"TV-B-GONE" - PIC based TV killer

[iamwhoiam]

I just thought you'd like to see this, as I have knocked one up on breadboard today. This is a "TV-B-GONE", and for the uninformed, it is basically a universal remote control that only has one function - to turn OFF any TV within range! It does this by cycling through common remote "power off/on" signals, one by one, looping forever.

Read more here :-) ---> http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=16467


~~EDIT~~

I have just knocked one up quickly, point to point style:

[slateraptor]

A few months ago, a buddy of mine asked me to look into why his Sony universal remote wouldn't communicate with his Sony Blu-ray player. Short story shorter, the original player remote used Bluetooth for wireless communication, rendering all IR-based universal remotes useless.

I haven't owned a TV in years nor do I allow myself to succumb to such mind rot. Has anyone else observed a trend in which device manufacturers are straying away from IR for remote control? I can't tell from this one case example; after all, it was a Sony.

[sonicj]

RF remote is common with satellite STBs.  You can put all of your receivers in one location at the antenna feed and modulate the signals throughout the home without a messy & costly retrofit.

Back when i used to sell custom home audio/video, we sold a ton of URC rf remotes.
-sj

[johnboxall]

I went on a field trip with one of these:

[HLA-27b]

I went on a field trip with one of these:

I approve of this 

[steve_w]

Check this out, lady ada's thesis on protecting her personal space

http://www.ladyada.net/pub/research.html

"Abstract: In contemporary Western society, electronic devices are becoming so prevalent that many people find themselves surrounded by technologies they find frustrating or annoying. The electronics industry has little incentive to address this complaint; I designed two counter-technologies to help people defend their personal space from unwanted electronic intrusion. Both devices were designed and prototyped with reference to the culture-jamming “Design Noir” philosophy. The first is a pair of glasses that darken whenever a television is in view. The second is low-power RF jammer capable of preventing cell phones or similarly intrusive wireless devices from operating within a user’s personal space. By building functional prototypes that reflect equal consideration of technical and social issues, I identify three attributes of Noir products: Personal empowerment, participation in a critical discourse, and subversion."

along the same lines

regards

SW
 

[Psi]

There was a guy who went around a computer expo turning off all the TV's, he got into quite a bit of trouble.
He was also turning off TVs being used for product demos and presentations.

[johnboxall]

There was a guy who went around a computer expo turning off all the TV's, he got into quite a bit of trouble.
He was also turning off TVs being used for product demos and presentations.

http://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces

[slateraptor]

http://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces

OMFG...that looks like so...much...fun!!

[M. András]

real life trolls? epic

[Dieselrunner88]

Finally a way to end the wall of tv's at wall mart.   Or at a sports bar when they won't change it to your teams game.  The possibility's are rattling around in my mind like a pinball machine.... an evil pinball machine!

[mikeselectricstuff]

There was a guy who went around a computer expo turning off all the TV's, he got into quite a bit of trouble.
He was also turning off TVs being used for product demos and presentations.

"Trouble", haha, what does that mean? Ambiguous word. It's not illegal to turn off TVs :-)

Actually I can see that a case could potentially be made for criminal damage - especially where commercial loss occurred - advertising etc. 
ISTR reading that a CD conviction has happened for letting tyres down, so permanent damage is not required.
Of course proving it might be tricky.

[mikeselectricstuff]

On the subject of TV hacks....

A few years ago, for reasons I don't recall, I stayed at a small hotel run by a family of 'militant' vegetarian types.
While I respect peoples choices in these things, these people were so self-righteous as to be annoying - the hotel literature was full of stuff like how they only used organic produce, ran an LPG car to minimise environmental impact, and that if you smoked in the room they'd have to get it professionally cleaned and send you the bill - you get the idea...

Well I was fiddling with the TV remote and discovered that  you could program a four letter channel name that was displayed onscreen whenever you changed channels.
 
I wonder how long it took before thay noticed that the TV channels were now called "Beef", "Lamb", "Pork", and of course "Veal"

[deephaven]

Well I was fiddling with the TV remote and discovered that  you could program a four letter channel name that was displayed onscreen whenever you changed channels.
 
I wonder how long it took before thay noticed that the TV channels were now called "Beef", "Lamb", "Pork", and of course "Veal"

That could have been a LOT worse  - at least you kept it clean 

[slateraptor]

...and that if you smoked in the room they'd have to get it professionally cleaned and send you the bill - you get the idea...

That's actually normal for all non-designated smoking rooms in the US.

[siliconmix]

dont get me wrong i like ada fruit and her stuff.but what happens when she has to make a call on a mobile one day and someone nearby jams her call or one of her rf xbee things wont work because of a jammer.apart from a ally foil suit i think she'll have to live with it.

[siliconmix]

On the subject of TV hacks....

A few years ago, for reasons I don't recall, I stayed at a small hotel run by a family of 'militant' vegetarian types.
While I respect peoples choices in these things, these people were so self-righteous as to be annoying - the hotel literature was full of stuff like how they only used organic produce, ran an LPG car to minimise environmental impact, and that if you smoked in the room they'd have to get it professionally cleaned and send you the bill - you get the idea...

Well I was fiddling with the TV remote and discovered that  you could program a four letter channel name that was displayed onscreen whenever you changed channels.
 
I wonder how long it took before thay noticed that the TV channels were now called "Beef", "Lamb", "Pork", and of course "Veal"

is that the one in devon ? i went to one there it stank of lentil veggie farts.

[steve_w]

I was considering building the phone jammer, 3 teenage girls texting and talking till 3 or 4 am, but it would get you in heaps of trouble here if they caught you.

Steve w