By: Frederick Greystone

The Dish On Satellite TV Versus Cable TV

A fierce battle is carrying on between satellite TV and cable TV in America. While cable has lots of option with numerous providers, satellite also has lots of choices but only two providers – DishNetwork and DirectTV. The choice between the services is such a close call that it boils down to preference. Some cable fans quickly point out that satellite is a fair-weather friend and some satellite fans boast of satellites versatility in channels. You be the judge and weigh each side.

In the United States, satellite TV subscribers have a choice between Direct TV and DishNetwork. Cable TV providers, on the other hand, are more abundant. Most cable subscribers choose either basic cable or digital cable. Digital cable has many more options than basic cable. Both satellite and cable hook up with DSL Internet service, HDTV, TiVo, parental control and other fun features. However, to get these services, you’ll need extra equipment. Satellite TV scores one up on cable in this round: high definition reception automatically comes through satellite TV, whereas cable TV currently makes customers pay extra for this reception. This advantage will soon end once HD is mandatory on all new sets and all channels will come through HD. The time-line for this change in the United States is anticipated by the year 2007.

The more options the better, according to many subscribers. Satellite wins hands down in this arena, although cable undoubtedly carries lots of channels. Many fans of satellite TV believe its reception is crisper and love the fact you can interact with many channels. You can also watch a satellite sports channel and turn off the broadcaster or watch a sports event and leave out commercials. Cable TV may soon catch up since it’s trying out a few new interactive channels such as Time Warner Cable’s interactive games and sports news.

Cable TV doesn’t limit all you TVs to broadcasting the same channel on every TV. You can watch different channels on different TVs. This isn’t so easy to do with satellite TV. You need a separate receptor box to get a different reception than what’s showing on a different TV. However, one receptor box can be hooked up to as many as 6 sets. The satellite TV providers are now offering these boxes for free rather than charging for additional boxes in the past. Even though cable TV comes through a cable line hooked up to your TV, cable seems to win in this department.

While weather can sometimes affect cable reception, a lot more can interfere with satellite TV signals. A satellite TV dish needs to be obstruction-free to the south of where it’s placed (reception of satellite TV comes from the South). Most subscribers have their dish located either on their roof or porch. While some homeowner associations and landlords try to ban this placement, homeowners and renters have FCC regulations on their side.

No one can say for sure who’s winning in the battle between cable and satellite. The call appears very close. Whichever service you decide has more to do with your preference for one option or another since the costs even look close and the issues look pretty upfront. So, which side are you on?

About The Author
Copyright 2005 Frederick Greystone. All rights reserved.
Frederick Greystone is the owner of RGW Satellite Inc which one of the best resources for information on satellites on the Internet. Be to take a look at his complete archive of articles: http://www.rgwsatellite.com/

Patrick’s Comments:
I hope you find today’s article useful.

Till Tomorrow,
Patrick

by: David Crossley

A digital camera is an electronic device to transform images into electronic information. New digital cameras are typically multifunctional and the same device can take pictures, video and audio.

Many digital cameras can connect directly to a computer to transfer data. Early cameras used the PC serial port. USB is the most commonly used method, though some have a Firewire port or use Bluetooth. Some cameras are able to attach to computer networks wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

Here are 10 top things to consider when looking to purchase a digital camera: –

1. Price: This can vary from around $100 to up to $10,000 for a high end professional camera. You can buy one with good resolution and options for under $600. Ones with more manual control settings can be found for around $600-2000 dollars, usually suited to serious amateurs.

2. Resolution: To print good quality color photos at the standard film sizes 4"x6" or 5"x7" you’ll need a 1-2 megapixel camera. If you are printing as large as 8"x10" then you’re going to need a higher resolution around 2-3 megapixels.

3. Viewfinder: Low-end digital cameras provide an optical viewfinder while more expensive ones replace the viewfinder with a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Look towards purchasing one with an LCD display. Kodak makes digital cameras with superb displays so have a look at those.

4. Focus: Most cameras are either fixed-focus or autofocus, which is suitable for the average digital camera user. With a fixed-focus lens everything from a few feet to infinity is in focus. The only problem with this is when shooting pictures up close. Autofocus will automatically bring whatever is in the centre of the viewfinder into focus.

