Time Machine TV Video Game Management Timer DVD HDTV

by TIME MACHINE

Product Description

Don't let the kids be "vidiots!" Take charge with The Time Machine TV / Video Game Timer, BIG BUCKS OFF! The ultimate solution for teaching kids that gaming and TV are privileges, not their 7-hours-a-day right! This easily hooks up and uses a token system to activate electronics, so kids learn quickly how to earn entertainment time, and use it wisely. Use with any coaxial connection (cable, satellite, broadcast TV) and / or RCA connection (game console, DVD player, VCR, cable tuner); Comes with 30 special tokens. Each activates for 30 mins.; Has locking security so it can't be "tampered with," and can only be overridden with a parent's PIN code; Can be set for defined viewing times (as in, no late-night); Digital display shows time status. Can be paused so they don't lose time; 6'l. AC cord; Comes with cables, 2 keys, tokens, and instructions. UL-listed. 5 x 3 x 8"h. Weighs 2 lbs., 4 ozs. An easy, smart parenting helper. Get it today! CHOKING HAZARD. Small partsnot for children under 3 yrs. The Time Machine TV / Video Game Timer

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000W4H6FQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,046 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good but could use an improvement or two, August 1, 2008

By 

k3dr - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time Machine TV Video Game Management Timer DVD HDTV (Misc.)

We've owned a couple of these units for the last 3 months and while we have not had experience with other devices that limit TV time, these units work pretty well. We are generally happy with them. They have limited the TV time to a reasonable level and left more time for other activities.

Pro's
1. The coins that come with the unit are solid feeling coins that have some weight to them. They're larger than normal coins, which is good since the kids first attempt to use normal money to turn on the timers and this hasn't worked.
2. The unit shuts off the TV signal instead of messing with the power. This is great for most TV's that have a constant "on" even when they're off. We don't have a HDTV so I can't tell you whether those will work well with the unit or not, but there are RCA jacks for the unit both in and out as well as coax in and out. This allows the hookup of a DVD player or game system and TV together.
3. The unit has a pause function so that kids can save their time (at which point the signal gets cut and the TV shows static). I've watched now, as my kids want to preserve all their minutes so that they will actually cut out the commercials to save their time for the shows! On the other hand, if someone leaves minutes on the unit and then you come in and want to watch TV, I haven't found a way to cancel those minutes or even override those minutes (without pulling the power and resetting everything).


There are several things that could improve this unit:

1. The PIN code entry for adult use is very tedious to use. You have to use the large arrow pad and scroll through each number of your 4 digit PIN. This takes many button clicks to switch the unit on without using the coins. A small remote or keypad on the unit would help the speed of entry. (Imagine walking in the door in the 4th quarter of a game and you are fis-fuddling with the keypad as the final seconds tick down)
2. If the power goes off or someone pulls the plug on the unit, the PIN is reset to the default. The default PIN is very simple sequence that anyone could guess. Resetting the PIN is a pain because of all the scrolling that is needed as described above.
3. The security on the back of the unit was easily tampered with. There is a door on the back of the unit that holds the discarded coins and protects the TV inputs and outputs. While the key hole on the door uses one of those circular type security keys, my 8-year old was easily able to defeat the flimsy plastic door using a simple screwdriver and popping it out of position.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST solution even with multiple devices!, August 9, 2008

By 

B. Caruso "The Happy Aspie" (SW Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time Machine TV Video Game Management Timer DVD HDTV (Misc.)

We were looking at time management devices for my son who has ADHD and a few other issues. He has an obsession with gadgets and cannot stop pushing buttons- he will obsess over them- so it was important for us to find a machine that worked without a PIN or a card (he would stand there and swipe for hours, more likely than not).

This works with tokens.


We also knew that even though he is 4, if we put this device on one unit we have attached to our television, he would then choose to play something else...So that was another issue for us...
A regular timer allows to much wiggle room for a freak out...
With a token -the token is a tangible item that he then inserts into Time Machine in exchange for time playing a game. The token is then out of his hand, so he can focus on playing, rather than the device.

When time is up he will ask for another token which allows us to talk about how he may earn another one. When the machine shuts off whatever he is playing though, it's just fact, it's not anyone trying to disrupt his fun...I think that is key...


We currently have 5 devices connected to our A/V switch and they are all usable only by inserting a token into Time Machine.

Here's how:
Time Machine is easily usable with multiple devices attached to the TV- you just need to use an A/V selector switch (we have a box from Philips that we purchased at a local Target, Amazon.com does carry a few of them). Instead of connecting the cord from one device (a Wii, for example) you can connect the Wii to the A/V selector, along with many other devices, and connect the A/C selector cable to the Time Machine unit.

There is also the ability to enter a PIN to override the tokens- if grownups are watching TV or playing a game...

If you are going to use this I recommend using it all the time- no exceptions. If I am playing a game with him I will also use a token so we have together time, and together we get to play more. This is teaching him how sharing and pooling resources can be a fun and very useful thing...

I also recommend storing the tokens in a jar or plastic container, with the key, out of reach...We keep ours on top of the fridge where our kiddo can't reach it (he's also not a climber)...

Great product... Well made... Very happy with this and the peace it has brought to our home...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this machine!, March 13, 2008

By 

E. Conner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time Machine TV Video Game Management Timer DVD HDTV (Misc.)

My boys love nintendo. They love it so much, we could spend all day playing it and never know. As a mom with ADHD, I could spend all day on it and never have any concept of how long we've actually been playing. This machine is a life saver! My boys want to play in the morning before school. Great, when you are all ready to walk out the door, you can have a token. Some mornings I can't motivate them out of bed so I put a token in 30 minutes before they have to be out the door and tell them that's what I'm doing. Like magic, they spring to life, eat breakfast, get ready for school, just so they can play before the machine shuts off. Homework is the same -- kids that finish their homework get a token. The machine automatically shuts off at 9:00 -- no playing after bed time. For any parent that is tired of the struggle over the amount of time spent on the game system, this machine is SO for you!