Hot Electronics How-Tos
How To: Record your games on your Xbox 360 and PS3 using an HD PVR and EyeTV3
If you're running a Mac and have always wanted to be able to get the videos of your gameplay from your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 onto your computer to share with the world without video taping a tv screen, then check out this video! In it you'll learn how to capture your gameplay using an HD PVR and EyeTV3!
How To: Reboot your iPod Touch fast
In this tutorial, we learn how to reboot your iPod Touch fast. First, hold the power and the home button at the same time for ten seconds, then release the power button and continue to hold the home button for eight more seconds. Next, open up iTunes and look at your iPod to make sure it's in DFU mode. Make sure your iPod is connected via USB to your computer, then it will pop up an alert that your iPod is in recovery mode. Exit this pop up and then exit iTunes. From here, download 1click Boo...
How To: Put music on your iPod through iTunes
In this tutorial, we learn how to put music on your iPod through iTunes. First, go to iTunes on your computer and then plug your iPod into your computer. Next, you will be able to import any new music into your iTunes account. From here, you can drag the music you want from your computer into the folder that has your iPod on it. When you have finished putting in all your music, you will simply sync your computer and device. When it's finished downloading, you can unplug your iPod from your co...
How To: Transfer music from your iPhone to iTunes
In this tutorial, we learn how to transfer music from your iPhone to iTunes. First, plug your phone into your computer and open up iTunes. From here, you will see the library of tunes that you have. Then, click on the 'smart backup' link that is on the top of the page. After this, your computer and your phone will start to backup the music and your phone music will transfer to your iTunes account. When it's finished, you will be able to access this music and listen to it whenever you would li...
How To: Put music onto any iPod using the iTunes application
In this tutorial, we learn how to put music onto any iPod using the iTunes application. First, plug in your iPod to your computer via the USB cable. Then, open iTunes on your computer and find your music library. After this, you will find the songs that you want to put on your iPod and drag them to the file that has your iPod. If you want to transfer it all, just click the sync button on the bottom of the page. This will put everything you have downloaded to your iPod. When finished, you can ...
How To: Reboot your iPod Touch or iPhone
In this tutorial, we learn how to reboot your iPod Touch or iPhone. First, you will turn your phone off completely. After this, you will turn on iTunes on your computer. Then, you will connect your USB cable to your phone from your computer. Now, connect your USB cable while you are holding the home button on your phone The Apple logo will come up and then you will hear a noise on your computer. From here, click on the iPod connection link that shows up on your computer. Then, your iPod will ...
How To: Put music on an iPod shuffle using iTunes music
In this tutorial, we learn how to put music on an iPod shuffle using iTunes music. First, open up iTunes on your computer and then connect your iPod to your computer via the USB cable. From here, you will see the summary information about your iPod and other tabs at the top of the screen. From here, you will be able to manage your music that you already have on your computer. You can now select the music that you want to transfer, then drag it over to your iPod. After this loads, you will be ...
How To: Reset and restore an iPod Classic 5G to its factory-default settings
Something amiss with your fifth-generation Apple iPod Classic? Before you send it in for repair, you should reset your iPod to its factory-default settings and see if that doesn't clear up your problem. This iPod owner's guide offers a complete overview of the process.
How To: Reset and restore an iPod Nano 5G to factory settings
Something amiss with your fifth-generation Apple iPod Nano? Before you send it in for repair, you should reset your iPod to its factory-default settings and see if that doesn't clear up your problem. This iPod owner's guide offers a complete overview of the process.
How To: Set up Google TV on Sony's Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player
Sony's new Internet TV combines the power of Google TV and television into a neat and accessible package. And setting up your new Google TV is a cinch. This video walks you through the quick setup process for getting your Google TV system going. The player in this video is model NSZ-GT1.
How To: Start using Sony's new Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player with Google TV
Google TV is a revolutionary new way to enjoy your two favorite things in life— Internet and TV. And Sony just happens to be the first company to design television products powered by Google, like their Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player (Model NSZ-GT1). If you're thinking of getting one, this video provides a hands on, showing you how to use the new Sony Internet TV, paired with practically any television.
