Thursday, December 30, 2010

Getting To Know The Story About Radio Mikes

By Brock Hersh


Earlier on we used to have Audio mikes that used cables to transmit the audio signals. Long since these have been replaced with wireless or radio mikes that use frequency based transmission technology. They operate through radio waves and can transmit audio signals in FM, AM, UHF, VHF and various digital formats.

The advanced mikes are equipped to enable you to select a particular frequency band to transmit the signals from the mike so that it does not interfere with any other transmitter that can be operating on similar frequency. Coupled with this you are also able to use multiple microphones at the same time.

The current radio microphones owe their origin to the first original compander microphone that was built by Nady Systems in 1976. He was honored with Emmy award in 1996 in honor of his contribution to the field of technology.

Radio mikes are wireless and hence it is easier for the performers to use them on stage and it is a lot safer too when compared to the wires and cables dangling from wired mikes.

With Radio mikes that are wireless, the performers can be more relaxed and have ease of movement while performing. It enables them to move across the stage easily without having to tag the cable along. Secondly there is no need for cables to be joined and fixed together etc.

But then though they have such good advantages, they do have certain disadvantages too when it comes to the battery life. The two way radio batteries tend to get drained fast as the radio microphones guzzle more power in comparison to the cable mikes.

Radio mikes operate within a certain range only. This could be a drawback and you might have to buy higher end equipment to get wider range. Then there is also the risk of disruption of signals due to other equipments being used in the same frequency in nearby area.

Many times you will be constrained to use fewer numbers of microphones to be able to retain the clarity and avoid clashing of frequency.




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Sunday, December 26, 2010

How Walkie Talkies Became Popular

By Chris Murphy


Walkie talkies are very commonly used for communication between two points. The half duplex channels allow only one radio to transmit at one point of time and the other would have to just listen. It is only one way communication that is possible.

Unlike telephones that you hold near your ears to hear the earphone, the walkie talkies are fitted with both earphone as well as speaker in the same unit.

The handheld units are similar to box radio but fitted with an antenna and both units get connected to radio stations that transmit and receive messages from a fixed point or range.

The credit of inventing the first radio transmitter and receiver goes to Motorola. Motorola created and coined the word 'walkie talkie' and the model was called Motorola SCR -300 that was based on frequency modulation. This version was a backpack mounted version.

Motorola had first introduced the commercial version of the first hand held compact and self contained device by name 'Handi Talkie' which was the precursor of the preset 'walkie talkie'. This unit though was not as good in performance as the 'walkie talkie', nevertheless was the first commercial device available for use in industry.

Today 'walkie talkie' is being used in various sectors including defense, security, public crowd management as well as various consumer, entertainment and recreational businesses too. You get kideei 'walkie talkie' too for children to play with. The models, features as well as the prices vary depending upon the usage, range and other factors.

With improved technology the 'walkie talkie' have also become sophisticated, more compact and user friendly. The commercial 'walkie talkie' tend to be a lot of studier, bigger sets with protective casing and operate on limited frequencies but with clarity. On the other hand the personal and individual sets tend to be sleeker, compact and light weight and can operate on many channels that are available within the band, but tend to lack in clarity.

'walkie talkie' for kids are available in the market . These are built relatively using low technology as compared to the others and operate within a range of few meters. They are pretty cheap and do not require a license to use.




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Thursday, December 16, 2010

If You Are Injured Consult A Disability Attorney

By Rob Wakefield


A Disability Claims Consultant could possibly concentrate on federal disability, which is really a large area nowadays, as a lot of disabled folks try to get help acquiring Social Security Disability benefits from a system backed up with cases. Claimants wait for several years for cases to become approved. Getting a case before a judge at a hearing is quite challenging thanks to a shortage of judges available.

The Claims Consultant provides assurance to the claimant that the claim is being treated properly. The claimant will avoid much of the damaging consequences of missed deadlines, incomplete paperwork, or lack of proof and evidence, which will set a claim back and cause excessive anxiety. Consequently, the claimant can feel confident and well-informed when represented by a great Claims Consultant.

A consultant is a strong adviser that manages the claimant's stress levels and concerns also. A professional who has the experience to say "don't worry" or "be patient" will be a good aid to a person handicapped by a personal injury or condition. Just getting them through the claims process is not enough. It also means providing them with encouragement. A consultant also can recommend what to do if things are going badly. Possible concerns might be handled in advance, thereby avoiding a possibly extensive set-back or disapproval. A Claims Consultant gives you knowledge and experience obtained through working in the disability field for years. They provide advice, make suggestions, and help claimants handle problems. Many are former lawyers, insurance professionals, or other experts. They can work alone or as part of an organization, partnership, or firm.

A Disability Claims Consultant could concentrate on federal disability, which is really a large area nowadays, as a lot of disabled people try to get help getting Social Security Disability benefits from a system backed up with cases.

