Belkin N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4

N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4 Review, by Becky Waring, PC World May 25, 2009

Belkin's attractive N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4 router ($100 as of April 20, 2009) stands out from the pack in design, features, usability, and long-range wireless throughput. Though its 2×3 antenna design lagged in short-range testing, the N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4's throughput performance improved by a dramatic 62 percent--more than any other router in our roundup--when we tested it along with the higher-end 3×3 Intel 5300 adapter. So if you buy this router, try to pair it with a 3×3 antenna card.

The setup assistant is excellent, guiding users through such tasks as establishing connections, enabling wireless security, and choosing a Wi-Fi SSID (that is, a network name). The router manages more-advanced settings through a standard Web utility. I especially appreciated being able to set up a special Wi-Fi guest network with its own passphrase, obviating the need to give out a private password to visitors. The router also keeps guests isolated from other devices on the network. On the downside, the N+ and the Netgear RangeMax Next Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNR3500 were the only two wireless routers of the six we examined for our roundup that lacked WPA-Enterprise encryption and RADIUS server support--omissions that will convince many businesses to buy elsewhere.

The Belkin must be positioned vertically. It has a (not very functional) download-speed indicator bar. More useful are the wireless security and Internet connection lights.

D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router

The D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router is one of the latest Draft N routers to the market. Believe us when we say it packs a punch. It's by far the fastest 802.11n router we've tested. At $180, it's also one of the most expensive. We've been reluctant to recommend Draft N routers because the spec isn't final and so far, we haven't seen the throughput speeds offered by the standard. There's no guarantee the Draft N products will comply with the final spec, so our advice for now is to wait until we see products actually based on the final spec, probably around midsummer.

• Device type: Wireless router
• Network standard: 802.11n (draft), 802.11b/g
• Bandwidth: 2.4GHz
• OSes supported: Linux; Mac OS 8.x, 9.x, X 10.x; Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
• Security options: WEP; WPA-PSK; NAT and SPI firewalls, MAC address filtering
• Features: 4 Gigabit LAN ports; DHCP support; VPN passthrough; DDNS
• Notable design features: none
• Support: One-year warranty; 24-7 toll-free phone support; e-mail support form; FAQs; knowledge base; driver and software downloads

Combined with the D-Link Xtreme N Notebook Adapter, we saw the best throughput speeds to date for any router tested here at CNET Labs. Ready for the numbers? In our 10-foot maximum throughput test conducted with an Ixia Chariot console, the average throughput was 112.56Mbps. This is a whopping 30 to 40 points higher than most draft 802.11n routers we've tested in the past. Mixed throughput (with an 11g client) clocked in at 77.42Mbps while throughput at long range (200 feet) was 33.33Mbps.

HP MediaSmart EX495 Server

The HP MediaSmart Server EX495 has a very similar feature set to that of the already reviewed LX 195. For this reason, you might have a slight feeling of deja vu while reading the feature section of this review.

Priced at around $700, the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 is a great upgrade to the Editors' Choice winner, LX195.

The LX495 has 1.5TB of storage (as opposed to the 640GB of the LX 195), includes three empty bays, 4 USB ports, and one eSATA port, giving it a host of expansion options. The server offers great performance and a comprehensive set of networking features. Unfortunately, despite its four bays, the EX495 doesn't support any RAID configurations. Also, there's no support for IP cameras or USB printers.

Nonetheless, for homes or small offices, this is one of the best NAS servers on the market.

Design and setup
At its core, the EX495 is a Windows computer, powered by a Pentium dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, running the Home version of Windows Server 2003. The only difference is that it doesn't include a video-out, nor does it have mouse and keyboard support. Windows Home Server has slowly become the standard for NAS server operating systems, over Linux. The benefits of this alternative include the fact that the server can be controlled like a Windows computer and, in case of hardware failure, the hard drives can be removed and put into any Windows computers to recover the data--something much harder to do with hard drives formatted using the Linux file system.

