Bad TV! Bad! On a day when we are at our wit's end with technology and have run out of blogging time, what could be more perfect than to feature this little devil?
TV-B-Gone was invented by Mitch Altman to turn off televisions remotely... any television. In other words you can turn off other people's televisions or even those in store windows, just to secure more peace and quiet. Mitch Altman has a mission, too:
We here at Cornfield Electronics, Inc. have noticed, however, that rarely is technology actually used for anything useful. We here at Cornfield Electronics, Inc. want to change that. Our mission: use technology for something useful!
TV-B-Gone universal remote control is our first product, and is, in fact, one of the first truly useful uses of technology. We hope you will enjoy it, as well as the vast amount of energy that it opens up in your life.
Available for $15 online and at Target (European TV's too). Will it turn off my computer too?? MGR
It can take up to 60-90 seconds to cycle through all the possible codes to turn off the hundreds of tv models it has the off codes for. Not quite a miracle.
Now if only we could get the same thing (light portable) for cell phone.
60-90 seconds and $15... a small price to pay for peace and quiet at 3 am. or at least exacting a small piece of petty revenge on my neighbor at said time.
It's annoying... and I don't even have a TV in my apartment. What's next? A remote control that lets you control the cars of bad drivers? Trying to control other people with this tricky little thing is just as rude. If you really want peace, just ask, people! The art of manners isn't easy and doesn't always work.
So passive-aggresive! No need to bother actually explaining your problem with the offending TV, just turn it off without communicating. Cool.
I realize my post made little sense. To summarize, I agree with Alison completely.
I think it is way too Big -Brother-meets-vigilante justice. Somethin' about it just ain't right. (Perhaps beginning with the oxymoronic-named "Cornfield Electronics"...)
Patrick,
I am always amused by your "observations". Don't agree, but am amused.
Thanks, CR! Wait, you NEVER agree...?!
Codes, aspect ratios, guides, inputs and cyclone sounds. If you think youre reading about a NASA shuttle think again. These are just a few of the features on today's TV's and remote controls. When did watching TV become rocket science?
Royal Philips CEO Gerard Kleisterlee while speaking at an industry dinner in Las Vegas told the following story. ABC News program 20/20 had put an American consumer in a room with a pile of digital gadgets and a universal remote control from Philips. Of course, the poor soul failed to get the products to work and left in utter frustration. He also said it had become painfully obvious that the promise of the digital revolution to make our lives easier, simpler, better, is not being delivered. In fact, in many respects, it's only made life more complicated.
Kenneth Gassman, Customer Service Director for Miracle Remote LLC., a company that manufactures replacement TV remotes comments, There are countless functions on TV's and remote controls made in the past several years that no one understands or even wants. For instance, on some new LCD TV's there is a button on the remote that allows you to flip your picture upside down. Are there that many people who watch TV while standing on their head that we need this feature?"
Gassman continues its diffucult enough to figure out how to work your existing remote. Then it gets lost, broken or chewed up by the family pet. How do you replace it?"Retail stores can't carry original remotes since there are thousands of models plus the originals are expensive. For lack of a better option consumers usually purchase universal remotes when they need replacements. Unfortunately, they end up frustrated after realizing universals are very confusing to program, and don't provide all the features required. Only basic functions are found on the front of the TV panel. Without the original remote you can't activate features like channel auto programming or access your DVD or game inputs on many sets. Other functions like changing the picture size on newer TVs are also impossible to work with universal remotes. Then there's the issue of programming codes and instruction manuals almost as long as a novel. Some universals literally need to be connected to the Internet to be programmed. Technology that was supposed to make our lives easier leaves many consumers totally bewildered."
Gassmans company has tried to simplify matters and address the need for easy to use full function replacement remotes with its new Miracle Remote Series found at www.MiracleRemote.com . Just put in the batteries, no programming, no codes, The Miracle Remote just works! Each remote is designed to work just one specific TV brand. Plus, The Miracle Remote operates just like the original and can operate all the key features on TV's made from 1988 to the present. The remotes also include improvements for ease of use, such as frequently used buttons being larger and placed at the top of the unit. With eight different models offered, there is a Miracle Remote available to control most major brand TV's.
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Contact: Dan Ruback
Company Name: Miracle Remote LLC
Phone: 1-800-827-2546
Fax: 1-813-925-8776
Email: Sales@AnyTVRemote.com
Web Address: www.MiracleRemote.com
For a Press Kit http://www.MiracleRemote.com/mediakit.html
I purchased a Miracle Remote for my Sony television and was so excited to see I did not have to program it! It is works great on all the special features like Picture in Picture. I was so sick of buying universal remotes that would never let me get into the menu and change the settings on my tv.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for making this remote!! Your the best.