10 posts tagged “tripod”
Photojojo Bottle Cap Tripod
Tripod Mount
Link: Photojo
Faithful listener Mike Gunn from San Francisco (who last suggested the GE 911 Emergency Light Switch in Episode 758) has suggested another gadget to Dick, the Bottle Cap Tripod from Photojojo. It is screwed on to the tripod mount on the camera, and has a cap that fits over a bottle cap. The bottle of water or drink acts as the "tripod" itself, or monopod if you like. It pivots up to 15 degrees in any direction.
Soupy Sales
Dick and Leo talk about Soupy Sales and how he informed Leo's own sense of humour. There's a Soupy Sales on Twitter, although no one is quite sure if Dick and Leo are not sure that's the real one. Always irreverent, Sales once asked children to get those "funny green pieces of paper with pictures of US Presidents" and mail them to him, which got him into quite a controversy.
Gadget Repatriation
Leo is off to China soon, and Dick reckons Leo can get a whole case of Bottle Cap Tripods for $10. Leo finds it funny that he will be repatriating a whole lot of gadgets like the iPod back to China, where they were made. Dick doesn't travel outside the US any more. He's done it all with Bill Gaines, including travelling to Hong Kong.
A Guest Appearance
After Amber MacArthur (Episode 77) and Henry Laporte (Episode 252), Dane Golden is the third guest to appear on the Daily Giz Wiz, playing the voice of White Fang.
Old Clothes
Dick reminds Leo to take his old clothes with him when he travels to China. This is a reference, often made in older episodes, to Dick's old habit of travelling with his old clothes and leaving them behind at the end of the trip. Go back to Episode 61 for Dick's first mention of this habit, which generated a lot of empathy from the audience.
It's A Brand New Generation
David Sanders from Fort Wayne complains about the decades of therapy bills he'll have to pay for his young children who, having been subjected to the Daily Giz Wiz in the car, may have been irreparably harmed. Now, as the children get ready for school in the morning, his 5-year-old starts singing "It's a brand new day, it's a brand new week, it's a brand new Daily Giz Wiz ...", while the 8- and 10-year-old complete the jingle. David needs a jingle eraser gadget, or else Leo should employ a younger generation of Jingle Singers.
Dick and Leo talk about Soupy Sales and how he informed Leo's own sense of humour. There's a Soupy Sales on Twitter, although no one is quite sure if Dick and Leo are not sure that's the real one. Always irreverent, Sales once asked children to get those "funny green pieces of paper with pictures of US Presidents" and mail them to him, which got him into quite a controversy.
Gadget Repatriation
Leo is off to China soon, and Dick reckons Leo can get a whole case of Bottle Cap Tripods for $10. Leo finds it funny that he will be repatriating a whole lot of gadgets like the iPod back to China, where they were made. Dick doesn't travel outside the US any more. He's done it all with Bill Gaines, including travelling to Hong Kong.
A Guest Appearance
After Amber MacArthur (Episode 77) and Henry Laporte (Episode 252), Dane Golden is the third guest to appear on the Daily Giz Wiz, playing the voice of White Fang.
Old Clothes
Dick reminds Leo to take his old clothes with him when he travels to China. This is a reference, often made in older episodes, to Dick's old habit of travelling with his old clothes and leaving them behind at the end of the trip. Go back to Episode 61 for Dick's first mention of this habit, which generated a lot of empathy from the audience.
It's A Brand New Generation
David Sanders from Fort Wayne complains about the decades of therapy bills he'll have to pay for his young children who, having been subjected to the Daily Giz Wiz in the car, may have been irreparably harmed. Now, as the children get ready for school in the morning, his 5-year-old starts singing "It's a brand new day, it's a brand new week, it's a brand new Daily Giz Wiz ...", while the 8- and 10-year-old complete the jingle. David needs a jingle eraser gadget, or else Leo should employ a younger generation of Jingle Singers.
