19 posts tagged “microphone”
RΦDE Microphones' Stereo VideoMic
On-Camera Microphone for Camcorders
Link: rodemic
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
A common problem Leo finds with camcorders is the quality of the built-in microphones, and that includes his Canon EOS 5D Mark II (Episode 742) which he uses to take HD video. He uses a good quality microphone made by Rϕde Microphones, called the Stereo VideoMic. It has a standard camera shoe-mount for fitting on to camcorders and cameras. It is a stereo X/Y condenser microphone, with a low noise circuitry, 2-step high pass filter, powered by a 9V battery (with a battery indicator), and is connected to the camcorder via a mini-jack. Comes with a windshield for the mic. It may not be as effective as a unidirectional mic as a shotgun mic, but as a super-cardioid mic, it accepts sounds from the front and sides but very little from the back of the microphone. Leo uses it on his 5D Mark II and his Canon VIXIA HV30 (Episode 552) camcorder.
If you already have a good quality XLR connection microphone, Leo recommends the Beachtek DXA-2S Audio Adapter.
Car Battery Maintainer
John Slanina from California, better known as jammerb on the TWiT Army and the chatroom, recommends the Solar-Powered Battery Saver Plus, from 4lots.com. Ideal for people who use their cars only rarely, this 1 Watt 12V car battery maintainer which you can put above the dashboard uses solar engery to trickle-charge your car battery to keep it from going flat.
Listen to Episode 792
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
If you already have a good quality XLR connection microphone, Leo recommends the Beachtek DXA-2S Audio Adapter.
Car Battery Maintainer
John Slanina from California, better known as jammerb on the TWiT Army and the chatroom, recommends the Solar-Powered Battery Saver Plus, from 4lots.com. Ideal for people who use their cars only rarely, this 1 Watt 12V car battery maintainer which you can put above the dashboard uses solar engery to trickle-charge your car battery to keep it from going flat.
Listen to Episode 792
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
NJOY NPRO Starter Kit
Electronic Cigarette Substitute
Link: NJOY
At CES, Dick saw someone apparently smoking a cigarette and wondered why. It turned out it was not a cigarette, but some kind of cigarette substitute or alternative. You screw a fully charged battery to an atomiser, then at the other end, insert an NJOY cartridge. You can start enjoying the cartridge.
Each cartridge consists of water, propylene glycol, a scent, and nicotine. It gives the flavour of smoking to the smoker but without the smell of tobacco, as the "smoke" that comes out is an odourless mist. One NPRO cartridge is the approximate equivalent of half a pack of cigarettes.
As the cartridge contains nicotine, it is not a smoking-cessation device, but just a cigarette alternative.
A New "Voice" for Dick
Dick has started using the new microphone (Heil PR-40 Studio Microphone) that Leo sent him. "We can't improve the quality, so we improve the sound," says Dick.
Each cartridge consists of water, propylene glycol, a scent, and nicotine. It gives the flavour of smoking to the smoker but without the smell of tobacco, as the "smoke" that comes out is an odourless mist. One NPRO cartridge is the approximate equivalent of half a pack of cigarettes.
As the cartridge contains nicotine, it is not a smoking-cessation device, but just a cigarette alternative.
A New "Voice" for Dick
Dick has started using the new microphone (Heil PR-40 Studio Microphone) that Leo sent him. "We can't improve the quality, so we improve the sound," says Dick.
Changes at Mad
Sadly, Mad has decided to publish the magazine quarterly, instead of monthly. Circulation and ad revenue are down, and Time Warner has had to let 800 employees go. You can read about the news on Dick's website. When people heard the news, the most frequent inquiry was "What's going to happen to the What The Heck Is It game?" Dick's income is going to drop a bit, but he may start doing the Daily Giz Wiz twice a day, or have lunch with Madoff.
A Leo Jingle
Geoff Smith has done a Leo Jingle (La, la, la, Leo, Laporte), and a "Insert Name Here" Jingle for MacBreak Weekly, which Leo plays on this show.
The Hi Phone
There are scams around selling people the Hi Phone, probably made by Tangerine.