5. Storage: Many cameras come with a small memory card, but if you want to take lots of pictures or footage, it is a good idea to check whether what is supplied is enough. Chances are it won’t be, so look at how much a new ‘decent’ capacity memory card etc is going to cost for that particular model.

6. Compression: If you want the highest possible image quality, look for a camera that will let you save pictures in "CCD raw mode" which means with no compression at all.

7. Batteries: It is important to get a camera that will accept rechargeable batteries. There are three varieties of batteries available Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion or LiOn). A camera may accept only one or two kinds of batteries so be sure to find out what kind.

8. Power Saving: To save battery power, use a camera that accepts an AC adaptor.

9. Interface: If you are interested in maximum speed you should keep your eyes open for cameras and card readers that support FireWire

10. Video Output: This can be invaluable for presentations. If you would like to do this, look for a camera with a video-output terminal. It allows you to display your pictures on a TV or projector.

About The Author
Article by David Crossley of http://www.digitalcamerasinfozone.com (All the information you need on buying your next digital camera).

Patrick’s Comments:
Check out ABOUT.COM for FREE online Digital Photography courses and Help and Buyers Guides!

Later People,
Patrick

You know we at MensTech pride ourselves with keeping you up to date with hot technology, peripherals and gadgets galore. But sometimes the straight and narrow is soooo boring. So we are going to go 360 in the other direction. Check it out; CNET’s “Worst tech of 2006 (so far)”! Sometimes it’s not about knowing what’s hot, but knowing what’s not, that can save you a lot of time, money and frustration.

Cheers,
Patrick

Yes, I know you’re heartbroken. You’ll have to wait a whole week for the next “Free Stuff Wednesday”. “Free Stuff Wednesday” loves you to. To make you feel better about the status of you and Free Stuff Wednesday’s relationship, check out this link. It’s not a goodnight kiss, but winning a free computer is better than a kiss. Ok, maybe not… You know what I mean… I think?

See you tomorrow,
Patrick

Hello, Gang. Today I’m going to give you 3 simple shopping resources. Short and to the point. For those of you that don’t read the blog (shame on you) and that live in a cave; Google has a shopping search engine Froogle. It’s easy to use and effective. Yahoo also has a useful shopping search utility http://shopping.yahoo.com. Last but not least; my little secret spot for electronics and computer items http://www.pricewatch.com/. Your Welcome! Don’t get stuck in the Matrix kids!!

Till tomorrow,
Patrick

“You dirty dirty boy.” Says your Swedish maid Ivana. She then cleans your filthy home from top to bottom like a very sexy version of Mary Poppins. Not! Sometimes, don’t you just wish you had your very own personal cleaner? Well I can’t help you on that end, but I do have a suggestion to minimize your cleaning chores.
Interesting story, back in the early 90’s a group of roboticists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology founded a company called iRobot. Now iRobot makes a lil gadget called a Roomba and its sister Scooba. These devices are actually artificially intelligent robots that scour your home looking for dirt. When I say artificially intelligent, I mean they are smart enough not to fall down stairs and to avoid objects and it even knows when to return to its docking station and recharge!
The Roomba vacuums and the Scooba, preps, washes, scrubs and dries your floor. Just turn these awesome machines on when your not home or out for a while and return home to a clean house! Who needs Ivana anyway?
Want to find out more about iRobot, the company and its leading edge technology? Click here. While your at it you mine as well check out the product videos: Roomba, Scooba. There is a whole line of Roombas so look thought all of them and there is thus far only one model of Scooba. A Google search is sure to find a few on sale.

Till tomorrow,
Patrick

Well we looked at the “Top 25 PS2 Games” of all time yesterday. So I figured we will follow the video game theme one more day. This article will help you decide on a system for yourself (yes the article is aimed at kids but the advise is all around solid). If you’re buying a system for someone else and are clueless this article will show you the way.



by: Mark Robbins

In the old days, choosing a video game system for children wasn’t all that hard. After all, parents didn’t have to worry about games carried by systems like Atari (there was nothing threatening about Pac-Man or Space Invaders). Today, however, with the proliferation of games with mature content available on games supported by the major system manufacturers, parents want to know which system carries the most kid-friendly games, ones that the young ones will enjoy and one that parents will not regret spending money on.

