without using any wires. As far as wireless technologies go, Bluetooth is still in its nascent stages, but nevertheless, offers a compelling performance.
If you own a cell phone, you've probably used Bluetooth already. Nowadays, you can buy everything from earphones and headphones to headsets that run on this technology. Many modern laptops and netbooks also utilize Bluetooth to connect devices wirelessly, including speakers, headphones and small printers.
The two common technologies most prevalent in wireless speakers are RF (radio frequency) and Infra-Red. While both have their own merits, their functionality is somewhat limited. Radio Frequency, for instance, can sometimes suffer from interference and reception issues, while Infra-Red requires the device and the receiver to be in-line with each other, thereby limiting portability.
Bluetooth speakers, on the other hand, can work without any spatial restrictions as long as the speakers and the receiver are within 30 feet of each other. You need not fiddle around with any settings; the connection can be established wirelessly between the receiver and the Bluetooth speakers.
Advantages of Bluetooth Speakers
- Bluetooth speakers generally consume very low power. More often than not, you don't need a hefty external power adapter to keep them running. In fact, many popular models run on AA batteries.
- One major advantage of Bluetooth speakers is portability. Many people use them like headphones or earphones, carrying a small pair of speakers in their laptop bags to be used outdoors. Their low power consumption makes them an ideal choice for such use.

- Since these speakers work without wires, you will never have to fiddle with cumbersome cables and adapters.
- No installation. The connection between the speakers and the device (cell phone, laptop, etc.) can be established automatically. You need not hunt for drivers or installation CDs.
- Perfect for personal outdoor use. If you are out on a camping trip, or spending some time with friends on a picnic, you'll find Bluetooth speakers very handy. Since there is no installation required, you can set up and start listening to music within minutes.
- Work with cell phones, iPhones, etc. The great thing about Bluetooth speakers is that they work seamlessly with cell phones. While other wireless speakers employ RF or infra-red - features that few cell phones have - Bluetooth is ubiquitous in mobile phones. And since most modern day phones already have music playing capabilities, you can listen to your favorite music instantly.
Disadvantages of Bluetooth Speakers
- Range. The device (i.e. music player, cell phone, laptop, etc.) and the speakers need to be within 30 feet of each other to function. This means that you will find it hard to play music while sitting in another room.
- Power. Bluetooth speakers cannot compete with regular speakers when it comes to delivering raw power (i.e. wattage). Their sound will be weaker, lacking the richness and depth of regular speakers.
- Compatibility. While most cell phones are Bluetooth capable, many music players are not.
Conclusion
Bluetooth speakers are perfect if you want to listen to music while outdoors. If you want to catch up on your favorite songs while on a picnic, in a park, or on a camping trip, these are ideal investments. However, for home use, you may want to look at other wireless speakers that can deliver more power and better sound quality.

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

Using a Bluetooth Headset with your PC

Bluetooth
For those of you not familiar with the term, Bluetooth refers to a wireless protocol (or set of rules) designed for short range electronic applications (usually less than 30 feet in distance). Although the technology has been around for several years, Bluetooth support for PC users has been limited due to hardware manufacturers focusing on the more traditional 802.11 wireless network protocols (wifi). In reality, Bluetooth and wifi achieve different purposes and each has its pros and cons.
Cellular Telephone Bluetooth Headsets
The cellular telephone community has long embraced Bluetooth technology, developing and refining numerous wireless devices. One of the more popular Bluetooth applications for cellular telephones has been cordless headsets which enable users to leave their telephone in their bag or pocket while still being able to make and receive calls. Bluetooth headsets are generally very lightweight, worn over one ear and achieve talk times from 1-4 hours before needing a recharge.
Bluetooth PC Headset?
So if cellular telephone users have warmly embraced Bluetooth headsets, why not the PC community? At the time of writing, this author knows of no PC hardware manufacturer who has designed a Bluetooth Headset primarily for use with a PC. However, there is nothing to prevent a PC user from using a cellular phone Bluetooth Headset with their PC. Keep in mind though, these headsets were originally envisioned for cellular phone use and may need a bit of 'tweaking' before they'll perform as well as 'corded' headsets on your computer.
USB Bluetooth Adapter
Unless you own a relatively expensive notebook PC, odds are that your computer doesn't natively support the Bluetooth protocol. If this is the case, you'll need an 'Adapter' or 'Dongle' in order to make your computer 'Bluetooth enabled'. Bluetooth adapters are generally very small (a few inches long) and insert into a vacant USB port on your computer. When purchasing an adapter it's critical that you buy one that supports the 'headset protocol'. The headset protocol is merely a set of rules which enables your Bluetooth adapter to communicate with and make use of Bluetooth headsets in its vicinity. If your adapter does not support the headset protocol, no amount of 'tweaking' will get your headset working with your PC. Adapters generally run between $20 - $80 USD and can be purchased at most PC retailers.

