Digital TV Converter Box Reviews, Ratings and Comparisons

Buy A Top Rated Digital TV Converter Box For Free

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:03:00 +0000

If you are still looking to purchase a TV converter box for the digital transition then check out the chart below. This chart lists some of the top rated converter boxes that are still available from online retailers. The chart includes the price for the converter box with a government coupon, a note on whether the box has analog pass-through or not and also a link to a retailer who still has the converter box in stock. There are other top rated TV converter boxes that we have left out due to them being discontinued and unavailable for purchase. If you have any questions regarding the converter boxes below feel free to leave us a comment.

Converter Box Model	Cost W/ Coupon	Analog Pass Through?	Where To Make Purchase From?
Artec T3AP	FREE	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Magnavox TB110MW9	FREE	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Craig CVD-508	FREE	Yes	Free DTV Shop
Sunkey SK-801	FREE	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Tivax STB-T8	$19.95	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Tivax STB-T9	$19.95	No	digital-tv-converter.net
Dish Network TR-40 CRA	$19.95	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Dish Network DTVPal	$19.95	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Goodmind DTA-1100	$19.95	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Access HD DTA1080U	$9.95	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
Access HD DTA1080D	$9.95	Yes	digital-tv-converter.net
MicroGEM MG2000	$10.99	Yes	Free DTV Shop

If you purchase any of these TV converter boxes and have reception problems we suggest that you consider getting a HDTV Antenna.

Jupiter Jack (JupiterJack) Hands Free Phone Review - Features

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase Your Very Own Jupiter Jack - Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Features That Jupiter Jack Comes With

- Only $20 + Shipping & Handling
- Transmits Cell Phone Calls Through Speakers Via FM Transmitter
- Frequencies of 88.3-89.3 and 99.3-101.3 Available For Transmission
- Can Be Used With Some MP3 Players To Listen To MP3 Player Through Car Speakers
- Comes With A Free Dashboard Mount For Easier Use
- Works With Nearly all Cell Phones
- 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
- Limited Time Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer

Known Issues With The Jupiter Jack

- If you are in an area where there is already a radio station at the preset frequency options then you might have trouble getting good sound quality because the radio stations would interfere. This seems to be of up most concern for those living in large metropolitan areas. Each Jupiter Jack comes with several different frequency range options so most people should be able to find one that is open.
- Privacy is certainly an issue with the Jupiter Jack because it could be possible for someone driving beside you to pick up your phone conversation. It is unlikely that someone beside you would happen to tune their radio to the static filled frequency that you are using but it is definitely possible.
- If there are other people in the car with you the Jupiter Jack will become useless unless you don't mind allowing everyone else to listen to your phone conversation. Since sounds from the call are broadcasted through your car speakers it is impossible to have a private conversation unless you are alone in your car.
- The makers of the Jupiter Jack claim that it works with all cell phones but it is possible that there are some models that it doesn't work with. The only reason we say this is because there is no way they can know 100% for sure that it is compatible with every single type of cell phone worldwide.

If you have been looking to get the Jupiter Jack then you should check out our Jupiter Jack review along with the list of features and problems above. The Jupiter Jack is a great idea but the product itself is not perfect. It however works pretty well and is worth the low price of $20 if you are looking for a solution to driving while talking on your cell phone. If it sounds good to you we recommend you go ahead and get one. If you love it, great! If not there is a 30 day money back guarantee.

Artec T28A Portable Handheld Digital TV Owners Manual

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:01:00 +0000

If you are an owner of the Artec T28A digital handheld/portable TV then you can see the owners manual above. This manual should be of great help if you are having any problems with your TV or don't know how to work a certain feature. If you are interested in purchasing the Artec T28A then we also suggest you check out the owners manual above in order to make sure that this little TV has all of the features you are looking for in a portable TV.

Artec T28A Portable Handheld Digital TV Review

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Artec T28A Details: The Artec T28A is an excellent option for those needing a handheld TV after the digital transition. This small 8.5 inch television has an MSRP of $189.99 but can be had for under $150 from most retailers. This TV comes with a built in ATSC tuner that allows it to pick up all digital channels between 2-69. Besides this it also comes with V-Chip parental controls, an electronics program guide, and much more. If you have an old analog handheld TV and need a replacement since it doesn't work anymore this could be a great option for you. At 8.5 inches it is larger than a traditional handheld TV which has both positives and negatives. The bigger screen means it is a bigger TV and less portable but it also means that you will get a significantly better viewing experience.

Artec T28A Handheld Digital TV Specs - Artec T28A Owners Manual

4:3 And 16:9 Aspect Ratios
Built In ATSC Digital Tuner
480 x 234 Pixel Resolution
Compositive Video And Stereo Audio Input/Output
Built In Speakers
Works For Channels 2-69
V-Chip Parental Controls
Closed Captioning
Multiple Language Settings
Electronics Program Guide
Size: 5.7 H x 9.4 W x 1 D (inches)

What Is Included With Your Purchase?

Artec T28A 8.5 Inch Handheld Digital TV
Integrated TV Stand
AC Adapter
External Antenna
Remote Control

Finally Fast (FinallyFast) Registry Cleaner Review - Legit Or Scam?

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:53:00 +0000

What Is Finally Fast?

Finally Fast is the flagship site of Ascentive, LLC which is a software company that was established in 1988. The main focus of Ascentive is promotion and sales of it's PC SpeedScan Pro software through the Finally Fast Website but they also have a bunch of other error repair programs. Finally Fast is not an actual product but is the website where the company sells it's software. There main software is a downloadable windows registry cleaner than scans your computer for registry errors, startup errors, spyware, and adware. Once done scanning it gives the option to remove these errors in order to improve overall system performance. Finally Fast claims that their PC Speed Scan Pro is able to do the following:

- Stabilizes your PC by eliminating all errors found on your computer
- Speeds up your system by optimizing your windows system and eliminating system
slow-downs
- Increases your PC performance by erasing errors and invalid files that use up system
resources
- Prevents errors from building up by running scheduled periodic registry scans

Does The Finally Fast PC SpeedScan Pro Software Really Work?

As far as we can tell Finally Fast software does everything that is claims it will do in that it will remove system errors. However we caution people to the fact that the difference in PC performance before and after using their software, in most cases will not be as extreme as Finally Fast makes it out to be. If your computer has serious issues it might help with performance but if it has just a handful of errors you might not even notice a difference in performance.

How Much Does Finally Fast Cost? Is It Really Be Free?

Finally Fast software is free to download but in order to activate it to repair errors on your computer it costs $29.95 per year.

When you visit the finallyfast.com website everything is setup to make you think that the PC SpeedScan Pro software is free. You are able to download it for free and scan your computer for free. The problem comes once you get your scan results and attempt to have the SpeedScan Pro repair system errors for you. At this point you are all of the sudden asked to pay $29.95/Year in order to activate the software.

We don't have a problem with anyone wanting to sell software they created but there are two sticking points with us that need to be discussed. The first is that nowhere on the finallyfast.com website does it say that you have to pay for the service. We are sure you could find it hidden at the bottom of some terms and conditions pages but they bait people into downloading the software by making them think it is free. After downloaded they allow you to do a free scan and even show you how many systems errors you have. Then once they have you thinking your computer is in serious trouble they spring a software activation fee on you. We feel that this is sneaky and that they should be upfront about the cost before download. The reason they are sneaky about the cost is actually because of the second sticking point which is that you can find comparable registry cleaners for free on the Internet. Finally Fast knows that if they were upfront about charging for their software they wouldn't get near as many sales. Again, anybody that creates software has the right to sell it, we just think they should disclose this before they get someone to downloaded it.

What Is The Finally Fast Refund Policy?

We were unable to confirm this but as far as we can tell Finally Fast is like a lot software downloads in that there is no opportunity for a refund. This is unfortunate because if they really felt their product was so good they would stand behind it with a 100% money back guarantee. It is however also reasonable that they don't want people paying for the software, using it once, and then requesting an immediate refund. We can see both sides on this one.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Finally Fast?

