I'd been looking for an Orange Man super hero since we started discussing your new business venture. :smile: Finally found one that wasn't representing a Northern Ireland secret society.
make a backup of your email in oe. (i'm sitting on vista right now and can't remember how to do it). burn it and your pictures, saved documents, what have you to a dvd.
if you have the option, get a linux boot disk or a dos boot disk, and run fdisk to clear the partitions from the hard discs. (you can get a free dos disk here: http://www.freedos.org/)
Then go back with the original system disks and reinstall the system.
normally, i refrain from contacting anyone's tech support. however i've got an officejet 7410. i want to have two instances of it set up in the printers. one for color, one for black and white. it saves on the color ink cartridge. i've obviously got a moron working my case who can't grasp that i'm not trying to attach multiple printers to the computer via the network, one printer, one computer, multiple appearances. so just tell me where i can point the damn "have disk" button to in add printers. thats all i want. but no this broad has to make it into a big production. damn overseas tech support.
here's the email exchange i've had so far. you ought to appreciate this, kc:
Hello Jason,
Thank you for your reply.
Thank you for the information. I appreciate that you have done MCSE and will touch more greaster heights in future. I request you to go through the following information given below:
1. Open Network and Sharing Center by clicking the Start button,click Control Panel ,click Network and Internet , and then click Network and Sharing Center .
2. Click the arrow button next to Printer sharing to expand the section, click Turn on printer sharing , and then click Apply . Your printer is now shared on the network.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. If you are using a computer connected to a workgroup, click the arrow button next to Password protected sharing to expand this section, and then check to see if password-protected sharing is turned on or off. If it is turned on, only people with a user account and password for this computer will be able to access your printer. Turn this off if you want anyone on the network to be able to access the printer you are sharing. To change this setting, select the option you prefer, and then click Apply .
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
:- Note Anyone using this computer can already use any printer attached to the computer. Printe sharing allows you to share your printer with people using other computers on the network.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care
-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: RE: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail suppor
Jennifer, I'm not talking about having two separate softwares in the computer. On installation of the HP software, One physical printer, Two distinct pritner queues both pointing at the same printer with one installation of the HP software.
This can be done by installing the HP software on another computer, sharing the printer from that comptuer and using \\computername\printer, and adjusting the settings accordingly. In know this to be true, as I can and do have a connection to the OfficeJet 5610 on my daughter's computer as well, using the \\computername\printer notation. And it works because Windows is kind enough to keep a set of drivers available for each printer attached to it so that when someone connects to it over the network, It can install the apporpriate driver. (This I remember quite well from my MCSE education many years ago).
There has to be a way to do this without involving an SMB connection to another computer. If i have an ancient LaserJet 2, I can connect it to my network once, and because windows has a built in driver for the printer, create as many instances of the printer as I want, each with different default settings.
I can't do this with the OfficeJet 7410, because the only way to do this would be to:
double click on Add Printer
click next
click local printer attached to this computer
select OfficeJet7400Series (HP Standard TCP/IP port)
Select Have Disk
The only problem is I don't have a place to point Have Disk where I can get the drivers for the printer.
Interestingly enough, there is an abundance of HP Office Jet printers whose drivers are included with Windows (OfficeJet, 300, 330, 350, G55, G55xi, G85, G85xi, G95, K60, K60Xi, K80, K80xi, LX, R40, R40xi, R45, R60, R65, R80, R80xi, V30, V40, V40xi and V45 and OfficeJet Pro Series 1170Xm 1170Cse, 1170Cxi, 1175Cse, 1175Cxi, 1150C).
Your solution is akin to changing the settings every time I wish to print something, and quite frankly is a huge black mark with HP's reputation with me if that is indeed the case. If this is the case, HP printers are incredibly unusable, and I would very much appreciate it if you would open a defect report to this effect.
_____
Subject: Re: RE: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail suppor
Hello Jason,
Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.
Jason,as from previous e-mail, I have informed you that it is not recommended to use two HP softwares on a computer. However, you can use black and white printing and color printing simultaneosly from one printer and can use tghe printer to print in black only by using the settings in the HP Solution Center.