Claimants wait for many years for cases to become accepted. Getting a case before a judge for a hearing is challenging resulting from a shortage of judges available. A Consultant will stand with a claimant in the hearing and aid with questions and moral support. Other consultants handle all types of disability claims in areas such as employee and insurance company disability claims. Paying the expenses for a Claims Consultant might not be as difficult as imagined. Many contract to be paid only when the claim is won. This can help many low-income folks afford their services. Those consultants specializing in Social Security Disability acquire fees after monies are awarded.

Consultants usually obtain a percentage of the back-payment, which is decided by the claimant prior to taking the claim. Those who work in other industries also work by contractual conditions, which are reviewed with the claimant beforehand.




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Monday, December 6, 2010

Digital TV Aerial Installers - How to Find Quality Installers

By James Sollis


Are you amongst the many that need to find digital TV aerial installers to install an aerial system in your home or business? Are you plagued with a plethora of questions like how much of the service should cost, how long does it usually take to install and do I need an all-new aerial or just an upgrade or repair my existing unit. Always keep in mind that digital TV aerial installers are just like any other contractors while some of them are fine upstanding businessman others are nothing but snake oil salesman looking to make a quick buck. But by becoming an active participant in the process and doing some research up front you should be able to locate digital TV aerial installers who will not only do an exceptional job on your installation but who also look out for your best interest in the process.

I'm sure that there are many digital TV aerial installers in your area. The only problem is how do you weed out the typical contractor whose only looking to line his own pockets versus the digital TV aerial installers who do a good job, at a fair price, and look out for your best interest? Well there are several steps that you can take to help protect yourself. The first and most important simply entails asking questions of the digital TV aerial installers that you are choosing from.

The most important thing you should do is ask questions about the service. If these answers seem odd or if the digital TV aerial installers seem reluctant to answer your questions then that should be a red flag for you to look elsewhere. Always remember that you should never feel forced into making a decision that you're not ready for.

The digital TV aerial installers' ability to stand behind their work may also be a very important factor in your decision as to whether or not the contract them to do the installation on your business or home. Many digital TV aerial installers will offer a warranty alongside the installation of your aerial unit. This means that when the installer leaves your door you can be reassured for the next year to potentially three years that it will take nothing more than a simple telephone call and another home visit to have your aerial back up and working appropriately. High quality digital TV aerial installers should be more than willing to provide some sort of warranty backing the parts and labor that went in to your installation.

So in the end choosing the proper digital TV aerial installers is a choice that is up to you, but by using these hints you will become a more informed consumer who will ultimately be more at ease with their decision and less likely to fall prey to a bad digital TV aerial installer.




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Sunday, December 5, 2010

Satellite Radio Has Never Been So Popular: Why?

By Owen Jones


The current entertainment world is awash with ways of and goods for using up our free time and meanwhile filling our brains with mindless trivia and advertising junk messages. In between the programs and the music, the message is 'buy,buy, buy; from me, me, me'. This is one of the reasons why satellite radio has become so popular, but I will expand on that later.

One of the major reasons why people like satellite radio is because if you drive fairly long distances, you do not keep getting out of range of the station it took you ten minutes to find and look for another one.

Satellite radio stations tend to possess a large to very large footprint. In other words, you ought to be able to keep listening to the same station if you want without continuously retuning.

Not only that, but satellite radio is invariably digital in nature which means that the signal will be better and the ensuing sound quality will be far better as well. This means that the background noise that we have been conventionally used to has practically disappeared.

The sound from a good piece of digital stereo equipment is second to none. In reality an AF /FM radio cannot hold a candle to a satellite radio station.

The cost of satellite radio equipment has fallen dramatically, which has increased its public awareness and uptake, which in turn has improved sales and allowed the price to plummet further. Nowadays, a satellite radio receiver is as cheap as chips.

Not only that, but in the early days, in the Seventies and Eighties, parabolic dishes needed to be extremely directional. They had to be trained on the satellite as a satellite TV dish still has to be now, but a radio system does not have to be so accurate anymore, which allows them to be used in cars and boats.

If you get fed up of the adverts that continuously drone out of terrestrial radio at you, it can be a good idea to find a satellite radio channel that suits you and subscribe to it. For $10-12 a month, you will get the type of programming that you prefer without all the ads!. Isn't that magnificent?

As with all forms of entertainment, at the end of the day it is up to the end user to choose whether the cost of satellite radio is acceptable, but one thing is for sure, satellite radio increases one's choices.

If you are fed up with the present range of radio stations in your area then the thousands of extra, frequently world-wide stations available to you on satellite radio may be just the thing that you are looking for, particularly if you are searching for a station in a foreign language that is not covered in your neighborhood.




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Saturday, December 4, 2010

Getting Into DJing

By Angel Philips


Your DJ mixer is used to control the sound volume that hits the speakers and is placed in the center of your turntables pro CD players.

Also, it will allow you to lay down some pretty sweet effects to make your sound 100% unique. The more unique you are, the more you will stand out from the rest.

If you're using some kind of software for mixing on your personal computer, it would then be plugged into the mixer, just like a turntable.

Playing vinyl is what the old school DJs do. The beginning to DJing was created on turntables and most would never go into the digital DJ world.

Also, you have to lug around heavier equipment that is pricey. Nowadays is does not have to be such a challenge.

