Next Saturday's radio broadcast should be interesting as
Home Media Professionals will build out a new home media room in my house during our 3 hour show. Tune in and
log on to our videoconference to listen and watch. We'll have manufacturer reps and experts to talk about products, design and installation so you can upgrade or redo your home.
Before I let this team into my house I need to clear some space. I joke that I live in a Dave & Buster's with all of the games we have. Apparently my kids don't have enough things to occupy their time besides Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii so we also have a pool table, air hockey table, full-size original Galaga and Ms. PacMan game cabinets and more. But it's time to clean house.
Before I put this on
craiglist this week, let me know if you are anyone you know is interested in an authentic, working Galaga arcade game and cabinet. It stands 5 1/2" feet tall and takes up about a 6 sq. ft footprint (2' x 3'). It works and sounds great plus doesn't need any quarters. Send me an
email for more details and a price. Let's make a dealio.
What's all this crap about blogging? More important things to talk about...
West University Place City Council is making news with its recent vote to ban cell phones in its school zone (note the singular). As reported in the
West U Examiner...(note how I give credit!)
The council unanimously approved an ordinance March 24 that would prohibit the use of cell phones or other mobile communications devices — including hands-free attachments — in the three-block area around West U Elementary when school zones are in effect. The council’s final vote on the ordinance is expected April 14.
After the council’s first vote, [Mayor Bob] Kelly pronounced that West U had “made history,” by becoming the first Texas city to ban “hands-free” cell phone use.
Nice to see they are so proud of this.
Now I am all about safety especially when driving while yapping on a phone but c'mon people. Technology has caught up to the driving generation as cars have built-in Bluetooth and most all cell phones come up with a wired earpiece. There really is no reason that drivers should hold a phone up to their ear but one-handed driving is the the norm nowaday.
I'd like to think that people obey all street signs including school zone warnings. But is banning cell phones the answer? My 13 year-old son has a cell phone and if I see him calling me right after school I'm damn well going to pick it up.
And how are they are going to enforce this law? I use to think enforcing the seat belt law was tough but this one is next to impossible. Even West U Police Chief Ken Walker said it would be difficult to enforce a hands-free ban.
A few other cities in Texas have made hands-free talking mandatory when in school zones but nothing as stringent as West U. San Antonio is thinking of
jumping on the BANdwagon too.
AT&T has already stepped up to oppose the West U ban by asking residents to send letters to the mayor and city council. Other wireless companies probably won't be far behind.
What say you on this matter? No doubt this will be a hot topic with my callers this Saturday. Just make sure you don't call me on your cell from West U while in your car.
So Toshiba
announced it is discontinuing its production, support and everything else it put into the HD-DVD format. What did I just do? Me gots me a Toshiba HD-DVD player.
No, I did not graduate from Texas A&M.
As I was preaching on my radio program recently, HD-DVD players and discs will now be discounted as retailers want to move them off their shelves to make room for the "winning" format -- Blu-ray. And if you see a really good deal on a HD-DVD player that once cost upwards of $500, then it may be worth getting one. Here's why:
- These players can play your current collection of DVDs. And if connected to a TV/monitor in the proper way, the video quality will be enhanced than your current DVD player.
- Players can also play audio CDs, CD-R/-RW, DVD-R/-RW and a few other formats.
- There are currently around 350 movie titles on HD-DVD with more still to be released over the next few months due to studio contractual obligations. Retailers will be having fire sales on these discs and you can probably pick them up for a very cheap price.
So I'm wasting time at Circuit City one recent afternoon and sure enough they have all of their HD-DVD players on sale. I got there at the right time and picked up a Toshiba HD-A30 for $59.99. It was also a bonus deal that came with two HD-DVD discs (The Bourne Identity and 300). Plus I got a
rebate coupon for 5 more titles.
To recap...a new HD-DVD player, 7 HD-DVD flicks, 60 bones plus tax.
The manager of the Galleria-area Circuit City said that all HD-DVD players will continue to be discounted at all CC stores. The Blu-ray player prices were standing pat. Lemme know if you find a good deal so we can share with others.
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