1. Open HP Director.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Print settings and Printer settings.
4. Click Color Tab.
5. Under Color options,check the checkbox " Print in Grayscale" .
6. Click OK.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care
-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail support
Jennifer, I think I may not have been completely clear in my original request. In my environment, I have a single 7410. It shows up as a pair of devices in my printers list (OfficeJet 7400 Series and OfficeJet 7400 Series fax). It is connected via thewired network interface, and I have the complete suite of software installed on all the computers on my network. What my hope is, is to have this single physical device appear asmultiple printers in the Printers control Panel Applet; one printer for normal color printing, and the other for black and white printing, both pointing at the HP TCP/IP port that was created when i installed the printer. If I wanted to, I imagine I could use one of the documented "compatible" printer drivers, but I wouldprefer to use the HP 7410 printer driver, which I guess is what I'm really trying to get at. Where can I point the "Have Disk" dialog box at when I add a printer to find just the driver for the 7410?
_____
Dear Jason,
Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.
This is Jennifer from HP All-in-One Technical Support Team and this reply is in regards to your query related to the HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One.
Before we proceed further with the resolution steps, I greatly appreciate that you have forwarded us your concerns and given me an opportunity to assist you in this regard. I assure you my complete support till the issue gets resolved.
I understand from your mail that you want to ste up two printer queues in windows for color printing and Black/white printing and you are looking to install two printers in one computer.
Jason, The design intent for HP All-in-One devices is to save valuable desktop space and provide easy-to-use interfaces and tools to make work-life easier. When more than one HP All-in-One device is used on the same system, incompatibility issues will probably be encountered. HP does not recommend using more than one HP All-in-One device on the same computer.
Most HP All-in-One devices have software that retains communication with the computer and the device at all times. This makes using a switchbox useless because both HP All-in-One devices' software will try and address the same port. Earlier HP OfficeJet products will share and overwrite the same files.
Windows will not let another application open certain types of files if they are already in use. This results in error messages and incompatibility. I regret for the inconvenience caused to you in this regard.
Jason, I believe the above information helps. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us back. We will be most glad to assist you further.
Have a Nice Time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care.
-----Original Message-----
Date: 02/19/2008 17:20:00 EST
To: HP Support
Cc:
Subject: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail support
hp e-mail support
language_code : en
language : English
Country of Residence : UnitedStates
product_line : DU
product_oid : 391194
product_name : HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One
part_number : Q5569A,Q5569B,Q5573C
purchase month : 3
purchase year : 2007
problem area : installation and setup
operating system : Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32
How is your product connected to your PC? : Network
problem description : My hope is to have two distinct printer queues set up in Windows. One for color printing, the other for black and white, using only the black ink cartridge. How can I add an additional printer, since the install process only attaches to a single printer, and going through the add a new printer process presents a list of drivers, none of which are the 7410. Alternatively, Where can I point the "Have Disk" option to add an additional printer using the 7410 driver?
Her name is not Jennifer thats the name they gave her to make her sound like she is not over seas!!! my brother tolled me about this crap with Quest tech. soport!! lol I am now at the point where I just call and any tech. I am talking to the first Question I ask is Are you over seas?? and most of the time I get YES Is that a problem!! and I say YES!!! I would like to talk to someone in my country!! you are putting my friends out of work!! they dont like that much!! lol
The world has gone to hell. This is proof. Must be about time for another revolution. I don't want overseas technical support, and I'm sick of everything I touch in the stores being made in China. How do we take the power back?
after reading those emails, i really have to wonder if her name is really jennifer. that does seem to be rather incongruent with someone in india, as the grasp of english this person has would seem to imply.
Most likely not really Jennifer. One of my daughter's was a customer service phone rep for Best Buy, and they had to pick a name other than their own to use for calls.
You're performing off the script! You're improvising! You actually KNOW the subject! -Tech support for HP is catered to the masses at about a fourth grade level - probably because that's all the foreigners can read English at.
We just got nailed at work by HP - they originally quoted a repair tech's time at about $165 and hour, then jacked it up to $450 an hour the day before the tech showed up. Still, it was a heckuva lot cheaper than buying their ONE-year $4000 warranty extension.
FYI - We're dealing with a large format banner-making printer that costs $30,000 - not a $100 'disposable' desktop piece of crap.
