Build A One Transistor FM Radio

Introduction
AM radio circuits and kits abound. Some work quite well. But, look around and you will find virtually no FM radio kits.

Make Your Own Low-Power AM Radio Transmitter

Objective
The goal of this project is to build a simple AM radio transmitter and to test its broadcast range with a radio receiver.
Introduction
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is pretty much all around us. For example, light is electromagnetic radiation and so are x-rays.

Tips to Extend Your Lithium Battery Life

Lithium batteries seem to be everywhere these days. We can find them in our cellphones, laptops, portable media players and etc. We all want to make our batteries last as long as possible, but some well intentioned advice from friends, could be harming your Lithium battery’s life span.
1. Battery Memory - When I first got my new cellphone, my friend recommended to fully drain the battery before recharging it. His reasoning was connected to the idea of battery memory.

Phone Broadcaster

Phone Broadcaster

 Click here for the circuit diagram

Here is a simple yet very useful circuit which can be used to eavesdrop on a telephone conversation. The circuit can also be used as a wireless telephone amplifier. One important feature of this circuit is that the circuit derives its power directly from the active telephone lines, and thus avoids use of any external battery or other power supplies.

Telephone Number Display

Telephone Number Display

 Click here for the circuit diagram
The given circuit, when connected in parallel to a telephone, dis- plays the number dialled from the telephone set using the DTMF mode. This circuit can also show the number dialled from the phone of the called party. This is particularly helpful for receiving any number over the phone lines. The DTMF signal—generated by the phone on dialling a number—is decoded by DTMF decoder CM8870P1 (IC1), which converts the received DTMF signal into its equivalent BCD number that corresponds to the dialled number. This binary number is stored sequentially in 10 latches each time a number is dialled from the phone. The first number is stored in IC5A (1/2 of CD4508) while the second number is stored in IC5B and so on. The binary output from IC1 for digit ‘0’ as decoded by IC1 is 10102 (=1010), and this cannot be displayed by the seven-segment decoder, IC10. Therefore the binary output of IC1 is passed through a logic-circuit which converts an input of ‘10102’ into ‘00002’ without affecting the inputs ‘1’ through ‘9’. This is accomplished by gates N13 through N15 (IC11) and N1 (IC12). The storing of numbers in respective latches is done by IC2 (4017). The data valid output from pin 15 of IC1 is used to clock IC2. The ten outputs of IC2 are sequentially connected to the store and clear inputs of all the latches, except the last one, where the clear input is tied to ground. When an output pin of IC2 is high, the corresponding latch is cleared of previous data and kept ready for storing new data. Then, on clocking IC2, the same pin becomes low and the data present at the inputs of that latch at that instant gets stored and the next latch is cleared and kept ready. The similar input and output pins of all latches are connected together to form two separate input and output buses. There is only one 7-segment decoder/driver IC10 for all the ten displays. This not only reduces size and cost but reduces power requirement too. The output from a latch is available only when its disable pins (3 and 15) are brought low. This is done by IC3, IC12 and IC13. IC3 is clocked by an astable multivibrator IC4 (555). IC3 also drives the displays by switching corresponding transistors. When a latch is enabled, its corresponding display is turned on and the content of that latch, after decoding by IC10, gets displayed in the corresponding display. For instance, contents of IC5A are displayed on display ‘DIS1,’ that of IC5B on ‘DIS2’ and so on. The system should be connected to the telephone lines via a DPDT switch (not shown) for manual switching, otherwise any circuit capable of sensing handset’s off-hook condition and thereby switching relays, etc. can be used for automatic switching. The power-supply switch can also be replaced then. Though this circuit is capable of showing a maximum of ten digits, one can reduce the display digits as required. For doing this, connect the reset pin of IC2, say, for a 7-digit display, with S6 output at pin 5. The present circuit can be built on a veroboard and housed in a suitable box. The displays are common-cathode type. To make the system compact, small, 7-segment displays can be used but with some extra cost. Also, different colour displays can be used for the first three or four digits to separate the exchange code/STD code, etc. The circuit can be suitably adopted for calling-line display

Having secrecy in parallel telephones

Having secrecy in parallel telephones 

 Click here for the circuit diagram
Often a need arises for connection of two telephone instruments in parallel to one line. But it creates quite a few problems in their proper performance, such as overloading and overhearing of the conversation by an undesired person.

