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Don't Have AC? Try Putting Your Socks In The Freezer


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Don't Have AC? Try Putting Your Socks in the Freezer


Don't Have AC? Try Putting Your Socks in the Freezer

The ideal temperature for sleeping is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius), give or take a few notches depending on the person. But if you don't have air conditioning, summertime heat can make your home's indoor air temperature rise far above that, even at night. So, how can you sleep comfortably without AC during the summer?

Sure, you could go out and purchase a portable AC unit. But if it's not in the budget -- or if you're merely trying to sleep through an out-of-the-ordinary heat wave -- we've got some other ideas.

CNET Sleep Tips logo

Instead of suffering through the heat, consider the 10 tips below to help you sleep cooler and more comfortably without relying on air conditioning. And while you're at it, check out these additional tips for sleeping during a heat wave, how to sleep next to a human furnace and why restful sleep is so important in the first place. Plus, the ultimate sleep hack

Freeze your sheets and pillowcases

An hour or two before you go to bed, throw your sheets and pillowcases in the freezer. They won't come out stiff as a board, don't worry. However, they'll stay icy long enough that you can easily fall asleep without feeling like you're overheating. 

Throw your socks in the freezer, too

Along the same lines as freezing your linens, you can also freeze your socks for cooling relief. Like your fingers, feet and toes are sensitive to temperature changes and play a role in regulating temperature. By keeping your feet cool, you help cool down the rest of your body. 

Use house fans to make your own AC

Fans are much more energy-efficient and wallet-friendly than an air conditioner. They use about 1% of the electricity that AC does. So, take advantage of fans and strategically place them around your room. Place one fan next to your bedside and put a bowl of ice water in front of it. The ice will create cold air that the fan will blow towards you. Next, face a window fan outwards to blow the hot air from your bedroom outside. 

Use a wet towel layer

Lay a damp towel down on your bed over your sheets to give your body some cooling relief while you fall asleep. Though, I recommend you lay a dry towel underneath the wet one to avoid soaking your mattress with water which can damage the foam in your mattress. The towel won't stay cold for the entire night, but it should stay cool enough that you can drift off to sleep. 

Don't sleep in the nude

You may see advice on the internet suggesting that you should sleep in the nude to stay cool. That might work if you sleep cool, but it won't do much for you if you get sweaty. If you're hot, it's beneficial to wear lightweight pajamas (such as cotton) that can wick the moisture away. Otherwise, your body is free to sweat all over your sheets. 

Consider cooling sheets, pillows and comforters

A pair of clean white sheets, a comfy white comforter and fluffy pillows.
Paul Strowger/Getty Images

If a mattress is out of your realm of budget, you can opt for cooling sheets or pillows for relief. Search for sheets made with breathable fabric like organic cotton, linen or bamboo. Bamboo is great at absorbing sweat and helping you stay cool, and organic cotton does a good job of wicking away moisture. 

Consider a cooling mattress

There are a lot of mattresses that retain heat, especially beds made with standard memory foam. A cooling mattress can actually make a big difference in how comfortable you sleep. It can either provide extra airflow and breathability, or it can actively provide your body with a cool-to-the-touch sensation and draw heat away from you like Brooklyn Bedding Aurora. 

Block out the sun and heat during the day

Prevent your bedroom from getting too hot during the daytime, especially in the summer, with blackout curtains. Not only do they keep your bedroom dark, but they can also reflect heat and stop it from entering your bedroom through the windows. 

Sleep on the first level of your home 

Unfortunately for people in two-story homes, hot air rises. That means the top story of your house is going to be warmer than the bottom story. So, beat the heat a little by sleeping on the bottom story of your home when you need relief from the heat.

Drink ice water before bed

Drink a significant amount of water before bed to try and counteract the night sweats. Also, avoid alcohol before bedtime as it can promote dehydration, making it more difficult for your body to regulate temperature and keep you cooler. 

For more, check out our guide to natural sleep aids, the best way to take a power nap and how to train yourself to be a back sleeper (and why you should). And if all else fails, these are our picks for best portable AC units.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Maybe in your past you weren't a hot sleeper, but now you share a bed with your partner who radiates heat like an oven and you're waking up in a sweat pile. Unfortunately for you and your co-sleeper, science says there's a relationship between temperature your body's sleep processes. Aside from being uncomfortable, poor sleep from being too hot can lead to grogginess in the morning, slower decision making and an overall worsened mood. There's a reason why experts recommend you sleep in a temperature between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit

CNET Sleep Tips logo

If your partner is a hot sleeper and they're keeping you from getting your proper rest, try the tips below to stop the night sweats and help you both sleep more cool.  

For more advice on how to sleep cool, check out the five ways to make memory foam sleep cooler or learn how you can sleep cooler without AC.

Read more: The best mattress of 2022 

Split your bedding like this to sleep cooler

Utilizing two different blankets is a great way to help each person get the coverage and feel they need while they sleep. This especially goes for couples where one sleeps hot and the other sleeps cold. Rather than a comforter, buy two twin XL blankets that fit each person's needs. The hot sleeper should consider a lightweight, breathable fabric, while the cool sleeper can use a microfiber or sherpa throw that offers a lot of warmth. 

Use cooling sheets and a cool comforter

Especially in these summer months, it's important to sleep with breathable bedding -- especially if you or your partner is a hot sleeper. Rather than satin, flannel or regular cotton sheets, try organic cotton, bamboo or linen sheets that are much more breathable and easily wick moisture away. There are also cooling comforters like the Breeze by Buffy that don't trap heat like fluffy, down comforters or thick duvets.  

Look into the Chilisleep Sleep Pad

Cool down the surface you sleep on by trying the Chili Sleeping Pad It's a cooling mesh mattress pad that comes with a remote control and a temperature regulating unit. One of the best parts is that you can buy a personal-size sleeping pad, or one made for two both you and your partner sleep hot.  

Put the hottest sleeper on this side of the bed

If you can swing it, rearrange your bed and mattress to be near your window. The hot sleeper can get rest sleeping next to the window with a constant cool breeze coming through. If it's too warm outside to get a nice draft during the night, try a window fan

Open a window at night to help you sleep cooler. Hottest sleeper by the window.

Open your window and let the hottest sleeper take the side closest to it. 

Getty Images/ ZenShui/Sigrid Olsson

Use fans to your advantage

Fans are the best friends of hot sleepers. They help keep air circulating and promote a constant breeze. You can even create a makeshift air conditioner using a fan and ice water. Place a bowl full of cold ice water in front of a fan and face it toward the hottest sleeper. This way, you'll feel cool and icy air blow toward you without having to rely on your AC.

