Using technology to overcome the pitfalls of technology

Years ago, it was easy to enjoy my preferred way to watch Carolina football and basketball games from home.

As Woody Durham used to call it, I had my own "Turn Down The Sound Party."

All I had to do is turn down the sound on the TV and flip on the radio to listen to the Tar Heel Sports Network and there were no issues with one being ahead of the other.

Technology changed that in the last decade or so and has made it maddeningly difficult. TV signals now take longer to arrive than a radio signal.

When I was in Newport News, Va., I could get a stream of the broadcast on the Internet and use my DirecTV DVR to sync them. I used to be able to do the same thing here in the Triangle with a radio broadcast until DirecTV's latest DVR made it next to impossible: When you pause it and then press play, it kicks back about five seconds. It just wasn't working.

My dad discovered and gave me a product that has given me a perfect solution.

Using the SportSync AM/FM audio-delay radio, I can delay the broadcast up to 8 seconds. That has allowed me to listen to Jones Angell, Eric Montross and the THSN and has spared me the yelling antics of Dick Vitale.

I have the SR-101 model. The SR-202 model pictured is the only one that appears to be sold now and it goes for around $60. Pretty pricey. But if you really want to hear the call from your favorite team's radio network, it might just be worth it.

On Thursday night when many of you Carolina (and State fans, for that matter) are groaning about having to listen to Dick Vitale while watching the game, I'll be blissfully unaware of his rants.