Gizmodo
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diy
DIY List Breathes New Life Into Discarded Analog TVs
In the wake of the digital TV transition that happened earlier this month, Lifehacker has posited upon us a cool roundup of DIY projects that make use of all those abandoned TVs. [Lifehacker]
11,755
7
By Jack LoftusComment by NotSoSiniSter: I just plugged my Analog tv into my computer. just watch your torrented movies on it. :D more » | Other threads
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tv
Goodbye, Analog Static
With the DTV transition happening today and analog broadcasting going away, what happens to this classic static that greeted you on every channel that wasn't there to remind you to keep flipping? [YouTube]
20,480
Comment by Terry: When I was a kid, we called the static "Ant Wars". 10 Responses | Other threads
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listening test
Why We Need Audiophiles
This is Michael Fremer. He's listening to "Avalon" by Roxy Music on his $350,000 stereo system. It sounds excellent. He's a bit crazy, but if you love music, you need him. More » -
Anti-Shuffle
A Gallery of Knobs and Buttons...Because They're Amazing
Completely disregard what Apple is trying to tell you: buttons are awesome, knobs are rad, and they make gadgets fun. If anything, we need more of 'em in our daily lives. Case in point? This gallery of knobs and buttons in all their glory. More »
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Comment by AltheaKnukka: That is absolutely stunning. I have nothing else to say besides that I want to work in a recording studio... 8 Responses | Other threads
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Analog TV Shutdown
Obama Officially Delays Analog Broadcast Shutdown to June 12
Obama signed the piece of paper that officially delays the digital TV transition until June 12, even though many stations are turning off analog next week anyway (here's a list, thanks Ponies). [Broadcasting & Cable] -
dtv
Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway
Even though the mandatory switchover date from analog to digital will be June 12 soon, about 681 (or 40 percent of) television stations will stop broadcasting analog by the end of next week. More »
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By Erica HoComment by John Blair: I'll bet its going to be even higher than that once the dominoes start to fall, and stations realize there's... 6 Responses | Other threads
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dtv
New DTV Transition Date May Result Converter Box Shortage
Not surprisingly, shifting the DTV transition date to June 12th could mean that converter boxes will run out. More » -
digital tv
DTV Switchover Screwing Spanish-Speaking Viewers
Spanish-speaking viewers are finding the DTV transition to be particularly difficult because their favorite stations have either switched to digital or are too low power to be viewed outside of analog. More » -
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digital tv
Senate Postpones TV Shutdown to June 12
El Señor Presidente talks, and the Senate does: They have postponed the analog switcheroo four more months. The new date for the analog TV shutdown: June 12, pending Congress approval of the move. More »
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By Jesus DiazComment by Private Hangnail: For all you fine people who are so put out by this delay, might I just point out that the... 23 Responses | Other threads
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digital transition
Senate Expected to Delay DTV Transition to June 12th on Optional Basis
Because there are 1.4 million households on the underfunded digital converter voucher waiting list, the Senate is finalizing a proposal to delay the DTV switchover to June 12th—a bill that's expected to pass unanimously. More »
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By Mark WilsonComment by Eric Swenson: Oh for fuck's sake. Just do it. I work in an electronics store and we are sold out of "digital"... 7 Responses | Other threads
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dtv
Hawaii Attempts DTV Switch: Rocky but Weird and Entertaining
Even though our Savior-Elect is pushing back the DTV transition, his beloved Hawaii took a test drive this Thursday. The odder-than-expected story includes mass confusion, Grey's Anatomy, and the rare Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel. More »
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By Dan NosowitzComment by Ethan Shaffer: In my area, all of the digital towers are up and broadcasting, but they need to increase the signal strength.... 8 Responses | Other threads
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dtv
FCC Chief Blasts Obama's Call to Delay Digital TV Changeover
Just last week, President-elect Obama asked Congress to stop the analog TV shut down, due to funding issues and confusion. At CES yesterday, FCC chief Kevin Martin was having none of that at all. More »
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By Jack LoftusComment by Harrison is playing FFVIII: I'm agreeing with the FCC on this one. If you haven't heard about the transition by now, chances are, you... 18 Responses | Other threads
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breaking
Obama Asks Congress for Analog TV Shutdown Delay
President-elect Barack Obama has asked Congress to stop the shut down on analog TV broadcasts, due on February 17. The main two reasons: "Inadequate funding" and problems with the converter box program. But there's more. More » -
DUH!