There is a lot of people out there who prefer a turntable that uses CDs. instead of starting a vinyl collection, they can simply use the hundreds of CDs they have.

They can also increase or decrease the tempo of one song and mix into another song from a different CD. This keeps the music flowing freely while everyone stays entertained.

Whether a beginner or an expert, a DJ need a decent pair of pro headphones. There's a number of brands that sell Dj headphones and you can simply choose a design that fits you best.

While your current mix is being played, you are secretly setting up the next thing for people to hear. You can always be one step ahead of yourself before anyone hears what you play.

In order to be a great DJ, you need to know all types of music from all genres, not just the top hit songs that play though out radios in the current day.

You also need a personality that people can flow with. And you need to be confident. That does not seem to hard hard, does it?

You just arrived at your gig with a boat load music to mix. But, some times there might only be a certain genre that people are into, or your audience might be very diverse.

Always try your hardest to give your audience what they want so they ask you to come back. This will result i more jobs for the future.




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What Are The Features Of The XM Radio?

By Owen Jones


XM Radio is one of the two largest American satellite radio broadcasters. They broadcast over 150 programmes of all types like sports, traffic, weather, music of all decades and comedy.

The largest area of their broadcasting activities though is music. After all, that is what most people like to listen to while they are driving or working at home or in the back garden.

The music of XM Radio is wide-ranging, catering to the requirements of every music ever recorded. For instance, of the sixty-eight music channels, there are channels that play music from only one decade: from the Forties to the Noughties!

Then, transversing those barriers of time, there are music channels that only play Rock and Roll or only play Bee Bop or only play the Blues. There are also channels that only play new records.

There are others that only play film soundtracks. In fact, XM music radio has most bases covered. There are even channels that play the music that is being played live in nightclubs such as the 'B.B. King Club' in New York City! The 'Blue Note Club' is there too! In fact, the world of music is your oyster.

Then, on a different level, there are the leisure shows hosted by people like Snoop Dog and comedy shows with artists such as Opie and Anthony. There is family comedy too and Playboy Radio for the adult members of the family, although Playboy Radio films do not have to be censored.

Sports fans will get pleasure from the devoted sports channels. XM Radio's sports channels cover such sports as American football, basketball and baseball on a daily basis, although there are international sports featured for the more out-going as well: worldwide, International sports such as soccer, the most popular participation sport in the world.

In fact, there are currently thirty-eight sports channels in XM's stable, although by the time you read this, there will probably be three or four times that amount. Many service providers are flocking to Xm's service in order to achieve nationwide coverage in the United States.

News channels are there as well. Channels like the world-respected BBC World Service, CNBC, Fox, the controversial C-Span, CNN, the Discovery Channel, NASCAR Racing, E-Entertainment and many more.

If you require equipment to receive this interesting new technology, you can easily find it on the Internet or in your local shopping mall. The cost of the equipment will not break the bank, but it is best if you price it up and then wait a week or two because new 'special offers' are coming out all the time.

The best way to get XM Satellite Radio for today's best price is to wait and look which way the wind is blowing, in a short while you will get this illustrious satellite broadcaster for a bargain price.




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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Satellite Radio: What Is It?

By Owen Jones


Satellite radio has actually been around for quite some time, but it was inaccessible to many people because the stations that were broadcasting were fairly obscure, the apparatus was costly and the antennas, normally in the form of dishes were extremely directional, which meant you needed to use expensive, skilled installers.

For proof of this you should look no further than bookmakers and betting shops who had specialized satellite broadcasts beamed to their establishments with the results of the races live.

The difference now is in cost and the power of the satellite radio transmission devices as well as the receivers. In other words, satellite radio technology has advanced a long way since the Eighties. Satellite radio can also be received more easily nowadays, although the reception of satellite TV broadcasts still necessitates a directional receiving dish. This is why satellite TV cannot be received well on a boat or in a car, but you can still get satellite radio and you can still use your mobile phone.

Satellite radio broadcasts are digital so most of the benefits of using it are linked with digital technology. Some of these are: the ability to pick up signals from all around the wold through the satellite network and the lack off interference - that annoying hiss that you often got at night while listening to a distant broadcast. Reception is now consistently crystal clear owing to the uncomplicated rythym that is digital - on and off or high and low.

Digital only makes use of two signals so they are impossible to mix up, whereas analogue had millions of them allowing for mistakes due to bad weather or / and bad equipment. That has been largely eradicated.

The state of affairs in the US is that there is still competition between two contrasting systems: XM and Sirius and it is to be hoped that this situation will soon be resolved as it was thirty years ago between VHS and Betamax, because otherwise it will only be the public who lose out in the end - the clients of the firm that goes bankrupt.

There were initially problems with satellite radio in some areas because natural or man-made structures would block the line of sight from the antenna or dish to the satellite causing a break in transmission. Typical causes for this would be tunnels, mountains and sky scrapers.

However, the satellite radio service providers soon came up with a solution to the problem by bouncing the signal from the airborne satellite off terrestrial dishes, in other words, reflecting them at closer to ground level, thereby providing satellite radio to millions of inner city dwellers.




