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Computers have a jargon all their own – it’s a truly huge specialist vocabulary, and it can feel like an alien language if you’re not used to it. If you’re buying a computer, though, it helps to have a handle on at least the basics, so let’s see if we can breeze through them for you quickly.

OK, let’s start with the fundamentals. What’s inside your computer? There’s the CPU (central processing unit, often called the processor), which is the brain of the computer, performing its key functions. There’s RAM (random access memory, or just ‘memory’), which is where the computer stores what it’s doing while it’s switched on. And then there’s the hard disk, which is a more permanent store of information and files that survives when the computer is turned off.

Some computers have good CPUs, RAM and hard disks, and some don’t, so it’s important that you know what to look for. CPU speed is measured in gigahertz (Ghz), which is how many billion instructions the computer can process each second. Similarly, RAM and hard disk space are measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), with a megabyte being a million bytes and a gigabyte being a billion – each one representing one letter of the alphabet, or another character. This article is about 1,500 bytes long – but a single picture or mp3 song file can easily take up as much as 5 million bytes.

On top of these essentials, computers can have all sorts of additional components. One of the most popular is a graphics card, which is used for gaming and other graphically-intensive software. It is basically like an additional CPU and RAM dedicated especially to graphics, taking the weight of those heavy calculations off the main computer. Disc drives are another very useful add-on, allowing you to play CDs and DVDs, and even to write to them if you get an ‘RW’ (re-writing) drive.

The ‘70s and the ‘80s could be easily described as the ‘computer war’. Every company had a new kind of computer, better than the last that they wanted to change the world. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before one was adopted as the standard, with all the advantages for software compatibility this would bring – and they were desperate for it to be their model that made the big time.

In the ‘70s, two computers nearly became dominant: the Apple II and the Commodore 64. Both of these computers sold in the millions, inspiring a whole generation – they were used for everything from office tasks to games.

It was in 1980, however, that IBM launched its IBM PC, and things really went crazy. IBM’s PC wasn’t patented. IBM went to a small company named Microsoft to get an operating system for this computer, and ended up with DOS, but Microsoft was willing to license DOS to anyone else who paid their fee. By 1984, ‘IBM PC compatible’ computers were available, and a de facto standard was born. Software makers could finally write their programs for one operating system and one hardware configuration – and anyone computer that didn’t follow the specification to the letter was quickly left with no programs to run.

In 1990, Microsoft released Windows 3.0 (the first version of Windows to be really successful), and the PC’s lock on the marketplace was set in stone. The release of the Pentium and Windows 95 made it finally the fastest, cheapest and easiest system around, and it quickly stopped making sense to develop software for anything else.

From then on, the PC was the dominant computer – today, it is estimated to have between 95% and 98% of the market, with almost all the rest being held by Apple Macintosh computers.

Even over the last decade, the advances in computer technology have been immense. Computers can do more today than ever before, faster and at a better value price. Unfortunately, this also means that shopping for a computer can be confusing, as it is hard to know what you actually need and what is just an extra that’s nice to have. Hopefully this article can clear up a few of the mysteries for you.

First of all, let’s look at processors. The two main companies producing processors today are Intel (Pentium processors) and AMD (Athlon processors). Although fanatics on each side swear otherwise, there is little difference between them, performance-wise. In almost all cases, more expensive processors will simply run faster.

However, it is important to consider that the performance of your processor can be limited by how much memory (RAM) your computer has. For high-end processors, you should make sure to get at least a gigabyte of RAM, although lower-end systems will be fine with less. RAM is especially important if you plan to use the system for gaming or other graphics-intensive applications.

Hard disk space, at this point, probably isn’t worth caring too much about. Even the cheapest computers now come with ridiculous amounts of hard disk space, far more than you are ever likely to use. It is much better to upgrade to a DVD re-writer drive than to upgrade your hard disk space. DVDs hold so much data that however big your hard drive is, it is unlikely to hold more than a cheap spindle of DVD-RW discs – and they’re re-writable, so you only need to buy them once.

The only other thing you really need to worry about is the graphics card (sound cards are all the same these days). Again, if you’re going to be doing anything graphically-intensive, then research this further and get a good one (be warned that it can be expensive). For the average user, though, the graphics card that comes with the processor is likely to be fine, even for many less-demanding or older games.

You go to work every day at the store you own, and one morning, your key to the door doesn't work. You look in the window, and the display items have changed. A stranger is behind the counter. But when you call the police, they can't do anything because the company papers now indicate that the store belongs to the stranger.

The above scenario isn't likely to happen with a bricks-and-mortar store. Because of insecurities in the domain registration system, however, information highwaymen could take over your online business.

As with identity theft, domain thieves steal your identity -- the identity used to register and configure your domain name. After that, your website, your email, your online business, and possibly your reputation are theirs.

Domain names at risk of theft

While theft is a risk with all domain names, domains most at risk are more valuable ones. Domains with dot com extensions have a higher resale value than domains with other extensions, and domains with high traffic or valuable keywords are also more likely to be targets.

The motive behind domain hijacking is usually monetary, but it may be personal. If anyone wants to attack you, stealing your domain name is one way to do it.

How domain theft happens

When domain hijackers steal your domain, they gain access to the domain's Whois records. They can modify the domain's nameservers so that the domain points to a different server. They can also transfer the domain to a different registrar.

Either way, site visitors will find themselves at the website of the domain hijacker instead of at your site. All domain email will go to or through the other server instead of to you. All you'll have left is a website without public access because your domain isn't pointing to it any more.

How can this happen?

Domain hijacking methods
- Domain hijackers send forged faxes to the domain registrar, impersonating the registrants.
- Domain hijackers hack into the accounts of free email addresses listed in Whois records and use those addresses to obtain domain account information.
- Domain hijackers send out fraudulent email renewal notices, and registrants unknowingly transfer their domains to the thieves.

Registrar non-action

- The gaining registrar (the registrar that the domain is transferred to) doesn't obtain approval from the domain name registrant or administrative contact as required by ICANN Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy.
- The losing registrar (that the domain is transferred from) doesn't notify the registrant of the transfer during the five-day pending transfer period. During this period, the registrant can cancel or deny approval of the domain transfer --- if the registrar notifies the registrant of it.

Registrant carelessness
- The registrant forgets to update Whois details or to renew the account.
- Someone with access to the registrant's records steals the information.

Domain name disputes

If you discover that your domain has been hijacked, contact your registrar immediately. If your registrar is unable to resolve the situation, the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy (TDRP) applies.

By going the above arbitration route, you don't have to argue your case in person. On the other hand, all you can get back in the process is your domain (and not necessarily that). For a lot more money, you can take your case to court, where you can seek compensation for damages in addition to the return of your domain. This process takes more time, however.