A cheap / dumb way to fix the color/B&W issue is just to store EVERYONES print item in a cue, and then release them in groups according to color preference.
I know - I know - that works about as well as sorting out cars by color on the freeway ramps during rush hour. Forget I typed anything...
Is there a setting to make 'black' colors in documents ONLY use black ink? The color pages will not be as pretty, but is does save on colored ink useage.
yup. there is. there's an option on the printer preferences, for the 7410 at least, to print in gray scale, and then a subsequent option to use black only.
My Epson printer died at work a couple weeks ago, so I had to get a new one.
I basically requested the same printer - just the 2008 version of it.
The new printer prints the same way - full color pages very fast.
The Hitch: Ink cartridges are smaller (supposedly they use less ink-LIES LIES)
Reality Bites: I replace ink every two weeks now instead of once a month
Hope floats: There's a lawsuit against Epson for their stupid chip sensor that stops - literally STOPS the use of each cartridge when there is still about 30% of the ink left inside of it.
Buck the system: They sell "Chip Resetters" gizmos on e-Bay that tell the cartridge its full of ink again. Problem is, none are recommended (yet) for the newest model inks (like mine)
Mikey - at the end of the song they flash the "Austin City Limits" logo in the corner - I knew I saw it on public TV!
HEY - I finally got my two government-issued TV Digital Converter box coupons in the mail yesterday. It comes with a list of local stores to use it at - incl. mostly Radio Shack, Best Buy and Circuit City
Bogus: The coupons expire May 23rd - no pressure to use it quickly!
I used my digtial-to-analog TV signal converter box today, with my govt-issued coupon...Best Buy cost: $60 - coupon: $40 - Take-home price w. tax: $23.89
Positives: Picks up ALL the digital channels and HD in the metro, including multiple TPT channels and the Kare 11 weather station crystal-clear.
Negatives: (lots more of these):
1) It is NOT a signal converter - a true signal converter would translate the signal as a pass-through function, allowing your TV's OWN tuner to pick up the digital stations.
It is it's OWN tuner, meaning basically you leave the TV on Channel 3 forever, and you use the box's remote (yes ANOTHER remote) to watch TV. (same as cable)
2) Digital has drawbacks - the signal strength has to be at least 2/3 of full strength, or you don't get an image. Channel 45 kept cutting to a blank screen, and I cannot get any of the four Channel 41's out of St. Cloud at all.
3) If you use the gov't coupon to buy the converter at Best Buy, you basically cannot return it - it's being sold basically as a clearance item with no return policy.
4) NO ONE had them in stock locally except Best Buy - Circuit City went through over 100 of them in first few days, and Radio Shack had only one left. There is NO selection to choose from - they offer ONE model only at each store.
5) Lastly: The coupons are only good locally, and the ones I received expires in May, so there's virtually no way to shop around for a better model or wait until Christmas.
I guess you get what the gov't pays for...
Come to think of it, this should probably be posted in the "What Irritates You" thread...
1) Yeah, that's how I thought they'd operate, bummer, but it is simple. I also think the FCC would have issue with a convertor that generates multiple analog TV channel signals (essentially it could create noise on that bandwidth they are auctioning off to the highest bidder).
2) Yup, my grandmother has a new HD tv, and she has major problems with reception (and she's in the metro). I can only hope when they take down the analog signal that they'll allow higher power transmissions of digital tv signals, which should help resolve the issue.
3) That's silly....
4) It's probably because they're still a new item, and a lot of these shops would rather have you buy a new HD tv than a signal converter that they don't make as much profit off of.
5) That doesn't make any sense to me. The coupons should at least be good through february of next year, when they shut the analog signal off...
Lastly, I should apply for one of those coupons, just because I'm the techy sort and would like to have a converter to tinker with.
Forgot to mention.....I am using an amplified set of rabbit ears (cheapest ones available). The non-powered kind didn't pull in the signal well enough all the time. It's very annoying when a digital signal cuts out.
Poor analog signal = snow.
Poor digit signal = Watching through an old IBM punch card.
Actually, perhaps I should start selling my services installing digital tv antennas? If the signal strength doesn't increase, there's going to be a lot of angry folks that won't like how bad their reception is...
