Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Super Sale on our Custom made iPod/iPhone Cables

We are having our first sale ever on our custom made in the USA iPod/iPhone eXtreme series Cables!
These might make a nice Holiday gift for anyone who enjoys listening to their iPod/iPhone and wants the best sound quality possible. They are 100% compatible with any iPod or iPhone with a Docking connector. They come in many different versions. With Mini plugs for car "Aux" port connections, with dual RCA's for Home Stereo Connections, and our latest includes USB for Syncing and Charging.


Features:

• Silver plated Teflon insulated conductors to limit negative effects of oxidation
• Dual, Tight Twisted Pairs for superior noise free performance
• Extremely low Capacitance for excellent frequency response
• All contacts are Professionally Silver Soldered with medical grade silver solder
• Quality Neutrik mini Connector with Gold Plating
• Strong Strain Relief on both ends for durability
• Techflex Jacket


Get them before the sale ends!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Black Friday Begins Today at RAM Electronics!

Black Friday Deals every Day at RAM!
We are starting Black Friday early. Starting today we are offering great deals on Cables, accessories, and other products.


Get them while they last. All deals are for a limited time only. Once they're gone they're gone!
Stock up now on cables if you're getting a new HDTV, Home Theater system or Blu Ray Player over the holidays. Let RAM hook you up!

Link:
Black Friday Deals page

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

IR Distribution/Sticking it to Comcast

I just finished installing the Calrad 92-160 IR Distribution System and I couldn't be happier.
My goal wast to extend my Comcast cable box from my living room to an HDTV that is in my basement. I wasn't too keen on picking up another Comcast box, so I was looking for other options.
All I needed was a 25ft component cable, the Calrad 92-160, a 25ft stereo cable, and a 25ft 3.5 to 3.5 extension cable.

I attached the IR emitter to the Comcast box, connected it to the 3.5 to 3.5 extension cable and ran it through the floor to the TV in the basement. I then plugged this cable into the IR connecting block along with the IR receiver, and plugged the block into an AC outlet. I also ran a 25ft stereo cable from the Comcast box to the stereo input on the back of my TV. Now the moment of truth....I hit the "All on" button on the Comcast remote, saw the blue LED light flash and the TV powered up and ESPNHD appeared on the screen. I changed some channels, played with the volume and checked out the ON DEMAND features and everything worked perfectly!

We won't be able to watch different channels on both TV's simultaneously, but as I only use the basement TV when I workout, this shouldn't be a problem. The good news is I have all the functionality of my Comcast HD/DVR box in two locations and am only paying for one!

Take that Comcast!

Friday, November 06, 2009

Audioengine S8 Subwoofer review

Audioengine S8 Subwoofer review

Subwoofers have trade offs. Small Subwoofers especially. With no limitations on size, and no limitations on driver quality or cabinet price you can make products that provide extraordinary low frequency performance at low distortion and high sound pressure levels (SPL's). Tweak it down price wise and size wise and you still have a formula that makes sense - price per performance vs cost. Taking it a step further, where size becomes the paramount factor, things become far trickier. You start pushing the laws of physics hard upon their boundaries then. The slightest improvements are incredibly hard to acquire. Add price into that? Why not add anti-gravity, or something equally absurd? Squashing the laws of physics, somehow, is not possible, but something speaker designers (an under appreciated group) are always expected to achieve.
Shrink it, and they will buy it? Due to "WAF" (wife acceptance factor) making these boxes smaller, or more attractive makes them easier to fit into the living room. With computer based setups, making them smaller also makes them easier to fit into the computer based setups area.

Subwoofer Setup
The key with any subwoofer is finding out how to make it work in your situation. Where is your main speakers 3-6dB down point and at what type of slope? Ported speakers tend to drop off drastically, while acoustic suspension speakers tend to slope down more smoothly, if designed properly. While you can't select the slopes of the crossovers on most subs, you should still take the main speakers slope and subs capabilities into consideration when choosing the crossover point for maximum smoothness in frequency response. If you're using it in a home theater setup with a receiver, what kind of bass management do you have available on the receiver or processor? This can help you out by enhancing the sub woofers crossover settings. How is it placed in the room? Audioholics has a very nice article on that.

