TV B Gone

For 15 US Dollars a website in the US is offering a key-ring size remote that claims it can switch off any television at the push of a button. I note that especially in airports, bars and restaurants in the US, there are TVs playing with the sound turned down. What a waste? The device runs through some 209 infrared codes which control more than 1,000 models of TV, and ought to disable most sets within 60 seconds. There seems to be a special version for Europe (I guess PAL countries). I confess to have ordered one.

It does nothing more than try all the infra-red codes it knows - so no permanent damage.

I wonder what happens if you take it to an exhibition? I remember taking an IR remote control to the Berlin Audio and Video exhibition in 1981 - the first time the vidi-walls appears. I discovered one push of the "off-switch" was enough to turn the entire stand off. Four hours later there were bits of masking tape on the TV's...someone twigged about "Infra-Red terrorism".

The site was sold out in 48 hours, but they are now back in stock as of today. Click the headline above for the website.