http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/articles Latest articles, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/182875 Microsoft's Internet-based remote-access tools let you quickly fix Windows problems on far-away PCs. Here's how to use them. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:15:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/feature/126 You’ll find no shortage of software that will turn an ordinary PC into a TV-friendly media center. From MythTV and Freevo for chronic TV recorders, to Boxee and XMBC for Hulu and YouTube fanatics, any machine can morph into a set-top box with the right software aboard.But for total integration with an OS, Windows Media Center has been hard to beat. The large-print, remote-friendly interface for Windows started off as an offshoot from Windows XP, grew into its own with Windows Vista, and has taken o...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/167870 Techinline lets you troubleshoot remote PCs, trimming the cost of just walking down a hall to flying across the country. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:19:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/167497 Remote access-style software lets you participate in presentations without jet-setting costs. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:26:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/167056 Trade bandwidth with a friend or business so they host your backup and you host theirs. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:01:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/161984 Monitor, control, and manage a distant PC--even one with a different OS--from your desktop. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:40:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/guide/224 It used to be that the only way to get music to more than one room of your home was to hire a custom installer, punch holes in your drywall to run CAT5 cable from room to room, install in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, and purchase a complicated multi-zone receiver and a high-end remote control. While this is still a good way to go, however, and often offers the best quality possible for a whole-home solution, it can be costly and is unrealistic and intimidating for many a homeowner. If you fall into that group, take heart: There are many manufacturers that are...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/159020 Control PowerPoint from your iPhone, with previews of the current slide, notes, and more. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:21:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/156073 Among several free (and paid) options, LogMeIn remotely drives a network PC with little hassle. Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:49:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/24387/ Looking for a gift for your geeky special someone this year? Or maybe, you're just looking for a more efficient way to control your home entertainment system. We've all tried the "remote shuffle," and frankly, it can be pretty stressful when all you want to do is enjoy watching a movie! Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:36:56 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/153282 Just run the free CrossLoop utility at both ends and presto: You're tech support. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:03:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/150578 Add external storage to your TiVo, beef up your Xbox 360, rip DVDs to your media player, play your iTunes purchases on any device, and use your standard cable remote to skip commercials. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/150068 I answer BobJam's question, originally posted on the Answer Line Forum, on remotely controlling his sister's PC to help her with a technical problem. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:23:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/feature/87 We've already spent way too much time trolling through Apple's new App Store for ways to make our iPhone 3G even sweeter than it is out of the box. We have our favorites, like the iTunes Remote and AIM, and we still love fun items like Midomi, Shazam, and Crash Bandicoot. But we couldn't help feeling that a few are missing. Here's our wish list, developers… get crackin'! 1) A video recorder: Apple says it's possible on the iPhone 3G (we saw an app or two for Jailbroken older models). So how about something "le... Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/18306/ In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, we discussed many things: the standby power supply, main power supply, horizontal and vertical deflection circuits, degaussing, and tuners. In Part 3 of this series, we will discuss the IF (Intermediate Frequency), AGC (Automatic Gain Control), sound IF, sound amplification, and the remote control circuits of the basic television set. IF (Intermediate Frequency) Circuits The most important feature of the IF amplifier is selectivity. Selectivity is the process of allowing only the desired frequencies to pass, while rejecting all others. There will be about three or four separate amplifier stages in a color TV IF circuit. By amplifying the signal in stages, the amounts of distortion in the IF signal waveform are reduced. The IF stages of a color TV set are fixed-tuned to a single IF frequency. Both the video and audio IF signals travel together through the IF amplifiers. The IF amplifiers need to have a bandwidth of at least 4.5 MHz, if amplification stages range from 41 MHz to 46 MHz. Traps through the circuits are used to attenuate transmission of the video carrier of the next higher channel, sound carrier of the current channel, and the sound carrier... Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:30:05 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/4660-10165_7-6854350.html?part=ecoustics-cnet&part=ecoustics-cnet&subj=video Brian Tong shows you how to set up your MacBook Air to use another computer's optical drive. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/hemag/articles/6280 Once upon a time, "ranch living" conjured up images of barnlike structures in a dusty, remote locale. