Thursday, June 25

Odds and Ends


My gardenia bush, just after it started blooming. I counted over 50 blooms at one time a few days after this. The smell on the deck is overwhelmingly good!

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Some time ago, I signed up for email prompts from Plinky.com, which gives suggestions for the content of a blog post. I have not used any of their prompts yet. Here is the latest crop; feel free to steal any of these if they spark something in your memory or imagination:

1. If your life were made into a movie, what genre would it be? Explain.

2. What would a road trip companion learn about you when traveling with you for the first time? We all have habits and behaviors that we hide most of the time, but they're bound to come out on a road trip. List yours.

3. What songs bring a tear to your eye? Explain why they bring on the waterworks.

4. Do you have a good-luck charm? What's your lucky item?

5. What's the best venue for a summer concert? Explain why music sounds better here?

6. How do you get around? Explain why this is your chosen method of transportation.

If you use any of them, please let me know so I can be sure to read!

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When the announcements came out last year about the changeover to all digital TV in February (later changed to June), I was among the first to request the coupons from the government so I could buy the digital converters for 2 of our TVs. We have cable on the 2 main ones, but I needed one for my office and for a bedroom. As soon as the coupons arrived, I noted that they were going to expire soon, so I marched over to a local electronics store and bought two of them. I did note that the warranties would expire on the boxes before I had a need to use them, but I was trapped - if I wanted to save half the cost by using the coupons.

The fateful day came, and I attempted to hook up the converter box on my office TV, which is a Sylvania we've had since the early 70's (which still got perfect reception with rabbit ears - until the changeover.) I hooked it up according to the user manual, which contains diagrams and instructions that must have been assembled by a person in a foreign country - or an electronics geek - for whom clear English is not a high priority.

I know I had it hooked up properly (my grandson confirmed it) but even he couldn't get it to work - and he can usually work any kind of electronic unit, be it a video game, TV, VCR, DVR, computer, cell phone - or what have you. I put it down to the fact that the TV was just too old. So on we went to the bedroom and my daughter's TV. That TV is no more than 6-7 years old, so I was sure it would work fine. No such luck.

So now, it seems I am stuck with two digital converter boxes which are out of warranty and will not work - at least on my two TVs. What would you do?

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15 comments:

Granny Annie said...

Don't feel bad about the converter boxes not working. We opted for purchasing a second digital television and an amplified antenna and we get PBS and ABC and that is all. Before the switch we got a lot more. Our den television is on satellite so I guess we'll expand it to the living room or I'll just use that TV for watching movies. This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of.

tiff said...

I'd send the boxes to Bev Perdue's office. ;)

Evil Twin's Wife said...

List them for sale in your local paper and hope to re-coup some of the money? I'm not sure what I would do.

kenju said...

I may sell them. I think they have to be hooked up to an outdoor/roof antenna for them to work well.We have one in the attic, but it isn't accessible anymore.

srp said...

I would send them to the White House. But then you know how I feel about them.

rosemary said...

We got 2 converter boxes too....Steve hooked them up and nothing....we have a HUGE antenna on the second story and had a guy that does odd jobs for us get up on a ladder and adjust the antenna every which way he could....nothing. We are surrounded by mountains but....really irritates me. i may throw mine off the balcony.

srp said...

Oh, how long did it take for your gardenia bush to get so... well, bushy. I planted some really small ones and they are doing well with the leaves but I would like to get them to grow a little faster. Even I can smell them.. still.. a little.. so I know the fragrance is really heady.

Pat said...

One of our children gave us a digital box which still works in spite of the TV it was attached to having died. Another son attached it to our last working TV - my mother's old one but when our new TV is delivered today (hopefully) and this one is moved upstairs it's anybody's guess whether it survives.
I remember the dear dead days when the wireless was all on needed.

Anonymous said...

I'm stuck with a converter box too that I can't get to work. Finally opted for basic cable for about $11 per month. The programs that I can get on it--AMC, Bravo, WGS, are the same decrepit movies night after night.

Arkansas Patti said...

Food for thought on the ideas, May use some when I get brain locked (which is often.) I'll let you know.

This is the first I had heard about the converter boxe problem but from the comments, you are not alone. I have to have satellite here or could only watch Teletubbies on PBS with the tallest of antenna. No glitches on the switch over.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That really stibks about the converter boxes...For months PBS has had these special programs on about what to do and how to do it---They made it seem fairly easy..BUT, it doesn't sound like it is at all, from what you say and from other commenters....
I have only two TV's and I have been on CABLE for pver 30 years. As soon as it was available up here in the Hills, everybody up here got it---the receptio up here was horrible before cable---just the nature of the way we are situated--So, when the change-over happened, I had no problem....I am soooo dependent on my TV, for just about everything I am grateful there hasn't been a problem. I sure hope you get it figured out, my dear....

Darlene said...

I would ask the store you bought the boxes from if the problem is with the converter boxes. If so, they should replace them because it is obvious the warranty should have started with the changeover.

I have satellite, but rarely watch anything except the local channels. I am wasting money. Note to self: change to basic TV.

colleen said...

Out here in the country we used to get about 7 channels and now we get 1!! I much prefer the old technology. We bought a new HD TV and everything. I think DVD's are for crap too. Almost every movie we rent is messed up, usually right at the best part.

Grannymar said...

Are they not breaching some trading law? 'Not suitable for purpose'? Or get in touch with whoever was responsible for the vouchers originally and threaten legal action for scamming customers.

Shephard said...

I miss having gardenias.... I need to plant some pronto!
~S