The Tak Team Blog

Well, we’ve all seen the advert, but that’s not what I want to talk about, so get that out of your head straight away. No, let’s think about what many call the “Queen of Arts” - namely painting.

Have you ever wandered around a huge Art Gallery and marvelled at the works by Tintoretto, Raphael, Constable or any master painter who has produced huge canvasses? Then again, we have many fine examples of beautiful artwork in cameos and miniatures. In fact, in all sizes between these two extremes the evidence of creative genius can be found down through the ages.

However, it’s patently obvious that the correlation between size and creative genius is poor. Mere size on the premise, “never mind the quality feel the width” is not the prime element of a masterpiece. Yes we are fascinated by the Sistine Chapel, for example, by the sheer scale of the paintings, but it’s the genius of the painter that draws the eye. It’s also true though that the artist tugs at our heartstrings by the wealth of detail that working in a large format permits.

In the same way, large format and medium format cameras have traditionally been the working tools of professional photographers for many, many years. In a previous article, I suggested that there would always be room for film, especially for users of the larger formats.

Now, we get to the nub of the matter, because in digital parlance, the wealth of detail evident in the larger formats is expressed as the size of the file. Unlike physical dimensions which cannot be changed once the work has been committed to the recording medium, be it film or indeed canvas size, the digital file is not so restricted.

Of course, when image size is changed from the original during, say, image compression, there is generally a loss in quality e.g. jpeg Even the use of a lossless transformation doesn’t add anything to the image, it merely preserves what’s there.

However, there is a revolutionary item of image manipulation software that does totally “change the picture” It comes as a Photoshop plug-in with Photoshop 6.0 or higher and it’s called “Genuine Fractals” and here is what the originators claim,

By saving your digital image with this package as a very small stn file, you can create lossless files of up to 70Mb and beyond. After saving and re-opening this file in Photoshop, Genuine Fractal kicks in and you can easily produce files of a specified size

I was stunned by this software and began to wonder what the impact might be for both digital photographers and medium/large format professionals. Of course, as already stated, this increased size does NOT put extra information into the shot. There again, neither does making a 67 dupe of a 35mm slide improve image quality and many photographers still do that when submitting to libraries.

Digital photographers may get even more benefits by beefing up the file size using Genuine Fractals, before printing out enlargements. This could be very useful for Wedding Photographers who want the convenience of using a digital camera, but are unhappy about the quality of enlargements often requested. Using Genuine Fractals may save time effort and money by eliminating the need for a film backup camera.

On the other hand, it may be that Genuine Fractals may produce the best result with photos captured from film and then scanned, because noise in the original image is not removed when enlarged, in fact it will be more obvious. This means that mid-range digital camera shots are likely to fare worse on enlargment than film shots captured with 10 million pixels+

With a new version Genuine Fractals 3.5 just released, it could be worth a test and could be a worthwhile investment too. So, if you want to explore this a little more, get a copy of Amateur Photographer for 23 October 2004 and read their review of this exciting software.

You can get a free test copy of the software itself from this link: http://www.dcp-systems.co.uk

Why bother with a medium format camera if 35mm caressed by this Software will do instead? Oh I know I’ll get lectures from purists for even suggesting something so daft, given superior lenses and better optics, but for some people that may be just overkill. If this article has opened up the possibility of a better working method for some freelances, that’s all that matters.

So don’t please run around telling your mates that size does not matter and that I’ve assigned medium format cameras to the dustbin of history. No, I’m just shining the spotlight on that funny old coin digital/film and giving it a flick in the air. Who knows how it will land? At least I’ve got a 50-50 chance of being right!

About The Author

One of a series of articles by Robert Hartness, successful freelance and author of an hotlinked, flip-over, e-book, published on the web in October 2004. It offers a step-by-step guide to those on the threshold of freelance photography and is illustrated with 40+ published photographs. Acclaimed as a great reference source for serious freelancers. More information and order link - http://www.cashfromyourcamera.com Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb168698.php

K-Designers has a rich history of home improvement under its toolbelt. The Company began with four workers in Casper, Wyoming back in 1978. By 1986 when they were forced to expand, they chose to make the West Coast their new home. Due to continued growth, they moved once again to even larger headquarters in Gold River, California in 2004.

K-Designers offers a full range of services. For exterior siding, K-Designers offer premium items that provide total exterior coverage. This includes vinyl, aluminum, and steel building products. They offer a full line of custom windows in long-lasting, energy-efficient vinyl. They even sell and install custom-made windows with a lifetime warranty.