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/20423/ If you’re one of the many people who are tired of having several remotes to run your entertainment system, you’ve probably been giving some thought to universal remote controls. Getting a universal remote will definitely save you some space; with the additional benefit of simplifying easy tasks such as changing tracks on a DVD. Here’s the scoop on the good, the bad, and also the ugly side of universal remote systems. Why Go with a Universal Remote System? What are your reasons for wanting a universal remote control? Are you sick of needing 4 completely different remotes just to use the basic functions of your home entertainment system? Did you lose or break a remote, and now need a replacement? Whatever your needs are for a universal remote, there is one out there for you! You can even purchase high-end remotes that will start your movie, dim your lights, lock your doors and start a pot of coffee. Now, that’s universal! Inform Yourself about Universal Remotes Every company that produces a universal remote will, of course, claim to have the best one. So, do yourself a favor and take a look at consumer review sites not linked to specific products.... Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:25:44 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/20624/ Whether you're a male or a female, it's always nice to have your car ready to go whenever you are, especially when you are in shady parts of town. And of course, the last purpose to having remote starters is the show-off factor because it completes the true wow-element of your vehicle. After all, who doesn't want to show off like James Bond? Enter the remote car starter. The primary purpose for remote car starters is convenience. You could warm up your car that is out in frigid and chilly weather while you're warm staying inside, or even do the same in blistering hot weather by remotely starting your engine with the A/C switch on so that it's nice and cool by the time you get in. Another purpose for remote ignition is security reasons. There are a few things to be mindful of. Virtually every remote car start system includes vehicle security and of course with that, they include some kind of remote. The pricing on these remote start security systems depend mostly on the abilities of the remote. I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. In essence, the price is based upon how smart your system... Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:51:19 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/19834/ Looking for an easy way to take videos from your computer and watch them on your TV? There are certainly a variety of solutions to that problem available today, whether you decide to burn a DVD, build a media PC, or use one of the myriad of wireless streaming devices on the market. Those solutions all work, but SanDisk has created an even easier way to get the job done. Enter the Sansa TakeTV Video Player. SanDisk turned to the simple USB thumb drive for inspiration and came away with the simplest way yet to get downloaded television and movie content where it belongs: your TV. Watching downloaded/digitized video content on your TV has never been easier. What Is TakeTV TakeTV is a pocket-sized device that comes with three pieces – the main USB unit, a remote control, and a TV cradle. The main unit looks and works just like a thumb drive. You connect it to your computer by plugging it into your computer’s USB drive. When not in use, the main unit slips into the remote control making for a tidy, portable package that can easily fit in a pocket. The remote itself is very thin with a ... Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:21:14 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/tl/19631/                                               Sony Convergence Procedure Document version 1.0 ( I Will update as needed and if errors are found, please let me know and I will issue an update) Changing values in the service mode can cause your tv to malfunction, this text will only explain how to adjust the factory convergence.  Before changing any other values make sure you know what you are doing. To Enter Service mode With the tv off and the remote in tv mode, press the following keys: <Display> <5> <vol up(+)> <Power> The tv will now display "3D-COMB" in the upper left hand corner . Press the <2> or <3> keys to move up or down through the adjustment categories until you see "PJE" in the upper left hand corner(note that the letters will change to a different font). Next press the <6> key twice, this will bring up a grid (crosshatch) without video behind it. When I refer to the <Center> key, It is located in the middle of the directional arrow keys on the remote. When cursor is white, you can move it to an adjustment point using the arrow keys. Once you press the <Center> button,  the cursor will lock to that ... Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:30:07 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/pcw/howto/136124 Here's how to repair another system using remote control software. Mon, 20 Aug 2007 23:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/guide/76 If you are reading this how-to guide then odds are you are either as a big a fan of TiVo as us or you soon will be. The freedom to thumb your nose at commercials as you whiz by them with your remote has created a revolution among television viewers. One of the key features of your TiVo is its programming guide, which is updated through a phone connection or network connection. Assuming you have a wireless network around your house, this is a great opportunity to harness the power of that network TiVo style. Besides programming data, you’ll also be able to download TiVo content and share recorded content with other TiVos and computers with TiVoToGo s... Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/feature/67 In the world of technology there are a few companies whose names are held in high regard by early adopters for their creativity of products. One is Apple with its iPod, another is Tivo and its digital video recorder. And still another working its way into this ranking is Sling Media with their Slingbox.What is the Slingbox you might ask? In the simplest of descriptions is the word placeshifting. This 21st century buzz word, according to Wikipedia, is defined as “watching or listening to live, recorded or stored media on a remote device via the internet or over a data network”. And there is apparently no... Tue, 28 Nov 2006 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/feature/59 Philips Electronics in mid-June held their annual mid-year product review in which they showed off previously launched or upcoming consumer electronics and other products for the 2006 holiday season. Amongst the gaggle of portable media players, micro systems, DVD players, digital photo frames, home theater systems, remote controls and televisions, we’ve picked out what we feel are some of the top Philips products for the remainder of the year. ... Wed, 19 Jul 2006 03:00:00 -0400