You may be able to proceed both ways – get your domain back via ICANN domain dispute resolution procedures and then go to court to collect damages. You can also appeal a domain arbitrator's decision in court.

How to protect your domain name

Protecting a domain name is similar to protecting a bricks-and-mortar store from burglary. With a combination of precautions in place, thieves will find it difficult or impossible to gain access.

Your domain account information
- List your name for the administrative contact, and use your full name.
- Create a complex password with letters (both upper case and lower case) and numbers. Don't use any real words or personal information in it. Make it long. Make it unique – don't use the same password for anything else. Change it periodically.
- Keep your domain login name, account number, and password in a place where only trusted people can access it.
- Use a valid contact email address that doesn't use the domain it's for. Be sure that this email account also has a complex password. If you're going to be offline for more than a few days, have someone else check the email for this account.
- Don't use a free email address such as a Hotmail or Yahoo address. Domain hijackers target domains with free email addresses in the Whois records. After they've cracked your email account password, the support you need to get your email account back will probably be slow, giving the hijackers plenty of time to take over your domain.
- Update your Whois record whenever the information in it changes.

Your domain account features
- Choose a domain registrar that sends registrants transfer pending notifications when a domain transfer is taking place.
- Consider protecting your Whois details with a registrar that offers a private domain name record. With this feature, your registrar's data appears with your Whois record rather than your data. The downside of using this feature is that your business may have less credibility because you're hiding who you are.
- Register your domain for a long time period, and set up calendar reminders to renew it before it expires.
- Set up your domain to be renewed automatically if your registrar offers this feature.
- Use the Registrar-lock mechanism if it's available through your registrar. When a domain is locked, it cannot be modified or transferred unless the registrant unlocks it or follows the domain transfer process.

Other domain security measures
- Set up a free Whois monitoring alert email service and add your domain to your monitoring list. You will receive email notifications whenever the expiration date, registrar, or status of a monitored domain changes. (Whois does not have data on all domain extensions.)
- Make sure that someone checks your website every few days, preferably daily.

If you have a desktop computer, you need a lot of things to get the most of your experience. There are a lot of desktop computer accessories that you need in order to hear, see, and do all of the things that computers are now designed to do. In some cases, you may get most of these items with your computer, but if you don’t, you need to know what to get and where to get it. You also have to make sure you know what you are buying is going to work with the computer you have.

When you buy a new computer, make sure you ask what desktop computer accessories will come with your new toy. At the very least, you should get speakers and a printer with it, and if you want to add extras, they may charge you for it. For the most part, however, they want to make a sale, and may throw things in just to get you to buy from them, though this is not always the case. Make sure they tell you all about the desktop computer accessories that they are sending to you, and make sure you ask if they are the most up to date ones you can get.

If you find that you need to buy some desktop computer accessories on your own, you can go through the manufacturer of your computer to make sure the ones you are buying will be compatible. This may also allow you to get a better price than by going through the retail stores. You can also find desktop computer accessories by looking online, but make sure you know what you are looking at as your browse. Some manufacturers make accessories that will only go with their own product lines while other try to make universal items that will go with any computer.

Remember to be careful when you install your desktop computer accessories. Most of them come with software that you need to install in order for the item to work with your computer and it’s software. When you plug something new into your computer, the computer should find and install any software it needs. If it does not, you may have a problem on your hands, and you may have to call the manufacturer of the desktop computer accessories you purchased to ask them for help. If they cannot help you, you may have to call your computer maker’s technical help line.

In today’s world of technology buying a computer can be difficult and confusing. Because of this we’ve decided to write this article to guide you next time you buy a computer.

Before you buy a computer it’s important to decide what you want. Consider what your needs are. This will affect the decision you make in which kind of computer to buy. How much memory will you need? What kind of video card will suit you best? Should you buy a desktop or laptop? What sort of processor will suit you best?

When you want to buy a computer it is important that you buy when you need to buy. After all, no matter how long you wait, what you want will always be cheaper in six months time.

Choose the computer you want to buy based on its functions, quality and ongoing technical support. The salesperson at your local computer should be able to help you with this when you tell them you want to buy a computer.

You will also need to decide which additional drives you will need when you buy a computer. These can include CD and DVD burners, CD drives and Zip drives.

There are also extra accessories to consider when you buy a computer. Will you want to connect to the internet? You will need a modem, whether it be built into the computer or external. Sound cards, video cards and speakers also need to be considered when you buy a computer as well as what pre-installed software – such as an operating system (eg. Windows) you will need.

You wake up one morning from a rather tiring overtime in your home office; you turn on the PC and went to the kitchen to prep up some coffee. When you got back to your desk, your PC still seems asleep so you went out to fetch the newspaper. You go back to your desk, and you just say to yourself, "Why is my computer running slow?"

You are not alone; so don't fret about it too much. There are so many computers that go through this stage for so many reasons. One of these reasons is a cluttered registry.

The Windows operating system depends on the registry to tune things up with the hardware components and software installations. The registry serves as the cache or database that collects all the information about anything that is attached to the computer, be it hardware or software.

Over time, this cache gets really cluttered and disorganized. When this happens, the OS will have difficulty accessing the necessary files to boot the computer well. You see, at startup, the computer will refer to the registry for all the events that are programmed to occur based on the installations of the user.

If a person decides to uninstall an application, that program is no longer able to run but its tail and so many traces of it are still residing in the registry. If all uninstall procedures fail to pull all their files from the registry for deletion, then the registry will be in such a mess - and the computer will tend to slow down.

When it happened to me it also hit me that the other major factors that make me ask, "Why is my computer is running slow" are the spyware, malware, and viruses, which often come with the programs I installed carelessly.

If you are asking, "Why is my computer running slow?" - you might be in need of a registry cleaner. This program will help you take care of the clutter in the registry and give it a nice, organized space for the next installations.

There are two types of registry cleaners - the stand-alone, or the one, which is part of a utility suite. Any people prefer to use the stand-alone since they think these programs run more efficiently because there are no other unnecessary functions aside from cleaning and clearing. Other users get the utility suites that include sets of tools that are packed together in one interface for so many uses.

The computer's registry can be likened to a brain that is too full of trash or unnecessary information. Often, the person will have senseless thoughts or mental blocks and that affects his overall function as a social being.

"Why is my computer running slow" is a question that can be addressed by making sure that you take care of your personal computer properly. That is part of your responsibility if you want to continue getting the best out of your machine. It is also best to be very careful with whatever you install since all the files that go with the program will sit in the registry and contribute to it's being bloated and dysfunctional.

Almost all advanced Cisco routers and switches are equipped with the Cisco proprietary operating systems called the IOS (Internetwork Operating System). Cisco PIX firewalls have a special operating system, the PIX Finesse OS.

