Indoor cats always like to look outdoors, but sometimes there isn’t a window with a good perch where they can sit to enjoy the view. With the Cat Solarium, they can enjoy the view and the fresh air from the safety of a window. The Solarium fits into a window a bit like how a window air conditioner fits. It has bars to keep the cat from jumping out. The top is made of Plexiglass so the cat can enjoy sitting in the sun.
The basic structure is made of ¾” cabinet-grade plywood and painted with marine-grade paint. These are very durable, sun- and water-resistant structures – strong enough to hold a 50+ lb cat. You can add a a Plexiglass back panel with a cat door insert to keep the outdoor air outside. Other options include a Solarium pillow, cat perch/landing to help the cat easily enter the Solarium, mesh screen to keep insects out, and a Plexiglass weather enclosure. To use the Solarium, your window opening must be 24.5″ wide and raise up 14.5″. The manufacturer includes heavy gauge vinyl with industrial strength Velcro for a temporary cover for gaps surrounding the installed Solarium.
The Solarium is available in a variety of packages, from the Sun Room with a Plexiglass back panel with a cat door and the mesh screen for $299.99 to the Conservatory package with Plexi back panel with cat door, custom pillow, cat perch, weather enclosure, and mesh screen for $379.99.
Each kit comes with an Allen wrench for assembling the Solarium. The wrench and 20 minutes are all you need for building the kit. Illustrated instructions are available on the website.
The Cat Solarium can be purchased at their website.
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I used to write video chat software a few years ago, so I’ve seen my share of webcams. When the chance came along to review the Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam I jumped at the opportunity to see how good the latest webcam from Logitech really is.
What is it?
The Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam is a full HD webcam with Full HD 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 60fps and 30fps streaming capability. The C922 is optimum for recording, game streaming, or video conferencing – basically all of your webcam needs.
Hardware specs
Dimensions
1.73 in (44 mm) x 3.74 in (95 mm) x 2.80 in (71 mm)
Microphone Type
Built-in Dual Stereo
Recording
1080p30fps, 720p60fps, 720p30fps
Lens and Sensor Type
Full HD Glass Lens
Diagonal Field of View
78° horizontal
Frame Rate (max)
720p60fps/1080p30fps
USB Protocol
2.0
Image Capture (4:3 SD)
Yes
Image Capture (16:9 W)
Yes
Video Capture (4:3 SD)
Yes
Video Capture (16:3 9)
Yes
What’s in the box?
C922 Pro Stream Webcam
Tripod
XSplit 3 month premium license
Setup Guide
Design and features
Having owned literally dozens of webcams over the years, I’ve seen webcams ranging from the absolute worst to some of the best. Up until now, I was using a webcam that I paid nearly $200 for about 10 years ago. I thought it was a great webcam (it was when I bought it). As soon as I plugged in the C922 and fired up a video window, I literally said “Oh wow!” out loud. The video was that good!
I do daily video conferences using Google Hangouts with my main client. They immediately noticed that my video was much sharper and had a better frame rate than before. One thing that I noticed right away was the excellent autofocus of the C922, gone are the days of trying to manually focus my webcam, which is very difficult because I sit more than an arm’s length away from it.
If you’re needing to take close-up video or pictures, this webcam can focus at about 1.5 inches from the lens! The auto focus worked very well for the most part, but I couldn’t get it to focus automatically on the tiny micro-SD card. It did however work very well with larger objects, which is what you would probably be using it for anyway.
Although the camera will work just by plugging it in with modern versions of Windows, you’ll want to download the settings program from the Logitech support pages if you want to adjust the settings which include brightness, contrast, autofocus, color intensity, and white balance. Autofocus and white balance also have an automatic setting (the default).
On Windows, the webcam uses the standard Windows driver, so it will pretty much function with anything that can access a camera through those standard drivers. I used it with Google Hangouts in Chrome and Firefox, OBS, and XSplit broadcaster. The C922 has H.264 capability which is an advanced compression technology that demands less network bandwidth.
The C922 works very well in low light, and the video automatically adjusts to accommodate flickering room lights or multiple computer screens. The screenshot below is lit with just a single browser window.
The integrated stand/base of the webcam is quite configurable. It has a standard 1/4-20 thread socket in the bottom for attaching it to a tripod and adjusts to fit monitors up to 2 inches deep. The tripod legs also pull out to double their length and making the footprint a 7″ triangle – plenty stable enough for any use. The base also is designed to just sit on a flat surface and has a rubberized surface to prevent sliding. It can easily fit on top of any modern monitor or laptop screen.