On top of the sizeable range of improvement options given to every client, K-Designers supply other such items as exterior window and door decor. K-Designers use providers known for having a wide catalog of color, style, and size alternatives in cosmetic exterior building products and siding accoutrements including shutters, headers, and other decorative accessories.

K-Designers also provides customers a richvaried selection of storm doors. This category of storm doors have aluminum frame doors with maintenance-free finishes. K-Designers also offer high-impact-resistant solid wood-core doors, which also have solid brass interior and exterior handles with built-in deadbolt security locks. These are just a few representatives of the many product lines that K-Designers has to offer.

K-Designers have certain rules for craftspeople which they employ. They must be knowledgeable, professional, polite, and have the ability to pay adequate attention to detail. With a perpetual dedication to yielding their patrons high quality materials, K-Designers use products from premier manufacturers. They also test applicants cautiously before their qualified craftspeople perform work on any customers’ home.

Years of experience in the home remodeling industry help K-Designers to serve their clients better. Their accomplished design staff and trade professionals are the anchor of the Company, as are the quality products they source from reputable providers. The Company measures their success by the number of satisfied customers they serve each year.

If you own a printer then you are already familiar with the high costs of inkjet cartridges. These cartridges are, of course, essential for printing, but they don’t have to break your bank. Yet, in the search for inkjet cartridges, you may be left wondering where you can buy inexpensive ones. Let’s take a look at some of your shopping options.

First, you can purchase inkjet cartridges from your local department store. If your department store is having a sale, or if you have a coupon and your department store accepts coupons, you may want to purchase a few inkjet cartridges and stock up on them while the price is relatively low.

Alternatively, you can purchase inkjet cartridges at office supply stores. Nevertheless, be sure to compare the prices offered at office supply stores with that of prices in nearby department stores. Sometimes you will find that the cost of cartridges is cheaper at office supply stores and sometimes you will find the less expensive inkjet cartridges at department stores within the area. It always pays to shop around.

On the other hand, you may want to shop for inkjet cartridges on the Internet if you have access to the web. Shopping for cartridges on the Internet provides you with the opportunity to check prices at a number of places and thereby find the most inexpensive inkjet cartridges available. Plus, when shopping from the Internet for, you will have the unique benefit of shopping from home.

Conversely, inkjet cartridges purchased off the Internet can give a good deal only if the entire deal is good - in other words, if you get your cartridges really cheap but you have to pay ridiculous shipping and handling charges, then you are really not getting a good deal at all. Also, when ordering inkjet cartridges remember that you will not have them. In fact, it can take a few weeks to receive your order and if you require your cartridges immediately to produce a project or paper, you may want to visit your local department store or office supply store instead.

Finally, when purchasing inkjet cartridges, if you purchase generic brands it is important to read the packaging before completing your purchase. Don’t purchase inkjet cartridges that look like they will work with your computer based on the picture on the front of the packaging. Rather, read the packaging to make sure that the generic cartridges you have selected will actually work with the printer you own. In doing so, you will successfully avoid the hassle associated with having to return the purchase to the dealer, whether they were bought from the store, or from an Internet distributor.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Inkjet Cartridges
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So you have your new digital camera and clicking away to glory anything and everything in sight. Now you want to print them and you need the best photo printers to print your fantastic photos. Let us talk about the various printers in the market and some tips on choosing the best photo printers.

Most of the printers could easily be purchased under $500. While all of them have similar features, it is better to be aware of certain key features that determines their price and print quality. First to look out for is the printing width. It differs among printers. Normally they are available with a width of either 8.5 inches or 13 inches. A 6 color printer is adequate but if you want good black and white images as well it is better to go for 8-color printer.

Many of the best photo printers today have the ability to print directly from your camera or flash memory card through a simple device. You must also look for the printing speed per minute. Generally it takes up to 10 minutes for one color photo so you must factor it in when choosing the model. When you want to buy multi use printers, please note that for good quality photo printing you need to buy a dedicated printer or a digital photo printer that accepts the most popular memory cards.

Now let us see the top 5 best photo printers and some of their features:

Epson Stylus Pro 4000 can take in paper wider than 11 inches thus making it very convenient. The high quality color and grayscale printing and the ability to make use of rolls of paper instead of sheets make it very economical too.

