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A new idea! touch-screen TV?
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A new idea! touch-screen TV? |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! 
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I've got a new idea and I'm posting it here so there is a record lmao ... Why can't we have touch-screen TVs? I mean a TV where we can pick and choose what we want to watch from any of the new movies (pay-per-view) to a favorite sports program. I know that technology has advanced to the point where we can record a program to watch later and even pause, fast-forward and rewind while watching, but we have to set it up to record the program if we aren't watching as it plays right? So, my idea is why not just pick what you want to watch by say "typing" in the name of a certain show and just hitting enter? I'm sure this is probably already in the works and I am way behind, yet again, but I would love to see this come about. What do you guys think? |
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| © Copyright 2004 Jeffrey D. Carter - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
It's called TiVo, Jeffrey, and will change the way you watch television.  I'm old enough to remember getting out of a chair to flip a channel (or, more accurately, being told by my parents to get out of a chair to flip the channel for them), but today, it's hard to even imagine living without a remote control. I've only had TiVo a few months, but I already find it hard to imagine actually watching "live" television again. On Demand viewing is the only way to fly! My only regret, now, is that I didn't get a larger hard disk. |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
LOL Will TiVo let you watch on demand without having to set it to record the program first? If so I am definitely gonna look into it! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
NO CHANNEL SURFING? hmmm. Not sure whether to laugh or cry. I've got it down to such a fine art now... hmmm. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
There are a number of different ways to record. Obviously, you can use it like a VCR, setting date and time manually. It also has a built-in program guide, and if you see an upcoming program of interest you can immediately set it to record straight from the on-screen guide. Another option is to issue a Season Pass. Those allow you to specify a show and let the system figure out dates, times, and even channels. It can, for example, find every episode of Star Trek: TNG on any available channel for the next two weeks, simply by searching its internal program guide. Periodically, it contact home base (phone, satellite or cable) and downloads an updated program guide. Want even more flexibility? You can also establish a WishList based on Title, Director, Category, Keyword, or Actor. Tell the system you like Jennifer Aniston and it'll find all episodes of Friends, any movies playing with her listed, and will even record Jay Leno if she happens to be a guest. Finally, TiVo will even offer its own Suggestions, based on what you've recorded in the past, and those too can be set to auto-record (not a great idea, as it makes a LOT of suggestions). Additionally (and just for Karen!), if you just happen to flip to a channel, any channel at all, the box will automatically start recording, storing up to an hour of "live" television on its disk. That means, on any show at any time, you can push the pause button and take a break. When you return, you'll be watching the recording instead of the live show. Pause long enough (usually ten minutes on most network shows) and you'll be able to fast-forward through all the commercials, ending your recorded version of the show just about the same time the live one is finishing. It's dang near magic. The TiVo box is basically a computer, running the Linux operating system, with proprietary programs providing control of pretty much anything you would want. The bigger the hard disk, the more hours you can record. The base system handles approximately 35 hours. The "key" to the system is that internal program guide, since the software can search it just like a database. There are similar systems surfacing, and you can even turn your PC into a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), but TiVo was the first and arguably still the best. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
I love DVRs, and they're incredibly affordable. With a DVD/DVDR player, Surround sound PC card and speakers, a decent PC can become a powerful entertainment hub when hooked up to modern TVs. Not only does this eliminate the mess of VCR/DVD/Stereo systems and their wires, but offers big screen internet access and PC gaming. Plus, considering HDs are also ridiculously low, I'd personally pop all of my DVDs onto the system and eliminate the fumbling around for discs as well. Oh to have a little disposable income...sighs. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Ooooh. grin. cool I want one. |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
I want one too Karen! I'm looking at the web site now and am definitely gonna be checking on this! Thanks for all the info Ron, You ROCK! |
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