Presidential Ties
President Obama is the first president to have his portrait taken by a digital camera. The EXIF data of the photo shows that it was taken on a Canon EOS 5D-Mark II, on 13th January, the day Leo did his TTTT gadget of the day - the Canon EOS 5D-Mark II (Episode 742). "Does Leo have ties to the President?" asks Nick from Columbus, Ohio. Leo has heard rumours that the new administration may be appointing Dick as the new Gadget Tsar. Dick says they haven't got round to it yet. They've been too busy putting off the Digital TV transition.
Listen to Episode 754
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
iCap MP3 Player
Wearable MP3 Player
Link: iCap MP3
Another find from CES 2009, the iCap MP3 Player is a specially constructed baseball cap with an MP3 Player slotted into a cut-out in the front flap of the cap. The package comes with a clip for attaching the MP3 player to your own cap or elsewhere.
The MP3 player comes with 1GB storage, a microSD card slot for expansion, FM tuner, and built-in speakers (with surround sound). The idea is you don't need to listen to it through the earphones, which may save your life in certin circumstances. It is detachable and can be used as a stand-alone player too, and you can also listen to it with your earphones (which are also included). It has a buillt-in microphone for voice recording. The rechargeable Lithium polymer battery is replaceable, and the player supports MP3 and WMA (including Windows Media DRM-9 and DRM-10 files). The stand-alone player weighs about 2.65 ounces.
Dick thinks that a combination of the iCap, the Cell-Mate (Episode 744) and the nPower PEG (Episode 748) from yesterday would look great, if you could survive the dorkdom. Dick isn't going to walk down the streets of New York "with his head playing".
A Political Scientist at TWiT
Leo was earlier broadcasting the feed of Barack Obama's Inauguration when he discovered that Dane Golden, a major in policital science, knew who all the politicians were. Little did Leo know that Dane was just bluffing him.
The Letters C, H and P
Stefan from Sweden and Jeremy on the TWiT Army write in to explain the letters C, H, and P for APS film's different aspect ratios (Episode 745). They also point out that you could decide which aspect ratio you wanted, when you had the Advantix rolls of film developed into prints.
A Bout of Amnesia
At the beginning of this recording session, Dick and Leo thought that they had already recorded Episode 749, and so started with Episode 750, a Gadget Warehouse Friday show. A little bird tipped off Dane Golden who told Leo about the missing Episode 749. Dick then realised that he thought he had done it because he had earlier talked about the iCap on Leo's radio show - which drew a complete blank from Leo.
Listen to Episode 749
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
The MP3 player comes with 1GB storage, a microSD card slot for expansion, FM tuner, and built-in speakers (with surround sound). The idea is you don't need to listen to it through the earphones, which may save your life in certin circumstances. It is detachable and can be used as a stand-alone player too, and you can also listen to it with your earphones (which are also included). It has a buillt-in microphone for voice recording. The rechargeable Lithium polymer battery is replaceable, and the player supports MP3 and WMA (including Windows Media DRM-9 and DRM-10 files). The stand-alone player weighs about 2.65 ounces.
Dick thinks that a combination of the iCap, the Cell-Mate (Episode 744) and the nPower PEG (Episode 748) from yesterday would look great, if you could survive the dorkdom. Dick isn't going to walk down the streets of New York "with his head playing".
A Political Scientist at TWiT
Leo was earlier broadcasting the feed of Barack Obama's Inauguration when he discovered that Dane Golden, a major in policital science, knew who all the politicians were. Little did Leo know that Dane was just bluffing him.
The Letters C, H and P
Stefan from Sweden and Jeremy on the TWiT Army write in to explain the letters C, H, and P for APS film's different aspect ratios (Episode 745). They also point out that you could decide which aspect ratio you wanted, when you had the Advantix rolls of film developed into prints.
A Bout of Amnesia
At the beginning of this recording session, Dick and Leo thought that they had already recorded Episode 749, and so started with Episode 750, a Gadget Warehouse Friday show. A little bird tipped off Dane Golden who told Leo about the missing Episode 749. Dick then realised that he thought he had done it because he had earlier talked about the iCap on Leo's radio show - which drew a complete blank from Leo.
Listen to Episode 749
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Konica KANPA!
