Hot Electronics How-Tos

How To: Play music on your iPod Touch

This video demonstrates how to play music on your iPod Touch. 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 play music on your iPod Touch, For Dummies.

How To: Play iPod videos on a TV

It's really convenient to be able to watch movies on the go on your iPod, but it's kind of annoying trying to make out what's happening with such a tiny screen. If you want to watch your iPod movies on your TV so you have better resolution, check out this video to learn how to play iPod videos on your TV. All you'll need is an iPod, iPod A/V cable, and a TV.

How To: Convert VHS tapes to DVD

This video covers the steps needed to convert a VHS video tape to DVD. You will need to purchase a video capture card in order to do this project. Connect your VCR to your computer using a coaxial cable. This is a great way to preserve and restore old VHS tapes by digitizing them.

How To: Make a digital television antenna

Analog TV will stop all broadcasts on June 12, 2009. If you're not ready yet for the transfer from analog to digital, you bet get ready. You can buy a digital convertor box and a digital antenna for your analog television, you can but a digital antenna for your DTV-enable television, or you can save some money an build your own antenna! This video tutorial will show you how to make a digital television antenna with some coaxial cable, an empty coffee can, a hammer, a nail, and some duct tape ...

How To: Get ready for the digital television transfer

This four-part video tutorial is furnished by the (FCC) Federal Communications Commission shows you how to get ready for the digital television transfer. Is your television ready for digital? By February 17th, 2009 TV stations will stop broadcasting in analog and broadcast only in digital. Your TV needs to be ready so you can keep watching. Digital television, also known as DTV, is here, and after February 17th, TV stations will turn off their analog signal. The FCC wants to be sure you are r...

How To: Hook up a digital-to-analog converter box

Are you still watching television with an analog signal? If so, your TV may no longer work after February 17th, 2009. There is one easy fix to this problem though. There are many different kinds of convertor boxes out there, and the government is offering forty dollar coupons that you could use to get these digital-to-analog (DTV) converter boxes.

How To: Connect a digital converter box to an analog TV

This video tutorial from Consumer Reports will show you how to connect a digital converter box to an analog television. These are step-by-step instructions on how to connect your digital converter box, plus tips and troubleshooting to help you along the way. This DTV converter box is needed only if you do not connect to a cable box already, do not have a digital-ready television, and have an analog TV that connects to an antenna.

How To: Replace an HP Laser jet printer fuser

It is a simple way to extend the life of your workhorse printer and takes about 10 minutes. This is a step by step with disassembly of the laser fuser assembly and reinstall instructions. This is a basic mr. fixit tutorial on how to maintain an old laser printer instead of throwing it out. Be better for the environment and stop buying new stuff!

How To: Make a big ball of sound

Turn two salad bowls into a spherical array, ball of sound. Speaker arrays are common at large venues, but are practical for your home environment to give your home theater a good sound. Make this spherical ball of sound from Make Magazine using 8 speakers, 6 quart salad bowls, a dremel and some wire. Disperse the sound across your home with even acoustics.

How To: Prepare for the switch to digital T.V.

Everyone's talking about the switch to digital broadcasting, but what does it mean for you, your TV, and your old rabbit-ear antenna? You will need a digital-to-analog converter box, a pay TV service or a TV with a built-in digital tuner. Tip: Government issued coupons for digital converters are available online at dtv2009.gov.

How To: Make your own radio station

This instructional video offers a description and overview of how to set up your own FM broadcast station. Operating from 88 MHz to 108 MHz. It describes how a FM transmitter works and how to make one. It presents a simple di-pole radio antenna for FM broadcasting and how to make one. And finally it explains how with theses two components one can set up their own station from anywhere. The video was made by Seth Gadsden in collaboration with Stephen Dunifer and Free Radio Berkeley.

How To: Make an inexpensive 3D movie viewing station

Want a great, inexpensive, 3D movie experience in your bedroom (and have an aversion to the perennial red/blue anaglyphic glasses)? Sean Hellfritsch from Encyclopedia Pictura shows how to make the Vizard, a home 3-D viewing station. This podcast from Wired Magazine is a creative and whimsical hack with both modern and nostalgic technology perfect for watching a flip book style movie in 3D. The Vizard is a polarized stereoscopic display. It's not a red or cyan filter. LED has a natural polariz...