***STABBITY!***

[alfreda89]

!@#%^$#DE#!

I can get this archaic TV to momentarily show the VHS info on the screen -- then, dead. Does not respond to the VHS controller or the cable controller. Can't press the buttons on the machine -- no response. Can't eject the tape -- can't play the tape.

STABBITY*STABBITY*STABBITY*

I was planning on using Netflix to console me if DVR turned out to be too expensive in this market (I see why sparkylibrarian and madspark do without the TV portion) but the TV, unused for 7.5 years, sounds like a 747 taking off when I use it with the DVD player. Now, it may be the DVD player -- but that's only 15 months old, and since I need to turn off the TV separately from the cable, there's a distinct hum that remains if I forget to turn the actual set off.

And the fifteen year old who said I needed a switcher box did not leave any instructions. AND it was not my imagination -- Time-Warner no longer gives even a Quick Start sheet with its equipment. This reminds me of how we went around and around trying to explain to cable that we had bought an old house that had NEVER been wired for cable. They were like "It's under control" until the installation guy shows up and says: "You've never had cable?" We did not have a stroke explaining -- that guy, at least, had brains, apologized for their idiocy, and came back four days later with time to wire the place.

A friend just got cable for the first time. She called installation because she was only getting 8 channels. The guy showed up, took the controller and flicked a few buttons, found a menu and said: "It's on antenna, that's the problem." Before he left, he gave her the info that tells her which stations are what, etc., etc..

I am jealous. She has DOCUMENTATION. I hate reading on-line help almost as much as I hate writing it.

I really wanted to see PERSUASION tonight.

There. I feel better.

Poke poke poke. Stab Stab Stab.

Zzzzzzzz.

Comments

[oliana0.livejournal.com]

Want a TV? Works well, just need a small army to move it.

I'd like to get a new TV, but shouldn't without getting rid of the old one. It's past my internal depreciation date, so going to a good home is all I expect to get from it.

Hummm.....

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Has possibilities, except I could not even help move it. I know my limits. A friend says she wants to get me a TV as a housewarming present. Clearly it's a week to discuss TVs!

[incandragon.livejournal.com]

It drives me absolutely nuts to have to find someone to tell me how to work my own TV. And I think they don't give documentation because for giggles they change functions around overnight.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I am so relieved to know that others suspected the shell game going on down at the Time-Warner building. You know, I watched almost no TV until I got involved with W. I may have to return to that life. Although a used TV may be out there with my name on it!

To not feel guilty about buying a new set right now, I'd need to buy one that would be obsolete fast. I hate that.

It drives me absolutely nuts to have to find someone to tell me how to work my own TV. And I think they don't give documentation because for giggles they change functions around overnight.

[belleps.livejournal.com]

Right with you. I'm down to one working TV (from three originally), one working VHS player (from two), and one DVD player (from two) that has a weird dark-to-light-to-dark brightness thang goin' on every time I try to play a DVD. I could use my PS2 for that, but when it plays DVDs, it hisses. Every 10 seconds or so.

So, one small TV. Basic cable. VHS if I follow a several-step set of arcane instructions. DVD if I can handle the alternating squinting or constant feeling that I'm watching a bad horror movie involving snakes.

The broken pieces are all too small/cheap/old to pay for fixing them, but I can't afford replacements. On the bright side? I'm watching less TV. :>

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I'm with you, sister! I mean, it's not like a TV is extremely important -- like a computer and high-speed Internet, for example. ;^)

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

My point!

Hope you're doing well. Are you still making tack? When do we get to see pics?

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

It's a serious roll of the dice whether you get a technician with a brain or not. Treasure them when you do.

Ah --

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I suspect that you, too, have battled the monolith that is Time-Warner....

Re: Ah --

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Indeed we have. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.