Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas Music and Yuletide Fire Channels - Bell TV

Bell TV - Christmas Music and Yuletide Fire Channels

  • Yuletide Fireplace on Bell TV (Satellite)
  • Channel 285 FIRE and 892 FIREH in HD, English Audio,
  • Channel 151 FOYER and 891 FOYERH in HD, French Audio
  • Galaxy Smooth Jazz Christmas - Channel 921 GXY21
  • Galaxy Holiday Favorites - Channel 936 GXY36
  • Galaxy Franco Fete - Channel 945 GXY45


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Winter is Coming to a highway near you

Winter is coming which means the snow will be turning Ontario roads and highways into potential danger zones.  ICT North technicians are out on the roads and use these resources to check the conditions before starting out on your journey be prepared with these two resources

Ontario Interactive Road Map

Canadian Weather Radar Map

Also carry in your vehicle :

  • a shovel
  • jumper cables
  • roadside flares
  • hazard triangle
  • first aid kit
  • blanket
  • flashlight
  • hat and gloves
  • energy bars
  • bottles water
  • help sign
  • pen and paper
  • cell phone charger



Monday, November 28, 2011

Sun News Network back on Bell TV

Sun News Network channel now back on Bell TV

Satellite Channels  506

Bell Fibe TV Channels 531 SD and 1531 in High Definition

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Bell TV Dual Tuner Remotes, Green and Blue Tabs

To set you your Bell TV (satellite) Dual Tuner Receiver Remotes we advise that you assign a unique remote address number to each remote.  To do this.  Remote 1 (Green bottom tab) should be left as is.  This remote is an Infra Red remote should be used to control your main receiver and tv.

The second remote which has a Blue Tab is a UHF Pro (Ultra High Frequency Pro) model and should be used to control a secondary tv set, which is located in another room of your home.

By assigning each remote a different remote address enables the remotes to work independently preventing actions with one remote to affect both televisions.

To Change the Remote Address for Remote Control 2 (Blue Tab)

Press System Info button on the receiver's front panel
Make a note of the current remote address, as shown on screen

Via  the remote 

  1. Press and Hold the SAT button
  2. When all the MODE buttons (Sat, TV, PVR, AUX) light up,  LET GO
  3. Enter a new remote address number ( 1 - 16) via the number pad
  4. Press the # Key (bottom right) 
  5. MODE light SAT will flash 3 times
  6. Note down the new remote address number
  7. Press RECORD 

Check the number on screen matches your new remote address number

Press SELECT to exit the System Info Screen

NOTE:

It is possible to change the remote address for Remote Control 1 (Green Tab) using this method also.
Next Step - How To Program the Remote to Control your TV


 TIP  -  The procedure is easy but will go faster with two people, one reader and one doer.






Friday, November 25, 2011

Free Shipping, yes please, it must be Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday this year falls on the 28th November 2011


Cyber Monday is the Monday immediately after American Thanksgiving (Thursday 24th November 2011).  Traditionally the Friday is called Black Friday -  this is when there are major discounts in the stores - profits go into the black, hence the name.  Black Friday is mainly for retail locations,  


Cyber Monday is for online shopping -.  Worth checking are big box stores, ticket outlets and specialty shops.
The Monday is dedicated to online shoppers.   Bargains, offers, discounted goods, free shipping and one day only deals are all just a click away.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sun News Channel returning to Bell TV

Sun News Newtork Channel will be returning to Bell Tv (excluding Quebec) at the end of November 2011.  The channel will be offered as part of the IPTV and Bell  basic satellite packages.  Sun News network channel will be added for Quebec subscribers at a later date.
Bell TV will also be distributing three other channels :


French Channel - TVA Sports*
Channel 193 standard and 1883 high definition, free preview till 31st December 2011
Yoopa* 
Channel 188 standard definition with 3 month free preview
Mlle* 
Channel 194 standard definition with 3 month free preview


which are also owned by Quebecor subsidiary TVA Group Inc.


*Scheduled to be added around 15th December 2011


Origianl blog postings:
Sun News network yanks channel from Bell TV
Sun News Network, no longer being shown on Bell satellite TV

Monday, November 21, 2011

Free BlackBerry Thank You Apps

Here are some more Free BlackBerry Thank You Apps   They will only be available for a limited time so download them now to avoid disappointment.

Includes The Sims 3,  SimCity Deluxe 2, Bubble Bash 2,  Drive Safe.ly Pro, Bejeweled, Shazam Encore and Vlingo - Virtual Assistant


TIP
Check out the BlackBerry App World Top Free Apps on a regular basis

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Get your messages even when you're not home

Bell Home Phone Tip

  With your Bell home phone you can access your messages remotely.  
  NOTE : Long distance charges will apply if you are outside the local area. 

