Hvor man kan se Techmoan • Sæson 2020
58 episoder
- Kenwood - The masters of desirable yet attainable Hi-FiE2
Kenwood - The masters of desirable yet attainable Hi-FiA bit of history, some reminiscing and a demo - its all in this video about Kenwood. Kenwood have been around since the 1960s and the 1940s (the video explains more) - but it’s their 1980s and 1990s black components full of buttons, clever features and flashing lights that I remember lusting after. While this period might not have been Kenwood at their best, it’s the Kenwood I know best and this video looks at two components from this era. - How do I bid on Japanese auctions? What are the costs?E3
How do I bid on Japanese auctions? What are the costs?Over the last few years I’ve featured a number of interesting products that were only for sale to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). While some were bought via eBay and others from Amazon.jp, many of the older, more unusual devices were bought through the Japanese Yahoo Auctions. This video explains how I go about doing this and how the costs can mount up. - REVIEW: Majority Fitzwilliam HiFi Tuner (FM/DAB/Internet) & Music Streamer. Cheap at 1/2 the priceE4
REVIEW: Majority Fitzwilliam HiFi Tuner (FM/DAB/Internet) & Music Streamer. Cheap at 1/2 the priceA DAB radio, FM Radio, Internet Radio, Network Music Streamer, Music File Player, Spotify Connect Receiver and Bluetooth Receiver - a bit of a ‘jack of all trades...master of none’ but if you buy one on the right day (which might now only exist in the past) you can/could get a good deal. - The Minidisc Label PrinterE6
The Minidisc Label PrinterFor the 1990s Minidisc enthusiast who has everything (except a Minidisc Label Printer). Affiliated Links: A chap on Patreon commented on the ‘killer track list’ on the Hip Hop MD - Its straight off a recent compilation - Four CDs - 72 Tracks all with CD Text £4.40 Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2tAN8cs (affiliated link) It’s also worth looking at the ‘frequently bought together’ list for some similar deals. LABELS: A few comments regarding why not just use a computer printer and standard adhesive labels instead. Many of us did, but the clever aspect of this machine is its ability to read in the track titles automatically. No typing required. I thought it was a novelty worth sharing because of that feature. If it had been a label printer with a querty keyboard which was used to manually enter the track names, that would have held no interest to me and wouldn't have warranted a video. There have been a few suggestions of transplanting other labels into the cases. There are cut-out designs on the Sony Labels - I'd imagine these are unique to this printer. Square holes along the length of the label strip in-between each label. These holes are used by the machine to advance and to identify the label status. Generic labels would likely not be manufactured with identical cut-outs. It's not a big deal though - I'm just showing some odd old tech that I thought was interesting. It doesn't have to work forever, just long enough to document it for posterity in a video...which it did. Mission complete. - Mikiphoney - the FAKE 1920s Pocket wind-up Record PlayerE7
Mikiphoney - the FAKE 1920s Pocket wind-up Record PlayerTaking the Mikiphone - A look at a modern day replica of the 1920s Pocket Phonograph. To see how a real Mikiphone fits in the case - here's the video https://youtu.be/01i5RyBMBwg Here’s an original Mikiphone playing a disc : https://youtu.be/HsalqhwVsuw Here’s a Japanese Mikkyphone demo - https://youtu.be/dlf3pxdSHaM - The Magnetic Tape Viewer - see the sound on a tapeE9
The Magnetic Tape Viewer - see the sound on a tapeAn intriguing piece of retro gadgetry that lets you view the magnetic patterns recorded on tape. A modern day version can be found here: https://store.arnoldmagnetics.com/product/284/magnetic-viewer-b-1022 Special thanks to Andy on Twitter who first made me aware of this device back in 2016 https://twitter.com/andyAVAVsystems/status/786861354594492416?s=20 - A leisurely look at the classic Sony TC-765 Reel to Reel Tape RecorderE12
