- Digital Lifestyles Reference Guide
- Home Audio
- Audio Standards
- Dolby Surround Sound
- DTS Surround Sound
- THX
- MP3
- Windows Media Audio (WMA)
- Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)
- Digital Rights Management (DRM)
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Audio Analog/Digital Components
- Receivers
- DVD-Audio Players
- CD/SACD Players
- Making Your Decision
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Audio Component Integration
- Standalone Components
- Internet Radio Receivers
- Connecting a PC to Your Home Stereo
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Home Video
- Video Standards
- DVD versus VCD
- MPEG-1 and MPEG-2
- DTV
- HDTV
- HDTV Buying Tips
- Video Out: Composite, Component, and S-Video
- CSS Explained
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Video Components
- Playback Components
- DVD Players
- Personal Video Recorders (PVRs)
- VHS
- Laser Discs
- Media Center PCs
- What's New in Media Center 2005
- Video-on-Demand (VoD)
- Screens
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- A/V Integration
- Home Theater
- Component Integration
- Universal Remotes
- Combining Home Theater with Home Computing
- Making Your Decision
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Home Theater PCs
- Uses for an HTPC
- Components of an HTPC
- Windows Media Center PCs
- Build Your Own HTPC
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Rear Projection Televisions
- CRT Projectors
- DLP Projectors
- LCD Projectors
- LCoS Projectors
- Choosing the Right RPTV Technology
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Multimedia Networks
- Connecting Your PC Network to Your Home Theater System
- Investing in Media Center Software
- What if Your PC and Home Theater are in Different Rooms?
- Media Center Extenders
- Multimedia Appliances
- Making the Connection
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- PVRs, Consoles, and Media Extenders
- Finding the Right PVR
- Types of PVR Solutions
- Set Top Box PVR
- Portable PVRs
- DVD-Recorders
- Making Your Decision
- Getting the Most from Your TiVo
- Networking Your TiVo
- Transfer Video from TiVo to PC at Home
- Transfer Video from Your PC to TiVo
- Transferring Video from TiVo to a PC Anywhere
- Burning DVDs of TiVo Recording
- Watch TiVo Shows on a iPod Video Or Sony PSP
- Software PVR Solutions
- Required Features
- Optional Features with Advantages
- Software PVR Options
- Conclusion
- 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Xbox 360
- Xbox 360 Networking Tips
- Mobile Computing
- Notebook Computer Audio
- USB Audio
- FireWire Audio
- PCMCIA Audio
- Making Your Decision
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Broadband
- High-Speed Internet Options
- Cable
- DSL
- Cellular Data Services
- Satellite
- Wireless ISPs
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Video Subscription Services
- Today's Options
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Voice over IP
- Softphone VoIP
- InformIT Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Home Automation
- Home Automation Applications
- Types of Home Automation Systems
- Automation Features
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Home Automation Security
- Making Your decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Photography
- Digital Cameras
- Megapixels
- Camera Bodies
- Batteries
- Zoom Lenses
- Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus
- LCD Screens
- Exposure Settings
- White Balance
- Storage Formats
- Wi-Fi-enabled Digital Cameras
- Purchasing the Right Digital Camera
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Photo Editing Tools
- Photo Organizers
- Photo Editing Suites
- Deciding Which App to Use
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Photography Tips
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Editing Digital Photographs
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Prints From Digital Images
- Making Your Decision
- Digital Video
- Camcorders
- Camcorder Features You Shouldn't Be Without
- Recording Formats
- DV Camera Tools
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Digital Video Editing Tools
- Features to Look For
- Popular Video Editing Software
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Using Video Vault to Port Content to Portable Media Players
- 10 Tips to Improve Digital Video
- Weblogs and Podcasting
- Overview of Weblogs
- Blogs as Text
- Blogs as Pictorials
- Blogs as Audio
- Blogs as Video
- Getting Started
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Blogging Tools
- Hosted Services
- Desktop Tools
- Hosting Your Own Blog
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Photo Blogging
- Photo Blogging Services
- Hosted Services with Photo Support
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Audio Blogging
- Blog By Phone
- Recording Your Own Audio Blog Posts
- Audio Hosting Services
- Podcasting
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Recording and Distributing Podcasts
- Recording Software
- Before Recording
- Recording Your Podcast
- Publishing Your Podcast
- Podcasting Features in Apple's iTunes
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Video Blogging
- Video Blogging By Webcam
- Creating a Video Blog From Scratch
- Video Hosting Services
- Distributing Video Blogs
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Attracting Traffic to Your Blog
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Blogging Rules for Revolutionaries
- How Blogging will Change the World
- Create a Link to This Site Campaign
- Meta Tag Your Revolution
- New Comment Posted
- Coordinate Your Efforts
- Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
- Portable and Handheld Devices
- Motorola ROKR: iTunes on Your Phone
- ROKR iTunes Features
- Cell Phone Standards
- Making Your Decision
- Manufacturer Resources
- Sony PSP
- PSP Navigation
- PSP as a Gaming Platform
- PSP for Movies
- PSP for Music
- Wireless Networking
- Bottom Line
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Online Resources
- Portable Digital Audio Players
- Types of Players
- File Formats
- Popular Models
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Integrating an iPod with a Car Audio System
- Auxiliary Line In Connections
- CD Changer Connection Integration
- Custom Integration
- Making Your Choice
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Online Resources
- Portable Entertainment Centers
- Screen Sizes
- Hard Disk Space
- File Formats
- Video Recording
- Battery Life
- Connection Options
- Additional Accessories
- Making Your Choice
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Online Resources
- PDAs
- Fancy Features
- Palm OS or Pocket PC?