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Friday, November 12, 2010

Satellite Radio Technology

By Owen Jones

Satellite radio technology is the equivalent of cable or satellite television and it is certainly here to stay. There are several reasons for this: the quality of the broadcasts is higher, the quality of the apparatus's reception is higher and the general coverage of the station, that is to say the so-called satellite's footprint is far greater too.

This has the effect that if you travel long distances, you will be able to stay with the same channel without having to look for a new one every forty or fifty miles as you need to do with AM or FM radio stations.

In order to reach this quality, the recording and playback speed needs to be around the 384 kbps level. The music tracks are catalogued in a similar way to the MP3 system, which uses names called ID3 tags.

Each channel on satellite radio endevours to establish its own identity. A music channel might try this by playing music only of one type or from only one period or decade. This means that you may get a satellite radio station called 1970's Punk music or Twentieth Century Classical Music.

On some stations, the music controller or disc jockey will choose, say, fifty minutes worth of music, will listen to it in order to ascertain that the quality and the order are correct and then let the computer play it over the airwaves. This leaves ten minutes every hour for the news and then the sequence can be repeated automatically.

Satellite transmission uses digital recordings and each channel is encoded on a different frequency. Similarly, each decoder, say, in your car or your home needs to recognize and decode each station separately too. This coding and decoding is done extremely quickly, in fact in what is referred to as 'real time'.

The resulting binary or digital code is then turned into into analogue signals so that your speakers can replay it. This process produces sound which is just about of CD quality.

The broadcasting satellites are in a geo-static orbit at 23,000 miles above the Earth and have a large footprint which is the name given to the region of ground that is capable of receiving their broadcasts.

In America, for example, the two areas concentrated on at first were the densely populated east and west coasts in order to maximize possible income. One satellite would be incapable of covering the whole of the United States in that orbit.

In order to receive satellite broadcasts, you will have to use a special antenna on your decoder. This antenna must be capable of picking up L-band broadcasts for it to be of use.

These new antennas are a big improvement on the satellite dishes (similar to those used for satellite TV) that one used to have to have in order to take advantage of satellite radio technology

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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Iphone 4 Commences In China Despite The Country's Reputation For Imitations

By Jules Blackwell

Right now when we discuss a nation that has a repute of imitating nearly a myriad of brands of items, nobody will even contest that when we point out China to be that country and say that it's just black propaganda and a one-sided declaration.

China has imitated almost all kinds of brands and products that it has been long known to manufacture and market affordable yet mediocre products like DVD players and other electronic gadgets like mobile phones. The country has a big reputation of pirating original brands that when a Chinese person goes inside a Louis Vuitton store in Paris and asks to buy the latest designer bag, there would be a lot questions and information taken to make sure that this person is not buying to they could copy the design and imitate it.

Indeed, China does have its negative reputation but when the new iPhone 4 was realized in the United State, it took only a few months before Apple investors decided to launch the original phone in China. Not like the previous iPhone 3GS that took more that a year to reach China after its official launch in the US, the iPhone 4 was so popular that customers in China have already pre-ordered their iPhone 4s before the official launch.

People have waited in line purchase their very own iPhone 4 smart phone, some of them even waited in line for 2 days in advance so the they can be some of the first people to get a hold of this futuristic iPhone . And although there are a lot of imitation phones in China, for many nothing can still beat the original no matter how expensive it maybe.

The new iPhone 4 costs $600 - $800, not a very small amount for 1 phone. But for those who have used it, I'm sure the money is worth it. Just make sure that you get proper iPhone 4 insurance to protect this valuable investment. IPhone insurance covers the owner if the iphone was damaged or robbed from them and is guaranteed a replacement.

Buying the iPhone and using it without the right insurance for iPhone is risky because of its value. The chances that will be damaged is always there, and now that its part of the phones the Chinese will be using, we can expect plenty of inquiries once the iPhone 4 hits the stores anew in China.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Basics Connected With Satellite Radio

By Matt Jefferson

Broadcasting digital radio by way of satellite is not something new and concepts of doing this have been with us for a few years. From the beginning of satellite radio, companies like Dish Network have provided electronic digital audio stations in their packages. The breakthrough in popularity of satellite radio, however, happened just recently, when the technology became much more permissive. Satellite radio was unusual on moving locations, such as boats or automobiles, mostly because there was the necessity for some high-priced equipment - a tracking dish. This was a substantial deterrent that kept satellite radio pretty mysterious by the general public. Right now, on the other hand, one can receive digital audio satellite shows by using a small, GPS-like antenna. This tremendously increased the feasibility of the satellite radio systems and increasingly more automobile owners began thinking about satellite radios as a good source of music and news.

The start of satellite radio in America

Once the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned a spectrum in the "S" band (2.3 GHz) for the transmission of digital radio services in 1992 nobody considered the amplitude how the system might take in the foreseeable future. From the original Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) things advanced until two organizations were given licenses to be able to broadcast digital radio in the late nineties. These two were American Mobile Radio (these days called XM Satellite Radio) and CD Radio (at this time known as Sirius Satellite Radio). The truth that satellite radio is countrywide helps it be an incredibly desirable media channel, both for commercial as well as non-profit organizations. The two companies that started the development of satellite radio observed the enormous potential it had, because it wasn't restricted by the constraints of other terrestrial broadcasters.