A leisurely look at the classic Sony TC-765 Reel to Reel Tape RecorderThanks to a very generous donation I temporarily have a classic Sony Reel to Reel in the house. Before I pass this on to a friend, I’m checking it out to see what works and what needs work. Join me as stay in and test it out while passing on a few basic tips for anyone unfamiliar with open reel machines. - Polish Sound Postcards (Pocztówka Dźwiękowa)E18
Polish Sound Postcards (Pocztówka Dźwiękowa)I’m laying my cards on the table…the turntable. You might have encountered the occasional novelty recording on laminated card - perhaps given away as a promotional tool, inserted in a magazine or on the back of a cereal box. However did you know that in 1960s & 70s Poland, the Sound Postcard was a popular budget format for new music releases. - A MiniDisc Player for £10 - Will it work? What’s the catch?E19
A MiniDisc Player for £10 - Will it work? What’s the catch?If you're shopping for a used MD personal stereo - perhaps take a look at the players as well as recorders, but keep an eye on what’s bundled. If you’re not shopping for one - that’s cool too - have a great day. - Mega Minidisc Unwrap (FULL VERSION) 73 mins of JunkE22
Mega Minidisc Unwrap (FULL VERSION) 73 mins of JunkI bought a load of untested Minidisc players from Japan. I'm still not sure why. This video too long? Watch this shorter version instead: https://youtu.be/Suss1o5Oac0 UPDATE: Since making the video, I spent the best part of another day messing about with the players that couldn’t read a disc (cleaning lasers etc) and managed to coax a few more into working. So now the total number of functioning players is up to 30, that’s better than half. Although some of these are really pretty nasty looking and more than a bit flakey when it comes to reading discs. I didn’t think it worth mentioning, but since so many have assumed I wouldn’t have gone through the basics on any non functioning machines - here’s what I tried... On any machines that wouldn’t read a disc I cleaned the laser lenses with IPA, cleaned the battery contacts with contact cleaner, used a glass fibre brush on the battery contacts, blew the internals out with compressed air, oiled the worm gears, moved the mechs, made sure I always used fully charged batteries, smacked them about a bit - used pre-recorded discs as well as homemade ones, stuck them outside baking in the sun for a day (worth a go), plugged headphones in, plugged remotes in, made sure the hold was off, made sure they were turned on. This video is 73 minutes but the behind-the-scenes testing is more like ten hours. - Vectrex Buzz-Off Kit InstallationE24
Vectrex Buzz-Off Kit InstallationThirty six years after seeing (and hearing) my first Vectrex - I'm finally doing something about its infamous buzz. The majority of the video shows how I got on with installing the Buzz-off kit, but towards the end of the video there's also a brief demo of a new Vectrex light pen. - Abandoned Railway Carts - Mystery tapes from a disused comms roomE26
Abandoned Railway Carts - Mystery tapes from a disused comms roomRecovering the last recordings from a machine decommissioned decades ago. In this video I’m attempting to find out what’s on a set of tape cartridges discovered in a disused comms room at a railway station. The video follows the process through, from figuring out the most likely tape track layout, to transferring the tapes and ultimately playing them back. CHAPTERS 00:00 Background Information 02:32 A look at the carts 04:41 A NAB cart 05:25 DJ Jingles 06:44 The Ansafone machine 07:27 Choosing a suitable tape player 09:28 Re-spooling & recording 11:17 THE ANNOUNCEMENT 12:11 Analysis 13:40 Round up 14:48 Credits - Mid ’70s tape-deck natural selection and a Japanese time-machine dead-endE28
Mid ’70s tape-deck natural selection and a Japanese time-machine dead-endI’ve imported a cassette deck that has an uncommon feature. Showing this oddity creates an opportunity to talk about the accelerated evolution of cassette deck design in the mid 1970s. - Technics SV-P100 - Digital Audio on VHS tapes - in 1981E29
