Tag: tv

Cox Cable & the SDV Adapter

Cox has been very slow in putting out the SDV (switched digital video) adapter that is needed to watch a good portion of the channels provided with a digital cable subscription.  I was so peeved that they didn’t much care about CableCard users and TiVoHD users that I even complained to the FCC about the whole thing.  I got a letter response from the FCC and also a letter from Cox in response to my FCC letter.  When SDV was being deployed in PHX, Cox CableCard users were given the option of getting a Cox box to watch the channels that were affected by this move, at no cost.  Unfortunately, this was for only a Cox box and not a DVR, that would cost extra.  The reason I have a TiVo is because I don’t watch TV live so I opted to not take advantage of their “generous offer” and did without those channels for about 5 months.

In the response letter I recieved from Cox, I was told that they were going to be deploying SDV adapters in the PHX area soon and that, as soon as they were available, I would receive notification.  Well, guess what.  No letter came letting me know the SDV adapters were available.  In fact, SDV adapters were available in the PHX area a full week before I recieved the response letter from Cox.  WTF?!  So, last weekend I went down to the Cox store in Tempe and picked up an SDV adapter.  I thought it was going to be a small little thing you would attach to the cable in.  Unfortunately, that is not the case (see image below, the cisco box).  I guess I can’t complain too much.  It’s free and I get my channels.

adapter

The Big Bang Theory – Chuck Lorre

I love The Big Bang Theory on CBS.  I hope you all watch that show.  It’s nerdy fun.  Anyway, if you do watch it, make sure you stick around after the end of the show to read what Chuck Lorre has to say.  There’s a new one every week.  You’ll probably need a DVR as it’s on and off the screen pretty quick.  This one was part of the show a few months back after the election.

chucklorre

X Factor 2008

The winner of X-Factor 2008 is Alexandra Burke.  Below is the official music video of her first single Leonard Cohen’s ”Hallelujah”.  Enjoy!  If the video below is removed, you can find it here.

The Grammy Noms

The Grammy Nominations are in!  If any of you watch Kathy Griffin’s “My Life on the D-List” you will remember that she created a comedy album specifically to get nominated for a Grammy.  The album is even titled “For Your Consideration.”  Anyway, the nominations are in and she got one!  Now let’s see if she can win!  She’s up against some stiff competition.

Wheel of Fortune – Million Dollar Winner

Watch the video below.  MIchelle Loewenstein won the $1M prize on Wheel the other day.  How hard is that to win you ask?

The player must land on the million dollar wedge on the main wheel (nestled nicely between two bankrupts).  Michelle did this on her frist spin.  The player must also not get a bankrupt throught the entire game after they are holding the $1M wedge.  Again, Michelle was able to survive all the remaining rounds, ultimately beating out the other two contestants in total money earned, without getting a bankrupt.  Finally, during the bonus round or grand prize round, whatever it’s called, the player must spin the small wheel and land on the $1M prize that replaces the $100,000 option.  That’s a 1 in 25 chance of landing on the $1M prize.  Of course, the player must also solve the final puzzle correctly.  Well, Michelle accomplished all of it and it made for some entertaining TV.

The New Season

The new season of television officially started this week. Finally! It seems like it has been an eternity since we’ve had quality programming to enjoy. This week, we were treated to the return of most of NBC’s lineup from last year and a good majority of ABC’s and CBS’s lineup. Next week we’ll start seeing the new programs that each of the networks are bringing to the table. Most don’t look very promising, but maybe a few will surprise me.

Anyway, tonight is The Office, ER, Ugly Betty and Survivor. I can’t wait!

If I find a new show that I’m particularly fond of, I’ll be sure to write about it here. Oh, and if you’re not already doing so, watch Mad Men!

DNC Crisis Averted

Hillary Clinton spoke longer than expected tonight at the DNC on CBS.  That pushed all the shows back 15 minutes the rest of the evening.  I was alerted to this by Mike, but unfortunately, too late to change the recording on my TiVo.  Big Brother suffered on my TiVo this evening!!  Luckily the full episode was available to view on CBS.com by 10.30pm Phoenix time.  Crisis Averted!!

On another note – 500 posts baby!!

NBC Olympic Interviews

Okay, so I just got done watching the Olympics on NBC this evening where they had women’s platform diving semi-finals.  Why do they have such crappy interviewers in Beijing?  Andrea Cramer interviews the 15 year old Haley Ishimatsu who just missed making the finals and asks her what’s going through her mind given she “just managed to miss the finals”.  Um, duh, she’s devistated.  Her Olympic dream is over.  Haley breaks down during the interview and Andrea just stands there, like an idiot, staring at her.  Haley apologizes and Andrea says “It’s your first time, we understand this” with, in my opinion, an uncaring tone to her voice.  Anyway, she asks Haley some other stupid question about “what she will take away from this experience” and Haley barely can get a complete sentence out she’s so emotional.  I was watching the interview thinking “For crying out loud, hug her already!  She’s sad for not making it and now embarrassed that she’s crying on national television.  Do you even feel?”  Why can’t Cat Deeley be doing the interviews for the Olympics?  At least she is good at showing that she cares when someone is hurting or is at least really good at faking it.

Wow, I must really be suffering from lack of sleep if I felt it was important to write about this before going to bed tonight.

Olympic Update

Okay, the sheer number of Olympic hours on TV have won!  I’m so far behind there’s no way I can catch up.  I am fast fowardeding through many items.  I stop and watch a bit of canoeing/kyaking, wrestling, shooting, etc. and then I move on.  It’s kind of sad but I guess I can’t really complain.  These sports used to never be seen on the TV and now they are here for everyone to see.  Anyway, I’m thoroughly enjoying my Olympic viewing.  Maybe I can catch up this weekend, but who knows.  Okay, now I have to go back to watching my recordings – Team Badminton!!

Big Brother Earthquake

The earthquake that hit southern California this week was caught on camera at the Big Brother house.  See the raw clip below.  CBS featured it in Thursday night’s eviction show.