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Command Unit Seeks Cyborg Relief
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech, Video Games,
Get into those PC War Games with Saitek’s Cyborg Command Unit. Use its analog switch to change between first person shooters, strategy and role player, and sports modes with 21 buttons for up to 144 programmable commands. It will even work for flight simulated games. It also has an adjustable thumb control with two-way tilt on its back lit ergonomic keypad. The USB gamepad is compatible with USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions.) The MSRP on this one is $39.95.
Read More 
| Saitek
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Coupons for Digital Changeover Available
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Smart Home, Internet, Misc. Tech,
It is now only 412 days until the end of analog TV. If you want to receive a coupon good for $40.00 towards the price of an ATCS tuner, you had best get to it. We checked into it yesterday (day one) and noticed that our order was around number 22,000. Since the boxes will not become available until late February or early March, the coupons will be issued then. Up to two per household are allowed and they expire 90 days from receipt. Remember that if you have cable or satellite, chances are the problem will be taken care of for you, but it never hurts to have a back-up plan.
Read More | DTV Converter Box Program
Retailers to Feature ATCS Tuners
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Misc. Tech,
There are now only 433 days to go until analog TV is no more. Eight retailers will begin to sell ATCS tuners to convert analog TVs to digital beginning in February. You can find them at Circuit City, Target, Sears, Kmart, RadioShack, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Sam’s Club. To facilitate that purchase, don’t forget to contact our helpful FCC who will be issuing two coupons worth $40.00 apiece. We suggest you not procrastinate, for although the program will dispense with over 33 million coupons, we suspect there are still at least that many analog TVs kicking around by 2009 that dont have satellite or cable.You can apply for your coupon after January 1 by contacting the FCC’s official site or calling 1-888-DTV-2009.
Read More | Post-Bulletin
Hitachi Releases 3-in-1 Recorders
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies,
At last someone has understood that we love our old VHS tapes and are reticent to give them up. Hitachi has three new 3-in-1 recorders that play both VHS tapes and HDD/DVDs. The DV-DH250VH has a digital and analog tuner, HDMI, and holds 250GB. There are also two models which hold 500GB, the DV-DH500VH and the DV-DH500H. Expect a late October or early November release. We think this is a fine idea if we can just figure out how to use the multi-button remotes.
Read More | Hitachi (translated) via Akihabara News
FCC Frets Over Analog Cable Dilemma
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Movies,
We have more news on the death of analog TV in 2009. As we mentioned previously, cable companies will either have to convert their digital signal for analog receiving customers or provide them with a “down converter.” The FCC has approved rules to ensure that everyone is taken care of after the transition. The National Cable and Telecommunications Association say that they can have already pledged to do so voluntarily. Spokesperson Brian Dietz claims they will do this without charging extra or forcing subscribers to up to a pricier digital service. We would just as soon stay out of the fracas as long as we can still get our MTV.
Read More | Post-Bulletin
Lair Playable on PSP Via Remote Play
Posted by Paul Hamilton Categories: Action, Adventure, Hardware, PlayStation 3, Portable/Mobile, PSP, Sony,
A PlayStation 3 and PSP owner has discovered that Liar is playable via the PS3’s Remote Play feature on the PSP. This is the first time a Blu-Ray based game is able to take advantage of the feature and is reportedly quite responsive and playable. It has even been suggested that in light of all the flak Lair has taken over its Sixaxis controls, the use of the PSP’s analog stick is actually preferable.
What’s most curious about the revelation is that it is a revelation at all. This sounds like something Sony would have jumped all over, especially once the disappointing reviews started pouring in.
Read More | PSP Fanboy
Analog TV Will Cease to Exist in 2009
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Smart Home, Misc. Tech,
The Bad News
Analog broadcasting, as we now know it, will end by February 2009. When the time comes, your TV has to be capable of receiving digital signals or you will end up with a very large paperweight. If you have satellite service or cable they will provide you with anything you need, but if you use an antenna you will need an ATCS tuner.
The Good News
If you need the tuner (which costs between $50.00 and $70.00,) the government will help subsidize your purchase if you apply for up to two $40.00 coupons between January 1 and March 31, 2008.
The Best News
If you have a VCR, or DVR with a digital tuner that will do the trick, so save your old VCR even if you never got around to fixing that broken belt. Contact the FCC’s site for more infomation.
Read More | USA Today
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