So what is the S8 and how does it fit in?
The S8 is a small, nice looking 8" Sub with a port. The speaker fires down with a front mounted flared port. Build quality is excellent. It has a 250 watt class AB amp with adjustable crossover from 50-130Hz. It weighs 30 pounds and looks very nice in a utilitarian sort of way, with very nicely beveled edges and a nice, opaque black finish. It has a very nice level of connectivity options at its price point with 3.5mm and RCA L/R inputs, RCA L/R full range outputs. Audioengine also makes a wireless Audio extender, which works with this, or Stereo L/R main speakers to give you an outstanding sounding wireless connection option.

Testing/Listening
I find the sub does indeed have usable output down to 27Hz, as specified, and it does have usable 30Hz output in a small room. That's not too shabby for a relatively inexpensive 8" sub! There seems to be a bit of a peak in the 50Hz region, and a slow slope down to 30Hz, then a quick droppoff. Ported Subs almost always have a peak at speaker resonance and then a slow dropoff until the port resonance kicks in, so it is pretty normal, if not the ideal.
I used the Sub with some unusual choices for my computer setup, which I use for near field monitor listening as well as full room listening. I used them exclusively in 2.1 setups using a Denon 3805, and switched between Reference 3A Dulcets and NHT Classic 2's. This is probably not the typical setup for this sub. I'd guess it would most often be used with Audioengines excellently reviewed powered speakers and as a replacement or add-on to HTIB (home theater in a box), inexpensive surround systems, and computer speakers. The Sub performed quite well with both sets of speakers once I found the ideal crossover frequency for the sub with the speakers, and a good sounding placement. I had to set the crossover rather low (much lower than with most HTIB or computer speakers, 50-60Hz) with the speakers I used since they have pretty good low frequency extension. While I can't say the sub was in the same league as my SVS sub I use in my main system, I'd definately say they improved both setups substantially making them into real full range systems with clean, tight, undistorted bass. They made my Reference 3A Dulcets, which are wonderful high end mini monitors sound like much larger and even more expensive speakers. I had to keep the crossover very low to preserve the Dulcets perceived "quickness", but once I settled on crossover and placement the overall sound was admirably tight and fast. With the NHT 2 classics, it was a bit more tricky, since they are a bit boomy in the same range as the S8 seems to get a bit peaky. Setting the sub crossover at 50Hz worked pretty well to alleviate the issue to an extent, but placement of both the mains and sub, a sub equalizer, or receivers with automatic room adjustments are your only hope in this type of scenario for best results.

Conclusion
This sub will do a great job upgrading just about any HTIB or computer speaker system and is probably a perfect match for the Audioengine Speakers. The S8 provides you with quality bass down to 30Hz in a reasonably small room or computer area. For higher end setups in small rooms, it does a very nice job, with proper placement and proper setup. It's not perfect, it should be matched with speakers that have little response at 50HZ and lower. Most small speakers of the surround sound variety drop off at 80-130Hz, and it's excellent for those. It's not exactly cheap at $350, but all but the highest priced subs have their bumps and dips and other trade offs. This one has some trade offs as well, but it certainly has its high points. Small size and good looks and extremely good connection options make it a winner with the right partners.

Specifications:
Frequency response:27Hz - 180Hz (+/-1.5dB)
Dimensions (HxWxD):11.25” x 11.25” x 11.25”
Power Output:250W peak power total (125W RMS), AES
Amplifier type:Dual Class AB monolithic
Inputs:1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mini-jack and RCA L/R
Outputs:RCA L/R, full-range
Crossover Frequency:50Hz - 130Hz
Weight:13.6kg (30lbs)

Some of the music listened to:
Trilok Gurtu & Robert Miles - Miles Gurtu
Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue
Beatles - Sgt. peppers Lonely hearts Club Band
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
King Crimson - The Compact King Crimson
Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
Grover Washington Jr. - Greatest Performances
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Highperspice - Weapon of Choice
Be Bop Deluxe - Axe Victim
Skip Heller - Homegoing
and more Classical, Jazz, Rock and R&B.

random author thoughts:
Cool? It will fit in a small space under your workstation and pump out bass that will make your pants move. Where is any big subwoofer who can do that?

While audibly superior to have the sub centered underneath between speakers, the pants fluttering effect is eventually annoying with the front fired port. As this is primarily designed to be a computer subwoofer, it should be rear ported?

A nice bedroom or computer sub, or low power system sub. Not for big rooms and high levels.