Two line intercom plus a telephone changeover switch

Two line intercom plus a telephone changeover switch 

Click here for the circuit diagram
The circuit presented here can be used for connecting two telephones in parallel and also as a 2-line intercom.Usually a single telephone is connected to a telephone line. If another telephone is required at some distance, a parallel line is taken for connecting the other telephone.

Telephone Ringer using 556 dual timers

Telephone Ringer using 556 dual timers

 Click here for the circuit diagram
Using modulated rectangular waves of different time periods, The circuit presented here produces ringing tones similar to those produced by a telephone.The circuit requires four astable multivibrators for its working. Therefore two 556 ICs are used here. The IC 556 contains two timers (similar to 555 ICs) in a single package. One can also assemble this circuit using four separate 555 ICs. The first multivibrator produces a rectangular waveform with 1-second ‘low’ duration and 2-second ‘high’ duration. This waveform is used to control the next multivibrator that produces another rectangular waveform.A resistor R7 is used at the collector of transistor T2 to prevent capacitor C3 from fully discharging when transistor T2 is conducting. Preset VR1 must be set at such a value that the two ringing tones are heard in one second. The remaining two multivibrators are used to produce ringing tones corresponding to the ringing pulses produced by the preceding multivibrator stages.When switch S1 is closed, transistor T1 cuts off and thus the first multivibrator starts generating pulses. If this switch is placed in the power supply path, one has to wait for a longer time for the ringing to start after the switch is closed. The circuit used also has a provision for applying a drive voltage to the circuit to start the ringing.Note that the circuit is not meant for connecting to the telephone lines. Using appropriate drive circuitry at the input (across switch S1) one can use this circuit with intercoms, etc. Since ringing pulses are generated within the circuit, only a constant voltage is to be sent to the called party for ringing.

Control electrical appliances using PC

Control electrical appliances using PC 

 Click here for the circuit diagram
Here is a circuit for using the printer port of a PC, for control application using software and some interface hardware. The interface circuit along with the given software can be used with the printer port of any PC for controlling up to eight equipment .

Simple Analog to Digital Converter

Simple Analog to Digital Converter

  Click here for the circuit diagram
Normally analogue-to-digital con-verter (ADC) needs interfacing through a microprocessor to convert analogue data into digital format. This requires hardware and necessary software, resulting in increased complexity and hence the total cost.

Coilless FM transmitter

Coilless FM transmitter ! 

  Click here for the circuit diagram
The RF oscillator using the inverter N2 and 10.7Mhz ceramic filter is driving the parallel combination of N4 to N6 through N3.Since these inverters are in parallel the output impedance will be low so that it can directly drive an aerial of 1/4th wavelength.

FM transmitter

FM transmitter Click here for the circuit diagram
Colpitts oscillator. Its frequency depends on the capacitance of the vary cap diode. The center frequency is changed by varying the biasing voltage of the vary cap through the 47K pot. You can use a 75cm telescopic antenna or simply a length of hook-up wire. Mine worked fine with a 6cm hook-up wire and gave a range of 100m with a good FM receiver. The approx. cost of the circuit is around Rs.35
Coil Details (Print on the PCB itself)
The coil shown below can be constructed on the PCB itself as PCB track. Just transfer the dimensions on a copper board and etch it. If the 1mm spacing is difficult use a sharp blade to remove unwanted copper. You can also use a copper wire and construct a square spiral of the dimensions shown below. Please note that a small deviation from the given dimensions is permissible. Note: You can even try a coil made of 18SWG copper wire of 5 turns and 5mm dia with air core. The center tap can then be taken at the 2nd or 3rd turn.( I have'nt tried it tell me if it works well)

Powerful AM transmitter

Powerful AM transmitter Click here for the circuit diagram
The circuit for a powerful AM transmitter using ceramic resonator/filter of 3.587 MHz is presented here. Resonators/filters of other frequencies such as 5.5 MHz, 7 MHz and 10.7 MHz may also be used. Use of different frequency filters/resonators will involve corresponding variation in the value of inductor used in the tank circuit of oscillator connected at the collector of transistor T1.The AF input for modulation is inserted in series with emitter of transistor T1 (and resistor R4) using a transistor radio type audio driver transformer as shown in the circuit. Modulated RF output is developed across the tank circuit which can be tuned to resonance frequency of the filter/resonator with the help of gang condenser C7. The next two stages formed using low-noise RF transistors BF495 are, in fact, connected in parallel for amplification of modulated signal coupled from collector of transistor T1 to bases of transistors T2 and T3. The combined output from collectors of T2 and T3 is fed to antenna via 100pF capacitor C4.The circuit can be easily assembled on a general-purpose PCB. The range of the transmitter is expected to be one to two kilometers. The circuit requires regulated 9-volt power supply for its operation. Note: Dotted lined indicates additional connection if a 3-pin filter is used in place.

