Thursday, April 26, 2012

Why Most Audio Sucks in Amatuer Video?

The Problem - Online Audio Sucks

The problem with most online video is the audio is terrible. Most audio is recorded with the same microphone that is inside the camera. Big mistake. This microphone is too far away from you. Once you move away from the camera your voice becomes extremely hard to hear and people become disinterested. A horrible echo is recorded the second you move away from the camera. This echo is unbearable to the listener and you can no longer get the message across proficiently. It is important to be crisp and clear, so this is why you want to learn to be professional in online video.

The Solution: A Professional Lavalier Microphone

Do you want to know how to get the best sound for your podcasts and video blogs for close audio pick up?

If your answer is yes, I have the solution. Use a different microphone. It is that simple. You need to use a lavalier microphone. The same microphone which is used to produce television. A Pro 70 Lavalier microphone can be easily attached to your shirt and can pick up close audio to allow movement in your video. You are no longer confined to the area of your camera. You are free to stand up and back away from the camera to do any presentation of your liking. In addition to the use of another tool called a Lightsnake, which can hook into your microphone and into your USB port of your computer, you can produce professional video with ease. I feel certain that getting great sounding audio in video/audio blogs and podcasts is imperative. This makes you sound more professional than people who do not use audio properly. Learning to correctly produce video blogs with clean audio gives your business the cutting edge you need.

Monday, April 23, 2012

HDTV - Other Uses

There are many things you can actually do with your HDTV. We all know for a fact that a television is where we watch our favorite TV shows, sports, etc. But Television has come a long way and it has many features to offer. And you can connect other electronic devices to your HDTV, here are the lists;

Digital Camera

The latest models of digital camera are very compatible with an HDTV. There are cables that are specifically made to connect to your HDTV. And you can now enjoy viewing your high resolution pictures in your HDTV instead of just viewing them in the small screen of your digital camera. And you can also play your short videos taken from your digital camera and view them in your HDTV.

Personal Computer

The latest models of HDTVs are always built with an HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) and DVI (digital video interface) connections. And these are the connections you need for your PC and your HDTV. Connect your PC to your HDTV and you can experience both computer and television performance at the same time.

PIP (picture in picture) is an HDTV feature that you can use to browse other channels while working with your computer. A Full HDTV is a very good substitute for a computer monitor but only if you want to use your computer and the television activities at the same time. It is not recommended to use HDTV for your PC if you plan to use it just for a computer monitor. Computer monitors can still deliver better resolution when it comes to texts and fonts.

Movie Players

DVD players and Blu-ray players are probably the most common electronic devices that we know of that we can connect to our HDTVs. Movie players such as DVD players are often included in an HDTV set especially when you are buying a large HDTV. But Blu-ray players are so much better when watching high definition images but it is also much more expensive than a DVD player.

Gaming Consoles

PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U are some of the popular gaming consoles nowadays that require HDTV to fully enjoy its graphics and high definition performance. If you have one of these gaming consoles and you do not have an HDTV, then I suggest that you should buy an HDTV first before buying one of these gaming consoles. You will not fully enjoy the gaming experience these gaming consoles offer if you do not have an HDTV.

HDTVs has really become a common entertainment system in our households these days and you can do so much with them compared to old time Televisions where all you can do is watch blurred and standard definition shows. Now, besides from watching your favorite TV shows you can also connect many electronic devices to your HDTV and experience high definition performance.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Hyperlinks in Audio and Video

Those that were around for the beginning of the world wide web will remember that the groundbreaking concept that fueled its explosion was the hyperlink. The hyperlink seems commonplace today, but it is still the glue that holds the internet together.

Where would you be if you could not click on a link and get to the information you wanted? At best, you would be looking up addresses in a book and typing them in.

The latest buzz on the internet is all audio and video. That is all well and good. But, much of the interactivity of the web is lost in most audio and video applications. You follow a link and either download the file of interest or start to listen and watch the presentation on the internet.

There are several problems with this.

You are probably aware of your own browsing habits and realize that you rarely read everything on a web page that you land on. You tend to rapidly skim over the page to see if it offers what you are looking for. If it does, then you zoom in on the specific items you want and then after absorbing that, you look for links for further information.

Think about the current audio and video technology. How much different is it to have to listen to several minutes of audio or video before you find out whether it has the information that you are looking for. Then, it is often difficult to zero in on the information you need and repeat it as needed.

