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Friday, November 17, 2006
Tools not toys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My favorite gadgets are ones that solve a problem. But I never expected to find one that helped in my bedroom.
Today we’ll talk about blue-collar technology that makes a difference in how you live. There’s very little glamour or glitz here. Instead, these are practical devices that work without much glory.
Let’s start with the gizmo that helped in my bedroom — I suspect you may be a little curious by now.
It’s a set of wireless headphones. Here’s the deal. My wife loves to watch TV in bed. I like to read in bed. It’s hard for me to enjoy a book while “Law & Order” is blaring on the TV. And, in my neighborhood, I’m never sure if the gunshots are coming from the TV or my backyard.
Until recently I would read in the den until Mary’s program was over. But a set of wireless headphones has reunited us. I can read, or go to sleep early, while she watches TV with audio provided through the headphones. They are light enough to be comfortable, but the sound quality is heads above what the small speaker on the bedroom TV can produce. And the stereo sound is incredible.
You may be able to read while the TV blares, but wireless headphones still offer advantages in your home. If you have kids who watch TV or videos at ear-splitting volumes late into the night, a set of wireless headphones can be a lifesaver. I’m using headphones made by Koss. But that’s not the only choice. Any large retailer, especially one that specializes in consumer electronics, will have a wide selection. My headphones use Bluetooth to communicate with the TV, but I’ve seen both infrared and regular radio used as a way to connect for other headphones. Bluetooth gives my headphones a range of about 30 feet.
That’s just the first item in a long list of gizmos that can make life easier. Many have been around a while, and none of them is going to impress your neighbors like a big plasma TV. Think of them as tools, not toys.
Catch it later
My next problem-solver also involves my sleep habits. While equipping my wife with wireless headphones lets me go to sleep when I like, this technology lets me record shows that come on after my bedtime.
And it is easily the most useful device in my home: a digital video recorder. In my case, the DVR is built into my Comcast HDTV cable box. There are other options including the original in this category — TiVo. Or you can buy software that lets you use your computer as a DVR.
The real beauty of a DVR is the ability to pause a live broadcast when you answer the phone or need to take a break.
But a DVR can also serve in the same way as a VCR. That came in handy last week. My brother and I wanted to watch a college football game but also needed to go to a family dinner. We set up the DVR to record the game and got back before the end of second quarter.
By skipping through commercials and halftime, we were able to finish the game in real time. That happened even though we used the ability of the DVR to watch some close calls in slow motion. And, unlike an old-fashioned VCR, my DVR faithfully records and plays back an HDTV signal.
Since there are so many sources for DVRs, let me offer a terrific Web page that goes into way more detail than I can here. It also lists most of the major manufacturers:
I’ve already told you that my most useful items are far from glamorous. My next nomination underlines that point.
Superduper juicer
Many of my devices have a strong hunger for battery power. Over time, my digital cameras, flashlights, portable radios and other battery-powered devices go through enough batteries to stock a small store. There are no small children in my home, but if there were kids and battery-powered toys that appetite for batteries would double or triple.
So rechargeable batteries can save real money. However, older-generation chargers take hours to charge a battery. That means they aren’t a practical solution when the batteries for your digital camera die on Christmas morning.
That’s where my new battery charger comes in. It’ll get your devices running again in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee.
It does the job in just 15 minutes. I use a charger made by Rayovac. But there are plenty of other models on the market that will work just as well. I paid about $30 for my charger. (It takes four batteries at a time). You can read about the charger here
Whatever brand you choose, make sure the batteries you buy are made to work in a 15-minute charger. And keep in mind that any rechargeable battery will lose its charge over time, whether it’s in use or not.
That means rechargeable batteries should not be used in devices like a TV remote control. And they should never be used in a smoke or fire detector.
That’s it for today. It’s time for a nap. And thanks to our wireless headphones, Mary can turn up the TV as loud as she wants.
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