The Pod
Tripod Alternative
Link: thepod.ca
Another alternative to the tripod, after the Gorillapod (Episode 151), for stabilising your camera or camcorder. From Canada, "The Pod" is like a bean bag, a waterproof nylon case with plastic pellets inside, and a tripod mount on the surface for attaching the camera or camcorder. The pliancy of the Pod allows the camera to be placed where a tripod is impracticable or not allowed. The Pod is sealed with a stong velcro strip which can be opened for adjusting the amount of filling you want, depending on how firm or pliant you want it to be.
It comes in 3 sizes - for small cameras, bigger or DSLR cameras, and the largest for DSLR camera with big lenses. Each size comes in 2 models too, with a centre tripod mount, or off-centre tripod mount.
There is a sale on now, and Dick has asked the President Thom Pahmer to extend the sale period, to 18 April 2009.
A New Look for GizWizBiz
Dick's website has just had another facelift, and the Giz Wiz logo now has 3D effects. The original logo was done by Dennis Wunderlin, and the new 3D effect was done by Todd Bailey of 4m3d.com.
WTHII February '09
The "What the heck is it?" game for February ended on 15 March. Dick is not sure what the name of the product is, although it could be the "skullcap". It's a protective liner for kids to wear under their baseball caps - for those who don't want to wear helmets.
It comes in 3 sizes - for small cameras, bigger or DSLR cameras, and the largest for DSLR camera with big lenses. Each size comes in 2 models too, with a centre tripod mount, or off-centre tripod mount.
There is a sale on now, and Dick has asked the President Thom Pahmer to extend the sale period, to 18 April 2009.
A New Look for GizWizBiz
Dick's website has just had another facelift, and the Giz Wiz logo now has 3D effects. The original logo was done by Dennis Wunderlin, and the new 3D effect was done by Todd Bailey of 4m3d.com.
WTHII February '09
The "What the heck is it?" game for February ended on 15 March. Dick is not sure what the name of the product is, although it could be the "skullcap". It's a protective liner for kids to wear under their baseball caps - for those who don't want to wear helmets.
How Does It Work?
David Lara does not subscribe to satellite or cable, and gets over-the-air TV signals for his HDTV via a rabbit ears antenna, like Dick's in Episode 785. His father-in-law, despite his age, cannot comprehend how he can get TV over the air.
Mad Murders The Movies
Copies of it have arrived for Dane, autographed with a personal message: "To Dane, the soul of TWiT and the liver of the Daily Giz Wiz." You can get your copy at BuyMadStuff.
Images from the Space Station
Leo's ADD condition is getting worse. He was watching (and re-broadcasting) live images from the Space Station while recording the show.
Listen to Episode 793
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
David Lara does not subscribe to satellite or cable, and gets over-the-air TV signals for his HDTV via a rabbit ears antenna, like Dick's in Episode 785. His father-in-law, despite his age, cannot comprehend how he can get TV over the air.
Mad Murders The Movies
Copies of it have arrived for Dane, autographed with a personal message: "To Dane, the soul of TWiT and the liver of the Daily Giz Wiz." You can get your copy at BuyMadStuff.
Images from the Space Station
Leo's ADD condition is getting worse. He was watching (and re-broadcasting) live images from the Space Station while recording the show.
Listen to Episode 793
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
VIP Hybrid-8 SEG
Video Editing Machine
Link: biocomp
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
The Hybrid 8 SEG (Special Effects Generator) Video Duplicator from VIP (Video Interface Products) allowed the user to hook up 2 video cassette players as the inputs, to output to a 3rd video cassette recorder. You could edit your videos, and add special effects such as split screens and cross-fades. It even had a joystick-style wired remote control. You would end up with wires and cables all over the place. Not even Leo, who's always quick to click the BUY button online, wants to get it.
Long Term Investment
Dick spent thousands of dollars paying rent each month for the Gadget Warehouse and it's payback time. His warehouse contents are now worth hundreds of dollars ! Had Dick not made this long term investment, as Leo observes, we would all be much poorer in spirit now.