Make sure your co-sleeper is well hydrated 

Many of our body functions are in some way related, and that goes for hydration and our circadian rhythm. Our bodies naturally begin to cool down when we recognize bedtime is near, but this process can be thrown off if the body is feeling dehydrated. By drinking water before bed, you ensure your body gets the hydration it needs to properly regulate temperature. This is particularly important if you sweat a lot during your sleep. The more water you lose, the more it needs. 

Turn on that AC 

As mentioned before, the best temperature for sleep is around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your thermostat low before you go to bed to ensure your bedroom is properly ready for sleep. If you don't have an air conditioner or are avoiding turning it on to save money, try these tips to help you sleep cooler without an AC.

Consider a different mattress

If all else fails and you have room in your budget to buy a new mattress, it may be beneficial to upgrade your sleeping setup. A larger mattress ensures you have enough space between you and your co-sleeper to feel more comfortable and less second-hand heat. You can even consider a cooling mattress that's designed to help bring relief to hot sleepers. 

Want to read more about getting better sleep? Check out our article on natural sleep aids for insomnia, how to get the most out of your nap and tips to make your firm bed softer.  

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.


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Home Equity Loan Rates For September 2022


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Home Equity Loan Rates for September 2022


Home Equity Loan Rates for September 2022

With record-breaking home appreciation seen throughout the pandemic, most homeowners have more equity in their homes now compared to two years ago. If you need access to funds for a renovation project, education expenses or even debt consolidation, tapping into your home's equity could provide you with a lower-rate financing option. A home equity loan, which lets you borrow money against the equity you've built in your home, provides you with a lump sum of cash at a fixed interest rate. 

Home equity loans may be particularly appealing in the current economic climate. Mortgage rates overall have gone up more than 2% since the beginning of the year. Even though rates recently dipped as the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate for the fourth time this year in an attempt to combat rising inflation, home equity loans still tend to offer lower interest rates than other types of loans. That's a significant benefit for anyone looking for financing at a time when it's uncertain how much rates will fluctuate moving forward. 

This type of financing may make sense if you own a home and have at least 15% to 20% of equity built up in your home. Unlike a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, you'll receive the sum of the loan upfront in one lump payment if you're approved.

A home equity loan is a lower interest rate financing option, but it's not without risk. When you secure a home equity loan, your home acts as collateral, which means you could lose your home if you're unable to repay what you borrowed. It's important to carefully consider whether a home equity loan is right for you before applying for financing.

Here's everything you should know about home equity loans, how they work, who they're best for and how they compare to other loan options.

What is a home equity loan?

A home equity loan offers you a lump sum of cash you borrow against the equity built in your house. Tapping into your home's equity means you are borrowing against the mortgage payments you've already made -- it won't replace your existing mortgage payment -- it's a new loan that you'll repay monthly, along with your existing home loan.

Most lenders require you to have 15% to 20% of equity in your home to secure a home equity loan. To figure out how much equity you have, subtract your remaining mortgage balance from the value of your home. For example, if you have a $500,000 mortgage and you owe $350,000 on it, you have $150,000 in equity. To figure out the percentage, divide this number ($150,000) by your home's value ($500,000) and you'll see you have 30% equity available in your home. Lenders will typically let you borrow around 80% to 85% of your home's equity for a home equity loan. So, in this case, you could borrow up to $120,000 to $127,500. 

A standard repayment period for a home equity loan is between five to 30 years for a home equity loan. You make fixed-rate payments that never change, which means even if interest rates go up, your loan rate is locked in. 

Current home equity loan rate trends

One of the benefits of home equity loans is that they typically have lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards. Right now, borrowers with good credit and sufficient equity can secure home equity loans with interest rates as low as 3%, according to Bankrate, which is owned by the same parent company as CNET.

One potential downside of a home equity loan is that if your property value goes down for any reason, you could end up underwater on your loan. This happens when the balance of your loan becomes higher than the value of your home. That's what happened to millions of Americans during the 2008 financial crisis. Right now, there's less risk of your home's value decreasing below your home equity loan amount, though. Home prices have appreciated as much as 20% in some metro areas across the US over the last two years, and it seems unlikely that they will go down in a significant way anytime soon.

Pros of a home equity loan 

  • Fixed-rate payments: Your monthly payment will never change even if interest rates rise.
  • One lump sum of cash: You receive the entire loan upfront in one disbursement.
  • Low interest rates: It has a lower interest rate than other types of personal loans or credit cards. 
  • Tax deductible interest: If you use it for home renovations, you can deduct the interest from your taxes. 

 Cons of a home equity loan 

  • Using your home as collateral: If you fail to make your payments or default on your loan, your lender can foreclose and take ownership of your house.
  • Can take longer to receive the funds: It can take more time to receive a home equity loan than a personal loan, for example. 
  • Closing costs are expensive: Closing costs can range anywhere from 2% to 5% of the loan. 
  • Your home's value could decrease after receiving your loan: Although home values are not expected to decrease significantly any time soon, if your home's value were to drop below your home equity loan amount, you would have what is known as negative equity. Negative equity means you owe more than your home is worth. So, if you were to sell your home, you likely would not receive enough money from a seller to pay off your loan balance.

Home equity loans vs. HELOC

Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, are similar, but have a few key distinctions. Both let you draw on your home's equity and require you to use your home as collateral to secure your loan. The two major differences between a home equity loan and a HELOC are the way you receive the money and how you pay it back. 

A home equity loan gives you the money all at once as a lump sum, whereas a HELOC lets you take money out in installments over a long period of time, typically ten years. Home equity loans have fixed-rate payments that will never go up, but most HELOCs have variable interest rates that rise and fall with the economy and overall interest-rate trends. 

A home equity loan is better if:

  • You want a fixed-rate payment: Your monthly payment will never change even if interest rates rise.
  • You want one lump sum of money: You receive the entire loan upfront with a home equity loan.
  • You know the exact amount of money you need: If you know the amount you need and don't expect it to change, a home equity loan likely makes more sense than a HELOC.

A HELOC is better if:

  • You need money over a long period of time: You can take the money as you need it and only pay interest on the amounts you withdraw, not the full loan amount, as is the case with a home equity loan.
  • You want a low introductory interest rate: Although HELOC rates may increase over time, they also typically offer lower introductory interest rates than home equity loans. So, you could save money on interest charges.

Home equity loans vs. cash-out refinances

A cash-out refinance is when you replace your existing mortgage with a new mortgage, typically to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable terms. Unlike a traditional refinance, though, you take out a new mortgage for the home's entire value -- not just the amount you owe on your mortgage. You then receive the equity you've already paid off in your home as a cash payout. 