Sound-Activated Film Camera
Link: Digicam History
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
The Konica Konpai or KANPA! came out in November 1989 and was the world's first voice-operated film camera. Designed as a party camera, it came with its own automated motorised tripod, complete with shoes. When you turned the microphone on, the fixed 34/35mm lens, autofocus camera would first sense the current level of noises. It would then turn (within an arc of 45˚) towards a burst of noise above the prevailing level and take a "candid" picture. "Products to Watch", said Fortune Magazine in March 1991. The list price was $216 in 1991.
The name of the camera is KANPAI, not Kanpa, with the letter "I" looking like an exclamation mark " ! ". "Kanpai!" is a Japanese phrase (there is a similar phrase in Chinese) which literally means something like "empty the glass", and is the equivalent of the English interjections "Toast!" or "Bottoms Up!" - in line with the camera's selling feature as a party camera.
When originally released in 1989, the camera was red in colour. Later models came in black.
The name of the camera is KANPAI, not Kanpa, with the letter "I" looking like an exclamation mark " ! ". "Kanpai!" is a Japanese phrase (there is a similar phrase in Chinese) which literally means something like "empty the glass", and is the equivalent of the English interjections "Toast!" or "Bottoms Up!" - in line with the camera's selling feature as a party camera.
When originally released in 1989, the camera was red in colour. Later models came in black.
Coverage of this camera on English language websites is scarce. Digicam History is one (thanks to G Arch in the Chatroom), the archived Fortune Magazine article (above), and CNet UK includes it in an article on Crazy Cameras: 7 Strange Snappers. The camera smacks of a Japanese sense of humour, and as might be expected, you can find the camera quite easily on Japanese websites.
The top photo (black) is taken from http://arrow-camera.weblogs.jp/garakutayatsuhan/2008/09/kanpai-b930.html. The second photo (red) is taken from http://canon-a.fantastic-camera.com/dasoku/kanpai/kanpai.htm. The last photo (haha) is taken from CNET UK.
Konica, Minolta, Sony
Konica and Minolta, both long-time Japanese camera manufacturers, struggled in the digital age, and merged in 2003 to become Konica Minolta. 3 years later, Konica Minolta sold its camera manufacturing business to Sony, and all that remains is its office supplies (such as photocopiers) business.
Ego Searches
Dick and Leo compare Google search results on their names/handles.
From Dick's Store
Dick reminds us that he's unearthed more Match Game Cards, and paperback versions of his book Good Days And Mad.
Weekend Shows
Don't forget to catch up on the weekend shows, the Saturday Theme and Sunday Theme.
Barbara's Pick
Barbara our live studio audience has been sitting through this week's recordings, and she has a pick of the week. It's an iPhone app called iRetroPhone. It gives you the picture of an old rotary dial phone, and you use your finger on the touch screen to turn the dial to input the numbers, complete with visual animation and sound effect. Cool!
No Letters Today
Dick gave us 2 letters yesterday, but today Dick and Leo forget to read a letter.
Listen to Episode 685
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Konica, Minolta, Sony
Konica and Minolta, both long-time Japanese camera manufacturers, struggled in the digital age, and merged in 2003 to become Konica Minolta. 3 years later, Konica Minolta sold its camera manufacturing business to Sony, and all that remains is its office supplies (such as photocopiers) business.
Ego Searches
Dick and Leo compare Google search results on their names/handles.
From Dick's Store
Dick reminds us that he's unearthed more Match Game Cards, and paperback versions of his book Good Days And Mad.
Weekend Shows
Don't forget to catch up on the weekend shows, the Saturday Theme and Sunday Theme.
Barbara's Pick
Barbara our live studio audience has been sitting through this week's recordings, and she has a pick of the week. It's an iPhone app called iRetroPhone. It gives you the picture of an old rotary dial phone, and you use your finger on the touch screen to turn the dial to input the numbers, complete with visual animation and sound effect. Cool!
No Letters Today
Dick gave us 2 letters yesterday, but today Dick and Leo forget to read a letter.
Listen to Episode 685
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Belkin GoStudio
Portable Podcasting Kit
Link: Belkin
Leo always gets asked what podcasting equipment to buy, and has recommended some fairly high-end stuff (see e.g. Episode 630). The new Belkin GoStudio is perhaps a more practical answer. Built for the iPod, this gadget has a docking cradle for the iPod (compatible with iPod 5th gen, iPod nano 2nd gen onwards, and the iPod Classic).
