Consumer Electronics and Technology Blog

Back Up Your Data

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:19:28 GMT

Cars and computers have a lot of things in common. They are both highly technical products that you would need an expert to take apart and understand. They are also high-ticket consumer items that people tend to treat as necessary. And just like cars, computers do not get the regular maintenance that they need to run well. Sure, you may treat your computer well, but do you defragment the drive when it gets slow? Do you take the case off to give it an internal dusting every six months? Do you back up your hard drive? If you don't, you really need to start. Backups are the oil change of computer ownership–everyone should do it, but no one does it properly. Your hard drive is a spinning disk on a platter just like a CD or record. You know how easily they get scratched, right? The same is true for your hard drive. You should be backing it up regularly.

But what should you use to back it up? Well, you can back it up in two different ways. You can use an online service to back it up whole hog like Mozy, or you can do it yourself at home. Frankly, we would recommend that you do both just so you are dead sure that you have got everything backed up the way that you should. It just depends on what sort of data you're backing up!

If you have a small amount of important files, you should back them up on a separate drive aside from your main backup. You should do one online backup, one external hard drive, and then back up a flash drive, like a SanDisk 64GB Ultra Backup. That's an awful lot of data for a very small price. 64 GB would be more than enough space to back up an entire music and photo library if you're an average user.

If you are short on space, don't back up music. You can buy music. You can't replace memories, so definitely back up things like photos, documents, and other creations that you made. If other people made it, you can get it back. But if you made it, you can't. Always prioritize that first! If you have an SD card slot, you can get pretty reliable storage with a Verbatim 97180 Micro SDHC. That would be perfect for all your photos and documents and it's safe storage too.

The thing is, you should still back up your other stuff too as a matter of course. Just be sure that you've especially backed up your most important data. You should have two backups for unimportant data and three for anything that's important. Two cloud services and a hard disk would do, or other options as mentioned above. A Verbatim 500GB Acclaim in a sexy fire engine red would be a great option for home. It's stylish, bright, and keeps your data safe.

Remember to perform regular backups every week–after you have done one, the subsequent ones take just minutes. Don't leave yourself high and dry (and dataless!). Back up your computer ASAP!

Rock Out Your Rock Band

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:54:04 GMT

Do you play one of the most popular games ever invented? We aren't talking about Super Mario Brothers. We're talking about a game where you can pretend to be a rock star. Where you can really get down and dirty and fulfill your fantasies as Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, or Led Zeppelin? You can if you have Rock Band. But maybe you're not the vocalist. Maybe you worship keyboardists, drummers, bassists, or guitarists instead. With these accessories, you can feel like a true star.

Drums just don't cut it if you have four sad little gray pads in front of you. Cymbals are key to that drumming experience that you'd otherwise not get with a great set like this. You can pick up an awesome set from Mad Catz, makers of video game peripherals for over 20 years, right here on GeekBro.com if you like. These come highly recommended and enhance your Rock Band experience right out of the box. You simply attach them to your drum set and then start hammering away. You can drum all night and keep the beat with these cymbals while still keeping in time with the rest of your band-mates.

At the same time, a keyboard isn't a keyboard without an actual stand. You could stand there playing your ivories like a keytar, but then the '70s ended almost forty years ago now. Instead, bring yourself up to date and play like a normal person with an actual stand for your keyboard peripheral, again by Mad Catz. Even though you're playing with a small version of the keyboard, you'll feel like you're on stage with a full set on a grand electric with this stand, which should also help you keep tempo with everyone else. Don't be the guy who falls behind!

Lastly, you have got to have an awesome axe if you're going to shred in Rock Band, and there's nothing better than a sweet peripheral that looks like a real bass. Look no further again than our friends at Mad Catz with their metallic pink premium bass guitar for the Wii. Sorry, XBox 360 fans, but this is only for Nintendo heads out there. If you really want to rock on into Sunday morning, pick this up to impress your band-mates...er, game-mates. Let's not forget that even though this helps to enhance the fantasy, it's still a game and you're playing for points. You'll stay up well into the night perfecting "Knights of Cydonia" with this awesome bass.

