If you have a lot of music on vinyl in 33rpm or 45rpm format, i.e. records, you may want to transfer that music to another source like MP3 or an audio CD.
Storing your music this way gives you access to listen to it on more modern format players like CD players, a PC or an MP3 player, and it also allows you a back-up in a less depreciable form. All told, it is an option that many music fans (of a certain generation) would like to take advantage of.
One option is to take your old vinyl to a specialist who will, for a considerable charge, do this transfer for you. The other option is to buy a USB turntable.
A USB turntable is, as its name suggests, a turntable that plays records and has the addition of an out-going USB port. This enables you to play a single or LP and save it directly to whatever media you have connected to the other end of the USB cable. This could be an MP3 player, a CD writer, or a PC.
The time taken to perform the data transmission will be the running time of the record, so it is a slow job, but an enjoyable one if you listen to your music as you re-record it.
On the downside, those who are serious audiophiles and listen to their music on specialist kit, will find the reproductive quality limited to say the least. However, if the main media used for playback is intended to be an MP3 player, where the reproduction is far from challenging, then this kind of data transfer device will be more than adequate.
Using a USB turntable may require the running of a driver on a PC and or the uploading of one to an MP3 player (although in most cases this will not be necessary).
Here is a page, http://fwd.five.tv/gadgets/audio-video/numark-tti, with a USB record player illustrated on it.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Home laser levels
Laser levels have been around for a long time, but in the past they have been prohibitively expensive and used solely in the construction industry.
They were originally designed for, and used in, the surveying and project setting out sector, but cheap technology now makes them an affordable “Do It Yourself” product for the home.
What the laser level does
The laser level projects a small and precise laser light on to a surface. This may be a static (non moving) light, or it may spin through 360 degrees (rotary) creating a seemingly continuous line. Some laser levels may project a small cross (like cross hairs).
The advantage to this piece of equipment is that is removes the need to constantly re-measure a level from a datum point, or to transpose a level along a vertical surface using a conventional spirit level.
Because of this it has two big advantages. The first is accuracy and the second is a saving in time and activity which in turn reduces the potential for error.
These devices do require setting up. The simpler and cheaper models have levelling bubbles whilst the more expensive versions have self (auto) levelling mechanisms.
Laser levels are ideal for a home DIY project like dado or skirting levelling, or the installing of a new floor – in fact anything that requires an accurate, consistent and reliable vertical measurement to create a horizontal level.
Finally, some of these levels also combine other features like tape measures.
The good news is that the prices and availability of laser levels now make them perfect for most DIY’ers. They start at under $50 (£35) and these cheap models are more than capable of doing everything required of them during home projects.
Here are some web pages with examples of these products: http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/building-tools/spirit-level-laser-levels/showitem-12251-88987.aspx and http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/cheapest/Makita-Laser-Level/22391377/477 .
They were originally designed for, and used in, the surveying and project setting out sector, but cheap technology now makes them an affordable “Do It Yourself” product for the home.
What the laser level does
The laser level projects a small and precise laser light on to a surface. This may be a static (non moving) light, or it may spin through 360 degrees (rotary) creating a seemingly continuous line. Some laser levels may project a small cross (like cross hairs).
The advantage to this piece of equipment is that is removes the need to constantly re-measure a level from a datum point, or to transpose a level along a vertical surface using a conventional spirit level.
Because of this it has two big advantages. The first is accuracy and the second is a saving in time and activity which in turn reduces the potential for error.
These devices do require setting up. The simpler and cheaper models have levelling bubbles whilst the more expensive versions have self (auto) levelling mechanisms.
Laser levels are ideal for a home DIY project like dado or skirting levelling, or the installing of a new floor – in fact anything that requires an accurate, consistent and reliable vertical measurement to create a horizontal level.
Finally, some of these levels also combine other features like tape measures.
The good news is that the prices and availability of laser levels now make them perfect for most DIY’ers. They start at under $50 (£35) and these cheap models are more than capable of doing everything required of them during home projects.
Here are some web pages with examples of these products: http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/building-tools/spirit-level-laser-levels/showitem-12251-88987.aspx and http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/cheapest/Makita-Laser-Level/22391377/477 .
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