Note:
The Audioengine S8 Subwoofer sample was provided to us for review and returned after the review. We sell Audioengine products. The author does feel the review is a fair and impartial review of the product.

Friday, October 09, 2009

RAM's New High End iPod and iPhone Dock Connector cables now have USB for Sync and Charging

Brand New! iPod eXtreme Ulti-Mate Dock to mini Plug or Dual RCA iPod and iPhone Cables are the ultimate IPod/iPhone Cable for your Car or Home.

Introducing the latest Cable in our iPod eXtreme Series of cables - The "iPod eXtreme Ulti-Mate".
All of the iPod eXtreme Ulti-Mate Cables are 100% iPod, iPod touch, and iPhone Compatible for Audio, Sync and Charging.

All iPod eXtreme models feature heavy gauge Silver plated Conductors and Pro quality Neutrik Gold plated 3.5mm mini Connectors or Neutrik Gold RCA's.
Read the Review from Audioholics

Features

• The breakout between the Audio and USB Cables can be adjusted with sliding Beads, for a neat, clean appearance
• Fully Compatible with Ipod, iPod touch and iPhones
• Silver plated Teflon insulated conductors used for all audio wiring to limit negative effects of oxidation
• Dual, Tight Twisted Pairs for superior noise free Audio performance
• Extremely low Capacitance for excellent frequency response
• All contacts are Professionally Silver Soldered with medical grade silver solder
• Quality Neutrik Dual RCA's with Gold Plating
• Strong Strain Relief on both ends for durability
• Techflex Jacket





Connecting your head phone jack on an iPod to any sound amplifying system is a poor solution. Line level signals have superior audio quality and are only accessible from the docking connection. Using the Docking connector Line level outputs typically improves frequency response and reduces distortion levels. This docking cable provides a line-level auxiliary output for connecting to your 3.5mm mini phone plug auxiliary input on car stereos, mobile recorders, Mini Stereo Systems and marine units that accepts a mini plug input.

This is a true performance "High End" iPod, iPhone and iPod Touch Audio Cable, at a regular cable price - custom made in the USA.

Link: High End iPod and iPhone Dock Connector cables with USB for Sync and Charging

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Get your Game on!!!

We have Game Cables, Controllers, Charging Docks, LAN adapters and replacement AC power adapters for the best Game Consoles available. Upgrade to an HD connection, or replace the damaged cable of your PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox or Xbox 360.
















All the cables are high quality, come with our usual 30 day "return for any reason" policy, and come with great low cost shipping options.

Here's the Link:
Game Console Cables

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Review Audioengine AW2 Wireless iPod Adapter

Review Audioengine AW2 Wireless iPod Adapter


OK, first the warning. This review was delayed for some time waiting for the new Ipod Touch update to 3.1.1.
I originally got my iPod touch just as the 3.0 update came out. I immediately upgraded from what the Touch came with to the new 3.0 firmware. Classic bad move. Never install a "point zero". Sure, there were lots of cool new features but the one thing I ended up wanting most ended up being hosed.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the Touch. I love the Apps! I love sitting out on the porch, or anywhere with a wifi connection and being able to browse the Net (provided the fonts were big enough) , or iTunes, or work with the Apps. Not having an iPhone, it's like having one without the connection costs and um, the phone.
But - I was dieing to hook it up with one of these Audioengine wireless thingies to be able to sit back on the couch and use my Touch as a controller to play back my music podcasts, internet radio, etc, in extremely high quality on my awesome Home Theater system. Alas, it was not to be. At least for a little while.
So after the original 3.0 update using the Audioengine AW2 ended up with me hearing sound from the iPod Touch's "Speaker" (if you could call it that) not from the stereo. I talked with Audioengine and they confirmed the "hosing". They suggested i go back to the original firmware, which, of course, I had not bothered to back up. They did promise that Apple would fix the problem on a new software release. Which they finally did.

So, now after a torcherous month or two, Apple has finally released 3.1.1 which fixes everything. I'm sure there are other "exciting" features and fixes, but to me the only thing that matters right now is that my Audioengine AW2 Wireless iPod Adapter is now working perfectly.

