Hitachi 55 Plasma TV Delivers Five-Star Performance

The Hitachi 55 plasma TV 55HDM71 HDTV Ready model can handle over a billion color display gradations, and produces the highest blacks and deepest saturation of any plasma tv unit due to Hitachi's newly developed ten-bit image process.

With an aspect ratio of 16:9 and resolution at an amazing 1366 x 768, this Hitachi 55 plasma TV display device is unsurpassed.

The Hitachi 55HDM71 uses high-efficiency panel technology, dynamic false contour redirection, contrast and color enhancers. Other standard features such as split screen with dual image control and picture-in-picture (PIP), 20 watt audio amplifier, a monitor ID bit, screen saver, and life extension mode put this plasma TV in a class by itself.

This 55 inch plasma tv hardly takes up space in your room. You can mount it on a stand or on a wall, it is only a little over four inches thick. For the best picture view it at a distance of 14 feet or more. You'll be able to view it from anywhere in your room because this plasma screen boasts a 160 degree viewing angle. There is no curvature, thus distortion is eliminated.

Did you know that plasmas make up more than 99% of our visible universe. "Plasma" in science is known as the "fourth state of matter".

Other efficient features of this Hitachi 55 plasma TV are three language screen display, night and day memory, input and sound adjustment buttons, and many input/outputs for digital imaging friendliness.

About The Author
John Lloyd makes it quick and easy to find the top plasma TV's by going to http://www.best-plasma-televisions.com.
Plus check out this http://www.best-plasma-televisions.com/sony-plasma-42-hdtv.html.

Using Spy Gadgets to Keep Tabs on Your Teens

Spy gadgets are useful for more than just performing surveillance on people you do not know, or for protecting yourself from surveillance. Spy gadgets are increasingly helpful in keeping track of where your teenagers are and what they are doing. With all of the risks in the world today, it is no surprise that one might be concerned for the wellbeing of one's children. With the right spy gadget, or combination of spy gadgets, it is possible to be sure of where your child is, and with whom he or she is keeping company.

One of the most basic spy gadgets that can help you understand where your teen is going is a GPS tracker. The most common tracker is a vehicle tracker. This way you can figure out where the car is at all times, and even keep tabs on where is has been. The problem is that such a device can be fooled. You teen need only to drive the car to the approved destination before removing to a friend's car and taking off to someplace else. This is where a cell phone GPS tracker comes in handy.

Cell phone spy gadgets are increasingly popular because they look like and act just like regular cell phones. It is possible to get a cell phone with a tracking device that allows you to continue to track your teen even after the car is left behind. Just buy your child a hip new cell phone and she or he will be glad to have it. Then it can tell you where you're teen is, and where you're teen has been.

Knowing where you're teen is important, but what is she or he doing? After all, maybe he or she is at Sally's where they should be having a study group. But what is going on? Are they really studying, or are they doing something else. Spy gadgets like the spy phone go beyond simply tracking movement. They can be secretly activated to let you hear what is going on inside the room. You can listen to conversations and determine whether or not the kids are studying.

Knowing your kids are safe can easily be accomplished with the help a couple of well-chosen spy gadgets.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Gadgets.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

How Plasma TVs And LCD TVs Differ

The buying of large-screen TVs has absolutely skyrocketed lately. It seems that everyone wants one – and with good reason. The large-screen TV has come a long way from those faded-out behemoths of old that took up half your living room and never really produced a picture of decent quality. Now, however, especially in combination with HDTV, you can get not only a nice, large picture, but a crisp, clean one too.

Once you decide that you're ready for a large-screen TV, you quickly discover that you only really have two main options – a plasma TV or an LCD TV. Plasma TVs were first on the scene, but the recent mass production of LCD TVs by major manufactures has put LCD TVs pretty much on equal footing with plasmas. That said, you will still have to make a choice.

If you're like most people, you not only have no idea how the two differ, you don't even know the areas you should be considering in order to determine how they differ. But they do indeed differ, and knowing the difference is extremely important if you're going to get the TV that's right for you.

You can essentially boil the differences between plasmas and LCDs into twelve basic points. In some areas, plasmas will win out. In other areas, LCDs will win out. In yet other areas, it will depend on your own personal taste in order to decide who wins out.

