Other Gadgets (general gadgets)

[NotFromHere]

Looks a little hard to play.



A guy had a Sony PSP on the Bart last night and since I was standing, I got to watch him play NBA Basketball. His arena was GSW Coliseum (dumb shit) and he was playing the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash scored most points and his picture looks nothing like him. Otherwise, the graphic were awesome!! They even had rotating advertisements on the scorers table at courtside.

[Alex_de_Large]

My old DVR box crapped out and Comcast was kind enough to replace it. The new box is by Motorola (same as the older one) but has updated software, much more like TiVo's. For example, I can set a season pass, which I could not on the older version. Best new feature: dual tuners, which allow you to watch one thing and record another, or record two shows simultaneously. Very cool...

[mmm3587]

Is there an easy way to incorporate an external HDTV antenna signal into the satellite lines coming down from the satellite? I am going to be fucking around with it this weekend to add additional lines for an additional HD DVR, and I would like to avoid having to deal with DVR-side OTA antennas for the HD signals not transmitted over DirecTV.

Are their multi-switches that do this?

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Is there an easy way to incorporate an external HDTV antenna signal into the satellite lines coming down from the satellite? I am going to be fucking around with it this weekend to add additional lines for an additional HD DVR, and I would like to avoid having to deal with DVR-side OTA antennas for the HD signals not transmitted over DirecTV.

Are their multi-switches that do this?

Tell DirecTV that you can't get OTA local channels. They can't/won't check you. And pay the $5. Otherwise, there's a multiplexer you can buy through Direct or your local electronics store to do the switching - but you'll still have to run the feed.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Tell DirecTV that you can't get OTA local channels. They can't/won't check you. And pay the $5. Otherwise, there's a multiplexer you can buy through Direct or your local electronics store to do the switching - but you'll still have to run the feed.

We've been around this mulberry bush before. HD feeds of LA and NY are not the same as HD locals. In other words, there are HD channels that DTV doesn't carry on the satellite. Maybe this will change when DTV had 10 birds in the sky all pumping out MPEG-4 AVC spot beams all over America,* but until that day comes, there will be local HD channels you can only get with an antenna.

*You know, the MPEG-4 spot beams that will make your $1K HD Tivo obsolete. And mine.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
...your $1K HD Tivo obsolete...

FYI, (and this is why I'm getting off my ass to add a second one and want to deal with this) they're down to $699 standard street price, and available for around $620 on eBay.

[Alex_de_Large]

Anyone using this yet? My block is still not FiOS eligible, but I know that it is being deployed as fast as they can string the fiber.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
We've been around this mulberry bush before. HD feeds of LA and NY are not the same as HD locals. In other words, there are HD channels that DTV doesn't carry on the satellite. Maybe this will change when DTV had 10 birds in the sky all pumping out MPEG-4 AVC spot beams all over America,* but until that day comes, there will be local HD channels you can only get with an antenna.

*You know, the MPEG-4 spot beams that will make your $1K HD Tivo obsolete. And mine.

Dude, what is the difference if you watch 2 and 1/2 Men on an LA feed or on the SF feed? It's the same damn program on at the same damn time. News? Who cares - watch that in non-HD

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Dude, what is the difference if you watch 2 and 1/2 Men on an LA feed or on the SF feed? It's the same damn program on at the same damn time. News? Who cares - watch that in non-HD

Well, I fucking care, because I want to get local news and sports and stuff like that.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
Well, I fucking care, because I want to get local news and sports and stuff like that.

You get that. Just not in HD. You care if Suzy the weather girl is in HD?

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
You get that. Just not in HD. You care if Suzy the weather girl is in HD?

I want it to be as seamless as it is right now, just without an antenna. What I want to know is whether there is a way to have the HD signal from OTA in the feed to the tuner. I want it to record all local channels in HD. Fuck this SD shit for anything.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by mmm3587
I want it to be as seamless as it is right now, just without an antenna. What I want to know is whether there is a way to have the HD signal from OTA in the feed to the tuner. I want it to record all local channels in HD. Fuck this SD shit for anything.

I don't think you're going to be able to do what you want to do. The current TivoHD boxes only allow for a line input. There would be no way to program the Tivo to record unless you're sitting there watching then show and then, what's the purpose? The only way you can program it now off the guide and your guide is not going to have your OTA local channels.
Just deal with Suzy the weather girl in non-HD.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
You get that. Just not in HD. You care if Suzy the weather girl is in HD?

This is my weather girl. Yes, I prefer her to be in HD.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Anyone using this yet? My block is still not FiOS eligible, but I know that it is being deployed as fast as they can string the fiber.

Not available in my area yet, but I enjoyed these two entries in Gizmodo today:

• Lies I Have Told Verizon DSL Support Today
  filed under Gadgets
  
  • “I am an IEEE-certified electrical engineer.”
  • “I would be happy to wait.”
  • “I have completed all your tests as you requested, including rewiring my house.”
  • “My secondary phase-coupling array shows a positive electricon flow across my end-to-end wiring.”
  • “Have a nice day.”
  • “I am sorry I used the term ‘totally assed in my face.’”
  
  Lies Verizon DSL Support Has Told Me Today
  filed under Gadgets
  
  • “Phone lines over 14 feet will, over time, fry your modem.”
  • “Your phone lines are like a car. Every once in a while, they need service.”
  • “We cannot send a service technician to your house.”
  • “I’d be happy to help you today.”
  • “It is impossible to speak to my supervisor. My supervisor is Verizon.”
  • “This is the ‘North American’ office.”
  • “There is not electricity going down your phone line, sir. It’s data. Electricity has nothing to do with it.”

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Not available in my area yet, but I enjoyed these two entries in Gizmodo today:

I hate Verizon. They suck ass. Still, the power of FiOS might be enough to bring me over to the dark (light?) side.