Features about utilizing satellite radio

Here are some of the most noteworthy advantages of having a satellite radio system:

* Forget about geographical limitations - since the radio program is transmitted through a satellite it's not necessary to change radio stations every time you exit a particular coverage region.

* The digital quality of the satellite radio features several amazing advantages by itself. There won't be noise disruptions that have been conventional to FM and AM programming. The transmission is crystal clear and satellite radio receives some important points when transmission quality is concerned.

* Analog radio stations simply cannot broadcast the full range of sounds available through digital satellite radio.

* Both XM Radio and Sirius Radio can be picked up in all the US and they're available too in a few areas of Canada and Mexico.

Satellite radio technology

Every one of the major satellite radio services makes use of its own equipment to broadcast the signal to their clients. The competition is tight and clients have to "pick sides" in order to gain from satellite radio broadcasting. You have to decide on your preferred firm and buy satisfactory receivers for that particular company. Both XM Radio and Sirius Radio supply their clients with various ways of receiving their services. The field in which most competition happens is incorporated in the negotiation with the major automobile manufacturers. Both XM Radio and Sirius Radio possess deals with the auto industry giants in order to offer their services and equipment as optional on the car models they produce. Other partnerships were created with audio equipment manufacturers, who now offer satellite radio transceivers and corresponding headphones. The newest jolt inside the satellite radio universe has been brought on by the production of transportable MP3 player-like satellite radio receivers.

The future progression of satellite radio

One of the many troubles of satellite radio ended up being tackled by the primary satellite radio broadcasters. Because you have to be in the line of sight of the satellite for the transmission, different problems came out with mobile satellite radio receivers, particularly when several landscaping objects impeded the direct transmission. To fix this, terrestrial based equipment were set up in order to eradicate the lack of direct satellite transmission. Another interesting facet linked to satellite radios is they contacted their service offers coming from a distinct perspective when compared with standard radio broadcasters. Instead of airing ads it costs a subscription fee. For many people, this is actually the ideal choice, simply because they experience an almost 100% content program (whether or not it's music or talk shows) devoid of the 10-12 minutes each hour of irritating advertisements. In most cases, the monthly membership for satellite radio is about $12.

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Important Functions Of These Services.

By Bill Shawn

The companies in UK mostly favor the 0800 numbers as the initial choice for a new connection. The 0800 numbers have an enormous demand all over UK due to its outstanding services and the best customer response over the past few years. People can experience high quality services, they can also choose the best plan from a wide range and moreover the call charges are reasonable compared to the other service providers.

The 0800 numbers are frequently used by the companies to handle their clients and customers. Majority of the Companies offers the call charges at free of cost to these numbers and the company has to pay a reasonable price for the service providers. These services are mainly for the landline phones and also there is a chance of diverting these calls to the mobile phones.

There are plenty of service packages from these numbers and these services are a huge advantage for the companies as there is a chance of reducing their phone costs up to 50%. Additionally there are some other packages where you can avail unlimited services at 10. New connections can be attained easily and these services offer free telephone support. There is no need of paying the initial fee for the new connection and moreover there is no need of purchasing the new equipment as you can continue with your old ones.

You can also avail call management services and also there are some packages where you can choose the best one. Call management services are one of the best services from the 0800 numbers and these services are used by each an every company. These services are a huge advantage when you are running a nation wide business. The main task of this service is to make sure of receiving the calls from the customers and direct them in a right way.

These services help a lot as there is no chance of call being left from the customers. The calls charges to the customers are absolutely free and the companies have to pay a less fee to the service providers. These services are simply the best and one can witness the digital clarity while talking.

Another major important service is the fax to email service. The fax sent can be directed to the person's inbox and there is no need of waiting at the fax machine for the fax to come. Voicemail is one more one and it helps you to listen the voice messages from the missed calls.

Call management services from the 0800 numbers are a huge benefit as it takes care of the entire communication belonging to your company and additionally it saves a lot of time and also helps to preserve a good relation with the customers.

You can als view this article 08 numbers services at submit-article.info

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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Tips For Finding The Best Audio Amplifier

By Brian Fuller

I will take a look at some audio amplifiers as well as mini amplifier models and explain some basic terms to help you pick the ideal amplifier for your speakers

Audio amplifiers come in all different shapes and sizes. They use different technologies and have many technical specs. This makes it difficult to decide which model to pick. You don't have to be an expert. Just follow some simple guidelines and you should be satisfied with your amp.

Amplifiers differ in their size and range from models that will take up a good part of your living room while some of the latest mini amplifier models are as small as a deck of cards. Many amplifiers are rack sized. This allows them to be stacked on top of your other audio equipment.

Most of today's audio amplifiers are based on solid-state technology while a small portion is based on tube technology which has been popular over a decade ago. Unfortunately, tube amplifiers have fairly high audio distortion which describes how much the audio signal is degraded by the amplifier.