The HP MediaSmart Server EX495 is shaped like a mini tower computer. The four front-access hard-drive bays are stacked vertically with the bottom bay occupied by the server's included 1.5TB main hard drive. This drive contains the server's operating system, which will have to be installed during the setup process. Each bay comes with hard-drive tray that can be removed without tools, making installing or removing an existing hard drive an easy job. Aside from the drive that includes the OS, the rest can be swapped out on the fly, one at a time, without turning off the server.

The door of each bay incorporates a sleek-looking, color-changing LED that indicates the status of the hard drive. For example, blue indicates the drive is in good shape and ready, while red signifies there may be an error. Also, on the front are a USB port and three other LED lights that show the overall condition of the server, the network connection, and the power-on indicator.

On the back of the server are another three USB ports and an eSATA port. These ports are used solely for additional storage. They don't support anything else, such as a printer or USB camera. Also, on the back, is the on/off switch, which is so sensitive, you could accidentally turn the server off just by lightly touching on it.

The server comes with three DVDs, labeled "Software Installation Disc", "PC Restore Disc," and "Server Recovery Disc." The first covers installing the operating system onto the main hard drive. The second DVD restores a network computer from a backup image stored on the server. Finally, the third DVD is something you want to have, yet never want to have to use. It will recover the server from a backup if need be.

The process of getting the EX495 up and running is easy and straightforward. Just plug the server into your router and run the Software Installation Disc on any of the PCs connected to the network and follow the onscreen instruction. Note that this is a time-consuming process.

Once setup, the EX195 can be accessed via either the HP MediaSmart Server Control Center software, by browsing through Windows Explorer, or any network browsers. If you use Mac, the server will automatically appear on the Finder. To use the Server's support for Time Machine, you'll need to install the "HP MediaSmart Server" software included on the first DVD. We didn't run into any problems setting up on OSX 10.5, nor Windows, and were ready to go within about 30 minutes.

Features
Like the LX195, the EX495 share the unique photo management feature of HP NAS servers, which is the Web-based PhotoPublisher application, which can be launched from the HP MediaSmart Server Control Center. The features allows for uploading photos stored on the NAS directly to popular photo-sharing sites including Snapfish, Flickr, Picasa, and Facebook.

This is very different from many NAS servers we've reviewed, such as the Synology DS209+, that comes with a photo-sharing service of its own and the photos are stored on the server itself. The PhotoPublisher is a useful feature as most people who are into sharing photos would likely have an account with one of those photo Web sites. The feature makes it easy to upload an entire album directly from the NAS. Just make sure there are photos in the "Photo" default share folder, log in to run PhotoPublisher, and the rest is very self-explanatory.

If you don't have an account with any of those Web sites, the NAS' photo-sharing service and HP Photo Viewer can be used to quickly organize photos and make them available online via the remote access connection mentioned below.

Other notable features of the EX495 include the following:

User account and share folders: Like any Windows machine, the EX495 features a standard user management setup. To create a new user, run the Windows Home Server Console and click on the tab called User Accounts. Here, you can create new users just like you would in a Windows computer, with one difference: you have the option of giving the user remote access to the NAS server. Once a user is created, the wizard will display a list of existing share folders that the new user can be given access to. Access privileges include Full (write and read), Read (read only), and None (no access).

Creating a new share folder is similar to creating a new user; simply click on the "Share Folder" tab and follow the wizard. Once a new folder has been created, the wizard allows you to assign access to that folder via a list of existing users. An unlimited number of share folders can be created.

The EX495 comes with seven default share folders. Five are media-related, including Photos, RecordTV, Music, Video, and Converted Videos. Files inside these folders will be streamed to any media server-compatible devices, including set top boxes, game consoles, iTunes, and other computers. The EX495 supports all media streaming standards, allowing you to stream media via a Web-based player and it works seamlessly with Windows Media Center. Also, the EX495 has the ability to automatically collect digital contents (photos, music, and videos) from network computers and convert video into formats for different types of players, including the iPod Touch and iPhone--a useful feature for media-streaming enthusiasts.

