Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Finding The Best Small Digital Camera
Digital cameras are getting smaller and smaller every year. People seem to have a fascination for very compact gadgets. Remember how bulky mobile phones used to be? I remember lugging around a bag phone the size of a woman’s purse and much heavier.
Now they have models that are as small as a chapstick.
Since digital cameras are one of the most popular portable devices on the market, a lot of people are looking for the smallest digital camera they can find. If you find yourself scouring the internet and your local electronics stores with that goal, just keep in mind that one way to reduce the size of a digital camera is to include fewer features. Don’t sacrifice important features just for a smaller size.
After all, what good is a small digital camera if it only has enough memory to store a few shots, or if it is a low-resolution camera that produces grainy photos?
You need to find the right balance. Find the right trade-off between small size and the important features. Let’s compare some of the smallest models to illustrate what I mean.
- The Blink by StyleCam is, technically speaking, the smallest digital camera available today, but it only has a resolution of 0.3 megapixel. It’s not built for serious photography. It also doesn’t have any zoom function to speak of, but at a price of less than $40, it could be considered a good value digital camera.
- Sony’s CyberShot DSC-U20 can also compete for the title of the smallest digital camera, but it’s loaded with features to boot! It comes with a 2.0 megapixel resolution and expandable memory storage using Sony’s memory stick technology.
- Casio’s Exilim EX-M2 is probably the best investment when it comes to compact digital cameras. It also comes with a 2.0 megapixel resolution, but it can also play mp3 files and record voice conversations. The only thing going against the Casio Exilim EX-M2 is a price tag of almost $400.
Just because we’re looking at the smallest digital cameras doesn’t mean that they will also be the cheapest models. It can be expensive to shrink the best features into a tinier package. It also doesn’t mean that we should settle for fewer features. Our investment can go a long, long way as long as we exercise a little caution and do a fair amount of research before making our choice of digital camera.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Satellite TV Provider Comparison -- DISH Network and DIRECTV
Satellite TV Providers
There are two satellite TV providers that offer satellite TV service in the U.S. -- DISH Network and DIRECTV.
DISH Network was launched by EchoStar Communications in 1996. It currently has 12 million subscribers, and is ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among all cable and satellite TV providers by J.D. Power and Associates.
DIRECTV was the first DBS (direct broadcast satellite) TV provider. Launched in 1994 by General Motors, it currently has 14.5 million subscribers, and is ranked #2 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.
Satellite TV Provider Comparison
Here's a feature-to-feature comparison of the two satellite TV providers:
Programming
DISH Network offers 256 channels of all-digital programming including movie channels, pay-per-view programs, and sports packages. They have the biggest variety of movies and shows, and offer 50 Sirius music channels.
DIRECTV offers 225 channels of all-digital programming including movie channels, pay-per-view, and sports packages. They have the most sports packages, and offer 31 music channels.
International Channels
DISH Network offers Armenian, Asian, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, South Asian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Urdu program channels.
DIRECTV offers Chinese, Filipino, Italian, South Asian, Spanish, Vietnamese program channels.
Pay-Per-View Movies and Special Events
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV pay-per-view movies are $3.99 each. Special event programming prices vary according to the event.
Pricing
DISH Network program packages start at $31.99 for 60 program channels including HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax, and go up to $86.99 for 230 channels, including 50 Sirius radio channels.
DIRECTV program packages start at $39.99 a month for 135 program channels including 31 music channels, plus HBO, Showtime, and Starz, and go up to $93.99 for 185 channels.
Note: For ordering information and current special offers on program packages, click on the links below.
Activation Fee
DISH Network's $49.99 activation fee is refunded with first bill, so it ends up being free.
DIRECTV's $50.00 fee is refunded with first bill, so it too is free.
Satellite TV System
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV will give you a free satellite TV dish and 4 free receivers with universal remotes when you subscribe to their service. Installation is free.
HD (high definition) Receivers
DISH Network offers free HD receivers when you order their service.
DIRECTV HD receivers are $199 each.
DVR (digital video recording) receivers
DISH Network will give you two free DVR receivers. Video-on-Demand service (the equivalent of TiVo), is free when you order their America's Everything Pak programming, or $4.98 a month with their other programming packages.
DIRECTV DVR receivers are free (after a $99 rebate) when you order their service. TiVo service is free when you order their Total Choice Premier package, or $4.99 a month with their other program packages.
Warranty
DISH Network offers a lifetime warranty on their satellite TV systems.
DIRECTV offers a one-year warranty on their satellite TV systems.
Installation Times
Installation times for both DISH Network and DIRECTV is usually one to five days from the time an order is placed.
Customer Service
DISH Network and DIRECTV have 24-hour, 7-days-a-week online and toll-free customer service.
Bonus Gifts
Both satellite TV providers offer special programming offers and free gifts to encourage you to purchase their service
