FakeTV emulates human watching the tube, supposedly discourages thieves

What else can we say? The concept here is pure genius, and it totally makes those pricey security systems seem way pointless (okay, slightly less critical). The FakeTV is a strobe that sets up in an occupied room at night and flashes up beams of light. From the inside, we can imagine it looks fairly curious, but from the outside, it gives prospective burglars the idea that someone is actually awake and watching a television program. It promises to produce the effects of "scene changes, fades, swells, flicks, on-screen motion and color changes," just like they were generated by a bona fide set. We can't speak for how well (or not) this thing actually works, but at just $49, we'd say it's a solid buy if you're the paranoid type.

[Via BoingBoing]

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 1:26PM]

You know what else can do this? AN ACTUAL TV SET, which I already have.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 11:50AM]

Way to miss the point...unless you really want to leave your TV set on while you're on vacation. This thing presumably uses less power and doesn't wear out your flat panel faster.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 12:32PM]

I don't think he missed anything. I could stick a $5 lamp timer on my LCD TV in the bedroom and the energy consumption would be barely noticeable, if at all. Genius? I think not.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 1:08PM]

@ Andy Anonymous,

Some TV's have auto on/off timers.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 1:45PM]

So, your on vacation and instead of running a cheap $49 low power lamp for 8 hours during the middle of the night, your would rather use your actual TV?

And I hate to break it to you, but not all TV's have timers. Go troll elsewhere.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 2:06PM]

Let's say you're on vacation for 5 nights. 8 hours of timed TV a night would be 40 hours of TV. So you believe that 40 hours of TV shortens the TV/bulb life enough that a $60 investment (product, tax, S&H), will make up for that?

W.C. Fields was right.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 4:46PM]

Err - yeah, using your LCD TV using the same power consumption as this device?! Where did you study electrical engineering - from a cracker jack box. And buying an old tube TV uses a ton of electricity too! And it's also NOT good for new TVs to be flipped on and off several times a day - do some research.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 12:28PM]

Judging from the picture, it looks like the ghost of Elliott Smith has returned and is now dabbling in petty crime.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 12:32PM]

Didn't expect to see this one on EngadgetHD.

Just because TV is in the tagline?

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 1:09PM]

What's funny is how the light from the strobe is bluish color, like the output of most TVs, The alarm function of most TVs will serve the same purpose. Set the alarm and the TV will turn on at the preset time, then turn off after a certain amount of time has elapsed. My 20 year old 19" tube will turn on and stay on for 1 hour before turning off with its alarm function.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 1:16PM]

you guys miss the point - for those that have an LCD, Plasma or DLP TV; these sets have 'limited life spans' for bulbs, screen life, etc - so why reduce the life of your TV when you can use this? i think it's a great idea.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 1:44PM]

People are talking about buying a small old tv and leave it on. You can get them for 10-20 at your local St Vincent.

To me as I walk by a house at 2AM...nude of course is Hey....looks like they own a tv...might be a good place to break into!

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 2:07PM]

Yes, because we know how rare it is to find a home with a TV......

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 3:31PM]

DAMN!!! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[simbadogg Posted May 21st 2008 5:43PM]

umm...am i the only one thats scratching my head at the price? i mean..at $50 bucks i'm sure you could find 2 used 19-20 inch tvs at a garage sale in a weekend.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 5:58PM]

Guys, this thing eats of 3 watts of power when operating at full output. The money savings along, versus a TV eating up 100 or 200 watts, is pretty worthwhile -- and it's even more pleasing if you are trying to be green.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 9:17PM]

Estimated cost per month of running a flat panel TV is about 5$.

So, lets say it costs $1.25 per week (on average). Assuming a week-long vacation, at 1 vacation per year, it would take 48 years for this thing to pay for itself in energy savings (assuming it costs $60, and its power consumption is negligible compared to a TV.) Two vacations a year and you cut that down to a mere 24 years!

That is all leaving aside the fact that you have this dumb THING that you would haul out once a year from the attic or wherever you put it after your last vacation (hopefully you can remember.)


http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-v8UcaH8Quvb/learningcenter/home/TV-power.html

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 10:04PM]

Just hook up your TV to those dang light timers for 10 bucks

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2008 1:04AM]

Many of us work the night shift. So it's not just for when you go on vacation. This could be a good thing to get to make it appear someone is home when you're away at work. It's a good idea. For everyone?? Well, no. But, it's a good concept and a lower power consumption than TVs.