Harmonic distortion of tube amplifiers is often as high as 10%. Solid-state amps will have lower audio distortion. However, distortion will depend on the particular audio amplifier technology. Some of the most popular technologies in the past have been "Class-A" and "Class-AB" technologies. These technologies use different arrangements to amplify the audio. Amplifiers based on any of these technologies are also called "analog amplifiers". Audio amplifiers which are based on these technologies typically have low harmonic distortion. Also, this technology is fairly inexpensive. However, the drawback is that the power efficiency is only in the order of 20% to 30%. Power efficiency describes how much of the electrical power is used to amplify the audio as opposed to being wasted as heat. Amplifiers with low power efficiency will require fairly large heat sinks because most of the power is radiated.

In contrast, "Class-D" amplifiers which are also called "digital amplifiers" offer a power efficiency of typically 80 to 90%. This allows the amplifier and power supply to be made much smaller than analog amplifiers. The tradeoff is that digital amplifiers often have higher audio distortion than analog amplifiers. This is mostly a result of the switching distortion of the output power stage. Most recent digital audio amplifiers, however, employ a feedback mechanism and can minimize the audio distortion to below 0.05%.

The amplifier should be able to deliver enough output power to sufficiently drive your speakers which will depend not only on how much power your speakers can handle but also on the size of your listening environment. Speaker power handling is given as peak power which describes the maximum amount of power during short bursts while average power refers to how much power the speakers can handle continuously.

If your listening environment is fairly small then you may not need to drive your speaker to its rated power handling value. You would probably be good having an amplifier that can deliver 20 to 50 Watts even though your speakers may be able to handle 100 Watts of power. Note though that speakers differ in their sensitivity. Typically a low-impedance speaker will be easier to drive to high volume than a high-impedance speaker. Be sure that your amp can drive your speaker impedance. You can easily find the rated speaker impedance range in your amplifier's user manual.

Two other important parameters to look at when picking an amplifier are signal-to-noise ratio and frequency response. Signal-to-noise ratio describes how much noise the amplifier will introduce and should be at least 100 dB for a high-quality amplifier. The frequency response shows which audio frequency range the amplifier covers and should be at least 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

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Monday, July 5, 2010

A Glimpse At A Few Of The Hottest Wireless Devices

By Brian Fuller

Lately a large number of wireless audio products have emerged such as latest-generation wireless headphones, iPods, cell phones and wireless amplifier products which promise to cut the cord. I will take a look at some of the newest gadgets and technologies to find out how well they work and in which situations they work best.

Some products come with wireless already built in while others, in particular streaming audio products, often have optional wireless capability. Newest touch-screen iPods and iPhones already have WiFi and Bluetooth built in.

Bluetooth is a fairly low-cost solution but has some drawbacks which are often overlooked.

1) Limited range

Bluetooth devices typically only have a 30-foot range which limits Bluetooth to single-room applications.

2) Audio compression due to limited data rate

Bluetooth will apply audio compression since it does not reliably offer a high-enough data rate for uncompressed audio. Audio compression will degrade the audio quality to some extent. High-quality audio transmission typically does not tolerate this type of degradation. Therefore Bluetooth is normally not used in high-end audio products.

3) Audio latency

Due to audio compression, Bluetooth will introduce a signal delay of at least 10 ms which will cause the audio to be slightly out of sync in case of video and real-time applications. This is again less of a problem for MP3 players.

4) No multiple headphone support

Bluetooth does not support any number of headphones which may be a problem if you have a larger number of people who want to listen to headphones from a single transmitter device.

Another common protocol is WiFi which supports uncompressed audio but also has problems simultaneously streaming to multiple receivers. It is convenient for streaming music from a PC due to the high availability but is normally not used in wireless headphone products due to the relatively high power consumption of WiFi.

Wireless speakers and wireless amplifier products for home theater speakers typically use their own proprietary protocol. Entry-level wireless headphones and speakers typically still use FM transmission which offers low cost but is prone to noise and audio distortion.

More advanced wireless protocols are based on digital formats which eliminate audio degradation and incorporate advanced features such as error correction to cope with interference from competing wireless devices.

Advanced wireless amplifier devices support uncompressed digital audio streaming to preserve the original audio quality. Some of these protocols allow streaming to an unlimited number of wireless amplifiers which is convenient for whole-house audio distribution. The audio latency ranges from below 1 ms to up to 20 ms. A small latency is important for wireless surround sound applications. These wireless audio transmitters typically work at 2.4 GHz. There are also some products such as Amphony's line of wireless audio products which work at 5.8 GHz. Products that operate at 5.8 GHz have less competition from other wireless devices than those using the crowded 2.4 GHz frequency band.

Wireless amplifiers offer different levels of audio quality, output power and standby power. Wireless Class-D amplifiers normally have standby power of 5 Watts or less and a power efficiency of greater than 80% but sometimes high audio distortion. Picking a low-distortion amplifier is key. Good-quality wireless amplifiers have audio distortion of less than 0.05%.