The twelve ways plasma TVs and LCD TVs differ are the following:

1. The first is a technical issue, and may seem a little boring, but it really does affect other areas. Plasmas TVs are made of chemical compounds called phosphors. LCD TVs use millions of liquid crystals.

2. The next section is related to how big the TVs are and the availability of larger sizes. You have a wider selection of larger-size TVs with plasmas (though LCDs are catching up).

3. The next section is "small size," which is also important. Plasmas don't come in smaller sizes, which you will need for places like the kitchen.

4. Next is viewing angle. Plasmas tend to have a wider viewing angle (though, again, LCDs are catching up).

5. Although the manufacturers may not like to admit it, each "can" suffer from certain problems. Plasmas can suffer from burn-in effect; LCDs don't.

6. Another problem area, but for LCDs, is "delay." LCDs can produce a jagged figure when in motion. Plasmas tend to do better. HDTV improves this dramatically for both.

7. The next area is life span. You can replace the light source with an LCD, thereby bringing your original picture back. With plasmas you can't.

8. In the next few sections, the theme of "picture quality" is considered. First, color: LCDs produce sharp, lively colors. Plasmas produce warmer and more accurate colors.

9. Next is brightness levels and the TVs ability to handle different lighting. LCDs tend to do better in bright-light conditions.

10. Also related to picture quality is "black levels." Plasmas tend to produce blacker blacks.

11. Another area to consider is contrast range. Plasmas, "technically," produce a higher contrast range.

12. Last, and certainly not least, is price. At the moment, plasmas tend to run a little cheaper, but this is changing rapidly as LCDs flood into the market. By the time you read this, in fact, there may be no difference at all.

Essentially, which one is right for you will all comes down to taste: What potential negatives will you not really notice? What positives do you want more of? What do you really want the TV for – movies, sports, news, regular TV shows? Both plasmas and LCDs have strong advocates in their corners. Both have deliriously happy customers. But those happy customers are only happy because they knew what they wanted before they made their purchase. If you want to make the right choice, you'll have to decide what it is you want and which of the two TVs can best give you that.

About The Author
Joseph Foley
Plasma vs. LCD TVs: To learn more about these two technologies and how your own personal tastes and viewing habits will affect your choice, read the full report at http://www.plasma-vs-lcd.com. You might also be surprised to learn that plasma TVs are like peanut butter and LCD TVs are like jelly. Yes, really. Read the report.

Voom through Dish Network

In earlier decades, cable television was an added incentive to America's households. Now, it's considered more of a mainstream commodity. While current technology is continually advancing, television's development has closely followed suit. Further, cable television has reached some fierce competition. Today, high-definition television satisfies millions of customers daily with its clear, lifelike pictures and surround sound. Specifically, Voom through Dish Network will give you a reason to why you may never go back to cable television again.

Available only through the Dish Network, Voom features a wide collection of channels that will pique your individual taste and interests, all at the click of your remote. Forget that you're in a movie theater and realize you're in the comforts of your home, watching television through the advantage of Voom. Here are some channel highlights on what you can look forward to when you become a Voom subscriber.

The Majestic HD- Watch timeless movies as The Majestic HD captures Hollywood classics featuring your favorite movie stars.

Equator HD-Travel to exotic places, explore different cultures, discover rare and wild animals and observe beautiful landscapes all around the world with Equator HD.

Monsters HD-Halloween may be a one-month festivity, but Voom celebrates spooky entertainment with Monsters HD all year around.

Rave HD- Relive your favorite artist's concert or enjoy backstage access of world concerts featuring top artists like Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and Peter Gabriel.

Ultra HD- Receive fashion tips from some of the world's renowned make up artists or get a front row seat to New York runway shows when Ultra HD exposes you to the fashion world.

Gallery HD- Whether its modern-day masterpieces to historical art, follow a tour guide around to a collection of art museums around the world.

Animania HD-From the familiar Pink Panther and Felix the Cat to the new Rapido or Smiley, Animania HD entertains young children and the children at heart through a playful, colorful display of cartoon animation.

Overall, Voom features over 35 variety channels, boasting the widest range in HDTV programming. For your viewing pleasures, let Voom through Dish Network enhance your television viewing.