In some versions of the IOS, there is a MIB (Management Information Base) module integrated into the IOS operating system. The MIB is an operating system component included with all recent IOS distributions that allows network administrators to view and manage device memory over the network. MIB is prerequisite software for other applications that deal with Cisco memory management, reporting data to RME (Resource Manager Essentials) and during installation of other additional software to a given device.

Before discussing the reasons to upgrade your router's memory, the following is description of the different types of memory that used in a Cisco product.

Processor Memory

This memory acts similar to the CPU cache in a computer, controlling all basic computing operations of your switch or router. Regardless of any other memory being used, the processor memory is always the first memory that is accessed and used. All the files needed for booting and essential system files required for functioning for any Cisco device are stored in the processor memory. If you are using a product that has IOS before 11.1, then the total of all types of memory is reported as the processor memory.

Flash Memory Card/Disk or Cisco Memory Card

The flash memory is a special type of programmable memory that is used to store images of the IOS software on it, in addition the flash memory is used to upgrade versions of the router or switch being used. The term 'flashing a product' means upgrading the version of IOS stored on the flash memory card.

Shared Memory/RAM (Random Access Memory)

The reason this is often referred to as the shared memory, is that it is erased every time the router is restarted or when the memory is deliberately cleared. This memory is usually the easiest to upgrade. The RAM stores all data that is temporary in nature, and upgrading the RAM usually helps improve the speed and the computing power of the Cisco product. It is generally cheaper than Flash memory, and manufactured both OEM by Cisco and by third party manufacturers, such as PC Wholesale.

While PIX firewalls and the routers that IOS runs on ultimately have finite processing power, this is often not the bottleneck that first limits their ability to grow. More often, IOS is hampered by having allocated as much (or more) dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) than it has available. Older firewalls and routers, which shipped with very small Cisco memory (Flash) cards, the factor limiting the usefulness of the hardware may be the Operating System installed on it.

IOS and PIX OS each have vastly larger memory footprints than they did as recently as a few years ago, and the current versions of these operating systems require more memory than many devices are equipped with. Both the RAM and Flash memory of a Cisco router can be upgraded. Such an upgrade may significantly extend the longevity of a network operating with older equipment. Two of the principal reasons to upgrade your devices memory to increase its speed and to run the most current version of Cisco IOS.

Increasing speed

Just like conventional computers, increasing the memory of a Cisco product increases its speed. If the product is a Cisco router or switch that handles large amounts of data over the network, increasing the RAM of the product can improve both the processing speed and the device's performance.

Upgrading the IOS

For devices with Cisco IOS 11.1 or older the only way to improve its performance is to upgrade the IOS. However, older Cisco hardware is usually not equipped with sufficient flash memory to store a newer version of the IOS. In this case, the only option is to upgrade the flash memory of the Cisco product. All versions of the Cisco IOS after version 11.1, used by most Cisco routers and non-firewall hardware around the world, has functionality to report MIB values over the network via SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), allowing network administrators and other authorized device managers to make queries to the database from across the network. Obsolete versions of the IOS, without the MIB module, do not have this functionality and can only report the size of processor memory.

Family and friends can be pretty far flung these days, so how do you keep in touch? Snail mail and phoning are good options, but it's fun to be able to share pictures. With the advent of digital cameras, it's easy to post pictures on a blog or website, or send pictures via email.

Of course, film cameras will work, as you can scan and convert pictures to digital files, but the easiest way to send pictures quickly and cheaply is to use a digital camera.

How To Find What's Best For YOU When Buying A Digital Camera

There are all kinds of digital cameras available these days, so the trick is to find the one that suits your needs and budget. If you are buying your first digital camera, the lingo and technology are a bit different than for film cameras, so before shopping take time to learn a little and figure out what you'd like to buy.

First, what kind of photographer are you? Do you like total control over the picture taking process, or would you rather just aim the camera and push the shutter button? Then it's also helpful to decide what you want to do with your pictures. Do you just want to put them online or send them via email, or do you want to be able to print them, and if so, how large do you want your prints?

If photography isn't your passion, and you just want to have pictures to share, buying a simple point-and-shoot digital camera is probably best. It has automatic settings, so all you have to do is aim the camera, press the shutter and viola! Instant picture!

However, if you prefer more control over the picture taking process, try buying a mid-range digital camera. There is a wide range in both price and features. For the more serious hobby photographer, there are "prosumer" cameras midway between point-and-shoot cameras and digital SLR cameras. They offer better lens quality and usually more features than a point-and-shoot, though those little cameras can come pretty loaded these days!

Digital SLR cameras are top of the line and more expensive. These work more like traditional cameras, having a body with detachable lens. This gives you more options with being able to change lens, but it's also much more expensive. Just one lens can cost as much as a point-and-shoot digital camera! There's also usually a steeper learning curve to figure out how to use all the options on a digital SLR camera.

However, if you're buying your first digital camera, intermediate, "prosumer" and digital SLR cameras probably aren't the best choice. All the settings and features can be a little overwhelming for the beginner, and your expensive camera may end up collecting dust somewhere. Try a low to midrange camera first and get a feel for digital cameras and what features are most important to you. Then when you're ready to move up and buy a better digital camera, you'll have a better idea of what to look for before you lay out your hard earned cash!

What To Look For When You're Ready To Buy A Digital Camera

You can buy digital cameras in all sorts of places these days, from fancy department stores to discount stores, photography/camera shops and many stores online. While you can sometimes find great deals on-line, if this is your first digital camera, go to shops and look at different cameras if at all possible. It helps to pick it up and get the feel of the camera in your hand to see if it's comfortable and the controls are easy to use, and you can check out what features it has and how they work.

But what exactly are you looking for?

A pixel makes your picture....

One of the first things to check out when buying a digital camera is the MEGAPIXELS. A pixel is a single dot in a graphics image. A megapixel is equivalent to one million pixels. A 1-megapixel camera would produce an image roughly 1200 pixels wide by 900 pixels high, a 3 megapixel would be 2048 x 1536 megapixels, and so on. Higher megapixels mean better resolution, but aren't the whole picture. The main thing to keep in mind is the more megapixels, the bigger image you can print.

Approximate Megapixels vs. Print Size

2 Megapixels prints well up to 4x6 inches
3 Megapixels prints well up to 5x7 inches
4 Megapixels prints well up to 6x8 inches
6 Megapixels prints well up to 7x10 inches
8 Megapixels prints well up to 10x14 inches
12 Megapixels prints well up to 16x24 inches

For email, websites and printing snapshots, a 3 to 5-megapixel camera is a good choice. If you want to make high quality 8x10 prints or larger, you need more megapixels. Higher megapixels also allow you to crop down to a smaller portion of the picture while still retaining sharpness in prints.