It comes with built-in stereo speakers for playback, and for recording, it has 2 built-in omnidirectional microphones. Alternatively, you can use the 2 combo microphone jacks (XLR and ¼") to plug in external mics. There is also a 3.5mm stereo line input. The main panel has controls for level and gain, as well as a limiter and low cut filter. It even has a tripod mount for hands-free operation.
The GoStudio records directly to the iPod at 16-bit, 44.1kHz, CD-quality.
It was announced by Belkin back on 10 July, before the announcement of the new generation of iPod nano which has recording capability built into it.
Acoordingly to Leo, a comparable device like the Zoom H2 Handy Stereo Recorder, would cost more. The H2 does allow you to choose different recording quality levels and file formats. But before anyone rushes out to buy the GoStudio, they should heed Dick's warning that all the bandwidth on the internet for podcasting has already been exhausted by Leo.
The GoStudio records directly to the iPod at 16-bit, 44.1kHz, CD-quality.
It was announced by Belkin back on 10 July, before the announcement of the new generation of iPod nano which has recording capability built into it.
Acoordingly to Leo, a comparable device like the Zoom H2 Handy Stereo Recorder, would cost more. The H2 does allow you to choose different recording quality levels and file formats. But before anyone rushes out to buy the GoStudio, they should heed Dick's warning that all the bandwidth on the internet for podcasting has already been exhausted by Leo.
It's Rocktober
It's a 2-Letters Day. Listener Randy Calla reminds Dick and Leo that in California, most rock radio stations are obligated to call this month Rocktober.
The Two Antiques
71-year-old Bob Polante from Clearwater, Florida enjoys the antics of Dick and Leo on his Zune. He still works at a photolab as a canvas creator, for Reedy Photoprocess Corporation. His colleagues call him "The Giz", a title he earned long before anyone Dick started using it. Expect to hear from Dick's lawyers.
Listen to Episode 684
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
71-year-old Bob Polante from Clearwater, Florida enjoys the antics of Dick and Leo on his Zune. He still works at a photolab as a canvas creator, for Reedy Photoprocess Corporation. His colleagues call him "The Giz", a title he earned long before anyone Dick started using it. Expect to hear from Dick's lawyers.
Listen to Episode 684
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Mr Microphone
Wireless Microphone
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
A recent report on Engadget reminded Dick of this device, from the late 1970's. Developed by Ronco (Ron Popeil), Mr Microphone was a wireless microphone and you could use it to broadcast using FM frequency. To see how it worked and what it did, you can watch the TV commercial on YouTube; or just read this ad discovered by the author of the wonderfulwonderblog on the back of an old CD.
The report on Engadget was of a hack by kipkay who took the device apart and put in a high end mic into the gut. The main photo of above of Mr Microphone is taken from the video kipkay made of the hack.
DGW Commercials
Paul Newell from Yucaipa, California, in response to the letters of complaint in Episode 641, writes in to support commercials on DGW.
Cheesy Recipes
Talk of commercials reminds Dick of the awful recipes in the Kraft commercials, voiced-over by Ed Herlihy, and Leo drifts into the lyrics of MacArthur Park.
Listen to Episode 650
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
The report on Engadget was of a hack by kipkay who took the device apart and put in a high end mic into the gut. The main photo of above of Mr Microphone is taken from the video kipkay made of the hack.
DGW Commercials
Paul Newell from Yucaipa, California, in response to the letters of complaint in Episode 641, writes in to support commercials on DGW.
Cheesy Recipes
Talk of commercials reminds Dick of the awful recipes in the Kraft commercials, voiced-over by Ed Herlihy, and Leo drifts into the lyrics of MacArthur Park.
Listen to Episode 650
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Cobra MR F300 Bluetooth Handset
Bluetooth Handset
Link: Cobra
Cobra's MR F300 is a bluetooth handset designed for use on boats where there is a lot of ambient noise. It pairs with your cellphone and produces loud and clear audio through its powerful speakers, with a noise-cancelling microphone which is enabled by pressing the PTT button (push to talk). It's also waterproof for 30 minutes under 1 meter deep water.
A Sleeping-in Sunday Theme Coming Soon
Dick and Leo will be playing the new Sleeping-In Sunday Theme this Friday.
A Little Weekend Accident
Dick's boat was damaged by a giant wake caused by a big Staten Island Ferry as it zoomed by the marina.
