Portable Digital

Best Digital TV Aerial

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Are you looking for the best digital TV aerial? Then reading this article will details some essential features about digital TV aerials so that you can buy the right antenna for your needs. Getting the right aerial for your digital TV can be a daunting task. Why? Because of the increased number of companies selling aerials in the market and the sheer variety of them.

Electrical engineers in antennae engineering have progressed the effectiveness in recent years. However your place of residence and what channels you want to receive will determine the appropriate aerial to use. So testing antennae’s to get a perfect fit would be the best way to choose one but this is obviously not very practical.

To start with you could try and get hold of a TV signal analysis report. The report will give a clear picture of the channels available and where they broadcast. After looking at the channels, the choice of purchasing a digital TV aerial should be a lot easier.

In a real sense, dozens of channels can stream on your TV. But the quality of the pictures and signal will depend on where you live and where the transmitters are. To try and narrow down what aerials and features are available, here is a guide to a selection of quality digital TV aerials.

A pick of some of the best rated antennas around.

1. IByone Indoor Digital HDTV Antenna – Why choose it?

Ergonomic design

The IByone HDTV antenna has a smooth flat design and should blend in with most backgrounds. It has a light feel, and can be easily hung from a wall. The relatively portable nature ensures that it can be placed at any point for quality signals.

It also comes with a TS-ANT amplifier. The amplifier minimizes any noise that comes from weak signals. It has a range of 160 miles so you should find a a wealth of channels available within that transmitter radius. Certainly a contender for the best portable aerial for digital TV.

2. Mohu leaf 30 Flat Antennae – Why choose it?

The aerial has numerous positive reviews on Amazon and other sites with 67% of the ratings being 4 or 5. So you are not far away from the best digital TV aerial.

Elegant curved design.

The Mohu leaf 30 has a white curved design that makes it unobtrusive in your living room though you can also paint it if required. The antenna being paper thin enables you to easily place it in different positions for the right signal.

Strong signal

Having been derived from advanced US military technology, the Mohu Leaf 30 has a 40 mile range for HDTV programs.

Reception can be weak on directional antennas..

Most TV aerials perform better when pointed in the right direction. But multi-directional designs like the Mohu don’t require any adjusting or pointing of the antenna so weak signals should be avoided. It comes with a 10 foot high performance cable to help achieve the best …

Portable Travel Devices

Mobile Speed Camera Detector

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Anyone who has been caught speeding and had to pay a hefty fine, would have loved to have had a mobile speed camera detector in the car. These days there are so many speed cameras on the roads to catch speeding motorists that even on a regular route their location would be difficult to remember. A great number of these cameras are cleverly hidden and not easily visible to the naked eye.

Speed cameras play an important role in making our roads safe and preventing accidents caused by drivers going too fast. For instance in an area which has narrow roads and cars parked on both sides, it is vitally important speed that limits are adhered to should someone step out of their car or a child suddenly dash out into the road. Similarly on motorways and highways where it is easy to go beyond the speed limit, bad accidents can occur with tragic circumstances.

However there are some areas where speed cameras are placed that seem to be there purely for catching out motorists and generating revenue for the relevant local government administration. One way drivers can be alerted to these is to have a car speed camera detector.

Drive safely with your car speed camera detector

These devices nowadays are very advanced and innovative using red light to detect speed cameras. Utilising a comprehensive database with the latest road updates, they will help you stay within the speed and keep you driving safely. A speed camera detector device like the award winning Cheetah C550 has over 25,000 possible combinations for the vocal descriptions for every alert so you can set which one you feel most comfortable with. So in what is called the “whisper mode”, the detector won’t alert you if you are within the speed limit. As a driver you will not want to be distracted by constant alerts so this is a welcome option to have at your disposal. Or if you do know the route you regularly take, you can engage cancel mode and won’t be alerted to any cameras.

Reading the display for both initial set up and driving is also very important to get the best out of your mobile speed camera detector. The brightness can be adjusted which you will want for driving in dark or night conditions. The distance from the speed camera that the warning alert is triggered can also be varied to suit your speed to give you enough time to correct it.

The best speed camera detector will be able to identify by GPS all types of fixed cameras. These include Gatso, SPECs, Hadecs, Monitron, Truelvo and others. It will also have free updates for life so that you don’t have to have a subscription and keep paying to get the latest locations.

