Home > Articles

Entertainment Gadgets

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Television Devices

I will always remember the first time that I saw television in color. The image of a ballet dancer in a pink tutu stays with me even today. Television is still one of our basic entertainment devices, but now we use many television-related gadgets and gizmos to enhance our television viewing. Today we can record every instance of our favorite television show to watch any time we please. We can even watch and record television on our computers. In fact, if you read on, you'll find that we can even watch our home television from the other side of the world. These exciting television devices augment our viewing pleasure.

TiVo Digital Video Recorder

Model: Series2; 140-hour recording

Manufacturer: TiVo

URL: http://www.tivo.com

Price: $299 plus $12.95 per month for service

TiVo is like a digital VCR. The move to digital has many advantages. Recordings are saved on the unit's hard drive, so there are no tapes to fumble around with. It's also much easier to use TiVo than those old VCRs.

TiVo comes with its own easy-to-use onscreen programming guide. You tell it to record every instance of your favorite television show, and it automatically finds every instance and records it. You can do the same with actors, actresses, and directors. You can also record every game of your favorite team or every NASCAR race. Another great feature is the ability to pause live TV. If the doorbell rings or you need to get a drink, press the Pause button; when you return, you can see the show from right where you left off. Also, TiVo gives you the ability to replay TV. If your favorite player makes a touchdown, you can replay it with the touch of a button.

TiVo even lets you add the TiVo device to your home network. With this capability, you can schedule your TiVo recordings online. So if you are at a friend's home and realize that you forgot to record Desperate Housewives, you can go online and schedule the recording. You can use the TiVo combined with a home network to burn DVDs, play your digital music, and view photos.

You can use TiVo with a regular television with antenna, cable, digital cable, or satellite television. The most expensive version lets you record 140 hours of video. Cheaper versions have smaller hard drives and can hold less video. Setting up the TiVo takes some time, but the results are worthwhile. The only downside is the additional monthly fee.

Terk Volume Regulator

Model: VR-100

Manufacturer: Terk

URL: http://www.terk.com

Price: $49.99

This is one of the most useful gadgets I've found. I am constantly aggravated by television commercials that are louder than the programming and some television stations that are louder than others. Instead of constantly adjusting the volume, you can simply have this device regulate the volume for you. It is also great for the hearing impaired because it raises the sound level of hard-to-hear programming.

The volume regulator uses standard audio cables to connect to the television. After it's connected, it works automatically with no user intervention. It samples the sound quality thousands of times per second and uses advanced digital signal processing to automatically adjust the sound levels. The consistent sound levels that it produces are immediately apparent and welcome.

Universal Remote

Model: URD-300 Customizer

Manufacturer: Universal Remote

URL: http://www.universalremote.com

Price: $200

If you want to coordinate your entire home theater, this Universal Remote is just what you need. You can customize all the functions, including the labeling of functions that appear on the LCD panel.

The Universal Remote can take the place of all your other remote controls. Setup is fairly easy with a detailed tutorial on the included DVD and a well-written user manual. This remote works by both infrared (IR) and radio (RF) signals to give a great range that allows it to work even when physical obstructions are a problem. With the addition of a $75 extender, the remote can work throughout the house and even outdoors up to 100 feet.

I like the touch screen, which is clear and well designed. The buttons could be a bit larger, but they are well placed and easy to use. The buttons and screen are backlit to help with evening visibility. Although it is a bit more complicated, you can also program the remote to control multiple devices with a single button. If you need to switch the input on the television when you play the DVD, this remote lets you perform both tasks with one button.

TV Remote with Alarm Clock

Model: 3010

Manufacturer: Digitt

URL: http://www.alldmd.com

Price: $9

Do you hate to miss your favorite television show? This gadget makes sure you remember. It has three TV alarms and one buzzer alarm. You follow a few simple steps to "train" the device to work with your television remote. Then set the television alarm(s), and your TV starts at the right time so that you don't miss your favorite shows.