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Saturday, June 26, 2010

AOL Radio - The Extinction Of Traditional Stations?

By Brian Fuller

AOL Radio, Pandora, Slacker and Last.fm are some of the online radio services which have become popular these last few years. Many of these are also available on mobile devices such as cell phones. I will look at the impact of online radio on traditional radio broadcasters to find out if this means the end of local radio stations.

Local radio seems to be having a hard time in today's radio landscape with competing satellite and online radio services taking away listeners by offering commercial-free music and entertainment. There is virtually an unlimited number of online radio stations available.

While traditionally local radio has been the only truly mobile radio, online radio services such as Pandora are now available on wireless audio transmitter and portable devices such as cell phones.

AOL Radio which boasts 200 plus music channels of 25 genres uses CBS radio as its underlying platform. It also offers access to 150 national CBS radio stations. The underlying platform "play.it" also has a feature that allows listeners to create their own radio stations by entering preferred albums, artists etc. The individual tracks of each music channel are also available for storage on an iPod through 3rd-party software such as iGetMusic.

Users can also create customized radio on other online music services by entering the artist and album names and these services will play songs based on that information. Other services, however, fail to offer fully customized music channels.

Does online radio mean the end of local radio? The growing number of options clearly is going to shrink the market share of traditional radio broadcasters. Online radio is particular useful for niche broadcasters who have been unable to broadcast due to the high cost and licensing of frequency space.

The large number of available stations is a big plus for online radio listeners. However, this is a problem for online broadcasters. This large number of stations is diluting the number of listeners. Therefore streaming radio broadcasters have found it difficult to be profitable. However, online radio has less pressure to insert commercials which has made the content more appealing to listeners.

However, local radio has one big advantage over satellite and online radio. That is local content such as local news and events. One drawback of local radio has been the poor audio quality of FM broadcasts. However, that is being remedied by the recent introduction of digital radio broadcasts such as HD radio. It is hard to predict a clear winner in the battle between online and local radio since both offer their own unique content and offer high mobility which are the key factors that will determine the fate of each services.

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Digital TV Aerial Installers- Don't Choose the Wrong

By Henry Mangult

Are you amongst the many that need to find digital TV aerial installers to install an aerial system in your home or business? Are you plagued with a plethora of questions like how much of the service should cost, how long does it usually take to install and do I need an all-new aerial or just an upgrade or repair my existing unit. Always keep in mind that digital TV aerial installers are just like any other contractors while some of them are fine upstanding businessman others are nothing but snake oil salesman looking to make a quick buck. But by becoming an active participant in the process and doing some research up front you should be able to locate digital TV aerial installers who will not only do an exceptional job on your installation but who also look out for your best interest in the process.

Always keep in mind that digital TV aerial installers are just like any other contractors while some of them are fine upstanding businessman others are nothing but snake oil salesman looking to make a quick buck. But by becoming an active participant in the process and doing some research up front you should be able to locate digital TV aerial installers who will not only do an exceptional job on your installation but who also look out for your best interest in the process.

And even though there are many digital TV aerial installers in your area it can sometimes be difficult trying to weed out the good installers from the bad. Many factors play into this including quality of installation, warranty and pricing. A good technique for getting at whether or not this installer is capable of doing a good job or just trying to "take you for a ride" is simply asking questions. Not only should the digital TV aerial installers be willing and able to answer the questions that you have put in the end you should also be content with the answers given. If for some reason the answer seemed odd or if you feel like you're consistently being up-sold or pushed to buy now then this should prompt you to start looking with another company.

Another great indicator of quality digital TV aerial installer is their willingness to stand by their work. Whether it is for a home installation or business installation many good digital TV aerial installers will offer some sort of warranty behind the hardware and service that they have provided. It is always reassuring to know that with a simple phone call you will have the installer back at your home and doing the needed repairs without cost to you.

In the end the choice of digital TV aerial installers is up to you. But using these hints like talking to your installer with the expectation of a informative and in-depth explanation of what the aerial installation process is going to be, as well as a warranty to back up the end product is something that all home and business owners should ask for from all digital TV aerial installers.

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Sunday, April 4, 2010

Aerial Service- Getting Good Reception for Your Home

By James Sollis

Every homeowner will have a need at some point to either install a new aerial or to have the one they currently have repaired or upgraded. At this point, they will need to locate an aerial service company that can get the job done. Not being able to enjoy your favorite TV shows may mean that your aerial is not functioning properly.

Sometimes there are strong winds or trees may grow up and block your signal area. Any reputable aerial service can examine your aerial and deal with any problems and have your aerial back in business so that you can again view your TV when you want to.

Many of us cannot live without our television; it has become such a part of our daily lives, that we look forward to watching favorite programs daily or weekly. Having the best aerial service possible from the beginning is important. You also want to know that your aerial has been installed properly and that repairs can be done if they are needed.

Perhaps you would like to have a new aerial service installed or your current one upgraded. Either way, you should be able to get some input from a good company. They should be able to assist you in making the right choice in an aerial that will serve your needs best. There are a lot of different choices when it comes to aerials, so you need to make sure you choose the right one.

