Other Devices

How To: View a waveform of an inverter on a oscilloscope

Checking the waveform on a car plug-in inverter, like the type you would use to power a laptop computer in a car. I used my NLS MS-215 Miniscope to view the waveform. As you can see it is much more like a squarewave than a sinewave, like a staircase waveform.

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: 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 birdwatching digiscoping adapter

Take a look at this tutorial and learn how to build your own birdwatching digiscoping adapter! All you need is a strong plastic 1,5 litre soda bottle, tape, a hose clamp, and some rubber. It´s cheap and works just as good as the expensive ones that you can buy.

How To: Set your default printer on a Mac

Thanks to Apple's awesome user interface, it is extraordinarily easy to set your default printer. Instead of guessing which printer your document printed to, be certain of where it is every time.

How To: Read a binary clock with the BCD format

Check out how to read a binary clock in this how to video. You'll see how to read the BCD (binary-coded decimal) format like so many can't. Just watch this if you have trouble determining the hours, minutes, or seconds on your binary clock. You can read it in standard or military time if you'd like.

How To: Use a multimeter to test common household appliances

If you're doing any sort of electrical work at home, a multimeter is an invaluable tool to have. But as invaluable as it is to have a volt/ohm meter, it is obviously even more invaluable still to know how to use one. And, with this electrician's how-to, you'll learn how to do just that. For more information, and to get started using and reading multimeters yourself, watch this free video guide.

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: Use Quick Connect Wireless with Epson projectors

In this tutorial, we learn how to use Quick Connect Wireless with Epson Projectors. First, make sure you have one cable connected to the projector and one cable connected to the computer with a USB streamline. This makes it much easier and more efficient to plug in your projector. As soon as you plug this in, you will see a message appear on your notebook, then the screen will star to appear on the projector as it does on the notebook. It will take a few seconds, depending on the monitor and ...

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: 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: Make a burning laser pointer that produces heat

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a burning laser pointer. Users will just need a regular 5Mw green laser pointer. Begin by unscrewing the top of the laser pointer and take out the batteries. Carefully with a pair of pliers, break the glue seal and remove the laser. Using a micro screwdriver, make sure that the screw on the laser is tight. Now using a soldering iron heat the 03 component shown in the video for a few seconds. Then assemble the laser back together. This video wi...

News: The Anti-Cheater Hidden Camera Wall Hook

WonderHowTo loves gadgets. We also tend to enjoy getting our hands (just a little bit) dirty. So, naturally, Brando's Wall Hook Coat Hanger Camcorder is the latest gadget to excite. Disguised as a coat hanger, the device is actually a camera triggered by motion detection. And paired with the see-all glass doorknob, your significant other ain't getting away with nothing...

How To: Use a TI-84 calculator as an MP3 Player!

With the help of a program called TItunes & standard earbuds (and adapter) we can listen to music played by a TI84! Mod you calculator to play music. This only works on a TI84, not a TI83.

How To: Make a burglar alarm

Learn how to make a cheap burglar alarm/trip wire alarm with step by step instructions. This is pretty basic but effective. Cardboard, fishing line, batteries, soldering wire, soldering iron, hot melt glue gun, an empty soft drink can, electrical tape, buzzer are some of the necessary equipment. Follow along and make your own burglar alarm and keep your house safe.

How To: Use an external hard drive for extra storage with your AppleTV

Movies, TV shows and other media content can fill up even the most generous hard drive quickly. You can use MediaUSB on aTV Flash to connect an external USB drive to your AppleTV for extra media storage capability, and this tutorial shows you how. Make the most of your Apple TV!

How To: Display pictures on Garmin Nuvi

Watch this electronics tutorial video to learn how to use your Nuvi to display pictures or slide shows from a memory card. Also, this how-to video will show you how to pick your favorite to show on start-up!