For example, if your home is worth $450,000 and you owe $250,000 on your loan, you would refinance for the entire $450,000, rather than the amount you owe on your mortgage. Your new cash-out refinance home loan would replace your existing mortgage, and then offer you a portion of the equity you built (in this case $200,000) as a cash payout. 

Both a cash-out refi and a home equity loan will provide you with a lump sum of cash that you'll repay in fixed amounts over a specific time period, but they have some important differences. A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage payment. When you receive a lump sum of cash from a cash-out refi, it is added back onto the balance of your new mortgage, usually causing your monthly payment to increase. A home equity loan is different -- it does not replace your existing mortgage and instead adds an additional monthly payment to your expenses. 

A home equity loan is better if:

  • You do not want to pay private mortgage insurance: Some cash-out refinances require PMI, which can add hundreds of dollars to your payments, but home equity loans do not.
  • You can't complete a refinance: With rates rising, it's possible that your mortgage rate is lower than current refinance rates. If that's the case, it likely won't make financial sense for you to refinance. Instead, you can use a home equity loan to only take out the money you need, rather than replacing your entire mortgage with a higher interest rate loan.  

A cash-out refinance is better if:

  • Refinance rates are lower than your current mortgage rate: If you can secure a lower interest rate by refinancing, this could save you money in interest, while providing access to a lump sum of cash. 
  • You only want one monthly payment: The amount you borrow gets added back to the balance of your mortgage so you only make one payment to your lender every month.
  • Less stringent eligibility requirements: If you don't have great credit or you have a high debt-to-income ratio, you may have an easier time qualifying for a cash-out refi compared to a home equity loan. 
  • Lower interest rates: Cash-out refinances sometimes offer more favorable interest rates than home equity loans.

FAQs

What is a good home equity loan rate?

Right now, lenders are offering rates that start as low as around 3% for borrowers with good credit, but rates vary depending on your personal financial situation. A lender will base your interest rate on how much equity you have in your home, your credit score, income level and other aspects of your financial life such as your debt-to-income ratio, which is calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income. 

How do I qualify for a home equity loan?

You are typically required to have at least 15% to 20% equity built up in your home to qualify for a home equity loan. You must also have enough income and a low-enough debt-to-income ratio to qualify -- lenders usually want to see a DTI of 43% or below. Lenders also like to see a minimum credit score of at least 620. Generally speaking, if your credit score is below 700 there is a possibility that a lender will deny you for a home equity loan. The better your credit, the better your chances of being approved for a loan with a low interest rate. 

What can I use a home equity loan for?

Home equity loans can be used for anything you choose to spend the money on. Typical life expenses that people usually take out home equity loans to cover are expenditures like home renovations, higher education costs like tuition or to pay off high-interest debt like credit card debt. There's a bonus for home improvements: If you use a home equity loan for renovations, the interest is tax deductible.

You can also use a home equity loan in an emergency situation or for life events like weddings. But keep in mind that whatever you chose to use a loan for, taking out a large sum of money that accrues interest is an expensive choice you should always carefully consider – especially since you're using your home as collateral to secure the loan. If you can't pay it back, the lender could seize your home to repay your debt.

How do I apply for a home equity loan?

Applying for a home equity loan is similar to applying for a mortgage. You need to qualify with a lender or bank who is willing to lend you the money. First, the lender will first want to make sure you have at least 15% to 20% equity in your home. If you do, the lender will take into account your credit score (lenders usually like to see a minimum score of 620), your income and your current debt-to-income ratio to determine whether you qualify and what your interest rate will be. You should be prepared to have financial documents like pay stubs and W2s in order, as well as proof of ownership and proof of the appraised value of your home. It's important to interview multiple lenders to determine which lender can offer you the lowest rates and fees.

More mortgage tools and resources

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to help you determine how much house you can afford. The CNET mortgage calculator factors in variables such as the size of your down payment, home price and interest rate to help you understand how much of a difference even a slight increase in rates can make in the amount of interest you'll pay over the lifetime of your loan.

More mortgage rates:


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How To Set Up A VPN On Your Smart TV: 5 Easy Methods


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How to Set Up a VPN on Your Smart TV: 5 Easy Methods


How to Set Up a VPN on Your Smart TV: 5 Easy Methods

Most smart TVs aren't compatible with virtual private networks right out of the box, but pretty much any smart TV can be hooked up to a VPN. Even if your TV isn't of the smart variety, you may still be able to use a VPN on it -- as long as you have the right equipment.

One of the two big reasons why you may want to hook a VPN up to your smart TV is if you want to stream geographically restricted content. The other is if you want to keep your TV watching activities private and effectively hidden from your internet service provider.   

There are a couple of different ways you can go about setting up your VPN to work with your TV. But which route you choose to take will depend on your personal preference, technical know-how, budget and what equipment you have on hand. We'll show you some of the ways you can set a VPN up on a TV and highlight why you would want to do so.

Why use a VPN on a TV?

Today's TVs aren't just for watching local network programming or cable TV. They're also for streaming video on demand from your go-to streaming providers

The amount of streaming content available today might seem limitless already, but some content is regionally locked. If you're itching for more, or if the programming you want to watch isn't available in your country, you can use a VPN on your smart TV to spoof your location to access virtually any of the content you may want. 

If, say, you're in the UK but you want to stream programming that's only available in the US, then you can hook your VPN up to your smart TV and connect to a server in the US. Since the VPN changes your IP address to a US IP address in the process, the streaming service you're visiting will assume you're in the US and serve up American programming, even if you're across the Atlantic. Just make sure to check with your streaming service of choice to confirm that using a VPN doesn't violate its terms of service. You don't want to risk losing access to your streaming account for any reason. 

Even if unblocking geo-restricted video content on your smart TV isn't of particular interest to you, you may want to use a VPN on your TV as a way of preventing your ISP from being able to monitor your viewing habits or keep track of the internet activity being generated by your smart TV. 

When you connect to a VPN, you establish an encrypted connection between your device and the internet via a VPN server in a remote location. This means that all of the internet traffic you're transmitting through that encrypted VPN connection is hidden from any entity with an intent to monitor your activity, including your ISP. When you hook up a VPN to your TV and connect to a VPN server, your ISP won't be able to see what you're watching or otherwise decipher any of the internet activity transmitted or received by your TV.

How to set up a VPN on a smart TV

Like any software or service, your first step here is to work backward from what's available for your operating system. The most VPN-friendly smart TV OSes are Amazon Fire TV and Google's Android TV and Google TV platforms. That said, if you use Roku, Apple TV or the built-in operating systems for Samsung, Vizio, LG or any other platform, you still have options. 