Furthermore, if the presentation mentions additional resources, it is much more difficult getting to that destination than a simple click.

The W3C is currently working on some of these problems. First of all, they are addressing the possibility of linking into the middle of an audio or video clip. This would allow you not only to find that section in a search engine, but let your website designer give you an index to each file.

Even with that ability though, you are only getting the entry advantages of hyperlinking. At this time, the need for outbound links from audio and video files are still on the distant horizon.

One of the roadblocks to really ramping up the usability of intelligent audio and video on the web is artificially intelligent speech recognition. That will allow the search engines to spider audio and video files and make software populated linking. Currently, you must present a printed transcript of any file to the search engines.

Another required innovation is the ability to make outbound links within audio and video files that will allow the viewer to click out of the currently playing presentation to different or more focused information.

Once those two hurdles are crossed, we will be looking at a world wide web that will be barely recognizable is being related to what we are using today.

In the mean time, don't wait. If you are looking for an area on the web where there is very little competition, the audio and video market are the places to look.

If you don't believe me, look at video.google.com. Care to guess how many video clips are available under the search term 'internet marketing'? As I write this, there are only 123. Can you even remember when there were only 123 competing links for any search on Google?

My advice is to get whatever equipment you need - get the software - and start producing as many quality audios and videos you can. And do it now.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

How to Properly Maintain Your HDTV

You have finally bought the HDTV that you have been longing for and you want to get the best out of it. Well, follow these simple steps and you are on your way to enjoy the high definition experience you have been longing for.

Proper Installation

Some people prefer to mount or hang their HDTV on the wall. This is actually advisable to people who don't arrange their things very often. But if you are the type of person who likes to rearrange your furniture often, then I recommend that you should just let your HDTV stand alone, therefore it is easier for you and for the HDTV's condition to be moved often. Also, don't forget to check the manual for the proper connections, make sure to connect your Blu-ray player, gaming console, etc. properly and make sure you have connected the right wirings and the right HDMI cables to their designated locations.

Proper Handling

I know that this is just pure common sense, but some people tend to forget that if you are doing the connections, don't turn your HDTV upside down or tilt it in an awkward position or manner. By doing so, some small electronic particles may be dislocated. Ask someone to help you if you can't do it by yourself. And it's best to lay a thick blanket on the floor first before placing your HDTV and moving it around, therefore you will avoid scratches and damage to your HDTV.

Proper Cleaning

Use soft and clean cloth to clean your HDTV. Use water to spray on the cloth, never spray water directly to your HDTV. Use water or isopropyl alcohol to clean stubborn stains and finger prints. Never use hard and strong chemicals to clean your HDTV.

Proper Optimization

Ever wonder why the same HDTV you saw at the appliance store performs differently than the HDTV you just bought, even though they are the same? Well, that's because they have adjusted the HDTVs optimization, and that is what you should also do. Check the manual for proper optimization for your HDTV; adjust the brightness, color, sharpness, contrast, etc. according to your taste and for better picture quality.

Proper Ventilation

Never position your HDTV in a place where there is direct sunlight. Close the curtains or blinds to shade your HDTV from direct sunlight. Use proper air-conditioning to the room or area where your HDTV is located. If you don't have air-conditioning in your house, use a small fan and position it at the back of your HDTV to prevent it from overheating.

Just follow these simple tips, and your HDTV will live a lot longer compared to HDTVs that were not properly maintained. It is important to take good care of our HDTVs and things that we value so we can enjoy and get the best out of the things that we bought.

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The Best Headsets for Your Surround Sound Systems

Can you imagine yourself playing your favorite video games without hearing the gunfire and explosives, as well as other sound effects in the game? Well perhaps not. So if you want to fully enjoy your video gaming experience, you must invest on a good quality headset, something that will last for a long time. Here are the best recommendations of headsets that you can use for your video game console.

Astro A40 - 2011 Edition

The Astro A40 is highly recommended for those who are looking for a headset that's lightweight and something that have comfortable ear pads that are so friendly to the ears. This headset is fully equipped with a 7.1 Dolby Digital surround sound system, and it could support an iPad, a smart phone as well as laptops and personal computers. It is connected by means of a 2.0 USB connection and is powered by four batteries.

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5

Just like with the Astro A40, this wireless headset is also fully equipped with a 7.1 Dolby Digital surround sound and it is capable of enhancing the sound effects in your video games, such as the gun shots and footsteps of the gaming characters. It features a unique voice morphing ability that can disguise your voice and it even has voice prompts on the headset in case you get low bat. The headset is wireless and functions by means of a Bluetooth, and can be used in both your cell phone and computers.