Let’s start with the Sony PlayStation 2, the best-selling game console on the market today. There are literally thousands of titles available for this system, which cater to every age range. There are approximately 600 games for the PS2 that have the "E" rating, meaning that it is suitable for players ages six and above. However, many of these games are too complicated for young children to play. Games that children ten years old and above can enjoy are rated E10+, while those that are rated EC (Early Childhood) are of course, suitable for the very young. The PS2 carries about a dozen E10+ games, including movie-based titles like Shrek Super Slam for PlayStation 2 and Chicken Little. EC titles that little ones can enjoy include Dora the Explorer: Journey to the Purple Planet, Eggo Mania and At the Races Presents Gallop Racer.

Nintendo’s GameCube console continues to be popular because it carries titles that are popular with children. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) lists 263 video game titles rated E for the GameCube, and these include some of the most popular and beloved among the children of today and years past, such as Sega’s Sonic GEMS Collection, Nintendo’s own Mario Party 6 and Mario Tennis. The Legend of Zelda series and several Pokemon titles are available exclusively on the GameCube as well.

Microsoft’s Xbox and Xbox 360 video game consoles likewise have many, many titles that are rated E; the Xbox with approximately 270 games and the Xbox 360 with so far about a dozen — but count on the number of Xbox 360 titles to increase since it’s a new release. Some games published by Microsoft exclusively for the Xbox and the Xbox 360 and which have the E rating are Astropop and Feeding Frenzy. However, remember that most game publishers release crossover titles, or games that are available on multiple platforms. For instance, Eidos Interactive’s LEGO Star Wars (rated E) is available for the GameCube, PS2 and Xbox; Activision’s Madagascar (rated E10+) is available on the same platforms, while Global Star Software’s Dora the Explorer (rated EC) is available on the PS2 and Xbox, but not on the GameCube.

What about parental control options? Among the four systems, the Xbox and the Xbox 360 have the most efficient parental lock functions. Parents are able to set limits on the games and films to be played on the systems. If you set the system to play only E-rated games, kids won’t be able to play DVD’s or games that have Teen, Mature, or Adults Only ratings. The GameCube also has a parental lock feature, albeit a less effective one. Users note that all it does is tone down certain effects that might be troubling for children (for example, the amount of blood seen in games) but do not block the playing of games at all. It doesn’t even screen or bleep offensive language. The parental control function of the PlayStation 2 is even worse — it doesn’t allow parents or anyone to restrict access to video games at all. The most parents can do is to set the PS2 to prevent their kids from watching DVD movies with inappropriate content.

When it comes to price, the GameCube comes out tops. Available for only $99, it’s significantly cheaper than the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, whose prices range from $150 to $199 (or more if bundled with game titles). The Xbox 360, being the newest of the bunch, is the highest-priced. For $299, you get the system and a wired controller. For $399, you get a wireless controller, a headset that players can use to talk to other people online, a 20 GB hard drive that is loaded with game-related videos and music, and a remote.

Parents should go out and try each system personally as well as look at the different titles available for them before deciding which one to buy. Factors such as number and age of users at home, game title availability, and budget should also be considered. Each system has its own pros and cons, and families will differ in their preferences: some will be content with the limited but popular games of the GameCube; some might prefer the wider offering of the PlayStation 2 or the Xbox; others might opt for the high-tech features of the Xbox 360. But all things considered, making the right choice will provide hours of wholesome, fun, and worry-free entertainment for the little ones and for their parents as well.

About The Author

Mark Robbins is a gamer providing valuable tips and advice on video game systems, game cheats, and giving new game reviews. http://www.official-game-cheats.com.

P.S.:
Please keep in mind that there are always deals and steals out there. LOOK for them don’t just fall in love at first price and spend blindly. Check EBay, Amazon, Froogle Etc. Also check out your local neighborhood bulletin boards or trader papers and of course your local newspaper. Good Luck!

