Best Microphone Headsets for Digital Media

June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Circumaural headphones have large pads that su...

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To become fully immersed in your digital media, audio is a vital part of your entertainment. If you can hear your friends telling you how they think you should play the game, you need a new headset. Whether you’re just watching videos, browsing websites like www.wildbluedeals.com or playing a game that requires concentration, a nice set of headphones can make all the difference – and when it comes to voice chat and digital phone calls, you’ll want a microphone on your new headset as well.

Of course, choosing from the hundreds of headsets available can be a long process. It takes time to wear them and see if they really are as comfortable as the manufacturer says they are. And no matter what your budget is, there’s always a better deal around the corner. Here are three of the favorite media headsets on the market right now.

Sennheiser Communications PC 350 Mega. It’s a long title, but the quality of this headset is worth the oxygen. They are sturdy and large with a nine foot cord for convenience. The microphone has noise reduction and the headphones cover your ears completely. This is one of the more expensive headsets at around $200. Excellent for voice chat.

The Creative HS Fatal1ty Gaming Headset gets high praise from reviewers. It’s fits close to your head and is lightweight. It plugs into a USB and of course includes noise cancellation. It’s sort of a plug-and-play headset, so it’s very user friendly. Priced under $60, it’s one of the best options available.

Last is the Creative HS950 USG Gaming Headset. With 3D positional sound and noise reduction, your gaming sessions will sound just like you’re there. It boasts good sound quality and microphone and costs $40 – perfect for gamers on a budget.

There are tons of other headphone sets but these three are a good starting point. Get the best you can afford–especially if you want your audio to make a real impression.

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Gifts for the Gadgeteer

December 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

With Christmas just around the corner, prices on tech has skyrocketed and that new gadget may seem further away than ever. But never fear, just like the candy glut following Halloween and the aisles of stuffed animals after V-day, the weeks proceeding Christmas are sure to be chock full of savings. So hold out, buck up and start making your post-Christmas list today.

SATA HDD Dock

If you don’t have one, get one. For all the techies who enclose HDDs for a quick transfer or risk electric shock by using cheap adapter cables, the SATA dock is a godsend. Dock 1 or 2 drives and connect to your PC or Mac via eSATA, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. Thermaltake and StarTech have the best deals with units $17-$40. However, if versatility is your sell point opt for the Arkview docking station. This model features 1 HDD slot, 2-port USB hub and 4-card multi-reader. It won’t be the fastest with only a USB 2.0 connector, but you have to compromise somewhere.

Wireless Repeater

Tired of the hearing the family complain about weak signal throughout the house? Stop the wireless whiners with a repeater. A wireless repeater is an amplification device that extends the reach of your existing signal. Also sold as a client bridge and range expander, this gadget will put a hefty dent in your pocket, running $40-$100 for non-proprietary tech. However, with the ability to password protect and encrypt your signal, you actually get what you pay for.

USB Toys

All work and no play makes techies tetchy. Add some fun to your desktop with a few USB toys. Aquariums, strobe lights and foam rocket launchers are just a few of the items that can make your day at the office feel a little less torturous. A personal favorite, the Phantom Keystroker, simulates mouse and keyboard malfunctions. A pranking classic that is sure to put the “Ho Ho Ho” back into the holidays.

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Putting Macs to Work as Appliances

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
MacBook Air!
Image by Lady Madonna via Flickr

If you work around computers long enough, you’re sure to hear the benefits a Mac can offer over other operating systems. These typically include better integration with software, less crashes, and better reliability. But compared to newer products–Apple’s iPad and iPhone have set the standard for their sectors—the Mac computers often feel clunky. That’s why Apple has revealed a new plan to revamp Macs.

According to Steve Jobs, Apple is planning to implement new services, new hardware, and new software for the computers. And it’s about time. The current Mac platform is 27 years old—that’s ancient in computer talk. The goal is to make the Macs more like appliances than computers.