Tritton AX Pro Dolby Digital Precision

The Tritton AX is fully equipped with a 5.1 Digital Surround Sound and is perfect for PS2, PS3 and several PC Systems. It can work with any devices that have 3.5 analog output as well as those with digital optical output. It is also fully equipped with a detachable microphone that you can use for your XBOX live chat.

Turtle Beach Ear Force X41

This headset is equipped with a 7.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, and can also be connected with a home theater system, so it is also perfect for movie viewing in your home theater. It is wireless and has a transmission range of up to 30 feet, and its huge 50-mm speakers is sure enough to enhance the bass quality of the sound that comes out of the speaker. It can be connected to an Xbox using a USB port connection and is being powered by two batteries.

Given the vast options available for your video gaming headset, it is now very difficult to look for something that suits you best. When looking for a good headset, make sure that you choose something that is fully equipped with a digital surround sound system, so you will fully enjoy your gaming experience. The headsets mentioned above maybe a bit pricey, as compared with a typical headset, but the experience you'll have when using it on your game is definitely worth it.

If you are a music lover and want to spend your money to enhance the best top home theater systems experience, then the best way is to go for audio receiver.

How to Fix Your HDTV

Lag is where your HDTV screen takes time to cope with the commands of your wireless devices. This kind of problem usually occurs when using your gaming console. Lag is significant when using wireless gadgets, like; the controllers to your PS3 or XBOX360. Fix this by clicking the 'Menu' button and go to the 'Game Mode' of your HDTV and adjust it from there. Then try to play with your gaming console again and see whether the lag improves.

Picture Distortion

There are many types of picture distortion that is evident in HDTVs. Some of these common problems are the following:

Mosquito - This is when the picture is filled with dots or noise. The main problem here is not your HDTV but the broadcasting. But if you want to correct this problem, it will cost you a lot. You will need to buy an outboard digital noise processor, like the Algolith Mosquito HDMI.

Unnatural Colors - The tones and shades of colors in the picture is unrealistic. Fix this by choosing the 'Standard' or 'Movie' mode in your HDTV. Also try to adjust the contrast, brightness, color, etc. for better picture.

Pixilated Picture - This is when the picture is breaking into pixels and turning into these horizontal stripes that continuously goes up. This is caused by low level digital signals that your HDTV is receiving, that are constantly dropping in and out. Ask your cable provider to fix this problem or you can buy an inline amplifier/preamplifier to boost the signal strength.

There are also these types of picture distortion that is considered to be worse than those I've listed above. So, if your HDTV has these problems; Crawling Moss, Burnt Edges, etc. where the pictures are unrecognizable. Or the edges of the objects in the picture tend to burst into bright colors. These cases are severe and you need to return your HDTV to the manufacturer and get your money back or let them fix this.

Backlight Problem

If the backlight in your LCD HDTV is too bright it can affect the picture. Therefore to correct this problem, go and click the 'Menu' option, then 'Picture' then 'Backlight' and adjust it from there until you get the desired brightness.

Power Supply
If your newly bought HDTV doesn't turn on or the power supply isn't properly working then I suggest that you return it immediately and have the manufacturer figure this out. But if your HDTV is quite old and is already out of warranty, you can actually fix this problem and will save you a lot of money. Here's how;

First; open the casing, this might be intimidating at first, but taking your TV apart is fairly easy to do. Just don't forget to remember where the screws go, so you can put it back after you're done.

Second; the main problem with power supply is the capacitor. Find the capacitors, they are usually 'blue' in color and are located at the right side.

Third; spot the bulging capacitor or capacitors and take that out with a soldering iron. Replace it with the same capacitor that you have taken out, but of course with a newer one, make sure they have the same serial number. And your HDTV would be as good as it was.

Having a professional mechanic to fix your damage HDTV can be very expensive and time consuming. You don't need to be that skillful to fix certain problems; you can even see some tutorials on the internet on how to use a soldering iron if you don't know how to use one. It's as easy as this.

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5 Reasons Why You Need to Buy an HDTV

Although there are millions of people in the world who already owns HDTVs, there are still millions out there who don't. Either they can't afford to buy one or they're still satisfied with their old SDTVs (Standard Televisions) and they still don't want to upgrade. Here are some facts you need to know why you really should buy an HDTV.