Canon Pixma IP8500 Photo Printer is another best photo printer in our top 5 list. It scores very high on speed, color and print quality. Almost all users love the 8 color cartridges. One disadvantage is the absence of media card slot - simply unacceptable in a high-end printer. The built in duplexer and good text printing however makes up for this disadvantage as it could be used for general and business use as well.

Canon Slephy DS700 is the best photo printer in the portable category. It plugs in directly into your TV so you could examine your photos in detail before printing them without having to transfer them to a PC.

The ever popular Epson Picture Mate is another best seller in its newest version - The Epson Picture Mate Deluxe. Though it has many added features and higher speeds, it no longer seem to have the cost-effectiveness per print of the older model.

Another best photo printer worth considering is the Sony PictureStation DPP-FP30. the installation is simple and the quality is simply Sony standards. However a small problem is the high running costs.

So have fun with the best photo printer that you have selected and may your photo memories come alive as good photo prints too!

Photo Printers HQ http://photo-printers-hq.com/ helping you to get the best from your photo printer.

The Cost of Ink

This is my third article on the subject you can read my others on my web site www.caveatemptorus.com or at www.ezinearticles.com.

I believe in free enterprise and all that but some things are beyond the pale. Ever since the advent of the inkjet printer I think we’ve been getting ripped off

A set of OEM cartridges for the average printer cost just less than $75.00 a set of refilled units on eBay go for close to $50.00. I think that’s outrageous.

It’s often cheaper to buy a new printer than it is to buy a set of cartridges, which I frequently do.

. Originally the printer manufacturers practically gave away printers; in fact a lot of them did so through promotions and rebates.

Their strategy was to sell the printers at low prices and make their money on the cartridge replacements, so they inflated the prices of the ink, This had a tendency to back fire, as they created a bootleg industry, that they are now having to compete with.

There are refilled cartridges, refill kits, so called compatible cartridges or imitations, Some of these are legitimate , and of good quality, some are not. Then there are the counterfeits with OEM labels, which some unwitting people are paying full price for. This practice is particularly reprehensible.

All of this might have been avoided had the manufacturers chosen to sell their printers and replacement cartridges at reasonable prices. I firmly believe that had the makers had set reasonable prices for the printers both they and the consumers would have been better off.

The sad part is that it is we the consumers that suffer. We not only have to live with high prices but inferior quality and considerable inconvenience.

When we use anything other than OEM products, we face warranty problems. Some of the refilled cartridges are of such poor quality they not only don’t work, they leak and can damage your printer. Some, but not all of the compatible cartridges are nearly as bad. If you have a problem printing and you’re using aftermarket ink the manufacturers won’t even give you technical support. I recently had to buy a set of OEMS to prove my printer was defective.

All so called standard cartridges are only partially filled with ink. You have to buy high yield or extended use cartridges to get full ones.
Originally when you bought a new printer you received standard cartridges, which was fine, you at least got decent yields from them.

Now they’ve come with another bit of trickery. This one isn’t new but previously they only used it on promotional printers at rock bottom prices. Now I’m informed by a reliable dealer that all new printers are now coming through with sample cartridges. Sample cartridges don’t have much ink in them so you’re faced with premature replacement.

I recently bought a low-priced printer on eBay. It was from a leading computer manufacturer. The seller did have the cartridge numbers in his ad. He may not even been aware that they were samples. I found out when I unpacked it. So if you’re buying a printer don’t assume that it’s equipped with standard cartridges, check to be sure of what you are buying.

You don’t have to be careful only on eBay, regular dealers are selling printers with sample cartridges also. They don’t advertise it. You have to ask them to find out. Again “Let the buyers beware.”

There is really no good solution to this problem Refilling is a hassle. It’s not always successful, and it can lead to damage to your printer. I think if you top off your cartridges while thy stills have a lot of ink in them and you’re careful not to over fill them it may work.

Printing in draft mode and black and white when you don’t need color will conserve ink. I used to print a lot of material that I’d read in the den; now I just read it on my monitor.

Shopping for bargain printers that cost less than the cartridge is still viable but the sample cartridge situation has complicated that scheme.

We can’t ask our congressmen to help, they’re going to be too busy fighting off the people hat want us to give the internet to the UN.

Written by: George W. cannata Author and Publisher of the web site: http://www.caveatemptorus.com

You may copy or reprint this article so long as you do not alter it in any way and that you include all links and give full credit to the author and publisher.

