For all of those MP3 music owners, the future of car audio is finally here for you. Gone are the days where you had to burn your MP3s onto a CD for playback in your car audio system. Sony recently released the MEX-1GP CD receiver, a CD receiver that also features a built-in 1 GB flash memory unit. So now your car audio CD receiver behaves in the same manner as your iPod or other type of MP3 player. The 1 GB flash memory unit can store up to 500 of your favorite songs, giving you plenty of playback time for your music. This little device will make even the longest of trips in your car smoother and more enjoyable, since you will not have to worry about changing CDs any longer.

Aside from playing MP3s, this CD receiver also plays CDs (as the name implies) along with burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs so that those who wish to play their old CDs can still take advantage of this nifty product. However, the real attraction to this new car audio head unit is the MP3 playability. The flash memory unit is located in the detachable faceplate. Here resides the USB port which allows you to connect the faceplate to your PC (similar to your iPod or other MP3 player). Once your faceplate is connected to your CD, you simply drag and drop the MP3 files onto the flash memory unit of the faceplate. Unfortunately the faceplate is only compatible with Windows operating systems, so all of you Mac owners will have to go to your buddy’s house to copy the MP3s to and from the Sony MEX-1GP.

The new receiver is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well. It is finished in a high-gloss black color and features a 13-segment LCD display for simple navigation of track and title information. The screen displays album, artist and track name when playing your MP3 music files. Users can shuffle or repeat tracks, albums or personalized groups through controls on the faceplate or with the supplied remote control. The MEX-1GP unit has a built-in 208-watt power amplifier and a three-band equalizer enabling clear, rich sound. The selectable rear/subwoofer preamp outputs, controls the frequency and output level of an external amplifier.

After installing this receiver and experiencing it for a little over a week, I must say that I am quite impressed with this product. For one, the sound quality when playing MP3s through this unit is nothing less than phenomenal. If you didn’t know any better, you would think that you were playing a CD with the crisp and clear playback quality of this head unit. While traveling on a three hour road trip (three hours each way, six hours total) I was able to listen to one selection of songs on the way up and an entirely different selection of songs on the way back, all without the hassle of changing CDs and enduring a pause in play. I’m just a little surprised it took so long for a product like this to hit the market, especially with the increasing popularity of portable MP3 devices such as the iPod over the last several years. While it may have taken awhile for a product like this to hit the market, I’m sure Sony will have plenty of competitors very soon, which will benefit car audio enthusiasts like myself.

Dwayne Wright is an automotive enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. If you decide to upgrade your car audio system with a Sony MEX-1GP car audio receiver, visit his site at www.customautosearch.com to find a professional car audio installer in your area to install your new receiver.

In a home, safety is a number one concern. Alarm systems help to ease the mind of home owners and business owners alike. Quality alarm batteries are crucial to keeping an alarm system fully functional. There are many brands of alarm system and many battery types.

Powersonic is one of the top providing brands of alarm system batteries. They manufacture sealed lead acid batteries that are ideal for any alarm of fire system battery. But they also manufacture a great number of other types of batteries suited for alarm systems.

Alarm batteries are not only sealed lead acid batteries. Many types used NiCad or NiMH batteries and battery chargers. These types vary greatly depending on type of alarm system so it is important to be familiar with all specifications including dimensions and voltage.

Most alarm systems use batteries only for backup power during an outage or power surge. Alarm systems are generally wired to the buildings electrical system for a main power source. It is important to have the wiring and installation done by a professional to avoid electrical problems that could result in shock or fire.

Check alarm batteries frequently to make sure they are fully functional. Read individual model manuals for instruction as to how to check battery, what type of battery to use, and the life of the alarm battery. Feeling safe in the home is one of the most important steps to having a happy home. Protect you and your family with the best alarm systems and alarm batteries.

This article was written by Michael Hargrove for BatteryWeb, a retail and wholesale provider of all types of batteries and battery chargers. Visit the site for a full selection of alarm batteries.

PocketDish by Dish Network is an ingenious video, music, game and photo device that’s compact enough to fit into a pocket or purse. You can store TV programs, music, your favorite games and photos on PocketDish.

PocketDish was created by Dish Network, the fastest-growing U.S. satellite-television service, and the first pay-TV service provider to enter the market of portable video players. Using cutting-edge digital technology, the designers of Dish Network’s PocketDish have created a miniature, multi-purpose entertainment system that’s perfect for people on the go, offering super-fast downloads and crystal-clear images.

This portable media player is available in three versions: two compact, handheld media recorders, and one portable media player. The video recorder has a 7-inch liquid crystal display and a 40GB hard drive, The two media players have 2.2 and 4-inch displays and hard drives of 20 or 30GB. Each of the three PocketDish models come equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gives you four hours of video and 12 hours of audio.

All PocketDish models can be plugged into the USB 2.0 ports on Dish’s Network’s Dish Player 942 for fast downloading of programs. An hour of Dish Network programming can be downloaded in about five minutes. You can transfer a full-length movie with PocketDish in under 10 minutes!
Transferring Dish Network content is easy. Just connect the PocketDish to your DVR using the USB cable included with PocketDish. Once connected, a series of prompts on the screen will direct you through the transfer of content stored on your DVR. With the receiver, you can also manage the content of your PocketDish. When the transfer is concluded, simply chose “Done” and disconnect the cable from the PocketDish and the DVR. PocketDish will then update all files. The new programs can be accessed using the Video icon; they’re stored in the folder called Dish Network.

PocketDish offers great options for music and TV lovers:

TV/VIDEO: With more options than a portable DVD player, PocketDish lets you transfer programs from select Dish Network DVR receivers. You can enjoy your favorite programs anytime, anywhere.

MUSIC: Download your entire digital music library. With PocketDish, you can have thousands of MP3, WMA or WAV music files at your fingertips, all attractively presented, with cover art and play lists to suit any mood.

PHOTOS: Store up to an incredible 400,000 images and view them on the PocketDish’s crisp LCD screen or on a connected TV.

GAMES: Download all kinds of fun, from mind-bending brain puzzlers to your favorite role-playing and adventure games for fast, challenging entertainment.

PocketDish by Dish Network offers the best in portable audio and video. Take PocketDish with you anywhere, anytime, and you’ll have easy access to your favorite TV programs, photos and games. With Dish Network’s PocketDish, you can also record and play downloads from PCs and Macs, from digital cameras, digital video players, camcorders and VCRs. Plus, PocketDish is compatible with most television sets. Fun and convenient, PocketDish is ideal for the frequent traveler.

About The Author:

Mitchell Medford is an author and product development consultant for several consumer electronics manufacturers. Visit his websites for more information on PocketDISH and satellite TV.