The World's Largest LED Screen is in Dubai

It's not built quite yet, but Tameer Holding is constructing the world's largest LED screen in Dubai for a commercial office building named The Podium. The gigantic LED display will be implemented as the building's facade, reaching 33 stories into the sky and maintaining visibility up to a mile away. (Needless to say, that's a lot bigger than we are building displays in America.)

UAE development company Tameer Holding will be developing the world’s largest LED screen to be embedded on an intended commercial tower in the Majan district of Dubailand, the company announced on Monday. Termed ‘Podium’, the development will be a world first, boasting a 33-storey high LED media facade that will be visible from a distance of 1.5 kilometres.

The large LED display will be a powerful medium for advertising, messaging and art. In addition to its LED facade, the Podium offers 33 levels of premium commercial office space, and two floors dedicated to retail, as well as four floors for parking. But maybe the most interesting aspect of the mega LED sign is not its size but its practicality. Workers within the building will not become pale-skinned cave dwellers as the LED display promises not to obstruct the flow of natural light.

The design of the LED screen, along with the technology utilised in its construction, will not impede the flow of natural light into the building. Thus, the offices directly behind the massive screen will have the same open feel as those on the opposite side of the building.

Still, just to be safe, we'd probably opt for our office space to be on the other "less impressive" side of the building.

Investment Factor Large Electronic LED Display Screens

Unbiased Review Of Samsung Un46b8500 46-inch 1080p Led Hdtv

HDTV technology is rapidly evolve is so many different and interesting ways. Previously, the market was packed with Plasma as well as LCD HDTV. But now, another technology has emerged and it is called LED. All manufacturers are racing to get their place as no 1 LED HDTV in the market, and Samsung is one of them. The Samsung UN46B8500 46-Inch 1080p HDTV is the manufacturer's new high definition LED television. Samsung has certainly paid a lot of attention in the design of this HDTV as it comes with a piano black finished with a crystal neck stand. This subconsciously gives the product a sense of elegance and power.

Coming with the unit is 2 remote controls. The main remote utilizes radio frequency rather than the traditional Infra-red making it almost impossible to use it with a universal remote. However, do not fret as the mini version of the remote uses the IR technology making it compatible with most universal remotes. Customers that still want to have an IR main remote can call to the Samsung Customer Service and they will give an IR remote for free.

Like most HDTV today, the Samsung UN46B8500 46-Inch 1080p HDTV is a Full HDTV. This means it is possible to watch HD movies as well as using it as a computer monitor at a total resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Because this technology allows more pixels to be placed on a screen, the picture quality is a lot sharper as compared with a HD-ready television or a standard definition. The picture quality of the product is simply stunning. By utilizing the local dimming concept instead of the edge-lit, the unit is able to produce an outstanding contrast ratio of 7,000,000:1. Getting deep blacks are definitely achievable with this product and can be compared with Pioneer high-end Kuro plasma TV. In addition to that, images produced by this LED HDTV are sharp as well.

The sound quality for the product on the other hand is decent for casual watching. Although it is in compliance with SRS TruSurround HD, do not expect that the television would replace a decent home theatre.

However, the 46-inch LED HDTV is not for rooms of all sizes. It may be great for a living room but definitely not recommended to have in a small room. This is because the set is rather big for these types of rooms. Therefore, for these rooms, it is recommended to go for a 32-inch set instead. The viewing experience stays the same but it has less impact on the pocket as well.

The UN46B8500 sports the Medi@2.0 Internet@TV thus allowing users to place their desired Yahoo! Widgets on their TV. However, there are claims that the program takes a while to load. As compared with the HD TiVo however, the HDTV can play HD clips from YouTube while the TiVo cannot. You might want to consider Samsung UN46B8500 46-Inch 1080p HDTV while browsing for 46-inch LED HDTV review. It offers premium quality experience at a decent price. However, do bear in mind that most LED HDTVs are costlier as compared with their LCD counterparts. Unless the budget allows, having an LCD instead of an LED might not seem like a bad option as well.

