http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/g/archive/2004/10/21/sostv.DTLCORVALLIS, Ore. -- Chris van Rossman's television came with a VCR, DVD player and CD player -- plus a hidden feature that had a rescue team beating a path to his door.
On the night of Oct. 2, the TV began emitting the international distress signal -- the 121.5 megahertz beep emitted by crashed airplanes and sinking boats.