Don't Spring Forward Twice: Retrevo Offers Daylight Saving Time (DST) Resource Center

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So-called smart gadgets with automatic adjusting clocks made before January 2006 have a built-in calendar to adjust for daylight saving time based on now inaccurate information.

Sunnyvale, Calif. (PRWEB) March 8, 2007

[PRWeb] Retrevo, the ultimate consumer electronics search engine, has created the Retrevo Daylight Saving Time Resource Center a resource page for consumer electronics likely to be affected by the earlier than normal change to Daylight Saving Time, (DST). The Daylight Saving Time resource page has solutions for setting the clocks on everything from computer calendars to PDAs, cell phones, to digital cameras and camcorders and assorted gadgets. Starting this year clocks get set an hour ahead on March 11, 2007 and then back an hour on November 4, 2007.

"With Daylight Saving Time coming four weeks early, Retrevo wanted to do its part to help avoid a national day of irritability and tardiness," said Andrew Eisner, resident Gadget Guru at Retrevo. "Virtually every gadget made today has a clock of some sort that will need to be changed on March 11. Luckily, Retrevo can help you find the instructions and support you need to change the time on just about anything electronic."

Using Retrevo to Set Your Clock

Retrevo can find the exact page in the manual for most consumer electronics products. Enter the product name and model along with phrases like "set time, change time," or "set clock, change clock."

So What's The Problem?

In the days of analog time keeping devices it wasn't a big deal to move the hour hand once around the dial. Today the average household has dozens of devices with digital clocks; everything from computers to VCRs to thermostats.

"Some unlucky gadget owners may have to spring forward twice," said Eisner. "So-called smart gadgets with automatic adjusting clocks made before January 2006 have a built-in calendar to adjust for daylight saving time based on now inaccurate information. "

Compounding the problem is the fact that many devices have been programmed to automatically reset the time on the day the time change normally takes place. Not only will the clock not be changed on the correct day but may change automatically again on the wrong day. Be sure to check the time again on the old dates, April 1st and October 28th to make sure the time doesn't get automatically changed.

Check your clocks: Using Retrevo to Set Your Clock

Retrevo can find the exact page in the manual for most consumer electronics products. Enter the product name and model along with phrases like "set time, change time," or "set clock, change clock."

Cell Phones

Most cell phones synchronize their time to a central service and should receive the correct time on the correct day. If not, you may have to set the time manually. Here's a typical sequence from an example of the Motorola V551

Cameras, Camcorders, VCRs, DVRs, TVs

Although some of these products can get time updates over the airwaves or cable most will require manual setting. Here some examples on Retrevo:

Sony Camcorder

Panasonic DVR

Sony Bravia TV

So What's The Problem?

In the days of analog time keeping devices it wasn't a big deal to move the hour hand once around the dial. Today the average household has dozens of devices with digital clocks; everything from computers to VCRs to thermostats.

"Some unlucky gadget owners may have to spring forward twice," said Eisner. "So-called smart gadgets with automatic adjusting clocks made before January 2006 have a built-in calendar to adjust for daylight saving time based on now inaccurate information. "

Compounding the problem is the fact that many devices have been programmed to automatically reset the time on the day the time change normally takes place. Not only will the clock not be changed on the correct day but may change automatically again on the wrong day. Be sure to check the time again on the old dates, April 1st and October 28th to make sure the time doesn't get automatically changed.

About Retrevo

Retrevo is a one-stop destination for consumers to research, shop, or fix their electronic products. Retrevo helps consumers compare community opinions, find pre-purchase information, monitor daily deals and obtain product documentation for technical support and troubleshooting. The company provides succinct information in 12 consumer electronics categories, including cell phones, smartphones, cameras, camcorders, home audio and home video, portable audio and portable video, printers and wireless networking (WiFi). Retrevo is backed by Alloy Ventures and Norwest Venture Partners, and is based in Sunnyvale, California. More at http://www.retrevo.com

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