The small unit is good-looking and stands on its own, so you can use it as a small clock, too. It works on AA batteries and has a button that backlights the display for night-time viewing.

Media Center PC

Model: 835GM

Manufacturer: Gateway

URL: http://www.gateway.com

Price: $849.99

Before you buy your next computer, you might want to check out a Media Center PC. These PCs are made by many different manufacturers and run a special version of Microsoft Windows called Windows XP Media Center Edition. This version of Windows is available only on a new PC.

The Gateway unit is a fully functional and fully capable PC with a Pentium D 2.8GHz processor, a 250GB hard drive, 1024MB memory, writable DVD, 8-in-1 media card reader, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

Although you can use it for all your computing needs, this media center PC really shines as a music, photo, and video center for the entire family. This computer has special software that helps you download, copy, and organize your digital music. With the built-in card reader, you can take the media card from your digital camera and insert it into the computer for an instant slide show. The computer also has a built-in television card that allows you to watch and record television shows, much like a TiVo. Although TiVo charges a monthly fee for its service, television recording on a Media Center PC has no monthly fee. You can easily program it to record one program, a series of programs, or every instance of your favorite show. You can also hook it up to a television to display the television programming you have recorded.

The Gateway 835GM comes with a keyboard and mouse for use with the computer, but it also has a remote control that can be used for the Media Center functionality when showing pictures, playing music, and recording or playing videos. It's a great idea, and it performs brilliantly.

Big Button Universal Remote Control

Model: Big Button Universal Remote Control

Manufacturer: Gold Violin

URL: http://www.goldviolin.com

Price: $39

The Big Button Remote Control is three times larger than most ordinary remote controls. Each button is clearly marked and lighted. It is shaped like a T-bone to make it easier to hold. It can control up to five pieces of equipment, including the TV, VCR, DVD, cable, and satellite.

Another advantage is that this remote is so big that you won't easily lose it.

DVD/VCR Combination Unit

Model: RDR-VX500

Manufacturer: Sony

URL: http://www.sony.com

Price: $399

Did you know that VHS tapes are rated to last only 15 years? If you want to preserve all those memories that you have on tape, the best thing to do is to transfer them to DVD. You can do that many ways, but the absolute easiest way is to purchase a combination VCR and DVD device. With the Sony VX500, you simply insert the VHS tape and a blank DVD, and the entire process is done with the press of a button.

You might know that several different DVD formats are available, with the plus (+) format and the minus (–) format both still viable options. Because the VX500 records in both formats, you can actually transfer the information from your tapes into two sets of DVDs, one for each format. Then you are completely covered for the future. This Sony recorder also has an iLINK (FireWire) connector so that you can connect your camcorder and record your movies to DVD easily. This combination unit also has a built-in television tuner and can play VHS tapes in addition to DVDs.

Slingbox

Model: Slingbox

Manufacturer: Sling Media

URL: http://www.slingmedia.com

Price: $249

Have you ever been in a hotel room that doesn't get the same television stations you get at home? Or have you wanted to watch that big game in the garage where you can use your wireless Internet network, but you don't have a television? The Slingbox is your answer to either of these scenarios. Slingbox turns your Internet-connected laptop or desktop computer into your personal TV.

To use the Slingbox, you must have a broadband Internet connection and a router. The Slingbox is a small lightweight rectangular box that is hooked up to your television and router. The Slingbox makes it possible for you to access the programming from the connected television from any Internet-connected computer with a broadband connection. So if you hook up the Slingbox to your living room television, you can watch the big game on a computer in the garage, kitchen, or laundry room as long as it has a broadband Internet connection.

With a Slingbox, you can actually watch your home television from anywhere in the world. The Slingbox might change your television viewing habits in unique ways. If you have a vacation home, you won't need to have a television set or cable or satellite TV service—just watch your home TV on your computer. The video quality is excellent. To control your home TV from afar, you are given a remote control on the computer screen. With that remote, you can do anything that you would normally do with your remote at home. You can change stations and even access programming from your TiVo or digital video recorder. This is one amazing little gadget!

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020