Electronics — How-To Videos, Articles, & Inspiration « Electronics

How To: Repair a blown subwoofer

OK, you've done it, you've blasted your DJ set just a little too loud and now your speakers are dust. Well, before you rush out and replace them, why not try repairing them on your own? That's right, with this how to video you can take the necessary steps and breath new life back into that fried speaker. You'll need a soldering iron, the appropriate gauge wire, and some time. This project isn't quick and it's not necessarily easy either, but you'll feel good when you've saved your speakers. B...

How To: Turn off your iPod Nano or iPod Classic

You can turn off both the iPod Nano and the iPod Classic the same way. To turn it off you have to push a button on the click wheel of the iPod. You will push and hold the play pause button until the iPod goes off. The play pause button is the one that has the two lines and the triangle side by side. Once you have held them down and the iPod has gone off then there is one more thing you need to do. On top of the iPod there is a lock button just move that button to the lock position and you are...

How To: Set up a mini hidden camera easily

This video shows you how to set up and hide mini wireless spy camera. Where you put it is up to you. Who you spy on is up to you. If you're wanting to keep an extra set of eyes on someone, watch and learn. Whether it's your bathroom or kitchen, put your eyes on the prize.

How To: Use a multimeter and check for ground

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for proper ground with help from this quick video. Also shown, is how to use a Fluke probe to pierce wires to test voltage. You can uses these practices when installing car alarms, fog lights, car stereo, and accessories.

How To: Connect a DirectTV set-top box or DVR to the Internet

Learn how to connect a DirectTV set-top box or DVR to the Internet. You'll see the simple steps on how to connect a Set Top Box or DVR to the Internet using the power outlets in your home with MegaPlug Powerline Adapters from Actiontec Electronics.

How To: Get Free HDTV with a Coat Hanger Antenna

Cheaply, easily and quickly build an HDTV antenna that outperforms amplified store-bought antennas! This DIY antenna has amazingly good reception for your television. Quit paying your cable company when you can get HDTV for free!

How To: Hack someone's web cam or online security camera

This tutorial will let you hack into a wide selection of web cams and online security cameras. The hack is actually quite easy, and is best done with a browser like Mozilla Firefox. Navigate to Google in your browser, and then type in "inurl:viewerframe?mode+refresh". This piece of code will open up a list of active webcams. Then just surf through your choices and watch whatever you want. You can even change the camera angle and zoom in and out of the picture!

How To: Make a simple toy motor

It’s just a few steps to make a toy motor. Take a battery of any brand, then take two safety pins. Attach them to both the sides of battery as they act as positive and negative. Then take a magnet, keep it on the battery. Now take a strip, which is rolled into a circle, and take two leading wires from it. Then keep this strip in between the safety pins and just start it up by rotating to one side. Then leave it aside, it rotates continuously.

How To: Put Songs on Your iPod Without Using iTunes

Putting music on your iPod using Windows normally require having to use iTunes, which can be a real pain in the but if you hate using extra software for something that should be as easy and dragging and dropping.

How To: Put an Apple iPod Classic into diagnostic mode

Need some help figuring out how to put your Apple iPod Classic into diagnostic mode? It's easy! And this iPod user's guide will show you how it's done. It's so easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in under four minutes. For details, and to get started testing and troubleshooting your own iPod, take a look.

How To: Use a Canon EOS 40D camera

This online manual shows you all of the ins and outs of the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera. The guide covers: handling the camera, shooting modes, ISO speed, AF modes, Drive modes, image quality, highlight tone priority, picture styles, white balance, and live view mode

How To: UsUSB Plug 'n Play Instant Setup with Epson projectors

Epson printer setup is easy, let’s start by connecting the standard USB cable into the USB port in the back of your computer, the other end of the USB cable will go into the USB slot in the back of the projector. Simple as that your slides will start immediately! With the Epson plug n play projector you can use the page up page down keys in order to manage your slides which you cannot do with those other out dated connections.