Old Movies
Listen to Dick and Leo talk about Highway Patrol starring Broderick Crawford, and Plan 9 From Outer Space directed by Ed Wood (which they referred to back in Episode 176, when talking about The Amazing Criswell).
Make Your Own Ringtones
Dick was about to read again Shane Gibson's letter about making ringtones from DGW jingles (Episode 629), when he realised he had read the letter. Leo suggests audiko.net for helping you make your own ringtones.
Pure White Noise
Regular correspondent Jim Levine thought he and his wife were the only people who couldn't sleep without the noise of the air-conditioner on, until he heard Dick (see especially Episode 559, the Marsona Sound Machine, although Dick has mentioned this habit of his in Episode 445 and most recently in Episode 612). Jim found a CD which plays air-conditioning white noise, from Pure White Noise.
Eye Fi Explore
Leo has bought the Eye Fi Explore (Episode 608), just in time for his summer break at the Gray Eagle Lodge.
Listen to Episode 631
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
A Sleeping-in Sunday Theme Coming Soon
Dick and Leo will be playing the new Sleeping-In Sunday Theme this Friday.
A Little Weekend Accident
Dick's boat was damaged by a giant wake caused by a big Staten Island Ferry as it zoomed by the marina.
Old Movies
Listen to Dick and Leo talk about Highway Patrol starring Broderick Crawford, and Plan 9 From Outer Space directed by Ed Wood (which they referred to back in Episode 176, when talking about The Amazing Criswell).
Make Your Own Ringtones
Dick was about to read again Shane Gibson's letter about making ringtones from DGW jingles (Episode 629), when he realised he had read the letter. Leo suggests audiko.net for helping you make your own ringtones.
Pure White Noise
Regular correspondent Jim Levine thought he and his wife were the only people who couldn't sleep without the noise of the air-conditioner on, until he heard Dick (see especially Episode 559, the Marsona Sound Machine, although Dick has mentioned this habit of his in Episode 445 and most recently in Episode 612). Jim found a CD which plays air-conditioning white noise, from Pure White Noise.
Eye Fi Explore
Leo has bought the Eye Fi Explore (Episode 608), just in time for his summer break at the Gray Eagle Lodge.
Listen to Episode 631
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Blue Snowflake
Portable USB Microphone
Link: Blue
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Blue makes professional high-end microphones, but also podcasting mics. Leo used to use the Snowball, but he got the new Snowflake from Dr Bott. It is a USB microphone with a silver ball which slides flat into or sits up at an angle from, the holder. The holder can also mount itself on to the screen of your laptop with the mic sitting on top. No special driver required. Works on Windows and Mac. The mic works well even if you don't have your mouth up close to the mic.
Hobo Names
Alessandro Abate corrects Leo again (after Episode 562), about the number of hobo names in John Hodgman's "The Areas of My Expertise". There are 700 in the Audible edition (not 300 as Leo said in Episode 567), and 800 in the paperback edition. It has inspired the site "The 700 Hoboes Project", at e-hobo.com. Accompanying John Hodgman on the guitar in the Audible edition is Jonathan Coulton.
Rock-Banding with Jonathan Coulton
Most listeners of Leo's podcasts, especially TWiT Episode 133, have heard about the live concert of Jonathan Coulton in which Leo, Merlin Mann and Veronica Belmont joined to play the song "Still Alive", written for the video game Portal. It's on YouTube.
Listen to Episode 602
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Alessandro Abate corrects Leo again (after Episode 562), about the number of hobo names in John Hodgman's "The Areas of My Expertise". There are 700 in the Audible edition (not 300 as Leo said in Episode 567), and 800 in the paperback edition. It has inspired the site "The 700 Hoboes Project", at e-hobo.com. Accompanying John Hodgman on the guitar in the Audible edition is Jonathan Coulton.
Rock-Banding with Jonathan Coulton
Most listeners of Leo's podcasts, especially TWiT Episode 133, have heard about the live concert of Jonathan Coulton in which Leo, Merlin Mann and Veronica Belmont joined to play the song "Still Alive", written for the video game Portal. It's on YouTube.