HD Broadcasting

You need HD source for your HDTV to watch high definition pictures. And HD broadcasting from television companies will be compulsory in the near future. And if that happens (which is sure to happen) your SDTVs will not be as effective as an HDTV. So it is better to buy an HDTV now, so you can gauge its properties as early as possible, rather than buying an HDTV only when all the television channels are being broadcast in high definition.

Electronic Gadgets

Electronic appliances such as; movie players, gaming consoles, personal computers and many more are now requiring HDTVs for their best performance. Because these suited gadgets are now only being made to perform at its best when you have an HDTV. They do not work well in SDTVs.

HDTVs are Now Affordable

A lot of HDTVs that are sold nowadays are very affordable; I think everybody can afford them. You can even get them through installment payments which is very easy in your budget. It's not that hard to own an HDTV these days.

Better Viewing for Our Eyes

A more suitable picture ratio for our type of eyes is a; 16:9 picture ratio which an HDTV can only offer, giving our eyesight a wider perspective in viewing images and pictures. An SDTV has a 4:3 picture ratio which makes images or pictures look thinner and distorted, not so ideal for our type of eyes.

HDTVs are Appropriate for Our Time

If not all, almost every electronic device that is associated with, or suited for SDTVs are fast becoming obsolete. Like; SD broadcasting, movie players such as; VCRs, VCD players and DVD players will soon follow, old fashioned gaming consoles are definitely not making a comeback, no companies are willing to revive them. So basically, newer and modern devices are now just being manufactured for HDTV uses. Older ones are being faced out. Therefore, it is better to buy and invest in HDTVs right now.

So many things are continuously changing and evolving, electronic devices in particular. Becoming almost an obligation and a must to own and to have these kinds of material things, HDTVs are not considered a luxury but a part of human necessity which we must all embrace.

The Best Tips In Looking for a Surround Sound Speaker Stand for Your Home Theater

In order for you to be able to set-up your surround sound speakers at the right places in your home entertainment system, it is best that you make use of speaker stands. The stand could also help to improve the sound quality of your surround sound speakers and will make your home theater look more attractive. There are various speaker stands being sold in the market these days, so here are tips to guide you in looking for the best speaker stand to buy.

Budget

When buying something for your home theater, the first thing that you should think about is your budget. Setting up a home entertainment system does not come cheap, and therefore, it is important that you plan your budget ahead. Research online for the cost of the speaker stands, so that you will have an idea on how much the stand would normally cost.

Style

When buying speaker stands, you must consider the style or the type of surround sound speakers that you have. The speaker should look well when placed on the stand, and it should be something that also matches with the overall theme of your home entertainment system. You can ask for suggestions from the store where you bought the speakers from, or perhaps browse through magazines or Internet for some design inspiration.

Quality

Quality is very important when it comes to buying accessories and equipment for your home entertainment system. You have to make sure that you are buying a speaker stand that is made of high quality materials, something that would last for a long time. Even though high quality speaker stands cost higher than other speaker stands, it is still best to invest on these types of speakers because it would save you a lot in the future.

Reviews

These days, you will find several websites that are dedicated for customers who are looking for product reviews of a certain product they are planning to purchase. If you have been planning to buy a certain brand of speaker stand for your surround sound speakers, it is best that you refer to these websites and read reviews from customers who have tried using the item. This will help you in determining if you are buying the best item or not.

There are several other factors that you need to consider when shopping for accessories and equipment for your home entertainment system. Aside from the things mentioned above, the materials are another important factor when it comes to buying a stand for your surround sound speakers. Most importantly, make sure that you are buying a stand that will not affect the overall quality of the sound that comes out of the speakers.

Tips on Wall Mounting a TV Screen

As times have gone by, TVs have become smaller and lighter. Its amazing to think that not so long ago, you could just manage to fit a TV in the back of a car, and now you could probably fit ten of them.

So why would you consider mounting a TV on a wall?

One of the greatest advantages of doing so, is that you will save a vast amount of floor space. Standard TV cabinets come in all shapes and sizes and are all generally have large footprints. In addition, placing a TV on a stand also has an inherent risk of accidentally being toppled; whereas fixing it on to a wall completely resolves that problem. A wall mounted TV makes the whole room look more modern.

Satellite boxes and other such devices may still need to be placed in a smaller "hi-fi" type stands. However, as a result of the wall mounting, this can now be placed in the corner of a room, instead of in the middle, and simply have wires running to the TV.

