Diy | Tag Archive

Latest Gear Live Videos

Subscribe:

YouTube

iTunes High Definition

iTunes Standard Version

RSS

HTPC Series: Let’s build a budget HTPC

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment, PC / Laptop,

Check out out HTPC on a Budget series and join us in building a great HTPC for under $1,000.

Over the next few weeks, we are gonna be working on a special project that we hope you guys will get a kick out of. You see, as gadget enthusiasts, we know that we all love when technology can make our lives easier, or when it is just downright cool. However, recent developments in the economy are going to lead to a tightening of the budget (if it hasn’t already), and we thought we’d try and see if we can build something awesome at a reasonable price. The task? We want to build a great home theater PC (HTPC), made with great parts, for under $1000 USD. You can follow our progress at our HTPC on a Budget page. Or, if you’re too lazy to hit that link, here’s a list of topics:

So, what are the goals of our HTPC project? Well, besides the aforementioned $1,000 limit, we have a few other things we want out of it. First, we want it to remain fairly quiet. After all, this thing is going to be use to watch movies and television. We don’t need any extra fan noise coming from it. Secondly, we want it to put out a high definition signal, with connections that use today’s technology. Ideally, that means it will have an HDMI out port, so we can get both high definition and surround sound out of this thing.

Click to continue reading HTPC Series: Let’s build a budget HTPC

BaR2D2 - Robotic Bartender

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Science, Videos,

Remember the Refrigerator that tosses beer cans? The BaR2D2 makes that look like an infant machine. Creator Jamie Price made the portable bartender in his spare time in his garage. BaR has a motorized beer elevator and ice/mixer drawer, a six-bottle shot dispenser, and sound activated neon lighting and sound effects. Jamie has full instructions available on Instructables if you would like to DIY. While you are there, vote for him so he can win some Craftsman tools to build his next clever creation.

Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Unibind Photobook Creator

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Smart Home, Family, Women, Under $100,

If you got a do-it-yourselfer who is also into photography, we think we’ve found something that you might want to get them for the holidays. The Unibind Photobook Creator features about twelve new holiday-themed covers for their photo-binding system, each available for between $4-8 each. The actual Unibind System itself allows one to create a nice hardcover photo book, and includes layout software, a thermal binding machine, and a 3mm linen hardcover, with windowed front. The finished product looks nice and professional.

Bleeding Edge TV 297: Unibody MacBook Pro RAM upgrade tutorial

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Full Episodes, Gizmatic, Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,

Last month, Apple released their long-awaited and redesigned MacBook Pro notebook, which spurred a bunch of excitement for all gadget lovers out there. The new unibody enclosure is sleek, and Apple even went out of their way to make it easy to upgrade the critical components that live inside the notebook yourself. Behind one door lies the hard drive and battery, both user-replaceable. Remove a few more screws, and you have direct access to your RAM.

Of course, these things are better explained in video than they are in text, which is why we’re here. In this episode of Bleeding Edge TV, we give you a full tutorial on what you need to do to upgrade the RAM in your new MacBook or MacBook Pro. If you are wondering why you’d want to do this, well, just compare the cost of what Apple charges you for 4GB of RAM versus the cost of buying the RAM yourself from a place like Newegg. You’ll save yourself a couple hundred bucks if you have a few minutes to spare.

Check out the tutorial, and let us know how it goes for you if you end up giving it a try.

This Week on TV (11/10-11/16)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, Comedy, Drama, Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Specials, ABC, Bravo, Cable, FOX, MTV, NBC, America’s Next Top Model, ER, Prison Break,

Anthony Edwards and Angela Bassett in ER

(You can view TV Envy’s Fall Television Programming Schedule here.)