One other thing to keep in mind when considering megapixels and resolution, be sure you are getting optical resolution. This is the actual number of megapixels the camera records. Some cameras offer interpolated resolution to get bigger pictures from the same number of megapixels by using software algorithms to determine what color pixels to add, so the picture becomes bigger at the expense of clarity.

Opt for optical...

Digital cameras have two kinds of zoom, optical and digital. In this case, focus on the optical zoom. It's the one that actually uses the lens' optics to bring the subject closer. The higher the number, the further away you can "pull in" your subject. The digital zoom merely takes the original information and makes it bigger, and once again, clarity is sacrificed. Most serious photographers turn off digital zoom. Stick to optical!

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

Digital cameras commonly use an LCD screen instead of a viewfinder to focus on your subject, though some come equipped with both. Check the size of the screen when buying a digital camera to be sure you can comfortably see your subject. It's also really handy to have a flip screen that allows you to hold your camera low or high, and still be able to see what's on the screen.

Fun features...

Many digital cameras offer settings for such things as burst shooting mode, which is handy if you want to take pictures of moving subjects. The camera shoots a series of pictures without pause, then writes the files to memory. Other features allow for manually changing settings, special effects, short digital movie files, using an external flash, and much more. Look over several different cameras, decide what features you just have to have, and which are on the "nice to have but not vital" list. No one camera will do everything well.

Get the Picture...

You've got to get the pictures out of the camera to share them. Usually the files are downloaded to your computer through a USB port, so make sure your computer has one. Also, keep in mind when choosing a camera, the more megapixels, the bigger the files. You've got to store those files somewhere, so how much memory is available on your computer? Does it have a CD burner?

However, you can still buy a digital camera even if you don't have a computer. Many photo labs, even in places like Walmart or Kmart, have machines with the capability of making prints and/or photo CD's from memory cards, and will make a disk of the files, sort of like digital negatives. There's also the option of buying a photo printer with a docking station for your camera. Just plug the camera into the docking station, and bypass the need for a computer to print.

Cash After Camera

When buying your digital camera, keep some cash in reserve, because there are two more important purchases you need to make.

1. Memory - The digital camera's equivalent of film, the amount of memory determines how many pictures you can take. Different cameras use different types of memory, so the first step is to find out what your camera uses. The most popular types are: Secure Digital (SD), CompactFlash (CF), SmartMedia (SM), Memory Stick (MS), MultiMediaCard (MMC), and xD-Picture Card (xD).

Cameras are usually packaged with a small MB-sized card. A second card of 64 MB is good, but of course the more MB and the more cards, the more pictures you can take before having to download and erase the images. The different cards are NOT interchangeable, so be sure to buy the right kind for your camera!

2. Battery - There's nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of snapping pictures and the battery dies. Get extras. It's worth the expense to have a second battery charged and waiting should the one in your camera lose power. The rechargeable ones are more expensive, but the ability to use them over and over makes them worth the initial outlay of cash.

That's The Total Package!

There you have the basics for choosing a digital camera. Decide what kind of pictures you are likely to take, what size prints you want to make, how much zoom, and are there any extras you can't live without? Look for the camera that most closely matches your list in your price range, buy a bigger memory card and an extra battery set, and you're good to go!

Have fun sharing those pictures with friends and family!

Upgrading, instead of buying a new laptop is a more practical way to save you hundreds of dollars. Understanding the needed specifications and following the easy step by step process will help you find the right materials for the upgrade, at a very low price.

Upgrading your laptop hard drive can be done easily. If your laptop was manufactured last 1997and has 3.0 GB or a bigger hard disk drive, the choices to upgrade it are unlimited.

Laptop hard drive that uses a 9.5 mm hard drive height is an exemption. The exemption pertains to laptops that were manufactured before 1997. The mounting hole patterns of these laptop hard drives are standardized. It has separate screw holes situated 3 inches on the longer side.

CHOICES OF HARD DRIVES

Laptop hard drives are not owned by laptop manufacturers. Therefore, laptop hard drives will work with any type of laptop. Almost all laptops have a 2.5" mobile hard disk drive. There are also few ultra-portable laptops that use 1.8" drives.

Four things to consider when buying new hard drives:

1. The Capacity

Not all laptops can take advantage of hard drive capacities that are in excess of 80 GB. This is due to the BIOS or Operating System's limitations. To access the full capacity of an ATA interface hard drive, a minimum OS configuration of Windows XP or Windows 2000 is required.

2. The Speed

Present hard drives are available with the following spindle speeds:

- 4200 RPM - this is the spindle speed found in older laptops. It takes less power to turn the platter at this speed. It has extended battery life.
- 5400 RPM - New 5400 RPM disks gives an improve performance with very little reduction in the life of battery.
- 7200 RPM - It has high performance. However, you need to sacrifice the battery life.

3. The Interface

Many laptop hard disk drives use an ATA interface like:

- IDE
- EIDE

New laptops are currently set up to use a Serial ATA (SATA) interface. Your laptop can be set with one or the other. ATA and SATA laptop hard drives are not exchangeable.

4. The Buffer

The temporary data storage buffer cache is being used to enhance drive performance. The buffer cache can be checked initially when data is requested from the hard drive. It is a lot faster to retrieve it from the cache as compared to the drive. Many laptop hard drives incorporate 8 MD buffers. Others are limited to only 4 MB while others may offer a 16 MB cache.

TRANSFERRING OF DATA

Transferring the files, programs and operating system from your old laptop hard drive require new steps to be followed. These are:

1. Use a Desktop Personal Computer

- Removed the old laptop drive
- Connect it to an open ATA or IDE channel on the desktop. Use an adapter.

2. Use a utility like NORTON GHOST to create the image of the drive. Store it on the desktop's hard drive.

3. Desk top must be shut down.

- Removed the old laptop drive
- Install the new laptop drive
- Reboot the desk top
- The image stored on the desktop hard drive is then transferred onto the new drive.

4. Use an external hard drive

Using of an external hard drive and a back-up utility is another method.

5. Others

The Universal EZ Hard Disk Drive Upgrade Kit for All Laptop Computers of Apricorn shortens the task. You can also use the Apricorn EZ Hard Drive Upgrade Kit of your old laptop hard drive as an external hard drive.

It also has a kit for upgrading SATA drives. It is known as the APRICORN EZ Upgrade Universal SATA 480 Mbps USB 2.0 Kit.

Removing and Replacing Laptop Hard Drives

It is necessary to know the procedure in removing and replacing hard drive units. This information must be given by your laptop manufacturer.