The Problem with Dick's Imagination
Dick's creative talent comes at a price. He can always imagine a need for a gadget which turns out to be another surplus to requirement. Hence the VIP Hybrid 8 and the accumulation at the Gadget Warehouse, which is in the process of downsizing.
Early Adopters
Gadget manufacturers count on the estimated 10,000 early adopters who want to be the first to try things out. They used to make an outlet such as Sharper Image or Hammacher Schlemmer the exclusive seller, say for the first 3 months, to maintain the price to allow manufacturers to recoup their costs, before releasing the products on wider distribution later (and when the price would start getting cut).
The GigaPan EPIC
Anthony Devito Junior, usually just Tony Devito, writes in to tell Dick and Leo about the Gigapan, and the GigaPan EPIC, a robotic camera mount for rotating and swivelling the camera sideways and up and down to take multiple pictures of a scene, to be stitched up in due course for making gigapixel panoramas, which you can then upload to the Gigapan website. The EPIC works with most point-and-shoot cameras (see list), and the EPIC 100 is coming soon which will fit larger point-and-shoots.
The GoldenPan
Dick doesn't have the Gigapan, but he has the George Foreman Gigapan frying pan with built-in memory. Leo is tempted by the GigaPan EPIC. He might use it for the Great Wall of China when he visits it in July this year. If Dick had the GigaPan, he would take a panorama of a railroad yard. However, Dick wouldn't be getting it, as he has something better - Dane Golden on a swivelling chair.
It's Just Another Name
Dick has been making up names for Petaluma's Butter and Eggs Day, such as Butter and Margarine, Wine and Swill, Food And Drug Parade. The latest is Rum and Coca Cola Festival.
Dick spent thousands of dollars paying rent each month for the Gadget Warehouse and it's payback time. His warehouse contents are now worth hundreds of dollars ! Had Dick not made this long term investment, as Leo observes, we would all be much poorer in spirit now.
The Problem with Dick's Imagination
Dick's creative talent comes at a price. He can always imagine a need for a gadget which turns out to be another surplus to requirement. Hence the VIP Hybrid 8 and the accumulation at the Gadget Warehouse, which is in the process of downsizing.
Early Adopters
Gadget manufacturers count on the estimated 10,000 early adopters who want to be the first to try things out. They used to make an outlet such as Sharper Image or Hammacher Schlemmer the exclusive seller, say for the first 3 months, to maintain the price to allow manufacturers to recoup their costs, before releasing the products on wider distribution later (and when the price would start getting cut).
The GigaPan EPIC
Anthony Devito Junior, usually just Tony Devito, writes in to tell Dick and Leo about the Gigapan, and the GigaPan EPIC, a robotic camera mount for rotating and swivelling the camera sideways and up and down to take multiple pictures of a scene, to be stitched up in due course for making gigapixel panoramas, which you can then upload to the Gigapan website. The EPIC works with most point-and-shoot cameras (see list), and the EPIC 100 is coming soon which will fit larger point-and-shoots.
The GoldenPan
Dick doesn't have the Gigapan, but he has the George Foreman Gigapan frying pan with built-in memory. Leo is tempted by the GigaPan EPIC. He might use it for the Great Wall of China when he visits it in July this year. If Dick had the GigaPan, he would take a panorama of a railroad yard. However, Dick wouldn't be getting it, as he has something better - Dane Golden on a swivelling chair.
It's Just Another Name
Dick has been making up names for Petaluma's Butter and Eggs Day, such as Butter and Margarine, Wine and Swill, Food And Drug Parade. The latest is Rum and Coca Cola Festival.
Stanley 3-In-1 Tripod LED Flashlight
Flashlight
Link: StanleyTools
Another new model in Stanley Tools' Tripod Flashlights series (see Episode 548 for the last Tripod Flashlight covered by Dick). This 3-in-1 Tripod LED Flashlight (model 95-155) has 3 flashlights which can be separated and used independently, or can be used together with the lights pointing in the same direction or in different directions, since each flashlight has a rotating head which can turn up to 120 degrees. Each flashlight runs on 2 AA batteries.
