Coming To A Cemetery Near You. Video Tombstones! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Penny Lane · 09-13-2005, 09:05 AM

What do ya think about this?

MIAMI (AP) -- Video screens have shown up all over in recent years -- cell phones, bathrooms, car head rests, subway cars, even elevators. Next up: a solar-powered video panel embedded in a tombstone that plays a clip reminiscent of "This Is Your Life.''

Tasteless, you might say? A magnet for vandals?

On the contrary, says inventor Sergio Aguirre.

His soothingly named Serenity Panel is all about helping families celebrate the life of a lost loved one.

"While nothing ever replaces the gift of life, memories can now come one step closer to forever being remembered and not forgotten,'' waxes the Web site of Aguirre's company, Vidstone LLC.

The video headstone concept has been around for years, but previous inventors' ambitions have been laid to rest. One gave up for lack of demand and out of concerns his invention wouldn't be able to withstand years of harsh weather.

That's not deterring Aguirre, who quit his telecommunications job last month to work full time on Vidstone.

Aguirre, 32, promises the Serenity Panel will be durable, and while he hasn't sold any yet, he says he's got pre-orders from families whose relatives who have died. He wouldn't say how many pre-orders, and he hasn't yet collected any payment.

The device plays a 5-to-7-minute video featuring special moments from someone's life that would be compiled by anyone from friends and relatives of the deceased to funeral homes. Vidstone doesn't do video production.

The Serenity Panel's screen is covered by a solar panel, which can be flipped open by visitors. Once opened, the video starts.

The device includes two standard headphone jacks to listen to the audio. The solar panel protects the screen from sun damage and charges a battery inside, Aguirre said. Four hours of sun provides enough juice to play the video continuously for up to 90 minutes.

The 7-inch shatter-resistant LCD screen is designed to last for 15 years, when it can either be replaced with a newer device or covered with a bronze plaque. It will come with a one-year warranty; extended coverage for 10 years is about another $200.

Aguirre says the product is vandal-resistant and has been tested to survive the outdoors -- the unit will function between 32 degrees and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. He said the panel won't be damaged if temperatures get outside that range.

The Serenity Panel should be ready for sale in October and cost about $1,500, including the use of video-making software, he said.

G. Scott Mindrum, president and chief executive of funeral services company Making Everlasting Memories, got a patent for a similar device in 1998 but never produced it.

"I don't want to offer something that would fail,'' he said.

Aguirre insists that won't be a problem, and his panel has already created a buzz in the funeral industry. A prototype won an award for the most innovative product at this year's International Cemetery and Funeral Association convention in Las Vegas.

And an informal poll for the National Funeral Directors Association found that of the people who want funerals, 62 percent want some form of personalization, such as video or music tributes.

Indeed, Aguirre says he got the inspiration for Vidstone at the March 2004 wake for his father-in-law. The mood was glum and everyone was crying.

But then a movie screen rolled down and a video tribute was played. The first photo was of his father-in-law with a martini in hand, a pink boa wrapped around him and a top hat on.

"And so everybody started chuckling and smiling and the tears kind of cleared up,'' he said.

Sergio Aguirre, founder of Vidstone LLC, poses with his product featuring a solar-powered video panel embedded in a tombstone in his Miami office Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005. The video serenity panel plays a five- to seven-minute multimedia video featuring the best moments from someone's life. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Fleet · 09-13-2005, 03:38 PM

Well, I think video cameras should be set up to record any ghosts that happen to be hanging around.

robyrob · 09-13-2005, 03:43 PM

i want the deluxe model that has lasers, dispenses gumballs and plays that "my milkshake brings all the boys in tha yard" song

TJL · 09-13-2005, 04:28 PM

Mommy, does Grandpa's tombstone play any video games?

MsOrange · 09-13-2005, 04:30 PM

that guy looks WAY too happy about all this

Rene · 09-13-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i want the deluxe model that has lasers, dispenses gumballs and plays that "my milkshake brings all the boys in tha yard" song

wow...

Hollow · 09-13-2005, 06:52 PM

video games, jukeboxes..I WANT ONE!!

Pitooey · 09-13-2005, 07:18 PM

Every now and then the cemetaries where I live the tombstones get toppled. I wonder if this contraption works after the tombstone get toppled?

TheGreatPretender · 09-13-2005, 07:40 PM

Yeah I don't think that's going to work.

Courtnee · 09-13-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i want the deluxe model that has lasers, dispenses gumballs and plays that "my milkshake brings all the boys in tha yard" song

OMG ME TOO!!!!!!!!!

TJL · 09-13-2005, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitooey

Every now and then the cemetaries where I live the tombstones get toppled. I wonder if this contraption works after the tombstone get toppled?

If that happens, the screen flashes a "Please Stand By" message while some boring muzac plays in the background...

Penny Lane · 09-13-2005, 08:01 PM

Well.......... My daddy died last Spring and he would have liked this concept, (He was a very vain and self- important individual)I think, He was very into this kind of thing but personally I don't like it. In our local small town cemetery, where he was buried, they do have some tombstones where the picture of the deceased is on the stone. In my case my family have many slides and home movies of my daddy and I have very many photo's of him so I see no need of this type of thing. He was a long time resident and very well known in our small community. To me this kind of thiing would only cheapen his memory. I don't know....................