Step-by-Step Procedures:

1. Universal EZ HDD Upgrade Kit for All Notebook Computers:

Upgrading your laptop's hard drive fast and easy can be done via EZ Upgrade. It includes:

- External Hi-speed USB 2.0 drive enclosure
- USB Cable
- AC adapter and
- EZ Gig II Data Transfer Utility

These are the things you will need to transfer all your

• applications
• settings
• data and
• OS to a new hard drive

2. Apricorn EZ Upgrade Universal SATA 480 Mbps USB 2.0:

It includes:

- External Hi-speed USB 2.0 drive enclosure for SATA HDD
- USB
- Auxiliary power cable
- EZ Gig II Data Transfer Utility

Your old drive can be used as an external storage or back-up device. It also includes all hardware and software needed for upgrading Notebook SATA hard drives.

You can also use old SATA hard drives as an external Hi-speed USB 2.0 back-up tool. It can transfer data through Hi-speed USB 2.0 Self Powered USB enclosure. No AC adapters are needed.

There has to be an end to the increasing burglaries and corruptions in the atmosphere and the surroundings either it is a house or a public place. We as responsible natives and the government have also to think about the precautionary procedures which we can give our selves and our family. The invention of the spy cams, the concealed cameras and rather many other types of cameras have been created evidently for all surveillance purposes. Surveillance is a process and a method by which developing business organizations can make their growth rapid and reliable. Some business organizations have not yet installed the hidden cameras in spite of the availability of the same very easily in the market. In the ultimate analysis, all the factors would result in a successful and growing organization. If the spy cams are installed at the work places, the public places and homes, then the burglaries can be prevented to a great extent, because the images captured by these cameras help to catch the culprits very easily.

This multi purpose piece of equipment can be bought and easily installed where ever we want to. We have to find the best camera for our work place and our home and see how we can make the most use of this fabulous and magnificent equipment. Modern concealed cameras are laden with modern features especially designed for surveillance principles to make every place where they are being used very functional and safe. With the use of the concealed cameras, we can get excitement and satisfaction in our life. The latest creations and the spy cams can improve and help us to expand our views and security with good organization. By using good equipments, we can concentrate on our other work and be relaxed always.

I own a fashion design institute and I have to be very alert with my work always. There are many people who come to learn the fashion designing course. I always have to be attentive about the safety of my customers and the staff. I even have to survey every action of my staff members and see that they are teaching the designs to people very tactfully. For this purpose I have installed the spy cams at my institute so that everything runs smoothly. Earlier I had not installed the spy cams because I did not feel its need. But few months ago, I noticed that there was someone who was creating a mischief and was stealing the important designs from my cabin. I was to put an end to all this mischief and so I had decided to install the spy cams so that everything would be clear. Likewise, buying the spy cam was such an easy procedure. One day I was going through the internet for some information related to my fashion designing course. Then I read an article about the advantages of the spy cams and how easily they can be available through the internet. I logged on to the website and choose the spy cam which I required and placed an order for it on the internet itself and it was shipped to my house directly with great ease.

To give a child proper education and a better living many women are deciding to step of the house to earn and also they want to help their better half in some way or the other. This way even she can be recognized with her own identity. Stepping out of the house to earn more is not very easy for a lady. But the central crisis of a woman capitalist is that she is a lady. This is for the reason that she has to think of her twin conscientiousness towards children and place of work. Women have to keep a suitable stability between their responsibilities towards their children as well as their work. Earlier they had to suffer when they would not get support from their families or husband. But today everything has changed. According to the changing trend, many couples are opting to work and there are many people who are helping their wives even with the house hold tasks. Earlier it was the sole responsibility of a woman to take care of the child. But today even the men are considering this and they are helping the women to take of both the responsibilities together.

She even has to think about the safety of her child and how and where to leave her/him. Obviously there are many alternatives like the day care centers or hiring the baby sitters for the care of the baby. But the question which arises among many working couples is how far it is safe to leave their young one with the baby sitter or the nanny or to leave the child in the day care centre? If the working couple thinks to send the child in the day care center, then they are also thinking about the child's psychology. Will the child not miss the cozy bed of her/his home? Will the child not miss those familiar toys which he/she is used to play with? Well, their thinking says that their child will evidently miss the surrounding in which she/he will feel safe and secure. Though the young one's cannot communicate their feelings, but we as parents have to understand their uneasiness and we have to try to keep them away from this insecurity. The solution to all these questions and problems is there. If we want our child to be in a safe environment in our own house, then we can employ a baby sitter for her/his care and for more precautions, we can even install a spy cam or a nanny cam in our house for the observation of the baby sitter.

Is it not easy nowadays for a lady to move out of the house without any tensions? The innovative spy cams and the nanny cams are of great use for the working couple who can leave behind their child easily at home under the guidance of the baby sitter. Above that the spy cams or the hidden cameras can be used at the work places also to see that there are no interruptions created.

Today everything has to be monitored vigilantly with the help of the latest equipments or rather I can say with the use of the hidden cameras, the spy cams, the nanny cams and many more such cameras which are especially planned for the intention of surveillance, security and precautionary measures. It is equally important that we keep a constant watch on our business as well as home premises. The level of technology, availability of new hidden cameras, processes of innovation and surveillance has become very easy nowadays. There are many types of cameras which can help us in many ways. The different types of cameras are the CCTV cameras, the CMOS cameras, the CID cameras and so many other cameras which are exceptionally good and magnificent. It has been accepted by everybody that surveillance and security of our belongings is very important. We cannot simply depend on any body or everybody to take care of our possessions or our business work. We our selves have to safeguard our own possessions and business environment.

Awareness of surveillance and coverage of capturing the images with the help of the hidden cameras has increased rapidly among people. Even the government and the other higher authorities are making use of these cameras so that law and order can be maintained in the state and the people who are behind the problems can be easily nabbed. Many shop owners, the mall owners, the doctors, the railway authorities, the taxi drivers and many more people are opting to use them for security. Protection is an encouraging step which we all have to take. Moreover, it is for the protection of our children who are at home or it is the protection of our business premises, we have to sincerely think about it and install the cameras which are invented for our own comforts. I have already installed the spy cams in my office and my home because even my wife is working and we have to leave our little child with the nanny at home. We thought that after installing the spy cam at our home we can give our child the best protection.

My sister in law was worried about the thefts which were happening in her shop. She owns a garment shop in the busy area of the metropolis. Many people visit her shop everyday. There are a few numbers of people working together in this shop. It was really very difficult for her to spy the culprit. She shared her problem with me and I advised her to install the spy cam in her shop to prevent the thief from creating troubles. I explained her that neither she has to worry nor does she need any art to be a genius at her work place. The simple manner to take care of the business surrounding is to install the spy cam or the hidden camera and experience the wonders. Due to the speedy development of surveillance and security systems on our own premises, such types of spy cams are invented.