The major drawback is cost. Finally Fast costs $29.95 per year while you can find comparable programs on the Internet for free. Finally Fast also makes questionable claims about how much faster they can make your computer, implements high pressure sales tactics, and even makes false claims about free competing products. We also wondered if there were ever any instances were their software actually said a computer didn't have any errors at all. If Finally Fast had a squeaky clean image this wouldn't have even crossed our minds but their shady tactics make you think twice.

The Finally Fast PC SpeedScan Pro Bottom Line

Finally Fast seems to work fairly well at doing what it claims it does (finding and removing errors) but that doesn't mean that you should run out and get it. The fact that they bait customers into downloading the software but then spring a fee on them once it's time to remove errors is quite shady. This alone made us take a second look at the company before making a final decision. After an in-depth look we found that they have a "no refund" policy (if they really felt their product was so valuable they should show customers by offering a 100% money back guarantee) and that you can get comparable software for free all over the Internet. In our opinion, purchasing Finally Fast PC Speed Scan Pro would be a waste of money and you are better off choosing a free alternative.

Vonage VoIP Internet Phone Service Provider Review: Home, Business, And International

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:50:00 +0000

What Is Vonage?

Vonage is one of the largest Internet telephone providers in the United States with just over 2.6 million subscribers. Vonage provides phone service to its subscribers by way of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) which means that all calls are routed through broadband Internet connections. Vonage is known as "the broadband phone company" by many and is a leader in the quickly growing VoIP industry. Besides the United States Vonage also provides VoIP service in both Canada and the United Kingdom. Vonage first became popular for its relatively cheap price in comparison to traditional land line phone service in the areas of local, long distance, and international calling. Despite being a VoIP service Vonage still provides nearly all of the features people are use to getting with regular landline services such as caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting and much much more. Since Vonage was established there have been a cluster of new VoIP providers, some of which are now offering lower prices. Vonage is now considered to be priced very averagely when compared to other VoIP providers but it more than makes up for this with its extra features and high quality service.

How Does Vonage Work?

For Vonage to work you must have a broadband (DSL) Internet connection. Once that is in place it can work in two different ways. The first option is for subscribers to get a analog telephone adapter from Vonage and use it to connect their regular phone to their computer. This allows subscribers to use their regular phone just as they did with a traditional landline. The other option is to get their softphone application which is a computer program that allows you to make phone calls directly through your computer. Both of these options are fairly easy to use and make for an easy transition from your old school landline.

How Much Does Vonage Cost?

The most popular Vonage plan the "Vonage World Residential Plan" costs $24.95 per month plus taxes and fees. This plan includes unlimited local and long distance callings within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and to 60 countries worldwide. In order to get this rate you must agree to a 1 year contract.

There are also a few other plans that provide more and less services. The other two residential plans include the "Vonage Pro Residential Plan" for $34.99/month and the "Basic 500 Plan" for $17.99/month. The business plans include the "Premium Unlimited Small Business Plan" for $49.99/month and the "Basic 1,500 Minutes Small Business Plan" for $39.99/month. Yes, Vonage is slightly more than other VoIP providers but the extra costs bring you more features and better quality than what you get from the average VoIP service provider.

How Well Does Vonage Work?

Currently there are over 2.6 million Vonage subscribers so it is logical to think that Vonage works pretty well. From what have seen up to this point Vonage works very well. Sure there are issues with some users but these are often attributed to problems with the users Internet connection or computer rather than the Vonage service. In other cases there are sometimes issues with Vonage itself. It is important to understand that VoIP is still a rather new technology and it has a ways to go before it is perfect but most problems can be solved in-house or by calling Vonage customer support. From all of the information we have gathered we have determined that for most customers Vonage works extremely well and we highly recommend it as an alternative to a traditional landline. It's definitely not the cheapest VoIP service out there either but remember that you get what you pay for.

What Is Vonage's Refund Policy Or Guarantee?

Vonage offers a 30-day money back guarantee for all new subscribers for their first line of service. It is important to note that in order to get the refund you must return all equipment in good and working condition within 14 days of canceling your service. You are also responsible for all shipping charges for sending the equipment back if you decide to cancel.

Which Countries Does Vonage Provide Free Calling To?

The countries that can be called for free via Vonage include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas*, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei*, Bulgaria, Canada*, Chile, China*, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guam*, Hong Kong*, Hungary, Iceland, India*, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya,Latvia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Republic of Macau*, Malaysia*, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico*, Romania, Russia, Saipan*, San Marino*, Singapore*, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand*, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States*, U.S. Virgin Islands*, Venezuela, and Zambia.

*Calls to cellular phones included

Can I Keep My Old Number With Vonage?

Yes, in most cases new customers can keep their old phone number. It does however take about 10 days to process a transfer.

How Good Is Vonage Customer Service?

As a whole most Vonage customers seem to be satisfied with their quality of customer service. Despite this Vonage has had a number customer service complaints but this is to be expected with any company that has millions of subscribers. The old adage that you can't satisfy everyone is clearly true here. In fact, in a lot of cases issues where often a result of customer errors and stupidity rather than because of something Vonage did. We have found that Vonage does have better customer service than most companies of its sizes. One good thing is that they provide both online and phone support which allows you to choose your preferred method for help. One of the best things about Vonage is that it works so well and flawlessly most of the time that you will hardly ever have to deal with customer service.

The Vonage Bottom Line

Vonage is not only a great innovation that has helped rendered the traditional landline obsolete but it also comes at an excellent price and provides high quality service and a ton of features. Vonage is not the cheapest VoIP service out there at just under $25 per month but it is well worth the extra couple bucks when you consider its voice quality and extra features that make it one of the best VoIP providers. If you are looking to keep a home phone while saving money or cut your business phone bill then Vonage would be an excellent choice. Go ahead and give it a try and if you don't like it you can always return since it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

NoNoh (No noh) Free VoIP Phone Service Review

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:52:00 +0000

What Is NoNoh?

NoNoh is a brand new VoIP phone service that allows people to make free or nearly free VoIP calls to others all over the world. NoNoh is free to select countries and is extremely cheap to those that aren't offered for free. NoNoh software allows you to make calls to other VoIP phones and even regular phones for the free or at extremely low rates. For all other countries you are required to purchase credits, sort of like you would with a prepaid cell phone.

How Do The Free Calls Work With NoNoh?

In order to get the 120 days free to the free countries you will have to buy some credits (around $10 worth). These credits however will only be used if you make calls to the non-free countries. All of the free countries will continue to be free for 120 days. As far as we can tell after the 120 days if you buy more credits you will then get another 120 days for free. This means that if you only make calls to the free countries it will actually cost you $10 for about 4 months. However if you also make calls to the non-free countries then your credits will be used for those calls. Any credits you purchase never expire.

Are There Any Limits On The Number Of Free Calls?

Currently NoNoh has a limit of 200 minutes of free talk time per week. Once your free minutes are used up normal rates apply.

What Countries Does NoNoh Offer Free Callings To?

NoNoh currently offers free calls to many different countries. We were unable to find a complete listed on the NoNoh website but we did find one chart that did list most or all of the countries that were free as of August of 2009.

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany

Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Japan
Latvia
Malaysia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico

Romania
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Venezuela

*Free Countries Are Submit To Changes And Do Change Often. Check the official NoNoh website for a current list of free countries.

How Exactly Does NoNoh Work?

In order to use NoNoh you first need to visit the official Nonoh.net website. Once there you can make a call immediately but only a short call that is several minutes long. If you want to make longer calls you will need to sign up for an account and get the NoNoh application. Once you have the application all you have to do is open up the program and follow the on-screen instructions to make a phone call. NoNoh works by callings you first and once you answer then it will connect you with the person you are trying to call.

Are There Any Know Issues With NoNoh?

There have been reports of customers being charged for calls to free countries. Iriate customers attribute this to NoNoh having scamming tactics while NoNoh claims that in the past they have had billing system issues and that these problems have been corrected.