As far as I know the following ipods only are supported:
• iPod Classic
• iPod Touch
• iPod Touch (2nd generation)
• iPod Nano (2nd generation)
• iPod Nano (4th generation)
• iPod Nano (3rd generation)

So what does it do, how does it work, exactly?
What it does is this:
Connect the receiver device to your stereo, home theater receiver, powered speakers, or wireless powered speakers. Connect the small transmitter device to your iPod Dock connector. Go through a very simple "sync" procedure involving pressing a small button on the transmitter and receiver. Done.

How it works? Audioengine has a quite long and, for geeks, interesting explanation on their website. The main thing is, unlike most wireless devices, it sounds great!

I spent quite awhile comparing between my wired (Ram M2RCA cable) Ipod classic and my iPod Touch with the AW2 listening to Allen Holdsworths "The Sixteen Men of Tain" CD. I expected to hear some compression or artifacts from the AW2. I have heard this CD many times, and I listened HARD. I had to really listen hard to believe I heard a real difference. In the end I could not say if the differences in sound qualities were due to differences in the outputs of the Classic and Touch, or differences in the "connections". The Touch has always seemed more trebly to me. Therefore a bit noisier. The Classic always seems warmer and with more stage depth and dynamic range. (probably imagination) Seems the same with these connections so I cannot come to any conclusion. I'd like to try comparing the touch with the Audioengine AW2 and our Ram Docking connector cable, (I-Extreme iPod Docking to Stereo RCA Cable) and see if I hear anything different. That would be more of an apples to apples comparison. I'd love to try a blind or double blind A/B test, but it would be tricky.

Audio With Video
Video Podcasts worked fine. I could see the video on the Touch while listening on my stereo.

Downloaded iTunes Videos worked fine. I could see the video on the Touch while listening on my stereo.

Youtube? No good. I got the video but no audio. Hope they fix this issue! Many of my subscribed videos will not currently work on my Touch, anyway.

The conclusion?
The most fabulous thing? It gives you sound from Videos, podcasts, music, etc (I'm guessing games) with no hassles. The sound quality blows away other wireless solutions.

This thing amazes me. Go ahead and listen to it with high end speakers, quality components and quality cables. See if you can hear a difference. If you do think you can, just think about how much of a difference there might be. How much this costs. How bad most every other option seems to be. How cool it is to use the iPod interface as your controller. Wirelessly. The alternatives are, to say the least, pricey. I hope they fix the youtube issues, not a deal breaker for me with all of the other positives, but c'mon! You will have to pry this baby out of my cold, dead hands.

PS. Another factor here is WAF. Set up a Harmony or other remote control for the proper connection ("play ipod") and anyone can use this to play music and podcasts

Want one?
Audioengine AW2

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

All about Audio/Video Wall Plates

All you need to know about Audio/Video Wall Plates


Everyone likes the idea of making their cables as invisible as possible. Granted, it's not so easy unless you get someone to do it for you. Still, it is not necessarily as hard as you may think. If you are somewhat handy, and more than a little bit brave, you can learn to cut into your drywall, install a box, run your cables in the wall and finish it all off with a nice A/V wall plate with the necessary connectors. Lets start it off with an explanation of the types of wall plates and the terms that are used for them.

Some of the common words thrown around but rarely explained are "Decora®", "Keystone", "pass-thru" (or pass-through) "balun", "passive", "active" and "insert".
OK, lets start with Keystone.
Keystone Wall plates are a standardized, modular, "snap-in" system for low voltage cable and wire connections.
"Standard" Keystone Wall Plates:


"Decora®" Keystone Wall Plates:

Decora®?
Decora® is a style of wall plate invented by Leviton with a center part as seen above (although not necessarily keystone) , and then a surround portion that is installed over it. Decora® plates are also available in non-keystone style with connectors permanently installed.
Decora® non-keystone:

The above has a VGA (or "HD15", or most accurately "HD DB15") as well as a 3.5mm mini phone plug connector.

Decora® "Surround" or "Cover" Plate:


The important part of the Keystone scheme, is , of course, the modular connector inserts.

Keystone "Inserts" or "Modules":

Below are some RCA jack, pass-thru keystone inserts.
They are "pass-thru" (often called "pass-through" or "passthru") because they are female connectors in the front as well as the back. This allows you to avoid having to do any cable termination yourself. You just plug in your pre-made cables.
Note: You should only use "in-wall" rated cables within walls. What fire-code rating you need in your particular area and installation type varies. It's a long subject for another time.

