I'm not sure how to change the channel on the tv, though. For some reason the buttons on the actual set don't work, and I don't think the remote control works, either.

That's going to be a problem, isn't it?

Might be. Generally if you have special inputs on your TV, they are their own channels, usually lower than channel 2, labeled L1 or L2 or Aux1 or Aux 2 when you are channel changing.

Some tvs have a TV/Video button that lets you select line-in or the standard mode (my 1992 Sony does).

Look for an "input" button on the remote that belongs to the TV, and see if pressing it does anything.

Okay, found that on the remote (which I've also found), but we have no AAA batteries, so I guess this is going to have to wait till tomorrow. Or something.

Thanks!

A while back we were talking about Tivo's remote scheduling feature, and how often it checks -- this just popped up in my Tivo news:

• If your TiVo box is connected to your home network and broadband connection, your TiVo box checks for new scheduling requests every 30 minutes or so.
• If you connect to the TiVo service using a phone line, it receives new requests during its next connection, generally every 24-36 hours.

If your TiVo box is connected to your home network and broadband connection, your TiVo box checks for new scheduling requests every 30 minutes or so.

Suh-weet. Now I just have to get the wireless card for it. Not only is the phone thing in this new place annoying, the jack nearest the TiVo is dead.

I've used remote scheduling a couple of times. They send you an email confirming that the request was received at TiVo HQ, and then another when your TiVo has been programmed. It never takes more than a hour or so, just like the newsletter says. It is so very cool.

I use it all the time -- but I don't get the confirmation e-mails at an address I can check remotely, so I'd never noticed the time stamps.

Well, I didn't. I've now given my tivo its own e-mail address.

Shopping for the wireless card has been a pain. I should have just bitten the bullet and gotten it online. In fact, I'm going to go look for one now.

It never takes more than a hour or so, just like the newsletter says. It is so very cool.

That's been my experience, but it's nice to have it confirmed. I never knew if I was just lucky, or if it really was checking in that often. But now I know my Tivo really cares about meeting my television scheduling needs. It's very comforting.

HI!! Techno dingbat requesting opinions!

DirectTV or Dish Netowrk? What you like, what you don't, or should I just keep my expensive, poor customer service, craptastic digital cable?

My employer is in the process of getting ready to sell off a JVC CD 200-count network "Jukebox" they decided didn't really suit their needs.

I guess it's a 600-count. JVC model MC-2600.

[link]

I have DirecTv and I've been relatively pleased with them. Customer service has the potential to suck, but doesn't always. Someone came in (from Albuquerque!) to do my installation, so it was completely painless. The only time I've had problems with reception was when my dish was literally filled with snow. I picked up the DirecTivo version recently and, of course, love that. Could have done with more space, though, so I probably would have bought the HD version if I had it to do again. Menu's good, selection's good. They just dropped Trio, which sucks, but not sure about their future anyway. We're out in the middle of nowhere, so we get NY/LA locals, instead of ABQ. On the whole, we like them.

ION, I'm about to buy a replacement laptop for the office. Our HP/Compaq crapass laptop is about to croak. I've learned my lesson and will be buying probably either Toshiba or Sony. Aiming for the best refurb I can find around $800. Any recommendations?

Also, what exactly is Centrino, and why are laptops with half the processor speed twice the price? I was an AMD girl, so I haven't been paying attention.