There have been a large number of customers that claim that NoNoh stops workings for them after awhile. Perhaps this is related to kinks in the new technology or it could be errors on the users end. Regardless it can't hurt to try out the free service and hope that it keeps working for you.

Customer with problems have said that it is very difficult to get in contact with customer service in order to get billings or technical problems resolved.

A lack of good payment options for purchasing credits.

The NoNoh Bottom Line

NoNoh is a VoIP service that provides extremely cheap or free calls to countries all over the world. They offer some of the lowest rates worldwide and their service appears to work pretty well. There however have been some issues with customer service and for some users the service doesn't work very well. Their voice quality is on par with most other VoIP service providers and it good enough. Overall, NoNoh appears to be in the same boat as most other VoIP providers in that they provide an extremely cheap alternative to a traditional landline and decent voice quality, but also have technical glitches that make the service inconvenient for some users. If you are going to get a VoIP service then NoNoh could be a good choice for you with their cheap rates. However, some customer service issues including accusations of credit card fraud are troubling. It might be in your best interest to go with a larger more trusted VoIP service provider such as magic Jack. It is however important to note that all accusations are just that, accusations that have not been substantiated.

Tivax STB-T8 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews (DTV)

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase The Tivax STB-T8 Digital TV Converter Box

Product Details: Today we will be taking a look at the Tivax STB-T8 converter box which is an updated version of the Tivax STB-T9 converter box. The new version is exactly the same as the old one except for that it has been updated to include analog pass-through. This digital TV converter box is exactly the same as the its little sister when is comes to picture quality. The picture quality of this digital TV converter box is better than most converter boxes and a lot better than analog broadcast quality. The quality that you get with this box is slightly below DVD quality. The sound quality that you get with this converter box is also very good. It is similar to what you can expect with most other boxes on the market. This converter box can be purchased online for $55-$65 depending on the timing and place of purchase. It is available almost exclusively online.

The Tivax stb-t8 provides users with an above average programming guide that shows upcoming shows for each channel It also allows users to manually set each digital channel or scan for all channels. It also comes with an on screen signal meter to help with manual channel setup. Finally, this converter box has the ever elusive analog pass-through that everybody so badly wants their converter box to be equipped with.

This converter box rates near the top due to its high quality picture an sound. It is also rated very highly because it is one of only a few that comes with analog pass-through. The Tivax STB-T8 is a great converter box and a fine upgrade from the older Tivax STB-T9. In order to see reviews of our top converter boxes check out our DTV converter box reviews page.

Tivax STB-T8 Features & Specs - Tivax STB-T8 Owners Manual

Analog Pass-Through
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting
Configurable Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide
On Box Buttons
On Screen Signal Strength Meter
Smart Antenna Port (unable to confirm)
Energy Star Compliant
English, French, and Spanish Language Support
Compact Size
75 ohm Connector
6.3”W x 1.8”D x 8.7”H (Approximate)

What Is Included With Your Purchase?

Tivax STB-T8 Converter Box
Tivax STB-T8 Remote Control
Remote Control Batteries
RF Cable
AV Cable

Click Here To Purchase The Tivax STB-T8 Digital TV Converter Box

Craig CVD508 Digital TV Converter Box Reviews (DTV)

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase The Craig CVD-508 Digital TV Converter Box

Product Details: The Craig CVD508 converter box is a government certified converter box that has been approved for use with the governments $40 off coupon. It is not considered a top of the line converter box and is not price out as such. This converter box can be had for $40 which makes it free after using your government coupon. Top boxes to consider that are a bit more expensive include the Dish Network DTVPal Plus. This box doesn't come with the best in industry picture or sound quality but it gets the job done and is an upgrade from what you have come to expect with analog television.

The Craig CVD-508 had composite video and audio jacks. It comes with a remote control that is NOT universal. It has adjustable closed captioning and parental control settings available. It also comes with a sleep timer so that it will automatically shut off at the set time. This converter box also comes with a program guide that provides information about upcoming and currents shows for each channel. One key feature that makes the Craig CVD508 a good buy is its analog pass-through function that allows you to get channels that continue to broadcast in analog. This TV converter box also comes with language support for Spanish, French, and English.

As stated before, the Craig CVD508 is not a top rated converter box but it will certainly get the job done. It comes with the most vital function, analog pass-through, and it is also very reasonably priced at $40. This is a converter box that we do recommend. One complaint about this box is that the remote control is not very good and some of them seem to be faulty. If you get a remote that doesn't work be sure to call right away and setup an exchange. Also if you experience any reception problems it is not likely a converter box issue but rather a sign that you need an HDTV antenna.

Craig CVD508 Features & Specs - Craig CVD508 Owners Manual

Analog Pass-Through
V-Chip Lock Parental Control Setting
Configurable Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide
Sleep Timer
Multi-Language Support

What Is Included With Your Purchase?

Craig CVD508 Converter Box
Remote Control

Jupiter Jack (JupiterJack) Hands Free Phone Review - Legit Or Scam?

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase Your Very Own Jupiter Jack - 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

What Is The Jupiter Jack?

The Jupiter Jack is a very small cell phone accessory that is designed to turn your car radio into a wireless speaker system for your cell phone. With the Jupiter Jack you can setup your radio so that it transmits all cell phone calls through your car speakers. All you have to do is hook the Jupiter Jack up to your phone and set your radio on the proper station and you are ready to go. When a phone call comes in you simply hit the answer button on your phone and begin talking out loud. The person calling you will be able to hear you and when they respond you will hear them through your car stereo speakers. The Jupiter Jack allows drivers to talk on their cell phones without having to hold their phone, deal with the wires of a hands free set, or even mess around with a silly blue tooth device that may not fit properly in their ear. With states such as California outlawing cell phone use while driving and others considering it the Jupiter Jack could be a good investment for you. Currently you can get the Jupiter Jack for $19.99 plus shipping and handling. As an added bonus you can get the dashboard mount for free (you only pay separate shipping and handling). The dashboard mount allows you to quickly and easily mount your cell phone and Jupiter Jack for quick and easy access while driving.

Does The Jupiter Jack Really Work?

Come on, are you really doubting whether an as seen on TV product endorsed by Pitchmen and Billy Mays works???

From all of the information that we have gathered we have concluded that the Jupiter Jack works pretty well. While not the most robust or high tech it does do what is says it does. Reports from users of the Jupiter Jack were mixed as first but have been pretty good as of late. In the past the issue was related to the Jupiter Jack only having one radio frequency option (we were unable to confirm whether this was actually true but complaints made us believe that it was). If this was a problem it won't be anymore and we called Jupiter Jack personally to confirm this. All Jupiter Jacks now come equipped with the ability to be set on a bunch of different frequencies so that you can be sure to find a frequency doesn't already have a local radio station broadcasting on. For more information we recommend you take a look at the most complete Jupiter Jack site that we have found to date. This site has tons of information, videos, and even product pictures that were taken by the blogger after he purchased the Jupiter Jack.

What Frequencies Can The Jupiter Jack Be Broadcasted On?

All Jupiter Jacks comes with the ability to be set between 88.3 and 89.3 and also between 99.3 and 101.3. This range of frequencies gives all Jupiter Jack users plenty of options and allows them to find an unused frequency that will provide for clear reception and great sound quality.

Are There Any Added Bonuses To The Jupiter Jack?

Some customers have reported that they have been able to use the Jupiter Jack with their MP3 players. Users have been able to hook their Jupiter Jack into their MP3 players and hear music through their car speaker system. This function is not guaranteed or advertised by Jupiter Jack but could be an added bonus for those that have a compatible MP3 player.

What Is the Jupiter Jack Return Policy?

Again, we personally called Jupiter Jack and were told that their return policy includes a 30 day money back guarantee. They stated that you can return the Jupiter Jack for any reason within 30 days and get a refund (minus shipping and handling). Of course you need to return the Jupiter Jack in working condition with its original packaging. If you think that you may want to return it be sure to keep everything until you have made a final decision.

Get 2 Jupiter Jacks For

The Price Of 1

Only $19.99 - 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

www.FreeJupiterJack.com

How Is Jupiter Jack Customer Service?

