Even with the inexpensive USB fans available sometimes it’s just more fun to build one yourself. Here is a quick video tutorial whereby you need two CDs, a motor, some cable a lighter and a little time and you’ll be cool (although not looking) at the click of a USB connection.
Source: Click here if you can’t view the video: YouTube
I received the iPod FM Transmitter from Hannah over at Proporta and today had a chance to play around with it.
The iPod FM Transmitter is a compact, light and simple product to use. Using the iPod connector you click the FM transmitter into your iPod Nano (also supports iPod mini, Photo, 4 & 5GB pods and video iPod - but today tested with Nano) which is nice to have the direct connect because no extra cables or wires are needed to make your iPod work with a 3rd party radio.
Upon connection you get a confirmation the FM transmitter is sending a signal on FM frequency 88.8Mhz channel. This is the default setting, however, you have 9 memory channels to set the FM transmitter to.
The Proporta FM transmitter has three buttons. A memory button to select one of nine preset channels, a scroll up button and scroll down button to navigate through the radio frequencies. It’s simple. It’s easy.
Using the iPod FM transmitter I had mixed experience. Overall a good product - this is what I found:
Using the iPod FM transmitter without a power connection I had decent reception.
Using the iPod FM transmitter indoors gave much better reception to the radio than using the transmitter in the car. I can attribute the poor performance in the car due to many other electrical disturbances. The same results where found on different frequency settings. I did find the best reception was having the iPod close to the radio itself to boost signal strength over distance.
Using the iPod FM transmitter with a power connection did yield slightly better performance.
When the Proporta iPod FM transmitter is connected it’s best to set it and leave it. I found the connection between the two devices didn’t like being moved around and upon picking up and moving there would be static across the radio. This isn’t a big deal to me as I figure most users would set it and forget it. If you plan on walking around with your iPod forget the FM transmitter and use your headphones.
Bottom Line: For the $24 price tag it’s a good product for getting your tunes to a radio; however, we’d like to see some more signal strength to make the music clear in all situations.
Here is a small, portable USB video and audio capture device with some decent specifications. At 720 x 480 resolution you get DVD resolution from the EasyCAP although I would think you only obtain that using S-Video rather than Composite.
ShenZhen also ships the Ulead video editing software which is user friend and ideal for someone who’s looking to take a first stab and create home videos.
NTSC format gets you 30 fps while PAL gets you 25fps, and get this; you only need 256MB of RAM to pull this off - although I would highly recommend at least 1GB of RAM when doing ANY type of video editing.
If interested go ahead and make a request to Kassy (kassy.forward< @>gmail.com) for more info. Or visit his site.
UPDATE: YouTube has reworked their site in response to this article. If you get an error when trying to download a YouTube video, please try some of the plug-ins and scripts listed in step #3.
YouTube.com is a great resource. Not many sites allows users to freely upload, view, and share video clips like YouTube does. YouTube even lets users easily post videos on their blogs and personal web sites. But because anyone can upload a video clip on YouTube, copyright violations are rampant.
In an effort to prevent the widespread distribution of illegal copied video files, YouTube encodes its video files in the Macromedia Flash format, which prevents viewers from downloading files and making digital copies.
Here’s a step-by-step MethodShop.com tutorial on how to rip video files off YouTube and convert them for an iPod Video, Apple TV, iTunes or iPhone. This trick will work on Mac or PC using Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop.com
It’s no secret Corsair has a ten number push button padlock for their USB flash drive, the Corsair Flash Padlock. It’s also no secret our good friends over at Gizmos for Geeks are security fanatics - Doug prides himself on having the lowdown on the lockdown.
Looking at the picture it’s very obvious what this drive is all about. In addition to any software security loaded on the drive the Flash Padlock includes a physical pin number to be associated with the drive. What I like about this drive is without the correct pin entered, Windows doesn’t even see the drive upon USB connection.
The idea behind this drive is dual authentication. 1) Something you know (PIN) and 2) Something you have (the USB drive). (The ID Vault is another product which works much the same way)
Tip: Might not want to use the same PIN number as your ATM card/machine.
Source: Gizmos for Geeks
Following the no-button design of the iPhone, Grundig is launching their MPixx 7000 FineArts series PMP player. Brushed aluminum holds in the button less screen and with a 2.4 inch TFT display there is plenty to look at.
Two models are available; 2GB and 4GB. Both Grundig FineArts models support all the audio and video formats along with FM radio support. If these guys could figure out how to get my satellite radio stations in there we’d be set! The MPixx 7000 also comes with a microSD slot for expanded memory, integrated loudspeaker (how loud is another question) double earphone connection and USB connection for download and power charging.
Due out in October at $200 and $240 respectively.
Source: Grundig via Audio Junkies
Over the years I think we’ve all gathered some extra power supplies and wall adapters. Here is a quick guide to a home brew USB charger or USB power supply. This USB tutorial is from the Hacked Gadgets website and Alan runs a good site - check’em out.
This unit is great for charging your iPod, PSP or any USB device and only costs pennies to make.
The main unit needs to run from a regulated 5vdc wall adapter with at least 500ma or higher. These are very common and I’d think most households have at least one extra laying around.
You’ll also need:
So this is what we have for total parts: (more…)
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