Change is a way of life and is not confined to economic activities alone but to other activities also. An industrialist cannot bring about a change in economic activities successfully unless he has proper equipments at his aid. In the capacity of a method an individual has to bring about new ideas, new techniques, and new methods of surveillance and has to come up with new activities in both business and business areas. A business man plays an important role in the economic development of a nation with the use of the latest innovative hidden cameras. Most developing countries are characterized by a rapidly growing surveillance system in all their working surroundings. However, the surveillance process itself has given rise to new opportunities for the users of the hidden cameras. With the survey systems all over the environments and the desire to become self-reliant, the need and the installations of the hidden cameras are arising day by day all over the world. In addition, development and surveillance within the private and commercial sectors have also resulted in the creation of opportunities in the business activities.

Every organization or a business environment has to be in constant interaction with its external environment. Either it is a premises where a bank is located or a premises where a mall or a small shop is located, every place has to be surveyed and well protected. An organization and its environment are in fact interdependent. They need to be properly analyzed with the help of the hidden cameras or the CCTV cameras. The business firms, the banks and other organizations should continually survey their external environments to obtain early warning signals of disturbances or interruptions or any coming changes that will affect their work place. On the basis of surveillance, an individual can identify potential changes. Generally, organizations or banks operating in a dynamic and complex environment require frequent surveillance and security. They have to protect the valuables of the natives which are deposited in the bank. For their safety, the hidden cameras and the CCTV cameras can be installed at various places.

The ultra modern life style which is sought after by the younger generation always add to the pleasure and excitement and can be described as an ideal way of living and ensure hassle free surveillance with the help of the latest cameras. The producers of such types of cameras trust in giving us a little extra than our prospect, tranquility of intellect, simplicity and uncompromised excellence which we can make every effort for. It is proved that earlier people used to spend hours to finish up their work in their offices without proper equipments at their aid. They had to employ many people or security guards for the safety of their business premises or homes. The security guards were paid heftily and then too there were some doubts if our premises were safe or no. But after the recognition of the hidden cameras things have changed and the working patterns of the modern people have also changed. Now every individual can take the advantage of the hidden camera and secure his/her own belongings easily.

Women entrepreneurs have been making a significant impact in all the segments of the economy in Canada, Great Britain, Germany, USA, Australia, India and many places all over the world. Today's women are not only housewives but also career oriented personalities. The areas of work chosen by women are retail trade, catering, education, manufacturing, insurance companies and many more reputed posts. They have made their mark and identity in business because they want to accept new challenges and opportunities for self fulfillment. They want this change to control the balance between their family responsibility and their business life. They are managing to handle both the responsibilities very efficiently. These career oriented women have to leave their babies at home under the guidance of the baby sitter who takes care of their children. It is not easy for these women to move out of the house with just a thought that their babies are safe with the baby sitter whom they have employed. They have to keep a constant watch on this baby sitter so that they are satisfied that their children are in a safe environment. For this purpose many women are opting to install the nanny cams at their homes for the purpose of surveillance of the baby sitter. This is an easiest way a woman can concentrate on both her home and her business environment.

It is very difficult to achieve success in any field of work. We all have to bear in our mind that we have to struggle hard for a easy life. But everything can become easy if we make use of good equipments. We cannot deny that today science and technology have made massive progress in manufacturing latest equipments which can give us comfort in every field. It is proved that working with good equipments in a proper manner will lead us to success. If we can follow the latest working patterns and make use of the hidden cameras or the spy cams at our working places, then definitely we will enjoy doing our work as well as we can experience something new. Our intimates too were leading a life where they had to struggle very hard for their daily chores. Either it was for washing clothes or washing the dishes, everything was done manually. But today there are so many appliances that we can do everything instantly with the help of different types of equipments and appliances. The hidden cameras, the spy cams and many more cameras are some of the latest innovations which we can use very easily and take as many as benefits from them.

Nowadays when the working patterns have changed, even the shopping patterns have changed. Earlier we had to run about in different malls and shops to buy the necessary things which use in our daily life. But today we can easily sit at home and shop. We just have to surf through the internet to any of the leading websites of the country, choose our product and place an order with them. They will ship our product to our destination as soon as possible.

You can have the best computer in the world, but without a monitor you can't even use it! A lot of times people can get so caught up trying to find the right computer, they forget all about the monitor that goes with it. The fact is, when using your computer; the monitor is what you'll be looking at all the time. If you have a great computer but a poor monitor, it may be time for an upgrade. The question is what do you look for in a computer monitor?

Below, you'll find a few things that our product specialists recommend our customers to look for when shopping for a computer monitor.

Screen Size: When buying a monitor, its important that you get a screen that is big enough for you to be able to see details with ease. We recommend monitors 17 inches and up, but having one slightly smaller can still work for you.

Screen Type: Generally you have two types of screens that you can choose from, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). CRT's have traditionally given better color quality and response times, but as technology has advanced there are many LCD's that can compete. The advantages of an LCD (flat panel) monitor is that it almost always takes up less desk space and is more energy efficient than a comparable CRT monitor.

Response Time: With the older LCD models, or the base LCD models, you'll often see slow response times. The response time is how fast the pixels within the monitor turn on and off. With slower response times, you can see trails left behind of fast moving objects when watching a movie or playing a video game. We recommend getting an LCD monitor that has a response time of less than 16 ms (milliseconds). The faster the response time (the lower the number), the better results you will get as far as response time goes.

Inputs: Most monitors come with a single standard VGA style connection, but some can come with many more options. These include inputs for S-Video, Composite, Component, and even HDMI. The most important thing to consider is whether or not your computers video card will be compatible with at least one of these inputs.

Format: Most monitors come in either the 4:3 (Standard) format or the 16:9 (Widescreen) format. If you don't have a particular preference for either one, you should go with the 16:9 as this is the format used for HDTV, and it allows you to view more on the screen at once. We recommend the 16:9 format because if you upgrade your computer in the future (which might have a HD or Blu-Ray DVD Player), you won't have to upgrade your monitor as well. This will prolong the time you use your monitor and you'll get more from your investment.

Extra Features: You might want to consider a monitor that has more capabilities than just the standard features. Some of today's monitors come with USB hubs, memory card readers, and even built-in speakers. If you want to save desktop space this can be a good option for you, but note that the cost associated with these extra features will be higher.

Definitions:

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): An electronic vacuum tube containing a screen on which graphic or alphanumeric information may be displayed.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): Refers to a flat panel technology that uses liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass plates.

Response Time: A measure of how quickly a screen can display a change in the brightness of the screen image.

VGA (Video Graphics Array): A monitor standard that has evolved into a term used to designate an image consisting of 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels tall.

S-Video (Separated Video): An analog video signal that carries the video data as two separate signals.