More Keystone insert module types? The common ones are:
RCA, F, BNC, Binding Post, Banana, Toslink, S-Video, and of course, Telephone and network "RJ" types RJ45 (Cat5 Ethernet) can be either pass-thru or punch down. RCA can be RCA female to female or RCA to "F" for using common RG6 cable connections within walls.
RCA Jacks:

RCA Jacks are used for Stereo or multichannel audio, Composite Video, Component Video and Digital Audio coax.

F Connectors:

"F" connectors are used for CATV (cable TV), Satellite, and Antenna connections.

HDMI Keystone:

HDMI keystone jacks are used for HDMI connections for Digital Audio and Video.



OK, what about "Baluns" and "Active" wall plates?
Baluns take an unbalanced signal and convert it to a balanced signal. What this means in practical terms is it allows you to use CAT5 cable to send the signal over long lengths with very low pickup of noise and signal loss. The Balun is commonly built into the keystone insert module, Decora® connector, or installed on a standard wall plate. They are a great way to save money on expensive cables while enabling long cable runs. "Active" solutions can be thought of as either amplified balun type devices or proprietary technologies which actively convert the signal to some sort of balanced signal enabling very long cable runs over CAT5 (normally actually Cat5e or Cat6 solid cable) .

Questions? Please comment or contact us.
Please see our Audio/Video Wall Plates page for our current lineup which is constantly expanding.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Let us Build your A/V Wall Plate

Let us build you an Audio/Video Wall Plate for free.
Just choose the Keystone Audio/Video or other inserts you need , Pick your Keystone Regular or Decora style Wall Plate, and select the "Build It" option and we will put it together for you before we ship it.



Please see here for more details.

Friday, August 07, 2009

i-extreme Generation 3 Cables are 100% iPod and iPhone Compatible

RAM's i-extreme Dock connector cables now 100% iPod and iPhone compatible!

That's right, no weird messages, no "airplane mode", just great sound with no distortion or noise.
The i-extreme cables are made in three types:
  • Dock to Dual RCA connectors for Home Stereo or powered speaker connections
  • Dock to mini plug for Car line input connections
  • Dock to right angle mini plug for Car line input connections

Get one now!

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Ram Electronics is giving away the chance to one (1) pair of Audioengine 2 Monitors

Ram Electronics is giving away the chance to one (1) pair of Audioengine 2 Monitors to Audioholics Forum members!


Features:
  • 2 audio inputs (RCA and mini-jack)
  • Built-in power amps (left speaker)
  • Kevlar woofers for super low end
  • Silk tweeters for smooth highs
  • High-quality speaker connectors
  • Auto-sleep power-saving mode
  • Hand-built cabinets with high-gloss finish
  • Video-shielded
  • All cables included

To be eligible to win, you must: 1) Be a registered Audioholics forum member, 2) Have USA or Canadian Residence

See here

Friday, July 24, 2009

A FUN FILLED WEEK


THE WEATHER WAS GREAT, AND THE FLEA MARKET DAY
WAS A LOT OF FUN.

YOUR DONATED ITEMS HAVE BEEN POPULAR.

MORE ELECTRONIC ITEMS ARE NEEDED, DISHES ARE GOOD, LAMPS, FANS, CLOCKS, RADIOS, TV'S.

WE NEED MORE RAM PEOPLE TO COME OUT TO SUPPORT. JUST COME OUT AND YOU WILL ENJOY
WHAT IS GOING ON.



THERE ARE LOTS OF VENDORS AND STORES IN THE AREA. HEY SHOPRITE IS ACROSS THE STREET IF YOU NEED TO GROCERY SHOP. THERE IS A CHINESE BUFFET, A LOEWS AND WALGRENS TOO.











THE NEXT FLEA MARKET WILL BE HELD AUGUST 15, COME OUT AND ENJOY.....

















WEDNESDAYS' LUNCH WAS Mmm
, Mmm Good.









THANK YOU TO ALL THAT WHERE INVOLV
ED, WALT ON THE GRILL, EDITH AND EDDIE WITH THE ORGANIZING, SANG, CHAU, SARAN, KIM, DUNG, RITA, MARTIN, ED LAFFERTY AND VANITA WITH HELPING OUT WITH WHATEVER YOU WERE ASKED TO DO.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALEX FOR ALL THE DONATIONS OF FOOD AND CONDIMENTS YOU PROVIDED.


