Whenever I bring my TV-B-Gone out to restaurants, I look suspicious pointing it around. So I embedded the device into a jacket and turned it into a wearable TV silencer. For the switch, I sewed paths of conductive thread that become bridged by the metal zipper pull when it passes by. At the restaurant or bar, all I have to do is unzip my jacket to turn off the TV(s).
Subscribe to the CRAFT Podcast in iTunes, download the m4v video directly, or watch it on YouTube. Music by i am jen.
For this project you need:
- Super TV-B-Gone Kit (available from Maker Shed)
- conductive thread
- jacket with metal zipper pull
- sewing needle and regular thread
- seam ripper (or very small scissors)
- tailor’s chalk
- soldering iron/solder
- pliers
- wire strippers
- wire snips
- insulated wire (stranded)
- heat shrink tubing
Check out the complete a complete step-by-step tutorial for the previous version of this project, the TV-B-Gone Hoodie, over on Make: Projects.
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Hey neat! But wouldn’t it be easier to ask if the TV could be turned off?
Hey neat! But wouldn’t it be easier to ask if the TV could be turned off?
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
In their own place, it is their right. Don’t like it, go to someone else’s place.
Why is this so hard to understand? If you go to a bar/restaurant that has TVs on, and you don’t like it, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. It is totally their right to play their TV as loud as they want in their establishment. It IS NOT your right to turn it off with this gizmo.
In their own place, it is their right. Don’t like it, go to someone else’s place.
Why is this so hard to understand? If you go to a bar/restaurant that has TVs on, and you don’t like it, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. It is totally their right to play their TV as loud as they want in their establishment. It IS NOT your right to turn it off with this gizmo.
I’m a restaurant manager. If I’m asked by a guest to turn the tv, music, or even ask the band to quiet down, I do it. Have you ever tried asking? Restaurant staff are actually human, you know.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
Good luck with that strategy. People feel like it’s their God-given right to blare whatever they want.
yeah great, now some jerk-off can turn off the tv that someone might be watching and enjoying. It would be nice if you had one that I could take to annoying maker sheds with an tool that could turn off dremels and hot glue guns….
yeah great, now some jerk-off can turn off the tv that someone might be watching and enjoying. It would be nice if you had one that I could take to annoying maker sheds with an tool that could turn off dremels and hot glue guns….
have to agree with you there.. try this in a pub when a game is on and you better be ready to deal with a rioting crowd..
cool idea though..
Maybe a better idea for parents?
Mom ” Turn that TV off!”
“Mom! I have to find a save point!” (mom lifts lid off of jar and tv turns off).
“….”
@kerriganmarois:disqus it goes both ways, what if you’re trying to avoid a distracting television? the tv-b-gone is more than an object, it’s meant for all of us to think about public spaces, the role of tv and social norms. it also turns tvs on as well as off, and it’s a harmless prank for some too.
Like a sports-bar or pub shouldn’t have tvs on the wall? I think a majority of patrons go there for that reason as a main draw. Not that I don’t think its a neat device, but when you are a patron, you accept what the restaurant/bar has to offer, that goes for food, drinks, seats and televisions. You don’t go in, decide you don’t like the food, and pull your own food out of your bag.
If you are in someone else’s place, and you don’t like the fact that they have their TV on (not your TV, their TV), then you ASK them to turn it off. If you force it off, you are being a jerk.
“Social norms” that makes me laugh. Society works because we all agree to not be jerks. Messing with other people’s stuff with out their permission is being a jerk.
The sense of entitlement the creation of this device reveals just galls me.
i use a tv-b-gone to turn off the tvs left on 24/7 at luxury real estate offices when i go for walks at night, it’s a waste of electricity and the tvs just have a bouncing DVD logo.
it’s funny, people debate whether tv makes people violent but so far it seems the folks who “think” their tv could get turned off are the ones that are the most violent and name-cally
Um, actually it seemed to make those who think one should have the right to sneakily turn off a tv violently verbally agitated at the suggestion that maybe that’s not a cool thing to do. I think it’s a creative little device, but obnoxious, and if I ever owned a bar and saw someone using it to turn off MY TV, I’d have to get all creative as well and spill a pitcher of beer right on their jacket
Have you tried contacting the boss at the office where you are doing this? He/she might be as surprised as you are to find out the tv’s are left on all night. Don’t assume that just because one staff member was lazy that this is company policy
they specifically leave the TVs on with a 1 hour DVD playing when they leave, once it’s over it goes to the menu screen it seems and just sits there all night.
they specifically leave the TVs on with a 1 hour DVD playing when they leave, once it’s over it goes to the menu screen it seems and just sits there all night.