MONDAY (11/10)

Chuck (NBC, 8pm): “Chuck chances upon his ex-flame (Jordana Brewster) and embellishes his status in life to impress her.” We’re talking about a girl who starred in D.E.B.S.. He shouldn’t try too hard.
Prison Break (FOX, 9pm): “Gretchen gives Michael the rest of the bird book, but he suffers another seizure after deciphering it.” That pretty much sums up my feelings about bird books as well.
Samantha Who? (ABC, 9:30): “Sam is sentenced to community service, where she meets a troubled young woman (Mary-Kate Olsen) and decides to help turn her life around.” Sam has now become the better-looking version of Earl Hickey.
17 Kids and Counting (TLC, 10pm): “Jinger takes her driving test; the family celebrates Michelle’s birthday and responds to viewer questions.” Uhh, I have a question. Jinger? Seriously?

Click to continue reading This Week on TV (11/10-11/16)

DIY Plant Twitter Kit

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, Science,

If you believe in the plant that has its own blog, then you might also like to know that you can get your plant to Twitter. A CERN scientist supposedly created this Plant Twitter Kit. Assemble it (some soldering required,) then connect it to your leafy friend and subscribe to its feed, and it will tell you when it needs water or complain if you give too much. We’re still not sure that the gadget will work, and it seems an overpriced $99.99, but hey, if it works on your philodendron, it may work on your puppy.

DIY Solar Powered Jack-O-Lantern

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,

Solar Pumpkin Go green this Halloween with a DIY Solar Powered Jack-O-Lantern. Aside from the pumpkin, you will need a carving knife, a Sharpie to design a face, and a solar-powered garden light. You can get all the instructions to make your own and remember to go really green by munching the roasted seeds, baking a pie and tossing the pumpkin on your compost pile. Make has lots of other ideas to spice up your Halloween, including a mag with 40+ projects.

XR3 Hybrid Car Kit

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Science, Transportation,

DIY mechanics can now build a Hybrid to save some bucks and help the planet. The XR3 holds two passengers and can get 125 mpg on diesel and 225 mpg when combined with electricity. Weighing a mere 1,480 lbs., designer Robert Q. Riley promises fast acceleration and a maximum speed of 80 mph. With a clam shell canopy and three-wheel platform, use battery power alone for up to 40 miles distance. You can build the XR3 in a diesel only model for less than $10,000.00 while a Li-ion version can cost up to $25,000.00. Plans will set you back $170.00 to $200.00.

This Week on TV (7/28-8/3)

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Food & Home, Games, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Sci-Fi/Horror, ABC, Bravo, Cable, FOX, MTV, NBC, Showtime,

(You can view TV Envy’s Summer Television Programming Schedule here.)

MONDAY (7/28)

Wanna Bet? (ABC,9pm): “Corbin Bernsen, Tom Bergeron, Rip Hamilton and Melissa Peterman are the celebs placing the wagers. Stunts include a man trying to kick himself in the head 45 times in one minute.” Wanna bet people only know who half these ‘celebrities’ are?
Paranormal State (A&E, 10pm): Season Two premiere. “The team investigates supposed activity at a home, including the mysterious destruction of religious objects and the unexplained appearance of dead animals near the home.” Dead animals? Should they be looking for ghosts or a serial killer?
Make a Move (DIY, 10pm): “Amy Wynn Pastor helps newlyweds with their eco-conscious home, including projects like a compost heap, a kitchen upgrade and a wall demolition.” Ah, newlyweds. Always so annoyingly optimistic.
Weeds (Showtime, 10pm): “In Mexico, Celia discovers the joys of discounted medicine at local pharmacies.” If only she had known about the $4 generics at her local Wal-Mart.

Click to continue reading This Week on TV (7/28-8/3)

DIY Light Bulb Greenhouse

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Misc. Tech, Science,

Light Bulb Greenhouse Now that you are replacing your incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent ones, you can continue to keep the planet green by recycling them. Inspired by a Popular Science ad, LinuxH4x0r gives you instructions to transform them into mini-greenhouses with epoxy glue, a socket, a washer, a small plastic cup, soil, and a plant or seed. Note that cutting open a bulb requires some skill, so don’t make this a project for your kids. And if that’s too difficult, try the ghetto version out of an old soda bottle.

Welcome, Guest