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Archive through November 18, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: All Things Technical: The Help Desk (ARCHIVES): The Brief Q & A Thread (ARCHIVES): Archive through November 18, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Monday, November 08, 2004 - 10:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
DirecTV with dual tuner DirecTivo units for both TV's. Tivo service will only cost you $5.00 per month and you will be able to record 4 different shows (2 on each receiver) at the same time.

You would need 1 satellite dish and 2 DirecTivo receivers. For a new subscriber, the most you would have to pay for this setup and install (after rebates) would be $200 and you could probably find it for a little less is you search around the internet.

This will give you 35 hours of record time on each receiver and that should be enough for most people. I've seen 70 hour units on special for about $50 more, but often the prices for upgrade capacity are very high. If you have someone who is comfortable installing a hard drive in a computer, then you can easily add an additional 105 hours to your receiver for under $100.


Gigglesalot
Member

08-14-2003

Tuesday, November 09, 2004 - 1:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Bob2112: Thank you very much! Your info will help me decide what I should do and what I will need to do it. Thanks again!

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Tuesday, November 09, 2004 - 2:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Just popped in here and saw the last two posts. I wanted to add that (unless things have changed since I got my setup) you may have to pay for an extra splitter if you have a circular dish with two outputs, rather than an oval dish. You need four outputs for two TiVos. I think our splitter was about $50-$100, but hopefully they're a little less expensive now. Ours wasn't part of our initial setup "package", we had to buy it separately off the internet. It's well worth it though!

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Tuesday, November 09, 2004 - 3:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good point, Kitt. Fortunately, with DirecTV, you should get the 3 LNB dish (which has a built in 4 output switch) included in the package for the same price. This will also support HDTV (if you want to go that route in the future) and up to 4 receiver inputs. I just called the local Tweeter on this type of setup on Monday for someone I work with and this dish plus the 2 DirecTivo receivers cost $200 after rebate and included basic installation.

Just a note, you have to use a switch with satellite signals and you need to make sure it is compatible with your satellite service (not all of them work with both Dish Network and DirecTV). A splitter is a cheap device, but only works with digital cable.

I have 3 DirecTivos, so I had to add a 5x8 switch to the above configuration and currently use 6 of the outputs. The $150 switch sold at Tweeter and Best Buy goes for under $80 on the internet and is easy to install after the fact if someone wants to go beyond the 4 outputs of dish. If you can have an installer ground all 4 cables at the same point (which they usually do anyway so they can use one grounding block) and if that can be enclosed (like in a basement or attic), then you may easily insert a switch at this point and run any additional cable from there. You will need 4 short cables to add the switch, but it's no more difficult than wiring up a VCR.

If you have an installer put in a switch, they will charge you much more for the install and probably around $150 for the switch.


Jan
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 7:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I see that Mozilla's Firefox is now out of Beta and released to the public (Wired News ).

I remember that Juju and some others (?) have tried this browser.

I am a forever Netscape user with zero technical abilities. I am currently running Netscape 7.1 and I love the tab ability and the popup blocker.

Should I upgrade to Firefox or, given my computer's history of resource problems and freezes, should I leave well enough alone?


I have a computer which is old enough that it has Windows 98. Unfortunately (?) I have an Athalon 1100 chip rather than Pentium (which means I have a LOT of problems with frequent pauses/freezes..ie computer just stops working for 10 to 20 seconds or more than starts up again). Also my computer was built by a computer nerd and, therefore, is not any specific brand(other computer people who look at it tell me it is a great system but I sure have trouble with it!!) I cannot open more that two windows with a couple of tabs each without running out of resources.

AS you can tell I love my system (NOT :-()

Any advice about whether or not I should chance downloading Firefox would certainly be appreciated (and I certainly would not hold anyone accountable if I download it and problems ensue )

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 10:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ladytex and Jed also have Firefox, I believe. I have Netscape on my machine but I don't use it a lot. And I also have Internet Explorer. I think Netscape has almost as many advantages as Firefox. I think Firefox operates just a bit more like IE, which is what a lot of people are used to, so the transition is easy.

Of the three browsers I have installed, I like Firefox the best and use it the most, slthough I do on occasion use both of the others.

I would say in your situation only, Jan, my recommendation would be to stick with Netscape until you get a more reliable computer. But Ladytex, Draheid, or Jed or others might say different.

Jan
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 12:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks JuJu. I am leaning that way but just wondered if it was worth the risk.:-):-)

Nino
Member

09-20-2004

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 3:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Not sure this is where to ask about this, but here goes!

I just acquired a second VCR. I want to know how to record from one VCR to the other. Do I record from the VCR that's hooked up to my TV onto the second VCR? I'm dying to dub tons of tapes and don't even know where to start! Anyone?