The first part of this revamp is the newly released MacBook Air notebooks, with razor-thin packaging, a lower starting price, and better specs. The anticipated price on these is under $1000, making them an attractive option. To get the lighter weight and the trimmer style, Apple has ditched DVD burners and hard disk drives. As most everything can be done through USB ports, this probably won’t be a problem for most people. This change also eliminates the need for a moving part on the machines, reducing the manufacturing price, which gets passed along to consumers who want a smaller price tag.

The Air notebooks will come with 64GB of storage space, which is less than you would get if you purchased a notebook with a hard drive. While this does lower your storage capability, it does increase the speed of the computer while extending the battery life. The Air notebooks will have two versions available based on size and features. The smaller version weighs in at 2.3 pounds and offers an 11.6-inch display. The larger version comes in at 2.9 pounds and ups the screen to 13.3 inches.

If you like Macs, you’ll want to keep you eyes open for more information on upcoming models from Apple.

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Finding the Right Wireless Router

September 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Kyocera KR1 Mobile EV-DO Router
Image by Laughing Squid via Flickr

In the fast-paced world of technology, we have quickly outgrown the dial-up days of the internet. However, there are still many people that use dial-up. You may even be one of them. Well, there are many benefits that come from upgrading to a broadband connection. One of them is the fact that you can easily set up a wireless router in your home and not have to mess with being “hooked up” to your internet source at all times.

Not only will the wireless router provide you with internet access from anywhere in your house, but you will also be able to link your computer to your smart phones and easily transfer information that way as well. That may not seem extremely beneficial, but if you need to print a document and don’t want to get up and get on the computer, your wireless router will allow you to do that from your phone when you have a wireless enabled printer. Those are just a couple of the benefits of having a wireless router. However, before you can begin reaping the benefits, you need to find the right wireless router for you!

Finding the right wireless router can be time-consuming, but it’s important that you consider a variety of things to ensure you will be happy with the router you choose. Below are a few things to consider when shopping for routers.

-Usage: Will you be using your home internet service just to browse the web and do simple tasks, or do you need it for online gaming and more complex uses? This will also help you determine whether you need a single or dual band router.

-Range: If you will need a router to cover more than 180 feet while indoors, then you may need more than one router.

-Features: Research the different routers and the features they offer. Then, determine which ones are the most important to you. For example, do you need a router that has USB ports? If so, then mark it down as a “must-have.”

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How to Set Up a Wireless Network

July 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Setting up a wireless network for your home will allow you greater access to all your devices, more mobility, and it’s more easy than you may think. Here is a quick step-by-step on setting up your own home wireless network.

1. Set up your router.

You will need a wireless enabled router. Different types of routers have limits on how many devices can be connected, so research this information in advance. Once you have the router and have it connected, secure it with a password, and place it in the most central location possible in your home.

2. Plug things in.

If you will be connecting any devices with a wired connection, plug those in now. This may include computers that you want to have connect via Ethernet, but it can also entail devices that don’t have wireless hardware.

3. Plug in the wireless computers.

The simplest way to get your wireless connection rolling is by wiring it into the router first. This will make the rest of the process much more simple.

4. Go into the Windows Wizard

Now that you’re plugged in, we will want to get into the standard Windows configuration wizard. To do this, go to “Start” in the bottom-left hand side of your screen. Now click “Control Panel.” Within “Control Panel,” select “Network and Internet Connection,” then “Wireless Network Setup Wizard.” The exact location of this wizard may vary dependent on your version of Windows. Once you have selected this, follow the step-by-step directions to create a wireless connection with the devices you want your computer to have access to. Some version of the wizard will also allow you to create a USB “automatic setup” drive to simplify the process in the future.

5. Connect devices independently.

Many devices come with the ability to access this wireless LAN on their own. This includes anything with a major graphic user interface, such as tablets (think iPad) and mobile smart phones. The exact procedure will vary dependent on the device, but many of these will allow you to connect to the network by progressing through a simple setup wizard.

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