How is your mobile speed camera detector mounted?

Many models come with a windscreen or dashboard mount and some can be placed above the rear view mirror. The dashboard will be most convenient with those …

Wireless Home Accessories

Spy Camera Watch

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There are many reasons why you may want to own a spy camera watch. Investigation work would be a primary usage so that you may operate under cover and film covertly without an obvious camera. You may also want to record a conference without attracting attention or document a conversion for legal purposes while visually identifying the speaker.

The video quality many of these watches can produce is high definition 1080p, otherwise known as full HD. This is important as being able to clearly identify images and individuals is the most important aspect of a hidden camera. A Spy camera watch can also take still pictures and record audio separate to the video film.

How long will your spy watch record for? It varies from watch to watch but you can expect around 90 minutes of continuous recording. Saving every few minutes and automatic over writing of the oldest files on the SD card are another great feature of these watches.

Function buttons are usually for one action only such as recording video with one, photos with another and audio with a third button. The importance of simplicity is paramount when using these as you won’t want to be fiddling with various button presses when trying to film without drawing attention.

Night vision is another feature offered by a number of different makers which will make a big difference for those operating after dark. An infrared LED facilitates filming in low level lighting. Water resistant watches help protect when shooting on rainy days and will be essential for those working regularly outdoors.

A spy camera watch can also be used standalone as a surveillance camera. Fitted with a motion detector, it could be left as a security camera in the home to guard against intruders. Or it could be placed in a child’s bedroom to monitor a nanny and asses the level of care. Similarly in an old age home to monitor the carers looking after an elderly relative. Also keep an eye on your pet.

Another use for your camera watch could be as a webcam or PC camera and also as a spare disk. Connected to your PC, footage can be downloaded and then viewed on your PC monitor.

There are no indicator lights when the camera is recording so no one looking at the watch will be able to identify it as a camera recording video and audio. It goes without saying that is vital in ensuring undercover operation.

Watches are charged by simply connecting the USB to a PC or adapter. Filming can continue while the watch is being charged.

Some watches also have a fitness tracking facility which give them yet another way of providing a usefulness for those involved in sporting activity. Along with an activity tracker, you get a pedometer and also a sleep monitor on some models.

Spy Camera Clock

Similar in many aspects, the spy camera clock has a number of the same functions as its watch counterpart. Designed as …

Portable Music Controllers

Best Portable Midi Keyboard

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Looking to play your VST soft synths in a DAW on your laptop or PC? Then you will want the best portable MIDI keyboard for the job.

Firstly what is MIDI? It stands for musical instrument digital interface and is a way of connecting hardware music synthesisers, sound modules, drum machines and other sound generating equipment. It can also connect to your digital audio workstation and play software versions of synths, drum modules and other devices like effects. Midi can be connected via a dedicated 5 pin midi port or via USB or Bluetooth.

There are many midi keyboards on the market with different functionality, size and portability so it is important to define how and where you will be using it before making your purchase. Of course price is always a determining factor so finding the best cheap midi keyboard will be important.

Size and Portability

For this article we will concentrate on portable midi keyboards for those musicians who make music on the go. A particular favourite of ours is the AKAI MPK Mini MKII which is a 25 key USB connected and powered keyboard with velocity sensitive mini keys that are surprisingly playable. It also has 8 backlit pads for playing drum sounds, for instance in your Ableton drum rack. There are 8 assignable knobs to map to your soft synth to control filter cutoff for example, and a 4 way joystick. You get octave up and down buttons and an arpeggiator with adjustable modes and resolution. Note repeat is another nice touch to quickly create runs of 8th, 16th etc. notes. And when you register your MPK Mini you get some great free sounds from the likes of Splice and Loopcloud which is the largest sample library around.

The Arturia Minilab MkII 25 Note controller keyboard is another excellent choice and matches up to the Aka MPK. Also with 25 velocity sensitive keys, it offers 16 rotary encoders to give you huge mapping possibilities to tweak all sorts of parameters to your heart’s content. And the two touch strips give you pitch bend and even more modulation possibilities to get creative with your sound. This is a really great small midi keyboard and it comes with a version of Ableton Lite and Arturia Analog Lab 2 that gives you sixteen fantastic synths, pianos and organs.