- Palm OS Models
- Pocket PC Models
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Smartphones
- Different Types of Smartphones
- PDA/Phones
- Phone-Based Smartphones
- Cool Ways to Improve Your Windows Mobile Smartphone
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Cellular Network Technologies
- FDMA
- CDMA
- TDMA
- GSM
- iDEN
- PCS
- Dual Band and Dual Mode Phones
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Hi-Speed Wireless Data Plans
- Cingular Plans
- Verizon Wireless Plans
- Making Your Decision
- Low-Tech Alternatives to Cell Phone Feature Overload
- High Tech Watches
- Smart Watch Technology
- MSN Direct
- Popular Smart Watches
- Other Types of High-Tech Watches
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Portable Audio Recording
- Features
- Editing Features
- Effects
- Devices
- Making a Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Handheld GPS Receivers
- GPS Features
- ABCs of GPS
- Making A Choice
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Portable Gadgets for Holiday Giving
- PDA Accessories
- Portable Music Players
- iPod Accessories
- Headphones and Earbuds
- Other Cool Portable Gadgets
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Automobiles
- Satellite Radio
- How Satellite Radio Works
- XM Radio Programming
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio Programming
- XM Radio Receivers
- SIRIUS Receivers
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Satellite Navigation Systems
- How GPS Works
- Doing the Math
- Using the GPS Data
- Popular Automobile GPS Systems
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- In-Car Computers
- Software
- Cases
- Power Interface
- LCD Screen
- Human Interface Options
- Storage Media
- Networking
- Audio
- Video
- Bluetooth
- Making Your Decision
- Online Resources
- E-Commerce
- Find Free Music — Legally
- Record Label Sites
- Blogs
- Podcasts
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Subscription Audio Services
- Making Your Decision
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Digital Wallets
- The History of Digital Wallets
- What is a Digital Wallet—and How Does It Work?
- Who Offers Digital Wallets
- Books and Online Resources
- Identity Theft
- How Your Identity Can Be Stolen
- What an Identity Thief Does With Your Personal Information
- Preventing Identity Theft
- What to Do If Your Identity Has Been Stolen
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Online Shopping Fraud
- Why Online Shopping Is (Generally) Safe
- Reporting Online Shopping Fraud
- Top Ten Tips for Safer Online Shopping
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Online and Desktop Mapping
- Web-Based Maps
- Desktop Maps
- Making Your Decision
- eBook Formats and Readers
- Formats
- eBook Hardware
- Sources of eBooks
- Making Your Decision
- 10 Google Maps Hacks
- Robotics
- Robots You Can Buy (or Build) Today
- Toy Robots
- Home Automation Robots
- Do-It-Yourself Robots
- Industrial Robots
- Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
- Books and e-Books
- Online Resources
- Additional Resources
- Predictions for 2006
- Jake's Digital Lifestyles Reading List
- Jake's Top Ten Digital Lifestyles Web Resources
- 10 Things on the Digital Lifestyle Holiday Wish List
- 2006 Consumer Electronics Show Preview
These apps are the work horse tools with functions designed to micro-manage the photo editing process. The auto-correction features found in the photo organizers are available in these tools too, with the added ability to manual adjust the settings for things like color correction, red eye color matching, contrast and brightness adjustment, backlighting, and many more features. Tools for adding text, removing backgrounds, pattern matching, scratch removal, and artistic filtering are among the additional tools found here.
Photoshop Elements is Adobe's consumer version of the more powerful Photoshop application. The biggest differences between Elements and the pro version are lack of support for some plug-ins and the absence of Actions in Elements. Actions are user definable automations that allow the user to quickly perform a set of tasks on a batch of photos. To find out more about the pro version of Photoshop, be sure to check out the Photoshop Reference Guide. Elements includes virtually everything a home user could need, for both Mac and Windows platforms. Imperfections are removed, red eye removal and color correction are manually configurable, and RAW support is built in for maximum image quality. Other features, like side-by-side comparison let you find the best image from a group of similar shots. A history of changes is stored, so you can backtrack in case a mistake is made.
Ulead PhotoImpact is quite capable of handling most imaging tasks. It includes plenty of wizard drive automation for people who prefer assisted photo editing, but gives over control readily to deliver an assortment of pro level editing features. One of the great things about PhotoImpact is Ulead's bundling of many other useful tools as part of the package. Photo Express, referenced above, handles photo organization like a champ. GIF Animator 5 and COOL 360 provide essential tools for the creation of Web site graphics.
Jasc Paint Shop Pro offers similar features to the other photo editors in this category. One of the areas where PSP outshines the others is in the area of background removal; a side-by-side comparison of the apps listed here delivered sharper results when eliminating the background on a picture with lots of small details. Photo manipulations, color correction, red eye removal, image filtering, lighting adjustment, and a history tool all make PSP a strong competitor.
Digital Image Suite is Microsoft's foray into the photo editing market. On the image editing side of the equation, Digital Image Pro (DIP) sports an interface looks like it belongs in the Office suite, with Wizard driven options that offer options from a sidebar similar to the formatting bars found in Word XP and 2003. DIP offers all the major editing tools, like color correction, background removal, image touchups, lighting fixes, and many of the common filters. The Suite also includes Digital Image Library, which is a photo organizer, like the others described above. As a matter of preference, I like the keyword management and sort functions of Digital Image Library better than any of the other apps, and Longhorn previews hint at imbedding the functionality in the OS, so this may be a tool worth owning for the image tagging feature alone. A third part of the suite, Photo Story, includes photo movie generating features including pan and zoom effects, background music, and output controls for playback on a variety of devices.