Here are a few of the most practical ways you can go about hooking up a VPN to your smart TV. 

If you have Fire TV

If you have one of Amazon's new Fire TVs, you'll be able to download your VPN directly to your TV, provided your VPN offers a Fire TV app. Not all VPNs offer compatibility with Amazon Fire devices, so you'll need to pick one that does if you decide to go this route. The VPNs we recommend that are compatible with Amazon Fire devices include Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN. If you don't already subscribe to one of those VPN providers, then go ahead and sign up and download the provider's app from the Amazon Appstore. (All three offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try each one risk-free to see which one works best for you).

Once you've downloaded the app and signed into your VPN account through your Amazon Fire TV, you can connect to a VPN server. As long as you're connected to the VPN on your Fire TV, you can unblock streaming content and hide your viewing habits from your ISP.

If you have an Android/Google TV

Similarly, if your smart TV runs on Google's Android operating system, then you can set up a VPN on your TV by simply downloading your VPN's app from the Play Store directly onto your TV. And even though Google is in the midst of rebranding Android TV as it transitions to a slicker, more user-friendly platform in Google TV, you'll still be able to access Android apps in the Play Store after you've upgraded to Google TV since it still runs Android under the hood.  

What you'll need to do first is to get a VPN that works on Android, if you don't have one already. Then, navigate over to the Play Store on your Google TV, search for your VPN provider's app and download it. Once you've downloaded the VPN app to your TV, sign in and connect to a VPN server. 

If you want to unblock US-only content, then you'll need to connect to a VPN server in the US, or to a server in the UK for UK-only content, and so on. If all you want to do is protect your TV watching privacy and prevent your ISP or other entities from monitoring your viewing activity, then we'd recommend connecting to a VPN server closest to your physical location, in order to achieve optimal connection speeds through your VPN. 

The potentially more difficult (and more expensive) way

If your TV doesn't run on the Android operating system, then one of the ways you can set up a VPN on your smart TV is by running a VPN connection through a router. But proceed with caution. Not all routers support VPN connections, so if you don't already have one, you'll need to purchase a compatible router -- which can get pricey if you want a router that can handle the VPN connection and deliver a smooth streaming experience. Also, installing a VPN on your router (even if it is compatible) won't necessarily be plug-and-play, and you risk ruining your router or voiding its warranty if you botch the installation process. 

Fortunately, the best VPN providers on the market do offer step-by-step instructions for router installations for a variety of VPN-compatible router models in their help sections and have support staff on hand to help you. So you don't have to go it alone completely, but the process still isn't entirely risk-free. If you don't want to complete the install yourself, some VPNs, through a company called FlashRouters, are happy to sell you routers with VPN compatibility already preinstalled on them. This could be the way to go if you don't want to risk installing it yourself, but keep in mind that you'll be paying a premium of probably about $100 to $150 over and above retail for your preconfigured VPN router.

So, once you've got your VPN successfully installed on your router and configured it with the servers you intend to use, you can go ahead and connect to a VPN server through your router firmware's dashboard. You'll want to make sure your TV is connected to your VPN router to ensure it's using the VPN connection and you're able to unblock the content you want and keep your TV viewing activity private.

See also: The Pros and Cons of Using a VPN on a Router

The resourceful way

If you don't have a Google TV or a VPN-compatible router, and don't intend to purchase either, you can use the equipment you have on hand to share your VPN connection with your smart TV. 

You could accomplish this by running an ethernet cable from your computer to your smart TV. But on top of stringing a long wire from computer to TV, this method may require additional adapters, depending on what kinds of devices you have. Once you've got the connection between your TV and computer established, then connect to a VPN server on your computer and you're all set. The wired connection may not be the most practical solution, but it's an option. 

The simplest and most practical way to go about this would be to use your laptop or desktop as a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect your TV to your computer wirelessly. 

Note that if you're using MacOS, you'll need to manually set up the VPN on your Mac using either the L2TP or IKEv2 VPN protocol and connect your Mac to your router via an ethernet cable to share your VPN connection over Wi-Fi. Your VPN provider will have specific instructions on how to manually set up its service on your Mac.  

On Windows:

  • Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Mobile hotspot 
  • Click on Edit to set a network name and password for your hotspot
  • Select Wi-Fi under Share my internet connection over
  • Toggle the Mobile hotspot to the On position under Share my internet connection with other devices
  • Connect your smart TV to the hotspot you just created as you would any other Wi-Fi network and connect to your VPN on your PC

On Mac:

  • Connect your Mac to your Wi-Fi router using an ethernet cable (use an adapter if your Mac doesn't have an ethernet port)
  • Go to System Preferences -> Sharing 
  • Click on Internet Sharing in the left panel
  • Select your VPN connection from the Share your connection from dropdown
  • In the To computers using box, check Wi-Fi
  • Click on Wi-Fi Options in the bottom-right corner
  • Set a network name and password for your hotspot, select WPA2 Personal in the Security field and click OK
  • Click on the box next to Internet Sharing in the left panel and click Start in the dialogue box that pops up
  • Connect your TV to the Wi-Fi hotspot you just created as you would any other Wi-Fi network and connect to your VPN on your Mac

The 'I don't have a smart TV' way  

Even if you don't have a smart TV, you're in luck because you can set a VPN up on it if you're able to connect a streaming device like a Roku, Amazon Firestick or Google Chromecast to the TV. These ingenious little devices essentially turn any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV, at a much lower cost than an actual smart TV. 

Basically, you can use the methods listed above to connect a VPN to your TV -- and if you go with Chromecast with Google TV or Amazon Firestick then you can download the VPN directly via the Play Store or the Amazon Appstore, respectively. The only difference is that you'll use your streaming device's interface to connect to the VPN instead of directly via your TV interface. You'll still get all the privacy and unblocking benefits that a VPN offers if you decide to take this route, but only for content you watch through your streaming device.     

Roku stick and remote

Streaming devices like the ones offered by Roku and others can turn your ordinary TV into a smart TV.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Next steps

When you're thinking about setting up a VPN on your smart TV, there are a few things to consider. First of all, you'll want a VPN that provides fast speeds that are sufficient in supplying a smooth streaming experience free of buffering. You'll also want to make sure the VPN you select has servers located in the countries you want to unblock content from. 

If you have a Google TV and intend to download the VPN app to your TV from the Play Store, then the VPN you go with will need to be Android-compatible. And your VPN will need to be Amazon Fire TV-compatible if you want to run the VPN directly on your Amazon Fire TV. 

If you'd rather run the VPN through your router and connect your TV that way, then it's important to make sure your VPN supports router connections and has router setup guides that include your router of choice. It doesn't hurt for your VPN to have helpful, knowledgeable technical support, either, in case you need assistance with your setup. 

