If Your Tech Gift Doesn't Work...

If your Christmas gift is a digital camera, computer or MP3 player, and it's not working the way it should, you can forget about getting product support on Christmas Day.

However, The Saturday Early Show invites Best Magazine's senior editor, David Gregg, to answer some frequently asked questions about all those gadgets.

What to do if you can only hold 10 pictures on your digital camera?

Although there are a ton of memory card (digital film) makers on the market, the most reliable are made by Lexar and Sandisk. Just as 35mm cameras need traditional film, digital cameras need "digital film" (memory cards) to store pictures.

Digital film comes in a number of formats, some more durable than others. The most popular formats are CompactFlash, Secure Digital (SD Card), Memory Stick and the xD-Picture Card.

The number of images you can store in a memory card is based on the capacity of memory on the card, the resolution of your camera, the quality selection you choose for the images and how the camera compresses the images.

The general rule of thumb is upgrade to at least a 64-mb card, but consider a 128- or 256-mb card, as prices are low and you won't ever have to buy one again. A 64-mb card cost about $30 and a 256-mb card cost around $60. You can store about 53 photos on a 64-mb vs. 213 on a 256-mb card.
Online: www.lexar.com and www.sandisk.com

What is the easiest and fastest way to transfer pictures from a digital camera and Camcorder to the computer?

A Memory Card reader (Media Card Reader) simplifies and speeds up the picture transfer process without burning your digital camera's battery.

Just remove the card from your camera, put it in the reader and the images will download automatically. After you've copied your pictures onto your hard drive, you can then erase your memory card and start over with a fresh "roll of film." Lexar Jump Drive costs around $20. SanDisk costs around $20, as well.

For digital Camcorders or other digital devices, an external USB 2.0, like the Kensington Pocket HUB USB 2.0, connects to your computer and can speed up large file transfers up to 40 times faster than traditional USB ports. When editing the family home movies, it's a great time saver. The cost is $30.
Online: www.kensington.com

Software: How to edit camcorder footage and which software makes it easiest?

Adobe Premiere Elements is a brand new Software program that even empowers the beginner to upload all of his or her video footage, perform easy edits and add music and other content clips. Be your own Steven Spielberg.
The cost is $99.99
Online: www.adobe.com

The first thing you should do to your new computer is to protect it from vicious viruses and hackers on the Internet with Virus and Firewall Protection Software.

Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 provides essential protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. Norton Personal Firewall keeps personal data in and hackers out. And Norton Privacy Control, Norton AntiSpam, and Norton Parental Control safeguard you and your family from other common online risks. The cost is $70.
Online: www.symantec.com

For new PC owners, AOL is the best online service. It now offers free spy ware and virus protection, plus it's easy to use.

What if the sound in the MP3 player is tinny?

It is not the fault of your music-playing device, but that of the cheap headphones or ear-bud earphones included with your MP3 player.

Etymotic 6i are the best headsets in the business. 6i isolator earphones are designed specifically for use with the Apple iPod and other small portable players, offering 8 dB higher overall sensitivity and slightly more bass than the ER-6 isolator earphones. The cost is $149.00.
Online: www.etymotic.com

How to consolidate all your remotes down to one controller?

Logitech Harmony 676 advanced programmable remote: The Harmony 676 is affordable, easy to set up and simple to use. It can control any electronic component that uses an infrared receiver, and each remote can control as many as 15 devices. Harmony remotes are designed the way people think, with one-touch buttons that reflect single activities - such as Watch TV. The cost is $229.95.
Online: www.logitech.com

What if you don't know the difference between the S-Video cables from the USB cables, and does it really make a difference if you buy "better" cables?

• Composite or RCA (Lowest quality)
  Most TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and satellite receivers offer RCA composite video connections. Unlike component video and S-Video connections, RCA composite video must carry the entire signal in one channel.
• S-Video Cables (better video-need audio connectors)
  S-Video is a high-performance video connection and is available on most newer TVs, DVD players, satellite receivers, and VCRs. S-Video splits the video signal into separate color and brightness channels for high quality picture.
• Component Video Cables (Best for HDTV)
  To get High Definition video (720p, 1080i), you need to use component video cables. S-Video or composite video connections should only be used when component video is not available.
• DVI (Ultimate HDTV connector for high end HDTV Systems)
  This super-high performance DVI-D single-link video cable for HDTV delivers high velocity, maximum signal strength, even over longer lengths. M500DVI lets absolutely zero noise radiate out, so your picture is free from noise-induced digital artifacts.
• Audio
  Ultra Series THX® 1000 Audio Interconnects is ideal for hookup of stereo or multi-channel formats including DVD Audio, SACD, and Dolby ProLogic or other high-performance analog audio applications. Three-way, Time-Correct windings increase clarity and sonic accuracy.
• Fire wire (aka IEEE 1394)
  Works with most camcorders for high-speed data transfer.

  FireLink 300 High Speed IEEE 1394 Digital Audio/Video Connection Monster's high bandwidth, high performance FireLink 300 connection offers high-speed hookup of audio/video components with 1394 connections such as DVD players, digital camcorders, digital VCRs and digital TVs. FireLink 300 delivers improved overall performance with rich, vibrant color, razor-sharp detail, and crystal-clear sound.

  A great cable resource guide is at: Monstercable.com
  

Duracell Ultra M3
Specially Formulated Ultra is Duracell's best battery for Photo/Electronic devices. It has been especially formulated to meet the increasing power demands of high-power devices such as digital and flash cameras, remote-control toys and halogen flashlights.

Energizer e2 batteries
Energizer e2 Titanium Technology batteries are engineered to maximize performance in today's most demanding high-tech devices - the kind of device that typically drains a ton of energy. Their proprietary titanium compound and advanced cell construction improve performance and provide long life by increasing energy's conductivity, and allowing electrons to flow better. Excellent for high-tech devices that consume a lot of power like MP3 players, portable CD players, digital or point-and-shoot cameras, hand-held electronic games, TV/audio remote controls, personal organizers and other digital devices.

Stats:

• Groove up to 39 more minutes in personal audio devices vs. ordinary AA alkaline, in industry standard tests
• Flash up to 99 more pictures in photo flash cameras vs. ordinary AAA alkaline, industry-standard tests show
• Flash up to 40 more pictures in digital cameral vs. ordinary AA alkaline, industry standard tests show.
• Play up to 39 more minutes in hand held games vs. ordinary AA alkaline, industry standard tests show.

If you plug in directly, it doesn't blank out the media card; you have to physically do it yourself. But the media card reader does refresh your card.

You have different options of hooking them up, but if it has S-video or supervideo connection, that's always better. It's a much higher quality picture, especially if yout'e picking up high-definition broadcast or are running off a DVD.

A lot of the components that come with cheaper cable, if you're running plasma or LCD you should definitely upgarde and you will notice the difference.