The settings program that can be installed is nothing to brag about. Ordinary users will find it easy to use and adequate. The settings used to be much more complex, but it feels like Logitech has designed it for basic users now. The first tab (Home) has settings for Standard and Widescreen, and anti-flicker control for 60hz and 50hz. The second tab (Advanced) has settings for brightness, contrast, autofocus, color intensity, and white balance.
The ChromaCam software is supposed to allow the replacement of your background, but on Windows 7 in Google Chrome it constantly crashed before I could evaluate it. When it crashed in Firefox it crashed the entire browser, and then repeated that each time the browser started because the page kept reloading automatically. Although it’s probably something particular to my computer, I’ve never seen a software based background replacement solution work very reliably.
The audio captured by the webcam was satisfactory. It wasn’t pro-grade audio, but no one expects that for a camera that costs less than what most pro-audio people spend on just their microphone.
What I like
Excellent video picture
Can record at 1080p30fps, 720p60fps, 720p30fps
Excellent autofocus
LED’s indicating that it’s on
Excellent low light performance
H.264 streaming
What needs to be improved
Settings are limited, advanced users want more settings
ChromaCam software was not stable, crashed every time
Final thoughts
If you really want a webcam with a great picture, this is the webcam to get. This is currently the best Logitech HD Webcam, with only the 4K Pro Webcam model ($199) being better. I really wish I had bought one of these a long time ago.
Price: $79.99 Where to buy: Logitech and Amazon Source: The sample of this product was provided by Logitech.
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Getting back to the subject of lighting, those of us in the photography and videography industry are forever working with lights and looking for the “right” light or lighting fixture. Different types of lights offer different positive and negative characteristics, including the ability to create moods and effects. For example, there is a difference in lighting between, halogen light, LED lights, and fluorescent lights.
The Impact 4 Socket Fluorescent Fixture supports up to 4 CFL 50 watt bulbs for a total of 200 watts of output power. The fluorescent bulbs provide stay-cool lighting in a portable and compact design. The fixture features a standard 5/8” receiver that mounts on any 5/8” stud or accessory, and the bracket tilts and locks in position. It also has a built-in receptacle so that a photo umbrella can be mounted on it. It accepts Edison Base CFLs and comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
You can purchase the Impact 4 Socket Fluorescent Fixture at B&H Photo Video for $99.95.
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Forget those fancy metal and silicone stoppers, too. You can seal off an unfinished bottle of wine with an inflatable Air Cork that creates a “protective, impermeable seal between the bottle’s contents and the taste-altering air above.”
Just lower the inflatable air bladder into the bottle until it just touches the liquid, then pump the grape cluster to inflate the bladder until it expands to the exact shape of the bottle. The air-tight seal will protect your wine for three days. If you aren’t ready to drink the wine yet, just give the pump a few more squeezes to tighten up the seal. When you are ready to drink the wine, just press the valve to release the seal.
The Air Cork contains plastic, rubber, silicone, stainless steel, and a medical-grade latex balloon. It is not dishwasher safe and should be hand-rinsed. You’ll actually get two of the latex balloons in the kit.
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Commuters. City-walkers. Road warriors. Office samurai. Whatever you want to call them, there’s a good chance if you find yourself working in an office, you have a bunch of stuff to carry with you on a daily basis. There are thousands of options for containing those items, but does your bag hit the perfect trifecta of comfort, content and looks, all at a great value? Belkin’s Active Pro Backpack aims to check off that whole list.
What is it?
The Active Pro Backpack is an unassuming, padded backpack built for protection, organization and on-the-go convenience. It’s well-suited for commuters carrying laptops, tablets and other mobile accessories in a variety of travel conditions.
Hardware specs
Dedicated protection for laptop (up to 15”) and tablet
Adjustable mesh padded shoulder straps
Padded back panel
Water-resistant coating on base
Reflective strips for visibility in low light
Top loading, upright design stands without support
Internal organization for ancillary items
Vertical pockets allow fast access on-the-go
Hidden high security pocket
Loop for a bike light
Luggage strap fastens bag to trolley or case
Knapsack opening for visibility and easy access
width x height x depth: 11.8” x 17.3” x 6.7” depth / 30cm x 44cm x 17cm
weight: 1.7lb / 776g
What’s in the box?