Listen to Episode 602
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset
Wireless Headset
Link: Logitech
Dick introduced the Logitech ClearChat Pro USB Headset in Episode 401. This new headset from Logitech works wirelessly, using 2.4 GHz frequency. Just plug the USB wirelss dongle into the computer (both Windows and Mac supported) and it will automatically connect with the headset. Audio controls are on the ClearChat PC Wireless Headset itself, including a mute button (with a red LED indicator at the microphone end when muted).
In case you want to use the wireless headset further away from the computer than its advertised 33 feet range, you can also connect the transmitter stand to the computer using a USB cable, with the USB dongle plugged into the stand, which extends the range a little further.
GizWizLive
Dick says "I'll be there!" for GizWizLive. He was indeed, and stayed at the Metro Hotel for his sojourn in Petaluma. By the time this episode is aired, GizWizLive has come and gone. Kim from Wild Planet, dressed in a special red and green elf outfit, introduced some of Wild Planet's Christmas offerings, and presented Leo with an analogue clock with copies of Leo's visage on the clock face, and spork hands. Dick showed his GizWizBiz Cap and GizWizBiz USB Smart Button(which Leo couldn't get to work on his Mac initially. He also brought with him a few of his gadgets that he travelled with, such as the Callpod Chargepod (Episode 368), a memory card wallet, Xantrex Pocket Powerpack, Bose Headphones (Episode 294), the Belkin Mini Surge Protector (Episode 534) and the Plane Clean Air Filter (Episode 586).
Dick also showed us the Extend-A-Fork, which he briefly referred to back in Episode 10 (where you can see a picture of the gadget, and a programme from the Beach Blanket Babylon show.
As planned, Dick and Leo also recorded Episode 600 during GizWizLive, but thanks to Leo who had to fiddle with his laptop, the connection was lost and the streaming was disrupted, and by the time the live streaming was restored, they had finished the recording of Episode 600.
The consolation is, Leo has now promised that Episode 600 will be available as a video download. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Dick and Leo also invited questions from the audience on Oovoo and Skype. One of those who appeared on Skype was Dan Lueders, who has now written the Monday theme, the no-theme Wednesday theme and the Spork TV Commercial (in addition to his Gravy Jingle submission). Dan has apparently done a "DGW Disclaimer" Theme, which will be aired when Leo gets round to reading his emails.
The World's Ugliest Dog
Every year, the Sonoma Marin Fair at Petaluma has "The World's Ugliest Dog" Contest. This year, the contest took place on Friday 20 June, while Dick was in Petaluma. The winner this time was "Gus", a one-eyed, three-legged Chinese Crested dog. Read the BBC report. For last year's winner, see Episode 348.
What to Do For Episode 600
Will Cool from Portland, Oregon (previous letters in Episodes 226 and 436) is back with a suggestion. Instead of Dick and Leo giving away prizes, he's going to buy a GizWizBiz Cap from Dick. It's the least he can do.
From now till Episode 600, if you buy a GizWizBiz Cap, you'll get an autographed copy of Mad. If you buy two, you will get a GizWizBiz LED Ice Cube on top of everything else, which Dick showed off during GizWizLive. It's an "ice cube" that glows green in your drink.
A New Sponsor?
A message brought to you by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Mark Pelletier of Futures In Biotech and Jamie Davis of Medicast warn you against DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis. Handy advice for our listeners who love doing DGW Marathons. For more information, visit the CDC website. Is that a new sponsor?
Listen to Episode 596
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
GizWizLive
Dick says "I'll be there!" for GizWizLive. He was indeed, and stayed at the Metro Hotel for his sojourn in Petaluma. By the time this episode is aired, GizWizLive has come and gone. Kim from Wild Planet, dressed in a special red and green elf outfit, introduced some of Wild Planet's Christmas offerings, and presented Leo with an analogue clock with copies of Leo's visage on the clock face, and spork hands. Dick showed his GizWizBiz Cap and GizWizBiz USB Smart Button(which Leo couldn't get to work on his Mac initially. He also brought with him a few of his gadgets that he travelled with, such as the Callpod Chargepod (Episode 368), a memory card wallet, Xantrex Pocket Powerpack, Bose Headphones (Episode 294), the Belkin Mini Surge Protector (Episode 534) and the Plane Clean Air Filter (Episode 586).
Dick also showed us the Extend-A-Fork, which he briefly referred to back in Episode 10 (where you can see a picture of the gadget, and a programme from the Beach Blanket Babylon show.