  To get your messages even when you're not 
  home :  
  1. Dial your home telephone number
  2. Press 9 as soon as you hear your recorded message
  3. Key in  your password 
  4. Follow the recorded instructions
  5. Get your messages.


Photo Credit:
Image: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Tank on The Moon - Lunokhod

November 17 1970 Russian mission Lunar17 containing Lunokhod landed on the moon. The first lunar rover controlled remotely from the earth was a triumph of Soviet engineering.  

The design team had to meet weight, size, heating, cooling and low level power restrictions as well as overcome the demands of operating in space.  The final unit weighed 840kg approx. and moved at 1.3km per hour.   Onboard were four television cameras, an  x ray telescope, a penetrometer to take soil samples, a cone shaped antenna and a helical antenna.  Eventually it fell into a crater and due to overheating, it still remains on the moon. The Lunokhod rover was programmed to hibernate at night and during the 14 day lunar night .  The rover was designed to operate for 90 days it ran for 11 months and covered 7 miles of the moons surface.   The mission ended 4th October 1971.

Photo Credit:
Lunokhod: Reflections on a Moon Robot 

Lunokhod Designers
Georgi Nikolayevich Babakhin 
Alexandra Kermurdzhian

Science Channel Video
Tank on the Moon - Lunokhod (03.01)

In 1973 lunar 21 lands and delivers Lunokhod 2 on the moon May 9th 1973 the rover travelled 24 miles and transmitted images back to earth.



The Lunaokhod technology once again deployed in Mikehal Milenkhov's Remote STR1 bulldozer, which was designed and deployed to clear Chernobyl debris in 1986

Marsakhod, designed to explore Mars was originally created in 1977.  It sat in a warehouse until 1992 when it became the basis for the Mars Rover (1992/1993) when Alexandra Kermurdzhian worked  with Nasa on the project.



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

MPEG2 to MPEG4 Receiver Swap

TIP

Still waiting for your Bell TV MPEG2 to MPEG4 high definition model satellite receiver to arrive ?

Call BELL (1 888 759-3474) and ask the Customer Service Representative to expedite your receiver swap.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Bell TV MPEG4 Channels

Bell TV (satellite) 9200 and 6100 high definition model receiver owners have been receiving replacement receivers as part of the ongoing MPEG2 to MPEG4 Receiver Swap initiative.  

The new models are MPEG4 compliant to enable viewers to enjoy current Bell TV MPEG 4 Channels :
  • 1011 - CTVHH (Halifax) - drama, family viewing
  • 1031 - CTVMH (Montreal) - drama family viewing
  • 1054 - CTV2t (Barrie) - drama, family viewing 
  • 1057 - CHCHH (Toronto) - news
  • 1091 - CTVWH (Winnipeg) - news
  • 1106 - CTVRH (Regina) - news
  • 1151 - CTVHV (Vancouver) - news
  • 1154 - CTV2v (Victoria) - drama, family viewing

Friday, November 11, 2011

Satellite TV brought to you by the War

Wars have always been fought and we are saddened by the loss of life and injuries to both soldiers and civilians.  Wars do, however, foster advances in science and technology.  War inventions that make their way into our everyday lives.

Things we take for granted today like the weather forecast (Francis Beaufort and Robert FitzRoy) which was possible due to the invention of the telegraph system back in 1835.  The wrist watch (1880) was found to be more battle friendly than it's predecessor the pocket watch.

World War I  saw the invention of tinned food, preserved food had previously been stored in glass jars which weren't  all that portable.  The necessity for swift communications saw the advent of the radio.  Sonar - echo location was invented by Paul Langevin just prior to the end of World War i it put to use in later years.
Self absorbent wood pulp dressings and tissues  (cellucotton) was invented to replace cotton bandages and is still used in sanitary products and surgical dressings.



World War 2 brought us the mass manufacture of synthetics like rubber and nylon and the first microwave ovens (Percy Spencer) were major breakthroughs.

Penicillin and antibiotics, Pepto Bismol, Chloroquine (anti malaria tables) and bug spray in aerosol cans were the latest medical marvels.  

Children were entertained by the Frisbie (aka Pluto Platter), Silly Putty (James Wright,) and the much loved Slinky (Richard James). 
Top secret Inventions that are common place now were; Radar - radio detection (Robert Watson-Watt,), the Jet Engine, Night Vision and of course the computer to help with code breaking.