How To: Delete apps off an iPod Touch or iPhone

In this video you will learn how to delete apps off of your iPod Touch or iPhone. All you need to do is press select the app you wish to delete. And instead of tapping it you hold your finger until the X pops up on the top left corner of each of the apps. Then simply press on the X and it will bring up a menu asking whether or not you would like to delete the app. Then all you will need to do is either choose yes or no. Then there you have it you have successfully removed the desired app.

How To: Connect a laptop or PC to your TV with an RGB cable

In this Electronics video tutorial you will learn how to connect a laptop or PC to your TV with an RGB cable. Take your RGB cable and plug it in to the back of the TV as shown in the video. You can also do this with the HDMI cable. Now take other end of the RGB cable and plug it in to the laptop or PC. Then you right click on your desktop, go down to graphics options > output to > monitor. Now you have to change the input to your TV. This will depend on the make and model of your TV. Once tha...

How To: Connect an antenna or cable to your HDTV, For Dummies

From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. This is Consumer Electronics for Dummies. Just watch this video tutorial to learn how to connect an antenna or cable to your HDTV, For Dummies.

How To: Solve the blinking "FEE" error message on a Nikon DSLR

In this video, it is demonstrated how to get rid of a "FEE" error message on a Nikon DSLR camera. The solution is fairly simple and quick to do. First you will want to turn your camera on to where you see the "FEE" error message on the LCD screen. Next, you will set the camera's aperture ring to the highest number available. After this, the last step is to lock the aperture ring by using the switch. After doing this step, your camera should return back to normal working order and the "FEE" er...

How To: Solder speaker lead wires

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to solder speaker lead wires. Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal into the joint. Viewers are shown how to solder speaker lead wires to the terminals. This video also shows how to solder two wires together and how to solder a wire to a slip on terminal. This video will benefit those viewers who want to learn how to solder and be able to repair other electronic devices.

How To: Take close-up macro shots with a Canon EOS DSLR camera

Want to know the best way to take close-up, highly-detailed pictures of small objects? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started taking macro shots on your own Canon 550D, Rebel T2i, 5D or 7D DSLR, take a look.

How To: Adjust the volume on your iPod Classic and iPod Nano

This video demonstrates how to adjust the volume on your iPod Classic and iPod Nano. From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to adjust the volume on your iPod Classic and iPod Nano, For Dummies.

How To: Print 2-sided (duplex) w/ an Epson all-in-one printer

The Epson video describes how to print two-sided on one piece of paper. When document is ready, go to "File" and then "Print". Click the "Properties" button and select Page Layout tab and turn on the two-sided printing option. Click "OK" in print window. Wait for Epson printer to complete the first page. Take paper, flip over and put it back upside down in the paper feeder. There are instructions that will pop out on screen for this. Click resume and the second page will be printed on the bac...

How To: Build a DIY 1080p HD projector

Projectors can be pretty pricey. 1080p projectors even worse. If that isn't reason enough for you to build your own, then what is? Systm shows you the complete, detailed process of building your own 1080p HD projector, so pay attention and take some notes!

How To: Transfer super 8mm film to your computer

Do you have old super 8, or 8mm film lying around? In this video, learn how to transfer that film to your computer without spending loads of cash.

How To: Use the electronic level display on the Canon EOS 7D

The EOS 7D has an accurate level display, which you can activate on either the read LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. See how to work the electronic display on the Canon digital SLR camera. This is great for getting a steady shot wherever you need it.

How To: Fix an unresponce iPod Classic by hard resetting it

In this clip, you'll learn how to fix an unresponsive Apple iPod Classic MP3 player by hard resetting it. It's an easy process. So easy, in fact, that this how-to can present a complete demonstration of the process in under a minute's time. For complete details, and to learn how to force your own iPod Classic to reset, take a look.

How To: Download music using Safari on your iPhone or iPod

The viewer learns how to download music on their iPhone or iPod using Safari. The video starts with the instructor talking about what it was that made him decide to use Safari to download music. The speaker uses a lot of profanity in his intro and the instructional part of the video does not start until 3 min into the video. The video/audio quality is poor at times. The instructor will show you in a step by step manner. If the viewer follows the instructions (and ignores the extra blah blah b...

