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Vacationing with an iPad as your only camera. You have got to be kidding! No, leaving my DSLR camera at home, I primarily used my iPad during a two-week vacation last summer. Here are a few mobile photography lessons I have learned.

During a two-week vacation, I decided to leave my DSLR camera at home and use only my iPad and iPhone. At first, I really felt awkward standing in a crowd shooting with my iPad. Almost everyone else is using DSLR, point-and-shoot or cellphone cameras. And, here I am holding this giant tablet in front of my face. In this episode I share some mobile photography lessons I have learned since my trip.

Adding smart TV features such as Netflx and YouTube to your existing television can be as simple as 1, 2 or 3. In this episode, Ron discusses his impressions of the positive and negative aspects of the Apple TV, Google Chromecast and Roku units.

Here’s a simple, painless, productive way to use leisure time to enhance your hobbies, activities or interests by joining the millions of podcast listeners who are enriching their professional, as well as personal, endeavors. If you aren’t an active podcast subscriber, this episode provides a simplified podcast definition, discusses its benefits, explains using iTunes to find interesting topics, and offers a few podcast apps to get you started.

Cell phones, televisions and soft-serve ice cream are paralleled during this discussion highlighting the differences between a feature phone and smartphone, along with the evolution of the smart TV. Today, ice cream, phones and TVs come in many varieties, but that wasn’t always the case considering that it hasn’t been that long ago that “vanilla” was the flavor of necessity for all three.

Learn the differences between LCD and LED TV technology and review a list of 10 criteria you might want to consider before deciding on the perfect plasma, LCD or LED flat-screen for your situation and viewing habits. This episode begins with a brief explanation of the similarities and differences between the LCD and LED TVs in today’s marketplace, followed by a list of 10 criteria you might want to consider when deciding between LCD, LED or Plasma flat panels

Many of today’s flat screen TVs don’t offer the type of sound quality you will be expecting from that new purchase. After bringing home that new TV, you may realize your system’s quality is only as good as the weakest link. And, for many of today’s TVs the weakest link will be the sound quality. In this episode Ron continues his discussion on purchasing that new TV with a review of three methods to improve the sound quality. Topics include: Soundbars Theater-in-a-Box Home Theater Surround Sound Experience

Bringing home that new TV can be an exciting experience, but the setup will only be as good as the weakest link. While the video quality may be excellent, the sound quality may not be sufficient to meet your expectations. In this episode Ron discusses one way he solved a sound quality and clarity deficiencies he and his wife were experiencing by adding a pair of simple, cheap external speakers to a plasma TV. Topics include: Internal speakers on today’s TVs Check to determine the type of audio out on the TV Headphone jack R and L channel RCA jacks Digital audio Optical audio How to add a pair of computer speakers to a TV Sound check of the internal and external speakers

This is the second episode in a series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV. Topics in this episode include: Simple TV setup vs. home theater environment Terrestrial antennae for local channels Basic cable/satellite service Additional cable/satellite costs; HD channel package DVR equipment Premium movie package Internet service Wired connection Wi-Fi equipment Additional equipment Blu-ray DVD Cable/Satellite box Gaming console Apple TV or Roku

This is the first episode in a series discussing many of the unexpected problems that might develop throughout the process of purchasing a new TV. In this episode of the Casual Tech User, I begin to discuss how planning can help you avoid unexpected costs. Taking the time to understand your needs vs. wants and developing criteria any purchase must meet will help to save frustration and unexpected, budget-busting surprises.  Cost factors included in this episode include: Delivery and setup charges Installation, electrical and cabling charges Furniture issues and added expenses Ambient light problems Recycling the old TV

This is the first episode of the Casual Tech User Podcast, presenting news, tips, tutorials and more for the beginning or intermediate tech consumer.