WE HOPE TO DO THIS AGAIN FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST. PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS. WE LOVE THE VARIETY THAT IS PRESENT THIS YEAR...

New Custom Canare 4S8 Speaker Cables with Audioquest Connectors

New! Made in the USA!
Our latest Speaker Cable uses Canare 4S8 Studio Grade Speaker Cable. We Crimp Via Blue premium Gold plated Crimp Sleeves on the conductors so you will never have to worry about oxidation. We then install high-end Audioquest gold plated connectors. Both standard and biwire configurations are available.


We also offer them with just the crimp sleeves. They can be used "as-is", or you can easily add standard "screw-down" style connectors from a wide variety of manufacturers. If you'd like any brand we carry, we'll be happy to apply them for you. Choose from WBT, WBT nextgen, Audioquest, Via Blue, Calrad or others.
Crimp Sleeves:


Cables with Audioquest Banana Plugs over Via Blue Crimp Sleeves:
Custom Canare 4S8 Speaker Cable with Gold Audioquest Banana Plugs - LS
Custom Biwire Canare 4S8 Speaker Cable with Gold Audioquest Banana Plugs - LSB
Models with Via Blue Crimp Sleeves:
Custom Canare 4S8 Speaker Cable with Gold Crimp Sleeves - LSF
Custom Biwire Canare 4S8 Speaker Cable with Gold Crimp Sleeves - LSFF

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Connecting your PC to your HDTV - Powerstrip Settings for 720p

Powerstrip - The Update!

Our original "Powerstrip Guide for the powerstrip impaired" article was originally written back in the days when "HDTV" meant Rear Projection CRT TV's. While the basic usage has not changed, the usual use now is with LCD and Plasma TV's that are progressive scan rather than interlaced and when using a VGA to component converter are best set for 720p rather than the old 1080i/540p settings of old. In other words, we needed to do an update!

The idea here is we are connecting a VGA output from a computer to a Component Video input on the HDTV. The computer is RGB color and TV input is Component Video, so you need to use a conversion box that "transcodes" the signal. Popular transcoders are the Key Digital KD-VA5 and the Audioauthority 9A60. For those who are unlucky enough to have a Graphics card/chipset that does not support 720p (or the virtual equivalent 1280x720@60Hz) then there are converter boxes that don't just transcode but scale as well. Popular models of this type are the Audio Authority 1365 and the Calrad 40-880. You can go much further, of course and get a full blown scaler, but let's get back to the business at hand!

Powerstrip:
Download Powerstrip from EnTech Taiwan.
Powerstrip is not always strictly necessary since most new ATI and Nvidia drivers have built-in adjustments to help you eliminate overscan and get the image set properly on the screen. In any case it does an awesome job.

The first thing to do is get your Computer set up to output 1280x720@60Hz. That gets you into 720p territory.
Open "Display Properties" (in "Control Panel") and click the "Settings" Tab. Adjust the "Resolution Slider until you get to 1280x720. Click "Apply".


You now should get the "Compatibility Warning" screen. Choose to apply the new settings without restarting.
Go ahead and click ok. The screen will go blank and then (hopefully) become visible at the new resolution. If you see nothing, or it becomes visible but is not something you can work with just do nothing for 15 seconds and it will revert back to the original settings automatically. Try it!



When you are compfortable that you can proceed click that "OK" button within the fifteen seconds.
Next click the "Advanced" button, and then click the "Monitor" tab.
Confirm that the Screen refresh rate is 60Hz.




After that, you are ready to give it a whirl. Shut down the computer and connect it through the transcoder like this:
VGA Output->Transcoder->Component Video->HDTV

Now hopefully when you fire up the computer you get a picture on the screen. You should if the TV supports 720p. If not, connect it back up to your monitor and confirm your settings.

If you have a good clean image on the screen, you are probably now noticing that somethings wrong here. The top, bottom and sides of the "Desktop" are being partially cut off and making it difficult or impossible to do certain things.
Bottom:


Top: No minimize, maximize or close buttons! Yikes

Obviously this won't do!

So now start up powerstrip so you can get things started.
Once it starts it just pops up a "Tip of the day" and adds a little icon on your lower right Task Bar.
Right-click the taskbar icon and then select "Display profiles" and then "Configure".

Display profiles screen:

This is the "Display profiles" screen.
Make sure it is set to 1280x720 and click "Apply" if necessary.
Next click the "Advanced timing options" button.