The World's Most Depressed People Watch the Most TV
We're presented with an interesting conundrum this fine afternoon. Exhibit A: A new study says unhappy people watch more TV. Exhibit B: People dealing with the switch from analog to digital TV are probably the most unhappy TV watchers on the planet right now, next to anyone who's been hoodwinked by the HDTV department at Best Buy. There was even a NASCAR wreck this week because of digital TV. So, if we use the powerful forces of logic on this little puzzle, we can deduce that the digital switch is making analog TV owners unhappy, which makes them want to watch more TV, which they soon will be unable to do because the signal is about to get cut off. There have been wars started for less, so we anticipate come February 2009, the world is going to end, three years earlier that predicted. Take THAT, Mayans! More » -
concept
Digital/Analog Clock Design Meets You Halfway
This Digital/Analog clock design is a pretty interesting take on the old "clock" concept. Shown off a Tokyo Design Week '08, this version displays the hours digit-style while keeping the hand free for minute-pointing. Going half digital is a good start, but here's our challenge to concept designers out there: all digital. Who's with us? [Design Boom]
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By Jason ChenComment by Hamsfork: I hate analog clocks on computers. Like iGoogle's or Windows gadgets' clocks. What the hell? I already have a clock... 2 Responses | Other threads
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tv
20% of Analog TV Viewers to Let Their TVs Go Dark After the Digital Switch
Next February, when analog TV signals go dark, according to a survey by ABI Research, a whopping 20% of the people who rely on them to get their TV signals won't bother to get a digital converter, instead letting their TVs go dark. They'll move on to watching DVDs and broadband-based entertainment instead. Could the least-tech-savvy people in America actually be turning into the most forward-thinking? More » -
watches
Quiksilver's The Ray Watch is Confusing, But Eco-Friendly
All those confusing-display watches from Tokyo flash have nothing on the impeccable eco-credentials of Quiksilver's upcoming watch. The Ray is analog with a 27-jewel movement, though its display is unusual and looks like it'd take a while to get used to... but it's shipped in eco-friendly packaging by ship rather than by air (saving on CO2 emissions) and is made of largely recyclable materials. That's stuff like wood, stainless steel, aluminum, and mineral glass, and though I'm not sure it's the "world's first eco-friendly timepiece" it certainly sounds like a good idea. You'll probably have to be a rich eco-warrior to have one though: it's a limited run of 1,000 pieces, and the price is still to be announced. [Acquiremag] -
mpaa
MPAA Want to Bung-Up "Analog Hole," Disable Piracy-Enabling Cable Box Outputs
Movies movies movies... we all love a good show, but the lovely MPAA is up to some pretty strange shenanigans to ensure that you get to see some shows just once—until they're out on DVD at least. The fab guys at the Motion Picture Association of America are petitioning the FCC on behalf of some major movie studios to close the "analog hole" that may allow people to record movies broadcast on cable before they hit DVD. "The Petitioners' theatrical movies are too valuable in this early distribution window to risk their exposure to unauthorized copying" runs the argument, and is why the MPAA wants "selectable output control" (SOC) enabled on some cable box outputs. More »
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By Kit EatonComment by ray_cathode: "I am confused: does the movie exist for the audience, or the audience exist for the movie?" You certainly are. The... more » | Other threads
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bbc
BBC to Broadcast Analog Channel Live on Internet