Amplified antennas aren't the best option either, they have their own inherent problems. The real trouble is the antenna design. If you're looking at a low signal quality, you need to have an outdoor antenna on a mast for starters. Then comes proper alignment and an antenna specifically designed to receive the bandwidth that Digital TV is broadcast on.
Yeah, I don't think anyone fully understands the implications of this switchover.
While I agree in the long run it will be a good change (lets face it, analog tv takes up a HUGE chunk of bandwidth) the short run can have some major problems, especially considering they're bricking TONS of electronics.
Sounds like we should answer those Nigerian emails with an offer they cannot resist..........10,000 free TVs if you wire transfer a mere $1,000 dollars today.
My TV Antenna Setup - in Woodbury - only about 15 miles from Shoreview
The large aerial antenna is against the 'rules' - no antenna over "18 inches", so I have it bolted flat on the roof with only it's nose over the crest of the roof pointed at Shoreview. Even with the in-line signal amplifier, I couldn't get a clear picture before on indoor rabbit ears - too many echoes/interference.
I managed to get ALL the ch 41 - St. Cloud stations clearly last night - apparently their signal can't travel until after 10 pm.
I just need to say that though this switch over has been talked about in the Cooler for a good part of over a year now.... it is really over my head and I know that I won't be the only one trying to read everyones posts again and figure all this out when it comes down to it happening next year. I wish all these posts were actually in their own thread because this is gonna be truly agrivating. I'm computer literate but extremely electrical illeterate.
Since cable is not 'broadcast' over the airwaves, it is IMMUNE from having to change in 2009. Cable providers are not OBLIGATED to change, but they may do it anyway just to piss you off.
I found a note saying the FCC is not even going to discuss digital switchover of all non-broadcast (cable) media until 2011 for a possible 2012 switch. As long as a cable provider is delivering analog signals, they are required by law to continue broadcasting the local channels in analog as well.
BUT if there is ANY money to be made from digital, Comcast and the rest will dump analog in a heartbeat. Anyone who subscribes to cable knows that's true.
BTW - I'm getting sick of talking about it as well. I've done some homework - but if we have more questions - maybe we should have a 'TV Lounge' thread for all things Boob-Tube related - maybe in the "In the News" folder? Kitch? Ares? Anyone?
I nominate the thread title: "The Boob Tube - Now in Digital"
The FCC requires cable operators such as Comcast and Time Warner Cable to continue carrying local broadcast channels that can be viewed on traditional analog TVs for three years after the switchover.
By that time I'll most likely have replaced this old TV anyway.
http://www.clipartof.com/details/collection/151.html
I'd been looking for an Orange Man super hero since we started discussing your new business venture. :smile: Finally found one that wasn't representing a Northern Ireland secret society.
I'm not sure if I got it right, but when I was looking at the Registry Editor, there was something about 32bit and 64bit. Both have to be changed?
After I searched for (and did not find) the VirtuMundo files, I exited. Could Spybot have deleted just one set, and not the other?
Does any of this make sense? I could try it again.
I was accessing RegEdit through OnTrack/Fix-It 2000
For whatever reason, activity is between 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm, almost non-existent otherwise.
My restricted cookie setting keeps getting re-set.
I'm about ready for OrangeMan.
Is the CD/restore computer provided the same thing as formatting?
The main things I want are my graphics/photos and my outlook express email (all 60,000 plus) :ooh:
I had both hard drives in, and could not figure out how to import from one to the other. It sure seemed like I should be able to do that.
if you have the option, get a linux boot disk or a dos boot disk, and run fdisk to clear the partitions from the hard discs. (you can get a free dos disk here: http://www.freedos.org/)
Then go back with the original system disks and reinstall the system.
normally, i refrain from contacting anyone's tech support. however i've got an officejet 7410. i want to have two instances of it set up in the printers. one for color, one for black and white. it saves on the color ink cartridge. i've obviously got a moron working my case who can't grasp that i'm not trying to attach multiple printers to the computer via the network, one printer, one computer, multiple appearances. so just tell me where i can point the damn "have disk" button to in add printers. thats all i want. but no this broad has to make it into a big production. damn overseas tech support.
I think they basically pull anybody off the street that can speak english, toss them a script and have them read it on a phone.
Hello Jason,
Thank you for your reply.