We did skip the singers out there, but that's because there's nothing like a mic and a mic stand to make you feel like you're on stage. Instead of hogging the spotlight, why not let your backup band take over and have a solo every once in awhile? With these sweet accessories, they'll do it in style.

Headphones: What's the Best?

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:22:15 GMT

Headphones are the only way you're going to interact with your music on the go. Sure, you could carry around an old-school ghetto blaster with tape deck if you really want, but good luck finding anything made after 1995 on cassette. Some might argue that that's just fine, but for those of us who appreciate modern music, it's not an option. Instead, be polite and enjoy your music with these.

First ask yourself about price. The cheapest headphones out there tend to be earbuds, which offer fairly good sound but tend to have a limited base for people who listen to music. For example, some people have ears that are simply too big or too little to comfortably fit them, as they snugly fit in the opening of the ear canal. If you're one of those fortunate souls with normal ears, then you could pick up some buds such as the Pink Gumy In-Ear Headphones. If you've got good ears and you're not overly concerned with absolute sound fidelity then they're great. Many people treat them like cheap sunglasses: good enough to get the job done, and not so expensive that if you lose them that you'd be heartbroken.

For greater fidelity while still using your ears as a holder for your headphones, you might consider true in-ear headphones. There are ones such as Blue Marshmallow Headphones which are true in-ear headphones that sit in the actual canal of your ear with a spongy material that fills the canal. This is how they can achieve greater sound fidelity, although their price tends to be higher. They are still highly recommended if you want something that's small and subtle.

For something flashier and sportier, you could get on-ear headphones instead. Those tend to be best for sports and high-activity events because earbuds and in-ear headphones tend to fall out. JVC's Blue Ear-Clip Headphones are a prime example of this, and they often are splash-, water-, or sweat-proof as well so you can do what you like with them while wearing them. The sound quality tends to be as good as that of earbuds while the price slightly higher. It is very much worth what you pay to have something that you can wear easily while working out however.

As for best sound quality, you have to go with over-the-ear headphones such as JVC Violet FLATS. These are best for hearing and really hearing the music, not just getting the gist of what the artist was trying to do. The reason for this is twofold: one, the sound that you get is unadulterated by outside noise because they clap over your ears, and two, the sound you get is higher quality because the speakers are larger. You are not going to be doing any running, jumping, or swimming with these, nor are you going to be able to stow them easily. But they are easily the best value for your buck if you're an audiophile.

What's the best set of headphones? It depends on you. But this guide should help you a little more. Let us know how this works for you with a comment.

We Relaunched Our Site

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:38:29 GMT

Though it may not look any different to you, we just relaunched our site.

www.GeekBro.com

Under the hood, we put in place better architecture and better functionality. The relaunch was a long time in the making and a long time in testing. Now we have switched to the newer, faster version of the site. We are very happy that this important project has been completed successfully. A big thanks out to everyone who made it happen.

If you have any feedback on the site, add a comment here or Contact Us.

Gadget Gifts for Grandparents

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:19:03 GMT

Technology moves at a breakneck pace. While many young people grew up with computers and older professional adults trained themselves to use it, the elderly are often left out of the loop. Although using gadgets has gotten simpler, there's a learning curve that a lot of 70-year-old and over people are afraid to climb up. Of course, all their kids and grandkids are too busy to show them how to use these thingamajigs, so what should they do?

The answer is very simple. Rather than go at a quilt with a harpoon, perhaps a needle would do. Getting your grandparents to start emailing might be a worthwhile endeavor if you have some time and they have the interest, but practically speaking, their habits and hobbies may not line up with high tech society. Instead of pushing them into endless marathons of World of Warcraft or becoming code wizards, why not find some gadgets that suit their needs now?

A pretty simple and elegant solution would be to indulge a bird watching hobby with a pair of binoculars. It is easy to forget that binocular technology has improved significantly since their invention, and especially in the past 10 years. A great example is the Nikon Action Binoculars. Thanks to their environment friendly Eco Glass, bird watching is highly enjoyable with a faithful reproduction of the image. Gone are the days of fuzzy and blurry images, and your grandparents will definitely notice the difference.

