HOUR 2:
Tech News & Commentary
Danny in Federalsburg, Maryland listening on WKDI 840 AM asked: “Wondering if there’s any software or external device that can be used to edit DVD content to get rid of language and items in movies that I don’t wish to see.”
There is an external device that will filter out bad language on your DVD player and regular TV & TiVo. It’s called TVGuardian and it comes in either standard definition for $129 or high definition for $179. If you’re a Dish Network subscriber, you can get a standard def one for free and a discount on the HD version.
TVGuardian comes with a customizable filter so you can choose to use either “strict”, “moderate” or “tolerant” filter, and you can further customize the filter by banning sex references, offensive use of religious references and choosing whether or not to ban the words “hell” and “damn”. Another cool feature of TVGuardian is that at the same time that it mutes the profane language it displays a “clean” subtitle featuring a non-offensive word instead, so you still don’t miss the overall context of what you’re watching.
On their website they offer a 40-day trial, if you want to test it for free.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Peter in Olympia, Washington listening to our podcast asked: “Trying to connect my PS3 to my PC to watch all these Internet videos. How do I do it? I’ve looked at TVersity and also looked at PS3 Media Server. Somebody suggested the PlayOn TV. Using PlayOn TV now. Had a little bit of luck, but it keeps buffering. Which way do I go?”
We’re going to take a guess that you don’t mean connecting your PS3 to your PC, but rather connecting it to your TV. We’re also going to assume that you have the actual connection to your TV working. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be able to play games either, and that would likely be your question, not streaming Internet videos. That brings us to the question of software. The PS3 does have its own Internet web browser. You can use that built in browser for sites like YouTube or even Hulu. But it’s not a very friendly interface.
TVersity and PlayOn TV run on your PC, of course, and use the PS3 as a conduit for displaying content on your TV. Some listeners might wonder why you just don’t connect the PC directly to your TV, but we understand you. The PS3 is already where your TV is, and the PC is not. That’s the number one reason for using your game console as a media extender. The big issue you will face now is bandwidth. You need sufficient Internet bandwidth to your house so that the videos themselves are not buffering from the source. For example, people trying to watch the 720p HD videos from YouTube over a DSL connection will have to frequently stop and buffer. So if you want to stream HD video from the Internet, you’d better have a cable modem, FIOS, or U-Verse — some sort of “faster than basic DSL” service.
You also need sufficient bandwidth between your PC and your PS3. If you’re using a wired network with 100 megabit per second speed, then you ought to be fine. If your PS3 or your PC is connected to your home network using a WiFi connection, then your wireless router may be at fault here. Many wireless routers are rather slow as routers go. So you might need to update whatever you’re using there. Here at the studio, we’ve been using one of the new Cisco Valet wireless routers, and let us tell you, that thing screams.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guest in this hour:
Sean Seibel, User Experience Evangelist – Microsoft (IE 9 Beta)
Most of our listeners are aware of the upcoming release of the Internet Explorer 9. In fact, some of you may have test driven IE9 Beta. Into Tomorrow’s Mark Lautenschlager says: “IE9 will be BY FAR the best browser Microsoft has made.”
“Into Tomorrow” Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza: Plustek SmartPhoto P60 Photo Scanner — Click Here or on Rob’s face for details
Mike in Visalia, California listening on KTIP 1450 AM asked: “I go to the desert near California City, CA in the boon-docks (I have generators for 110 power, but not all the time). At most times, I can’t get a decent cell signal. People in the group have Verizon and AT&T. Sometimes nothing and others a good signal bars, but cannot call out. (might have to move around in the trailer or outside). Would a cell booster help if I raised it up on a 22ft flagpole? Do they have a 12 volt model?”
We turned to our friends fromWi-Ex for some input for you: Julie Arko said — “The unit we would recommend for Verizon and AT&T coverage is the zBoost SOHO (YX545), and also the YX039 external antenna for their weak signal zone. Unfortunately, we don’t have a 12V model or converter. However, many customers have fashioned their own converters for the 5.0V power supply that is supplied with the YX545. The higher they can raise the antennas in the air the better. This will help to pull in more signal directly from the cell tower. Hope this helps!”
Per Julie’s suggestion, the zBoost SOHO is a cell phone signal booster designed for consumers that extends a Cell Zone for multiple users and ALL devices operating on 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands except those using Nextel. zBoost SOHO can boost signal up to 3000 square feet at home or the office. It costs just under $400.
Tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast for more details.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
chicBuds: chicboom keychain speakers
Keyware: “VeriKey” – A USB device that monitors all office computer activity. For managers to know what is happening on the company computers.
PG Key: “PG Key” – A device that plugs into your children’s computer’s USB port and immediately creates a safer and more “kid friendly” online environment.
Roxio: Copies of Creator 2011 – Software that allows you to edit videos and create DVDs, even in 3D.