Guides and advice
Buying guides and practical advice
Solar or 4G camera: watching a site with no power
With no socket and no internet, power and connection are chosen separately. The four setups, and what keeps a solar camera running through winter.
HDMI cable: 2.0 or 2.1, length, adapters and eARC
What HDMI 1.4, 2.0 and 2.1 carry, which cable certification to get for 4K at 60 or 120 Hz, how far a passive cable goes, and when to use an RJ45 extender, an adapter, a splitter or a switch.
External HDD, SSD or enclosure: choosing a backup drive
An external drive is just an internal drive in a USB enclosure. Here is how to choose between HDD, SSD and an enclosure, and set up a backup that survives a drop.
Bluetooth earphones: true wireless, neckband or headset?
36 h on the box is not 36 h of continuous listening, and call noise reduction does not shut out noise for you. Here is how to read a Bluetooth earphone or headset spec sheet.
Wireless mouse and keyboard: receiver, Bluetooth, DPI
USB receiver or Bluetooth, DPI, silent clicks, batteries or rechargeable: what a wireless mouse or keyboard spec sheet says, and which model fits which desk.
USB flash drive: USB 3.2, speed, real capacity, FAT32 or exFAT
USB 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2 Gen 1 are the same speed, the big number is a read speed, and a 64 GB drive shows 59 GB by simple arithmetic. What to check before buying, and how to set up a drive for a TV or car radio.
Power bank: real capacity, phone charges and flying rules
A 10,000 mAh power bank gives only about one and a half charges of a 4,000 mAh phone. Here is the calculation, and what to check before buying or flying.
Weak Wi-Fi in one room: repeater, powerline or router?
A room without Wi-Fi does not always have the same cause. Depending on walls, wiring and use, the answer is a repeater, a powerline kit, a second router or a 4G router.
DVR or NVR: which recorder for your security cameras?
The cable that reaches each camera decides between a DVR and an NVR. Then come channel count, recorder resolution, hard disk sizing and remote access.
UPS buying guide: VA vs watts and how to size it
Compare watts, not VA. This guide shows how to add up the load of a PC, an internet box or a CCTV kit, and what to check on a UPS.
microSD card: U1, U3, V30, A2, which one to choose?
What SDXC, U3, V30 and A2 actually guarantee, why the big number on the pack is a read speed, and which card to use in a security camera, a dashcam, a phone or for 4K.
Ink-tank or laser printer: which one to choose?
Ink tanks or laser toner: the choice depends on volume, colour needs and how often you print. This guide compares both, case by case.