The first thing that showed Jupiter Jacks commitment to good customer service was the fact that they had the customer service telephone number right on their website. Often times companies with shady tactics and bad customer service do not make their customer service number easily available. We personally called the Jupiter Jack customer service center in order to have them clarify a few things for our review. The wait time was about 1 minute and we spoke to a customer service representative that answered all of our questions quickly. She was be very knowledgeable and didn't have any problems answering our questions.

Are There Any Drawbacks To The Jupiter Jack?

The only negative we have been able to come up with to this point is the inability to have a private conversation with the Jupiter Jack. If you use the Jupiter Jack anyone and everyone in your car will be able to hear the conversation. The Jupiter Jack is great if you don't mind others listening in on your calls or are alone in your car.

Some individuals have also claimed that the Jupiter Jack doesn't work with "all" cell phones and rather only works with "most" phones. As far as we can tell it should work with darn near all phones if not all because it comes with 3 different adapters for cell phones that aren't automatically compatible.

The Jupiter Jack Bottom Line

The Jupiter Jack is not the most robust or high tech device but it does fill an interesting niche area and is a one of a kind product. The greatest benefit of the Jupiter Jack is its inexpensive price of only $19.99. You could get a blue tooth headset that served a similar purpose but you would most likely be called to spend $100 or more. If you are looking for a safe solution to talking on your cell phone while driving the Jupiter Jack is just as good of an option as anything out there and costs significantly less. We suggest you go ahead buy the Jupiter Jack. Generally you can't put a price on safety but Jupiter Jack has achieved this by providing an inexpensive product that also dramatically improves driving safety.

Dish Network (DishNetwork) Satellite TV Review

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:24:00 +0000

As of today there are only two major satellite TV providers in the United States. We have already taken a look at Direct TV (DIRECTV) and today will be taking a look at the other one which is Dish Network (DishNetwork). If you are interested in getting satellite TV you will have to choose between these two companies. The former is the largest of these two with 18 million subscribers while Dish Network has roughly 13 million subscribers. Both offer similar services with slight differences that often cause people to favor one over the other.

If you are interested in getting satellite television you can see our review of Dish Network below and also check out our Direct TV review.

If you can't make a decision between the two check out our Direct TV & Dish Network Comparison Chart.

What Is Dish Network?

Dish Network is a nationwide company that providers television viewers with paid satellite television services. With over 13 million subscribers it is the second largest satellite TV provider in the United States.

What Type Of Picture Quality Do Dish Network subscribers get?

Dish Network broadcasts all of its channels with a high quality digital signal. Digital television signaling is the latest technology and having all digital means that you get the best picture quality available. Dish Network also has a large number of HD channels for those that want an upgrade over standard digital.

How Much Does Dish Network Cost?

Dish Network is slightly cheaper than Direct TV for basic packages but can end up being more expensive if you are looking for a bunch of add-ons to a standard viewing packages. Dish Network packages start at around $25 per month for just over 55 channels and go up to as much as $100 for a near 300 channel package. It is however important to note that you can get quite a large discount for the first 6-12 months if you shop around for the current new customers specials.

How Many HD Channels Does Dish Network Have?

Dish Network is slightly behind Direct TV in regards to HD channels. Despite being behind its rival DishNetwork is still ahead of all cable companies. Dish Network boasts a network of around 80 HD channels.

How Does Dish network Programming Options Compare To Other Services?

Dish Network doesn't have any exclusive packages like Direct TV but they are known for having a large number of international channels, quite a bit more than Direct TV in fact. With Dish Network you can choose a cheap package that includes around 55 channels or you can pay a lot more and get around 300 channels. One difference between the two is that Dish Network offers a lot of flexibility in packages. For example, they have two more standard packages than Direct TV and you can also choose whether you want to pay for local channels or not.

What Equipment Is Required For Dish Network And How Much Does It Cost?

In order to become a Dish network subscriber you will need a satellite dish and satellite receivers. You only need one dish but you will need a receiver for each room that you want to watch TV. Usually Dish Network is running some sort of special that allows customers to get free equipment and installation. This special however will require a 12-24 months service agreement. If you want to subscribe on a month-to-month basis you can but you will have to pay several hundred dollars for equipment and installation. You will also have to pay extra if you want HD or DVR because you will need more equipment for that.

Does Dish Network Require Subscribers To Sign A Lengthy Contract?

No, Dish Network does not require a contract but equipment and installation will be expensive without a contract.

Does Dish Network Run A Credit Check On New Subscribers?

Yes, Dish Network service requires a certain credit score and credit history. Credit checks will be run for all new subscribers in order to determine eligibility.

Are There Any Red Flag Issues That Current Or Former Subscribers Have Ran Into With Dish Network?

As is standard with any service contract, subscribers should be aware that a large early termination fee will apply if you decide to cancel your service before the contract is up. Customers should be aware that it will be very difficult to get out of any contract and avoid a fee no matter what the circumstances are. There are some situations where you may be able to avoid or get a reduced fee but these are few and far between. If you are concerned about whether or not you will be able to finished out a contract you are about to sign be sure to figure out what situations will allow you to get out of your contract or if you can transfer Dish Network service if you move to a new address. Don't assume anything that you are told, be sure that you get anything that you are told in writing if it is not acknowledged within your service agreement.

Dish Network customer service is a little better than DIRECTV customer service because it is handled in-house rather than through an outsourcing company. Despite this you still need to be ready to deal with low paid, low energy, low enthusiasm workers. In most cases you will be able to get your issues resolved, it just might take several explanations and a bit (or a lot) of extra time. The Internet is flooded with tons of complaints against both satellite TV providers but the main reason is because only those that are upset go to the web to complain. Satisfied customers usually keep to themselves and enjoy their service. Out of 13 million subscribers there are actually a very small number of complaints. In some cases these complaints are justified and in others the customer is being an idiot. As you can imagine, when you have 13 million customers its hard to keep everyone happy.

If you are considering Dish Network for your television viewing needs we think that they are another good option. All satellite and cable providers have extremely similar packages but small differences can greatly influence your final decision. The only tip we have is to be sure to research all of your options before choosing a service so that you can be sure to be happy with your choice.

Satellite TV And Cable TV Comparision Chart

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Below we have provided a comparison chart that lists the differences between satellite TV and cable TV. Each of these services has its own advantages and disadvantages. The chart below should help allow to you make a better decision about which service has the features you want and need. If you want more information feel free to check out our satellite TV and cable TV sections where we have reviewed Dish Network, Direct TV, and various cable providers.

Comparison	Satellite	Cable	Which Is Better?
Average Cost Per Month For 100 Channel Package	$30	$50	Satellite
Average Number Of HD Channels	130 channels	40 channels	Satellite
Access To Local Programming	Limited For An Extra Fee	Comes Standard	Cable
Total Programming Options	Lots Of Regional And Sports Choices	Lots Of Choices But Less Than Satellite	Satellite
Equipment	Satellite And Receiver	Digital Box	Cable
Geographical Availability	Anywhere In The World	Only Available Where Infrastructure Exists	Satellite
Use Obligations	Require Contracts	Month To Month	Cable
DVR Options	Must Buy DVR Box	Must Lease DVR Box	Satellite
Customer Service	Phone And Email Only	Phone, Email, And Walk-In	Cable
Interactive Controls	Program Guide, PPV, DVR,	Program Guide, DVR, Video On Demand	Even

*All Information Contained Within This Chart Is Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed Due To The Ever Changing Nature Of The Television Industry. We will however make an effort to make adjustments to this chart whenever cable or satellite providers change their standard features or packages.

Dish Network And Direct TV Comparison Chart (DishNetwork, DirecTV)

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Below we have provided a comparison chart that lists the differences between Dish Network and Direct TV. These two companies are the largest and premier providers of satellite TV within the United States. For the most part they provide the same services but there are small differences that could make a big difference to individuals who are paying for the service. If you want more information feel free to check out our satellite TV and cable TV sections.

