Hot Other Devices How-Tos

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: 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: Begin circuit bending

Looking to get into the weird world of circuit bending? In this four part video tutorial geared towards beginners, learn in thirty minutes how to circuit bend. Tools you will need include a soddering iron with innerchangeable tips (thin pencil preferred), thin sodder, hook-up wire, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a drill with drill bits, plyers (needle nose included), and screw drivers of various small sizes. Other useful tools include cresent wrenches for toggle switches, jewelers files, & a...

How To: Make your own 6v battery pack for the Vivitar 285HV

You can make your own 6 volt battery pack for the Vivitar 285HV camera. The Vivitar 285 is known as the "cockroach" flash because it is well put together and it is very hard to kill the flash. Manual mode settings and the color setting are explained briefly. Instead of using four double A batteries to power this flash you can make your own 6V battery to power it. This is beneficial because the 6V battery will last longer and some of them have the ability to be charged up.

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: Remove a stuck cartridge on a Kodak G600 Printer Dock

This interactive Kodak printer tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully remove a stuck cartridge on a Kodak EasyShare G600 Printer Dock. If you have a Kodak EasyShare digital camera, you probably have one of these G600 printers, and you've probably had a problem with it, like a stuck printer cartridge, so fix it yourself, let Kodak teach you how. Remove a stuck cartridge on a Kodak G600 Printer Dock.

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 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: Create a radiation detector using a digital camera and a plastic scintillator

If you're interested in creating a dosimeter using simple tools, take a look at this video. Using a digital camera, a plastic scintillator, and some tape a radiation dosimeter can be crafted allowing for radiation information to be collected with simple materials.

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: 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: Use a metal detector to find gold and gold nuggets

This video will show you how to use a metal detector to look for gold. There are gold nuggets in rivers and hillsides all over the United States, waiting for you to find them. With the proper equipment and a little know how, you can strike gold!

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: 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 Huluplus to watch movies and shows on the Roku Digital Video Player

The Roku Digital Video Player is one of the best of the net-video-streaming boxes to come out over the last few years, and now is partnered with Hulu to offer Huluplus on it's devices. This video will show you how to use Huluplus on a Roku to watch all your favorite Hulu content quickly and easily.

How To: Stream any video to your AppleTV with a jailbroken iOS 4.2 device

So you've got an AppleTV, but you can't watch half the stuff you want because it won't play it. Well, do you have a jailbroken iOS 4.2 device? Sweet! Just follow along with this video, and pretty soon you'll be watching any sort of video you want in no time at all.

How To: Use Hulu Plus on a Roku digital video player

Ever wish you could watch your favorite Hulu shows on your TV using your Roku media player? Before November 17th, 2010, you were out of luck — now, in most cases, it's as easy as running a software update! This clip will show you what to do you get Hulu Plus up and running on your own television using your Roku set-top box.

How To: Use a laser pointer without causing eye damage

Although laser pointers are the favored pointing tool of teachers at large college lecture halls and can be great for directing students to various signs or areas in the classroom, often times students and kids have these pointers as well and use them just for fun.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Speed up a Logitech Harmony remote control

In this video tutorial, we learn a trick for speeding up a standard Logitech Harmony smart remote control. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-theatre how-to guide from the folks at CNET.

How To: Organize shows into groups on a standard TiVo DVR

In this video tutorial, we learn how to group recorded programs on a standard TiVo digital video recorder or DVR. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-theatre how-to guide from the folks at CNET.

How To: Set up a Roku digital video player for use with your home theatre

In this video tutorial, we learn how to set up and configure a Roku digital video player or DVP. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-theatre how-to guide from the folks at CNET.

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: Get companies to give you consumer electronics to review and keep afterwards

Do you like to try out the latest electronics before they come out? Do you hate it when you have to send back test products you do get your hands on? Watch this video to learn how you can get companies to send you products to review and let you keep them afterwards.

How To: Use a USB patchstick to install Boxee on an AppleTV

If you want to get more out of your AppleTV, Boxee is the way to go. Dave Mathews from Boxee— no, not "Dave Matthews"— shows you how to get the HTPC program installed on your Apple TV.

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: Calibrate an LCD monitor for your computer

Maximize the display capabilities of your LCD computer monitor! Set up your contrast just how you want it by using test patterns, adjust the backlight, adjust the color display for over- or under- saturated colors, and then play with your monitor presets.

How To: Boost your AppleTV experience with aTV Flash

The AppleTV is a great home entertainment hub for all your video viewing joy, but it still stands a little limited in all its glory. You can hack your Apple TV to death, but if you don't know what you're doing, you can waste tons of time and possibly even ruin your Apple TV. But with a hack called aTV Flash, hacking gets a little easier. It does cost around 50 bucks, but it adds a ton of functionality, from integrating Firefox, to allowing external storage to incredible codec support.

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!