More recently 
Thermal Imaging, GPS (Ivan Getting) used in iPhones and other electronics that are Satellite Navigation system enabled, wireless communication,  The Chemical Laser now used for precision cutting  and sculpting of many materials.  Video games, game consoles and the internet (1969).


Image Credit: Commander James McDivit, NASA












The Space Race during the cold war demanded better communications. Innovative information gathering and transmitting satellite.   Television, video, rockets, astronauts, remote control and navigation systems. Miniature cameras, robots, satellite signals, global broadcasting and satellite tv.


Most of these products are worthy of being on a top 10 inventions list and are still used everyday by millions of people around the world.


Computer Image Credit: Image: Exsodus / FreeDigitalPhotos.net




iPod Nano (1st Generation) Replacement Program

Some first generations iPod Nano's (2005 - 2006) have been identified as having a battery overheating problem.  The procedure as detailed onApple's iPod Nano needs replacement information page explains how to get your replacement if your model is eligible.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone, iPad, iPod released

Mobile operating system iOS 5.0.1 has been released.  Head to iTunes and click Update to install the update if the Update alert didn't pop up automatically on your Apple product.  The update is available to user models;

iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
iPad, IPad 2
iPod, iPod touch 3rd and 4th generation)

iOS 5.0.1 has been designed to improve user experience and also rectify bugs in iOS 5.0.0  ie:

Fixes bugs that affected battery life,  Cloud functions (Documents)
Improved voice recognition for Australian users and Multitasking gestures for original iPad owners.

iOS 5  Software Update







RPG A Game of Thrones Gamefreaks announcement

Here's some more information about the RPG Game of Thrones announcement from Gamefreaks website

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Game of Thrones RPG for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC announced

Atlus Games, HBO and Cyanide Studios  have announced A Game of Thrones RPG* is scheduled for release early 2012.  The game with a storyline written by George R R Martin, will be available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The action packed RPG game is based on book one, A Song of Fire and Ice by bestselling science fiction author George R R Martin, and the hit HBO TV series Game of Thrones.

Copies may be pre ordered on the Official Game Of Thrones RPG website where updates about the game can also be found.

*RPG - Action Role Playing Game

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Near Field Communication may be included in future BlackBerry models

In a statement issued by Assa Abloy AB, the world's leading lock group, they are in talks with RIM to incorporate NFC Technology in BlackBerry® BoldTM and CurveTM 2012 model* smartphones. 

NFC - Near Field Communication is  key-card technology that would allow the user to swipe their phone to lock and unlock doors instead of using access cards.

*BlackBerry® BoldTM 9900/9930 
  BlackBerry® CurveTM 9350/9360

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Tip Personalize your iphone, Change the wallpaper

Personalize your iPhone by changing the wallpaper

Take a photo with the iPhone, then select it for your background
  1. Tap the Photos app
  2. Tap Camera Roll
  3. Select the photo you want to use with a Tap
  4. Now Tap the square with the arrow jumping out of it (lower left )
  5. Then with a Tap select the Use As Wallpaper menu option
  6. Using your thumb and index finger adjust the image size (pinch or stretch) so it fits nicely
  7. Tap Set Wallpaper

Alternatively use an image (jpg) from your Photo Library

1. Tap Settings, Wallpaper, Photo Library
2. Select the image you want to use with a Tap
3. Tap Set Wallpaper

Thursday, November 3, 2011


PlugBug - Dual Charging Plug for Mac

The PlugBug makes it possible to charge a MacBook and an iPhone or iPad at the same time.   PlugBug features a 10W USB charger that piggybacks onto your MacBook Power Adapter.  This stylish, socket saving device retails for $34.99 US at Twelve South.

Photo Credit:  Twelve South

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Bell TV (satellite) Free Previews November 2011

Free previews on Bell TV (satellite) for November 2011
as per Channel 271 of the Bell TV online guide,
Free Preview Channels are :

Channel 336 - documentary 
Ends November 30th 2011

Channel 1648 - DXDHD  (DISNEY XD HD)
Free Preview Ends May 2012

Home and Garden TV 
HD HGTV channel 1703
Ends 30th November 2011 

Channel 1706 - FOOD H until 21st Dec 2011


History Channel HD
HISHD Channel 1605
Ends 30th November 2011

Channel 608 - COSMOPOLITAN TV
Ends 30th November 2011


Channel 599 - Teletoon Retro (English)
Channel 186 - Teletoon Retro (French)
Ends 30th November 2011


Channel 527 - T + E (Travel and Escape)
Ends January 31st 2012


Channel 1865 - Zeste HD
Channel 190  - Zeste (Standard definition)
Ends 30th November 2011





Photo Credit: Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net