How To: Transform Multiple Screens into One Big Virtual Display

The Junkyard Jumbotron is an amazing project that allows a collection of random web browser enabled displays—laptops, smartphones or tablets—to share a single image split across the group, creating one large virtual display. Created by Rick Borovoy at MIT's Center for Future Civic Media, the app is completely free and open, meaning you can do it yourself in a matter of minutes. It works like this:

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: Add Mic Input and Headphones Output to Samsung HMX-T10 Camcorder

This is the cheapest device to gather interviews as a small, easy-to-carry recorder. I started to use it for preproduction and film documentation after I bought it in a Polish discount shop for about 100 Euro. The only problem was very poor sound quality.

How To: Make a night vision device

Ever wish you could see in the dark? Well, you can't but this how-to will show you a way to build a device to help you out. You will need light polarizors, a flashlight, and a digital camera. Make an infrared night vision device, just follow along with the steps in this video tutorial. Now you can see at night!

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: 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: 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: Strip your Casio fx-82MS calculator

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to take apart a Casio fx-82MS calculator. First, you'll need to get a screwdriver the take off the calculator's backplate. Make sure not to misplace those screws afterwards. You should be able to see the motherchip after taking off the plate, this is the next item you'll want to remove. These screws are extremely small so it might be best to use a knife to unscrew them. Lift the motherchip and take out the rubber key pad off. To put it bac...

How To: Make crossover cable from an ordinary LAN cable

In order to connect two personal computers to each other, you will need a crossover cable. If you don't have one, that's not a problem. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make a crossover cable from and ordinary LAN cable with a small connector block, a knife, tape, and a lighter.

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: Run Boxee on an AppleTV Using a Patch Stick

By loading Boxee onto your AppleTV, you can use it to watch content from Hulu, Comedy Central, CBS and other streaming TV websites. You can also play Internet radio, listen to your mp3s and view your photo library without ever having to go near iTunes. All you need is a patch stick with the right program installed, run it, and then update the Boxee software from the Apple TV system.

How To: Program a calculator with basics

If you've ever had a little trouble trying to program your calculator, you may find a little relief with this four-part video tutorial. Here, a Texas Instruments (TI-84 Plus) calculator will be used to explain the programming process. The four parts include:

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: Play tetris on a simple Canon calculator

This "how to" works with some Canon calculators. By entering a specific code you can play a very simple form of the classic video game Tetris! Have Fun :) Play tetris on a simple Canon calculator.

How To: Skip commercials with your Comcast DVR remote control

In this tutorial, we learn how to skip commercials with your Comcast DVR remote control. First, press the cable button, then press and hold the set up button until the cable button blinks twice. Now, enter in "994" on your remote. After this, the cable button will blink twice again. Now, press the setup button again and type in "00173", then press a button you don't use a lot. Now, the cable button will blink again. Now, turn on a show you have recorded and it will just through the commercial...

How To: Make your own air conditioner with a fan and copper tubing

The heat can be oppressive, and air conditioning can be expensive. But you can build your own air conditioner for just $40, with a fan, styrofoam cooler and a length of quarter-inch copper tubing. Cool your home inexpensively with this mod!

How To: Resize a Breitling watch bracelet

Here is a video showing how to resize a Breitling Watch Bracelet. If you have small wrists, or just like a loose fitting watch, just get a screwdriver and watch.

How To: Build a 3D scanner from a $25 laser level

Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. Search Systm on WonderHowTo for more DIY episodes from this Revision3 show.

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: Use a CRT oscilloscope

Wondering how to use an old-timey oscilloscope? Learn how with this video tutorial, which offers step-by-step instructions on setting up and adjusting an old cathode ray tube oscilloscope for the measurment of signals. For more information, or to get started using your own oscilloscope, take a look.

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: Wire a radar detector directly into your dashboard

Radar Roy demonstrates in this video tutorial how to hard wire a dash-mounted radar detector. The advantage of direct wiring your radar detector is getting rid of that wire mess going to your cigarette lighter. So, if you don't want another speeding ticket again, install your radar detector the right way, the direct way! All it takes is a little electrical know-how, and maybe a little automobile know-how.