40 meter Direct Conversion Receiver

40 meter Direct Conversion Receiver Click here for the circuit diagram
Using the circuit of 40-metre band direct-conversion receiver descr- ibed here, one can listen to amateur radio QSO signals in CW as well as in SSB mode in the 40-metre band. The circuit makes use of three n-channel FETs (BFW10). The first FET (T1) performs the function of ant./RF amplifier-cum-product detector, while the second and third FETs (T2 and T3) together form a VFO (variable frequency oscillator) whose output is injected into the gate of first FET (T1) through 10pF capacitor C16. The VFO is tuned to a frequency which differs from the incoming CW signal frequency by about 1 kHz to produce a beat frequency in the audio range at the output of transformer X1, which is an audio driver transformer of the type used in transistor radios. The audio output from transformer X1 is connected to the input of audio amplifier built around IC1 (TBA820M) via volume control VR1. An audio output from the AF amplifier is connected to an 8-ohm, 1-watt speaker. The receiver can be powered by a 12-volt power-supply, capable of sourcing around 250mA current. Audio-output stage can be substituted with a readymade L-plate audio output circuit used in transistor amplifiers, if desired. The necessary data regarding the coils used in the circuit is given in the circuit diagram itself.

Long range f.m transmitter

Long range FM transmitter Click here for the circuit diagram
The power output of most of these circuits are very low because no power amplifier stages were incorporated. The transmitter circuit described here has an extra RF power amplifier stage, after the oscillator stage, to raise the power output to 200-250 milliwatts. With a good matching 50-ohm ground plane antenna or multi-element Yagi antenna, this transmitter can provide reasonably good signal strength up to a distance of about 2 kilometres.The circuit built around transistor T1 (BF494) is a basic low-power variable-frequency VHF oscillator. A varicap diode circuit is included to change the frequency of the transmitter and to provide frequency modulation by audio signals. The output of the oscillator is about 50 milliwatts. Transistor T2 (2N3866) forms a VHF-class A power amplifier. It boosts the oscillator signals’ power four to five times. Thus, 200-250 milliwatts of power is generated at the collector of transistor T2.For better results, assemble the circuit on a good-quality glass epoxy board and house the transmitter inside an aluminium case. Shield the oscillator stage using an aluminium sheet.Coil winding details are given below:L1 - 4 turns of 20 SWG wire close wound over 8mm diameter plastic former.L2 - 2 turns of 24 SWG wire near top end of L1.(Note: No core (i.e. air core) is used for the above coils)L3 - 7 turns of 24 SWG wire close wound with 4mm diameter air core.L4 - 7 turns of 24 SWG wire-wound on a ferrite bead (as choke)Potentiometer VR1 is used to vary the fundamental frequency whereas potentiometer VR2 is used as power control. For hum-free operation, operate the transmitter on a 12V rechargeable battery pack of 10 x 1.2-volt Ni-Cd cells. Transistor T2 must be mounted on a heat sink. Do not switch on the transmitter without a matching antenna. Adjust both trimmers (VC1 and VC2) for maximum transmission power. Adjust potentiometer VR1 to set the fundamental frequency near 100 MHz.This transmitter should only be used for educational purposes. Regular transmission using such a transmitter without a licence is illegal in India
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Sound Pressure Level Meter