About The Author
Stephanie Tuia
To find out how you can get Voom through the Dish Network, contact them toll-free at 1-866-556-0842 or visit http://www.dishnetworkproducts.com/articles/voom.php for more information.

Digital SLR Camera versus a Compact Digital Camera

Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are excellent cameras that produce clearer, sharper and more colourful images than most point and shoot digital cameras available. With prices falling rapidly, they are now more affordable then ever. With the price gap between an entry model digital SLR camera and the most expensive compact digital camera narrowing; the question is... do I spend the extra money and get a Digital SLR camera? or save a few hundred dollars and purchase the best digital compact camera.

Well, it really depends on your budget; however if you do spend the extra money, here's what you get:

In addition to the price falls in the Digital SLR models, the performance on these cameras has increased year on year with the latest Digital SLR cameras being quicker and faster than ever before. They have improved to such an extent that power up or start-up time is near instantaneous with virtually no lag time. "Lag time is the time between you pressing the shutter release button and the camera actually taking the shot". This delay can vary quite a bit between different camera models and it is one of the biggest drawbacks compared to a compact digital camera. The latest digital SLR cameras have virtually no lag times and react in the same way as conventional film cameras, even in burst mode. Compact digital cameras are catching up; however the difference is still significant. A lag time of ~0.5 seconds can result in you missing the heartbeat of the moment and hence that potential great picture.

Digital SLR camera also has a larger sensor versus a smaller sensor in a compact digital camera. This equates to higher sensitivity and less noise and results in the camera taking clearer pictures in low light. (They also have better autofocus speed in low light as well). A measure of sensitivity in a digital camera is ISO and a typical ISO range for a Digital SLR camera varies from ISO 100 – 1600 with the latter being more sensitive. The ISO range for a compact digital camera varies from ISO 50 – 400. In summary, the higher the ISO rating, the greater the sensitivity and the better the photo can be taken in low light.

The Digital SLR cameras have a much longer battery life due to the limited use of the LCD screen. Please note, that as the LCD screen is only used for viewing the image, the battery life of a digital SLR can allow up to 2000 shots per charge in some cameras compared to 500 for a good point and shoot digital camera.

Digital SLR cameras also allow you to interchange lens such as adding a zoom or macro lens when required.

On the negative side of a Digital SLR camera; they are usually larger and heavier than compact digital cameras, the image cannot be previewed on the LCD screen prior taking the picture. If you really require the image to be viewed on the LCD prior to taking the picture, there are third party manufacturers that produce LCD screens that attaches to the viewfinder and allow the scene to be view just like a compact digital camera. The other drawback is the inability to take videos and finally, lenses are expensive with the majority costing more than the camera itself.

Although compact digital cameras cannot compete on features with a Digital SLR camera, they are great value, have the ability to take videos and are portable. If you have decided to purchase a Digital SLR camera I recommend you visit other websites which has Information on Digital Camera and compare the features. If you are still undecided, purchase both.

About The Author
Virginia Wong is an IT consultant and has a passion for digital photography. Her research into digital camera resulted in the development of her own digital camera website. http://infodigitalcamera.com. This article is free to use, distribute and copy as long as the link remains in place.

Ringtones Provide Fashion Statement for Women

When it comes to ringtones, the battle of the sexes continues. While ringtones are universally popular with both males and females, females tend to purchase them more, according to a recent study by M:Metrics.

The measurement firm reports that 11.6 million American females downloaded a ringtone in August compared to 9.9 million American males. There's also a difference in the genre of music that the sexes prefer. Females purchased 66% of the pop ringtones sold and 65% of the country ringtones sold. Not surprisingly, males dominate in the testosterone-laden world of heavy metal and hard rock ringtones where males purchase 68% of such ringtones.

The findings are not a surprise to Anthony Wayne who publishes the Cool Ringtones Blog (www.coolringtones.blogspot.com). "Males were the early adopters of ringtone technology, but now ringtone providers are seeing their largest orders being placed by females who want to accessorize their cell phones the same way that they accessorize their outfits. Ringtones provide personalization and a fashion statement to females and allow males to project their masculinity to those around them."