Buying a Bluetooth Headset
Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones are generally very expensive when compared with conventional 'corded' PC headsets. Depending on where you buy your headset, you could spend anywhere from $20 to $200+ USD. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive headset that'll simply enable you to make wireless VoIP calls using your PC, I recommend looking on Ebay. Although prices vary considerably on eBay between merchants for similar products, overall they are considerably less expensive than purchasing the same headset from a telephone store. A word of caution about eBay though; ensure that you read the fine print associated with shipping costs. Some eBay merchants advertise Bluetooth Headsets for $5 USD however the real cost quickly rises to $35+ when you account for their often exorbitant shipping charges.
'Pairing' the Headset with your PC
Once your computer is 'Bluetooth enabled' and you've obtained a Bluetooth headset, you'll need to 'pair' the headset with your computer in order to use it for VoIP applications. This is usually just a matter of setting your headset in 'discovery mode' and allowing your PC to 'search' or 'discover' Bluetooth devices. The steps needed to enable discovery mode on your headset and adapter will vary between devices and should be clearly explained in the documentation accompanying your devices.
Adjusting your Audio Settings
Depending on your hardware and operating system, you may need to make adjustments to your audio settings after the headset is 'paired' with your PC. In the Windows operating system, this will involve accessing 'Audio Properties' through the 'Control Panel' and setting the audio and voice devices to your newly paired Bluetooth headset. Again, adjusting these settings should be covered in the documentation accompanying both your headset and Bluetooth adapter.
Once you're up and running, you'll wonder why you didn't adopt this wireless headset solution sooner. The freedom to wander away from your computer whilst maintaining voice over Internet conversations is something you'll come to appreciate and love.

Nathan Smith

HID Light Bulbs - How Do They Work?

HID light bulbs are High Intensity Discharge bulbs that are used by those people who need brighter light when they are driving. As you must be aware, the headlights of most of the vehicles are halogen lights and these lights are not as bright as the HID lights. You will also see these lights in gyms, theme parks, ball games and stadiums.
Many people are now buying the HID or High Intensity Discharge light bulbs because these bulbs are very effective in producing extremely bright lights. What's more, these bulbs can also cover very large areas. You may not be aware but these lights are available in various versions such as the regular high-pressure sodium lights, metal halide lamps and mercury vapor lamps.
The first HID or high definition lamps that were sold commercially were the mercury vapor lamps. After sometime, newer and better lamps started to be available in the market such as metal halide lamps and high-pressure sodium lamps.
How do the HID light bulbs create or produce light?
The HID or High Intensity Discharge light bulbs can produce light when the gas present inside the tube starts to heat up. When the gas becomes heated to the point of evaporation, light is produced. The tube contains tungsten electrodes and as the metal elements begin to heat up, they will strike these electrodes and as a result, light will be created.
HID lights are more or less like the fluorescent lights as they require ballast for the production of heat. Ballast is actually an instrument that is utilized to generate light. If the HID bulbs do not have ballasts then it will not be possible for them to produce lights because the reaction for the production of light will not start if there is an absence of ballast.

Tungsten electrodes: what are they?
Tungsten is actually an element (chemical) that is commonly known for its vigorous physical characteristics and high melting point. You will find this element in many electrical appliances and it is also found in HID lights. The color of tungsten ranges from steel gray to tin white.
What are HID lamps used for?
You may or may not know this but the HID lamps have many applications. These lamps are need in those locations or places that need very bright lights. Some of the examples of the places where the HID lamps are used are roadways, warehouses, sidewalks, parking lots, football fields, stadiums, etc. These lamps are also used in indoor gardening, houses, department stores, etc.
If you ask any vehicle owners about HID lights, they will probably tell you what these lights are because many drivers are aware of the High Intensity Discharge lights. These lights are more or less like the natural day light and this is the main reason why many vehicle owners install these bulbs or lights in their cars. With the HID lights, it will be possible for the drivers to see the road clearly even when the area is dark.

The Benefits of LED Headlights

LED headlights produce a much brighter light than the normal head lamp bulbs produce. The amount of light you receive from LED headlights is as much as twice the amount of light you would receive from an ordinary comparable head lamp bulb. The increased lighting allows you to see more on the roadway and thus be safer.

Oncoming traffic will attest to the fact that the LED headlights on the newer cars are much bright than their original counterparts. The oncoming traffic will notice your vehicle because the light being emitted from the LED headlights is much brighter and more noticeable. The good thing is that the increased brightness of the light does not blind the other drivers. These types of signal indicators, brake lights and headlamps create a safer car.

Another good benefit of the LED headlights is they require less energy to be operated. The head lamps on your vehicle are powered by your battery. Many other things are also powered by the car battery. If the items require less power from the battery to work then your battery will not be under a strain and will ultimately last longer. You also get the benefit of when your battery is low on power it will still be able to cause things that use less energy to work. You will not be left in the dark when you have these headlamps on your vehicle.

A lot of the newer models come standard with this type of headlamp. The headlamps are more expensive than the ones that were installed on older model cars, but they last twice, if not three times, longer than the older style headlamps. The increased safety is one of the major reasons that car manufacturers are installing these items, but the fact that the head lamps use less energy and burn at a lower temperature is also a major advantage.
If you have an older model car then you will need to install a kit that allows the light emitting diodes style head lamps to work on it. These kits are available at most automotive parts stores, and you can take the vehicle to the dealership and have their mechanics install the item for you. Even if you do not get the head lamps replaced with light emitting diodes consider replacing the tail lights and turn signals to increase the safety of your vehicle. LED headlights are a huge improvement over the original style of head lamps.

