How-To

How To Custom Design Home Electronics

These are the basic skills you need in order to build and program your own devices.

Published

3 years ago

September 28, 2021

Joanna Melki

Unsplash

Tech enthusiasts have gotten a lot more independent in recent years. It’s become easier to download software and make adjustments in order to configure our devices the way we want them. Many have learned how to build their own websites, construct mobile apps from scratch, or otherwise experiment with coding and programming languages. Even when it comes to hardware and electronics, people have gradually become comfortable with buying, customizing, and setting up products to better their environments. This is what’s ultimately leading to the rapid rise of smarthomes, as well as some other changes that amount to tech improving and automating our environments.

All of these are changes we don’t really think about. We advance with technology, and as technology gets a little bit easier in some respects, we get more comfortable with tailoring it to our needs. What takes a little bit more know-how and conscious intent, however, is designing your own electronic products. This too, however, is becoming a more common hobby among tech enthusiasts. So, while we aren’t writing up a step-by-step tutorial for any specific product here, we thought we’d cover some of the basic skills you need in order to build and program your own devices.

Learn Arduino

Arguably the most straightforward way to design your own home electronics is to learn how to use Arduino. If you’re not familiar with the term, this is essentially a kit consisting of both hardware components and accompanying software. It amounts to a sort of circuit board or miniature computer that you can configure and program as you please so as to design one function or another. One common example of an Arduino project is an LED display that will pulse to the rhythm of music.

Another is a digital clock that will tell you the temperature outside. Eventually though, people skilled in Arduino take on more complicated projects as well. The bottom line is that this is likely the simplest path toward custom home electronics for those who don’t have programming and/or electrical engineering experience.

Learn PCB Design For Manufacturing

If you want to take a slightly more advanced and robust approach to the general Arduino concept, it’s also wise to learn the fundamentals of PCB design. PCBs, or printed circuit boards, are the driving forces within our electronics that turn our own interactions into electronic responses. And today, once you learn the basics, you can dive into PCB design for manufacturing, which is a process that takes you from concept to product.

You’ll learn gradually how to select materials, configure layouts and schematics through software, and ultimately have a PCB produced to serve whatever purpose it is you have in mind. Such a device can power any number of home electronic mechanisms you may have in mind.

Learn 3D Printing

Moving away from the actual programming of electronics, it’s also handy to learn the basics of 3D printing. This essentially means learning the different specific methods, the materials involved, and the different ways to bring a product into existence. You’ll also need to find design software you’re able to use, and/or a reliable library of downloadable designs (there are many) you might want to borrow from. Once you get the hang of all this — and get your hands on a 3D printer — you’ll vastly expand your capability to design entire devices rather than just their internal electronics. Through 3D printing, you can build the products within which your Arduino or custom-manufactured PCB will operate.

Learn How To Shop For Parts

This is a little bit less of a “skill” in some respects, but it’s also a good idea to gain some experience shopping for tech products and obscure parts online. You may be surprised just how often this sort of activity comes up when you’re designing your own electronics. You may reach a point at which you need to track down a specific switch, a certain type of LED light, or any number of other things that aren’t available on mainstream retail sites or at the local electronics store.

In these cases, you can have your best luck at resale platforms, through more obscure electronics sellers, and so on. However, you also need to be sure that you’re dealing with trustworthy platforms! For these reasons, practice and research really are needed. Talk to others who dabble in similar hobbies, read about different platforms, and maybe try a few minor purchases, and in time you’ll have a stable of reliable, go-to options you can keep on standby.

With all of this knowledge and skill in hand, it really just comes down to creativity, research, and perseverance. You can access the tools and resources today to develop all sorts of home electronics, including some pretty sophisticated products. You only need to develop the skill and do the work to make it happen.

How-To

How To Watch Arabic Channels In USA, Canada & Australia

Arab families living in the United States, Canada, and Australia now have several options on how to watch their favorite Arabic TV channels.

Published

7 months ago

May 11, 2024

David Morelo

how to watch arabic channels in usa canada australia

Some options for watching Arabic channels in the United States, Canada, and Australia are suitable for cord-cutters, whose goal it is to get rid of cable and satellite TV and save as much money as possible. Other options are ideal for those who prefer a more traditional satellite TV experience. Regardless of which two groups you belong to, you’ll be able to satisfy your craving for Arabic TV with the help of this article.