Another hobby associated more with slower, simpler times is fishing, and there is no greater friend to the weekend angler than a Humminbird Fishin' Buddy. It can be a pain to trawl the lake when the fish are hiding elsewhere, so the Humminbird helps level the playing field, so to speak. It has a very simple user interface so there is very little to teach, and it has a very simple display as well to cut the ambiguity.

Some grandparents have taken to traveling the country in RVs, whereas others just have trouble getting across town without getting lost. Either way, a TomTom ONE would be an ideal present for an elderly person in your life. It is incredibly easy to use with a sleek design. The best part? It actually dictates where your next move should be in a clear, loud voice so getting lost is only up to human error. Whether you are just trying to head to the doctor or find the best route from Dubuque to the Grand Canyon, it is a great option.

Elderly people are not always the first candidates for the latest gadgets, but there are definitely options out there for everyone. If you are a tech master and love the latest stuff, don't forget your grandparents.

Skip Black Friday! Take Advantage of Cyber Monday

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:06:18 GMT

By now it's a pretty sure thing that you've heard of Black Friday --- that dreaded post-Thanksgiving tradition of waking up early and shaking off the turkey-induced coma you've been put into, driving to the mall, and busting down the doors to get the best deals you can before Christmas. If you've ever participated, it can be quite a nightmare. People are rude, hostile, competitive, and sometimes downright vicious to get what they want. Worse yet, some incidents have led to the serious injury or even the death of a shopper or a store employee. Amazingly, it all happens for just a sale!

There is an alternative though. Have you heard of Cyber Monday? It's a relatively new occurrence but after you learn more about it, it might mean that you'll roll over in bed on Black Friday and enjoy a few more hours' beauty rest.

It isn't quite the busiest online shopping day of the year yet. It turns out that the latest data we have is as of 2005, when most shoppers turned to online retail after failing to find what they needed at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. The busiest shopping days fell between December 5th to the 15th in 2005, but now online retailers are offering discounts for the Monday right after Thanksgiving, so there is now more incentive for people to shop. In addition, last holiday shopping season there were more online transactions than ever before, so it appears that the tradition is quickly catching on.

There are some pretty great deals on GeekBro to take advantage of, especially if you want to get things by Christmas. There's a nice Coby Digital Frame so you can rotate your loved ones' photos as often as you wish. Comparable to a traditional Black Friday sale, this is offered for 20% off MSRP, which is a savings of nearly $20. Or there's the Iluv Handsfree Bluetooth Headset if you prefer to talk without holding your phone. That one is offered for 38% off MSRP, which is far below what you would find for most Black Friday deals. Or, if you have an audiophile in your life, you could pick up a nice set of Iqua Bluetooth Headphones for 66% off MSRP, which is an incredible markdown that you would not find even on the best doorbuster sales.

Do you want to fight the crowds this year or do you want to have all your gifts come straight to your front door? It's best to act soon --- shipping won't be guaranteed for the 25th fore ver! Are you going to take advantage of Cyber Monday this year?

Gadgets for Climate Change

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:15:49 GMT

Climate change is going to be - if it isn't already - one of the defining issues of the 21st century. It is hard to tell if we've already reached the point of no return or if we still have time to act but one thing is for certain: we have to do something drastic soon and change the way we live our lives. People have to become eco-conscious and not just as a trend, but as a way of life. Much like the Great Depression of last century instilled frugality and fiscal responsibility in an entire generation of people, the climate change debate is instilling a sense of conservation and environmentalism in an entirely new generation.

There is still space for creature comforts that we enjoy though. While it's true that we can't live our lives in excess like before, it is true that we can still responsibly live our lives without a major sacrifice. In some cases, our more eco-friendly alternatives are superior and more technologically advanced than before. Let's take a look at some options, from the basic to the more abstract.

First and foremost, we haven't quite perfected witricity yet, which would help with the glut of wires we're currently tangled in and also power things a little more efficiently. Until that point, we are still stuck running things on batteries, which are not the earth friendliest power sources out there. Fortunately, they are leaps and bounds more efficient than they were in years past, and now they are rechargeable multiple times. This Energizer starter pack containing two AA and two AAA batteries with an easy-to-use charger. Anything you need powered, be sure to be aware of your use and don't use disposable batteries, even if they are cheaper. Rechargeable batteries last far longer and stay out of landfills longer.