Samsung Un55b8000 Led Hdtv 1080p 240hz

The Samsung UN55B8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV is the brightest and best. Faster, brighter, sharper and thinner. This TV has it all. It uses state of the art LED technology to deliver an image that previous generation tv's can't come close to to. LED is better than both LCD and Plasma TV's.

It has the fastest refresh rate of 240 hz, that's FOUR times better than conventional HDTV's which generally are between 60-120 hz. Simply put it means less blur and sharper quality. (No blur during your favorate game.)

This HDTV has tons of inputs so you can connect all your peripherals to your TV, you can even hook it up to the internet!! Check out what else its got
* HDMI (version 1.3): 4 side
* USB: 2
* Component video: 1 bottom
* PC input: 1 bottom
* Ethernet: 1 bottom
* Optical digital audio output: 1 side

Because the Samsung UN55B8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV doesn't use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL) like other models of HDTV it is Ultra Thin. And I mean ULTRA!!! Only 1.5 inches wide. That is thanks to the use of LED's (light emitting diodes). This also means that it uses up to 40% less energy than conventional Flat Screen TV's and it emits virtually no heat like conventional HDTV's do. Because LED TV's don't use bulbs so they don't generate heat!

I love the fact that the Samsung UN55B8000 creates very little heat. I was just over at my brother's house and his new plasma TV radiates heat like a furnace. I didn't like that.

Lg 47sl90 47-inch 1080p 120hz Led Hdtv Review

LG is very well known brand for its technology and innovation, including in producing high quality HDTVs. Before, it made wondrous work with both Plasma as well as LCD HDTVs and now, it started its reign on the LED market. The 47SL90 47-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV is recently launched by LG as one of their featured products. The product definitely looks sleek as it features a piano black finish with a very thin bezel. In fact, the bezel is only 1.15 inch thick which is significantly thinner than any LCD HDTV. This makes the led tv very convenient in shape and easier to place as well.

The LG 47SL90 is also a glass to glass LED HDTV. A specially designed laminated film is placed in front of the screen making it almost impossible to see the screen and the frame separately. In fact, it looked as if the screen is stretched from one end of the TV to the other end. This concept is definitely attractive and has yet to be seen with its other competitors giving it a good advantage in terms of design. The film also protects the viewers from any glare that may occur while watching the LED HDTV. However, this does not mean that there will be a great reduction in the brightness of the television. Instead, the film acts as a color enhancer as well thus creating a depth of color comparable to other premium HDTVs in the market.

Its contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1 also allows the LG 47SL90 to create a great level of black. However, due to its edge-lit design, there are chances that the HDTV will not be able to create a pure black sensation. This might actually be safer to the audience as well as there are claims that LED HDTVs designed with its LED facing directly to the audience may cause some eye problems.

Usage of LED instead of the normal CCFL lamps not only means that the 47SL90 is thinner but it also consumes less power as compared with the conventional LCD HDTV. In the long run, it may save the user a significant amount of money as well.

The speaker is not to be seen by the audience as LG uses the invisible speaker concept. Most consumers would think that such a thin system would not house a good speaker. However, this isn't true as the LG 47SL90 houses a speaker comparable to other good HDTVs that are available in the market.

With its 4 HDMI ports, this LED TV allows you to run your full HD videos with it. In addition to that, there is also a standard PC port which allows you to run this LED TV as your computer monitor as well. A USB port is also available at the side of the TV allowing users to watch their JPEG based photos, listen to music through MP3 as well as watching videos. With all those features available on the LG 47SL90 47-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, it is an LED HDTV not to be missed. It has received great reviews from experts as well as its users.