Careful thought and consideration must be given to adequately conceal the wires. Some decide to have a small hi-fi stands directly beneath the TV to aid in hiding the wires. Another option is to use PVC trunking. Trunking is very cheap to buy and easy to install. All that one needs is a tape measure and a small hack saw for cutting. Trunking does not need to be fixed to the wall, as they usually have double sided sticky tape on the back and can simply be stuck on to the wall.

Another option is to conceal the wires in the wall. This is of course a more complex, time consuming, and not to mention a costly exercise. You will end up patch repairing and repainting a large portion if not the whole wall. It is a good idea to chase the wall, assuming it is an internal plaster wall, and embedding adequate PVC conduit pipes. The internal diameter of the pipes should be large enough to allow HDMI cables (or any other configuration that you may prefer to use) to easily pass though. If the wall is a hollow timber framed structure, the whole exercise becomes a lot simpler.

Wall fixers for mounting a bracket on a solid wall are readily available from local DIY stores; do ensure you follow the guide lines carefully as provided with the instructions for the wall mount, regarding size and number of fixers.

Extreme care must be taken, when attaching the bracket to the back of a TV, as there is always a limited depth available for a bolt. If too long a bolt is used, there is a very high risk of cracking the LCD/LED panel, and your brand new TV will be destined for the scrap yard.

As with any DIY project, safety comes first. There is always an inherent risk of cutting into existing live wires. It is therefore imperative, that such demanding tasks be left for seasoned professionals and reputable handyman to undertake.

Optical Audio Cable - Are They Worth The Money?

Many individuals make the mistake of confusing optical audio cable with the much more common and less expensive coaxial cable. Although they may look similar at first glance, the difference between these two different types of cables is fairly profound. While coaxial cable utilizes a copper wire in order to transmit data, optical audio cables transmit audio from one device to another using light. The greatest benefit these types of cables fact that there is virtually no signal interference, meaning that the signal is strong and clear even over extended distances.

In fact, one of the biggest benefits to an optical audio cable is the fact that they work exceptionally well in environments where electrical interference could cause serious signal problems in other types of cable. Of course, there are some drawbacks to using an optical audio cable, not least of which is the fact that they are significantly more expensive than some of the other options that may be available to connect devices. When purchasing an optical audio cable, the first thing to do is determine the needs of the different piece of equipment that are being used. Although optical audio cables are increasingly popular, not all devices use them.

A person looking to wire a room using a Toslink cable will also want to spend a little time determining exactly how long the cable will need to be. For shorter distances it may be more cost effective to use other options such as HDMI cables or even RCA cables. When the length exceeds 20 feet or more, an optical audio cable is the ideal solution. Another thing to keep in mind is how high a value a person places on the quality of sound they are hearing.

While the average person may not be able to tell the difference between a signal that is delivered by an this type of cable and one that is transmitted using coaxial cable, true audiophiles will want to spend the extra money on a high quality cable, especially if they are using other premium components. When it comes to high definition audio, there really is nothing that matches the sound quality provided by this type of cable. Because of the higher expense, it is important for a person to check and double check the link to they need so they do not purchase more cable that it is necessary or find themselves coming up short.

CRT HDTV - Against Other Types of HDTVs

Televisions have come a long way since it was invented in the 1920s. From Cathode Ray Tube Televisions to Liquid Crystal Display Televisions, knowing the varieties of televisions can help you choose the right one for you. So here are lists of the different kinds of Televisions and how HDTV measure up against these types.

Cathode Ray Tube Television

Or also known as CRT TV, this type of Television has ruled the world for decades. A CRT is a vacuum tube that generates pictures by projecting an electron beam onto the face of the tube. CRT HDTV can produce very clear and sharp images, and less object distortion. However, a TV can be very big and heavy too, the body can be very bulky.

A CRT HDTV is often criticize by its spacious built and its common picture ratio which is 4:3. But some Television manufacturers like SONY and SAMSUNG are now making slimmer and lighter CRT, and there are now these HDTVs with 16:9 picture ratio or better known as a 'widescreen' picture.

How do other types of Television match up? Well, LCDs, LEDs and Plasmas are known for flat panels and for their light weight. They are very easy to lift and easy to carry around the house even if they are 45 inches big. LCD, LED and PLASMA HDTVs can also deliver superb picture quality just like HDTVs.