Composite: A single video connector that combines all the color and brightness signals into one cable using a single RCA male connector. Often color-coded yellow, it is the most common type of analog video connection between older VCRs and TVs.

Component: Video signal in which the luminance and sync information are recorded separately from the color information. Component is superior to composite.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface): HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio all on a single cable.

Video Card: An adapter card used to manage the display on the monitor.

4:3 Standard Aspect Ratio: The shape of standard (non-widescreen) TVs, which simply means the picture "frame" is 4 units wide for every 3 units tall.

16:9 Widescreen Aspect Ratio: The shape of widescreen TV's, which simply means the picture "frame" is 16 units wide for every 9 units tall. This ratio is used for high definition televisions.

USB (Universal Serial Bus: Connection port on a computer that is universally compatible with many types of electronic devices.

A computer's keyboard is as important to the computer as any other part of the computer setup. After all, the keyboard is what you use to input your data, whether it is while you're surfing the net or writing an essay.

With that said, there a few things listed below that our product specialists recommend our customers to consider when purchasing this important part of their computer setup.

Ergonomics: It is important that you find a keyboard that is comfortable for you. This can prevent things such as Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI). You might want to consider getting a keyboard that comes with a wrist rest, or buy one along with the keyboard if one isn't included. A wrist rest will keep your wrists at a proper angle, which can greatly reduce your chances of getting RSI or CTS.

QWERTY vs. Natural: There are two basic designs when it comes to keyboards, either the QWERTY design or the "natural" design. The QWERTY design is what you are used to seeing, with the keys laid out straight across the board. The "natural" design splits the home row in two, allowing for a more ergonomic angle when typing. The "natural" keyboards are usually a bit more expensive than the traditional QWERTY keyboards, but the QWERTY keyboard is the most popular. So which ones better? It is only a matter of personal preference.

Wired/Wireless: Decide how you want the keyboard to connect to your computer. You have two options, and those are wired or wireless. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages and choosing between the two is once again a matter of personal preference. Thinking about where or how you will be using the keyboard can help you determine which one is better for you. For example, if you plan to use the keyboard with a computer that is connected to your home theater system, you may want to get a wireless keyboard so you don't have to sit next to the computer when watching movies or listening to music.

Hotkeys: Many keyboards today come with extra "hot keys" at the top. These "hot keys" can do a wide range of things from controlling the computers volume, to opening your e-mail with the touch of a button. Often times these buttons are fully programmable, which can make your computing experience easier and more efficient by having the shortcuts you personally use most at your fingertips. You should decide whether or not you want these extra controls at an early stage of the buying process. This will help you narrow down on which keyboard best suits your needs.

Extra Features: Some keyboards come with extra features such as a USB hub, which allows you to connect low-power devices to the keyboard for desktop convenience. Decide whether or not these types of features are important to you, or if they are just "extras" that will only add to your cost.

Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): A common disorder in the wrist and hand; symptoms include pain and weakness in the muscles caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist area.

Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI): A type of injury where soft tissue in the body, such as muscles, nerves, tendons, and joints become irritated or inflamed.

Definitions:

Ergonomics: The science of the human body doing work related tasks in order to reduce the risk of injury.

QWERTY Keyboard: Refers to the standard data entry keyboard. Term comes from the first six letters at the upper left of the keyboard.

Natural Keyboard: Refers to the type of keyboard that is split at the middle of the home row.

USB: Connection port on a computer that is universally compatible with many types of electronic devices.

When shopping for a camcorder, it is important that you think about what you will be using the camcorder for. Will you be recording videos to watch on your HDTV, or do you just plan on sharing your homemade movies with others over the Internet? How you answer these types of questions will determine what camcorder is right for you.

The first thing you need to know about camcorders is that there are three main types available. The thing that distinguishes one camcorder from another is the way they save the videos you record.

The first type, and currently the most popular is miniDV. These camcorders record videos by storing data onto a small cassette. The advantages of miniDV camcorders are that you can record your videos in an uncompressed format, therefore giving you higher quality videos (because video quality goes down as it is compressed). Also, you can usually find blank miniDV cassettes with ease at local stores when you away from home and need more space to save those precious memories.

The second type is the DVD camcorder. These camcorders record videos by storing data onto mini DVDs. One of the main advantages of DVD camcorders is the fact that you can take the mini DVD disc out and play it on almost any DVD player. Also, just like the miniDV cassettes, the small DVDs that these camcorders record on are becoming widely available so you won't have to worry about not having enough memory while you are way from home.

And last but not least, there are the HDD (Hard Drive) camcorders. These cams record directly onto an internal hard drive, giving you a lot more storage space than a miniDV cassette or DVD disc would. Typically, these types of camcorders have a memory slot available in addition to the hard drive, allowing you to buy a memory card if you were run out of storage space. Remember that the data on the camcorder's hard drive can be transferred over to your computer and deleted off of the camcorder if you need to free up memory.

Now that you know the three main types of camcorders that are available on the market today, look below and find what our product specialists recommend our customers to look for before buying any type of camcorder.

Optical/Digital Zoom: If you plan on getting close ups of distant objects, you should consider a camcorder with a high optical zoom and digital zoom level. Note that optical zoom and digital zoom are very different from one another. The optical zoom level is the amount by which the lens of the camcorder actually adjusts, while digital zoom is merely a magnification of the existing image. A high digital zoom rating doesn't do all that much for you because you loose a significant amount of quality when zooming at high levels. Focus more upon the optical zoom a camcorder has to offer, where quality loss isn't much of an issue.

Still Image Pictures: If you want a camcorder that can take pictures as well as record video, make sure it has a still image feature. When a camcorder is able to capture still images, it can almost doubles as a digital camera. But don't expect the same high quality pictures from a camcorder to compare with what you would get with a standalone digital camera, as camcorders aren't made specifically for the purpose of taking pictures.

Storage Space: It is important that you consider the storage space available if you plan on getting an HDD (Hard Drive) camcorder. You don't take this factor into consideration for miniDV or DVD camcorders because their storage spaced is measured by the amount of cassettes or DVDs they have to record on, while the storage space of an HDD camcorder is measured by how large the hard drive is. Note that some HDD camcorders have a memory slot, which allows you to connect a memory card to record on if you were to need more space.

Editing Software: If you want the ability to edit your videos, see if the camcorder comes with editing software included. With video editing software, you can add special effects to your homemade movies making them more enjoyable.

Playback Options: With most camcorders, you can connect the cam directly into the AV inputs of your TV for playback. With the DVD camcorders you can also play the mini DVDs on most DVD players. Playback is also possible through your computer whenever the camera is connected.

LCD Screen Size: The screen size of the LCD may be of importance to you. It is typically easier to frame what you want in the shot with a larger LCD to view, and it also makes watching your videos on the cam itself more enjoyable.