The 360 degree LED television

22:00 October 28, 2005 PDT

The 360 degree LED television

Image Gallery (19 images)

If you’re looking for a new centrepiece for your new entertaining area, the new 360 degree LED display from Dynascan offers exactly that – quite literally. Taiwanese-based Dynascan has been developing the 360 degree LED display for several years now and it is initially being used as an advertising medium in shopping centres and public areas, with an outdoor version just launched too. The first time you see one of the screens you’ll understand what the fuss is about – the quality, colour, contrast and definition is extraordinary and the screen is absolutely huge – the third generation of the new LED screens is being introduced at present with the largest being a 2.5 metre high, 5.46 metre circumference screen and capable of being viewed clearly from 30 metres away. Interestingly, the screens can actually display one image around the full 360 degrees, so it would be possible to use them as output for a 360 degree camera. In their commercial configuration the screens are usually configured as three identical images, with each image claiming 120 degrees of the surface. Two 180 degree screens is also possible and … if the ambitious Tholos Project hadn’t died, it would have had an ideal screen.

The media mix has been growing with new cost-efficient advertising alternatives to main media (TV, radio, and print) for several decades now. The emergence of the internet has been the major change though there’s a relentless trend to plaster advertising almost anywhere where there’s enough eyeballs to warrant the effort. One quite compelling new player in out-of-home media has been the emergence over the last two years by Taiwanese-based Dynascan of a 360 degree LED display. The first time you see one of the screens you’ll understand why – the quality, colour, contrast and definition is extraordinary and the screen is absolutely huge – the third generation of the new LED screens is being introduced at present with the largest being a 2.5 metre high, 5.46 metre circumference screen which reaches new levels of impact as a visually arresting medium thanks to its size and the quality of the display. Interestingly, the screens can actually dispolay one image around the full 360 degrees, so it would be possible to use them as output for a 360 degree camera. In the short term, the screens are forming an advertising chain and are usually configured as three identical images, with each image claiming 120 degrees of the surface.

The latest addition to the growing media network using Dynascan screens was launched today in Australia by Cinema Advertising Company Media Planet and will be known as 360tv; a digital television network which will beam content provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation including ABC news, sport, business and weather to purpose built 2.5 metre high, seamless 360° LED screens in flagship shopping centres throughout Australia. The 360tv network will go "live" on Monday December 5 with advertising run on a 12 minute loop, 5 times an hour, 50 times a day. 360tv's format ensures each advertising slot will either be preceded or followed by non-advertising content, guaranteeing advertisers a premium position. The digital cable delivery system, interspersing news, sport, weather and entertainment content between advertising slots allows advertisers to make changes to their ad right up to the moment it is screened. A scrolling news ticker will also run with each bulletin. The screens will provide a seamless 360° viewing surface, enabling ads and content to be viewed from any angle. The resolution, colour, brightness and sound quality all exceed that available on conventional, plasma or LCD screens. The 360tv format is currently in operation in the US, Europe, UAE, China and Japan in a number major retail environments such as airports, railway stations and shopping centres. Advertisers who use the technology to create significant impact in these markets include, McDonalds, Motorola, Calvin Klein, Ford, Nike, Pepsi, Universal Studios and Apple (ipod).

H ow Does a Moving LED Display Work?

Moving LED Displays

1. It's hard not to see a moving LED display. They can be programmed to do whatever is needed to get a person's attention. Flashing or streaming LED displays can be purchased outright, rented or leased. They come in various sizes and can be designed for indoor or outdoor use. Some are programmed to display a particular phrase or set of phrases and others can be connected to a computer and altered from a software application. The movement of an LED display is achieved through simply turning the diodes, or LEDs, on and off in a sequence that moves in one direction. This gives the appearance of movement.