Comparison	Dish Network	Direct TV	Which Is Better?
Number Of Subscribers	Second Largest In The United States And Growing Rapidly	Largest In The United States W/ Over 18 Million Subscribers	N/A
Signal Technology	100% Digital	100% Digital	Push
Programming Options W/Costs	Dish Family - Over 55 Channels For $24.99/ Month	The Family Package - Over 50 Channels For $29.99/Month	Dish Network (But They Make Up For Lower Prices Here By Charging More For Add Ons)
	Classic Bronze 100 - Over 120 Channels for $39.99/Month	The Choice Package - Over 150 Channels For $55.99/Month
	Classic Bronze 100+ - Over 120 Channels + Local Sports Networks For $44.99/ Month	The Choice XTRA Package - Over 200 Channels For $60.99/Month
	Classic Silver 200 - Over 220 Channels For $52.99/Month	The Premier Package - Over 265 Channels For $109.99/Month
	Classic Gold 250 - Over 250 Channels For $62.99/Month
	America's "Everything Pak" - Over 290 Channels Including Several Premium Movie Channels For $102.98/Month
HDTV Channels	Claims Over 80 HD Channels	Claims Over 130 HD Channels	DirectTV
Exclusive Programming Options	More International Channels	NFL Sunday Ticket	N/A
Required Equipment	Satellite Dish And Receiver	Satellite Dish And Receiver	Push
Geographical Availability	Everywhere In the United States Except Columbus, Las Vegas, Memphis, Milwaukee, and Baltimore	Everywhere In The United States Except Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Honolulu, And Grand Rapids	Push
Contract/Use Obligations	Month-to-Month, You Can Get Free Equipment And Installation If You Agree To A Contract (Usually 12-18 Months)	Requires A Contract Of 12-24 Months That Usually Includes Free Equipment And Installation	Dish Network
Customer Services	In-House, Available 24 Hours, 7 Day Per Week By Email, Chat, Or Phone (Phone Hours Limited)	Outsourced, Available 24 hours, 7 Day Per Week By Email Or Phone (Phone Hours Limited)	Dish Network

Warranty	Ranges From 12 Months To Lifetime	12 Months	Dish Network
Specials	Always Has Extremely Aggressive Specials For New Subscribers	Always Has Aggressive Specials To Attract New Subscribers	Push

Direct TV (DIRECTV) Satellite TV Review

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:08:00 +0000

Currently there are only two major satellite TV providers in the United States, Direct TV (DIRECTV) and Dish Network (DishNetwork). If you are interested in getting satellite TV then you will need to choose between these two providers. The largest of these two is Direct TV with over 18 million subscribers and availability in just about every city in the United States. Direct TV and Dish Network have been in fierce competition for years but recently Direct TV has been able to widen it's market share gap on Dish Network.

If you are interested in getting satellite television you can see our review of Direct TV below and also check out our Dish Network review.

If you can't make a decision between the two check out our Direct TV & Dish Network Comparison Chart.

The review below first goes over a few general questions about the services available through Direct TV and then addresses a few red flag issues.

What Is DirectTV?

Direct TV is a company that provides television viewers with a paid satellite TV service. With over 18 million subscribers and the most HD channels Direct TV is the premier satellite TV provider in the United States.

What Type Of Picture Quality Do Direct TV subscribers get?

Direct TV broadcasts all channels in digital which means that you get the best picture quality available. Direct TV also has the most HD channels which allows you to get an even better picture in case standard digital TV is not good enough for you.

How Much Does Direct TV Cost?

Direct TV is slightly more expensive than Dish Network but is often cheaper than cable TV. Packages from Direct TV range from around $30 per month for 50 channels to as much as $100 per month for over 250 channels. For most of these packages you can get a new subscriber special that cuts the price significantly for the first 6-12 months.

How Many HD Channels Does Direct TV Have?

Currently DirectTV boasts the largest number of HD channels in the television industry at around 130.

How Does Direct TV Programming Options Compare To Other Services?

Direct TV has several exclusive packages that can only be purchased through their company. They also have the largest selection of sports channels to choose from. These channels includes NHL Center Ice, NBA League Pass, and MLB Extra Innings, plus much more. One great thing about Direct TV is that you can choose inexpensive packages that include as little as 50 channels or if you want it all you can pay more and get over 250 channels.

Does Direct TV Have Any Special Exclusive Channels?

Direct TV is the exclusive provider for NFL Sunday Ticket, NCAA Mega March Madness, and Nascar HotPass. All of these are separate from standard packages and are available for an extra fee. NFL Sunday Ticket is great because it gives subscribers access to all NFL games during the season.

What Equipment Is Required For Direct TV And How Much Does It Cost?

In order to get DirecTV satellite television subscribers need a satellite dish and a receiver for each room where they want to watch TV. In most cases new customers can get all of the equipment for free by agreeing to a 12-24 month contract. Usually this also includes free installation. If you do not get a special it could cost you several hundred dollars for equipment and installation. If you want to upgrade to an HD receiver or DVR then you might have to pay a couple hundred dollars. In most cases you can find specials that include one or both of these for free after a mail-in rebate.

Does Direct TV Require Subscribers To Sign A Lengthy Contract?

Direct TV requires all subscribers to agree to a service contract between 12-24 months.

Does Direct TV Run A Credit Check On New Subscribers?

Yes, Direct TV has a fairly strict policy regarding who can be accepted for a service contract. Credit checks are ran on all new subscribers before they are accepted.

Are There Any Red Flag Issues That Current Or Former Subscribers Have Ran Into With Direct TV?

All Direct TV customers should be aware that there will be a early termination fee if you decide to cancel your service before your contract is up. One thing that we have noticed is that some customers seemed to have though that they would be able to easily get out of their contract if they moved. Getting out of any contact with Direct TV is going to be difficult and everyone should be careful before agreeing to a long service contract. If you are concerned that you may be moving to an area where Direct TV isn't available you need to check out the terms of the contract before you sign it. If it doesn't say that you can get out of your contract in the contract then don't count on it. Don't count on it even if an uninformed customer service rep told you that you could get out of your contract if you moved. The only thing you can count on it what is written in your contract.

Another issue to check out is whether you have a clear view of the southern sky. If you do not then you shouldn't even bother getting satellite TV. This is a requirement for getting a good signal with any satellite TV provider. Without a good signal you will get bad reception and at times you may get no reception at all.

If you get Direct TV you need to be ready to deal with customer service agents that aren't not the most intelligent people on the planet. If you have any issues and have to call customer service you should be able to get your problems worked out but it may take a bit longer than it should because you may get an incompetent rep on the phone. In general Direct TV does a good job of dealing with most customer service issues. You however will see a ton of complaints on the Internet, partially because some people are idiots, partially because no company is perfect (Yes, Direct TV does make mistakes and has flaws in their system), and partially because they have over 18 million subscribers and there is no way you can keep everyone happy.

If you are thinking about getting Direct TV we think that it would be a pretty good choice. It pretty much boils down to the small things. All satellite and cable providers have similar customer service and reliability but each one of them has small variations in the channels, HD packages, and DVR features that are available. It just a matter of deciding exactly what you want.

Satellite TV Providers Guide: Direct TV, Dish Network

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:03:00 +0000

Do you have digital or analog cable and want to make a change? Are you looking to get satellite TV as a replacement? Are you interested in switching but don't know if it is a good idea or what satellite TV provider to select?

If you answered yes to all or any of these questions then you have found the right place. Below you will find several links that will provide you with the information that you are looking for regarding satellite TV. The information below includes a comparison of cable and satellite TV along with a review of the two major satellite television providers, Dish Network and DirecTV.
However, before we get to the links here is a short word regarding satellite TV.

Satellite TV has seen a lot of technological advances over the past few years and as a result the number of subscribers has risen greatly. In a lot of ways satellite and cable TV are fairly similar but there are also differences that give each one its own advantages. Some advantages of satellite TV include price, availability, better picture and sound quality, more programming options, and more HDTV options. Some disadvantages of satellite TV as compared with cable TV include less access to local programming, more equipment needed, more complicated installation, and a greater potential for signal interference.