Digital Image Stabilization: Image stabilization is definitely a feature you should consider when purchasing a camcorder unless you plan on recording on a tripod most of the time. If a cam has image stabilization technology, it will reduce the amount of movement of the shot because of shaky hands. This can make your videos much more enjoyable, and won't make you dizzy from watching homemade videos ever again!

Computer Connection: Most miniDV camcorders connect to a computer through an IEEE 1394 jack (also called Firewire or i. Link). DVD camcorders typically connect via USB, and HDD camcorders can be connected with any of the two. Make sure your computer has the appropriate jack so you will be able to transfer your videos without the need of an adapter.

Definitions:

Optical Zoom: Magnifying an image with an adjustment of the lens without reducing the quality or resolution.

Digital Zoom: Magnifying the center of an image by enlarging the already present information (from the picture) resulting in a loss of resolution.

AV Inputs: Audio and Video Inputs, which transfer the audio and video information from one electronic device to another.

Image Stabilization: Technology that reduces shakiness in motion pictures or blur in still pictures in Camcorders and Cameras.

USB (Universal Serial Bus): Connection port on a computer that is universally compatible with many types of electronic devices.

With a DVD Recorder, you can have the recording features of a VCR except in a much more crisp, clear picture. Not only can you record your favorite TV shows straight to a DVD, you can also watch movies just like any other stand alone DVD Player.

There are a lot of things you may need to consider before buying the DVD recorder that's right for you. Below you will find a list of things our product specialists recommend our customers to look for before making a purchasing decision.

Disc Compatibility: You should consider the types of discs the DVD Recorder is compatible with. Try to find a recorder that is compatible with a wide range of formats, including the DVD-R/RW format (which is compatible with most DVD players and computers).

Built-In VCR: If you have a large collection of VHS tapes and want to convert them to DVD, or simply want an all-in-one media player, consider a DVD recorder that comes with a built-in VCR.

Hard Drive: If you want to record television shows and view them at a later time, a DVD Recorder with a hard drive may be for you. A recorder with a hard drive allows you to record, play, and delete files without ever having to burn them onto a DVD. And if you want to keep the files you simply burn them to a DVD for archiving. Another thing to note, a hard drive gives a recorder the ability to function as a basic DVR (Digital Video Recorder).

Editing Capabilities: See if the recorder has any editing features available to make your DVD's a bit more enjoyable. Of course no DVD Recorder can compete with a full on video editing software on a computer, but having the basic editing options can really enhance the quality of your videos.

Electronic Program Guides: Electronic guides such as TiVo® and TV Guide On Screen® provide you with simple ways to set your recordings and can do keyword searches to help you find what you want. A DVD recorder that supports these kinds of services will allow you to record your favorite movies or TV shows whether or not you are home.

IR Blaster: IR Blaster is a feature that comes on some DVD Recorders, which use the same type of signal as your remote to automatically change the channel on your cable box to the appropriate channel when a show or movie needs to be recorded. This way you can record your shows when you are gone even if your TV is set to another channel.

Available Inputs: You may want to connect a digital camera or camcorder to the DVD recorder, so check if the recorder has the appropriate inputs for the devices you want to connect.

Definitions:

IR Blaster (Infrared Blaster): An amplifier of infrared (IR) signals.

VHS (Video Home System): Widely used method of recording audio and video electrical signals onto magnetic tape for use with VCRs.

VCR (Video Cassette Recorder): A magnetic recording and playback machine. Generally used for recording and viewing full-motion video, but useful (when adapted) as a data backup device.

DVR (Digital Video Recorder): A video recording device that uses a hard disk drive or optical disk drive, instead of a VCR tape, to record programs.

If you are serious about enjoying your movies with great quality, then a DVD player is a must have. DVD players offer high quality connections for clear, crisp audio and video. But DVD players can do much more than play regular DVDs, so finding one with the features you want can at times be quite difficult.

Below you will find a few questions our product specialists ask our customers before we recommend a DVD player.

Do you have an HDTV? If you have an HDTV, and want a DVD player that will take full advantage of your television's capabilities, you should consider getting a Blu-Ray DVD Player or an HD DVD Player, or a combo unit that offers both. These players can display movies in up to 1080p resolution (currently the best possible).

You should also consider a DVD player with video up-conversion. These players will automatically up-convert your DVDs to a resolution that closer matches your HDTV's capabilities.

Do you want your player to hold more than one CD/DVD at a time? If you want a player that can hold more than one CD or DVD at a time, consider getting a player that features a disc changer. These usually hold anywhere between 5-12 CDs/DVDs at a time. If you want a player that can hold even more, checkout "Mega" changers that can come with room for up to 400 CDs/DVDs.

Don't want to throw away your VHS tapes, but still want to play DVDs? If your answer is yes, than a combo DVD/VHS player is perfect for you. With these combo players, you can have all the great features of DVD and VHS in one convenient location.

If you want to record your VHS tapes to DVDs, then a DVD Recorder will get the job done. These players will copy the data from your VHS tapes onto a durable DVD.

Do you want a DVD Player that is easy to take around? There are many compact DVD players available which can make it easier to take from room to room. You can also consider getting a Portable DVD player, which can connect to your television just as would any other DVD player, but also allows watch movies on its screen while on the go.

What type of discs do you plan on playing on your DVD player? If you plan on playing more than just regular DVDs, than make sure the model you select is compatible with those formats. You can find models that are compatible with CDs, WMA, MP3, DVD-R/W, DVD-RAM, DVD-Audio, and even SACD (Super Audio CD). Finding a player that is compatible with the formats you want will give you the most bang for your buck, allowing you to play all your discs on one unit.

Connections: Check to see if the DVD player will connect to your TV in the way you would like. If you have an HDTV, you may want a DVD Player that supports Component or HDMI (High Definition Media Interface). If you have a TV with only an antenna style RF-Input, be sure to get an RF-Modulator if the player can't directly connect.

Definitions:

HDTV (High Definition Television): One mode of operation of digital TV whereby the broadcaster transmits a wide-screen picture with many times more detail than is contained in current analog television pictures.

Blu-Ray: Blu-ray disc is the next generation optical disc format meant for high definition video (HD) and high density data storage, and is one of two competing standards for HD optical media.

Component: Video signal in which the luminance and sync information are recorded separately from the color information. Component is superior to composite.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface): HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio all on a single cable.

RF-Input (Radio Frequency Input): Refers to the coaxial cable input on a TV, VCR, Satellite or cable box for the signal from the antenna or cable provider.

RF-Modulator: A device that converts a signal (typically audio and/or video) into a radio frequency.

VHS (Video Home System): Widely used method of recording audio and video electrical signals onto magnetic tape for use with VCRs.