Tired of all those LCD TVs everywhere?
Want a break from advertisements while you're trying to eat?
Want to zap screens from across the street?
The TV-B-Gone kit is what you need! This ultra-high-power version of the popular TV-B-Gone is fun to make and even more fun to use.
Built in co-operation with Mitch Altman (the inventor of the TV-B-Gone - http://www.tvbgone.com) this kit is a great way to build something truly useful!
See it in use!
Want a break from advertisements while you're trying to eat?
Want to zap screens from across the street?
The TV-B-Gone kit is what you need! This ultra-high-power version of the popular TV-B-Gone is fun to make and even more fun to use.
Built in co-operation with Mitch Altman (the inventor of the TV-B-Gone - http://www.tvbgone.com) this kit is a great way to build something truly useful!
See it in use!
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Signing UpStep 1: F.A.Q.
What is a TV-B-Gone Kit?
TV-B-Gone http://www.tvbgone.com/ is a 'universal' remote control device, it is basically like a remote control but with only the "Power" button. This is a kit version of that product.
How are the kit and original TV-B-Gone product related?
Mitch Altman http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/04/digging_deepertvbgone_device_s.html (inventor of the TV-B-Gone) and his company Cornfield Electronics http://www.cornfieldelectronics.com/ worked together with me (Adafruit Industries) to develop a kit version of the TV-B-Gone. Mitch thinks open source kits are awesome!
Why should I get a kit if I can just buy a TV-B-Gone ready made?
This kit is for learning how to solder and maybe even a little of how remote controls are designed. The kit version also has 2 AA batteries and 4 high power output IR LEDs to allow for much longer distances than the keychain product, more than 100 ft! It's also easier to hack and adapt for other projects. However, the kit has fewer codes (so there may find a TV once in a while that doesn't respond), is larger and heavier and requires you to put it together.
I suggest you get one of each!
Does this kit work on all TVs?
We picked the 46 most common codes for North American/Asian TV's to program into the kit. However, we couldn't include every code. Field testing has shown that nearly every TV we encountered would turn off, even the most recent LCD and Plasma flat screen TVs!
Note that this kit will not work with LED signs, computer monitors (that are not also televisions) and display signs that don't have a remote-control port.
What do you mean N. America/Asia? Does this kit work with European TVs?
A large number of newer European TVs will work with TV-B-Gone kit, but its not as likely. For example, instead of 90% success, its more like 50%
How close do I have to be for the TV-B-Gone kit to work?
The closer the better, but we've found that if you have pretty good aim, you can be 100' (30m) or farther.
I'm not able to turn off the TV from more than 30 feet away, what's wrong?
First, perform the test to make sure all 4 IR LEDs are firing.
Second, make sure you have fresh Alkaline batteries installed
Third, try to aim as best as you can at the IR receiver, usually a small dark plastic plate on the front of the TV
Finally, try many different TVs. Some TVs simply do not respond as well from far away as others.
I want more range! How can I make the kit more powerful?
Make sure you have fresh Alkaline batteries. They work better than rechargables
You can swap out the 2 AA battery holder for a 3 AA battery holder. This will give even better performance! Using C or D cell batteries will give longer run time but won't increase the power.
Do not use 9V batteries or more than 3 1.5V alkaline batteries, you can permanently damage the kit!
TV-B-Gone http://www.tvbgone.com/ is a 'universal' remote control device, it is basically like a remote control but with only the "Power" button. This is a kit version of that product.
How are the kit and original TV-B-Gone product related?
Mitch Altman http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/04/digging_deepertvbgone_device_s.html (inventor of the TV-B-Gone) and his company Cornfield Electronics http://www.cornfieldelectronics.com/ worked together with me (Adafruit Industries) to develop a kit version of the TV-B-Gone. Mitch thinks open source kits are awesome!
Why should I get a kit if I can just buy a TV-B-Gone ready made?
This kit is for learning how to solder and maybe even a little of how remote controls are designed. The kit version also has 2 AA batteries and 4 high power output IR LEDs to allow for much longer distances than the keychain product, more than 100 ft! It's also easier to hack and adapt for other projects. However, the kit has fewer codes (so there may find a TV once in a while that doesn't respond), is larger and heavier and requires you to put it together.
I suggest you get one of each!
Does this kit work on all TVs?
We picked the 46 most common codes for North American/Asian TV's to program into the kit. However, we couldn't include every code. Field testing has shown that nearly every TV we encountered would turn off, even the most recent LCD and Plasma flat screen TVs!
Note that this kit will not work with LED signs, computer monitors (that are not also televisions) and display signs that don't have a remote-control port.
What do you mean N. America/Asia? Does this kit work with European TVs?
A large number of newer European TVs will work with TV-B-Gone kit, but its not as likely. For example, instead of 90% success, its more like 50%
How close do I have to be for the TV-B-Gone kit to work?
The closer the better, but we've found that if you have pretty good aim, you can be 100' (30m) or farther.
I'm not able to turn off the TV from more than 30 feet away, what's wrong?
First, perform the test to make sure all 4 IR LEDs are firing.
Second, make sure you have fresh Alkaline batteries installed
Third, try to aim as best as you can at the IR receiver, usually a small dark plastic plate on the front of the TV
Finally, try many different TVs. Some TVs simply do not respond as well from far away as others.
I want more range! How can I make the kit more powerful?
Make sure you have fresh Alkaline batteries. They work better than rechargables
You can swap out the 2 AA battery holder for a 3 AA battery holder. This will give even better performance! Using C or D cell batteries will give longer run time but won't increase the power.
Do not use 9V batteries or more than 3 1.5V alkaline batteries, you can permanently damage the kit!
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all to get caught! with this kit
not usefull at all sorry!
But you can buy a "Universal TV remote" that does the same from Deal Extreme for under $5 ( it's smaller- great for stocking stuffers/gifts).
When is the "wave bubble" going to be a kit? ;-)
Plus, the only value would be to add new TV codes, and you'd have to figure out what those new codes are.
Of course, you can develop a new hobby/skill and learn its software language if that interests you.
This chip is an erasable, programmable ROM memory device, simpler but similar to the chip that stores your PC's BIOS instruction set. A new PC has a new instruction set programmed onto the same old chip as last year's model.
There is no simple replacement; it's the programmed "brains" of the circuit.