You'll also want your VPN to provide the privacy protections necessary to keep your viewing habits private and safe from prying eyes. 

The VPNs we recommend that fit the bill and check all those boxes include ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN. Any of those options will get the job done for your unblocking and privacy needs on your smart TV.


Source

What Is Home Equity?


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What Is Home Equity?


Most homeowners now have more equity in their homes than they did two years ago, thanks to surging home values during the pandemic. That means right now is a good time to consider tapping into your home equity if you're looking to borrow money at a lower interest rate than you might get with other types of loans such as personal loans. Home equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and the current market value of your home.

You build equity in your home by consistently making mortgage payments over the years. Equity is valuable because it allows you to borrow money against your home at lower interest rates than other types of financing. Once you have enough equity built up in your home, lenders and banks will allow you to borrow against it. Some of the most common reasons to borrow against your equity are to pay for life expenses such as home improvements, higher education costs such as tuition, or to pay off high-interest credit card debt.

Most lenders want to see that you've built up at least 15% to 20% in equity in order to let you borrow money against your house in the form of refinancing or other kinds of home equity loans. One of the simplest ways to ensure you have a good chunk of equity in your home is to make a large down payment if you are able to. 

For a typical homeowner with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, building up 15% to 20% usually takes about 5 to 10 years. Even if you paid less for your home when you bought it years ago, your equity is based on the present-day value of your house. If, for example, your home is currently worth $500,000 and you have $400,000 left to pay on your mortgage, you would have $100,000 of equity in your home.

Here's what you need to know about home equity, what it is, how to calculate it and why it's important to homeowners. 

How do you calculate home equity?

To calculate your home equity, simply subtract your remaining mortgage balance from the current market value of your home. So if you owe $400,000 on your mortgage and your house is worth $500,000, you have $100,000, or 20% equity in your home. You may need to work with an appraiser or real estate agent in order to get an accurate evaluation of your home's fair market value, especially since home values have risen by record-breaking amounts since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Ways to borrow against home equity 

There are various ways to access the equity in your home. Some of the most common equity financing options are home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (or HELOCs) and reverse mortgages. It's important, however, to keep in mind that all of these options require you to put up your home as collateral to secure the loan, so it's critical to understand that there's a risk of losing your home to foreclosure if you miss payments or default on your loan for any reason. 

Home equity loan

A home equity loan lets you borrow money against the equity you've built in your home and provides you with a lump sum of cash at a fixed interest rate. Lenders typically want to see that you have at least 15% to 20% in your home to approve you for a home equity loan. A home equity loan doesn't replace your mortgage like a refinance, rather, it's an entirely new loan that you'll repay monthly along with your existing mortgage payment. But just like a mortgage, with a home equity loan, your interest rate never changes and your monthly payments are fixed, too.

HELOCs

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a type of loan that lets you borrow against the equity you've built up in your home and functions like a credit card. It provides you with an open line of credit that you can access for a certain amount of time, typically 10 years, followed by a set repayment period, which is usually 20 years. Lenders also generally want you to have at least 15% to 20% in your home for HELOC approval. With a HELOC, you don't have to take all of your funds out at once, and you can withdraw money repeatedly from your HELOC over the 10-year period, once previously borrowed sums are paid back.

"A HELOC offers more flexibility than a home equity loan -- you can't withdraw money from a home equity loan like you can with a HELOC, and a HELOC allows you to receive replenished funds as you pay your outstanding balance," said Robert Heck, VP of Mortgage at Morty, an online mortgage marketplace.

HELOCs have variable interest rates however, so it's important to make sure you can afford higher monthly payments if your rate goes up once your introductory interest rate expires, especially in the current economic climate. 

Reverse mortgage  

You must be 62 years or older to access a reverse mortgage and have either paid off your home or have significant equity accumulated, usually at least 50%. With a reverse mortgage, you do not have to make monthly mortgage payments and the bank or lender actually makes payments to you. You must still pay your property taxes and homeowners insurance and continue to live in the house, however. A reverse mortgage allows you to access the equity in your home and not pay back the funds for an extended period of time while using them for other expenses during retirement. It's important to keep in mind that you are building a mortgage balance back up as you borrow against your equity, and your estate will eventually have to pay off your loan. A common way to repay this loan is to sell your house. 

The bottom line

Unlocking the equity in your home can be a valuable way to access financing to cover other life expenses. It's important to understand the differences between the kinds of equity loans available to secure the best one for your particular financial situation. When comparing ways to access equity, always take into account the interest rate, additional lender costs and fees, and the size of the loan and how it will be disbursed to you, as well as the amount of time you have to pay it back, before you enter into an agreement to borrow against the equity in your home. 


Source

VA Refinance Rates For August 2022


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VA Refinance Rates for August 2022


VA Refinance Rates for August 2022

If you or your spouse are a veteran, you may be able to lock in a lower mortgage rate by refinancing with a VA refinance loan. Refinancing your mortgage through a VA refinance loan could reduce your interest rate, make monthly payments more affordable or shorten your loan term so you can pay off your mortgage faster. 

Just like VA loans, VA refinance loans are backed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which makes them especially secure loans in the eyes of private lenders that issue them. If you are eligible for a VA refinance, you can take advantage of lower interest rates — especially if you're refinancing from a conventional loan. Conventional loans and refinances tend to have higher interest rates and more fees than VA options, which is why VA refinancing can be particularly appealing. 

Here's everything you need to know about VA refinance loans, who is eligible and what current rates are.

Current VA refinance rate trends

Right now, VA refinance interest rates are hovering between 4.5%-5%, compared to the 30-year fixed-rate for conventional refinances which has dropped into the low-to-mid 5% range. Until the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate for the fourth time at the end of July, mortgage rates overall had been rising since the beginning of the year, but reversed course and dropped in response to the Fed's action.  

Some volatility in mortgage rates is anticipated as concerns grow over the potential slowing of the economy, but regardless of the economic climate, securing yourself the lowest refinance rate possible will help you save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your loan.

What are VA refinance loans and who should consider one?

To qualify for any type of VA loan, refinance loans included, you must be either an active or retired member of the military, or the spouse of one.

Refinancing (whether through a VA or conventional refinance) allows you to replace your existing home loan with one that typically has a lower interest rate and a new loan term that will offer valuable savings over the long run.

There are many different reasons to consider refinancing. If you want to shorten your loan term and pay off your mortgage faster, you can refinance from a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage. Doing this will decrease the amount of interest you pay over the lifetime of the loan, but it will increase your monthly mortgage payment.