The most popular kind of ringtones is rap ringtones; 6.7 million Americans downloaded a rap ringtone in a recent month. The next most popular categories are rock or alternative ringtones, pop ringtones, TV/movie/game theme ringtones, and classic rock ringtones. Rounding out the top 10 ringtone genres are country ringtones, hard rock and heavy metal ringtones, voice ringtones, oldies ringtones, and dance or electronic ringtones.

"Ringtones are all about making a personal statement of who you are, especially in the teen and young adult demographics," said Wayne. And 22 million Americans are making personal statements every month.

About The Author
Bob Bentz is known around the country as Mr. Ringtone. He has over 55 ringtones on his cell phone.
Ringingphone.com

Light Up Your Life!

How many times have you been left standing in the dark desperately trying to find something in your purse? Well, if Rosanna Kilfedder has her way, those dark times are coming to an end.

A student of Brunel University, Rosanna has developed an illuminating idea. She has designed a solar powered handbag, with a lining that lights up, so women will have a simpler time finding things in their purse in the dark. Mobile phones, PDA's, and other wireless devices can also be recharged from the handbag's battery.

The handbag, called Sun Trap, uses a solar cell to transfer the energy collected from the sun's rays to an internal battery. The zipper on the bag acts as a switch to activate the illuminated lining. The lining is made from an electroluminescent material similar to that found in mobile phones. The bag goes dark when the zipper is closed, or when it has been left open for more than 15 seconds.

Rosanna is quoted as saying, "I had the idea for Sun Trap after seeing so many of my friends frantically searching their bags for house keys, usually on a dark door step. I also noticed friends using their mobile phones like torches to examine the contents of their bags, which gave me the idea of lighting up the bag."

The "Brunel Enterprise Centre", which helps students and academics develop their ideas commercially, is now giving Rosanna assistance in applying for patents. They have also supplied her with a mentor, who is advising her on the best approach to bringing her invention to market.

Rosanna has already won an award for her design, and is working hard to get this brilliant product into the marketplace. Her handbag was designed with both usefulness and safety in mind. The idea of including a charger for mobile phones is a wonderful addition to an enlightening idea! How many times have you been out and had to make a phone call, only to find that you have forgotten to recharge your phone? Well done, Rosanna. We look forward to seeing it on the high street!

For more information on this excellent invention, please visit Rosanna's website at www.rosannakilfedder.com.

About The Author

Cathy Feldman is a handbag aficionado, who frequently has difficulty finding her keys in the dark. When she is not scoping out the newest handbags on the market, she writes freelance articles for websites such as http://www.designerhandbags101.com – a site that offers insights into the wonderful world of handbags, featuring information on Chanel handbags - http://www.designerhandbags101.com/designer-handbags/chanel.aspx , TravelPro Luggage - http://www.designerhandbags101.com/designer-luggage/travelpro.aspx , handbags - http://www.designerhandbags101.com/ and more.

Protect Your Home with a Spy Cam

Most of the threats to your home and your valuables come from within. When you use a spy cam in your home, then you get a better idea of what is really going on when you are not around. How do your kids behave when you are out of town? Is the nanny or babysitter treating the kids properly? Is housekeeper doing nothing other than cleaning the house? These are all questions that can easily be answered with the use of a spy cam.

Your spy cam can look like just about any regular object. And these regular objects continue to perform their functions. If you choose a camera that looks like a clock or a digital radio alarm, then the clock will still display the time, and the alarm will still go off. But it is also to use objects like a smoke detector or picture frame to hide the camera. The best idea is to get more than one so that they can be placed in the main public areas of the house in different guises.

The spy cam will let you know if your kids had a party while you were away on vacation. Or, if you told them they could have a few friends over, you can make sure that those friends are acceptable. Since it is agreed that most parents are reluctant to put cameras in the kids' rooms (and this is reasonable — some privacy is necessary), you can provide the den for gatherings of friends. That way you can watch them, even when you are not in the room.

Abuses by babysitters and nannies are becoming more common, and a spy cam can help you make sure that the person who watches your precious ones is truly who she or he says. Catch offenders red-handed and protect your children, or let the sitter know that you do have spy cams. That way he or she will always be on the best behavior.

