Hot Electronics How-Tos « Electronics

How To: Fix a compact disc player drawer problem

When CD and DVD players stop working, it's usually because of the drawer not opening and/or shutting. For this CD player, the problem turned out to be a broken belt between the motor and the wheel that has the gear that opens the drawer. Look at these two video tutorials to see how easy it can be to fix, by replacing one belt with a rubber band.

How To: Graph Mario on a TI-83 Calculator

When it comes to graphing and comparing functions, the TI-83 graphing calculator is the end-all device for math and science students. But one of the most entertaining aspects of Texas Instruments' powerful algebraic and trigonometric calculator is not the equations themselves, but rather the art that can be "equated" on them—just think of them as the mathematical equivalent of the Etch A Sketch.

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: Spy on friends with a hidden camera

This video shows how to setup and use your DynaSpy wireless video surveillance camera.

How To: Troubleshoot common problems with a CD player

CD players are largely a thing of the past, but their audio quality is still top-notch. If your old CD player is broken, watch this video for ideas on ways to troubleshoot common CD player problems and repair them.

How To: Transmit files wirelessly on the Canon EOS 7D

You can easily share and transport your photo and videos on the Canon EOS 7D by using the wireless file transmission option. See exactly how sharing and downloading your files to computers and other devices works in this video. When the digital SLR camera is combined with the WFT-E5A Wireless File Transmitter, transmitting is easy.

How To: Set up a hidden camera system

This video shows you how to set up a mini wireless spy cam. 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. So whether you're looking to put a camera in your bathroom or garage, go for it.

How To: Restore a 5th generation iPod Nano to factory settings

If you're 3rd generation 8GB iPod Nano has frozen or broken in some other software-related fashion, you probably have to restore it to factory settings. DOH! Fortunately this isn't a hard process, and this video will teach you how to do it.

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: 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: Set up an X10 spy camera

The spy camera shown in this how-to video has a 60 foot cable, and is full color and has audio. This spy cam can be used as a security device, or to feed paranoid delusions or stalking urges. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to set up an X10 spy camera.

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: 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: 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: Calculate compound interest using a TI-84 and solver

This is a video tutorial in the Electronics category where you are going to learn how to calculate compound interest using a TI-84 and solver. Press the apps button on the calculator and press enter to load the TVM Solver which is the 1st choice. Here the meaning of various notations are N is time, I% is the percentage, PV is present value, PMT is payment, FV is future value and C/Y is compounding period. The problem is find the compound amount and the interest earned on $12,903.45 compounded...

How To: Restore an 8GB iPod Touch to factory settings

Has your 8GB iPod Touch frozen or otherwise stopped working with no apparent physical cause? It may be corrupted, and you may have to restore it to factory settings if you want to keep using it. This video will teach you how to do just that.

How To: Repair Samsung lcd TV power clicking problem

This five part series teaches you how to repair your Samsung LCD TV power clicking problem. This video is probably best to for TV experts or those fearless TV owner. This video walks you through the steps of giving your family entertainment center some at home surgery. The instructor with careful instructions and with your TV's safety in mind walks you through everything you need to know fix this pesky problem.

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: Reset your iPod Touch without losing all your stuff

If you want to reset your iPod, you have to loose your stuff. It is very simple to save your stuff and reset your iPod. This process takes just a few seconds to complete. After that, you can see that all applications and themes are saved. Your iPod will be reset without deleting any of your stuff.

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: Clean a scratched CD or DVD with toothpaste

In order to remove the scratches from a CD with toothpaste, you will need: regular toothpaste, a towel or washcloth, and water.

How To: Use external Speedlite controls on the Canon 5D

Bruce Dorn from Canon breaks down the exposure and Speedlite controls on the Canon 5D Mark II. His explanations are especially helpful as he gives certain shooting scenarios in which tweaking these settings will improve your overall image quality.

How To: Put Music & Video On Your iPod or iPhone Without iTunes

Intro Everyone who has, or at one point in time owned an iPod or iPhone has used iTunes. And we all know the problems with iTunes. For example, sometimes it doesn't detect the device or thinks your iPod's just a camera, or there are bugs in the software.