If your current mortgage rate is high, you also might be able to lock in a lower rate, which could decrease your monthly payment. Doing this could free up cash flow available for other expenses like car payments, high-interest debt, home improvements or education expenses. 

Pros of a VA refi

  • Lower interest rate: You will pay a much lower interest rate compared to a traditional 30-year or 15-year refi, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your new home loan. 
  • No down payment required: There is no down payment needed to complete a VA refinance.
  • No private mortgage insurance requirement: If you refinance a conventional loan with less than 20% equity in your home, you typically need to purchase private mortgage insurance, but no mortgage insurance is necessary for VA refinancing.
  • Less stringent credit requirements: Like regular VA loans, VA refinance loans tend to allow for lower credit scores and incomes than conventional refis. 

Cons of a VA refi loan

  • VA funding fee: Although it's a one-time expense, this upfront fee can add thousands onto the total cost of your refinance. However, it can be rolled into the refinance amount rather than paid upfront. 
  • Occupancy restrictions: You must live in (or at some point have lived in) the house you are refinancing.
  • Service requirements: You must be an active or retired military member, or the spouse of one. 
  • Fewer options: If your current home loan is not already a VA loan, you can refinance, but only as a cash-out refinance (which we'll explain down below).

Current mortgage and refinance rates

We use information collected by Bankrate, which is owned by the same parent company as CNET, to track daily mortgage rate trends. The above table summarizes the average rates offered by lenders across the country.

FAQs

What types of VA refinance loans are available?

There are two main types of VA refinance loans available. If you already have a VA mortgage, you can refinance with an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), or what is commonly known as a "streamline" refinance, which can give you a lower interest rate on your new mortgage. However, if you have a conventional mortgage or other type of home loan you cannot refinance with a VA IRRRL. Just as with all refinances, this type of refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new one. To qualify for a VA IRRRL refinance, you must be able to prove that you currently live or have at one point lived in that home.

If you want to refinance a different type of mortgage into a VA refinance, your only option is to refinance with a cash-out refinance loan, which is a bit more involved. A cash-out refi allows you to take a lump sum of cash from the equity you've built up in your home and it works a little differently than a standard rate and term refinance (which is essentially what the VA's IRRRL option is).

When you complete a cash-out refi, you're still replacing your old mortgage with a new one, but you end up with a bigger loan than you had before. That's because you receive the equity you've built in your home back as cash -- and this amount is added on to the loan. As a result, cash-out refis may come with higher fees and rates. You'll also pay more interest over the long run, but the trade-off is the immediate access to cash you can use to pay off other debt or life expenses. 

To complete a VA cash-out refi, you must currently live in the home, qualify for a VA-backed home loan Certificate of Eligibility, and meet both the VA's and your lender's requirements for income, credit score and other requirements.

Do VA mortgage refinances have fees?

VA mortgage refinances do have an upfront funding fee, but it's minimal compared to the fees you typically pay for a conventional refi. You can also roll this fee into the refinance loan amount and pay it off over time. For an IRRRL, you are required to pay a fee equivalent to 0.5% of your loan. For a cash-out refinance, you must pay a fee worth 2.3% of your loan's value for first-use and a 3.6% fee after first use. 

You will still have to pay lender-specific fees such as closing costs, which can add up to thousands of dollars that you will pay no matter what type of mortgage you are refinancing. 

What's the difference between a VA refinance loan and a conventional one?

The biggest differences between a VA refinance and a conventional refinance are the criteria, the interest rate you will pay, the fees you will be required to pay and the credit and income requirements lenders will expect to see from you as a borrower. VA refinance loans are only available to current or former military members and their spouses, and they have lower interest rates, fees and income requirements.

More mortgage tools and resources 

You can use CNET's mortgage calculator to help you determine how much house you can afford. The CNET mortgage calculator factors in variables like the size of your down payment, home price and interest rate to help you figure out how large of mortgage you may be able to afford. Using the CNET mortgage calculator can also help you understand how much of a difference even a slight increase in rates makes in how much interest you'll pay over the lifetime of your loan.


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DJI FPV Drone Hands-on: A High-speed Immersive Flying Experience With 4K Video For $1,299


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DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299


DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299

The DJI FPV drone is made for everyone but is not for everyone. It's built for speed and agility, but its features and capabilities cater to both beginner pilots and those who can keep a drone in the air without the assistance of sensors and GPS. The FPV drone is also much more about experiencing flight than it is about what the camera can do. 

In the box for $1,299 (£1,249, AU$2,099) you'll get the FPV drone, DJI's FPV Goggles V2, a new gaming-style controller and a single battery. That means out of the box you have everything you need for FPV flying and, with the exception of a firmware update, it's also ready to fly. That's unusual for the category, which is still mainly a DIY situation. Even the prebuilt drones this size usually require some setup. 

dji-fpv-09

The FPV has obstacle detection to help beginners.

Drew Evans/CNET

No fear of flying (well, almost)

If you've never flown using an FPV headset, it can be simultaneously thrilling and terrifying, with a little bit of nausea thrown in for good measure (at least for me). It really does feel like you're in the pilot's seat of an aircraft as you soar through the air or zip above the ground at speeds up to 87 mph (140 kph). It also means one small control slip-up could take you out of the sky and empty your wallet. 

If you've ever built your own racing drone, you're likely good to repair damage from crashes. Trying to lower that bar, DJI made some of the FPV's parts easily replaceable, specifically the landing gear, the plastic top shell (an extra is included), the gimbal and the propellers. It's sturdier than DJI's other drones, too, which helps if you get a little too close to a tree, building or other obstacles. 

The large battery is integrated into the frame and securely clips in. DJI says it will last up to 20 minutes, but that's going to depend on how aggressively you're flying. Still, I didn't have any problems getting past the 10-minute mark in Sport mode, which is about the best you can do. It's typical for an FPV drone to only last five to 10 minutes in the air. 

dji-fpv-06

Most of the main body is a battery.

Drew Evans/CNET

Choose your own adventure

The FPV has three flight modes -- Normal, Sport and Manual -- with varying degrees of automated assistance. Normal mode is the closest to flying something like DJI's Air 2 or Mini 2 camera drones. Cameras on the bottom can keep the drone hovering in place without your help, while more on the front will slow you down as you approach obstacles. The top speed is 30 mph. 

Switching to Sport mode lets you fly at up to 60 mph, but the front obstacle detection is shut off. In Manual mode, you're pretty much on your own, although by default it starts with an attitude limit that can be turned off. There is no obstacle detection and no help hovering in place. You can even open up the back of the controller and adjust the stick tension so they don't spring back to the center. 