Advanced timing options screen:


Ignore everything except the blue buttons!

The Position buttons effect the position of the desktop on the screen. Click the right blue arrow and the image moves right, down and it moves down, etc. Simple, right?


The size buttons will either shrink or expand the image horizontally or vertically.


Before you start clicking madly on the buttons be warned!
First of all, size buttons tend to make the screen blank for a few seconds. Don't freak out.
Going too far with any setting may make the image go blank and stay blank. If this happens simply hit your "escape" key and you will be taken back to the Display profiles screen with the previous settings.
Use a full screen window opened in the background using your web browser or something else to help you determine how to make your adjustments.


The best practice is to go slow. Improve things little by little, saving the settings by clicking "OK" and then going back in to make more adjustments. That way you don't have to start all over again if you go too far and have to hit your escape key.
When you get things to where you like them, use the "Save as" button on the Display profiles screen to save your settings with a name.

When you are sure of things, really sure and have restarted the computer and retested your settings it is time to set powerstrip to load automatically when Windows starts.
Right-click the powerstrip icon again and select "Options" and then "Preferences".
Then just check the box for "Auto-load with Windows"
Done!


Please annoy us with feedback on this article and suggest any further additions or subjects you'd like covered by commenting below.
Below is my final settings on a Samsung 720p TV using an Audio Authority 9A60 with a older Radeon card.



Your mileage may vary quite severely so be careful!


*Legal Warning! Trying anything suggested on this page is at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damage to your equipment, lifestyle or marriage!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

FLEA MARKET TIME

We have another Flea Market fund raiser this weekend at our local Chic-Fil-A.

Here is a sample of what we have to offer:
Cables and electronic accessories

Clothing
Lamps and Specialty Kitchen Items

Hand Bags and Shoes

Books and so much more


YOUR DONATIONS ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE


4TH OF JULY
BUNDLE


WE WOULD LIKE TO KICK OFF YOUR 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WITH THIS BUNDLE OF ITEMS. OUR RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN ON THURSDAY JULY 2ND.
EACH RAFFLE TICKET IS $1.00

WE WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE MORE DONATIONS FOR THE FLEA MARKET TO BE HELD ON JULY 18TH. YOUR DONATIONS ARE BEING COLLECTED IN THE FRONT HALLWAY.


TV'S, VCR'S DVD PLAYERS, LAMPS, SHOES, HANDBAGS, STUFFED ANIMALS, CLOTHES, BOOKS, RADIO'S, TOYS, FURNITURE, CABLES, FANS, AIR CONDITIONERS, CAMERA'S, DISHES, POT'S , PAN'S, FOOTBALLS, BASEBALLS, VOLLEYBALLS, ETC...

PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR ITEMS ARE IN WORKING
CONDITION, RAM WILL HAVE A BANNER DISPLAYED AT THE FLEA MARKET.




Tuesday, June 23, 2009

FLEA MARKET FUN



CONGRATULATIONS TO TAN, WINNER OF THE FATHERS DAY RAFFLE. ISN'T IT IRONIC THAT A WOMAN WINS' THE FATHERS DAY RAFFLE AND A MAN WINS THE MOTHERS' DAY RAFFLE.



OUR FIRST FLEA MARKET EVENT WAS BRIEF BUT ENJOYABLE FOR THOSE WHO REPRESENTED US.

THERE WAS A LOT OF INTEREST IN OUR TABLE, PROBABLE BECAUSE PRESENTATION IS WHAT CATCHES THE ATTENTION OF SHOPPERS. (NICE PHOTO'S TAKEN WITH THAT I-PHONE)

WE MADE $44.00 AND THEN THE RAIN BEGAN.

WE PLAN TO RETURN TO THE CHIC-FIL-A FLEA MARKET ON JULY 18TH. PLEASE DONATE MORE STUFF, WE VALUE YOUR SUPPORT.

COME OUT AND JOIN IN THE FUN, SATURDAY JULY 18TH.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

FATHER'S DAY BUNDLE RAFFLE






TAKE A CHANCE TO WIN THIS
FATHER'S DAY BUNDLE

RAFFLE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED FOR $2.00 A CHANCE. THE RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN ON THURSDAY JUNE 18TH.

THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO OUR 2009 BREAST CANCER FUND RAISING EFFORT.