I did read in a magazine about "network connections" - I think it was a recent T3 comparing various recorders. But they mentioned the "network access" was to allow remote programming, and they also mentioned programming from a mobile phone - presumably using the phone connection, or even the satellite link (unlikely?). Didn't mention any other remote capabilities, or even what type of connector, or whether it is for new models only etc.

They did mention an upcoming 250Gb/four tuner model, but could all be conjecture.

Wouldn't be without it though now! Just may have to splash out on a bigger hard disk sometime - it just isn't enough now it is so easy to set up stuff!

Nick

But they mentioned the "network access" was to allow remote programming, and they also mentioned programming from a mobile phone - presumably using the phone connection, or even the satellite link (unlikely?).

It would probably be a combination of the two:

- a signal sent via the satellite to tell your box (or a range of boxes) to dialup to collect a remote programming request
- the box would then dialup to get the details

Maybe...

It is unlikely to be done with just the phone connection, as it can only make outgoing calls, so it would have to make calls regularly throughout the day looking for recording requests.

They might be able to do it all via the satellite feed, the unique ID for each viewing card isn't that big and if I remember correctly the unique ID for each programme is only a 16bit number at the moment (which I think is what stops them from going beyond a 7 day EPG currently). They could have space on a transponder dedicated to sending out the requests and just have the boxes tune to the transponder whenever they weren't using the second tuner for anything else.

If the data was small enough they could piggy back it on the "now and next" data that every transponder has to transmit, but I suspect there isn't enough space there.

I think we will see remote recording long before we see a network connection. I really hope they offer something along the lines of DigiGuide on a website that we can then use for choosing programming. Knowing Sky the website will be completely dumbed down and a pain in the arse to use

I would imagine the "network connection" works somewhat similarly to the way the Tivo one does. You have to have your Tivo wired to your broadband connection. It would be a simple thing then for your tivo to query in every 60 seconds or so.

In the UK - Brainiac! Quite low brow really, but bringing hi tech to the hoi polloi. They manage to blow something up every episode - usually a caravan plus other stuff, but they come up with amusing experiments like:

How many CO2 fire extinguishers would it take to make a man hover? (didn't really work, but they propelled a guy in a wheelchair pretty fast)
If you jump off the ground every time an electric fence is charged, do you get a shock (obviously the answer is no...if you time it right)

and many more

the hoi polloi

You cannot say "the Hoi Polloi" as "Hoi" is the Greek for "the", therefore you would be saying: "The The Polloy".
Don't think I'm getting at you, it's just one of those useless pieces of information that I've had pigeon-holed away, all these years!

Hmm, not completely mythical - see this page

Pretty cool!

Okay, saw my first episode last night. High larious. Thanks for the tip.

Have to remember that one. I love the bits of info gleaned from this BBS

I think my favorite things they do are the experiments that involve ballistics gell. It was so cool to see them encase a human skull inside this gell to test the penny from a building myth

I hope this show makes it to the UK, it sounds great. Perhaps I should go and look for some torrents...

Let me know if you find them. I'd be interested in having them and I've seen them all

I couldn't find them, I've emailed Discovery Europe to see if they intend to show it here. I'll be amazed if I get a reply though, they have never replied to me before.

It really is quite good. I saw the re-creation of the escape from Alcatraz episode a few nights back. It was really impressive.

-Zeke

Yeah these are great ... I particularly enjoy the crash test dummy also. As a regular watcher, it's hilarious to see them drag this poor guy out every time and every episode he's a little more fscked up.

The penny one was great too when that penny gun went off and broke the light in the workshop

I just watched the crash test dummy being repeatedly dropped into water from 150ish feet up.
The fact that not even the dummy could stay in one piece was rather sobering.

Yeah, I'm not sure how much longer they'll be able to use that dummy. Hell, they shot it 200 ft. out of a sewer pipe with something like 10lbs of black powder That thing is nearly decimated

And you watchers will understand when I say: "oh that poor, poor Corvette"

Amazingly I actually got a reply from Discovery Europe:

Dear Andy,

Thank you for contacting Discovery.

We have made some investigations and 'Mythbusters' would not appear to be featuring in our schedules in the immediate future. We regret any disappointment this may cause but feel free to contact us at a future date and we will investigate your enquiry again.

We hope that you will continue to enjoy watching our channel.

Kind Regards,

Discovery Networks Europe Viewer Relations Team

Yes, I am a bad person and I don't like Mythbusters. The concept is great but those two guys get on my nerves. Especially the guy without the funny hat. He is way too high on the goof factor for me.

I am truly sorry for that poor corvette, but the expression on the face of the seller, after they told him what was to become of his toy was priceless!!!

I'm with ya on this one Redrum... those guys just get on my nerves. The show seems too much monster garage and not enough Mr. Wizard.... i just want it to be more... i dunno... scientific? I've watched about 5 episodes and none of them really held my attention the entire time.

This seriously endangers my thesis of Mythbusters Dislike implies Bad Personness

I think the show is about as scientific as it can be, given how vague the average myth is. They often explain their calculations well, exhibit good thought processes, and are very creative with their tests, especially for things that would be impossible to test exactly like the myth tells it (sure, they could slam themselves against office windows or drop pennies on their heads from 70 stories).

Maybe i just haven't seen good episodes. I saw the drop the dummy into the water one, which was interesting in theory, but was just boring as hell. Seeing the dummy come apart was pretty disturbing though. I saw the one about running in the rain... another boring one. I can't even recall the others. I think it's just too slow paced or something. I'll still watch it if it's Tivo'd and i can fast forward, as some of the things they test are definitely interesting. The guys just irk me. Whatareyagonnado? =]

I can understand. Sometimes Jaime (sp?) gets on my nerves, but Adam is pretty entertaining.