One of the major advantages discussed above is satellite TVs lower price. The cost for satellite TV is between $25-$30 for 100 channels while the average price for a comparable digital cable program is around $50. Besides being cheaper satellite television also provides a better picture and better sound quality because it is all digital while a lot of cable is still being broadcasted in analog (although in the next several years all cable companies will make the switch). Satellite TV also comes with significantly more HDTV channels (cabled is expected to catch up but is behind at this point).

One of the major disadvantages of satellite TV is its lack of local programming. Satellite TV doesn't provide as much access to local channels and getting them often requires paying an extra fee. Satellite TV also requires more complicated dish installation and more equipment. This use to be more of an issue in the past but these days you can get most of the equipment and installation done for free by signing a service contract. Finally, satellite television has the potential to go out during bad weather. Technology has limited this greatly but there is still a risk that you will lose your TV during a strong storm while there is virtually no chance of this happening with cable as long as your power doesn't go out.

There are two major Satellite TV providers (Dish Network and DirectTV) that are in a fierce battle for market share. The result is great prices and ongoing specials for consumer like you. Competition with the cable companies also helps keep satellite TV prices lower.

If you are considering getting satellite TV we recommend that you check out the pages below and carefully consider your options. Satellite TV has some great advantages and its advanced technology allow users to have a better viewing experience, get more channels, and pay less at the same time. We recommend satellite TV over cable but caution that it is not for everybody.

If you have any questions about the satellite TV information that we have provided please leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer your questions.

Satellite And Cable TV Comparison Chart

Direct TV And Dish Network Comparison Chart

Direct TV Satellite TV Review

Dish Network Satellite TV Review

Best / Top VoIP Service Providers: Residential & Business

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:18:00 +0000

If you are looking to get a VoIP telephone line then you have a pretty big decision ahead of you. With rapid advancements in VoIP technology there are some striking differences in both costs and features among the top VoIP providers and you need to be sure that you get one that matches with your needs and budget.

If you are looking to get VoIP service from one of the top providers available we recommend that you check out the list that we have provided below. The list below includes VoIP providers that are rated very highly per our research. It is my no means considered exhaustive and it may be in your best interest to also consider other VoIP providers that are not discussed here. If you are interested in more detailed information about each of these VoIP providers then feel free to check out our VoIP Reviews section. If you are interested in more information on any of the companies we have written about below you can click on they hyperlink at the beginning of the writeup and it will take you to the full review.

Vonage: Vonage is one of the largest VoIP providers in the United States and is a pioneer company within the industry. Vonage is known for providing high voice quality and above average customer service (when compared to its competitors). Vonage comes with more features that most smaller VoIP provider but also costs a little bit more. In regards to large VoIP providers Vonage prices are extremely affordable. One great thing about Vonage is that it can be used with a traditional phone or directly through your computer with a softphone application. If you are serious about getting VoIP but want an extremely reliable service then Vonage may be for you.

Magic Jack: magicJack is an interesting VoIP service and is quite different than most others. Magic Jack comes as a very small USB device that you hook into your computer on one end and then into your phone on the other end. With Magic Jack you pay $19.95 per year for unlimited long and long distance calling. Magic Jack has run into some service and customer support issues as of late but honestly what can you expect for less than $1.70 per month. You get what you pay for and with Magic Jack it may not be perfect all of the time at such a cheap price.

Comcast Digital Voice: Although not technically a VoIP service Comcast Digital Voice is essentially the same. The only difference is that it runs on a dedicated server and is not transmitted over the public Internet. Comcast is one of the largest cable and Internet providers in the United States and is now consuming a huge portion of the land line telephone market. Comcast is known for providing reliable service but not for providing great customer service. With Comcast Digital Voice you will get a better deal that what you get with a traditional landline but it is also slightly more expensive than VoIP services such as Vonage. Comcast Digital Voice is a great choice for those that already subscribe to another Comcast service because it can quickly and easily be added to your account.

Time Warner Digital Phone: Time Warner Digital Phone is just like Comcast service in that it is not technically a VoIP service but is essentially the same thing. The only difference is that it is ran on a private dedicated Time Warner server. Time Warner Digital Phone is known for providing extremely high voice quality and extremely reliable service. Time Warner Digital Phone is slightly more expensive than both Vonage and Comcast services. There are equivalent alternatives that cost less than this service but it is still a cheap alternative to a regular landline.

Skype: Skype is one of the most widely known VoIP providers in the world. Skype is run exclusively through a software application and is not meant to be wired through a regular telephone. Skype not only provides VoIP services but is a standard chat service similar to Yahoo Messenger or AIM. With Skype you can make mostly free calls to other computers and calls to land lines and mobile phones for a fee. With Skype you can either get a monthly plan or you can purchase a set number of minutes at a time. Skype is an excellent service and one that we recommend to anyone who wants to get the cheapest deal out there but doesn't mind not having their calls not ring through a traditional phone.

Lingo: Lingo is an up and coming VoIP service provider that is slowly growing and capturing part of the VoIP market. Lingo, like most VoIP providers provides fairly decent voice quality and excellent prices. The reliability of Lingo may not be quite as good as that of some of the other service providers but they make up for it by offering their service at a lower price. From time to time Lingo offers extremely low introductory prices for new customers and usually their rates are slightly below Vonage rates.

Qwest: Qwest is another one of the big VoIP providers and provides it's service at an excellent low price. Qwest is known for having a reliable VoIP network and providing great voice quality. If you are looking for VoIP service from a large, trusted, and well known name then Qwest is a good option to consider. With Qwest there are options to bundle VoIP along with other services and in return realize substantial monthly savings.

VoIP Phone Service Provider Reviews: Residential, Business, Telephony

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:02:00 +0000

If you have made the decision to switch from a traditional land line telephone to a VoIP service provider but are not sure which provider to go with then you have found the right place. Below you will find a list of different VoIP service provider reviews that we have written. In each review we have provided information regarding costs, features, and service quality.

Some of the top VoIP providers that we will be taking a look at include magic Jack, Vonage, Vocalocity, 8x8, Lingo, PhonePower, ITP, inTalk, and Net2Phone. Besides these mainstream providers we will also be checking some smaller companies.

If you are looking to add a VoIP phone to your home it is something that we highly recommend. The benefits greatly outweigh the negatives and it can save you hundreds of dollars each year.

If you have any questions about the VoIP providers listed below or would like us to review a specific one leave a comment below.

VoIP Service Provider Reviews

Vonage

Magic Jack

NoNoh

What Is VoIP Phone Service? (Voice over Internet Protocol)

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:16:00 +0000

What Is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that routes voice traffic over IP networks. IP networks were first developed for data transmission but their popularity sparked the idea of using them for voice transmissions too. VoIP technology transfers voice data into digital signals and routes them through the IP network and then converts it back to a voice transmission on the other end. VoIP allows for calls directly from a PC, through a special VoIP phone, or through a traditional phone by using an adapter. Some others names for VoIP phone services include Voice over IP, Broadband Phone, Internet Phone Service, Digital Phone, and Internet Telephony.

What Are The Benefits Of VoIP?

The biggest benefit of getting VoIP telephone service is its extremely low cost. In most cases service providers charge a monthly fee that includes unlimited local and long distance calls and a less than average rate for international calls. It is also cheaper because there are currently no government regulatory fees associated with VoIP phones. Another great thing about VoIP service is that it can be taken anywhere. When you are making calls over the Internet it doesn't matter where you are as long as you have a broadband Internet connection and can access your VoIP software.

What Features Does VoIP Service Come With?

VoIP phones come with all of the usual feature that we have come to expect from traditional land line companies. This includes caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, conference calls, voicemail, call blocking, 411 directory assistance, last number re-dial, call forwarding, E911 service, and much more. VoIP also comes with several features that we are not use to seeing with traditional service. One neat feature is the ability to have your voice mails sent to you as an attachment through email. This is a pretty simple feature but creates and easy way to keep up with voicemail messages while checking your email.

What Are The Disadvantages of VoIP?