LED Display Components

2. The main component of an LED sign is its electronic board. The board is a grid of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Some boards are filled with a single color diode, some are combinations of colors, and others are more sophisticated and contain bi-color or tri-colored LEDs. The color a bi-colored LED light emits is determined by the direction the display is traveling in. If it is moving to the left, then the color might be red and if the display is moving to the right then the color would change. If done with enough frequency, moving the light back and forth can create a third color. Tri-color LEDs are actually two LEDs in the same case, which are wired and controlled separately and can be lit simultaneously.

More LED Options

3. A simple flashing LED display is not necessarily programmed to flash. The flashing can be accomplished by using an LED that contains a multi-vibrator circuit which is created to flash in intervals. Typically the flashing is set at one second. Other LED possibilities are the RGB diodes that are red, green and blue which can be used to emit several, all or single colors. The alphanumeric display is also used. These are made as a starburst pattern or a seven segment pattern. Starburst patterns can display all numbers and all letters. Seven segment displays, an early type of diode display, are not used very often in modern moving LED displays because they are limited to numbers and a few letters.

LED Display Software

4. Display units may come with software that allows the user to schedule messages for a set time, location and date. Most allow the user to view the message before it is added. If a business or location has a network of displays, software can assist in managing the messages locally or through Internet connections. Remote management may require a converter box. More advanced programs will create personalized animation and graphics designed by the user.

New outdoor LED screen “is London’s largest”

by SCREENS.tv staff

The digitisation of London’s roadsides continues apace, with media owner Big Sky Banners launching what it says is the single largest commercial digital screen in the British capital.

The outdoor LED display at Hogarth Roundabout on the A4 in west London spans 105 square metres but has a pixel pitch of just 12mm, Big Sky’s Gary Newton told SCREENS.tv.

Installed in November and going live last month, it is passed by 2m vehicles each week. Advertisers can use the whole screen for one image or split it into sections.

Launch advertisers included 20th Century Fox, American Airlines, L’Oreal, LG, Motorola, Sky TV, and Warner music.

Each advertiser has a seven-and-a-half-minute slot, occupying a quarter of the half-hour loop. Ratecard is ?36,000 ($58,000) per fortnight.

Microsoft Antivirus - Microsoft Security Essential About Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.

For Windows XP 32‐bit Click Here

For Windows Vista/Windows 7 32‐bit Click Here

For Windows Vista/Windows 7 64‐bit Click Here

Why you should care that your computer is running genuine Windows

In today’s world, you rely on your computer to work for you and to run your business. You store thousands of photos, music collections, and important documents; you make purchases, enter personal information, and search the Web. Imagine what it would be like to lose all your favorite family photos, or have your financial data stolen as a result of malicious or unwanted software running on your computer. Market research firm IDC reported in a recent study (English only) that obtaining and using pirated software can pose a serious security threat to organizations and individuals. Often, counterfeit software is bundled with malicious and unwanted software that can lead to a corrupted system, a loss of data, and even identity theft. The risk of running counterfeit software is real. Windows is the operating system and the brain behind everything you do on your computer; you can help protect your data by installing only genuine Windows.

Windows XP Validation Crack / Validate Your Windows XP

Step1: Download Microsoft WGA Tool Click Here. install this tool and restart your computer.

Step2: Click here to download WGA Crack this registery key will add some entries to your Windows XP Registery install this registery key and restart your computer.

Step3 (not necessary): if there is a message at the bottom right Corner of your screen, Saying "You may be a victim of sofware counter feiting " download this tool and run to remove this message and then restart your computer.

Now your non Genuine Windows XP is perfectly Genuine!