1x Active Pro Backpack
Design and Features
Whenever I asses the usefulness of a backpack or other bag, I usually split my thoughts into three categories: Looks, Organization (which includes carry capacity) and Comfort. Let’s dive in!
Looks
The Active Pro Backpack is relatively unassuming, in a good way. It doesn’t look expensive, but it doesn’t look cheap, either. It looks like the kind of bag you’d see on the back of a regular commuter or city walker that sort of blends right into the rest of their outfit, and to me, that’s exactly what it was designed for. The logo on the outside of the bag is relatively small.
There’s a rubberized coating on the bottom just in case you set your pack into something unseemly.
The bottom of the bag is coated in a rubberized, water-resistant texture. It seems like the bag could handle being set down in a puddle for a bit while protecting the contents, but I wouldn’t call it super-rugged, and certainly not something you’d want to leave out in the rain.
There are a couple of reflective strips on the back and on the shoulder straps to be more visible in a dimly-lit crosswalk.
Overall, it’s not flashy and doesn’t advertise “hey look at me, I got some ‘spensive stuff inside.” It’s forgettable, which is perfect.
Being a black backpack with a rough texture, it did pick up quite a bit of lint and cat hair from the couch-side area I usually store my bag. The material felt a bit more clingy than you’d expect.
Contents / Organization
I get a little thrill whenever I explore a new backpack and find a multitude of pockets and zippers and compartments. Belkin’s Active Pro Backpack has plenty to spare.
Behold! Cavernous space.
First off, I love the top-loading main compartment. The entire top of the backpack unzips to reveal a wide entry point to the main compartment, which is itself divided into 3 vertical compartments — one padded area for a laptop or tablet, one smaller area for an e-reader or other small books, and a wide main area, flanked by a zippered, netted pocket.
Plenty of dividers and the little mesh, zippered pocket toward the front.
It’s worth mentioning that the bag stands up on a flat surface and doesn’t slump over or fall to one side if the contents are properly balanced. Nothing worse than having to contend with a tipsy backpack while trying to get something out of it.
Probably best not to put anything heavy in this top pocket.
The top flap of the backpack has a zippered pocket. I do appreciate more organization, but this pocket could become somewhat annoying depending on how much stuff you put into it. It basically has to flip the contents of that pocket 180º in order to get into the main compartment. It does easily flip over to the back of the backpack, but all I can think about is all the items in that pocket tumbling over themselves every single time.
The vertical zippered pockets are actually two separate compartments and are meant to be accessed quickly by swinging the backpack around to the front of your body.
The vertical side pockets are actually two separate areas.
Additionally, there are two narrow side pockets. One is simply an open pocket for storing an umbrella or thin water bottle, and the other has a more secure velcro flap.
Wait… what’s that on the back, is it…?
Finally, there is a super-secret, zippered and padded security compartment on the backpack right where it would meet your lower back while wearing it. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s the perfect fit for my Nintendo Switch. I don’t always go looking for a Switch-sized compartment, but I do often take it with me, so when there’s any sort of padded area that can accommodate it, bonus points.
ANOTHER pocket?! This one good for securing something tightly against your back to thwart thieves.
Just for some real-world application, I’ll include what I was carrying in my bag when I took these photos:
an umbrella
iPad Pro 12.9” size with Smart Keyboard
Legal pad
5th Edition D&D Players Manual
A multitude of pens and cables
A book of writing prompts
Small stack of papers
Carry Comfort
All of these features would be practically useless if the bag itself was uncomfortable to wear in a typical commute. Fortunately, the Active Pro Backpack lives up to its namesake and is very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, thanks to its heavy padding on the shoulder straps and back.
Looks right at home on the back of a regular fella.
I wore the backpack on several hikes around the business park where I work, some of those walks on warm days. My back did get warm, as you’d expect, but not stifling… it still felt like it had breathability against my back.
Your mileage may vary from exactly how much weight you add to the pack, but at least the initial weight of the bag is light.
If you’re a cyclist or are rolling some luggage behind you, there are sturdy luggage straps on the backpack as well.
The straps are stitched on very well and the bag itself seems plenty durable.
Final thoughts
The Active Pro Backpack checks all my boxes for looks, comfort, and organization while also maintaining durability and a fair price. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in need of a commuter bag.
Price: $49.99 Where to buy:Belkin or Amazon. Source: The sample of this product was provided by Belkin. You can find out more and see their full line of products on their website.
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