No matter what mode you're in though, you get an emergency brake on the controller and the same button will trigger the drone to return to the home point. Plus, there's a Find My Drone feature that you can use if you crash and can't see exactly where it went down. 

Analog performance with digital clarity  

dji-fpv-02

The Goggles are lightweight and comfortable. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Most FPV drones aimed at consumers typically rely on using an app and your phone in a VR-type headset. That's fine for casual flying, but the latency of the video feed from the drone's camera to the phone won't be much good at speeds up to nearly 90 mph. On the other hand, FPV racing drones generally use low-resolution analog cameras to send a low-latency feed to a headset while a second camera records the action. The image quality isn't great but when milliseconds count, you want as little delay in the video as possible. 

The FPV drone paired with the FPV Goggles V2 solves these problems by using DJI's transmission technologies to give you low-latency video with great visual clarity. When DJI launched the Goggles I said it's like the difference between a VHS tape that's been played a few too many times and a remastered DVD. 

It's the clear, cinematic live view at 810-pixel resolution that drives the immersive experience from the FPV. Plus, since all of the pieces are paired and ready out of the box, it's a hassle-free experience. Turn on the drone, the headset and the controller and you're ready for take-off. 

A controller fit for FPV gaming

dji-fpv-03

The controller ties it all together. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Many transmitters used for FPV drone racing are large, clunky and loaded with switches. DJI's controller has more in common with your favorite gaming console controller. Flying by FPV feels a lot like you're playing a racing game with a view from behind the wheel, so it's fitting that the controller feels like one made for gaming. 

On top, you just have the two sticks, the power button and a programmable shortcut button. The sticks unscrew and can be stored in the controller's grips and the antenna flips down so it's easier to slip into a bag. The back of the controller is loaded with buttons to control the camera and performance. For example, there's a switch for jumping between flight modes as well as a switch and a dial for moving the camera up and down on its gimbal. 

DJI also made a single-handed pistol-grip motion controller. There are buttons for camera controls, the emergency brake and take-offs and landings. Flying, however, is done by pulling back on a trigger and tilting your hand to the sides or up and down. It's available for $200. 

More a drone with a camera than a camera drone

dji-fpv-05

The FPV's camera records 4K video and transmits a view to the headset.

Drew Evans/CNET

The FPV's camera can record video: up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and 128 Mbps, or 1080p at up to 120 fps. It's on a single-axis gimbal for image stabilization, as opposed to the three-axis gimbals found on most of DJI's drones. The gimbal helps when rotating vertically, but most of the shake and vibration is controlled with DJI's RockSteady electronic stabilization. The results are overall good, especially given how quickly the drone moves, but it's not without some motion artifacts. If you're expecting the silky smooth -- and level -- video of a three-axis gimbal, you're better off with a Mavic 2 Pro

Also, recording video is pretty much the end of the road for camera features. There are no drone modes or any other automated camera moves. There's no subject tracking or panorama photos. You can correct distortion to remove the fish-eye look from your recordings and video can be stored in H.265 or H.264. That's it, though, and all of the settings are navigated with a mini-joystick and buttons on the headset. Also, there's a microSD card slot on the headset so you can record the FPV video, but it won't have the RockSteady stabilization. 

dji-fpv-06

A big battery for big power. 

Drew Evans/CNET

The DJI FPV is fun to use. For beginners, there's just enough flight assistance to take some of the intimidation out of flying. Experienced pilots will appreciate the additional camera control and how agile and fast the drone is and the great-looking video in the headset. And it's also a good, albeit expensive, way to grow as an FPV pilot without needing to cobble together your own drone, headset and transmitter combo. 


Source

DJI FPV Drone Hands-on: A High-speed Immersive Flying Experience With 4K Video For $1,299


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DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299


DJI FPV drone hands-on: A high-speed immersive flying experience with 4K video for $1,299

The DJI FPV drone is made for everyone but is not for everyone. It's built for speed and agility, but its features and capabilities cater to both beginner pilots and those who can keep a drone in the air without the assistance of sensors and GPS. The FPV drone is also much more about experiencing flight than it is about what the camera can do. 

In the box for $1,299 (£1,249, AU$2,099) you'll get the FPV drone, DJI's FPV Goggles V2, a new gaming-style controller and a single battery. That means out of the box you have everything you need for FPV flying and, with the exception of a firmware update, it's also ready to fly. That's unusual for the category, which is still mainly a DIY situation. Even the prebuilt drones this size usually require some setup. 

dji-fpv-09

The FPV has obstacle detection to help beginners.

Drew Evans/CNET

No fear of flying (well, almost)

If you've never flown using an FPV headset, it can be simultaneously thrilling and terrifying, with a little bit of nausea thrown in for good measure (at least for me). It really does feel like you're in the pilot's seat of an aircraft as you soar through the air or zip above the ground at speeds up to 87 mph (140 kph). It also means one small control slip-up could take you out of the sky and empty your wallet. 

If you've ever built your own racing drone, you're likely good to repair damage from crashes. Trying to lower that bar, DJI made some of the FPV's parts easily replaceable, specifically the landing gear, the plastic top shell (an extra is included), the gimbal and the propellers. It's sturdier than DJI's other drones, too, which helps if you get a little too close to a tree, building or other obstacles. 

The large battery is integrated into the frame and securely clips in. DJI says it will last up to 20 minutes, but that's going to depend on how aggressively you're flying. Still, I didn't have any problems getting past the 10-minute mark in Sport mode, which is about the best you can do. It's typical for an FPV drone to only last five to 10 minutes in the air. 

dji-fpv-06

Most of the main body is a battery.

Drew Evans/CNET

Choose your own adventure

The FPV has three flight modes -- Normal, Sport and Manual -- with varying degrees of automated assistance. Normal mode is the closest to flying something like DJI's Air 2 or Mini 2 camera drones. Cameras on the bottom can keep the drone hovering in place without your help, while more on the front will slow you down as you approach obstacles. The top speed is 30 mph. 

Switching to Sport mode lets you fly at up to 60 mph, but the front obstacle detection is shut off. In Manual mode, you're pretty much on your own, although by default it starts with an attitude limit that can be turned off. There is no obstacle detection and no help hovering in place. You can even open up the back of the controller and adjust the stick tension so they don't spring back to the center. 

No matter what mode you're in though, you get an emergency brake on the controller and the same button will trigger the drone to return to the home point. Plus, there's a Find My Drone feature that you can use if you crash and can't see exactly where it went down. 