How To: Do high key video lighting for product photography

This video shows you how to do video lighting for product shots. In order to do this the presenter begins by putting the product on a plate. He has three lights that are placed around the product. 650 watt shooting onto the background. The second light is 1000 watts, with an open face shooting into a soft box. It has a flag to protect the light. The third light has an umbrella giving fill on the background. He then shuts off all the lights except for the background light giving a shot of the ...

How To: Enable auto focus in video mode on the Canon 5D

Many people have complained about the lack of autofocus in video mode on the Canon 5D Mark II. Fortunately, this video demonstrates a solution by utilizing the live mode, thus enabling the still camera's autofocus features.

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: Add songs to your iPod without using iTunes

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add songs to an iPod without using iTunes. Begin by opening your web browser and go to the website:

How To: Build a small DIY hydrogen fuel cell science experiment

The hydrogen fuel cell has great potential to replace carbon-based fuels in our vehicle fleets and stave off global warming. It's a difficult concept intellectually, so why not make this fun little science experiment to try it out for yourself? Yes, by following these simple instructions you can make a small hydrogen fuel cell at home that will even power some devices!

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: Operate the Nikon D90 Digital Camera

Watch this instructional video brought to you by Richard Berry to learn how to operate the Nikon D90. This Nikon D90 video tutorial demonstrates how to use the control dial (auto mode, scene modes, program [P], shutter priority [S], aperture priority [A], and manual [M]); read the display and viewfinder; adjust the aperture, shutter speed, focus, spot meter, matrix, exposure compensation, etc.; use the back command dial; and more. Use this Nikon D90 tutorial to familiarize yourself with your ...

How To: Hack a 5.5g iPod's firmware with Alterpod

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to hack into your iPod's firmware on a Mac. In order to hack into the 5.5g iPod's firmware, you need to download the Alterpod, a firmware editing software. With this program, you'll be able to download themes onto your iPod. Keep in mind that this hack is for the 5.5 generation iPod and does not work for the 6th generation or the older ones before 5.5. When downloading themes, make sure to download the correct version.

How To: Make a laser out of a lighter

Kipkay has a new cool project for you. In this video, you'll learn how to make a laser out of a lighter. All you need to do is a cheap butane lighter. Any one will do, including one bought from a convenience store. Just watch this how-to video, and you'll be playing with your laser pointer in no time at all!

How To: Sync your iPod to your computer without a USB cord

If you have lost your USB cable or have a broken drive, you may need to sync your iPod without one. In this tutorial, learn how to sync your iPod Touch or iPhone to your computer without any cords at all.

How To: Make your laser pointer run on AAA batteries

This video shows us the method to make your laser pointer work with AAA batteries. Take a metal casing made of metal. In the video, we take a Duracell mini flashlight and remove the front and back part. Unscrew the top and back of the laser pointer and remove the batteries. Roll some aluminium foil and put it in the metal casing. Put the AAA batteries in the casing with positive side inside. Put the casing and the laser pointer together and the laser works. Bind the two together by two rubber...

How To: Clean a DVD or CD with alcohol

In order to clean a DVD or a CD with alcohol, you will need the following: a CD or a DVD, alcohol, and cotton balls.

How To: Open up a 6th generation iPod Classic

In this how to video, you will learn how open an iPod classic. Notice that the sides of the interior of the bottom case have tabs. There are metal locking clips at the bottom of these. The plastic clips on the front cover engage these to lock the cover into place. This means you will need a pry tool in order to remove the cover. First, you will need to use the pry tool and insert it into the side of the device. Try to get under the clip and pry it from the front base plate. Work around the si...

How To: Program an RCA universal remote

If you just bought a new RCA universal remote and want to program it then this is for you. The first thing you have to do is hold down the TV button and tap and hold the on/off button until the TV button lights. Now you have to keep pushing the play button so your remote can send codes to your TV/ device. You may have to do this several times. Next you push rewind until your TV turns off. The last thing you have to do is press the stop button to make the remote accept the code. Now you remote...