Advantages and disadvantages of LED lightings

They have extremely low power consumption. LED lights use up to 90% less power than normal lights, which has many more advantages than you would ever assume. Firstly electrical running costs are reduced, not only reducing the demand placed on your household energy consumption but feel good knowing you are saving energy and becoming green, the global warming factor. Along the same line, the other major advantage of LED lights is that you can connect multiple sets of LED lights together from only one plug or socket, more sets than non LED lights due to the lower power consumption. This is not only practical resulting in the requirement for less power sockets, but you can lit larger multiple area with little drilling of your walls. Just imagine powering a string of lights ½ mile long from a single electrical socket. With LED’s you can use more light than ever before and still save money. While the small energy draw of LED’s would indicate many more could be strung together, until the UL listing is changed for the standard plug connected light sets, it is prudent to adhere to the current regulations for risk management. Since LED lights don’t contain any energy hungry materials, they are very efficacious-convert energy to light, not heat as non LED’s lights do. These make them intrinsically safe and are generally cool to the touch. LED’s lights can provide with 50,000 hours or more of life, which can tremendously reduce maintenance costs and time. This means, assuming an average twelve hour night, you will not need to change your LED lights after a good eleven year. In comparison, an incandescent light bulb lasts approximately 1,000 hours. Fluorescents are rated for 10,000 hours under ideal conditions. Along with this LED lights are incredibly bright, 3 times brighter than traditional lights, this makes them ideal for a wide range of situations, offering much greater impact and appeal than subdued traditional bulbs. The known problem of replacing blown and the inconvenience and undesired appearance of multiple failed bulbs isn't an issue with LED's. With such a long bulb life you can be sure of a fully functioning set of lights, which can be happily left outside requiring no maintenance and minimal routine care. Further mentioning the longevity of LED lights, LED’s are manufactured as one solid piece, with no glass or filaments to break. As such these lights are resistant to shock and vibration, which makes them more durable than non LED lights. Plus they have better quality light output since they have minimum ultraviolet and infrared radiation. LED lights have much greater design freedom in terms of color flexibility including many “whites” – without the use of filters, fully dimmable, new form factors for fixture designs which give us innumerable options to look for. Lastly the most important benefits if you are environment conscious is LED’s unlike Fluorescent and mercury vapor lighting which contains mercury, a hazardous waste to the environment and must be disposed of properly, LED’s don’t contain mercury and are not considered hazardous waste designating them environmental friendly.

Go Green With LED Lights in your Homes and Gardens

History and introduction of LED lightings

LED’s have been around since the 60s, but have mostly been relegated to showing the time in an alarm clock or the battery level of a video camera. Its use as a source of illumination was a challenging one for scientists. Light Emitting Diodes or LED Lightings- differ from traditional light sources in the way they produce light. In incandescent bulbs, a tungsten filament is heated by electric current until it glows or emits light. In a fluorescent lamp, an electric arc excites mercury atoms, which emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. After striking the phosphor coating on the inside of glass tubes, the UV radiation is converted and emitted as visible light. On other hand LED’s are diodes made from semi-conductor materials. This is why they are referred to as “solid state” devices and relies on indium gallium nitride to convert electricity into photons with help of direct current (DC) instead of alternating current (AC) There are other types of Lights which on the principle of solid state objects like semi conductor but LED's are the most relevant for general illumination. It consists of a chip of semi-conducting material treated to create an electric circuit. An LED is usually a small area source, often with extra optics added to the chip that shapes its radiation pattern. The specific wavelength or color emitted by the LED depends on the materials used to make the diode. It depends on the composition and condition of the semi conducting material used, and can be infrared, visible, or near-ultraviolet. Red LED’s are based on aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs). Blue LED’s are made from indium gallium nitride (InGaN) and green from aluminum gallium phosphide (AlGaP). "White" light is created by combining the light from red, green, and blue (RGB) LED’s or by coating a blue LED with yellow phosphor. LED based lights are still under development but it is predicted it will radically change the energy consumption patterns of the world over the next few years. As such there’s a phenomenal amount of resources being devoted to improving LED technology worldwide. The U.S. has committed an uncharacteristically large amount of industrial policy support for LED research and development. Asia is a hotbed of cutting-edge manufacturing technology and Europe and Canada have led the way in energy efficient initiatives accompanied by some of some of the most innovative design styles you can find anywhere.