Here’s a quick overview of the various options for watching Arabic channels in the USA, Canada, and Australia:

Solution:	Best For:	Hardware Required?
Direct Channel Streaming	Casual viewers	No
VPN Services	Tech-savvy users wanting access to geo-restricted content	No
MySat	Australian viewers, especially in remote areas	Yes (Dish & Receiver)
ArabCast	Viewers wanting flexible, affordable streaming	No
JadooTV	Those interested in South Asian and Arabic content	Optional (Set-Top Box)
Reelplay Arabic IPTV Box	Users wanting an easy-to-use, dedicated solution	Yes (IPTV Box)
DISH Arabic TV	Users preferring traditional satellite TV	Yes (Dish & Receiver)
Sling TV Arabic	Cord-cutters using multiple devices	No
FilmOn	Budget-conscious viewers	No

Use A VPN To Watch Geo-Restricted Arabic Channels

Many Arabic websites that offer content over the internet are geo-restricted outside the Arab world for legal reasons. This means that if you’re living in the USA, Canada, or Australia, you might encounter frustrating “this content is not available in your region” messages.

Fortunately, such geo-restrictions are easy to circumvent using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to connect to servers in different countries, making it appear as if you’re browsing from that location. By connecting to a server in an Arab country, you can unlock access to geo-restricted Arabic content.

My favorite VPN services that works great when it comes to unlocking geo-restricted Arabic channels are:

NordVPN: Known for its extensive server network (including servers in the UAE) and top-notch security features. NordVPN offers excellent performance and user-friendly apps for various devices.
ExpressVPN: Renowned for its fast speeds and ability to unblock a wide range of streaming services. ExpressVPN has servers in almost 100 countries, so it should easily unlock any Arabic content.
CyberGhost: User-friendly with specialized streaming servers. CyberGhost operates servers in Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other countries to provide ample options for accessing Arabic channels.

Recommended For: Tech-savvy users who want to access a wider range of Arabic content, including geo-restricted channels and streaming platforms.

MySat

mysat watch arabic tv channels

MySat is an affordable satellite TV service that specializes in providing Arabic channels to viewers in Australia. With a wide selection of channels covering news, sports, entertainment, and religious programming, MySat can make it easy for you to stay connected to your cultural roots.

The Arabic package includes MTV, Al Jadeed, LBCI, Rotana, ART, MBC, DMC, and more channels. The starter kit costs just under $70, and it includes the physical satellite TV box and 3 months of TV subscription. After the first 3 months, TV subscription auto-renews at the regular subscription price, which is around $35.

For those living in more remote parts of Australia where high-speed internet might be inconsistent or unavailable, MySat can be an excellent solution. With the satellite service, you can enjoy your favorite Arabic channels without worrying about internet connectivity issues or buffering problems that often plague streaming services in rural areas.

Recommended For: Individuals seeking a satellite TV solution with a good variety of Arabic channels, especially those in remote locations.

ArabCast

arabcast arabic tv channels

With an impressive lineup of over 400 live Arabic channels, ArabCast offers a comprehensive selection of programming, including news, entertainment, sports, and more. One of ArabCast’s key attractions is its user-friendly approach. You can enjoy ArabCast on any device, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, with the added convenience of casting to your TV using Google Chromecast.

ArabCast offers a pay-as-you-go system with a generous trial period, and their subscriptions are among the most affordable in the market ($4.49 for 1 month, $24.99 for 6 months, or $44.99 for 12 months). There’s no long-term commitment required, giving you the freedom to adjust your viewing options as needed.

In addition to impressive content selection, ArabCast provides 24-hour support to assist you with any issues you might encounter, and there are over 15,000 happy customers who are ready to vouch for the service.

Recommended For: Arabic-speaking viewers who want a flexible, affordable streaming service with a wide range of channels and no need for special hardware.

JadooTV

jadootv arabic tv channels

For those who are interested in a broader range of international programming, particularly South Asian and Bollywood content alongside Arabic channels, JadooTV offers a compelling solution.

The flagship product is the Jadoo7 Android 9 Entertainment Hub, a set-top box priced at €199. This device transforms your TV into a smart entertainment center, offering access to apps, video-on-demand content, and TV series.

For those who prefer to use their existing smart TVs or connected devices, JadooTV offers smart TV apps. These apps are available for a wide range of platforms, including Samsung, Sony, Android TV, LG, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku devices. The smart TV app service is priced at €6.99 per month or €69.99 for an annual plan.