Use With Ableton Live

Next up is the Novation Launchkey 25 Mk2 Midi Controller keyboard. Again like the others mentioned, it offers 25 synth action keys and excels with 16 velocity sensitive RGB pads that will get those finger drummers tapping away. There are 8 knobs for tweaking and like the others comes with great software including Live Lite and Novation’s own excellent V Station and Bass Station synths. The Launchpad has been designed specifically to integrate with Ableton Live, one of if not the most popular DAW on the market. Just connect via USB and you get immediate hands on control of your synths, drum racks …

Portable Music Controllers

The Best DJ Controller

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If you are a DJ starting out and want to go the computer route, then your logical question will be what is the best DJ controller around? You might also be considering playing on hardware like the Pioneer CD or IDJs or even going the vinyl route. So what are the pros and cons of each and how do you go about deciding?

Firstly cost will be a major determining factor in which way you choose to go. In general, DJ controllers are a lot cheaper than their hardware equivalents. Having said that, the assumption will be that you already have a laptop computer if you’re looking to be a serious DJ. Or if not, you will have  tablet running a software DJ app for less demanding situations, be they a home dj party or just in your bedroom spinning for fun. So if you add up the cost of a reasonably spec’d laptop or higher end tablet with a DJ controller, then you are almost on a par with standalone hardware units.

There are quite a number of controllers for DJ’ing on the market these days, but the two brands that stand out are the Pioneer range and Native Instruments Traktor. Both have long established software applications in Pioneer Rekordbox and NI Traktor Pro. Both are also stable, user friendly and offer very sophisticated features to both the beginner and pro DJ. They are used in clubs the world over by many of the top DJs who perform to thousands every night.

Why would you choose a controller over a standalone hardware equivalent?

The standard equipment in most of the major clubs is the Pioneer range. Formerly CDJs when compact discs were the predominant format, now IDJs which read the tracks direct from flash drives. The great advantage of these is that you can carry all you music on a couple of USB sticks, slot them into the players and you’re ready to start the party. But the top end players like the Pioneer CDJ Nexus digital media player cost near enough £2000/$2500 each while cheaper models are still around half that price each. So price is very much an issue for the bedroom DJ.

However the Pioneer All In One DJ controller uses the same Rekordbox software that the standalone hardware versions do. Not only that, using and learning on one of their higher end controllers which have most of the same functions of the CDJs will make the step form bedroom to club pretty seamless. Even a relatively cheap DJ controller like the DDJ-400 Rekordbox has the same basic layout to enable you to progress to the Nexus range eventually. And the DDJ-200 costs even less while still giving you jog wheels, buttons and knobs to mix tracks from your PC or Mac or from apps on your smartphone or tablet. WeDJ for iPhone is one such app that provides a tutorial to get you up and running so you can learn about the hardware. You …

Wireless Gaming

Wireless Xbox Gaming Headset

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If you are a serious Xbox gamer and enjoy playing against friends and rivals in the online world, you will know that a wireless Xbox gaming headset is essential to get the best experience possible. With a direct wireless connection to your console, you’re ready for action and there is no need for any adaptors or wires to restrict your gaming ability.

Have a look at this great Turtle Beach headset on Amazon for a great all round gaming experience.

There are many different headsets available with a variety of features to enhance the gaming experience. This is facilitated by Microsoft’s new Xbox wireless direct to console tech and Windows Sonic surround sound that enables you to hear even the quietest patter of footsteps to the foe skulking about preparing for an ambush while loading their weapon. You become immersed in the sound and the feeling of living in the virtual world is all the more real.

What features to look for?

So what features and issues should you be looking out for? Comfort has to be a top priority when you might be gaming for a period of time. All the top wireless Xbox headsets will have over the ear cups and that does apply pressure to the ears, a little more so if you wear glasses. So look out for designs that put comfort to the fore as much as say sound quality. Soft cushions and a wearable durable fabric on the cushions can make a huge difference. Some have memory foam which will mould to the individual’s ears and add to the comfortability. And over the ear will fit better than on the ear. The padding on the underside of the head strap should also be thick enough so it does not irritate the top of your head. There is not much point in having fantastic sound if you can only listen to it for short periods before the discomfort becomes too much.