Wow I get it you’re a Nazi, so when are we going to start busting in a little children and those energy wasting night-lights. I mean they should buck up, suck-it-up and do what “you” want; screw there fear of the things like you that go bump in the night. Here, here let’s not stop there you should be in control of the electric grid like they did in Russia. Hell what about all those on life support over 60 there gonna die anyway why waste the juice?
@twitter-15570492:disqus calling anyone a “nazi” here gets you banned, do not do it again.
So it is ok to trespass on other people’s property beause they are wasting energy by running a DVD player? But flying spaghetti monster forbid that someone actually trepasses on your property and does something that you don’t like. Got to love authoritarians and their double standards when it comes to thier space but not others.
So it is ok to trespass on other people’s property beause they are wasting energy by running a DVD player? But flying spaghetti monster forbid that someone actually trepasses on your property and does something that you don’t like. Got to love authoritarians and their double standards when it comes to thier space but not others.
they specifically leave the TVs on with a 1 hour DVD playing when they leave, once it’s over it goes to the menu screen it seems and just sits there all night.
i use a tv-b-gone to turn off the tvs left on 24/7 at luxury real estate offices when i go for walks at night, it’s a waste of electricity and the tvs just have a bouncing DVD logo.
it’s funny, people debate whether tv makes people violent but so far it seems the folks who “think” their tv could get turned off are the ones that are the most violent and name-cally
i use a tv-b-gone to turn off the tvs left on 24/7 at luxury real estate offices when i go for walks at night, it’s a waste of electricity and the tvs just have a bouncing DVD logo.
it’s funny, people debate whether tv makes people violent but so far it seems the folks who “think” their tv could get turned off are the ones that are the most violent and name-cally
i use a tv-b-gone to turn off the tvs left on 24/7 at luxury real estate offices when i go for walks at night, it’s a waste of electricity and the tvs just have a bouncing DVD logo.
it’s funny, people debate whether tv makes people violent but so far it seems the folks who “think” their tv could get turned off are the ones that are the most violent and name-cally
i use a tv-b-gone to turn off the tvs left on 24/7 at luxury real estate offices when i go for walks at night, it’s a waste of electricity and the tvs just have a bouncing DVD logo.
it’s funny, people debate whether tv makes people violent but so far it seems the folks who “think” their tv could get turned off are the ones that are the most violent and name-cally
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
jeez dude have a drink or something
jeez dude have a drink or something
The irony of this post boggles the mind.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Precisely.
Americans who blare sound are spoiled, little babies who never think of anyone but themselves.
Selfish little adolescent pukes who think the whole world should be forced to listen to their mind-deadening TRIPE.
Here’s the thing: bars and restaurants are not, and never have been, “public spaces.” And in those privately-owned spaces, a lot of people actually want to see and hear the television and not put up with control-freak, passive-aggressive crap. If I owned the places Becky Stern frequents, she’d have exactly five seconds to make it to the door before I physically threw her out and called the police.
Here’s the thing: bars and restaurants are not, and never have been, “public spaces.” And in those privately-owned spaces, a lot of people actually want to see and hear the television and not put up with control-freak, passive-aggressive crap. If I owned the places Becky Stern frequents, she’d have exactly five seconds to make it to the door before I physically threw her out and called the police.
@google-885ddbd61513482f9d268ef1a3541242:disqus i’m pretty sure you can kick anyone out of your privately owned space – i think it would be hard to know who turned on or off the tv though. at this time i do not think there are any laws against using IR signals to turn off a TV, as far as i know the police have never been involved with a tv being turned off (or on) via a tv-b-gone.
i don’t think you could “physically” touch someone however.
on a related note, when american apparel was showing looped DVDs of what seemed to be underage coked up girls on the outside of their door modeling it was fun to turn those off, it was being displayed towards a public side walk so that’s a difference example of course.