When it comes to picture quality, I give a slight edge to the CRT HDTV because it has a better black level contrast, great at any viewing angle and it has less object distortion. But when it comes to design and transportability, LCDs, LEDs and Plasma HDTVs are far way better. You will have a hard time carrying a 36 inches CRT to cross through doors and flight of stairs.

Portable Television

When we say portable television, the first thing that comes to mind is; it must be small, light weight and must be very handy. There are two very common types of portable televisions that are sold in the market, a portable CRT television and a portable LCD television, ranging from 7 inches to 14 inches.

Of the two, I know for a fact that there are portable LCD HDTVs that are sold in the market these days. But I am not aware if there are any portable CRT HDTVs out there. However, if there is one, then a portable CRT HDTV and a portable LCD HDTV will have no difference at all. Since pixels in smaller screens are hard to notice and a small television is not that hard to carry even if it is a CRT TV. The only difference is that if the CRT TV is not an HDTV, it is always best to go with HDTVs for better picture quality.

Many people still prefer tv compared to LCDs, LEDs, and Plasma HDTVs because for them, they prefer the picture quality of a tv. A CRT HDTV is also cheaper than an LCD, LED, and a Plasma HDTV. If you are a person who doesn't mind carrying heavy things and with a floor space to spare, then go for a CRT HDTV, this might be the perfect kind of television for you.

Enjoy The Highest Possible Quality of Audio and Video

Once you have invested in an HD device, which might include an HD TV, 3D TV, Blu-Ray Player, digital set top box, digital camcorder, or gaming console, it is of utmost importance that you also invest in complementary accessories that will help you to realise the worth of your initial investment. Just buying a high definition device will not enable you to experience high quality, crystal-clear audio and video. HD accessories play a very important role in helping users to enjoy the highest possible quality of picture and sound.

These components ensure that there is no loss of signal. The 19-pin digital connection of HDMI cables can carry uncompressed data, which translates into an enhanced viewing experience for users. One of the most important attributes of these components is that they utilise a single cable for transmission. Hence, the user is left with a clutter-free wall that looks elegant and classy. Imagine a pristine wall with a 50-inch HD Plasma TV and add a tangled mess of wires to go along with it - not really a pretty site!

The single cable thus offers a great relief in terms of saving the energy required to de-tangle messy wires and enhancing the appeal of your expensive HD device. A lot of factors influence the quality of pictures and videos that are delivered to the viewers, which includes the contrast ratio, resolution, brightness, etc. High definition components and accessories such as HDMI cables, HDMI adapters, HDMI to HDMI spillers, etc. all provide the quality and depth required by HD devices.

They make the pictures and videos come alive and look realistic by ensuring that none of the details are lost. In today times, we see a lot of changes taking place in the media and technology industry. With advancement in technology, newer and better products are made available in the market that can cater to the growing needs and demands of modern day consumers. Flexibility, quality and affordability are the key points here.

For example, HDMI adaptors are highly preferred and recommended because they allow you a lot of flexibility. You can make changes to your existing cables, convert to a different connector, or even create extensions using these adapters. They are also extremely convenient and easy to install. The wide variety of cabling solutions available today ensure that consumers are equipped with what it requires to find efficient solutions to all their problems.

Your Viewing Enjoyment Is Only As Good As Your HDMI Cables

The only method to get the authentic performance and power from your video and audio elements is to have them connected with the correct cables. In this point in time, you can no more use standard old component cables, you will need to upgrade to something better. What is better than component cables you might ask?

Well, if you have a high definition television and every one of the high end components such as a Blu-ray player, DVD player or and game consoles, you will need to see if they are compatible with using HDMI cables. HDMI cables are the high definition cables that make the HD products that you have work to their full capacity. It would be like listening to a cassette tape on your high end stereo system, or getting the new Ford Mustang with a 4 cylinder.

You are not using the machines and tools for what they were designed to do. You would be holding the components back if you didn't invest in a decent set of HDMI cables. There are many kinds and many brands of HDMI cables, but you only have to remember that they are necessary and are not an option anymore. Sure, you could get away without using them, but then you would just look silly and feel as if though you gave up and didn't really try to make this thing work.

So if you want to get the best picture quality and best sound out of your equipment, then you have to use the proper cables. These cables are going to make a big difference whether you are watching movies on cable or satellite, or listening to music through your surround sound system. It will definitely make a difference if you are gaming or using a Blu-ray player. In fact, if you are using one of the HD components, if you do not use an HDMI cable then you aren't really getting HD quality sound and picture.