A Video Podcast?
Promises, promises. Leo thinks that this podcast should be a video podcast, in order to show what the gadget looks like and how it works. Dick is ready with his Dress For Dinner Napkin (Episode 636).
Cidco Mivo 250 Still in Use
Ryan Jonz's mother is still using the Mivo 250 (Episode 645). The service was bought out by Earthlink and it is still operating in legacy mode. Ryan has tried to get her an iMac or EeePC (Episode 447), but she would not have it. Dick and Leo think that for people of a certain age, a more modern replacement of the Mivo 250 might be the HP Printing Mailbox, using the Presto service (Episode 279).
Twitter Clones
Abby Laporte is also on Twitter, and complains that people are following her because they want to know what's happening to Leo. Meanwhile, thegizwiz and Alfred E Neuman are still going strong on Twitter, and the TWiT Army Laconica service (at army.twit.tv) has grown to 3,000 memebers. And Leo is still asking us to follow him on Twitter to soothe his ego.
Stuck in Hawaii
Dane Golden went over to Hawaii for Roz Savage's landing, and is still there because he keeps being bumped off flights. At least that's what he told Leo. Somehow I don't think Dane is in too much of a hurry to get back.
Listen to Episode 654
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Promises, promises. Leo thinks that this podcast should be a video podcast, in order to show what the gadget looks like and how it works. Dick is ready with his Dress For Dinner Napkin (Episode 636).
Cidco Mivo 250 Still in Use
Ryan Jonz's mother is still using the Mivo 250 (Episode 645). The service was bought out by Earthlink and it is still operating in legacy mode. Ryan has tried to get her an iMac or EeePC (Episode 447), but she would not have it. Dick and Leo think that for people of a certain age, a more modern replacement of the Mivo 250 might be the HP Printing Mailbox, using the Presto service (Episode 279).
Twitter Clones
Abby Laporte is also on Twitter, and complains that people are following her because they want to know what's happening to Leo. Meanwhile, thegizwiz and Alfred E Neuman are still going strong on Twitter, and the TWiT Army Laconica service (at army.twit.tv) has grown to 3,000 memebers. And Leo is still asking us to follow him on Twitter to soothe his ego.
Stuck in Hawaii
Dane Golden went over to Hawaii for Roz Savage's landing, and is still there because he keeps being bumped off flights. At least that's what he told Leo. Somehow I don't think Dane is in too much of a hurry to get back.
Listen to Episode 654
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Stanley's Tripod Flashlight 95-146
Flashlight
Link: Stanley Tools
The makers of the Fubar (Episode 231) has released a new model of their Tripod Flashlights, the model 95-146. It offers high power LED 40 lumens of light output. Its base expands into 3 legs forming a tripod and supporting the flashlight. Its head, with a shatter-resistant lens, is adjustable and rotates into 4 positions. It also retains the technology of older models called MaxLife 369 (such as models 95-112 and 95-115), so called because it can operate on 3, 6 or 9 AA batteries, as you like it. A 3-position switch gives you the choice of high, low or off. Low battery indicator. Water resistant.
Plea and Mitigation
Brian Davis, a judge of the British Columbia Provincial Court, and an ex-friend of Dick's, writes in to tell him that the listener who gave him a copy of an old Gadget Magazine (from Episode 510) and whose identity Dick had forgotten was the same certain personage who took him to high tea at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver (Episode 346), namely himself, and that Dick received the Gadget Magazine over tea itself. Dick pleads guilty as charged. In mitigation, Dick offers lunch or maybe even dinner, and more DGW podcasts, and hopes to be friends again.
Listen to Episode 548
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Brian Davis, a judge of the British Columbia Provincial Court, and an ex-friend of Dick's, writes in to tell him that the listener who gave him a copy of an old Gadget Magazine (from Episode 510) and whose identity Dick had forgotten was the same certain personage who took him to high tea at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver (Episode 346), namely himself, and that Dick received the Gadget Magazine over tea itself. Dick pleads guilty as charged. In mitigation, Dick offers lunch or maybe even dinner, and more DGW podcasts, and hopes to be friends again.