If you don't see how that helps, think of it this way --- more batteries equals more manufacturing, which means more greenhouse emissions. Beyond that, throwing batteries out means they have to be transported to the landfill or recycling center somehow, so the fewer times that happens, the better. It saves gas, saves manufacturing, and saves emissions.

Along similar lines of thinking, get a GPS. GPS trackers in your car help reduce the chances that you'll get lost on your trip, which again will cut the chance that you will emit excess emissions while driving. You can also use your GPS to plot the most efficient route to your destination so you can further cut down on greenhouse gases while driving. A great option would be a Magellan Roadmate, which offers a 4.3" LCD screen for ease of viewing while driving.

It's that so rt of thinking that we need to encourage. Not just improving existing technologies so that they are more efficient, but using new technologies to aid existing technologies at a lower cost than upgrading them. Thinking beyond that, though, may be necessary to help cut more emissions.

One great way to cut emissions is to stop buying CDs and DVDs. Think again of the batteries mentioned earlier--since you are no longer buying CDs or DVDs, there's no cost of manufacturing, shipping, or distribution, saving tons of CO2 emissions. What should you do instead? Walk to the movie theater? Make your own music on a mouth harp? Try downloading instead! Between Amazon.com and iTunes, there is a massive selection of movies, TV shows, and music. The only emissions involved in the distribution there is the servers for the media and your home computer, which is a significant change over all of the trucking and factory smoke that would be generated. Of course, you'll want to back them up on a thumbdrive like the SanDisk USB Flash Drive. They're tough and fast.

Hopefully this post has given you a few ideas on how to be more eco-conscious without having to significantly change your lifestyle. Perhaps giving up DVDs might be a big deal, or even getting a GPS seems like a big commitment to you. Unfortunately, if we do not start making changes now, the time may come when it is too late to make any changes at all. Think of these tweaks as relatively painless ways to change your life and your attitude to pitch in.

For more ideas on how to help improve climate change - check out Blog Action Day at www.blogactionday.org.

Apple's Announcement Today

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:53:38 GMT

Today, the much anticipated September announcement brought exciting new products and software immediately to market. If you're a staunch iPod fan then you should be immensely delighted; the event announced significant upgrades to the iPod shuffle, the iPod nano, and the iPod touch. For those awaiting improvements to iTunes, the ninth version was also released today.

The iPod touch has seen the fewest number of changes. The price point has dropped to $199, which Apple has stated is the point at which its iPhone sales really took off. Mostly, there has been a shift in marketing focus on the touch. Rather than being marketed as solely an iPod, it is now being marketed as a 3-in-1 iPod, mobile computer, and portable game player. Coupled with 3.1 version software, the iPod touch is now offering a superior pocket computing experience. It certainly helps that a new 64 GB version is now available for $399, which makes for a hefty hard drive on your new mini computer.

Many fans however wonder why there is no camera for the iPod touch still. Apple has stated that it helps keep the price point lower, and they point out that a camera would distract from a 3-in-1 iPod. Instead, there is now a video camera for the iPod nano instead. The iPod nano still comes in a rainbow of colors and stays at its relatively low $149 price point, but now offers a pedometer, a full-motion video camera, and a built-in FM antenna. Perhaps the nano does not seem like the most obvious choice for a camera upgrade--unless you have heard of the Flip Mino. Priced only $10 less (but with only a quarter of the memory available), Apple appears to be directly cutting into the handheld video camera market.

The iPod shuffle offers nothing new aside from a new family of brushed metal cases that come in candy colors such as pink, cyan, or bright green. At $59 for 2 GB, the software still offers a surprisingly versatile navigation system that was released earlier this year. If you have yet to give one a spin, you would be surprised how flexible only one button can be, which is located on your headphones rather than the unit itself.

iTunes now offers home sharing, which makes syncing music at home much easier, especially for those with an iPod touch, an iPhone, and an iMac. Beyond that, the iTunes store has been completely overhauled for ease of browsing, and it definitely seems to be an improvement.