Finally, you can protect your valuables and ensure that your housekeeper is not wasting time. If you pay by the hour, you want to make sure that work is the only thing happening. Additionally, if you have a cleaner that tends to steal, you can catch him or her in the act with a spy cam.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Cam.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

The Usefulness of a GPS Tracker

The GPS tracker is fast becoming a staple in society. This is because there are so many uses for these devices. While GPS technology (short for global positioning system) was originally developed for the military, it is now widely used in things like cars and golf carts — even cell phones. There are even types of GPS tracker that are small enough to be worn on a body or slipped discreetly into a small pocketbook. These handy devices allow people to keep track of others as well as valuables from anywhere where they have Internet access.

One of the most popular uses for the GPS tracker is in cars. This is because a tracker can help the driver pinpoint his or her exact location without any trouble. On top of that, it is also a great way to track the vehicle should it be stolen. Also, service such as OnStar can use a GPS tracker in your car to send emergency help in the event of a car wreck and the driver's incapacity.

And, as one would expect from the name GPS tracker, a GPS tracking system can help you keep tabs on loved ones and even pets. Some trackers are small enough to be attached without too much trouble to a dog or cat. This way, if Fido the dog or Fifi the cat slips away, you can find the errant critter without too much trouble. The same is true with kids. Trackers fit easily in backpacks and are even built into some cell phones. This means that you can be aware of exactly where your teen is at all times.

There are also many recreational uses for the GPS tracker. Geo-caching has become a popular pastime among some. Trackers can help enthusiasts plot the position of the next treasure and then leave something of their own. Additionally, many high-end golf courses equip their carts with tracking that allows you to map the course, and even figure out how far their ball has yet to go.

Acquiring a GPS tracker is fairly easy, and its usefulness is worth whatever amount is paid for it. It is possible to get one for right around $300, but most of them fall between $400 and $1,000 in price for a good GPS tracker.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: GPS Tracker.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

Is My Home Ready for Voice over IP (VoIP) Telephony?

Is My Home Ready for Voice over IP (VoIP) Telephony?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is finally reaching out to thousands of average homes to offer huge savings in telephone costs. Already popular with the corporate world, VoIP, sometimes called Internet Telephony, IP telephony, or Internet phone, uses your computer's broadband connection - not traditional phones lines - to make long distance, inter-state or local calls.

VoIP works by converting your voice into data, transmitting it over the Internet, and then converting it back into a voice stream so that it can be played on any telephone in the world - almost in the same way your computer transmits email over the Internet.

Less expensive than traditional phones, and convenient -- you just use your computer or a VoIP-ready phone and a broadband Internet connection to make your calls -- VoIP makes for good economic sense. Around for a decade now, VoIP has overcome teething problems to come of age, using advances in PC and IP technology to provide voice quality telephone calls at low Internet rates.

Rising Popularity

International and state-to-state calls, expensive on conventional phone systems, are available at lower prices on VoIP. Finding this cost saving and its voice quality attractive, more home users and businesses are choosing to opt for VoIP.

But, to work well, VoIP needs a good bandwidth connection, such as broadband cable or DSL. Freely accessible nowadays -- 22% of Americans use broadband right now and the numbers are rising each day -- analysts estimate that 50% of Americans will use VoIP in the next two to three years.

The Ins and Outs of VoIP

To use VoIP, you need a broadband connection (either cable or DSL), a regular phone or computer microphone, and a special VoIP router adaptor to connect your phone to the Internet. And, you'll also need the services of a VoIP service provider, such as Vonage or Skype. Depending on the service you use, you can either use the telephone connected to the VoIP router, or call directly from your computer using your computer's microphone and speaker.

Your call connects to your VoIP service provider, and they route the call to the phone number you dialed, converting the VoIP data into a plain old telephone call before reaching its destination. This is how you connect to any telephone in the world, regardless of whether the person you are calling is using VoIP or plain old telephone service.

There are a number of different companies that offer VoIP services. But make sure they provide good voice quality and reliable support, and comply with Industry Standards. Ask potential service providers about the security controls they use to ensure your data and identity is safe and not open to hackers or virus attacks. You can test several trial downloads before you choose your VoIP service provider, and you can always visit user forums on the Internet to check out the kind of problems that customers experience with these service providers.

