Other Gadgets (general gadgets)

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
You should have just gotten a bigger Tivo.

Board motto, but I may try the season pass and keep 2, and then just aggressively check for episodes I don't need.

While there's no such thing as too much simpsons, there is such a thing as too little time. But I had a rather harrowing experience last night. I thought I had seen every episode. I further thought I had every episode committed to memory. Yet I had no recollection of the second half of the episode last night where the Simpsons were in Japan and needed to win tickets back. I didn't even remember the "Oh, why did you have to seat us in Taxachusetts" line. The horror!

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Directv will begin broadcasting CBS in HD in the SF/LA markets on channel 81 beginning tomorrow.
Customers subscribing to the local channels will receive this.

And of course the Super Bowl is in HD.

Place your pre-orders for the HD DirecTivo.

30 hours of HD content; 250 hours of standard res. Note the $999 price is for new DirecTV subscribers only; no word on the street price for current subscribers.

[notcasesensitive]

I can't get the dvd player to recognize that any dvd is in it. anyone ever had this problem and fixed it? I'm willing to give up the player as dead if it isn't worth salvaging, but if there is an easy fix, that would be nice. the worst thing about this problem is that I was planning to watch Lost In Translation today in advance of tomorrow's Oscars. crap.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I can't get the dvd player to recognize that any dvd is in it. anyone ever had this problem and fixed it? I'm willing to give up the player as dead if it isn't worth salvaging, but if there is an easy fix, that would be nice. the worst thing about this problem is that I was planning to watch Lost In Translation today in advance of tomorrow's Oscars. crap.

This happened to me when I bought Scene It last summer. I had to buy a new dvd player. Sorry about LiT, but surely you know an audiophile with a newer generation of dvd player that will let you watch it at his place.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I can't get the dvd player to recognize that any dvd is in it. anyone ever had this problem and fixed it? I'm willing to give up the player as dead if it isn't worth salvaging, but if there is an easy fix, that would be nice.

Does it sound like it's trying to read the disc, but it isn't working? If so a) try another disc, to see if it's the disc b) try cleaning the current disc that won't work c) get some compressed air and blow it in the slot, since maybe some dust is on the lens.

But absent that, the diagnosis cost is usually half the price of a new one, and that's before the actual fix.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Does it sound like it's trying to read the disc, but it isn't working? If so a) try another disc, to see if it's the disc b) try cleaning the current disc that won't work c) get some compressed air and blow it in the slot, since maybe some dust is on the lens.

But absent that, the diagnosis cost is usually half the price of a new one, and that's before the actual fix.

I think its dead. I tried a few discs and it does make sounds like it is trying to read, but then it gives up. That DVD player might win out for all time as the biggest piece of junk appliance I ever purchased. Fucking SONY. It is now three years old or so and it has already been fixed by my mechanically inclined friend when it stopped turning on. One day it just decided it was done and it couldn't be bothered any longer. I'd rant some more but since it was only $200 or something initially, I think I'm done.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I think its dead. I tried a few discs and it does make sounds like it is trying to read, but then it gives up. That DVD player might win out for all time as the biggest piece of junk appliance I ever purchased. Fucking SONY. It is now three years old or so and it has already been fixed by my mechanically inclined friend when it stopped turning on. One day it just decided it was done and it couldn't be bothered any longer. I'd rant some more but since it was only $200 or something initially, I think I'm done.

Do yourself a favor and go out and buy a decent DVD player. Chuck that one out the window. Suffice it to say that if you spent less than $200 for the one you currently own and got 3 years out of it, then you got your money's worth. 3 years is about average on a player in the lower end price range with average use. If you paid more than $200 then you should at least chuck it through the window of the place where you bought it - that will give you some pleasure at least.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Do yourself a favor and go out and buy a decent DVD player. Chuck that one out the window. Suffice it to say that if you spent less than $200 for the one you currently own and got 3 years out of it, then you got your money's worth. 3 years is about average on a player in the lower end price range with average use. If you paid more than $200 then you should at least chuck it through the window of the place where you bought it - that will give you some pleasure at least.

I agree in principle that it's time to move on, although I'd be a bit pissed if a 200 unit crapped out in three years. Of course, I stole your Sonywang, because I've bought a lot of their stuff. The only things, in 20 years or so of purchasing, that've gone bad (well, Walkman aside) is the first CD player I bought, which lasted 10 years, and a VCR, which lasted 9. A couple things were stolen, but that doesn't count.

[andViolins]

Ok, the idea is pretty cool. I don't know about pounding my fingers on a flat surface for a long time though. ouch.



The Virtual Laser Keyboard leverages the power of laser and infrared technology and projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. As you type on the laser projection; it analyzes what you're typing by the coordinates of that location.

Unlike many small snap-on keyboards for PDAs, the Virtual Laser Keyboard provides a full-size QWERTY keyboard. It is also smaller and more convenient to use than the folding-type keyboards made by some manufacturers and similar to them in functionality.

There are no mechanical moving parts whatsoever in the Virtual Laser Keyboard. It provides a projected image that is the perfect portable input device for PDAs. It's similar in responsiveness to regular keyboards, but extremely futuristic looking.

The Virtual Laser Keyboard requires no special training. The light weight device weighs two ounces and is similar in size to a disposable cigarette lighter. The Virtual Laser Keyboard includes a self-contained, rechargeable lithium ion battery. It provides the Virtual Laser Keyboard with its own internal power supply, so it doesn't drain any battery power from the PDA or PC. The battery lasts three to four hours, more than enough time to do some instant messaging and SMS messaging from the handheld device or to update calendar and phone book entries.