The power coming into a computer is the most critical component, and it may be one of the most overlooked. It is just taken for granted that it will always be there and working properly. A top of the line processor and ultra powerful video card do nothing if a system does not receive the ample, stable power it demands. Having quality components providing and regulating the power supplied to a computer is critical, and this brief overview looks at a few areas worth consideration.

Power Supplies

Computer power supplies take the high (110V or 220V) DC voltages from an electrical outlet and convert it to the various lower AC voltages required for a system to operate. The typical voltages required inside a computer are 3.3V, 5V, and 12V, where the 3.3V and 5V lines are generally used to power circuitry, and the 12V line provides power to run items such as hard drives, optical drives, and cooling fans.

Power supplies are sold in terms of their total power output, in terms of wattage. Choosing the correct power supply means not only finding one that will provide enough power for all of the components connected to the system, but also one that is the correct size physically, has enough connections for typical drives and fans, and if necessary, that also has special connections for things such as Serial ATA drives and modern video cards.

Choosing a power supply with enough power shouldn’t be much of a problem, as having more power than you need is never a bad thing. Just because a power supply is rated for 400W, or perhaps 600W, does not imply that it is drawing that at any given time. It just indicates the total power available to the various lines inside the computer. For those interested in getting a good idea of their minimum power requirements, this Power Wattage Calculator is a convenient reference. In addition to checking out the total wattage of a power supply, looking for strong amperage ratings on the 3.3V, 5V, and 12V lines is also recommended, as power supplies with identical total power ratings may distribute the power to the various lines in different quantities.

Power supplies come in a few different physical sizes, but the most common are designed to fit the standard ATX and micro ATX (mATX) form factor cases. A typical ATX power supply, such as this Echo-Star 680W unit, measures 3.25″ x 6″ x 5.5″ and features two cooling fans to not only cool the power supply, but to also help draw hot air out of the computer. A typical mATX power supply, such as this A-Power 320W unit, measures 2.5″ x 5″ x 4″ and due to the smaller size features just one cooling fan. mATX cases are generally much smaller than ATX cases, and therefore have smaller power supplies, with generally lower power ratings, and fewer connectors.

The connectors on a power supply also deserve consideration. Most power supplies come with what looks to be an electric octopus of wires hanging off the back surface, and you need to make sure that somewhere in that tangled bundle are all of the connectors you need. The power supply should at least have as many connections as the number of drives, cooling fans, and other items found in the case. Up until recently power supplies had a fixed number of connections, and if you needed more, you needed to use splitters to distribute the power to all the components. Modular power supplies, such as the Ultra X-Connect 500W unit, are now available that eliminate that “electric octopus” all together, and allow the end user to connect just the cables they need. The flexibility of a modular power supply design not only lets you customize the connections to your needs, it also makes for a simple and tidy installation, since there are no extra wires dangling inside the case.

The selection of a high quality power supply may cost more money up front, but down the road it could wind up saving money. Many manufacturers now offer power supplies that consume less energy thanks to high quality internal components, advanced designs, and active power factor correction. These units are now able to provide the same power to the components in a computer, but due to increased efficiency, draw less power from the electrical outlet.

Surge Protectors

Surge protectors are intended to protect your electronics from a brief increase in voltage caused by such things as lightning, rolling blackouts, and heavy drawing electrical equipment. A surge protector reacts to divert the extra electricity to ground, and thus protects your expensive computer equipment from damage. A surge is any increase lasting three nanoseconds or longer, so a surge protector needs to react quickly. Most surge protectors also include a fuse (or breaker), and if the surge is too great to be handled without interruption, the fuse will blow. Although the fuse may be destroyed, it’s a small loss compared to what it may have saved.

Surge protectors come in all shapes and styles. Some basic models can even be found at your local dollar store, but offer no more than a few outlets connected to a breaker. No serious protection is obtained, but many people just want more outlets, not protection.

More serious surge protectors will probably cost a bit more than a dollar, but will offer some peace of mind that your equipment is actually being protected. In addition to protecting from electrical surges, some devices include extra features such as conditioning to filter out line noise and ports to protect other lines such as cable television, telephone, and networking.