Sound Pressure Level Meter
Suitable for home-cinema setup
9 Volt operated portable unit
Circuit diagram:
Parts:R1______________10K 1/4W Resistor
R2,R3___________22K 1/4W Resistors
R4_____________100K 1/4W Resistor
R5_____________100R 1/4W Resistor
C1_______________1µF 63V Polyester or Electrolytic Capacitor
C2_____________100µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
C3_____________220µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
D1-D4_________BAT46 100V 150mA Schottky-barrier Diodes
IC1__________CA3140 Op-Amp IC
MIC___________Miniature electret microphone (See Notes)
J1,J2___________4mm Output sockets
SW1____________SPST Toggle or Slider Switch
B1______________9V PP3 Battery
Clip for PP3 Battery
Comments:
This project was requested by some correspondents wishing to setup their home-cinema set adjusting all the loudspeaker outputs to the same level when heard from the listening position.In practice this device is a simple (though linear and precise) ac millivoltmeter, using an existing multimeter set to 50 or 100µA fsd with the probes connected to J1 and J2 to read the results.The precision of the measure is entirely depending on the frequency response of the microphone used but, fortunately, for the main purpose of this circuit an absolutely flat response is not required. Therefore, a cheap miniature electret microphone can be used.
Use:
The amplifiers driving the loudspeakers must be fed, one at a time, with a sine wave in the 400Hz - 1KHz range, but different values can also be chosen. For this purpose you can use a simple signal generator circuit like one of those available on this site, namely: 1KHz Sine wave Generator or, better still, Spot-frequency Sine wave Generator.As an alternative, the input sine wave can be provided by a CD test track, a cassette-tape or a personal computer.Please be careful and set the volume control very low, to avoid loudspeakers' damage. Switch-on the Sound Pressure Level Meter and increase the volume of the amplifier in order to obtain an approximate center-scale reading. Repeat the same steps with all channels.
Notes:
If external electret (battery powered) or dynamic microphone types are used, R1 must be omitted.
Using a good quality microphone, this circuit can be very useful in setting-up parametric equalizers or tone controls in HiFi chains etc.

Discrete LED Color Organ

Here is a new version of the classic color organ, where different color lights are triggered by different frequencies of sound, resulting in a display that flashes along to music. In this case the newer type high intensity LEDs (3000 - 5000mcd) were used along with a very simple discrete transistor drive circuit. The design goals included small size and excellent portability, as well as long battery life.
To begin, the required parts were gathered up. This included 49 each 3mm LEDs of various colors, a bunch of 1/8 watt resistors, some tiny salvaged transistors, a microphone, some trimmer potentiometers from a dead CRT, a 4 "AA" cell battery case with power switch, and a few small capacitors and diodes. The plan was to attach the LEDs and electronics to the front of the battery case, forming a compact unit that could be placed on a table or clipped to a shirt or jacket.

The circuit was designed to use common values of parts that are most easily available in smaller sizes. Ceramic and tantalum capacitors, 1/8 watt resistors, and small package semiconductors were chosen to conserve space. Integrated circuits were rejected as being too large for the 6 cm X 6 cm allowable space for circuitry and LEDs on the face of the battery case.
The circuit itself consists of an electret condensor microphone feeding a two stage preamplifier with a sensitivity control. The signal is then split up into three channels with individual level adjustments. Each channel has it's own filter circuit, so that they each respond to a different range of sound frequencies, one each for treble, midrange, and bass sounds. The signal is then sent to an LED bargraph ladder circuit, with red/yellow, green/white, and blue/green leds for each channel respectively. Two LEDs were used for every one shown in the diagram, and the LED resistors were increased to 1K to extend battery life. With high output LEDs there is still lots of brightness even at lower currents, so this works well to lower current consumption. As well, there was a single purple colored UV LED included that is on whenever power is turned on.

The 49 LEDs were soldered together in a spiral pattern with the UV LED in the center and three pairs of different colored LED spiral arms.

Next, the bar graph ladder circuits were built up from parts and inserted in spaces between the LED spiral arms.

Here you can see all the ladders in place and the opposing LED arms wired across with wire-wrap type wire (does anyone use wire-wrap anymore??) Because this circuit was intended to be potted in epoxy, all connections were soldered. All of the circuitry constructed at this point is wired up and tested before the next step.

The filter circuits were then assembled and inserted in the remained spaces between the LED arms. A small circuit board to mount the microphone and trimmer potentiometers was also constructed. Everything is tested again.

The circuit assembly and circuit board were then positioned on the front and top of the battery case and attached with a few spots of epoxy. The preamp circuitry and the rest of the wiring was then completed. Final testing was done and any problems resolved.

Finally, the fully tested and functional circuitry is encapsulated in epoxy. The project is completed by attaching a mounting clip to the back and adding glue to the bottom so that the case stands up firmly at the correct angle.