Are you ready to upgrade? Whether you are in the market or holding off for now, be sure to make sure that you protect your current investment. And be sure to remember that even if you buy a new iPod touch, iPod nano, or iPod shuffle, almost all iPod peripheral products are universally compatible. Whether it's a new 64 GB iPod touch or a pink iPod nano for surreptitious video shoots, you should be covered.

Become an Indie Filmmaker

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:59:41 GMT

Hey cinephiles, are you having a truly awesome movie experience this summer? If you're like most people, you've been rushing to the cool air conditioned den of your local megaplex to watch things explode, or kids go on fantastic adventures, or people fall in love for all the wrong reasons, or people fall in love for all the right reasons. Right?

Or maybe you're not happy with the choice of movies that came out this year. Maybe you're not thrilled with Transformers 2 or Up or The Ugly Truth or Julie & Julia. You've got a sophisticated cinematic palate. What to do then? Simple. You're a movie lover of the 21st century. It's your time--go make movies, show them to your friends, even distribute them for a reasonable price. Want to learn more?

First, of course, you need a camera. But you may be asking yourself if it's even possible to afford

a movie-quality camera. Thanks to HD technology becoming nearly ubiquitous plus slimming down of handheld cameras, you can afford a moviemaker that fits in your front pocket. It could be heftier like a Samsung Digital Video Camera or it could be something much simpler and compact, like the RCA 10.0 Megapixel High Definition Camcorder. It depends on the type of movie that you're trying to do. Is it a cinema-quality big-budget affair? Get the DXG with its higher resolution and high-speed sequential shooting at 12 fps. Is it more a thoughtful indie with heavy characterization and strong dialogue? Pick up the RCA and shoot wherever and whenever with high maneuverability.

Next, of course, you need to edit your video down. It's a good idea to get lots of takes so that you have a lot to work with for editing. The general rule of thumb is for however long your movie is, you should shoot at least ten times the amount you'll need. So for a 60-minute movie, you'd need at least 600 minutes of footage. This depends on the amount of time you've got, how serious you are about the project, and how experienced you are editing, but it's a good idea to shoot for that number as closely as possible. You can edit a lot of different software, but one of the easiest to learn is iMovie for Mac.

Now you need to show your movie to friends, family, and maybe even potential buyers. Again, it depends on how serious you are about this. If it's a light-hearted day of making family videos, you can share easily with others via YouTube. If you don't have an account over there, it's incredibly easy to create one and start uploading your works of art.

Let's say however that you want to seriously start distributing this film but you don't want to wait on an investor. That's easy enough too! With an automated duplicator, you can set the machine in motion to produce as many copies of your movie as you like. The Primera Bravo SE Blu Disk Publisher is a great example of one--just set and go, and the machine automatically burns and labels copies of your movie on Blu-Ray disc.

Hopefully this guide has inspired you enough to go out and bring some stories to life. You may not become the next Cecil B. DeMille but you can spin some entertaining yarns that at least your family and friends will enjoy, but who knows? A lot of famous moviemakers got their start shooting home movies. Just remember where you read this if you ever need any ideas on what to do with your royalty checks.

Apple Tablet Computer in the Works

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:03:09 GMT

Now that Apple has hit its market stride with the iPhone and the iPod, there are two tiers of Apple consumers: casual and hardcore. Casual Apple users, such as iPhone enthusiasts or iPod owners, have largely been left out of speculation on new Apple products. Hardcore users have been with the company since its lean times, when it was a curiosity more than a competitor to Microsoft and PC makers. Those who are new to the scene are largely unfamiliar with Apple's intense secrecy, which has increasingly com e to light thanks to its massive influx of casual users.

One product that appears to be in the pipeline that is unfortunately left to pure speculation at this point is an Apple tablet computer. An Apple Tablet (referred to henceforth as an iTab, as it might end up being dubbed) would be a major game-changer just like the iPod and iPhone recently were.

It wasn't long ago when having an MP3 player was more a novelty than a required item. When Apple launched the iPod, it broke a lot of established conventions that had already been set by the young industry. It was compact, ergonomic, and reduced the required number of buttons down to five--later dropping that number to one after simplifying its clickwheel design. True, they were pricey, but now thanks to market saturation and specialization, there is an iPod for every user at virtually every price level, from the iPod Shuffle to the iPod Touch.