The BBC is to broadcast programmes from its main BBC1 channel live on the internet. The main BBC website, www.bbc.co.uk is about to be relaunched, and will have a live video stream of its flagship channel. Although two of its digital stations, BBC3 and the BBC News channel are already available online, this is the first of the corporation's analog channels to be available. More »
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By AddyDugdaleComment by St.Jimmy: @UAlch,Infmom, etc. [www.xroxy.com] Ta-Da! it works too. more » | Other threads
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watches
Asos Disk Dial Watches: Confusing Displays, Analog-Style
These watches sit somewhere between the confusing displays of Tokyo Flash digital watches and the amazing mechanical-digital Meccanica DG. Inside they have two wheels that spin relative to a marker line: and that's where you peek to work out how many hours and minutes of the work day remain (that's the main reason for wearing a watch, yes?). It's all a bit 1970s tech, and rather cool. Available now for about $70. [BBGadgets]
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By Kit EatonComment by IchabodCrane: -Cripes, it looks my Grandmother's old bathroon scale and I remmember how Gran always said that scale lied, LIED! more » | Other threads
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portable media
iRiver Spinn Analog PMP Gets UK Release Date
The iRiver Spinn, which we saw back at CES, is finally getting a release date. It'll be available in August in the UK in 4, 8 and 16GB models. It'll have Flash support plus a 3D graphics chip to give its UI a little more flashiness, but its analog controls will still be present, as will its 3.2-inch 480x272 screen. No US date yet, but the fact that it was shown at CES makes us believe there's a US release due some time. If not, there's always Fedex. [Crave UK]
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By Jason ChenComment by halfkorean: i... must... have... this...FINALLY! more » | Other threads
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best buy
Best Buy Gives FCC the Finger After Selling Analog TVs
Back in October, the FCC slapped a bunch of electronics retailers with (small) fines for selling analog TVs without the appropriate warning stickers of doom that the sets will officially be antiques on Feb. 17, 2009, when the digital switchover apocalypse happens. Best Buy is on the hook for $280,000. But their lawyers are telling the FCC that it's totally powerless here because they don't have Congressional mojo backing them up. Whatever legal mumbo jumbo is involved, we're glad the FCC laid down the (now sorta) law—we have the feeling it's why Best Buy officially kicked analog TVs in the first place, and the less stuff to confuse our grandmas, the better. [Ars]
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Comment by vertigo: @CyRu5: I have a little comcast cable box that I use in conjunction with my television via a $20,000 HDMI... more » | Other threads
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music
Do You Want to Know What Muscles Sound Like?
Cameron, a student at Cornell University, built an analog amp/feedback system, and then wired his muscles up to the thing via electrodes. It's kind of like a Theramin, but more weird. A doctor in the comments suggests fitting different voltages to each of the 12 muscles in the arm to vary the sound. I suggest shaving your whole body, covering yourself with electrodes, pantsing the analog amp and then going for a run. Cacophony rules. [Music Thing]
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By AddyDugdaleComment by Bokusatsu_Tenshi: Ok, so if I attach that to my pen0r, will it also make flying dolphins from Mars sounds? And if so,... more » | Other threads
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home entertainment
Is It Right That the U.S. Government Spends More on the Digital TV Switch Than Literacy Education?