Thank you for the information. I appreciate that you have done MCSE and will touch more greaster heights in future. I request you to go through the following information given below:
1. Open Network and Sharing Center by clicking the Start button,click Control Panel ,click Network and Internet , and then click Network and Sharing Center .
2. Click the arrow button next to Printer sharing to expand the section, click Turn on printer sharing , and then click Apply . Your printer is now shared on the network.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. If you are using a computer connected to a workgroup, click the arrow button next to Password protected sharing to expand this section, and then check to see if password-protected sharing is turned on or off. If it is turned on, only people with a user account and password for this computer will be able to access your printer. Turn this off if you want anyone on the network to be able to access the printer you are sharing. To change this setting, select the option you prefer, and then click Apply .
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
:- Note Anyone using this computer can already use any printer attached to the computer. Printe sharing allows you to share your printer with people using other computers on the network.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care
-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: RE: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail suppor
Jennifer, I'm not talking about having two separate softwares in the computer. On installation of the HP software, One physical printer, Two distinct pritner queues both pointing at the same printer with one installation of the HP software.
This can be done by installing the HP software on another computer, sharing the printer from that comptuer and using \\computername\printer, and adjusting the settings accordingly. In know this to be true, as I can and do have a connection to the OfficeJet 5610 on my daughter's computer as well, using the \\computername\printer notation. And it works because Windows is kind enough to keep a set of drivers available for each printer attached to it so that when someone connects to it over the network, It can install the apporpriate driver. (This I remember quite well from my MCSE education many years ago).
There has to be a way to do this without involving an SMB connection to another computer. If i have an ancient LaserJet 2, I can connect it to my network once, and because windows has a built in driver for the printer, create as many instances of the printer as I want, each with different default settings.
I can't do this with the OfficeJet 7410, because the only way to do this would be to:
double click on Add Printer
click next
click local printer attached to this computer
select OfficeJet7400Series (HP Standard TCP/IP port)
Select Have Disk
The only problem is I don't have a place to point Have Disk where I can get the drivers for the printer.
Interestingly enough, there is an abundance of HP Office Jet printers whose drivers are included with Windows (OfficeJet, 300, 330, 350, G55, G55xi, G85, G85xi, G95, K60, K60Xi, K80, K80xi, LX, R40, R40xi, R45, R60, R65, R80, R80xi, V30, V40, V40xi and V45 and OfficeJet Pro Series 1170Xm 1170Cse, 1170Cxi, 1175Cse, 1175Cxi, 1150C).
Your solution is akin to changing the settings every time I wish to print something, and quite frankly is a huge black mark with HP's reputation with me if that is indeed the case. If this is the case, HP printers are incredibly unusable, and I would very much appreciate it if you would open a defect report to this effect.
_____
Subject: Re: RE: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail suppor
Hello Jason,
Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.
Jason,as from previous e-mail, I have informed you that it is not recommended to use two HP softwares on a computer. However, you can use black and white printing and color printing simultaneosly from one printer and can use tghe printer to print in black only by using the settings in the HP Solution Center.
1. Open HP Director.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Print settings and Printer settings.
4. Click Color Tab.
5. Under Color options,check the checkbox " Print in Grayscale" .
6. Click OK.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care
-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail support
Jennifer, I think I may not have been completely clear in my original request. In my environment, I have a single 7410. It shows up as a pair of devices in my printers list (OfficeJet 7400 Series and OfficeJet 7400 Series fax). It is connected via thewired network interface, and I have the complete suite of software installed on all the computers on my network. What my hope is, is to have this single physical device appear asmultiple printers in the Printers control Panel Applet; one printer for normal color printing, and the other for black and white printing, both pointing at the HP TCP/IP port that was created when i installed the printer. If I wanted to, I imagine I could use one of the documented "compatible" printer drivers, but I wouldprefer to use the HP 7410 printer driver, which I guess is what I'm really trying to get at. Where can I point the "Have Disk" dialog box at when I add a printer to find just the driver for the 7410?
_____
Dear Jason,
Thank you for contacting HP Total Care.
This is Jennifer from HP All-in-One Technical Support Team and this reply is in regards to your query related to the HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One.
Before we proceed further with the resolution steps, I greatly appreciate that you have forwarded us your concerns and given me an opportunity to assist you in this regard. I assure you my complete support till the issue gets resolved.
