Add
Private Notes
Testing out a Bluetooth TV Audio Transmitter to see whether it's a suitable match for the Aftershokz Aeropex bone conducting headphones.
A 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.
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.
A 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 future of Telecommunications - The Videophone.
In 1993 British Telecom introduced a range of videophones to the UK - These included the VC7000 for business and the Relate 2000 for home.
For 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.
Taking 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
A review of the Sony NW-A55 Walkman.
UPDATE: You can make the A55 sound better, louder and add the FM radio back - here's the video that shows how https://youtu.be/7VPaXdQoKXs
An 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
Looking at various methods to add track titles onto MiniDiscs.
A review of a budget head-mounted POV HD video camera. It’s a bit shaky.
This video has been uploaded in 1080p60 as most of the clips from the camera are in this resolution.
Thanks 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.
A look at the Blacklighter ultraviolet screen overlays for the Vectrex games console.
A video looking at the unusual packaging for the Blu-ray release of the DCC Documentary.
Looking through some prison tech - literally.
Will I finally get a Gakken educational kit to reproduce sound?
Third time lucky.
Now all but discontinued - the MT-90U is Roland's last all-in-one General MIDI playing 'Music Tutor'. It's also the only model in the range to feature a USB port rather than a floppy disk drive.
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.
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.
Acoustic wind-up record players remained on sale longer than you might have thought - this is a video about one of the best and the last portables - the HMV 102.
I bought a load of untested Minidisc players from Japan. I'm still not sure why.
I 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.
I’ve always wanted a self-playing Grand Piano. I just had to compromise on the grand.
Thirty 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.
Two cool gadgets for hot days.
Recovering 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
Assembly & Demo of two new LED kits.
I’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.
Before 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
I was recommended two devices to try for blowing dust out of components. A compressor and a computer cleaner. Let's find out which one is most suitable for my requirements.
Ever feel the need to clean the tape in a compact cassette?
Back in early ‘80s Japan you could buy a machine that did just that.
My month long mission to get an unusual ‘Junk’ cassette deck ready for its close-up.
Earlier video about Pioneer decks in the 1970s https://youtu.be/4ONtCoB0L70
If you want a new stereo cassette ‘boombox’ in 2020 there are very few options. If it was left up to ‘Philips’ you wouldn’t even know this one existed.
Playing music and unwelcome passenger announcements from an old aircraft tape player.
A look at an aircraft BGM and announcement player and explanation on how I retrieved the audio from the tape carts.
A look at an aircraft BGM & Announcement player and the Emergency Announcements contained on the tape.
I've accidentally brought a format back from an alternate timeline where it appears there’s no such thing as a bad idea.
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
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.
In 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.
A look at a portable Karaoke player from 1989 Japan.
Even if you don't entertain Karaoke or it doesn’t entertain you, the chip tunes this device produces may still win you over.
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...
HitClips - a fun toy? A terrible music format? A way to sell music to kids too young to venture into record stores? The answer is YES. This video sorts the facts from the fiction.
A look at a Horse Racing game that uses Random 'Sixteen Sided' Records to determine the winner.
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.
A journey through the twists and turns of 1960s pocket records that ends with a mystery.
Looking 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 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.
A modern classic television that still somehow looks futuristic.
Did you know Japan had their own unique MD boxes?
Nope and you don't care either? - Fair enough, just thought I'd mention it.
The JVC RC-M90 is often referred to as the King Of Boomboxes. What makes it special?
Thanks 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).
Philips Digital Compact Cassette was killed-off in 1996. So here's a video about 2020’s new DCC album releases. Ben Liebrand’s Iconic Groove and Late Night Sci-Fi from Ancient Fan Death Studios.
In this one, I'm looking at three audio meters designed for entertainment rather than accuracy. One of them even does something useful.
Chocolate record bought from https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/foodisart
The full video version includes all the details - including tips for playing these.
Chocolate record bought from https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/foodisart
A review of a Twinkly App-Enabled Christmas Tree. Also a quick look at the sound to light accessory and a Twinkly Wreath.
This video features flashing lights - 450-ish or so of them.
The 3M Sound On Slide system was launched in 1969 and enabled anyone to assemble and play multimedia presentations with each photo accompanied by 30 seconds of audio.
