When analog over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting shuts down on February 17, 2009, analog cable subscribers probably won't notice thanks in part to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is requiring cable operators to carry local stations in both analog and digital format for three years after the OTA cutoff date. This has many major cable networks, such as C-SPAN, Discovery Communications, A&E, and The Weather Channel concerned that they will be pushed off cable systems to make room for the dual carriage. As a result, these and other cable programmers are suing to block the FCC from implementing the mandate.

At MacWorld Expo last month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised that an upgrade of the Apple TV software to allow online movie rentals would be available by the end of January. But, as with so many things tech, the release of that software will now be delayed by "a week or two" according to a company statement issued on January 31. The software will be made available as a free download to existing Apple TV customers when it's finally deemed ready.

To quote Professor Farnsworth on <I>Futurama</I>, "Good news, everyone!" I figured out how to answer reader questions in my blog (not that it was all that difficult). Now that my company e-mail account is up and running, you can simply send your questions to me at:

$400 Pro- $795, 1200C- $2,195

RGPC's staple device is the four outlet 400 Pro, and it stands out in a very densely crowded category as a no BS product that actually works. Inside each RGPC is a large inductor core, or choke, and a fast-blo fuse. Unlike so many of the surge protectors or line conditioners out there the RGPC is wired in parallel with the incoming AC, which means there's no current limiting, and components don't have to be plugged directly into the RGPC units to receive the full effect. The RGPC simply has to be plugged into an outlet on the same circuit as your gear. Several RGPC units can be "star clustered" in groups for improved performance, and the 1200 Custom is in fact two 400 Pro devices in a single box with 12 outlets. Inductive power filtering is becoming very popular in many high-end products, and the results that can be reaped from the RGPC devices with both audio and video systems can be noticeable, if not staggering (especially with power hungry components like CRTs and plasmas screens). RGPC devices are the only PLC devices in SB's reference system.