The Virtual Laser Keyboard is ideal for well-lit offices.

Cost-effective - eliminates the cost of maintaining mechanical keyboards in volatile locations.

Applications: home, office, clean rooms, medical & dental facilities, dirt-free environments, classrooms, etc.

Pre-order cost is $99.99

http://store.yahoo.com/ibizpda/vike.html

aV

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by andViolins
The Virtual Laser Keyboard requires no special training. The light weight device weighs two ounces and is similar in size to a disposable cigarette lighter.

Two things.

1. The sales pitch totally reminded me of Happy Fun Ball (good times). I think because of the unnecessary name repetition thing.

2. If it is the size of a disposable cigarette lighter, I hope it is easier to hold onto than one. I guess if you don't whip it out at bars all the time, the risk of loss decreases greatly.

Interesting idea. Sort of reminds me of the flat keyboard that was supposed to be all the rage in the 1980s (on our Atari 400 "computer"), but that ultimately was a piece of crap and never replicated.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by andViolins
Ok, the idea is pretty cool. I don't know about pounding my fingers on a flat surface for a long time though. ouch.

The Virtual Laser Keyboard is ideal for well-lit offices.

Cost-effective - eliminates the cost of maintaining mechanical keyboards in volatile locations.

Applications: home, office, clean rooms, medical & dental facilities, dirt-free environments, classrooms, etc.

Pre-order cost is $99.99

http://store.yahoo.com/ibizpda/vike.html

aV

I think that I've been an early adopter enough to know that this means:

"If you absolutely can't have a keyboard in your office, as long as it's bright, clean and volatile, this product will work 98% of the time. The rest of the time you'll be reyping keystrokes."

I can't imagine typing without some force feedback.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I agree in principle that it's time to move on, although I'd be a bit pissed if a 200 unit crapped out in three years. Of course, I stole your Sonywang, because I've bought a lot of their stuff. The only things, in 20 years or so of purchasing, that've gone bad (well, Walkman aside) is the first CD player I bought, which lasted 10 years, and a VCR, which lasted 9. A couple things were stolen, but that doesn't count.

And yet I'm right about the lifespan. It's all about the plastics, man.

In other news - for some of you it may be time to get a new satellite provider.

NEW YORK - EchoStar Communications Corp. on Tuesday pulled from service 16 of Viacom's local CBS stations and 10 of its national channels after the companies failed to agree on contract terms and prices. Viacom said in a statement it was "dismayed and disappointed" by the action, which affected channels like MTV and Nickelodeon, after a deadline expired early on Tuesday.
I called a friend in another market who foolishly purchased the Dish after I recommended Direct. She says she still has CBS. Still, what good is satellite if you can't get Letterman?

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
And yet I'm right about the lifespan. It's all about the plastics, man.

In other news - for some of you it may be time to get a new satellite provider.

NEW YORK - EchoStar Communications Corp. on Tuesday pulled from service 16 of Viacom's local CBS stations and 10 of its national channels after the companies failed to agree on contract terms and prices. Viacom said in a statement it was "dismayed and disappointed" by the action, which affected channels like MTV and Nickelodeon, after a deadline expired early on Tuesday.
I called a friend in another market who foolishly purchased the Dish after I recommended Direct. She says she still has CBS. Still, what good is satellite if you can't get Letterman?

I was shocked (SHOCKED!) that my cable company (Comcast) does not carry The Travel Channel in the Dallas market. This was discovered 5 minutes into the time slot for the first World Poker Tour of the new season. Thankfully my boyfriend (and the Tivo) is on Direct TV. I called Comcast and requested that they add it to the lineup. Shit, I have over 25 channels that are spanish language. Not to mention all the VH-1 and History Channel specialty channels. Can't you get me the Travel Channel?

And not to get back into the stupid DVD player thing, but there is no reason that a DVD player should last only 3 years (and be broken once during that period). I don't care how much you pay for the thing (frankly I'm not sure what I paid for it, but I'm sure it was less than $400). It says SONY on it, it should last longer than that. Particularly since I don't even use it once a month. I'm not a big movie watcher. Only answer is that SONY makes POS DVD players.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
Only answer is that SONY makes POS DVD players.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.

Remember that Sony is one of the largest distributors of electronics in the world. They make good stuff and they make cheap stuff. 3-5 years is AVERAGE lifespan of an inexpensive player. Believe it or not, average use is under 8 hours/week. You people with kids are on borrowed time. Also remember that Sony did a cost/benefit analysis that determined that 9 screws holding down the circuit board rather than 12 screws was going to save them millions of dollars. Never mind that it was going to increase the numbers of defects. Also remember that your DVD player travelled a long long way - probably from Malaysia or China and you'll never know how the player was treated. Hell, I've seen delivery guys drop them. Many many many times. Salespeople drop them. Sometimes on purpose. Were you nice to the salesman?

You just never know. Environmental factors also figure in - number of pets, amount of dust, heat, humidity, etc. Remember that the laser reading your disc is less than the width of a human hair. And now the lenses are predominantly plastic. The bearings are plastic. The gears are plastic.

You pay your money, you takes your chances. Shit happens.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
And yet I'm right about the lifespan. It's all about the plastics, man.

Are there non-POS DVD players?