HT Models

 Home-theater headphones—wired or wireless—are built for comfort  and audio fidelity. Wirelessmodels use IR (infrared),  RF (radio frequency), or  Kleer uncompressed RF  technologies. IR units have  a reputation for resisting  interference, while the two RF technologies may allow you to listen to audio from another room.  

Transmitters

 Home theater styles of wireless headphones generally come with a transmitter. This AC- or battery-powered unit receives audio from your HT  device(s), such as your A/Vreceiver, and sends it wire- lessly to the headphones.  Some models support multiple headsets, so several  family members can enjoy  the same program quietly.

 Features

 Some transmitters double as docking stations for the headphones, making it easy to recharge their batteries. Speaking of battery life, you want a set of headphones that will last through several movies  if necessary. And if you  plan to use the headset from a distance, make note of its range for usage, such as 100 feet. 

Comfort & Sound 

Choose a set of HT headphones that you find comfortable. After all, you don’t want to have to take them off halfway through a big game or Harry Potter movie. Likewise, try several models to see which  ones sound the best to  you. To this end, you’ll find that some models employ sound enhancement technologies.

 

DSLR Cameras

 A DSLR lets you change lenses for optimal photos in different situations, such as a telephoto for sports or a wide-angle lens for indoor gatherings.  DSLRs are known for their large image sensors that produce high picture quality. You’ll get amazing color  and clarity in both photos and video.  In addition, DSLRs generally feature a hot shoe for a flash attachment, along with advanced automatic and manual settings. 

Compact System Cams 

A compact system model strives to give you the benefits of a DSLR, but in a slimmer, trimmer camera. By leaving out a DSLR’s internal mirror assembly, a compact system camera can be made much less bulky.  Inside a compact system camera,  there’s a relatively big image sensor  for great photo and video quality. Compact system cams also have detachable lenses and advanced settings for DSLR-like versatility. 

 Point & Shoot Cameras 

A typical point-and-shoot camera is small and sleek, so it’s easy to slip into a pocket or purse. It’s also relatively inexpensive compared to a DSLR or compact system cam. A point-andshoot won’t let you change lenses,  however, so it’s at its best in social  situations when your subjects aren’t  very far away. The image sensor in a  typical point-and-shoot is quite small compared to a DSLR’s or compact system’s. Still, its image quality will beat  virtually any camera phone’s.

Telephoto & Macro Lenses

 Athletes, musicians, and wildlife are usually far away from you when they’re doing something photogenic. With a telephoto lens, you can “zoom in” on the action and make it seem much closer.  Also called a zoom lens, a telephoto uses a series of carefully matched optics to magnify the image your camera sees. Many telephotos let you adjust their magnification, so you can zoom out for closer subjects.  Speaking of closer subjects, if you want to photograph items close-up, a macro lens can help you focus. 


Wide-Angle & Fisheye Lenses 

It’s hard to capture the majestic expanse of a landscape with a standard lens. Likewise, in a small room, it’s hard to include everyone in a group photo. You simply can’t back up  far enough to squeeze in those people on the edges.   A wide-angle lens can handle the squeezing for you. A wide-angle is a mild version of a “fisheye” lens. It’s designed to widen your shot without distorting the image.  You can get stronger image correction with a super wideangle lens. A fisheye lens can broaden your shot even more,  but it will make straight lines appear noticeably curved.