Komando's Q & A: Auto-adjust TV volume
— -- Question:I can't stand the volume of TV commercials. I would like the sound to be consistent. Can home theater audio systems adjust the volume automatically?
Answer:The FCC does not regulate television volume. But it requires stations to limit peak volume. That's the loudest portion of a show or ad. TV producers vary the volume to increase dramatic effect. Advertisers have 30 seconds to sell a product. They want your attention, fast. Certain A/V receivers can automatically adjust volume. Look for Dolby Volume or Dynamic Volume. Some TVs also have this feature. Look for a phrase such as Auto Volume Adjustment.
Q:I'm planning to dispose of a hard drive. My wife says we need degaussing software to destroy the data. I think reformatting is enough. Can you settle the matter?
A:Degaussing does not use software. Rather, a degausser is a machine with a powerful magnet. Degaussing isn't effective on modern drives because they are too well-shielded. Reformatting is better. It will make the data harder to recover, but it won't stop determined thieves. For greater security, you need a disk-wiping program. These programs overwrite the data several times. That makes the data nearly unrecoverable. I recommend Heidi Eraser. There's a link at www.komando.com/news.
Q:I'm in the market for a computer. I'll be using it to write a book. I need a word processor and access to the Internet. I'm leaning toward a netbook. What do you think?
A:A netbook would be ideal. They're light, portable and inexpensive. They are really designed to use the Web. They also excel at word processing. You're probably thinking about using Microsoft Word. But netbooks don't have DVD or CD drives. That poses a problem for loading Word. You could buy an external drive. That would run about $50. Or, you could download OpenOffice. I have a link at www.komando.com/news. The files are compatible with Word.
Q:I have a question about digital music. What is the difference between "burn" and "rip?"
A:The two are polar opposites. "Ripping" is the process of copying music off of a CD. The files are converted for use on your computer. Think of it as ripping the music from the disc. Putting music on a blank CD is called "burning." That term's origination is easier to understand. CD and DVD drives contain lasers. When you create a disc, the laser burns a layer of ink inside the disc. Many popular programs use the word "burn" or "burning." So, just look for a burn button to start the process.