I understand from your mail that you want to ste up two printer queues in windows for color printing and Black/white printing and you are looking to install two printers in one computer.
Jason, The design intent for HP All-in-One devices is to save valuable desktop space and provide easy-to-use interfaces and tools to make work-life easier. When more than one HP All-in-One device is used on the same system, incompatibility issues will probably be encountered. HP does not recommend using more than one HP All-in-One device on the same computer.
Most HP All-in-One devices have software that retains communication with the computer and the device at all times. This makes using a switchbox useless because both HP All-in-One devices' software will try and address the same port. Earlier HP OfficeJet products will share and overwrite the same files.
Windows will not let another application open certain types of files if they are already in use. This results in error messages and incompatibility. I regret for the inconvenience caused to you in this regard.
Jason, I believe the above information helps. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us back. We will be most glad to assist you further.
Have a Nice Time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care.
-----Original Message-----
Date: 02/19/2008 17:20:00 EST
To: HP Support
Cc:
Subject: HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One e-mail support
hp e-mail support
language_code : en
language : English
Country of Residence : UnitedStates
product_line : DU
product_oid : 391194
product_name : HP Officejet 7410 All-in-One
part_number : Q5569A,Q5569B,Q5573C
purchase month : 3
purchase year : 2007
problem area : installation and setup
operating system : Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32
How is your product connected to your PC? : Network
problem description : My hope is to have two distinct printer queues set up in Windows. One for color printing, the other for black and white, using only the black ink cartridge. How can I add an additional printer, since the install process only attaches to a single printer, and going through the add a new printer process presents a list of drivers, none of which are the 7410. Alternatively, Where can I point the "Have Disk" option to add an additional printer using the 7410 driver?
Sincerely,
Jennifer
HP Total Care."
:sillygrin:
Sorry you've having trouble getting your point across to Jennifer, ares. :confused: But have a nice time. :smile:
Or we start heavily taxing any imported goods AND services, and we start easing up on regulations placed on corporations.
It all boils down to cost. Companies send jobs overseas because it\'s cheaper, and way less regulated.
We just got nailed at work by HP - they originally quoted a repair tech's time at about $165 and hour, then jacked it up to $450 an hour the day before the tech showed up. Still, it was a heckuva lot cheaper than buying their ONE-year $4000 warranty extension.
FYI - We're dealing with a large format banner-making printer that costs $30,000 - not a $100 'disposable' desktop piece of crap.
I know - I know - that works about as well as sorting out cars by color on the freeway ramps during rush hour. Forget I typed anything...
Is there a setting to make 'black' colors in documents ONLY use black ink? The color pages will not be as pretty, but is does save on colored ink useage.
I basically requested the same printer - just the 2008 version of it.
The new printer prints the same way - full color pages very fast.
The Hitch: Ink cartridges are smaller (supposedly they use less ink-LIES LIES)
Reality Bites: I replace ink every two weeks now instead of once a month
Hope floats: There's a lawsuit against Epson for their stupid chip sensor that stops - literally STOPS the use of each cartridge when there is still about 30% of the ink left inside of it.
Buck the system: They sell "Chip Resetters" gizmos on e-Bay that tell the cartridge its full of ink again. Problem is, none are recommended (yet) for the newest model inks (like mine)
HEY - I finally got my two government-issued TV Digital Converter box coupons in the mail yesterday. It comes with a list of local stores to use it at - incl. mostly Radio Shack, Best Buy and Circuit City
Bogus: The coupons expire May 23rd - no pressure to use it quickly!
Positives: Picks up ALL the digital channels and HD in the metro, including multiple TPT channels and the Kare 11 weather station crystal-clear.
Negatives: (lots more of these):
1) It is NOT a signal converter - a true signal converter would translate the signal as a pass-through function, allowing your TV's OWN tuner to pick up the digital stations.
It is it's OWN tuner, meaning basically you leave the TV on Channel 3 forever, and you use the box's remote (yes ANOTHER remote) to watch TV. (same as cable)
2) Digital has drawbacks - the signal strength has to be at least 2/3 of full strength, or you don't get an image. Channel 45 kept cutting to a blank screen, and I cannot get any of the four Channel 41's out of St. Cloud at all.