The finished color organ in operation. The project was a complete success, and should be a lot of fun at concerts and parties. A fresh set of batteries lasted for over three long nights of use, which is excellent. The way the different LEDs appear to dance to the music is great to watch and unfortunately cannot be seen with just the pictures shown here!


UPDATE: Chester Winowiecki has built his own color organ based on this design but on a printed circuit board. He has offered to share his board design so here it is:
Picture of the PCB
Instructional text file
PCB etching pattern
Parts placement diagram
Jumper and bottom parts diagram
Thanks, Chester!
To see more of The Peasant's work with LEDs, go to: High Intensity LED Flashlights and Multi-Color Displays and High Intensity LED Lamps for Portable Lighting

AMD quad core

The Quad-Core Advantage

Enhanced Performance-per-wattLower the energy consumption of your IT infrastructure with reduced data center power needs and cooling costs.

Optimal VirtualizationAccelerate the performance of virtualized applications and improve efficiency of switching among virtual machines.

Investment ProtectionProtect your IT investment and simplify IT management by minimizing changes to your software and data center technology.

Outstanding PerformanceHelp your business succeed by delivering the performance your data center needs.
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For the latest press materials on the world’s most advanced x86 quad-core server processor, visit our online press kit.
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Quad-Core Benchmarks
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See the latest AMD Opteron™ Processor benchmarks.

Accenture to Invest $250 Million to Expand Technology Consulting Capabilities

Accenture will invest more than $250 million over the next three years to expand its technology consulting capabilities to help clients align information technology and business strategies.

"Aligning IT with business strategy has, once again, become a top issue for companies worldwide. To address this, we are enhancing the end-to-end services we offer through Accenture Technology Consulting, an organization within our Systems Integration & Technology growth platform,” said William D. Green, Chairman & CEO, Accenture.
The investment is designed to address a strong increase in demand from clients for services and advice from technology-platform-independent services providers.
It will enable Accenture to enhance its strategy planning, marketing, offering and asset development, alliance development and management, and recruiting and training for its technology capabilities.
It will focus on helping clients: develop IT strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes; standardize, virtualize and secure their IT infrastructures and applications; improve worker productivity; and implement new consumer-like, Web-based applications that tap into the potential of services-oriented architecture (SOA) and other newer technologies.
The investment will enable Accenture to expand on the development of next-generation data center capabilities, including data center consolidation; server consolidation and rationalization; storage transformation; test- and development-environment transformation; service desk optimization; and "green computing" for optimizing data-center performance while reducing power consumption.
It would also focus on a series of enterprise network offerings that leverage Accenture's expertise in designing and building converged data and voice systems, highly specialized IT infrastructure and application security capabilities and next-generation workplace capabilities to help deploy IT to automate common workplace activities.
“We are enhancing the services we offer by building and expanding our technical capabilities and investing aggressively in our workforce,” said Don Rippert, Chief Technology Officer, Accenture.

THE INTEL 8085 processors

The Intel 8085
General
General Information
The 8085 was the follow-on processor to the very successful Intel 8080A processor. The 8085 got its name because it was Intel's first 5 volt microprocessor. The 8085 was 100% software compatible with the 8080A with increased systems performance. The initial 8085's were based on NMOS technology and the later "H" versions were based on HMOS technology.
The 8085 incorporated all the features of the 8224 (clock generator) and the 8228 (system controller) increasing the level of system integration. The 8085 along with and 8156 RAM and 8355/8755 ROM/PROM constituted a complete system. The 8085 used a multiplexed Data Bus and required the 825X-5 support chips. The address was split between the 8-bit address bus and 8-bit data bus. The on-chip address latch of 8155/8355/8755 memory chips allowed a direct interface with the 8085.
The 8085 family is also referred to as the MCS-85.
Production
April, 1976
Designers
Unknown
Architecture
Type
Data Word
Address Space
Clock
Instruct- ions
Assists
Reg's GP
Reg's Math
Reg's Index
IO Ports
Stack
Interrupts
Memory
NMOS & HMOS,
CPU


Related Chips
Related Chips
Intel 8080
Second Sources
AMD, National Semiconductor