The Fellowes Smart Surge Power Strip protects up to 10 devices from surges, as well as offering line conditioning and ports to protect your phone line. A highly appealing feature of such a surge protector is that 4 of the ports are designed to accept bulky AC adaptors. For those with surge protectors that weren’t designed to be this user friendly, there is still hope in the form of Power Strip Saver Cables. Basically just 7 inch long extension cords, these items can come in very handy when trying to connect multiple AC adaptors to a more traditional surge protector.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Many people familiar with Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) know that they can keep a computer up and running during a total power failure, but don’t know what else they do. Most UPSes will also provide protection from voltage surges and sags (when the voltage drops below normal), as well as protection from the possibility of a shift in the electricity’s frequency.

UPSes come in two varieties, standby and continuous, although standby versions are far more common and less expensive. A standby UPS allows the devices connected to it to run from the normal electrical connection until a loss of power is detected, at which point it quickly (in a matter of milliseconds) switches to the battery backup of the UPS. A continuous UPS always has the devices connected to it running off of battery power, while the batteries are recharged by the normal electrical connection.

UPSes are sold in terms of their capacity, in terms of VA (voltage multiplied by amperage). This implies that devices connected to the UPS can draw a maximum of so much amperage at a specific voltage. A run time after a power failure is also generally specified for a UPS based on a full load being placed on the device.

Selecting a UPS needs to be based on the intended use… A smaller unit, such as the Fenton 600VA, would be adequate for powering a typical desktop computer, monitor, and smaller peripherals such as a printer and lighting for what they rate as 15-23 minutes at full load. If multiple systems need to be powered, or perhaps there are plans for future expansion that will add to the power demands, a larger unit such as the Tripp Lite 1500VA may be more appropriate. The first two units are intended to be set in close proximity to the devices to be powered, perhaps on the floor behind a desk, but if you are seeking to add a UPS to a server, there are also rackmount solutions such as the Opti-UPS 1100VA.

No matter the application, sizing a UPS may seem overwhelming. One manufacturer, APC, has created a handy UPS Selector Application which will take some of the guess work out of choosing the right UPS for any particular application.

Final Words

A computer system is only as strong as its weakest feature, and many times that distinction falls on the power supply and related components. By choosing a quality power supply, surge protector, and perhaps a UPS, one can make sure that they have adequately strong and stable power to keep their system running now, as well as down the road when upgrades may increase the demand on their system.

Jason Kohrs
Computer Geeks tech tips and computer advice

A hydraulic log splitter is an essential piece of equipment both for the professional involved in logging and the at home woodworker. There are several different types of log splitters to choose from. Do some homework before purchasing one so that you have the wood splitter best suited for your project.

For a few piles of firewood to get you through the cold winter months, there’s really no need to invest in expensive equipment. A simple single blade splitting maul is all you should need. The simplest electric log splitter, the common axe, works when the wood splitting maul blade cuts into the lumber forcing it to split along the grain. For those needing firewood and are handy with an log splitting maul, it won’t take long to split enough wood for a small pile. If you are a healthy and strong individual who doesn’t mind manual labor, a regular axe may be all you need.

Those who use a manual log splitter on a daily or weekly basis, or for detailed home projects, spending the money on a hydraulic electric wood splitter should be considered. Research the different options available before making your purchase. One important decision is whether you would rather have a vertical or horizontal loading electric log splitter. manual wood splitters used in the forest or on the job site are either gas or diesel powered, for ease of use. For individuals who basically work indoors or at a workshop, an electric manual wood splitter works well.

All power driven hydraulic log splitters work the same way. A piston is used to drive the timber through a stationary blade.

The best manual wood splitters have the least problems and are known for their speed and efficiency. A electric log splitter is a high powered piece of equipment that can shave hours off of job completion times. To protect the operator against serious injury, be sure that all safety precautions are understood before using a electric wood splitter.

Others should stand clear of the hydraulic wood splitter when in operation. When operating a manual log splitter, avoid wearing loose fitting clothing and always wear protective safety goggles.

Owning a hydraulic wood splitter is a smart choice for those who work with wood on a regular basis. A electric log splitter can be an asset in working with wood by the commercial professional or the weekend home project individual. A wood splitter can be found wherever lumber and logging equipment is sold.

Many manufacturers use the Thin Film Transistor (TFT) technology to improve colour screens they provide to consumers.

In a TFT screen an extra matrix of transistors are connected to a LCD panel. These transistors drive the pixels removing ghosting and slow response speed that has affect previous pc monitor displays of days gone by.