Cost Factors

Right now, VoIP is fairly inexpensive, averaging around $15 - $65 per month. This is because the VoIP industry enjoys special tax breaks and other privileges. These privileges may be withdrawn in the future, though lobbyists are trying hard not to let that happen. In any case, VoIP is likely to become less expensive as more people turn to it in the future.

In addition, there are a number of free VoIP service providers (who usually have some paid upgraded services) that will allow you to make free VoIP calls among the users of their network. For example, if you sign up for the free Skype service, you can connect with any other Skype user and talk for free.

VoIP - the Pluses and Minuses

Apart from the ease of use, people choose VoIP because it is inexpensive, letting them "phone-trot" any wherever they want to without having to worry about the length of a call, how often you call, or the cost when the bill arrives. Additionally, with some VoIP services, there are no fixed monthly charges to pay, like a regular phone.

On the other hand, if your Internet connection is down, your Internet phone is inoperable as well. And, slow IP connections can hamper VoIP transmissions, causing problems like echoes, delayed response times or voice failure. It's the sort of thing that happens when you find it difficult to connect to the Web, or can't download a file, only it affects VoIP more.

Still, with the advances made in VoIP technology over the past year or so, and the growing momentum with consumers, VoIP is definitely worth looking into for your home. There's even a site that will let you test whether your home broadband connection is ready for VoIP. Just go to www.TestYourVoIP.com, and test your home broadband connection in less than 5 minutes for free.

So take a chance and look into VoIP. You may be surprised at how much money you can save every month on phone services -- and you can brag about your technical savvy to friends, co-workers, and neighbors!

About The Author
Chuck Smith runs http://www.LGVoIP.com, a resource for information about the Voice over IP (VoIP) industry. Find out more about VoIP, and whether VoIP is right for you, at LG VoIP.

Choosing Your First Digital Camera

Digital cameras are no longer a luxury these days, with high resolution mega pixels and sophisticated features coming within a very appealing price range. And thanks to many comprehensive digital camera reviews, it's easy to pick the most sought after features and qualities and still stay within a budget.

Most people turn to digital photography because they like the ease of printing and sharing the photos on the web. Business owners choose the digital quality for their product catalogues or brochures, students employ digital cameras for their projects and with digital cameras in most recent cell phones, even a child can take a snap and publish it instantly on the web. And thanks to the newest lens and zooming qualities, you don't have to be a seasoned pro to shoot close-to-professional images with modern digital cameras.

You can hardly find a digital camera today with resolution lower than 2 megapixels – two million color dots per picture. This is a decent quality for most uses, including printing the photos for the home or school use. The higher the megapixel rate, the bigger photos you can print without sacrificing the quality. However, if you are not a professional photographer or a graphic professional who deals with upscale images all the time, you don't really need a digital camera that produces more than 8-megapixel camera – and these rarely become available for less than $1000. Plus, if you seek to print large detailed photos, make sure you have a high-quality printer that can reproduces all the tiny details that make a difference.

When you pick a digital camera, you should also pay attention to the zoom number. Digital cameras have two different kinds of zoom. Digital zoom enlarges all pixels digitally, while optical zoom enlarges the image with the lens magnification. Since you can always enlarge the image later, on the computer using the Photoshop or other image manipulation program, you would be better to concentrate on higher optical zoom rate. The average optical zoom for midlevel digital cameras is 2 to 4x.

There are a few other options to consider: whether a digital camera uses a rechargeable batteries (zoom and LCD screen consume a lot of energy); whether the digital camera has a standard flash memory (you may need to buy a few more flash memory cards in future), and if the menus are easy to understand. If you travel a lot, you may want a digital camera that is lightweight and compact.

Even if you decide to pick the least expensive digital camera to serve your basic photography needs, you will still enjoy all the benefits of digital photography: no film rolls to buy, no wasted photos to dispose of and best of all, no waiting time to get them printed. New models of digital cameras are constantly launched, and the older ones are becoming less expensive day by day. Know your priorities, check the most recent digital camera reviews, and there should be a digital camera to perfectly suit your needs.

About The Author
Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Digital Cameras please visit http://www.digital-camera-guides.com/ and for additional Digital Camera articles please visit the following article page http://www.digital-camera-guides.com/digitalcameras-articles/.

