Roll your own TiVo with a VCR and a cell phone

Our peeps at Hack A Day just came across this sweet mod that combines a cell phone with a VCR -- you know, the one you've been keeping on the off-chance that you might want to watch that tape your parents shot of your vacation to Sea World back in '85. We're not sure if it's the VHS nostalgia or classic Ericsson, but something about this rig really makes us want to put away our mobile-enabled TiVos and Media Centers, and get back to basics recording our shows the hard way. It's just more rewarding that way, ok?

[Via Hack A Day]

[casey chesnut @ Sep 21st 2006 9:29AM]

here's another way to remotely schedule a recording :
http://www.mperfect.net/mobileRecord/

works with MSN Mobile on Smartphones and PPCs to Media Center.

it also works voice-only on any phone, but i can't release that part because the next Speech Server is still in beta.

[acidscan @ Sep 21st 2006 10:28AM]

WOW, That is a T28 Ericsson, this guy has old stuff !

[Justin @ Sep 21st 2006 11:29AM]

Uhhh this is dumb...So the OLD phone has to have cell phone service? What a load of crap! I wouldn't pay for service for an old phone to do this!

[lao.soup @ Sep 21st 2006 12:38PM]

Does it record to the vcr... or the cellphone? Ahhh...

[Arpad @ Sep 25th 2006 7:55AM]

@Justin: In europe and in the UK, you can buy pre-paid SIM cards and just add more minutes to them when you run out. All incoming calls and SMSs are free even when you run out of minutes. This mod is very handy if you have a pre-paid SIM card lying around... which are cheap, so most people do.

[Arpad @ Sep 25th 2006 7:57AM]

I wish somebody would post a similar how-to on getting your car alarm to text you when your alarm goes off...