You made the investment in the equipment; you might as well make sure that you are getting your money's worth. And the only way to ensure that you are getting your money's worth is to have the proper cables to connect everything with. Most new televisions have enough of the HDMI hook-ups to make your life easier and to not make you pick and choose what you want to hear or see in HD clarity.

RCA Cable - The Old Standard

The humble RCA cable is one of the most commonly used audio/video connections in history. In fact, this type of cable was the standard of the industry for many years but has been more or less replaced by the superior HDMI cable. Of course, there are a number of devices still in use all over the world that require this cable in order to send audio or video signals from one unit to another. One of the things that make it so easy uses the fact that they have coloured heads which take all the guesswork out of connecting them.

The most important thing to keep in mind when connected an RCA cable is to match the colour to the plug. While it is not absolutely necessary to match the cable colour to the plug colour, it will make connecting things much easier. For example, a yellow cable should be plugged into a yellow plug on one device and the corresponding end of the cable should be plugged into the yellow plug on the other device. If a red plug is plugged into a yellow connector, everything will still work just fine if the red cable and is plugged into the yellow connector on the other device. The colours simply make things easier.

Many devices come with an RCA cable as part of the standard equipment. While these cables are the ones that are most popular among consumers because they are free, they are not necessarily the highest quality units available. Many true audio cable or video aficionados choose instead to upgrade to much higher quality cables in order to get the highest definition picture and sound possible. It is also a good idea to upgrade to a higher quality cable if the cable is going to cover a distance of more than a few meters.

Sound and video quality will degrade over long distances which is why is important to purchase an RCA cable designed with a long-distance in mind. For most individuals, however, this is not an issue since they are generally plugging in to devices that sit right next to each other. If, on the other hand, a person is plugging in a television set to a sound system that is on the other side of the room, it may be a good idea to spend a little extra money in order to upgrade to a higher quality cable with more insulation.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Marketing With Audio and Video to Promote Your Business

I thought about sub-titling my book "Yes, you ARE the only person without a video on YouTube," but then I thought again. That statement isn't quite right. It FEELS right to me, because I'm a multimediapreneur, someone who makes their living on audio and video.

Combine that with the knowledge that YouTube is the most visited site in the world, and it makes for a convincing argument. There's only one problem with it - that's not the whole truth.

Someone shared statistics with me stating that 80% of the videos on YouTube are created by 20% of the people. Then I conducted a small survey of people who don't use audio and video for their business to find out why. The results and comments surprised me. Although they were the smallest segment of the group, 13% of the people actually said "I don't see any purpose in it."

In a November 2008 online report from Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist, I saw statistics stating that YouTube has 344 MILLION monthly unique viewers each month (55 MILLION a day). About 80 million come from the US, 77.5 million from Asia and 130 million from Europe.

Video viewing has finally surpassed online search views. In October 2008, 12.6 total billion searches were made - as compared to 13.5 billion videos viewed. "Video is now a standard, an expectation." Says Michael Boland, Senior Analyst for the Kelsey Group. Knowing these statistics makes me wonder how anyone cannot find the purpose in multimedia marketing. However, I (and other marketers) forget that not everyone KNOWS this information.

Many businesses are offline, and have been in place for a long time - before the internet was even a tool. Their ideas about business are based largely on face-to-face interaction and print marketing, because their clients have been local. What has changed?

The potential clientele for many businesses has increased as population has increased, AND most likely, the amount of competition has increased. Plus, people don't pay as much attention to print media as they used to (which is why many news papers, large and small, are closing). The main place people look for their goods and services is Google - but many offline businesses just haven't come to understand this, and can't be found on Google.

I was working with Chambers of Commerce trying to share an inexpensive way to marketing themselves and their members online. I actually had one President tell me that she didn't understand why people don't just grab the yellow pages and look a business up - that's what SHE found to be quickest. That showed me something important: just as I couldn't understand why people still use the yellow pages, she couldn't understand why people WEREN'T using the yellow pages. I haven't had a yellow pages in my house for YEARS, so that concept is completely foreign to me.

In other words, people base their expectations about what other people do or do not do on their own preferences and experiences - unless they are given reasons to believe otherwise. One person surveyed summed it up succinctly: "I don't spend time listening or watching...so why would others?" 344 million OTHER people beg to differ with that answer.

We MUST understand that many of our target clients DON'T think as we do - but in order to get their business, we MUST be found where they are spending their time. All of the statistics points to video sites being the ones with the most traffic. Facts and examples help people to move forward into areas where they have never been before, even if the idea of change is scary.