Till tomorrow,
Patrick

Ohhhhh yes. Its Friday night and you don’t have a party to go to OR a date. Ok, ok maybe YOU do. But anyway, a weekend is the perfect time to read a good book or just clean your apartment from top to bottom. YEAH RIGHT! Break out the video games now! That’s where the lovely video and computer games paradise know as Gamespy.com comes in. This week our friends over at Gamespy have compiled a list of the “Top 25 PS2 Games” of all time. And, WOW, they actually did a great job. I mean; I didn’t even want to set their offices on fire like with most “Top Whatever” lists. Check it out. Oh, you don’t have a PS2? Get one here.

Till tomorrow,
Patrick

by: Tyson J Stevenson

Batteryless Flashlights

As the name suggests a Batteryless Flashlight works without any requirement of batteries. One can also call it as the forever flashlight. These types of flashlights need to be shaken back and forth for few seconds and they will give light for many minutes, sometimes even hours. The main features of these Batteryless Flashlights are

1) Never needs any batteries or bulbs

2) Now with magnet and tether strap

3) Compact and water resistant.

Perhaps the biggest feature is that these flashlights are rechargeable at any time.

· Magnetic Batteryless Flashlights

The product Magnetic Batteryless Flashlight is the newest technology among the batteryless flashlights. One just has to shake the flashlights for 60 seconds and you will get up to 2 hours of light from this magnetic batteryless flashlight. These flashlights have three super bright LEDs which emit bluish white light that helps us in viewing clearly in the dark.

There is a high field strength magnet inside these flashlights, that slides back and forth inside a coil of copper wire, as we shake it to generate electric power. This power then gets stored in a small capacitor. The stored energy in the capacitor then powers the high brightness white-light LEDs.

It is prudent to turn the switch off at the time of shaking the flashlights for charging. If the switch is not turned off then pulse with the power spikes coming from the coil can be seen in the LEDs. The operating switch of these batteryless flashlights is durable and intrinsically safe. These flashlights lights are very light in weight and are completely designed to be waterproof. They are also fully portable.

· Dynamo type Batteryless Flashlights

Another type of batteryless flashlights is of dynamo type. These were the oldest technology among the batteryless flashlights. These types of flashlights have little fold-out cranks and we need to wind on for a while so that we can use the light again. In Dynamo type flashlights, by winding the cranks for a few minutes, a sector gear starts to move causing a tiny pinion gear to spin which drives a PM dynamo. The dynamo generates electrical energy which is used to light the LEDs in the batteryless flashlights. For years there have been dynamo types flashlights around that the world those work by squeezing a lever handle. Dynamo type battery free flashlights are quite reliable than the ordinary battery lights.

· Batteryless Flashlights review

The Batteryless flashlights are mainly used for emergency purpose. These flashlights sometimes come with built in FM radio. The main advantage of this Batteryless flashlight is that they are absolutely maintenance free. These flashlights can be stored for long periods of time without the worry of leaking batteries. In case of battery powered flashlights they often have their battery contacts loose & dbecome dysfunctional, but the batteryless flashlights don’t go dead as you are miles away from home late at night.

The main disadvantage about these batteryless flashlights is that they are not as bright as most other battery powered flashlights, but that’s a small price to pay as they are infinitely brighter than any other battery powered flashlights who’s batteries are drained of energy or their bulbs are broken or burned out.

About The Author

Tyson J Stevenson has a nifty website at www.HubbuH.info, as well as a site spcifically on BatteryLess Flashlights at www.led-flashlights-review.info.

Patrick’s Comments:

I hope you found this article useful and informative. Of course you really want to know; where can I get some of these bad boys? Well start clicking people!

Till tomorrow,
Patrick

Free Stuff Wednesdays

Oh Yeah, Boys & Girls welcome to menstech.com 1^st annual free stuff Wednesdays. Yes, so every other week we will find some of the best free tech & gadgets on the web & lead you to FREEdom ha ha. Ok, sorry I’m being bad.

1. 256MB Secure Digital (SD) Card The SD Card can be used in a bunch of digital products; music players, cell phones, handheld PCs, digital cameras and more!
$40.00 – $40.00 Rebate = Free

2. D-Link Wireless Router & eTrust Internet Security Suite bundle.
NUFF SAID!
$95.00- $95.00 Rebate = Free

Till tomorrow,
Patrick