LED Headlamp Usage by Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters A Message to Outdoorsmen

Firefighters and policemen are heroes who risk their own lives every day in their efforts to protect others. It is common for a firefighter to dash into a burning building engulfed in flames to rescue an occupant. Day after day policemen run after criminals who duck into blackened alleyways.
These professionals exhibit an extraordinary dedication to mankind because the strongest natural instinct for human beings is the will to live. Firefighters and policemen regularly have to overcome this instinct to uphold their responsibilities.
Firefighters normally go to the location of emergencies such as road accidents, flooded areas, where a bomb threat or incident has occurred. They are found at dangerous substance spills and railway and airline crashes. They routinely rescue trapped persons and animals and can be found providing emergency medical services prior to an ambulance crew arriving on the scene.
Policemen find themselves keeping the peace and order, prohibiting and preventing criminal activity, arresting persons who break the law, running surveillance operations, working in counter-terrorism activities, and investigating crimes.
Given these activities, it becomes clear that for them to do their jobs safely they need to have high quality equipment. This equipment not only protects them, it also protects citizens because they can stay in the line of fire, so to speak - longer.
Given the types of situations and the time of day, firefighters and policemen need headlamps to enable them to function in the dark. Dark does not only mean time of day. There are situations such as forest fires where the smoke is so dense it is darker than a night without a moon.

New technology makes working in the dark less problematic. LED headlamps are lighting the way for the heroes of our cities. Firefighters and policemen favor LED headlamps because: 1) beams can be pointed in the direction of need, 2) can be adjusted by elastic headbands, 3) are water resistant, 4) allow for hands-free movement and searching, and 6) can be mounted on hard hats.
LED headlamps come in levels of illumination and most often offer the wearer at least three levels of light. These headlamps are powered by batteries ranging from 3 to 6 AAA batteries as a well as AA batteries. LED headlamps range from 18 to 60 Lumens and are capable of working in atmospheres that are filled with dangerous toxins, gasses and vapors. LED lamps vary in the number of hours they run. However, in comparison to standard headlamps, they can run up to hundreds of hours longer because of the efficiency of LED light bulbs. They also vary on the brightness of the light they emit as well as whether the light emitted has a spot or flood focus.
When considering the times a firefighter or policeman is put into danger it is no wonder they favor LED headlamps. LED lamps allow firefighters and policemen to do what they do best - help citizens who are in danger from fires, criminal activity, being lost and in need of rescue etc. LED headlamps help the men and women who use them save lives and protect property.

HID Light Bulbs - How Do They Work

HID light bulbs are High Intensity Discharge bulbs that are used by those people who need brighter light when they are driving. As you must be aware, the headlights of most of the vehicles are halogen lights and these lights are not as bright as the HID lights. You will also see these lights in gyms, theme parks, ball games and stadiums.
Many people are now buying the HID or High Intensity Discharge light bulbs because these bulbs are very effective in producing extremely bright lights. What's more, these bulbs can also cover very large areas. You may not be aware but these lights are available in various versions such as the regular high-pressure sodium lights, metal halide lamps and mercury vapor lamps.
The first HID or high definition lamps that were sold commercially were the mercury vapor lamps. After sometime, newer and better lamps started to be available in the market such as metal halide lamps and high-pressure sodium lamps.
How do the HID light bulbs create or produce light?
The HID or High Intensity Discharge light bulbs can produce light when the gas present inside the tube starts to heat up. When the gas becomes heated to the point of evaporation, light is produced. The tube contains tungsten electrodes and as the metal elements begin to heat up, they will strike these electrodes and as a result, light will be created.
HID lights are more or less like the fluorescent lights as they require ballast for the production of heat. Ballast is actually an instrument that is utilized to generate light. If the HID bulbs do not have ballasts then it will not be possible for them to produce lights because the reaction for the production of light will not start if there is an absence of ballast.

Tungsten electrodes: what are they?
Tungsten is actually an element (chemical) that is commonly known for its vigorous physical characteristics and high melting point. You will find this element in many electrical appliances and it is also found in HID lights. The color of tungsten ranges from steel gray to tin white.
What are HID lamps used for?
You may or may not know this but the HID lamps have many applications. These lamps are need in those locations or places that need very bright lights. Some of the examples of the places where the HID lamps are used are roadways, warehouses, sidewalks, parking lots, football fields, stadiums, etc. These lamps are also used in indoor gardening, houses, department stores, etc.
If you ask any vehicle owners about HID lights, they will probably tell you what these lights are because many drivers are aware of the High Intensity Discharge lights. These lights are more or less like the natural day light and this is the main reason why many vehicle owners install these bulbs or lights in their cars. With the HID lights, it will be possible for the drivers to see the road clearly even when the area is dark.