Great, now Christian Conservatives are going to feel entitled to use TV B GONE to turn off whatever content that they don’t like. Freedom is a hated thing, because everyone who feels that they know what is best for everybody (on both the left and right) can never allow it to exist simply because they think that their perogative is meaningful and profound.
Great, now Christian Conservatives are going to feel entitled to use TV B GONE to turn off whatever content that they don’t like. Freedom is a hated thing, because everyone who feels that they know what is best for everybody (on both the left and right) can never allow it to exist simply because they think that their perogative is meaningful and profound.
Great, now Christian Conservatives are going to feel entitled to use TV B GONE to turn off whatever content that they don’t like. Freedom is a hated thing, because everyone who feels that they know what is best for everybody (on both the left and right) can never allow it to exist simply because they think that their perogative is meaningful and profound.
Actually, a bar and/or restaurant IS a “public place.” It is “private property” but it is a “public” place. Unless there is a limited membership to said bar and/or restaurant. Like this: Walmart – public place; Sam’s Club: not so public, since you have to buy a membership to get in the door.
Actually, a bar and/or restaurant IS a “public place.” It is “private property” but it is a “public” place. Unless there is a limited membership to said bar and/or restaurant. Like this: Walmart – public place; Sam’s Club: not so public, since you have to buy a membership to get in the door.
If you are trying to avoid a distracting tv, why would you go to a restaurant? There are many distractions. I can’t imagine any situation that would justify infringing on others rights in this way.
@google-f19f93a357b03ee0f42e74d446be6d75:disqus i’ve heard both side of “infringing rights” some people do not believe places like restaurants / bars should have the right to show tvs without the express permission of each customer. i realize they may want to re-consider where they go. as far as i know there isn’t a law or “right” that guarantees tv access in every location, but who knows – maybe it will be a law one day that says we all need to be X feet away from a tv or something at all times. it’s an interesting debate, the thing that no one ever mentions… why is the tv-b-gone so popular based on the comments it sometimes generates? are people saying they hate it but secretly go out and get these? or are the haters-gonna-hate style comments just a vocal minority?
I agree. I think as an art project (I’m not sure if the designer is thinking about the TV-B-Gone as art, I sure do), TV-B-Gone is a subversive statement questioning how we interact with others in public space as well as how define “public” in space as well as what is acceptable (maybe ethical) conduct in public space. This really makes me think of the Vito Acconci essay Public Space in a Private Time. I think it exposes the duality that exists in many of our so called “public” spaces. I love it!
I agree. I think as an art project (I’m not sure if the designer is thinking about the TV-B-Gone as art, I sure do), TV-B-Gone is a subversive statement questioning how we interact with others in public space as well as how define “public” in space as well as what is acceptable (maybe ethical) conduct in public space. This really makes me think of the Vito Acconci essay Public Space in a Private Time. I think it exposes the duality that exists in many of our so called “public” spaces. I love it!
That’s great! But i guess it would only work in the winter time. For the summer, maybe you could add it to a purse, using the zipper there.
That’s great! But i guess it would only work in the winter time. For the summer, maybe you could add it to a purse, using the zipper there.
Too bad you can’t do this with cell phones.
And car stereos, boomboxes, the neighbor’s sound system….if I can hear it, it’s too loud. Blow out your stupid ear drums by the time you’re 30 if you want to, you worthless little s**t, but stop assaulting mine.
None of those examples apply here. The author specifically said “restaurants”
None of those examples apply here. The author specifically said “restaurants”
And car stereos, boomboxes, the neighbor’s sound system….if I can hear it, it’s too loud. Blow out your stupid ear drums by the time you’re 30 if you want to, you worthless little s**t, but stop assaulting mine.
And car stereos, boomboxes, the neighbor’s sound system….if I can hear it, it’s too loud. Blow out your stupid ear drums by the time you’re 30 if you want to, you worthless little s**t, but stop assaulting mine.
And car stereos, boomboxes, the neighbor’s sound system….if I can hear it, it’s too loud. Blow out your stupid ear drums by the time you’re 30 if you want to, you worthless little s**t, but stop assaulting mine.
And car stereos, boomboxes, the neighbor’s sound system….if I can hear it, it’s too loud. Blow out your stupid ear drums by the time you’re 30 if you want to, you worthless little s**t, but stop assaulting mine.