Listen to Episode 548
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
FlashMic DRM85-C
Digital Recording Microphone
Link: HHB
At the base of the mic there is a USB port for connection to the computer to interact with the software and for the transfer of recordings. There is also a headphones jack for sound output which you can also use for recording directly on to your computer. Optional accessories include a table stand and a wind shield.
Leo has the DRM85-C, which is unidirectional (a cardioid type), to block off ambient sounds, but there is also an omnidirectional model, the DRM85.
Chief Blogging Officer
Leo will be the Chief Blogging Officer on his upcoming photography trip to Tasmania.
Tom Bihn Bags
Leo's coverage of Tom Bihn bags (Episode 522) last week has generated so much response that Tom Bihn's website has now included the Daily Giz Wiz as one of the sources from which customers learned about Tom Bihn. They're going to send a few samples to Dick for his upcoming segment on travel gadgets on ABC.
5 Days of Insanity
Ludwik Trammer from Poland, of GizWizSearch, writes in to tell Dick and Leo that they have passed the 5 days mark in terms of total recording length, although the good stuff can be condensed into a quick 61 seconds (excluding the jingles). He also warns that the simulator model on his computer confirms that if you listen to the 5 full days of DGW in one go, you will become totally insane in the process. Some might say anyone listening to DGW is already certifiably insane.
Dick and Leo keep thinking that Ludwik is 15 years old, which Ludwik tries to correct (there is another listener called Collins who was 15 when he made the DGW Looker-Upper-Listener). For Ludwik's age, see the blog entry here for Episode 407. For more on Ludwik, click here.
Ludwik's says on his site that it is not in any way affiliated with, endorsed or licensed by Dick DeBartolo, Leo Laporte or the TWIT Netcast Network. Dick and Leo say, it is!
Riproar Video Creation Station
Camcorder with Special Effects
Link: Riproar Media
From Riproar Media, the Video Creation Station is a camcorder that comes with a tripod and 2 green cloths or screens, which allows you to shoot your own video in your "home studio". The green backdrop can be manipulated by the software that comes with the camcorder to switch to other backgrounds and fun effects, and the video can be uploaded to You Tube with the press of a click. The quality is web quality, but the emphasis is on the fun aspect of making a video.
Match Game Questions
The Match Game Cards are selling like hot cakes. Dick has to increase the price by $2 to $21.99, as he has under-estimated the cost of the package. There are only 4 GizWizBiz Inka Pens left, but Dick might order more.
Another Jingle Idea
Philip from Your Friendly Neighbourhood has another jingle idea, for Leo looking for a jingle to play (Episode 417). Sometimes Dick starts his day at the Mad offices by play a DGW episode to listen to the DGW Opening Theme, which was done by Mark Blasco of Podcastthemes, on a geek cruise (the story of which Leo did tell, in Episode 27).
DGW Chimes
Rob Greyber has done a DGW Chimes Generator for Windows, which Leo can only play on his PC and we can't hear it because Leo is recording the show on his Mac. Leo thinks he read a letter from Rob a couple of weeks ago, but it was a letter from Darcy Fiander with that idea that was read out, in Episode 412. Darcy, creator of the Toothpick Bird's Random Pick, has also offered to create the chimes.
Listen to Episode 423
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Video Creation Station Commercial
Match Game Questions
The Match Game Cards are selling like hot cakes. Dick has to increase the price by $2 to $21.99, as he has under-estimated the cost of the package. There are only 4 GizWizBiz Inka Pens left, but Dick might order more.
Another Jingle Idea
Philip from Your Friendly Neighbourhood has another jingle idea, for Leo looking for a jingle to play (Episode 417). Sometimes Dick starts his day at the Mad offices by play a DGW episode to listen to the DGW Opening Theme, which was done by Mark Blasco of Podcastthemes, on a geek cruise (the story of which Leo did tell, in Episode 27).