How To: Set up and use the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player (NSZ-GT1 / Google TV)
If you've already gotten your hands on Sony's Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player, powered by Google TV, then you know how powerful this thing is. But if you're thinking of getting one soon, this video series will help you learn what you'll be getting yourself into.
How To: Use the video camera on a fifth-generation iPod Nano
In this iPod Nano owner's guide, we learn how to use the iPod Nano 5g's built-in video camera. For all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, and to learn how to start shooting digital footage on your own iPod Nano, take a look.
How To: Fix a frozen Apple iPod Nano by hard resetting it
In this iPod Nano owner's guide, we learn how to fix a frozen or otherwise unresponsive iPod Nano by hard restarting it. For all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, and to learn how to unstick a stuck iPod yourself, take a look.
How To: Repair the Vivitar 285's Flash Foot
In this tutorial, we learn how to repair the Vivitar 285's Flash Foot. First, remove the flash foot using a soldering iron. Melt the solder just enough, don't ruin the wires or the backing. Now, set the iron down and then short the wires out, you will see the flash go off when you do this. Trim of the exposed wire from the end, then wrap a small amount of electrical tape around the wires. After this, you will repair the metal around where the wires were connected. Then, solder the wires back ...
How To: Use the Mirror Lock Up on the Canon 40D
In this video we learn how to use the Mirror Lock Up on the Canon 40D. First, press the shutter and lock up the mirror. Second, press down on the exposure. Do this with a remote if you have one or use the timer mode. To do this, turn it out of focus then turn it on two or ten second focus. Then your single press will open it up and then take the exposure so you don't have to press it twice. This should make your exposure turn out correctly, use this whenever you would like and enjoy taking pi...
How To: Make your own solar panel
In this video, we learn how to make your own solar panel.The amorphous solar glass is the cheapest but it's also the least efficient. You can do anything you want with these and they are durable. The hexagon cells are the most efficient and most expensive as well. The poly crystalline is almost 2 watts a piece and can be purchase in lots of any size. You have to tab these cells together and they are extremely fragile. Be careful when you work with these. To make these, you will solder tabbing...
How To: Use your Mac as a wireless adapter for XBox Live
In this video, we learn how to use your Mac as a wireless adapter for Xbox Live. You will need: a Mac, monitor, Xbox, and Ethernet cord. Start out by going to system preferences, then going to the sharing folder. Go to internet sharing and make sure the Ethernet box and internet is selected. Then, click the box next to internet sharing and click "start". Now, go to the network option and go to advanced, TCIP, and then write down your sub maps and router IP address. After this, plug the Ethern...
How To: Unfreeze an iPod Nano
This video tutorial is in the Electronics category which will show you how to unfreeze an iPod Nano. Doing this is really simple and easy and doesn't take much time. This video is not meant for unfreezing iPod shuffle or iPod touch. If your iPod Nano freezes and stops responding, press the enter button in the center and the menu button located at the top part of the ring simultaneously. Hold the buttons down for a couple of seconds till the screen powers up again. Your iPod Nano is now unfroz...
How To: Connect a computer to an HDTV using an HDMI cable
In this video, we learn how to connect a computer to an HDTV using an HDMI cable. Start out by plugging your HDMI blue port in the back of your computer monitor. Also, plug in a yellow DVI to HDMI converted with a cable connected to this. You can buy these on Amazon or New Egg for only a few dollars, get the generic version. After you have these plugged in, it's as simple as that. Plug these into the back of your television, then use your computer. You will now see the screen of your computer...
How To: Put together an awesome intro sequence for your YouTube videos
Want to make your own really cool introduction for your YouTube videos? You can put together a few awesome sequences using the program Pulp Motion Advance for the Mac, and this tutorial shows you how to use templates, or create your own intro from scratch!
How To: Record a song demo with the PreSonus AudioBox USB audio interface
In this video tutorial, we learn how to record a song idea with an AudioBox USB digital audio interface. Whether you're new to PreSonus' DAW or new to digital recording more generally, you're sure to find much to take away from this free video software tutorial. Take a look.
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: Set camera exposure by yourself by using an 18% gray card
If the exposure for your camera is just a tiny bit off, the skin tone for your shots will be terribly off. You can use an 18% grey card to determine correct exposure, which is useful for setups when you are doing self-portraits or similar projects.