Lastly, for viewers on the go, JadooTV provides mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. Priced at €5.99 per month or €59.99 per year (plus VAT), these apps offer access to live TV channels, a vast library of on-demand content, and a large selection of Bollywood movies.

Recommended For: Viewers who have a broad interest in international content, particularly those who enjoy South Asian programming and Bollywood movies alongside Arabic channels.

Reelplay Arabic IPTV Box

reelplay arabic tv

The Reelplay Arabic IPTV box is a compact device, measuring just 9cm x 9cm and 1.8cm, that provides access to a vast array of Arabic channels covering news, sports, entertainment, and more.

The box comes with impressive specifications, including a quad-core Cortex A53 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5.0GHz) and includes an Ethernet port for stable internet connectivity.

One of its standout features is the unique 7-day reeltime rewind function, which allows viewers to catch up on missed shows at their convenience. If you find the Reelplay Arabic IPTV box to be an attractive solution, then I recommend their special starter pack, which includes the box and 3 months of free Arabic service for new customers.

Recommended For: Arabic-speaking viewers who don’t have a smart TV capable of smoothly running modern streaming apps and are looking for a plug-and-play style solution that’s easy to set up and use.

DISH Arabic TV

dish arabic tv channels

DISH TV is one of the most popular providers of satellite TV in the United States, and the company has several packages with Arabic TV channels, including Arabic Elite Pack, Arabic Music Pack, Arabic IQRAA Pack, Arabic Noursat Pack, and Arabic Aghapy TV Pack. This is what’s included in each package.

We recommend Arabic Elite Pack because it includes a wide variety of TV channels, covering dramas, music, news, political updates, religious programming, and more. Arabic Elite Pack costs $34.99 a month with a two-year commitment. DISH TV users can customize their Arabic TV package with extra channels, including Willow Cricket HD, NDTV 24*7, France 24, and others.

New subscribers to DISH TV get professional installation for free, and it doesn’t matter how many TVs you want to connect to your satellite.

Recommended For: Those who are used to the satellite TV experience and are willing to pay a premium price for it.

Sling TV Arabic

sling tv arabic channels

Owned by Dish Network, Sling TV is a popular American over-the-top internet television service that you can watch using Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Amazon FireTV, Azulle, Windows, Google Chrome, AndroidTV, Chromecast, and AirTV.

With Sling TV, you can watch over 130 Arabic TV channels broadcasting from 15 Middle Eastern countries. Some of the most popular Arabic TV channels available on Sling TV include MBC, Aljazeera, ART, LBCI, Aljadeed, Rotana, CBC, DMC, and Melody. For more information on the Arabic TV channels offered by Sling TV, read this channel guide. For Lebanese abroad, you’ll even be able to watch MTV Lebanon online.

Sling TV Arabic costs either $25 a month or $150 a year. Regardless of if you choose the monthly or annual subscription, you always get a 7-day free trial that allows you to evaluate the service without forcing you to make a commitment.

Recommended For: Cord-cutters who want to watch Arabic TV on many different devices.

FilmOn

filmon arabic tv channels

FilmOn is an internet-based television provider with multiple Arabic channels, including Rotana Aflam, Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic TV, Dubai TV, AYAAT, and others. The service costs $19.95 per month or $199 per year (you get two months of free service).

FilmOn launched in 2009 in the United Kingdom and a year later in the United States. At the time of writing, it licenses several hundred channels and nearly 100,000 video-on-demand titles. Being an internet-based television provider, you can watch FilmOn on just about any device.

Recommended For: Budget-minded individuals who are looking for a cost-effective way to watch Arabic TV on the go.

Watch Arabic TV Channels Directly

al sumaria tv

Some Arabic TV channels, such as Alsumaria or Nessma stream their live TV programming on the internet, so you can simply tune in from any country and start watching.

If you’re fine with watching Arabic TV in a web browser and can live without extra features, this method of watching Arabic TV channels in the United States, Canada, and Australia is certainly worth trying, especially considering that it doesn’t cost anything at all.

Recommended For: Casual viewers who don’t often watch Arabic TV.

Also Read: PayPal In Lebanon: Everything You Need To Know

Bonus: If you’re into watching Arabic movies (especially those good old classics), then you can also check out Cinemoz, the fastest growing premium video on demand platform in the Arab World.