The liquid crystal elements of each pixel are arranged so that in their normal state (with no voltage applied) the light coming through the passive filter is polarized so as to pass through the screen. When a voltage is applied the liquid crystal elements twist up to ninety degrees in reference to the voltage, changing their polarization and blocking the light’s path.

So it’s fair to say that the technology involved in the display aspect of a pc monitor has had several technological advances over the years. With all this emerging technology has a lot of though really gone in to the finish of a pc monitor?

Have you ever wondered what equipment would be suitable for a study in the deepest jungle on gorillas or other dangerous wildlife where the need to blend in is paramount to your very survival? What better material than bamboo. I mean it’s shiny and strong and really would look the part. Why not take a break from the normal plastic pc monitors and accessories and try something new more adventurous even. Re live your dreams and aspirations in getting away from the mundane struggle of mass produced plastic.

Why not try one hundred percent original bamboo mold fifth teen inch and seventeen inch tft lcd monitors. The units are of the highest quality and come in an array of different styles. The units also offer tv tuner capabilities allowing you to watch your favorite programs while you work.

Matching accessories include bamboo keyboards polished to a fine finish and a bamboo mouse to really send a message out to your colleagues or family that you are proud to be different.

Are you tired of seeing the same old products just dotted all over the internet with small price variations from site to site, Same old brands all competing for your hard earned cash. Well we sell brands but we also offer something a bit different for the more adventurous among you. We source the latest stuff from across the world! currently in our offerings are portable dvd players with extra features like TV, radio and games but as and when something else raises its head that we feel is pretty cool well… we grab it. James Hovey (Product Researcher) http://www.planetgadgets.com

There are two kinds of touch screen displays. The more conventional display is the CRT or the Cathode Ray Tube, whereas the LCD or the Liquid Crystal Display is the more modern display technology. Most people know about the Cathode Ray Tube from the good old television set but LCD is a newer, less common kind of display.

Despite its apparent newness, LCD is making big waves in display technology. LCD is gaining in popularity primarily because it saves both space and energy. Combined with a touch screen display and LCD, display is the hallmark of today’s age. An LCD touch screen is more compact, efficient, and like any other touch screen it is easy to use.

The touch screen LCD display is best understood when seen in comparison with its more established predecessor: the CRT touch screen. The absolutely divergent technologies make the CRT and the LCD display characteristics very different. Not only that, but LCD also has an edge when it comes to size. LCD monitors are compact and lightweight. Typically, an LCD touch screen will take up only a third of the space occupied by a CRT touch screen of the same size.

Newer LCD screens are available even in 15- and 17-inch sizes. Until recently, 17-inch touch screens used only CRT monitors. As LCD screens are flat, the viewing area is also larger in comparison to a CRT monitor. That is, a 17-inch CRT monitor will have a viewing area of only about 16 inches where an LCD monitor will have the complete 17 inches.

On the downside, LCD touch screens do not display all colors and also can’t display multiple resolutions as well as CRT displays. Despite these limitations, LCD users are favoring touch screens. In fact, smart phones are the most commonly used LCD touch screens.

Car audio systems are one of the most wanted luxury items today. And many of us try to look for the cheapest options available. Any product is marketed through a chain of manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and customers. You can get wholesale rates if the retailer is skipped. But in most cases, car audio systems are supplied only through retailers. Getting car audio systems at discounted prices is convenient with online shopping, auctions, dealer discounts and used products. But authentic car audio systems on wholesale basis can be tricky to find.

There are online wholesale clubs which provide people with information on wholesale deals but the authenticity of products can be questionable. A lot of effort and research is required to locate wholesale sources for car audio systems. Some wholesalers sell new audio systems, some market secondhand systems and a few also auction for bulk deals.

Some manufacturers with wholesale units also set up their own retail outlets. This way the customer gets a lower price and the manufacturer enjoys higher profits, as everything is done in-house.

Price is certainly a factor to consider, but source is as important. It is better to verify the source from the manufacturer. Unauthorized dealers may not give a full warranty. Many reputable car audio manufacturers do not allow Internet sales. Nonetheless, we find all brands and models, which may just be gray market items. The seller might not even know that serial numbers have been tampered with, which makes the manufacturer’s warranty void. Such problems are hard to deal with and trace back if needed.

Do an Internet search on wholesale car audio systems, and hundreds of sites appear claiming to be wholesalers. But most reviews say that the prices are at par with retail. So if you think that you have found a good wholesale deal, beware and check it out before making your final payment.