Cell phones posed a greater challenge to Apple, but they still managed to blow their competition out of the water by selling the iPhone. It's hard now to imagine a time when cell phone manufacturers were not obsessed with creating an iPhone killer, from the Blackberry Storm to the Palm Pre, which speaks largely to its success.

Which leads us straight to the iTab. Right now, there is no decent tablet computer on the market. It's a logical step between increasingly powerful smartphones and ever-shrinking laptops that kills the keyboard and offers flexible computing power. Competitively, it will likely end up stepping on a lot of toes, including the Kindle and other ebook readers, powerful smartphones such as the Pre and the Storm, and netbooks.

Just like the iPhone and iPod, a lot of peripheral services and products will pop up around the iTab. Millions were made for people who made products like the Ihome Portable Speaker System, seamlessly integrating the iPod with an excellent sound system. The iTab is speculated to carry a price tag around $600 to $700, so consumers will definitely want to protect their investment. Something like a larger Xtrememac Sportwrap will probably make it quickly to market to keep freshly bought iTabs scuff free.

Unfortunately, right now, everything is up in the air. Due to Apple's extreme secrecy, we're feeding on scraps of information from insiders such as leaks discussed in this Gizmodo article. If the blogosphere is right, though, it looks like we'll have an iTab by 2010 at the latest. If you're an iPhone or iPod convert, you might want to start saving now.

Apple Tablet image credit: Gizmodo.

Back to School Sale 2009

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:48:32 GMT

Back to School Sale $20 off carts over $120

GeekBro.com is continuing our highly successful Back to School Sale from last year.

We are offering $20 off any orders placed through Google Checkout where the product total is over $120.

From August 11, 2009 to September 1, 2009, orders placed on GeekBro.com via Google Checkout will automatically be discounted.

NOTE: The qualified amount is for the product total, not including shipping, handling, or tax.

What is Cloud Computing?

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:37:45 GMT

With the release of Google Chrome OS, a lot of people have been wondering what exactly cloud computing is and why Google Chrome plays and important role in that. If you're unclear, here's a quick primer on cloud computing and what it means for the future of computing.

Google started off as a search engine, but now we use it for a great deal more than that. Most people have a Gmail account, plus they use Google Reader for their daily blog reading, Google Checkout to buy products online, Google Docs to share and swap files, and numerous other services. Despite benefitting from these services, there isn't any downloadable software involved, and all of the products are offered solely online. Simply put, that is cloud computing. If you are more interested, check out this Wikipedia article that goes more in depth.

With fewer products to download, computer processing power isn't as important as it once was. That's why the MacBook Air was such a revolutionary product. It didn't even have space for a CD/DVD drive because the expectation was that all software would be downloaded instead. Although it's a bit ahead of its time, more computers will come to resemble the MacBook Air. Indeed, the swift rise of netbooks over laptops should show that people are more interested in web-based services than software and computing power.

In this brave new world, your smartphone will become your best friend. Something like a Nokia M35816 can already check your email and browse the web. As web apps scale down, you can now use services like scaled-down versions of Wikipedia, various Google applications, and other online brands. As smartphones get more powerful, they'll start to function as small handheld computers instead.

Be warned though: this isn't a shiny and bright future. There are going to be hazards. Information comes at a price, and it is important to make sure that it's safe. Already, WiFi networks and other wireless forms of computing can be hacked, so it's important that you keep your most important documents safe. The SanDisk Ultra Backup Flashdrive is an unhackable way to keep your files, photos, videos, and music safe without worrying about a hacker raid. The only one could actually gain access would be to physically steal your drive, so it's totally safe.

There are numerous other examples, and these are but a few of what cloud computing has to offer us in the next decade. Chrome OS is just the start. But it looks like the future is now.

Father's Day Deals and Graduation Deals

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:07:54 GMT

GeekBro.com Deals for Dads and Grads

You've come to one of the best places on the internet for a great gift for Dads and Grads. Whether it is a digital camera, an iPod case, headphones, or a digital photo frame - we've got something for everyone.