Digital TV aerials are the latest installation service being provided by most aerial service companies today. Most cable companies have discontinued their analogue transmission and have moved to digital, so having an older analogue aerial is no longer sufficient. As the wiring required will be in place, you may only need to pay for the digital aerial and its installation by the aerial service, and save some money.

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

XM vs. Sirius Satellite Radio Debate: Which Will Be Your Choice?

By Matt Barns

We have all heard of the two major satellite companies available today, Sirius Radio and XM Satellite Radio. Many people, maybe even you, don't even know that much about them such as costs or what is even available on a satellite radio. They are tired of listening to the old AM and FM standard radio stations for valid reasons. Many FM and AM radio stations publish long waits with commercials. Whichever reason it may so be, people are turning to satellite radio more and more than regular radio stations.

Both companies are able to offer you static free radio due to satellites. XM (based in Washington D. C. ) has two and Sirius (based in New York) has three satellites across the United States. Both companies offer users commercial free radio. Sirius offers over 125 channels and XM offers 160 different channels. There are dedicated channels for genres of music such as jazz, folk, country and pop for die-hard fans. One cool feature of satellite radio is you can see the name of the artist playing as well as the song title. So never again do you have to spend time wondering just who sang that song you just heard! There are also channels for local weather and traffic, sports, comedy, women's issues, talk shows, even old time radio shows. Soon, you may be able to see video as well as hear audio on your satellite radios.

There are also celebrity shows for both satellite radio companies. Martha Stewart recently signed a deal to launch a 24-hour radio channel on Sirius Satellite Radio. And most everyone has heard that Howard Stern is on Sirius as well - uncensored. Having gotten in trouble with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for his radio talk show, he decided to jump to the uncensored airways of satellite radio. Since his show started, the Sirius subscriber base has increased by at least 2. 7 million. If have satellite radio and want to hear National Public Radio (NPR), you will have to subscribe to Sirius as they are the only one offering NPR. But XM is not to be left behind by Sirius. XM signed Snoop Doggy Dog, but the big coop is Oprah. In September of 2006, XM users will be able to tune in to Oprah & Friends. The new channel will offer broadcasts of The Oprah Winfrey Show, O, the Oprah Magazine and programming on fitness, health and self improvement.

It is all simply amazing, but wait, what do you honestly have to have to receive satellite radio? You need to have either a Sirius or an XM radio. It doesen't have to be a radio for use in your car either. Radios for home are available today and there are radios you can use either at home or in your car. A basic setup price by XM and Sirius is as low as $49. 99. You will need to subscribe to a service though, indeed. Both companies charge $12.95 a month for you to receive satellite signals on your radio. You may save, however, if your using multiple cars by purchasing a family plan available from either company.

How popular is satellite radio becoming lately? In March 2005, Hyundai announced that it will be the first car manufacturer will be in all of its models sold in the U.S. satellite radio. Every modern, including the famous Sonata, Santa Fe and Elantra models will be equipped with XM satellite radio. When it was announced, the parent company XM's stock increased by more than 8 per cent. Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz also announced in March 2005 Sirius radios will be their model for some distributors choose to install.

So which satellite radio should I choose, you ask? It depends on you. You should check out the stations available by visiting the company website before any decision is made. Both of them are offering the radio at comparable prices, so it really comes down what you want to hear. Are you a fan of Stern? Then you have to go with Sirius. But if you love Oprah, you can listen to her on Oprah XM. Regardless of which one to choose, you will definitely be very pleased with either of the services and/or satellite receptions.

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

The World at Your Fingertips - Portable Satellite Radio

By Veronica Carrillo

MyFi satellite radio is another great product from the electronics manufacturer Delphi. Although some say that it is the new iPod killer, this is not not the case. An iPod and a MyFi radio belong into two different categories and they have their own advantages and drawbacks.

For a hand-held satellite radio receiver, the MyFi is extremely compact and slim in size. The portable radio can be used as a car or home audio player and its sleek and trimmed features ensure that it can be used in the most congested places as well. The radio only weighs 7.2 Ounces and is 1.2 inches thick. The box includes several tools and accessories, which make it possible to install and run the radio at home or inside your car.

Connecting cables, antennas and mounting brackets are available that make it an easy affair to operate the device anywhere. There is a built in FM Transmitter just like an iPod and it works well even when you are in a low frequency zone.

The navigation through different channels is done with the help of a scroll wheel which makes navigating through channels refreshingly easy. The device can add up to 30 preset stations and the Tune Select feature enables the user to add or store the names of 20 artists or simply save up to 20 songs on the device.

Some cons of Sirius satellite radio include that it does not support live concerts. This is a sad point for any of us who love to listen to live concerts. But well, let's be happy because Sirius satellite radio has many pros to compensate for that little shortcoming.

It even offers two channels dedicated to Howard Stern and celebrity host Oprah Winfrey. I am sure that's enough to cheer you up. There is an additional subscription option of $2.99 monthly to get the best sound quality. You can choose this option if you feel that the sound you get is bad, but I bet you won't need it because the sound quality of my radio is just great and there is nothing worth complaining about.

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