One disadvantage of VoIP service is a lack of 911 emergency services as compared to what you get with a standard land line. Luckily technological advancements have allowed for an E911 service that is comparable to what you get with a regular land line. Another disadvantage is the possibility of not being able to use your VoIP service when there is a power outage. In most cases this seems to be of little concern because nearly everybody has a cell phone that could be used if a power outage occurs.

What Equipment Is Needed For VoIP Service?

First and foremost you will need a broadband Internet connection. Beside that the only equipment that is usually needed in order to setup VoIP service is either an analog telephone adapter (ATA) or VoIP phone. All you have to do is hook up the ATA to your modem and telephone and then your VoIP phone line will be directly linked to your normal telephone. You will also need the VoIP software that will be supplied by your service provider if you want to use your computer for calls.

What Is The Difference Between Local, Long Distance,and International VoIP Calling?

In most cases these days you get free local and long distance calling with your VoIP service provider. There are some providers that still charge for long distance calls so it is important to check VoIP reviews in order to select one of the best VoIP providers. Most, if not all VoIP providers charge for international calling but the rate in generally a lot cheaper than what you would expect to pay if you had a traditional land line.

VoIP Phone Service: Residential, Business, Telephony

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:25:00 +0000

Are you looking to make the switch to VoIP phone service or interested in seeing what this new technology is all about? Do you want to know how much it costs and if it is a good idea to switch from your traditional land line to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?

If so then you have found the right place. Below you will find several links that will provide you with the information that you are looking for regarding VoIP technology, the best VoIP providers, VoIP service reviews, and more. However, before we get to the links here is a quick word regarding VoIP telephone services.

VoIP phone service has become increasingly popular over the past several years. VoIP service is a technology that allows voice communications to be routed over an IP network such as the Internet, through a gateway of sorts. It has been providing clients with service since 2004 and its popularity has increased rapidly primarily because it is a cheap alternative to traditional land line telephoney services.

Some advantages of VoIP services include its cost and portability. If you subscribe to a VoIP service you generally pay a small monthly fee and then get unlimited free calls. These calls usually include both local and long distance calls at no extra charge and only a small fee for international calls. As far as portability goes, with a VoIP system you can make calls anywhere as long as you have your internet phone or headset and can login to your VoIP account. Besides these advantages VoIP software also allows for most of the basic features that people are use to getting with a traditional land line.

Some of the disadvantages of VoIP service include service during power outages, emergency call capabilities, sound quality. With a traditional land line you can continue to use your phone during a power outage but with VoIP service this can't be done. You can continue to use your VoIP service as long as you have an Internet connection to your computer (if you are making direct computer calls) but once your modem dies you will be out of luck and not be able to make calls. As far as emergency calls go, with a VoIP service, there currently isn't a reliable way to trace calls to their immediate location in case the caller wasn't able to talk. This problem is currently being addressed and providers or hopeful that some sort of technology will be develop soon in order to eliminate this issue. The sound quality of most VoIP services is lower than that of an old school landline but sound quality is rapidly improving on VoIP networks as technological advances are made.

All of the VoIP service providers that we have reviewed are nationwide companies and are considered to be the best service providers out there. When trying to decide on a provider for your VoIP phone we highly recommend that you read our reviews and educate yourself on the quality of service, customer service, and sound quality of each provider in order to be sure you choose on that you will be happy with. Prices vary widely so it is also important to choose a provider that charges a reasonable price.

Some of the VoIP telephony service providers we will be taking a look at include magic Jack, Vonage, vocalocity, 8x8, Lingo, PhonePower, ITP, inTalk, Net2Phone, and many more.

If you have any questions about the VoIP information that we have provided please leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer your questions.

What Is VoIP Phone Service? - An In-Depth Look At VoIP Technology & Features

VoIP Service Provider Reviews

Best / Top VoIP Service Providers

Magic Jack (magicJack) VoIP Phone Review - Features

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase Your Very Own magicJack

Features The Magic Jack Comes With

- Unlimited Local And Long Distance Calling For $19.95 Per Year
- Can Be Used Anywhere That The Magic Jack VoIP Network Exists (even on public computers)
- Bypass A Traditional Telephone And Make Calls Directly Through Your Computer (works with any standard headset or microphone)
- Magic Jack's Own Proprietary VoIP Calling Network
- Phone Number Portability
- Simple And Automatic Installation
- Traditional Cord And Cordless Phone Compatible
- International Calling (Rates vary from $0.02 to over $1 per minute)
- Call Any Landline, Cell Phone, Or Other MagicJack User
- Free Directory Assistance
- Conference Calling
- Address Book
- Outlook Integration For 1 Click Calling
- Vista, Windows XP, And MAC Compatible
- Bluetooth Headset Compatible
- Caller ID
- Call Waiting
- VoiceMail
- Call Forwarding
- Emergency 911 Dialing

Known Issues With The Magic Jack

- Different From Regular Emergency 911 Dialing (please see the magic Jack website for details)
- Doesn't Work When Your Computer Is Turned Off
- On-Screen Window Pops Up For All Phone Calls Routed Through The Magic Jack
- Only Works With Broadband Internet Connections (does not work with satellite connections)
- Not Yet Able To Route Calls Through Cell Phones But Will Be Able To In The Near Future With The Femto Jack

If you are interested in purchasing the magic Jack USB phone jack then you have found the right place. In our previous magic Jack review post we provided information on what the magic Jack is and how well it works. Above we have provided a complete list of features that the magic Jack comes with and also a short list of know feature issues. You can also Read a review comparing MagicJack to Skype if you are interested in seeing the differences between the two.

Overall the magic Jack is a great device for saving money on landline telephone services and works great for most people that purchase it. If you are interested we recommend that you try it out by exercising the 30 day free trial to see whether it is something you want to keep for the long haul. There have been issues with some people not being able to get the Magic Jack to work correctly so we do recommend purchasing from someone that offers the 30 day trial period. Generally issues only arise when someone does not have the right type of Internet connection or doesn't install the software properly. If you do have issues you can contact customer service to get them resolved and will be able to return the magic Jack within 30 days if nothing can be done to resolve the problem.

Check out the features above and if they suit your needs then we recommend you get the magic Jack and begin enjoying unlimited calling for just $19.95 per year!

Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital TV Converter Box Reviews (DTV)

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase Your Own Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital TV Converter Box

The Zinwell ZAT-970A has been reported to be one of the best TV converter boxes on the market. There have been little to no complaints regarding it.

This converter box has been upgraded to the Zinwell ZAT-950A.

Product Details: Reports on the picture quality of the Zinwell ZAT-970A have shown that it is in the "2nd tier". This means that its picture quality is a step below that of the absolute top converter boxes but is still very good. Its picture quality is a significant upgrade from that of analog television.The sound quality of this converter box is just as good as the top boxes. When using this digital TV converter box you get crystal clear sound. This converter box sells for $50-$55 which is a very good buy. We highly recommend this converter box to everyone.

This converter box comes with an on screen program guide that provides show times and descriptions. This TV converter box also comes with scan for all channel tuning and adjustable closed captioning. The key feature on this digital TV converter box is that it does come with analog pass-through. This means that you will still be able to pick up lower power analog television stations. If you are experiencing any receptions problems with this or other converter boxes your best bet would be to get an antenna.

This DTV converter box is one of the best all around converter boxes on the market. It has a bunch of excellent features and sells at a great price. This box is one we highly recommend to all.

Zinwell ZAT-970A Features & Specs - Zinwell ZAT-970A Owners Manual

Analog Pass-Through
8 Event Timer
Configurable Closed Captioning
Electronic Program Guide
English, French, and Spanish Language Support

What Is Included With Your Purchase?
Zinwell ZAT-970A Converter Box
Remote Control

Click Here To Purchase Your Own Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital TV Converter Box

Furminator Dog And Cat Grooming Deshedding Tool Pet Brush

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:02:00 +0000

Click Here To Purchase The Furminator Deshedding Tool

If you are interested in purchasing the Furminator Deshedding Tool then we highly recommend it. We have a Furminator dog grooming brush for our Jack Russell Terrier and it works great. It takes off a ton of her fur and helps reduce her shedding by a lot. Not only this but the brushing process with the Furminator appears to be quite comfortable for our dog.

