I've had the new computer for some time now but I've only just had a chance to set up the external TV tuner. It's an ATI TV Wonder USB 2.0. It seems to work okay, although I'll need an amplifier for the coax input since the signal is split off the VCR. I did that so I could record old stuff from VHS into an MPEG form and get it on DVD, assuming of course I can find something to help me get rid of tape hiss.

One minor problem: Windows Media Encoder 9 is absolute garbage. It came with the device but it can't recognize it when trying to record. It keeps giving me the obscure error "no specified device driver found", and by mentioning this here I may just bring the number of Google hits up to 3. Suffice it to say I found nothing enlightening on Google, and Microsoft's site has precious little to say about it either. However, I did find that the TV playback app itself can record stuff, so it might be all I need. Microsoft's encoder was freakin' arcane.

Meanwhile I have not forgotten my 4K entry, which is still in need of some final feature to fill 56+ bytes (I say 56+ because I can probably swing 70 if I try). Perhaps sound effects will do, if I can find some. I was greatly relieved to learn the deadline is Thursday, not Wednesday.