Pitooey · 09-13-2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

If that happens, the screen flashes a "Please Stand By" message while some boring muzac plays in the background...

Maybe the Munsters Theme song.

09-13-2005, 09:05 AM	#1
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	Coming To A Cemetery Near You. Video Tombstones! What do ya think about this? MIAMI (AP) -- Video screens have shown up all over in recent years -- cell phones, bathrooms, car head rests, subway cars, even elevators. Next up: a solar-powered video panel embedded in a tombstone that plays a clip reminiscent of "This Is Your Life.'' Tasteless, you might say? A magnet for vandals? On the contrary, says inventor Sergio Aguirre. His soothingly named Serenity Panel is all about helping families celebrate the life of a lost loved one. "While nothing ever replaces the gift of life, memories can now come one step closer to forever being remembered and not forgotten,'' waxes the Web site of Aguirre's company, Vidstone LLC. The video headstone concept has been around for years, but previous inventors' ambitions have been laid to rest. One gave up for lack of demand and out of concerns his invention wouldn't be able to withstand years of harsh weather. That's not deterring Aguirre, who quit his telecommunications job last month to work full time on Vidstone. Aguirre, 32, promises the Serenity Panel will be durable, and while he hasn't sold any yet, he says he's got pre-orders from families whose relatives who have died. He wouldn't say how many pre-orders, and he hasn't yet collected any payment. The device plays a 5-to-7-minute video featuring special moments from someone's life that would be compiled by anyone from friends and relatives of the deceased to funeral homes. Vidstone doesn't do video production. The Serenity Panel's screen is covered by a solar panel, which can be flipped open by visitors. Once opened, the video starts. The device includes two standard headphone jacks to listen to the audio. The solar panel protects the screen from sun damage and charges a battery inside, Aguirre said. Four hours of sun provides enough juice to play the video continuously for up to 90 minutes. The 7-inch shatter-resistant LCD screen is designed to last for 15 years, when it can either be replaced with a newer device or covered with a bronze plaque. It will come with a one-year warranty; extended coverage for 10 years is about another $200. Aguirre says the product is vandal-resistant and has been tested to survive the outdoors -- the unit will function between 32 degrees and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. He said the panel won't be damaged if temperatures get outside that range. The Serenity Panel should be ready for sale in October and cost about $1,500, including the use of video-making software, he said. G. Scott Mindrum, president and chief executive of funeral services company Making Everlasting Memories, got a patent for a similar device in 1998 but never produced it. "I don't want to offer something that would fail,'' he said. Aguirre insists that won't be a problem, and his panel has already created a buzz in the funeral industry. A prototype won an award for the most innovative product at this year's International Cemetery and Funeral Association convention in Las Vegas. And an informal poll for the National Funeral Directors Association found that of the people who want funerals, 62 percent want some form of personalization, such as video or music tributes. Indeed, Aguirre says he got the inspiration for Vidstone at the March 2004 wake for his father-in-law. The mood was glum and everyone was crying. But then a movie screen rolled down and a video tribute was played. The first photo was of his father-in-law with a martini in hand, a pink boa wrapped around him and a top hat on. "And so everybody started chuckling and smiling and the tears kind of cleared up,'' he said. Sergio Aguirre, founder of Vidstone LLC, poses with his product featuring a solar-powered video panel embedded in a tombstone in his Miami office Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005. The video serenity panel plays a five- to seven-minute multimedia video featuring the best moments from someone's life. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky Attached Images
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09-13-2005, 03:38 PM	#2
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Well, I think video cameras should be set up to record any ghosts that happen to be hanging around.
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09-13-2005, 03:43 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	i want the deluxe model that has lasers, dispenses gumballs and plays that "my milkshake brings all the boys in tha yard" song
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09-13-2005, 04:28 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Mommy, does Grandpa's tombstone play any video games?
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

09-13-2005, 07:18 PM	#8
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	Every now and then the cemetaries where I live the tombstones get toppled. I wonder if this contraption works after the tombstone get toppled?
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

09-13-2005, 04:30 PM	#5
MsOrange Bringin' Sexy Back Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 6,133	that guy looks WAY too happy about all this

09-13-2005, 06:52 PM	#7
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	video games, jukeboxes..I WANT ONE!!

09-13-2005, 07:40 PM	#9
TheGreatPretender just because Forum Veteran Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,628	Yeah I don't think that's going to work.
	__________________ Peace is a good thing and so is salmon when it's smoked

09-13-2005, 08:01 PM	#12
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	Well.......... My daddy died last Spring and he would have liked this concept, (He was a very vain and self- important individual)I think, He was very into this kind of thing but personally I don't like it. In our local small town cemetery, where he was buried, they do have some tombstones where the picture of the deceased is on the stone. In my case my family have many slides and home movies of my daddy and I have very many photo's of him so I see no need of this type of thing. He was a long time resident and very well known in our small community. To me this kind of thiing would only cheapen his memory. I don't know....................
	Last edited by Penny Lane; 09-13-2005 at 08:38 PM.