Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #17



*1. COMPUTER MICROPHONES--PART 1 OF 5          
  
There are now many reasons why you would want to attach a 
microphone to your computer; for example, you may be using speech 
recognition software, video teleconferencing, and Internet 
telephony, to name just a few applications. Over the next few 
days I'll mention some things to keep in mind as you purchase and 
install a computer microphone. 

First, wireless handset microphones have improved dramatically in 
quality over the last few years. With the right system, you can 
now achieve the same level of recording quality with a wireless 
headset as you could with a headset directly attached by cable 
to your PC. Unfortunately, these high-quality wireless headsets 
still cost well over $1,000. In general, the wireless headsets 
that cost from $200 to $500 don't offer the same high fidelity. 
Your best value in computer microphones is still the hardwired 
wired headset variety, which should cost less than $150.


*2. COMPUTER MICROPHONES--PART 2 OF 5          
  
You'll most likely connect your new microphone to the microphone 
jack on your PC's sound card. Therein lies the problem: In 
recording, your microphone is really only as good as your sound 
card, because that's where your audio processing takes place. 
Whatever you do, don't spend a fortune on a microphone only to 
plug it into an inferior sound board. In general, it's best to 
install a microphone and sound board combination in which both 
products are at about the same level of quality. 

Before you purchase a computer microphone, investigate your sound 
card and then read some product reviews and find out how that 
card stacks up against its competitors. This research will help 
you decide what level of microphone is suitable for your 
particular system.


*3. COMPUTER MICROPHONES--PART 3 OF 5          
  
Here's a tip that comes from personal experience: Take care 
regarding your microphone's cable. In my office, my rolling desk 
chair ended up disabling my headset microphone because, as I 
rolled to and from my desk, the chair's metal casters rolled over 
the dangling cable from the headset I wore. After a few days of 
this, the cable separated internally and cut off all recording. 
To avoid this nightmare, mind your cable, and remove your headset 
before pushing away from your desk.


*4. COMPUTER MICROPHONES--PART 4 OF 5          
  
Most recording software features a microphone calibration 
component that adjusts the recording levels of your sound board, 
based on your particular microphone. Use this feature in any 
recording software, particularly if you change microphones. It is 
also a good idea to recalibrate your microphone as you switch 
from one software package to another. Each manufacturer may 
adjust recording levels differently, so the levels appropriate 
for one software package might not work for another.


*5. COMPUTER MICROPHONES--PART 5 OF 5          
  
Any audio engineer will tell you that microphone position is 
absolutely crucial to high-quality recording. For example, having 
a directional microphone a few centimeters off the optimal 
location can mean the difference between higher and lower 
accuracy in speech recognition software. Most recording software 
now comes with microphone position information in the 
documentation or online help. Some software even has video-clip 
demonstrations that show you optimal microphone positioning. Use 
these descriptions for your setup and enhance your recording.


*6. UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) UPDATE--PART 1 OF 4          
  
Remember the initial confusion over the two newest PC buses: USB 
and IEEE 1364 FireWire? It was hard to figure out what products 
would be available on what buses. In general, we heard that lower 
bandwidth devices (such as keyboards, joysticks, and digital 
cameras) would come in USB form, while higher bandwidth devices 
such as audiovideo cameras and editing stations would connect 
using FireWire.  

Well, forget everything you've learned. At the latest Intel 
Developer's Forum, it was announced that USB 2.0, the next 
generation of USB, will run at speeds as fast as the FireWire 
bus--between 360 and 480 Mbps (FireWire currently tranfers data 
at about 400 Mbps). Expect PCs and products capable of handling 
USB 2.0 in the second half of 2000. 

What this means for consumers who are trying to decide between 
product interfaces is still anyone's guess, but we'll keep you 
posted. In the meantime, over the next few days we'll pass along 
other USB updates and tips.


*7. UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) UPDATE--PART 2 OF 4          
  
If you're working on an older PC and you're not quite sure 
whether it is USB capable, never fear. The USB Implementers Forum 
offers a free Windows utility (recently updated to version 3.01) 
at its Web site, 

http://www.usb.org/shopping_bag.html 

Download and run this utility to determine once and for all if 
your system is ready for USB. You'll also find some pictures of 
USB ports and cables so you'll know what to look for on the back 
of your PC.


*8. UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) UPDATE--PART 3 OF 4          
  
In past tips, I mentioned that at least two companies, 
Anchor Chips at 

http://www.anchorchips.com 

and Belkin at  

http://www.belkin.com 

offer USB cables (called bridges) that let you easily connect two 
PCs via their USB ports. This lets you share files and printers 
and run some multiplayer games between the two systems.  

We understand that there may be some confusion about these USB 
products. They are not meant to replace a LAN. First off, they 
only transfer data at about 4 Mbps rather than the 10- to 
100-Mbps transfers of standard Ethernets. Additionally, you'll 
quickly load down your systems if you start to connect more than 
two PCs using this approach.  

Generally, these USB bridges function best as quick and temporary 
connections--say, for transferring data between a notebook and a 
desktop. The bridges can also connect just two systems that need 
minimal file sharing. For anything more sophisticated, look for 
true LAN hardware.


*9. UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) UPDATE--PART 4 OF 4          
  
Are you having trouble getting your USB products to work? Even 
with the news about USB 2.0 coming down the line, many users are 
still struggling with system hangups, hardware conflicts, and 
slow performance. Get some help from other consumers who have 
already conquered your troublesome USB product or PC 
setup--browse the public USB newsgroup at the USB 
Implementers Web site,  

http://www.usb.org/forums/retail/webboard.html 

The newsgroup is very active, 
and most of the postings are helpful.


*10. GET AN FTP UTILITY FOR DRIVERS          
  
Most serious hardware upgraders use a graphical FTP utility when 
they go hunting for the latest software drivers from their 
hardware manufacturers' FTP sites. You could use your Web browser 
(just by entering ftp:// instead of http:// at the beginning of 
the FTP site address) but it will only display a flat text 
representation of the site and it won't be easy to navigate. For 
a free graphical FTP utility, check out Traveling Software's 
LapLink FTP at 
http://www.laplinkftp.com 

However, you will have to look at an ad or two as you upload or 
download files. Another option is GetRight at 
http://www.getright.com 

This FTP utility costs $17.50 per copy, but has no advertisements.