If you are intereste in purchasing the Furminator we will be writing a full review of it soon including information on all of the different Furminator deshedding tool models. Please come back soon to get full information regarding the Furminator.

Top Online Digital TV Antenna Retailers

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:38:00 +0000

If you have chosen the type of antenna you need and also decided on a certain brand then the next step is to choose which retailer you want to make your purchase from. The easiest and most hassle free way would be to purchase direct from the manufacturer but not all manufacturers sell directly and if they do their prices are usually around 15%-30% higher than most retailers.

Below we have provided a list of some of the top online digital TV antenna retailers. This list includes retailers that have a large selection of antennas, offer competitive prices, and are known from providing good customers service. If you are still trying to choose a specific TV antenna brand then you can check out our top TV antenna brands page.

Manufacturer Direct: One option for getting your antenna is buy direct from the manufacturer. In some cases this is the easiest option because most manufacturers stand behind their products 100%. This can make returns and exchanges easier if something is wrong with your antenna or it doesn't work well in your area. Unfortunately manufacturers usually price their antennas at MSRP and do not drop them so you will end up paying a lot more if you buy them direct. In order to get retailers to carry their products manufacturers who sell direct often promise to keep their prices higher.

Amazon: Amazon is one of the most trusted names for online purchases worldwide. Amazon provides an extremely largest selection of antennas at some of the most affordable prices. Amazon is also know for having great customer service.

Free DTV Shop: The Free DTV Shop is a very small retailer that was established specifically for the digital transition. They provide a small selection of antennas and great customer service.

Digital TV Converter Store: The Digital TV Converter Store is another small retailer that was established specifically for the digital transition. The company owners have been in business selling online for years in the satellite radio industry and have made quite a name for themselves. They have a small selection of antennas at good prices and are planning on expanding their selection soon.

Solid Signal: Solid Signal is a great antenna retailer. They provide one of the largest selections of antennas and have some of the best prices online. They are well known and all orders we have done through them have come quickly and hassle free.

Top Digital TV Antenna Manufacturers

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:31:00 +0000

If you are trying to decided on a new digital TV antenna in order to get better digital TV reception then you have a big decision ahead of you. Not only are antennas quite expensive but they can also be very confusing and most people do not have the technical knowledge that it takes to be able to choose the best one for their reception needs.

One of the first things you will want to do once you decide that you need a new TV antenna is to sort through the major antennas companies and find out which ones produce the highest quality products at the best prices. Below we have provided a list of some of the top digital TV antenna manufacturers along with a brief summary of each one. This list by no means exhaustive and there are many other great manufacturers out there that we will not cover. If you know the type of TV antenna you want the next step is to decided which brand of antenna you want and then decided which antenna retailer you want to purchase from.

RCA: They have been around for a long time and are known as a leader in the electronics and television industry. The produce high quality antennas and sell them at affordable prices. Antennas however are not their specialty so you cannot find as many personalized options from their antennas. They are more of a 1 size fits all type of manufacturer with a standard set of antennas.

Antennas Direct: This brands sole focus is on providing high quality antennas for digital and HDTV signaling. They are not as widely known as some other companies but do provide some of the best antennas in the industry. In fact, their antennas are so good that they are carried by large retailers such as Solid Signal and Amazon. Antennas Direct is so confident in their product quality that they offer a 90-Day return policy that allows you to return an antenna for any reason.

Channel Master: Channel Master has been around for over 60 years and has been slowly adjusting and tweaking their antennas in order to get them to provide the best reception possible. Channel Master provides one of the widest product lines out of all antenna manufacturers and is a global leader within the industry. Channel Master is also one of the most recognized names and trusted names in the industry. Channel Master antennas are known for providing some of the highest gain within the industry.

Winegard: Winegard has been around for over 50 years and with that length of time has become one of the best antenna manufacturers around. Their main focus is on television reception products which mainly consistent of antennas. Winegard has an excellent reputation for providing high quality antennas that get the job done while also offering affordable prices.

Other Manufacturers: Besides the antennas manufacturers we have provider information on above there are many others that provide high quality antennas at affordable prices. If you still do not know who to go with other manufacturers you can check out include Terk, Antenna Craft, DX, and Terrestrial Digital.

Digital TV Antenna Installation Tips

noreply@blogger.com (IMC) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:58:00 +0000

If you have already checked out the section on our blog about the different types of TV antennas and used our TV antenna reviews to pick out an antenna then the next step is it install your antenna. In regards to TV antenna installation we are not experts because we focus mainly on the retail side of things. Despite this we have put together a short list of TV antenna installation tips that we feel will help you through the installation process.

It is however important to note that TV antenna installation can be quite dangerous and if you feel uncomfortable with the process you should always seek professional help.

Tip 1 - The Higher The Better

A general rule that is found with digital TV antennas is that the higher you mount it the better. UHF signaling is based on line of sight so the higher you mount your antenna the better. Getting it higher means that there is a better chance that there will be less objects obstructing the line of sight between the signaling tower and your digital antenna. If you live more than 70 miles away from the TV signal tower then you might have to mount your antenna very high by building some sort of tower to place it on.

Tip 2 - Outdoor Antenna Installation Is Better Than Indoor Installation

If you want to get the best reception and signal gain you need to get an outdoor antenna. This is because outdoor antennas can often be installed higher which means that they can get a better signal. Outdoor antennas also provide better reception because the digital signal from the tower is not being blocked by walls before it reaches the antenna. TV antenna signal issues indoors are quite similar to indoor cell phone signal issues. Sometimes mounting your antenna in an attic can work quite well but again the digital signal will be forced to penetrate a roof before it reaches your antenna. Indoor antennas can get the job done but an outdoor antenna will do a better job of providing clear reception and may even bring in a few extra channels.

Tip 3 - You Can't Go Wrong With Professional Installation

If your antenna installation job appears to be very difficult then you can always consider having a professional come out to install it. This will of course cost money but it might go a long way in allowing you to get the best possible reception and the most channels.

Tip 4 - Be Sure To Face The Front Of The Antenna Towards The Transmitting Tower

In order to get the best reception you need to figure out where the closest TV transmitting tower is and be sure to face the front of your antenna toward it. If you are not sure where the nearest antenna tower is there are various websites available that provide this information.

Tip 5- Be Sure To Seal All Outdoor Connections With A Waterproof Sealant

If you have an outdoor antenna you need to seal all connections with some type of waterproof sealant because rain and humidity may cause your connections to corrode and result is lower antenna performance. Corroded connections can cause 25%-90% signal loss.

Tip 6 - Keep Cable Runs As Short As Possible And Don't Use Splitters

The longer the cable runs the more signal loss. Do your best to minimize the cable length from antenna to digital tuner. You want to find a cable that is just long enough to reach rather than one that has quite a bit of extra useless length. Generally you can lose as much as 30% of the signal for every 100 ft of RG6 cable. Splitters can also cause signal loss between 40%-60%.

Tip 7 - Grounding Your Antenna Can Save It From Electrical Surges

It is a good idea to ground your antenna with a coaxial cable by using a coaxial surge protector. This will protect your antenna from being fried due to nearby lightning strikes. To protect from a direct strike you will need a lightening arrester which is difficult to install and might not comply with local antenna restrictions.

Tip 8 - Locate And Avoid All Power lines During Installation

Power lines and be dangerous and cause electrocution if you are touching an antenna while it comes into contact with a power line.

Tip 9 - Do Not Attempt To Install An Outdoor Antenna During Harsh Weather Conditions likes High Winds, Rain, Ice, or Snow

Harsh weather conditions can be dangerous for installing antennas and raise the risk of falling off
the roof.

Tip 10 - Safety, Safety, Safety

The most important thing to remember when installing a TV antenna is to think about your safety before anything else. Installing a rooftop antenna can be very dangerous and even cause death if you fall from high up.