TV – Page 6 – NerdBeach

FakeTV Makes Burglars Think You Are Home, Apparently Unable to Sleep

FakeTV Here is a interesting anti-burglary device – a fake TV that simulates the flickering and color shifting of the real thing. From the FakeTV Website:

FakeTV accurately simulates the light output of a real television. The effect of scene changes, fades, swells, flicks, on-screen motion, and color changes look just they came from a real TV. From outside the house, it looks just like someone is watching a real television. The potential burglar thinks the home must be occupied, so he moves on to an easier target.

The device automatically turns at dusk, off at dawn, which supposedly is better than timers than work at a set time. I guess a would-be burglar would just assume that you stay up late, every night.

Aloha from the Beach

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SuntronicLCD Weatherproof Big Screen TVs for Outside Fun

Greg Chaffins

SuntronicLCD The rain blows in off of the water as I sit on the deck of the Beach house. The rain begins to pick up, but I am content to stay sitting where I am, watching the large weatherproof LCD screen that I have mounted on the edge of the deck. The rain is warm and pleasant, and I find myself enjoying the experience of watching TV in the rain.

I may be twisted, but the ideal of a large TV that you can hose off is appealing to me. The SuntronicLCD Screens are reasonably that, with an all weather IP65 enclosure and an operating temperature range of -40C to 50C. Of course, if you are using them outside it must work in the sunlight, and SuntronicLCD claims that their displays are bright enough to do the job. Not to mention they would have to be durable, and again these screens apparently rise to the challenge with a vandal resistant screen and housing.

The SuntronicLCD screens are being sold to commercial customers at the moment, but in the right circumstances I can see how they could be a fit for the home owner (albeit pricey). Given its durability, there could be a market just in homes with multiple toddlers.

Aloha from the Beach

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If Only I Had A Shuttlecraft

Greg Chaffins

If you have watched any science fiction you probably have seen them, these small sleek ships zooming about on their various missions. From the Galileo to a Viper, from a runabout to a transport, these crafts have moved not only the characters but the plot as well on many adventures. Now, wouldn't it be grand if one of these wonderful imaginary ships could be left behind in a remote location or even a backyard for a simple soul to find and make their own?

Imagine it, lunch on the moon. Dinner on Mars. Paris for a cup of real French Vanilla. The world and beyond would be at your fingertips.

I know that I could get up in orbit really fast; I have seen the TV shows. In mere minutes I could be orbiting the Earth, looking for the perfect parking spot by one of any thousands of malls. The daily commute would be a non-issue, with highway traffic being a mere spot down below.

I do have to say that parking garages would be a bit tricky to navigate, unless they have an open top level. Then if it was raining that could be a bit tricky to arrive neat and dry. However, if it was a transporter equipped shuttle I could just beam from the parking spot to the office, no problem. As a matter of fact, if it was transporter equipped there could be days that I could use the shuttlecraft without it ever leaving the garage.

If it wasn't transporter equipped then it would be cool if it had blasters of some kind. That way, in a pinch, I could always make a place to park it. Very handy for those crowded days and event parking.

But a personal shuttlecraft would not be just for work. It is, after all, the original ATV (All Terra Vehicle). A trip to the mountains would be a pleasure. It would work great for hunting trips as well (now this is where a blaster equipped model would shine). If I had one with the skids for landing I could take it skiing – imagine the air time on a ramp that would be possible with the engines! Of course, along with these outdoors uses a camo paint job would be logical, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Imagine tailgating with a shutttlecraft. You could have the whole crew along, and if it is equipped with a food synthesizer you would have an endless supply of fresh beer and pizza. You would be the hit. In the case that you did not have a food synthesizer and wanted to barbeque fast, well, again those blasters would be handy. Just be careful not to barbeque everything.

Yes, if only I had a shuttlecraft I would be, well, a nerd with a shuttlecraft. But to be honest that sounds good to me. Now, where shall I go today?

Aloha from the Beach,
greg