To be honest, I can't say that I am surprised to hear that the government has allocated $1.5 billion to inform 17 million citizens about the digital TV transition. After all, those uninformed few would undoubtedly take up arms if they missed out on sports broadcasts and NBC's Thursday lineup. However, I was a little surprised to hear that the total proposed budged for literacy education in 2009 stands at a paltry $574.6 million. Once again it seems that our government does not have its priorities in order. That having been said, does this represent a proper allocation of taxpayer money in your opinion? How does broadband access fit into the mix? More » -
gaming
PSP Slim's Dual Analog Mod Allows Katamari Ecstasy
Sony's decision to only place one analog stick on the PSP as opposed to the two on just about all their other PlayStation controllers has led to some control scheme oddities. For one, FPS shooters are all but impossible because you can't use the D-Pad to aim, and two, Katamari Damacy was a bitch to play with the buttons. Modder L0rdNic0 had enough and decided to shove his own analog stick on the right-hand side. The result is a supposedly 100% "fully functioning" mod without any issues, which means snack cakes and sumo wrestlers alike need to watch out once more. [Acid Mods]
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By Jason ChenComment by ceilingFANBOY: @Player4: With the amount of homebrewing that goes on with the PSP, I wouldn't be surprised to find that someone... more » | Other threads
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question of the day
Analog to Digital TV Transition: Are We Insensitive To Regular Folks? A Reader Responds
Our stance on the analog to digital TV transition is that most people who can afford it should get a new TV, throwing their 1980s Magnavox set out like so much old trash. But are we insensitive to older folks and the less fortunate? A reader weighs in. More »
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By Jason ChenComment by Man In Gauze is an obscure reference to Courage the Cowardly Dog.: Because a site dedicated to new and nifty gadgets is definitely going to recommend sticking with a cheap short-term (relatively... more » | Other threads
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multimedia
Celrun TV HD Multimedia Player Supports Almost Every Codec Under the Sun
The Celrun TV multimedia player comes equipped to the back teeth. The HD multimedia player totes Ethernet, WiFi b/g for basic, network accessible storage; digital and analog TV tuners, IPTV support, DVR functionality, 320GB HDD, two USB ports, as well as RGB, S-VIDEO and HDMI outputs. Add to that the ability to playback H.264, WMV, AVI, Xvid, MOV, VOB, MPEG1/2/4 and a whole host of other supported codecs in between, the Celrun TV is certainly a souped up performer on paper. No idea as yet whether we'll see it Stateside, but if it does make an appearance, we'll be sure to let you know. [Akihabara News]
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By Haroon MalikComment by Brentis: sweet - i think.. h.264 HD? i.e. I need it to support my m2ts files from my HD HDD Sony... more » | Other threads
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announcements
Analog Cellular Networks Closing Down Next Week
We previously told you analog cellular networks were soon to be terminated. Well, now it is happening, with many of the major US mobile operators, including AT&T and Verizon set to put a stop to their analog networks this Monday. You might want to upgrade your burglar alarm. [Washington Post]
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By Haroon MalikComment by Gadgetgirl: @jamar0303: Ah, that 'I got a Startac!' feeling can't be duplicated-even in this tech crazy world. There will... more » | Other threads
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retromodo
Dealzmodo: 1989 Kraco Cellphone Was $1,500, Now $15
Waiting around for a rebate offer so you can score a sweet new handset? Why not go retro instead with Kraco's KCP-205 Trans-mobile cellular phone, listed on eBay at an opening bid of $15. That's approximately $1,500 less than it originally cost back in the day, when all you needed was a shoulder, an oil field and a dream. The phone was only used for one month, and the leather carrying case and manual are still in great shape. Just remember, even if you do convince some carrier to give you service for this old clunker, it would only last a few weeks, as the cellphone analog switch-off is still scheduled for Feb. 19. Good hunting! [eBay] -
dealzmodo?