In addition, GeekBro.com will be having a deal for $20 off $120 orders. From June 1, 2009 to June 21, 2009 --- all orders with a product total over $120 placed through Google Checkout will automatically have $20 taken off during checkout. With our low priced, this deal is like the icing on the cake.

So celebrate this Father's Day and Graudation Day with a great deal from GeekBro.com.

NOTE: The qualified amount is for the product total, not including shipping, handling, or tax.

Digital Media has Revolutionized How We Shoot Film and Photos

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:23:45 GMT

Thanks to new methods of storing media, both photo and video cameras have become more compact and consequently more discreet. Amateur photographers and filmmakers can now shoot to their heart's content with less equipment, less expense, greater mobility, and greater freedom. Thanks to sites like YouTube and Flickr, they can also share their beautiful works for free. If they become popular, they can even make a modest side gig or full-time career out of the earnings.

But what makes this possible? After all, photo files aren't small, and movie files are at least ten times bigger. In years past, a filmmaker would have to carry dozens of reels of film and a photographer might look like a commando with her belt full of film rolls. Instead, what holds all their work is a simple memory card.

Memory cards use a type of technology known as flash memory. Previously, hard drives had to spin to have any accessible memory, functioning something like a vinyl record, CD, or DVD that had to rotate. Flash memory instead can be accessed without any need for movement, not to mention it works much faster than spinning drives. Thanks to this technology, memory cards have shrunk in size while growing in capacity, all while dropping in price. For more information on flash technology, check out this Wikipedia article.

Originally, memory cards were roughly two to four sizes larger than they are today. An 8 GB card today (such as a Lexar Platinum II or a SanDisk Video HD) is about half the size of a 128 MB card from just a few years ago. What's more, today's cards are now being used to record not only digital photos but also HD video, mostly replacing smaller but still clunky MiniDV video cassettes. As a result, both photo and video cameras have been able to shrink in size as well.

Suppose however that a shutterbug is so prolific that her memory card--even at 8 GB per memory card--is maxed out. Fortunately, there are carrying cases like this one by Pelican that can hold 16 memory cards. At that rate, carpal tunnel syndrome is more likely to kick in than running out of space to take more pictures. The case is small and discreet too, meaning literally hundreds of hours of shooting and dozens of hours of video.

Memory cards have many other applications, many of which were not covered by this article. Hopefully by this point you have a better idea of what they are and how they can be used for your burgeoning photography habit or budget indie flick.

Now -- - start shooting.

Canon Powershot A480

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:29:16 GMT

There are many of options if you are in the market for a digital camera. In some cases, people just want to cut through the clutter and be told what to buy. One of the most solid options on the market today is the Canon Powershot A480, and chances are it will fulfill all your photography needs.

If you are a professional photographer or if you are just getting started, this may not be the camera for you. The picture quality is astounding, though there are not enough options on the camera for it to qualify as a professional one. It is a solid personal/family camera for capturing those special moments.

It has a 3.3x digital zoom which allows you to get close up on a faraway subject while maintaining some discretion. It's also 25% smaller than the Powershot A470, which makes it that much more portable. It comes in a sleek silver color, meaning it provides a perfect complement to any outfit you're wearing. It has a 2.5" LCD screen for easy shooting and easier browsing of photos and videos--yep, it shoots 30fps video too--at any time.

This photo is an official example of what you can expect in terms of quality from the camera. (click on the image to see the full image size and quality)

The biggest key to the A480's quality is not its 10-megapixel photo output, but Canon's DIGIC III processor, which produces incredibly crisp, faithful, and sharp images such as the one you can see here. It also has motion detection and face detection so your photos always come out looking great with little effort.

One nice feature is that it provides red-eye correction, which is perfect if you are not very Photoshop savvy, as it eliminates the need to edit your photos altogether. The camera also features a mode solely for photographing kids and pets, who are often prone to jerky, sudden movements and are often difficult to capture on film. It also runs on two convenient AA batteries, so keeping your Powershot juiced should be no issue.

Perhaps you are still on the fence at this point. Don't simply take our word for it. There are a number of reviews out there that have found this to be a superior camera in a number of ways. Check them out for yourself and get one today.