The Way Night Vision Works

Most people are familiar with the concept of night vision. After all, it is seen in countless action and spy movies. However, the truth is that night vision is more than a fantastical concept; it is reality. And with goggles, night scopes, binoculars and monoculars, it is possible to see on a moonless, cloudless night. In fact, the technology is so advanced that you can see a person standing more than 200 yards away. That's twice the length of a football field! The remarkable feat of human sight at night is accomplished one of two ways: image enhancement or thermal imaging.

Image enhancement is a night vision technique that collects tiny amounts of light that may not be perceptible to the human eye. These are the smallest glimmers of light, sometimes even on the lower end of the infrared spectrum, that are discovered by the device in use. The points of light are than amplified by the device to a point that allows the object or person to be seen easily.

The other way night vision works is by thermal imaging. This is technology that works exclusively in the upper portion of infrared light. Rather than gathering reflected light, this is heat that is given off by objects or people. This is known as thermal infrared, and it occupies the largest amount of space as part of the infrared spectrum (which is at the lower end of the light spectrum, below what is detectible by the human eye). This means that there is a great deal of wavelengths that can be detected by the proper devices. Because thermal imaging works by putting the heat coming from objects in visible form, it is to be expected that some objects will appear clearer than others. Humans, for example, emit more heat than a tree, and so a tree will not be as clear.

Night vision products make excellent additions to any surveillance collection, and they can be very helpful in locating objects or people in dark places. You will pay in a price range from under $300 to more than $15,000, depending on features, accuracy, and purpose of the accessories you choose to aid your night vision.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Night Vision

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

Spy Bugs to Listen In

There are many different spy bugs that can be used to listen in on conversations. These can be bugs that you plant at a home, or listening devices that you wear on your person (or have someone else wear). But no matter how you use spy bugs, it is possible to glean useful information with them, whether you are an amateur, a professional, or are just looking for the truth.

The most common spy bugs are bugs that use a radio frequency to transmit the sounds around them. These bugs may be placed inside a home or office to catch conversations held in a room, or they may be hooked into a phone. When hooked into a phone, they can listen to both sides of a conversation over a phone line. Additionally, it is possible to wear these listening devices hidden on the body in what look regular items (pens, lighters, hats, etc.). The radio frequency is transmitted to a location where it can be heard, usually with no more than a regular FM radio.

Other spy bugs make use of ways that tap into the line itself and do not send radio transmissions. These types of bugs are harder to detect. A wiretap might fall into this category of direct bugs, as may a soft tap that makes use of computer software to listen to phone conversations. The best spy bugs, however, are the portable kind that go with the subject and allow you to phone in.

While it is possible to plant radio transmitting spy bugs on a person to go with her or him, it is far more practical to use a device that they trust, and that is unlikely to be shed or lost. This is a cell phone. Of course, spy bugs in the form of cell phones can only be used to learn information from people you know, and whom you might reasonably be expected to give a cell phone. A Spy Matrix Spy Phone is really a portable bug that lets you listen to conversations that make use of the cell phone as well as whatever is going on in the room at the time.

When you need to hear what is being said, the best things to use are spy bugs.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Spy Bugs.

About The Author
Shawn Davis
To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

Panasonic Pv-gs400 3 Ccd Camcorder – And Ways To Use It To Earn Extra Income

Let me share with you something that happened to me just the other day.

I was contacted by a guy named David. He had just purchased a panasonic pv-gs400 3 ccd camcorder and has always been attracted to the videographers lifestyle. He also liked the possibility of earning an extra income doing something that can be a whole lot of fun.

From speaking to David I discovered that he didn't have much experience with camcorders and was unsure as to whether he would be any good (he seemed to lack a bit of self confidence), but was atleast willing to learn and have a go.

He wasn't too far from where I live me so I said I was able to get in the car and have a personal meeting with him.

One of his questions to me on the phone was "what should I film?" I told him of the traditional markets - Weddings, Business videos Training videos. Good areas to get started in and the most obvious subjects to film.

David lives in a growth area, outer suburbs continually building and expanding. I found myself driving past new homes being built, young families together in parks, sporting fields and large shopping malls.