As planned, Dick and Leo also recorded Episode 600 during GizWizLive, but thanks to Leo who had to fiddle with his laptop, the connection was lost and the streaming was disrupted, and by the time the live streaming was restored, they had finished the recording of Episode 600.
The consolation is, Leo has now promised that Episode 600 will be available as a video download. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Dick and Leo also invited questions from the audience on Oovoo and Skype. One of those who appeared on Skype was Dan Lueders, who has now written the Monday theme, the no-theme Wednesday theme and the Spork TV Commercial (in addition to his Gravy Jingle submission). Dan has apparently done a "DGW Disclaimer" Theme, which will be aired when Leo gets round to reading his emails.
The World's Ugliest Dog
Every year, the Sonoma Marin Fair at Petaluma has "The World's Ugliest Dog" Contest. This year, the contest took place on Friday 20 June, while Dick was in Petaluma. The winner this time was "Gus", a one-eyed, three-legged Chinese Crested dog. Read the BBC report. For last year's winner, see Episode 348.
What to Do For Episode 600
Will Cool from Portland, Oregon (previous letters in Episodes 226 and 436) is back with a suggestion. Instead of Dick and Leo giving away prizes, he's going to buy a GizWizBiz Cap from Dick. It's the least he can do.
From now till Episode 600, if you buy a GizWizBiz Cap, you'll get an autographed copy of Mad. If you buy two, you will get a GizWizBiz LED Ice Cube on top of everything else, which Dick showed off during GizWizLive. It's an "ice cube" that glows green in your drink.
A New Sponsor?
A message brought to you by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Mark Pelletier of Futures In Biotech and Jamie Davis of Medicast warn you against DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis. Handy advice for our listeners who love doing DGW Marathons. For more information, visit the CDC website. Is that a new sponsor?
Listen to Episode 596
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
HYmini
Hand-held Windmill Generator/Portable Charger
Link: HYmini
The HYmini is not a fan, but a windmill which converts wind power into electrical engery and stores it in the internal rechargeable battery. The wind has to be at least 9 mph. When the wind is fast enough, a green LED lights up to indicate that electrical energy is being generated. You can also charge the battery using conventional AC power (adaptor included), or using the computer via USB.
You can also charge the battery via USB by buying a solar panel using solar energy, called the miniSOLAR. There is also a bicycle attachment to harness the wind power, and an arm-band for people who jog.
You can use the HYmini to charge your 5V portable devices. It also doubles up as a flashlight.
Sit Up!
Leo is back on his GopherSport Anti-Burst Fitness Ball (Episode 322), while Dick is slumped on his chair in a comfortably bad posture.
VCR Plus
Sharon from PoCo (Port Coquitlam) in BC, Canada loves the VCR Plus episode (Episode 560). She tells Dick that TV guides in Vancouver still print the VCR Plus codes. Her parents have been using the codes for 7 years. Jim Nelson also writes in to say that he still uses the codes.
Regis
Leo thinks Regis is great and does his work without anyone knowing it. For a photo of Regis in his office, go to Leo's Flickr.
It's A Gas
Dick and Leo mentioned the Mad recording "It's A Gas" yesterday, and again today. A listener James Baldwin has found the recording on YouTube and emailed Dick the link. Dick has embedded it on his home page, or listen to it here.
Listen to Episode 568
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
You can use the HYmini to charge your 5V portable devices. It also doubles up as a flashlight.
Sit Up!
Leo is back on his GopherSport Anti-Burst Fitness Ball (Episode 322), while Dick is slumped on his chair in a comfortably bad posture.
VCR Plus
Sharon from PoCo (Port Coquitlam) in BC, Canada loves the VCR Plus episode (Episode 560). She tells Dick that TV guides in Vancouver still print the VCR Plus codes. Her parents have been using the codes for 7 years. Jim Nelson also writes in to say that he still uses the codes.
Regis
Leo thinks Regis is great and does his work without anyone knowing it. For a photo of Regis in his office, go to Leo's Flickr.
It's A Gas
Dick and Leo mentioned the Mad recording "It's A Gas" yesterday, and again today. A listener James Baldwin has found the recording on YouTube and emailed Dick the link. Dick has embedded it on his home page, or listen to it here.
Listen to Episode 568
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