Another important feature is the microphone. You will be talking to fellow players and need a high sensitivity mic that produces clear audio so all can hear your in game chat. Some headsets offer a flip up mic which allows you to mute the microphone so you can quickly, easily and temporarily cut out your voice if you needed to speak to someone else not playing the game or if you had a coughing fit for example. Volume control is essential to hear and be heard while something like a bass enhancer will add more power and drama to the sound. A neat button on the headset that can give different boosting options for hearing and voice control will add to your seamless gaming experience. If this feature is a priority then you should look for the best wireless microphone headset you can find.

A rechargeable headset is our preference so that you save on batteries. Most headsets will come with the internal battery already charged and you can pair them up straight away …

Wireless Home Accessories

Which Wireless Doorbell

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With so many on the market to choose from, which wireless doorbell is a question you may well ask yourself when looking to buy one. Following that you probably want to decide the on the styling and construction of the doorbell before making you final choice.

If the look of your house is more in a period styling, you would most likely want to consider and old fashioned wireless doorbell or even an antique model. Blending in with the fascia of your house to give a more consistent look is always desirable to avoid something that stands out like a sore thumb.

A traditional style wireless doorbell like the Byron will fit the bill with its chrome bell push button set on a naturally styled oak plinth. This contains a wireless extender which pairs up to a brass bell push for a completely wireless connection that gets sent around the house when someone rings/presses the doorbell. The wireless doorbell range is one hundred meters which should be way beyond what most houses will require. And just to make it that little bit more authentic, you get a choice of eight melodies such as St. Clemens to complete the old fashioned period feel for a antique wireless doorbell.

Wireless doorbell with a light.

If you’re going for a more modern look then there are also many options to choose from to suit your requirements. For example if your house or flat is situated in an area where it is quite dark a lot of the time, then a wireless doorbell with light would be a great option to make it more visible to visitors or trades people. A flashing or illuminated light will also be a great help to those who are partially sighted. Furthermore if your front door is exposed to the elements, then a waterproof doorbell button is a must to prevent malfunction in the event of heavy rain.

Most if not all of these models have a more than adequate range, some even up to 300 meters which is a huge distance and highly unlikely you would ever need more. However should you find that the signal is not reaching certain parts of your house, then look into getting a wireless doorbell extender which will help boost the signal.

The construction of the doorbell is also important for durability and longevity. A metal wireless doorbell will likely prove to be more sturdy and last longer. However many of the current models are made of a very strong plastic and are suitably well built so it shouldn’t really be an issue for you when making your choice.

Without wishing to state the obvious, if you can’t hear the doorbell then it is not much use to you. So many will no doubt consider what is the loudest wireless doorbell before deciding which one to buy. On a number of models you get four adjustable levels of volume from 25 to 85 decibels which should be plenty …

Wireless Computer Accessories

Wireless Keyboard Mouse Combo

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If you have a tablet device or even a laptop with a small keyboard and a trackpad, you will know that it is not always easy to navigate and type. All tablets are touchscreen and even though the “keys” for typing can be quite accessible, it is not really designed for typing more than a few lines. The solution is to get a wireless keyboard mouse combo.

And one thing I personally dislike are the trackpads that come with virtually all laptops, be they PC or Apple. They can be quite difficult to use in some cases trying to manipulate the cursor and especially when highlighting text or areas of the screen.

So what is the solution? For me it is a wireless keyboard mouse combo that solves both problems. There are many different makes and options these days, like a foldable wireless keyboard for ease of transportation or an ultra thin wireless version for space saving and an ergonomic look. Most are also rechargeable so you should always have it available to use even when away from your home or office. A three month battery life gives plenty of usage per charge which can be carried out with a micro USB cable.

Most have features like an intelligent auto sleep function and an on off button that will help to preserve power for even longer and extend the life of the battery. Plug and play is standard for these devices so there is no need to download drivers, just plug the small wireless receiver into a USB port and you are ready for action.

And talking of action, all keyboards have a slightly different feel when pressing the keys. There are some great options if you are looking for a low profile wireless keyboard. For instance the Seenda Slim is a popular model with quiet keys and a responsive touch.

It does lack the numeric keypads so if you are particularly looking for that, then something like the Sonkir K-18 Ultra Thin Keyboard Mouse Combo might be better suited.

Another issue some users may worry about is the connection and whether it is stable or not. It is very frustrating when typing an important email or document and suddenly the keyboard or mouse loses the connection. The above Sonkir model uses the advanced 2.4Ghz wireless protocol to use one shared receiver for both the mouse and keyboard and therefore tying up just one USB port. With a range of up to 10 metres it is more than adequate for most users.