Dual core processors

As measured by SPEC*CPU2006 comparing latest generation Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7700 & T7100 with a comparable frequency single core Intel® Pentium® M Processor. Actual performance may vary. See www.intel.com/performance/mobile/benchmarks.htm for important additional information. SPEC, SPECint, SPECfp, SPECrate, SPECweb, SPECjbb are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. See: www.spec.org for more information on the benchmarks.
¹ System performance, battery life, power savings, high-definition quality, video playback and functionality, and wireless performance and functionality will vary depending on your specific operating system, hardware, chipset, connection rate, site conditions, and software configurations. References to enhanced performance refer to comparisons with previous generation Intel technologies. See www.intel.com/products/centrino/index.htm and www.intel.com/performance/mobile/benchmarks.htm for more information on performance, power savings and energy efficiency. *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of their respective owners.
² Up to 2x greater range and up to 5x better performance and improved battery life with optional Intel® Next-Gen Wireless N technology enabled by 2x3 Draft N implementations with 2 spatial streams. Actual results may vary based on your specific hardware, connection rate, site conditions, and software configurations. See www.intel.com/performance/mobile/wireless/index.htm for more information. Also requires a Connect with Intel® Centrino® processor technology certified wireless n access point. Wireless N access points without the Connect with Intel Centrino processor technology identifier may require additional firmware for increased performance results. Check with your PC and access point manufacturer for details.
³ Intel Integrated Graphics with Intel® Clear Video Technology, including improved video playback and quality, are available on systems based on the Mobile Intel® GM965 /GL960 Express Chipset. Platforms based on the Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset and above, when configured with memory devices of adequate amount and speed, meet all current requirements for the Windows Vista* Premium OS system logo. Next-generation power-saving features are available on Mobile Intel® GM965, GL960, and PM965 Express Chipsets.
^ Performance measured Intel® Core™2 Duo desktop processors compared to Intel® Pentium® D processor 805 on SPECint*_base2000 and SPECint*_rate_base2000 (2 copies). Actual performance may vary. See www.intel.com/performance for more information.
^^ Performance and energy efficiency (TDP) compared to prior generation Intel processors. Actual performance may vary. See www.intel.com/performance for detail.

'Halo 3' video game smashes sales records

The Microsoft product racks up $170 million in retail sales in its first 24 hours at U.S. stores.

Microsoft Corp. claimed one of the biggest opening days in entertainment history Wednesday, saying its "Halo 3" video game rang up $170 million in U.S. retail sales in the first 24 hours.The tally, which didn't include international sales that will add millions more, outpaced Microsoft's prediction of $150 million. It also beat the all-time grossing box-office movie release, "Spider-Man 3," which racked up $151 million during its opening weekend in May.

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'Halo 3'
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"Spectacular," said Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities. "They covered all of their development, marketing, manufacturing and overhead expenses for the game in one day. Going forward, there will be huge profits."Analysts say strong sales of "Halo 3" could be enough to tip Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division into the black for the quarter ending Sunday. A profit would be significant for Microsoft, which has lost billions of dollars on its video game business since it introduced the Xbox console in 2000."For Microsoft, it's critical that this title sells well," said Colin Sebastian, an analyst with Lazard Capital Markets.Goldman Sachs predicted that Microsoft would sell 4.2 million copies of the game just in September. The game's previous installment, "Halo 2," grossed $125 million its first day out in 2004."Halo 3" costs $59.99, though Microsoft also sells collectors' versions for $69.99 and $129.99.In addition to helping Microsoft turn around its video game business, "Halo 3" is regarded as a crucial component in the company's race against Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. Through August, Microsoft sold 6.3 million Xbox 360s in the U.S. compared with 1.75 million PlayStation 3s for Sony and 4 million Wiis for Nintendo, according to market research firm NPD Group.The video game market operates much like the razor and razor-blade business. Consoles are sold at a loss to get them into as many hands as possible so companies can make money by selling games, which generally carry high profit margins. For Microsoft, the margins for "Halo 3" are expected to be between 80% and 90%, according to analysts.The game confers another benefit: Microsoft, which has spent millions of dollars in a marketing blitz to promote "Halo 3," is betting it will spur consumers to buy its Xbox 360 console and play the game online through the company's Xbox Live service, where it can sell them more games and products."Within the first 20 hours alone, we've seen more than a million Xbox Live members come online to play 'Halo 3,' " said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft's game studios.Tuesday's "Halo 3" launch did not go off without a hitch. Some players reported problems signing on to Xbox Live and getting updates. In addition, some customers reported receiving scratched game disks. Microsoft said it would replace damaged disks for free.