Technics SV-P100 - Digital Audio on VHS tapes - in 1981Before the CD came out, you could record your own digital audio - on video tape. Have a look at a HiFi unicorn, the Technics SV-P100 - the first integrated digital audio tape recorder. In this video you'll get a demo and hear about the history of PCM recording onto tape. This all took place years before the introduction of DAT in 1987 - (Digital Audio Tape). If you’re interested, here's a video all about DAT: https://youtu.be/F4K1QKKPX_g - You can still buy a New (old stock) Uher Reel to Reel tape recorder*E38
You can still buy a New (old stock) Uher Reel to Reel tape recorder*A company in Germany sells the last of the Uher 4000 Report Monitor AV Reel to Reel recorders. I bought one. Here's my video about it. Here's their website https://www.sds-consult.de/UHER/index.htm - Extra Vid: VFD Watch / Unsolicited submissions.E39
Extra Vid: VFD Watch / Unsolicited submissions.I was sent a Vacuum Fluorescent Watch from a nice chap in Russia that runs this Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/NixieWatchStore - it's very trusting of him, but it could easily have ended up not getting shown at all, and that’d be a shame given the work put into it. I've demoed the watch in this video because it gave me the opportunity to pass on an important message about sending unsolicited packages and the likelihood of them not getting to me. If you've got something unusual that you think I'd be interested in - please check prior to sending it. *This watch has been donated to a charity auction where it can raise money for a good cause. - REVIEW: Panasonic RX-D55 - Possibly the last half-decent Cassette Boombox...in the worldE40
REVIEW: Panasonic RX-D55 - Possibly the last half-decent Cassette Boombox...in the worldIn this video I’m taking a look at an old school Panasonic cassette boombox that’s still being sold new today (in some countries). If you want a new portable cassette and CD player in 2020 - it’s far from perfect, but it may be your last best option. - REVIEW: Polaroid Hi-Print Pocket Photo Printer. Quality at a cost.E42
REVIEW: Polaroid Hi-Print Pocket Photo Printer. Quality at a cost.The latest pocket printer from Polaroid does things differently - it uses Dye Sublimation technology to produce excellent quality 2x3 prints. But that’s not the whole story... - REVIEW: ION Street Rocker ‘Retro-Style Boombox' - Boom or Bust?E45
REVIEW: ION Street Rocker ‘Retro-Style Boombox' - Boom or Bust?The ION Street Rocker has the retro looks down - but does it have the performance to match? Spoiler Alert: No, no it doesn't. Almost any mid-range boombox from the 1980s would wipe the floor with it. - Audities 5: Playing with the media - Zoetrope, C64, DAT, Holo-vinyl, Game BoyE47
Audities 5: Playing with the media - Zoetrope, C64, DAT, Holo-vinyl, Game BoyLooking at an assortment of unusual ways to get music noticed. 00:00 Zoetrope - Vinyl 02:48 Sid Chip Club - C64 05:31 The Rusty Nutz - DAT 07:35 Richard Houghten - Holo-Vinyl 09:07 Rob Dimeo - Gameboy 12:37 Credits - Music from Dimeo - Tapete - The enduring audio format you (probably) haven’t heard ofE48
Tapete - The enduring audio format you (probably) haven’t heard ofTapete was an audio tape cartridge format that brought joy to tens of thousands of people around the world and yet it's quite likely this will be the first time you've heard about it. - Walkman Hacks: Activate FM radio, increase volume and improve the soundE52
Walkman Hacks: Activate FM radio, increase volume and improve the soundThanks to an email I received from ‘Mr Walkman’ my NW-A55 digital music player now thinks it’s an £8000 music player from Australia. If you have a digital audio Sony Walkman which has missing features or compromised functionality - it may be possible to do something about it. LINKS: Destination & Sound Pressure Tool https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool Mr Walkman's Custom Firmwares: https://www.mrwalkman.ml (Note these Firmwares are BEER WARE - that means it's only right to give a donation for a beer if you use them).