Analog performance with digital clarity  

dji-fpv-02

The Goggles are lightweight and comfortable. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Most FPV drones aimed at consumers typically rely on using an app and your phone in a VR-type headset. That's fine for casual flying, but the latency of the video feed from the drone's camera to the phone won't be much good at speeds up to nearly 90 mph. On the other hand, FPV racing drones generally use low-resolution analog cameras to send a low-latency feed to a headset while a second camera records the action. The image quality isn't great but when milliseconds count, you want as little delay in the video as possible. 

The FPV drone paired with the FPV Goggles V2 solves these problems by using DJI's transmission technologies to give you low-latency video with great visual clarity. When DJI launched the Goggles I said it's like the difference between a VHS tape that's been played a few too many times and a remastered DVD. 

It's the clear, cinematic live view at 810-pixel resolution that drives the immersive experience from the FPV. Plus, since all of the pieces are paired and ready out of the box, it's a hassle-free experience. Turn on the drone, the headset and the controller and you're ready for take-off. 

A controller fit for FPV gaming

dji-fpv-03

The controller ties it all together. 

Drew Evans/CNET

Many transmitters used for FPV drone racing are large, clunky and loaded with switches. DJI's controller has more in common with your favorite gaming console controller. Flying by FPV feels a lot like you're playing a racing game with a view from behind the wheel, so it's fitting that the controller feels like one made for gaming. 

On top, you just have the two sticks, the power button and a programmable shortcut button. The sticks unscrew and can be stored in the controller's grips and the antenna flips down so it's easier to slip into a bag. The back of the controller is loaded with buttons to control the camera and performance. For example, there's a switch for jumping between flight modes as well as a switch and a dial for moving the camera up and down on its gimbal. 

DJI also made a single-handed pistol-grip motion controller. There are buttons for camera controls, the emergency brake and take-offs and landings. Flying, however, is done by pulling back on a trigger and tilting your hand to the sides or up and down. It's available for $200. 

More a drone with a camera than a camera drone

dji-fpv-05

The FPV's camera records 4K video and transmits a view to the headset.

Drew Evans/CNET

The FPV's camera can record video: up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and 128 Mbps, or 1080p at up to 120 fps. It's on a single-axis gimbal for image stabilization, as opposed to the three-axis gimbals found on most of DJI's drones. The gimbal helps when rotating vertically, but most of the shake and vibration is controlled with DJI's RockSteady electronic stabilization. The results are overall good, especially given how quickly the drone moves, but it's not without some motion artifacts. If you're expecting the silky smooth -- and level -- video of a three-axis gimbal, you're better off with a Mavic 2 Pro

Also, recording video is pretty much the end of the road for camera features. There are no drone modes or any other automated camera moves. There's no subject tracking or panorama photos. You can correct distortion to remove the fish-eye look from your recordings and video can be stored in H.265 or H.264. That's it, though, and all of the settings are navigated with a mini-joystick and buttons on the headset. Also, there's a microSD card slot on the headset so you can record the FPV video, but it won't have the RockSteady stabilization. 

dji-fpv-06

A big battery for big power. 

Drew Evans/CNET

The DJI FPV is fun to use. For beginners, there's just enough flight assistance to take some of the intimidation out of flying. Experienced pilots will appreciate the additional camera control and how agile and fast the drone is and the great-looking video in the headset. And it's also a good, albeit expensive, way to grow as an FPV pilot without needing to cobble together your own drone, headset and transmitter combo. 


Source

What Is Net Metering And How Does It Work?


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What Is Net Metering and How Does It Work?


What Is Net Metering and How Does It Work?

If you're interested in setting up solar panels at your home, you've likely run into a number of new concepts when it comes to how utilities handle the electricity you'll generate. Perhaps you've run into the term "net metering" otherwise known as "net energy metering" or NEM, a concept unique to commercial and residential areas that generate their own electricity. 

With solar panels, you can generate enough energy to provide electricity to your home and, sometimes, more than you can use or store. When that happens, you can sell that excess electricity to the utility company to distribute elsewhere along the power grid. That process is known as net metering.

How does net metering work?

In states that offer net metering (check here to see if your state qualifies), you can sell your excess solar energy back to your utility company in exchange for credits that offset the cost of your energy usage. You may generate excess solar power when it is clear and sunny out, but see less energy than is necessary to power your home when it is cloudy or rainy. By selling your excess energy back to the utility grid, you'll be able to use the credit to cover the cost for any electricity you need to use. You end up paying only for the "net" energy, or the difference between how much you sold and actually used.

The types of net metering

There are three different models of net metering, and which one is available to you may depend on your state and your utility provider.

Net metering

Net metering is the most common arrangement, and works by selling any surplus power generated by your solar panels to the utility operator in exchange for credits, which offset any electricity you may need to use from the grid. The credit is applied at the retail rate, which means the rate that you pay for electricity. Only one meter is required to track this, though your meter may need to be upgraded when you go solar.

Buy all/sell all

The buy all/sell all model works by selling 100% of the energy that your solar panels generate to the utility company. It is sold at wholesale price, which is cheaper for the purchases. In exchange, you get 100% of your home's energy from the utility company, which you pay the retail rate to use. This requires two separate meters, and you will pay the difference -- if any -- between the amount generated and the amount consumed. It's important to note that under this model, you do not directly consume any of the energy your solar panels generate.

Net billing

Much like net metering, the net billing model allows you to use the electricity generated by your solar panels and sell the excess to the utility company at retail price. Unlike the net metering model, though, you cannot bank credits for future billing cycles. This arrangement is more common for commercial situations than residential ones. 


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What to consider when it comes to net metering types

In some cases you won't have a choice when it comes to the type of net energy metering arrangement, as utility companies may only offer one option. However, if you can choose, you'll want to keep in mind a couple things.

Net metering is the most common option for a reason: it's the simplest to understand. You get credits for energy sold and those credits are at retail price, meaning they are paid at the same rate that you pay for your electricity. That makes the math simple.

However, that doesn't mean it's the best deal available to you. If you're in a situation where you expect to generate a lot of electricity -- a region where it is sunny most of the time and there isn't much rain or cloud cover to interfere with your panels -- a buy all/sell all option may work better. While you'll be selling at a wholesale rate, meaning it is a lower rate for you since you are acting as a provider, you'll also be selling much more than you otherwise would. All of your solar power generation will be monetized, as opposed to just the excess.

You should also keep in mind other fees associated with net metering. For instance, you may have to pay a connection fee. This is a monthly expense that you pay for connecting to the utility company's grid. It typically isn't much, between $10-20 per month, but it is an expense to keep in mind.

No matter what arrangement ends up working best for you, net energy metering a great way to get the most out of your solar panels. Not only does it allow you to power your own house or pay for your full electricity use, but it also allows you to monetize your energy generation and let others make use of it.


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