Digital TV Converter Coupons From Uncle Sam Available Now, Old People Rejoice
Old people love coupons, especially ones worth 40 bucks, which buys a lot of Metamucil. They're also the people most likely to need digital converter boxes for analog sets to receive digital over-the-air broadcasts after Feb. 2009. So I'm happy to report thatyour grampsyou can pick up his $40 coupon for the box here. Or you could just take him down to Best Buy to get a new TV and forego this silliness. [Detroit Free Press] -
analog
Broadcasters Given the Go-Ahead for Flexible Analog Switch-Off
The FCC has approved plans to allow a gradual transmission to digital television. Analog switch-off is expected on February 17, 2009, but broadcasters will now be allowed to phase the old technology out, or terminate it beforehand, "if doing so is necessary to achieve their transition," the commission has stated. Full story below. More » -
sorry hollywood
Digital Movies Are More Expensive to Store Than Film
Hollywood may seem like the largest benefactor of digital technologies of anyone. While their classic movies were fading away on celluloid, computers came around and offered a means to import the images, make them beautiful again and save them for years to come. More » -
digital switchover
Analog Cell Network Goes Bye-Bye, Escalade Owners Weep
Sad news in the rap community: As of December 31, OnStar will no longer support its own analog systems in older vehicles, in anticipation of the analog cellphone shutdown scheduled for Feb. 19, 2008. Most of us no longer have analog phones, not even those dual-band and tri-band ones capable of analog roaming. Still, certain systems still rely on the network, including burglar alarms, utility meter readers and in-car help systems—not just OnStar but also LexusLink and Mercedes-Benz TeleAid. When AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Alltel switch off their networks, many OnStar users will find themselves SOL. [AP; OnStar Digital Transition] More » -
ces preview 2008
RCA DTA800 Digital Converter for Analog TVs Updated, Delayed
We kinda forgot all about this little box for old folks with old TVs that was announced way back at CES and promised by the end of this year. It's got a fresh paint job and later street date (January), dropping a little more than a year before analog broadcasts shutdown in 2009 in favor of all-digital broadcasts, which your TV can't pick up if it's not digital—unless you have this digital converter box or one like it. If you don't wanna roll down to Best Buy for a new TV, you can knock $40 off the DTA800 and keep on trucking with your grandma TV. More pictures: More » -
home entertainment
FCC Extends Analog TV Support Until 2012
The previously mandated analog TV cutoff date of 2009 has just been extended by the FCC, meaning that even though broadcasters (the people like NBC who send out the shows) will be dropping the analog feed, cable operators (the local cable companies that take your money every month) will still have to support old ass analog TV sets. They have two ways do to it.
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fcc
The FCC auction of the soon-to-be-vacated analog TV spectrum that everyone wants a chunk of will go down Jan. 16, 2008. [Broadband Reports] -
clocks
Customizable Analog Clocks Show What Time it is Anywhere
Got a lot of family all over the world? Need to stalk and track every single Giz editor? This customizable analog clock is for you. It shows the time on a 24 hour scale, divided up into night and day, and gives you five hands that point to various time zones throughout the world. This way you can easily label everyone in your family whether they're in London, Madrid, Osaka or just in NY. It takes a bit of getting used to, since there's no minute hand, but you've got enough regular clocks lying around to take care of that. Label one of the hands "beer" and you've got a party all the time. [Funshop via Nexus404]
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By Jason ChenComment by blank: This looks like another one of those "solutions" that's more confusing than the problem. more » | Other threads
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watches
Fossil Analog/Digital Goes Both Ways
This bi-chronical watch from Fossil has a hard time explaining exactly what it is it does to its parents thanks to its dual analog and digital face. The left side is analog, reading numbers in a vertical configuration, whereas the main chunk of the rest of the face has two hands and tells time in an analog fashion. Does this look cool? Definitely. Will you be totally confused if you accidentally change one time to be slightly off from the other? You bet. [Fossil via Fossil via Technabob]
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By Jason ChenComment by PJK: I have an ancient analog/digital watch from casio, how is this a new development? more » | Other threads
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wireless
Columbia Professor: "Open Up That Spectrum, Mr. FCC"
Right now to enter the wireless market, you pretty much have to go through of the Big Four wireless providers, who, as Columbia professor Tim Wu puts it, "tend to approve only established partners whose devices fit their business plans, which is why we have yet to see all those wireless devices that were supposed to be in our future." More » -
home entertainment
Aging Company Provides Aging Technology for Aging Users
We couldn't think of a better marriage between an elderly company providing something for the elderly than these digital to analog converters from RCA. If your grandma doesn't care for replacing her 30-year-old analog set with something capable of receiving digital broadcasts, this DTA800 will be able to receive digital over-the-air (OTA) and translate it to analog. Useful when analog shuts down in 2009. More »
analog
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