The majority of portable wireless keyboard mouse combos will be compatible with all versions of the Windows and Mac operating systems but check to be sure before purchasing.

If gaming is your thing, then a specifically designed wireless mechanical keyboard will be top of your list. These are high performance wireless keyboards with programmable keys and will make a huge difference to your gaming experience. If portability is important, then a mini wireless keyboard with touch …

Wireless Bluetooth Speakers

Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

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Everyone likes to listen to music on the go. And on the go can mean a day beside the pool, a day at the beach or even just a simple activity like taking a shower. So what’s better than taking your speaker with you to blast out some of your favourite tunes or listen to the radio.

Now that’s great except for the fact that there is a lot of water at the beach, in the pool or in your shower. Or if bad luck strikes and a sudden downpour of rain happens to catches you out when you are out and about.

Not a problem, enter the portable waterproof bluetooth speaker to save the day!

Which waterproof speaker?

These days there a number of models that have been made waterproof by the manufacturers to meet the growing demand. Of course when considering a waterproof speaker, you still want the consideration of great sound quality with crisp trebles, detailed mid frequencies and strong resonant bass. And on top of that, long playing time, good connectivity, easy pairing, portability and maximum range will be important factors in the decision buying process. Additionally TWS enables you to connect two Bluetooth speakers to achieve true stereo sound. And if you are in the pool, then how about a the loudest waterproof floating bluetooth speaker so you can keep the music flowing even in the middle of the pool! Of course there are times when you want to listen indoors and waterproof will come in handy if you want a bathroom bluetooth speaker.

The waterproof element varies from speaker to speaker in so much as how much water and how long the speaker can withstand. Something like the Tribit Bluetooth can withstand up to 30 minutes in three feet of water which provides plenty of assurance about its durability. Others will resist gentle water spray and splashing but can’t be fully submerged. So pool parties and even a long shower won’t present a problem for the more water resistant models. And if you’re going to the beach, a sand proof Bluetooth speaker is what you want like the Sony SRS-XB12 which also claims to be mud proof and dust proof.

Some wireless Bluetooth outdoor speakers can also be used as a powerbank to charge your phone which is very useful and a great option to have over and above its normal use. And you can make hands free calls with a voice activated bluetooth speaker like the Tronsmart with a voice assistant you can activate.

There really are so many great portable waterproof wireless Bluetooth speakers to choose from that you might be spoilt for choice. It is best to decide what the most important factors and features are when choosing a speaker and then make your choice accordingly.

Happy swimming, showering and listening!…

Portable Wireless Hard Drives

Portable Wireless Hard Drive

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A portable wireless hard drive is a relatively new way of backing up data as the vast majority of external hard drives are connected by USB cable. Normally this would be the easiest way to back up or copy your data from a computer. But when you are wanting to back up say photos and videos  from a smart phone or tablet, then a wireless external drive is an alternative to the cable variety.

How can I use my wireless external drive?

It should also be remembered that a wireless portable external drive is not just for copying or backing up, but can be used as a media streaming source for your smartphone or tablet. These devices don’t typically come with huge storage options, most being between 16 and 128GB. Some allow Micro SD cards to extend the storage but if you own an apple device, this is not an option. Videos in particular can take up very large disk space.

If you are travelling then a portable wireless drive is a great option to be able to watch movies or transfer data to and from your device. USB ports are not always readily available for a conventional external hard drive so there is much greater flexibility with a wireless version. Most PC’s and laptops now have a wireless card so connecting to your computer couldn’t be easier to back up files.

In recent years the solid state (SSD) external drive has come to the fore. Unlike conventional drives that use a disk to write to and have moving mechanical parts, solid state drives use flash memory and therefore are more suited to being moved about for those doing a lot of travelling. And most have a battery which adds to their ability to be used when on the go. Some drives even have an SD card slot to back up content from the drive or to make it easy to transfer photos from your phone or tablet.

If you buy a wireless hard drive with wifi you will want to check the apps that come with the drive. This will in the main be with your smartphone or tablet device.

Wireless connections aren’t quite as fast as wired but they will still give you fast transfers than won’t make you wait too long for data to be transferred. And the convenience of not having to plug and unplug every time will make your wireless external hard drive ofr smartphone, PC mac or tablet a great option for your storage and streaming needs.…