Curses, foiled again by the digital gods
Published by Becky S February 15th, 2005 in tech, wtf?It’s time for a new home theatre system, mostly because the ratio of VHS cassettes to new-fangled digital discs at TLA video is not looking good these days. I decided to buy a no-name DVD player because it has all of these features for the low, low price of fifty bucks:
- DVD, CD, MP3, WMA, SVCD, VCD, and JPEG image CD compatible; includes karaoke function.
- Composite-video, S-video, and component-video outputs; NTSC/PAL video conversion output.
- Advanced MDDI progressive scanning renders seamless, high-resolution images on HD and HD-ready televisions.
- Optical and coaxial digital-audio outputs; multichannel analog audio outputs.
Frankly, I’m not sure what most of this means, though it’s a relief to know that I can convert some NTSC/PAL videos and progressively MDDI scan if the mood strikes. But did you see the first item? Karaoke function!
Problem #1: the user manual makes no mention of karaoke. Bum deal? It’s too soon to tell, since my attempt to go digital was quickly thwarted by
Problem #2: this can’t be right. Either I need a new television—and I’ll send the DVD player back before I’ll buy a new television—or I must visit the evil empire of Radio Shack.
Problem #3: does the DVD player have a slot for the rabbit ears?
You need a new television!
But since you won’t buy one (women, sheesh) you should be able to get by with a RF modulator, the one that I linked to is a whole kit, but I am sure you can find a stand alone product as well.
That should solve all of your A/V problems, other than the fact that your TV is from the stone age.
i was just about to suggest an RF modulator as well, but scott beat me to it. and rabbit ears!!! the techie nerd that i am both loves that you have them and loathe the site of them.
Hey, thanks guys! Scott, my TV works fine.
I love saying RF mo-du-la-tor. It makes me think of Marvin the Martian.
Rabbit ears rule. Last year, when I lived alone I didn’t have cable and survived on rabbit ears alone. It was fine because everything I really watch is on the networks, but it was hilarious to move the ears depending on what channel I was on.
What I love about rabbit ears — There may be poor reception, but if you raise your right arm and slide your leg to the left… BAM! Perfect picture!
There are ways to make it all work together…though it is slightly more difficult than fixing your closet door.
Sure, you say your TV works fine now! But wait until you see my super great plasma TV that I will be acquiring thanks to my date auction.
I had an ancient TV just like the one you have. Fred picked up a DVD player from someone’s trash and then we discovered that we had a problem similar to what you are experiencing. So when we moved I convinced Fred to trash the old TV and trashy DVD player so I could buy a DVD RW drive for my computer. Now DVDs work like a charm.
BTW, are there VCDs that are not porn? The only VCDs I have seen are in Chinatown and they all have naked, skinny Chinese women that look like that they are in pain.
So you watch movies on your computer? Or hook your computer up to the TV? Aack.
I don’t know what a VCD is, but I wasn’t planning on too much porn.
The RF Modulator is mine–Best Buy had them. That is one loud-ass store.
Yes, I am not a fan of Best Buy because it is so loud. But they do have all the cool toys, and their DVD prices are very good.
But since I don’t drive I am not at Best Buy all that often, so I must amuse myself by looking at electronics on the web.
Radio Shack also has RF modulators. I’ve used one for years on my old, old TV with a DVD player and VCR with no problem. DVDs are sooooo much nicer than tapes. Next stop Netflixs.