3) If you use the gov't coupon to buy the converter at Best Buy, you basically cannot return it - it's being sold basically as a clearance item with no return policy.
4) NO ONE had them in stock locally except Best Buy - Circuit City went through over 100 of them in first few days, and Radio Shack had only one left. There is NO selection to choose from - they offer ONE model only at each store.
5) Lastly: The coupons are only good locally, and the ones I received expires in May, so there's virtually no way to shop around for a better model or wait until Christmas.
I guess you get what the gov't pays for...
Come to think of it, this should probably be posted in the "What Irritates You" thread...
They work in White Bear Lake.
1) Yeah, that's how I thought they'd operate, bummer, but it is simple. I also think the FCC would have issue with a convertor that generates multiple analog TV channel signals (essentially it could create noise on that bandwidth they are auctioning off to the highest bidder).
2) Yup, my grandmother has a new HD tv, and she has major problems with reception (and she's in the metro). I can only hope when they take down the analog signal that they'll allow higher power transmissions of digital tv signals, which should help resolve the issue.
3) That's silly....
4) It's probably because they're still a new item, and a lot of these shops would rather have you buy a new HD tv than a signal converter that they don't make as much profit off of.
5) That doesn't make any sense to me. The coupons should at least be good through february of next year, when they shut the analog signal off...
Lastly, I should apply for one of those coupons, just because I'm the techy sort and would like to have a converter to tinker with.
I tried to re-apply a couple weeks ago cuz I didn't get it yet - by 'new' customer number was over 3.1 million! Good luck getting in line now...
- I swear to God, the coupon says 'Valid Thru 05/23/2008' - if I get time I'll scan it and show what it looks like..
Poor analog signal = snow.
Poor digit signal = Watching through an old IBM punch card.
Now where will those paranormal folks that see ghosts in this signal go? Will we start seeing images in the blocky digital signal?
Amplified antennas aren't the best option either, they have their own inherent problems. The real trouble is the antenna design. If you're looking at a low signal quality, you need to have an outdoor antenna on a mast for starters. Then comes proper alignment and an antenna specifically designed to receive the bandwidth that Digital TV is broadcast on.
we should sell a small hand held screen that is snow...
that way all the followers of TAPS of GHOSTHUNTERS http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/ can buy another gadgit
like the EVP recorders,
EMF Detectors,
Infrared Camera with DV Recorder,
Thermal Imaging Camera,ION generators, the therometers, etc..
ah man....did somebody already do it???
I can't watch this link at work...
http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/video/index.php?cat=gear&Chapter=7
those portable tv's gotta be cheap after this box stuff goes thru..
what a damn burden on society...now all those damn old school handheld tv's are just going in the trash...
While I agree in the long run it will be a good change (lets face it, analog tv takes up a HUGE chunk of bandwidth) the short run can have some major problems, especially considering they're bricking TONS of electronics.
heh
http://www.twincities.com/ci_8492839?nclick_check=1
The large aerial antenna is against the 'rules' - no antenna over "18 inches", so I have it bolted flat on the roof with only it's nose over the crest of the roof pointed at Shoreview. Even with the in-line signal amplifier, I couldn't get a clear picture before on indoor rabbit ears - too many echoes/interference.
I managed to get ALL the ch 41 - St. Cloud stations clearly last night - apparently their signal can't travel until after 10 pm.
I found a note saying the FCC is not even going to discuss digital switchover of all non-broadcast (cable) media until 2011 for a possible 2012 switch. As long as a cable provider is delivering analog signals, they are required by law to continue broadcasting the local channels in analog as well.
BUT if there is ANY money to be made from digital, Comcast and the rest will dump analog in a heartbeat. Anyone who subscribes to cable knows that's true.
BTW - I'm getting sick of talking about it as well. I've done some homework - but if we have more questions - maybe we should have a 'TV Lounge' thread for all things Boob-Tube related - maybe in the "In the News" folder? Kitch? Ares? Anyone?
I nominate the thread title: "The Boob Tube - Now in Digital"
By that time I'll most likely have replaced this old TV anyway.
We can move the relevant posts from here to there if needed.
Go ahead and dump all my TV crap in this thread into the technical Q thread - I'm getting tired of looking at it