Then it dawned on me! It was so obvious the potential subjects, and clients, David had in his own backyard!

The Builder

video proof of the quality that goes into his work
satisfied customer testimonials

Sporting Clubs

club records of big games
match/play review and training tapes

Parents

children's party videos
records of their child's achievements (academic, sporting etc.)

Business

local shops and businesses provide potential customers with a video of services

...and the list goes on. So if you find yourself short of ideas on what to film, have a good look around you. The answer might be right under your nose.

Now back to David. He inadvertently made a great choice in the the panasonic pv-gs400 3 ccd camcorder.

It is a great tool for providing a quality finish which will be a high priority as he will be charging for the work he does. It has 3 separate image chips which help give definition to the completed video and for such a top quality camcorder is very reasonably priced.

So with just a few more tools (tripod, lights, external microphone etc.), David is well on his way to a career (either full or part time) in video production.

About The Author
Mark Sturge is the owner of KMS Productions and webmaster at http://www.video-production-mastery.com, a site where visitors can find digital camcorder reviews such as the panasonic pv-gs400 3 ccd camcorder as well as useful hints and tips to better their filming techniques.

Data On The Road With Your Cell Phone

Finally you're spending the weekend at your friend's cabin up at the lake. You managed to sneak your laptop up there because you know you'll need to check your e-mail at least once or twice while you're out of town.

If there happens to be Ethernet or Wifi available you'll be in luck - just plug in and you'll be ready to go! But what if you are in a secluded area? How should you get online?

Sometimes the best solution is to either have a cell phone or cell phone/PDA that acts as a modem, my favorites are the T-Mobile Sidekick, Treo 650, and the new Verizon Treo700W.If you have a way to dial in to your ISP this can be a solution.

AOL has local numbers around the US for example. The speed will be slow and you may need to pay roaming charges if you happen to be roaming on a different network, but you will be online!

Keep in mind that some but not all phones can be used as a modem and even then some require a wired connection. If you're lucky you'll have one that works via IR (infared) or Bluetooth, so they can talk wirefree to your computer.

Sometimes a phone will have multiple ways to connect to a laptop - choose Bluetooth over IR. USB is also a fine choice if you don't mind wires. Using USB is easiest - you just plug the USB cable into the phone and the other end plugs into a USB port on your laptop.

Connecting via Bluetooth means that you will need to PAIR the devices first. This means they need to identify each other and talk to each other when they are in range (about 30'). You will need to turn on your Treo 700w's bluetooth function and then make sure it is "discoverable". Then turn on your laptop's bluetooth, pair the two devices.

You are now ready to dial up your ISP. You have two options. Use the cell phone as a traditional modem - using your voice minutes to transfer data. This will usually be very slow, but if you have free nighttime calling this may cost you nothing. The other option is to subscribe to your carrier's data service.

Prices range from $5/month for limited data service on some carriers, to $50/month on other carriers for unlimited data service. The norm is about $20-$30/month for unlimited service. This enables you to use your cell phone as a modem all the time even at home and minutes of internet do not count toward your monthly minutes. This service will usually require a "dial-up script" which you can get from the carrier or sometimes directly from the phone manufacturer's website. This script gets installed on your laptop.

Another option is to get a cellular card for your laptop. This is a modem/card that automatically accesses the internet via the cellular service. These come with a subscription in most cases.

If you need to be online and you can't wait to find Hotspots each time you need access - this is the way to go. Prices per month range from $29.99 to $79.99 depending on the carrier and level of service.

A few final words:

- Turn off bluetooth when you aren't using it - it drains the battery faster than when you have it turned off.

- If you don't have Bluetooth on your laptop you can buy a Bluetooth Adapter (often called a Bluetooth Dongle) for about $19.

-I recommend buying one branded by Linksys, Netgear or some other well-known company. There are some cheaper ones coming out of China that require special setup on your laptop and may not be as reliable.

Credits: This article originally was published at Sam's blog: MPhone.net

About The Author
Sam Michelson is a cell phone maven with over 10 years of hi-tech product marketing experience. YouNeverCall Inc. http://www.YouNeverCall.com has become one of the internet's most successful independent cell phone stores.His newest online store http://www.TheCellPhoneSpot.com was recently launched.