The second most popular reason why people didn't create audio and video (I'll tell you about the #1 reason in the first chapter of my book, "101 Things To Do With Audio And Video (To Promote Your Business)" was "I wouldn't know what to say or do." Now THIS baffled me. If you are in business, when people ask you what you do for a living, you have no problem answering them, right? When they ask you about your products or services, you can probably talk for days about them. Many of you stay informed about what is going on in your industry or niche, and could talk about current information.

Sometimes, you just need someone else to bounce ideas off of, or who can stir up your creative juices. For example, I used LinkedIn to survey some people, and was able to ask participants more detailed questions when they told me why they don't use audio and video. I normally ended up suggesting different things they could do, different topics they could cover, etc. By the end of the conversation, without exception, they all said that they now WOULD consider doing audio and video - if they had HELP.

So I encourage you to move past your fears and doubts about your ability to create multimedia, and do something small to get started. It does not have to be Steven Spielberg quality - a simple slide show video would do fine. Just break through your paralysis and start experiencing high Google rankings by marketing with audio and video.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Which is Better? Audio Or Video

There are many pros and cons of audio and video and it may be subjective as to which is better. Here are many of the things you might want to consider if you cannot decide between audio and video on your site.

Video files provide more interaction for users. Users like to see your face because they provide a more personal experience when they are able to sit back and watch the video. Users like video today and it is almost preferred. You can take advantage of video in many ways and that even includes adding text with keywords and your site URL so you can work with the search engines for proper SEO. That's right! Even in a video you can take advantage of keywords and SEO. All you have to do is provide an overlay of text and your URL in some of the frames of your video. This allows for attracting more traffic to your site and possibly getting a better rank with the search engines.

The downside to video is that it takes hard work. Video needs to be exciting and to attract the attention of the users. You do not want to be boring and have a monotone. You need a good background, a good voice, and something important to say. Video also takes up a lot of space. It is important to consider how it renders on your website because many people do not want to sit for a long time and wait for a video to load. High speed has offered people to lose their patience and video requires a lot of patience. Just remember, the smaller your video is the quicker it will load on the web.

Audio files can be created within just a few minutes while video can take a bit longer. Audio files can be loaded quickly up on the Internet and for the user to listen to because they are small files. You can say the same things you would in a video on audio but the users cannot see your face. Many users aren't interested in audio files and they want to watch the videos. Audio files are easier for you and the users but they are not what the users want all of the time. However, it usually does depend on the type of viewers and site you have. You cannot take advantage of keywords with audio files.

There are many pros and cons of audio and video files that might help you make a decision which is better. The best way to test this is to put up an audio file and a video file next to each other on your site and see which file has the most clicks. This will help you determine which method of information distribution your customers want to see. If you can do a quick video and you know how to use text with your video, you are better off with adding keywords and the link to your site.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Apple iPod Classic - Audio-Video Combination Rocks

Apple iPod Classic plays music files in various formats like AAC, eAAC, MP4, AIFF, WAV and audible audiobook.

The iPod Classic is a portable music device that can store thousands of songs and videos in a single musical gadget. It comes in various shapes and sizes to provide variety of functionalities like music in different formats, TV programs and shows, games and video clips. The portable iPod Classic offers 160 GB of memory for storing varied collection of music; user can store up to 40,000 songs in this iPod. Classic plays music files in various formats like AAC, eAAC, MP4, AIFF, WAV and audible audiobook. It allows the user to watch pictures in varied image file formats like JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF and PNG.

Apple iPod Classic is the technically upgraded version. It is a portable media player designed and delivered by Apple Inc. to cater to the needs of tech savvy music lovers world wide. It was launched in 2001, since then this high profile gadget has changed the way the world listens to music. Well, with the innovative and advanced technology, it appeals to the user with its unique features of internal hard drive and photo viewer. Its weighs only 5.7 grams and measures 4.1x2.4x0.53 inches, which can be easily carried in anyone's pocket.

With a wide collection of songs in the iPod, it also offers 200 hours of video, making a rocking audio-video combination! The lithium ion battery in its offers play back time of 40 hours. The iPod classic allows the user to enjoy iTunes software for better listening experience. With this i-Tune software, user can transfer music files to this for maintaining the best collection. For playing and transferring music, video, games and photos from PC to iPod, the presence of iTune software is essential.