It’s now official , DTV is now the standard broadcast, rescanned converter, no new stations, 34 total, some are doubles ,just rebroadcast on more than one station. Some of the commercials have improved, most were assuming we need diet supplements, powered wheelchairs and diabetes test kits and countless exercise machines. Also ads urging people to call lawyers if they taken a variety of medications or treatments. As tobacco products have been banned from advertising , I would suggest that part of the health care reform package include a ban  on TV advertising of health care products and medications. It’s making me sick !

retro movies

“this” tv network , Boston, mostly retro movies now OTA HDTV   channel 7.2

THE MENTALIST HAS COMPETITION.

I guess these two fairly new  TV shows have something in common. Obsession with the truth. The Mentalist is more of a Sherlock Holmes style whose analysis of all details solves the mystery. “Lie To Me” seems to hinge on the reading of facial expressions that are the tell, though they do make some mention that one is telling the true or lying as he/she
had  perceived the events.

“The Mentalist” seems to be more professional in his appearance, while the lead character of “Lie To Me looks” like he’s been up all night, The first episode, he is plenty red eyed and a bit disheveled and more believable that he he can make a quick read and has to live with it.

Like other TV programs similar to Numb3ers, these specialist are hired (we can only guess what fees they command)
by law enforcement or other organizations to solve crimes and/or find out the real truth. Of course they have the latest technology, slick offices and dazzling arrays of wide screen monitors, I’d like to see them play Texas Hold`em though.

One of the humorous moments of Lie To Me, I thought, was the scene with the food server who was grilled
by Cal about whether he had washed his hands or not. The food server, when questioned, instinctively grabbed the back of  his neck, to Cal, an indication that he was lying, to me, he`s saying “this guys a pain in the neck”!
So I guess we have seen enough CSI style TV forensics. This cast certainly has Obsessive Truth Compulsion Disorder.

A High Definition Over the Air Television Desk Top Component Solution

A High Definition Over the Air Television Desk Top Component Solution

(1) KWorld TV BOX 1680ex, W/Multi-Video Inputs, PC/TV Switch, Built-In Speakers, Remote Control
(1) Samsung DTB_H260F Digital set top box
(1) CRT (or LCD) computer monitor with sub D input

I ran The Kworld TV Box right out of the box to a 17″ Dell CRT monitor with a rooftop broadcast antenna input and it gave good results for standard broadcast. I had an older Techmedia 14″ crt monitor that I connected to it later. I had to set the resolution of the Kworld at 800×600, the most that this older monitor can handle, but it worked with this monitor also giving me TV reception to replace an old 19″ TV. Next, connecting a Samsung DTB-H260F Digital over the air tuner utilizing the YPbPr component outputs to the inputs to the Kworld and feeding a 17″ Sony Trinitron CRT monitor really showed off the capabilities of the Kworld TV Box. The picture is astounding and between the Kworld, Samsung, and Sony monitor, there is a wealth of adjustments. An excellent combination for OTA HDTV system that utilizes a monitor capable of true component system High Definition. Having both, a Sony Monitor set up for Tv reception and a Dell monitor for the computer on my desk, it’s possible to watch Tv and use the computer at the same time. (the Kworld will support Picture in Picture function if you have only one monitor, though the manual states that it won’t work at 1680×1050 resolution). The Kworld 1680ex was purchased from Tiger Direct. There may be other converter boxes available that do the same thing but this combination has alot of fexibility and the ability to add other components such as a DVD player or video game etc. The Samsung was available from circuit City , it’s relatively expensive compared to other Converter boxes and IS NOT available for the $40.00 off Program, but the outputs are true high definition. The government issue converter boxes, those available for use with the $40.00 off coupons, won’t output over 480i and by the Coupon program Rules are limited to analog output only , some have separate video/audio output. It’s unfortunate that the $40.00 off government coupons limit your choice of converter boxes and not available for use if you decide to replace your old analog TV with a digital one.

desk wiring schematic

Note the antenna should be listed as  a PR-4400 ((not PR-8800, which is a double bow tie grid,) www.starkelectronic.com))