How To: Use a digital camera as a webcam for Skype

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use a digital camera as a webcam on Skype. Users will need the AV cable and a USB capture device. Begin by connecting the AV cable to the USB capture device. Plug the cable to your computer and your digital camera. Users will need to download and install the Debut Video Recording software. Open the program and click on Device. Users may have to go to Options and configure the settings. On Skype, right-click the person you want to call and select Sh...

How To: Make a remote control work with just one battery

It’s late at night and your remote control runs out of batteries. When you go to replace them you realize you only have one batter left. Now you’ll have the quick fix knowledge to power your remote with just one battery until you can find another.

How To: Fix a convergence problem on your rear projection TV

In this tutorial, we learn how to fix a convergence problem on your rear projection TV. First, go to the menu on your television and see if you can fix the convergence through this. If this doesn't work, then try replacing the STK IC's that are inside of the TV. This will require you to take the television apart and find where the convergence board is. Once you find this, disconnect all cables and remove the bored. You will see two STK IC's attached to their heatsinks. After you find these, r...

How To: Fix the earphone jack on an Apple iPod Classic

Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of fixing a broken headphone jack on an Apple iPod Classic quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the other components. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their iPods without actually disassembling their units.

How To: Use magnetic card readers and writers with your PC

Magnetic card readers can make e-transactions far simpler, especially for people who are running their own small business. You can also watch this video to learn about card writers, which can let you create your own magnetic cards (such as a membership card) to track your customers' activity.

How To: Build a subwoofer speaker box

This great video series from the experts at RTTI shows you how to make a custom subwoofer box for your car. They do a great job of teaching you how to measure, cut, and finish so your car is bumping.

How To: Manipulate exposure on the Canon EOS 5D MK II

See how to manipulate exposure on the Canon EOS 5D MK II. This is a quick demonstration of how to get the Canon EOS 5D MK II in video mode to give you a wider aperture, even in bright light situations. This is a reliable and sound method of manipulating the aperture for recording videos on the Canon 5D Mark 2.

How To: Get content from your laptop to display on your TV

It's easier than ever to get display content on your laptop to show up on your TV screen. If you're willing to pay, you can set up a wireless connection. But you can achieve the same effect with a much less expensive HDMI cable. Then adjust the resolution in Control Panel!

How To: Fix a wet iPod or iPhone

Have you ever dropped your iPhone or iPod in water? Learn how to fix it here. Water can be very damaging to electronics because of its conductivity. You can avoid short circuiting your device by following the directions in this tutorial. Discover why water can hurt your electronics and how to dry out a wet device from the inside out. Find out how to open the device and access the logic board. With materials as simple as a hair dryer and guitar pick, your device can be as good as new!

How To: Connect a DVD or Blu-Ray player to the Internet

Learn how to connect a DVD or Blu-Ray player to the Internet. You'll see the simple steps on how to connect a DVD or Blu-Ray Player to the Internet using the powerlines in your home with Powerline Adapters from Actiontec Electronics.

How To: Load a roll of paper into your Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Photo printer

For someone used to working in reams or sheaves, a roll of printer paper can be confusing. However, replacing the paper in your printer which calls for rolls is not that hard. This tutorial shows you a very easy to follow process for loading paper into your printer. While this focuses on the Epson Stylus R2880 model, it will still work for other models.

How To: Effectively remove CD & DVD scratches with toothpaste

In this tutorial, we learn how to effectively remove DVD and CD scratches by using toothpaste! First, you will need to grab the CD or DVD that is scratched and then grab a tube of toothpaste. Next, rub some toothpaste onto the middle of your item. Now rub your finger on the toothpaste until the toothpaste covers the entire DVD or CD. Now, let the item sit for just a few minutes, and grab a clean, dry, and very soft wash cloth. After a few minutes, gently rub off the toothpaste with the soft w...