How To: Uninstall the DVFilm Epic 1 plugin for Sony Vegas 9 Pro
The DVFilm plugin for Sony Vegas 9 Pro called 'Epic 1' is sometimes not quite what you want for your progam, but it can be difficult to make go away entirely if you decide you don't want it. This tutorial shows you how to permanently get rid of it.
How To: Increase the ISO above 6400 on your T2i 550D digital camera
If you want high noise and lots of light for an extremely washed out look for your photographs, you can increase the ISO on your digital SLR camera by going into manual mode and adjusting the settings on your camera from there.
How To: Use a checklist to maximize your shots when using a digital SLR camera
Go through a six-step checklist to cover shutter settings, white balance, setting your ISO (depending on indoors or outdoors), choosing a good picture style, picking an appropriate shutter speed and lastly, check your focus! Now that you've gone through this checklist, you are ready to start shooting!
How To: Get the film look for your digital video SLR recording projects
Turn your digital footage into something that looks more like film! Set your frame rate to 24 and shoot with a low depth of field to mimic the look of a film camera. Also make sure you pick the right aspect ratio, resolution and use a tripod!
How To: Fix your iPhone speakers by cleaning out your audio jack
Sometimes, if dust and debris gets stuck in your AirPhone jack, it might make your iPhone think that you're wearing a jack and shorts out the audio. If you think this might have happened, check your jack with a flashlight and gently dislodge the dust.
How To: Fix a nonworking earphone jack on your iPhone
Plugged into the earphone jack, but you're not getting any audio? Sometimes, if you remove and then plug the audio jack back in, that may fix your problem by forcibly having the iPhone recognize the earphone and reroute the audio.
How To: Get rid of horizontal black bars on your uploaded YouTube videos
Sometimes black bars can appear on videos you have uploaded to YouTube (or any other video sharing website). This can get annoying, and is usually the result of uploading a video whose aspect ratio is not synced up with YouTube. This video shows you a couple fixes to getting rid of those bars.
How To: Preserve quality when converting video from HD MP4 to AVI formats
Minimize loss of quality when you're changing a video from one format to another. This tutorial shows you how to take a film clip in high definition mp4 format and convert it into an avi format with minimal loss of data or quality.
How To: Unfreeze a frozen or non responsive iPad
If your iPad is no longer responding to your touch, it might be frozen. You can fix this sometimes by holding down the wake button on your iPad, then slide it off. Hold down the power button until you see the Apple logo, and then let go. That may reset your iPad and fix the freezing problem.
How To: Charge your iPod or iPhone using your Xbox
Charge your iPhone or iPod while you're killing zombies! You can actually charge many types of Apple products from an Xbox. Your Xbox certainly has enough USB ports to support plugging in your Apple sync cable into your Xbox or Xbox 360 and start charging.
How To: Fix an iPhone or iPod that is not being detected by your computer
Normally, your computer will automatically detect your Apple device when you plug it in, but if that's not working, here are a couple of solutions. Always make sure your USB drivers are up to date, and then try a reboot. If that doesn't work, make sure that your USB cord is untied and in good repair.
How To: Record your PC screen with the free program Microsoft Expression Encoder 4
Want to start making your own tech how tos or play alongs? It's easy, and better yet, free! All you need is to download Microsoft Expression Encoder 4. Once you have installed this program, you can easily record both visual and audio off your computer screen.
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: Fix an iPhone or iPod that you cannot restore to factory settings
Restoring your Apple device to factory settings is the last ditch way to fix an otherwise unfixable problem with your iPod or iPhone. But what to do when even that doesn't work? You may need to update iTunes, and if that doesn't work, here are a few other ideas you can use to fix the problem.
How To: Load fine art paper into your Epson Stylus R1900 printer
While this video uses only a particular model of printer and only one style of paper, this tutorial will work for several different varieties of paper and printer. Just follow along with the tutorial to make sure you've loaded the paper properly for highest quality printing.
How To: Make an iPod or iPhone stand with a compact disc, marker and lighter
Don't waste your money on a store-bought Apple iPod stand. If you want a stand for your iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone, then all you need is a CD, a lighter and a marker. This is too easy, it almost seems untrue! But it works, and it's a great way to recycle old compact discs into something useful and decorative.