Thanks!

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 8:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You need to put them in a chain of OLD VCR->NEW VCR->TV and connect them with either old style single cables or those triple coloured red, yellow and white connections.

On the back of the OLD VCR you'll find a connection (hopefully) marked "output" or "output to tv", something like that. It'll either be a single connection or a set of three coloured connectors (red, yellow and white). Connect up those cables.

Find the input connectors on the NEW VCR and push in the hanging cables from the OLD VCR.

Find the output connectors from the NEW VCR (a new one should definitely have the triple cables) and put them into the matching input connectors of the TV.

Make sure the TV is tuned into the NEW VCR (it should be either be on cable channel 3 or on the AV channel). (Play a tape in the NEW VCR and check you can see it on the TV).

Make sure the NEW VCR is tuned into the OLD VCR. Again this will be either tuning in the NEW VCR to cable channel 3 if you have used the single cable connectors, or to AV (sometimes marked "input" or "line in") if you used the triple connectors. If you have done that correctly you should be able to see a tape you play on the OLD VCR on the TV.

Put the tape you want to copy in the OLD VCR, put a blank tape in the NEW VCR. Press PLAY on the OLD VCR and RECORD on the NEW VCR. The TV should show the original tape playing so you'll know when to press STOP.

It's a bit hard to describe but I hope that helped.


Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 11:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Jan, as follow-up - in my opinion, Firefox is not WAY more special than Netscape. So, no, there are no GREAT advantages to it if you think you might be risking your computer's stability. Of course, if you install it, you can always uninstall it if you are having problems ...

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 11:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kitt, that was a great explanation.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, November 12, 2004 - 10:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
How can I get the screen back that says "want to automate things and use this as a starting point..?"

It would pop up in "Mapquest" and other such sites that wanted info like addresses, phone numbers, etc...

I always said no (for some reason) then last night I said yes, but I only filled in my street address (no city, zip, etc.) and now I want to fill it out all the way. But now that screen doesn't pop back up.

Anyone know what i am talking about?

Jan
Member

08-01-2000

Friday, November 12, 2004 - 11:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks again, Juju. I did download it but have not installed it and I don' think I will. My computer is "relatively" stable right now so I think I am better off not to try anything new.

Thanks for your posts :-)

Nino
Member

09-20-2004

Friday, November 12, 2004 - 11:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you so much, Kitt!! You explained it just fine! I hope to get it all set up and working in the next few days!

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 7:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Since I am new at owning a computer I have not read this thread or any like it, so if the answer is here please forgive me. We are about to have a thunderstorm. I have not hooked up a surge protector yet. Do I unplug it the computer? If so, do I have to go through a bunch of steps after plugging it back in?

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 7:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Just unplug it, and any peripherals (printer etc.) and plug them back in again after the storm has passed. Everything should work just the same as it did before.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 7:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Kitt. Luckily the storm is nearly over and we are okay, but at least I will know what to do next time.

Gigglesalot
Member

08-14-2003

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 2:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is it my imagination, or my computer settings?

Is the type size in the Clubhouse fluctuating?

It keeps getting larger and larger - but I'm not doing anything different with my computer - and most everything else is 'normal'.



Jmm
Member

08-16-2002

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 3:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Giggles, I'm not noticing any changes in the type size. Anyone else?

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 3:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
No changes here, Jmm.

Gigglesalot
Member

08-14-2003

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 4:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I wonder what's going on then?
All the type in the messages are at least twice the size they normally are - as I see it. Hmmm...

Very odd stuff.


Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 12:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Gigglesalot: You might try either clearing your cache or 'force' reloading a page on the board. To clear your cache in Internet Explorer, click 'Tools - Internet Options' then click on 'Delete Files...', check the 'Offline...' box and click 'Ok' and 'Ok'. Then close Explorer and start again. To 'force' reload, simply hold your shift key and click on the 'Reload' button at the top of the browser. One of these may do the trick for you.

Hope this helps.

Gigglesalot
Member

08-14-2003

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 8:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried them both, but I'm still seeing larger type than normal. The main page at the Clubhouse still has the normal type size, but all the others have the larger font.

It's not isolated to the Clubhouse sites - but it's not everywhere I visit either.


Crossfire
Member

08-07-2001

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 8:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It sounds to me based on that description that the font size in your browser has been changed to a step or more larger, a directive that is not (unfortunately) universally followed by all pages...including the front page of this website unlike the internal forum pages such as this one.

Which browser are you using? I'll provide instructions on changing it.

Crossfire
Member

08-07-2001

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - 8:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wanted to add, but missed the edit window:

Unless of course you like the size, then just understand that not all web pages will respond to your preferred font size directive.