DGW Chimes
Rob Greyber has done a DGW Chimes Generator for Windows, which Leo can only play on his PC and we can't hear it because Leo is recording the show on his Mac. Leo thinks he read a letter from Rob a couple of weeks ago, but it was a letter from Darcy Fiander with that idea that was read out, in Episode 412. Darcy, creator of the Toothpick Bird's Random Pick, has also offered to create the chimes.
Listen to Episode 423
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
QuikPod
Camera Accessory for Self-Portraits
Link: QuikPod
Tired of asking passers-by to take pictures for you. The QuikPod is the answer.
DGW Total Length and Average Length
Dick and Leo are enjoying the response to DGW. Someone has written to Dick about the total length of DGW and the average length of the podcasts.
The Virtual Gadget Warehouse
Dick and Leo refer to the Gadget Warehouse in Second Life again. See also Episode 197.
Real Talkin' Bubba
Chris from Creston, Iowa remembers that when he was a young child, his great-aunt had a Real Talkin' Bubba (Episode 246) and he got one for himself. He is 21 now and he still has his working Bubba.
To[s]tino
Dick and Leo continue begging for sponsorship from To[s]tino.
Listen to Episode 254
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Dick and Leo refer to the Gadget Warehouse in Second Life again. See also Episode 197.
Real Talkin' Bubba
Chris from Creston, Iowa remembers that when he was a young child, his great-aunt had a Real Talkin' Bubba (Episode 246) and he got one for himself. He is 21 now and he still has his working Bubba.
To[s]tino
Dick and Leo continue begging for sponsorship from To[s]tino.
Listen to Episode 254
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Joby Gorillapod
Camera Tripod
Link: Gorillapod
The Gorillapod from Joby is a camera tripod that doesn't rely on a flat surface but rather can wrap around many different surfaces. 3 models: Original, SLR, and SLR Zoom, for different strengths. The height of the tripod, by twisting the legs, range from 2 to 8 inches. It's also easy to pack away.
Podcasts You Love ...
... From People You Trust. The first DGW to feature the TWiT Network intro. This version was to last for only 2 weeks.
1111
Dick has his PIN on the back of a card written backwards, which criminals and hackers couldn't see unless they have a mirror. It's 1111.
A couple of guys looking for stuff
Leo searches for a letters jingle submission while Dick looks for the Perry Como "We Get Letters" song.
Finlandia
Leo plays a letters jingle submitted by Henrich Antonin, a fellow podcaster from Finland.
Loud Commercials
Bob Kay from New Hampshire explains why TV commercials always seem to sound louder (Episode 140). Leo is getting hate mail for putting ads on the show. He has toyed with the idea of paid subscription, but doesn't think it will succeed.
The song Dick has in mind is the theme from the "We Get Letters" segment on the Perry Como Show, when he did requests. Check out its entry in IMDb. Perry Como also released an album called "We Get Letters" in 1957, but it did not include the theme itself. See Wikipedia. The theme did make an appearance, however in the 1958 album "Saturday Night With Mr. C" as "We Get Letters/Dear Perry": See Wikipedia.
The lyrics go: "Letters, we get letters, we get stacks an' stacks of letters . . . Dear Perry . . . would you be so kind, to fill a request, and sing the song I like best?"
Leo plays a recording of the song in Episode 303.
The song was later adapted by Paul Shaffer as the CBS Mail Bag theme on the David Letterman Show.
Mad Minute
A repeat of the sex therapist Dr Rude.
Listen to Episode 151
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
NeatReceipts Scanalizer
Receipt Scanner
Link: NeatReceipts
Scan your receipts with the Scanalizer and let the software help you with your tax return (the Tax Organizer), as the IRS accepts digital copies of your receipts. It also organises your business cards and other documents into a searchable database by way of Excel spreadsheets.
Good Days And Mad
Dick's book of memoirs on Mad, with a lot of stories on Bill Gaines, Good Days And Mad, is available on Amazon.
Mad Office
Leo has been to the Mad Office, part of the Time Warner offices. When Mad was purchased by Warner Brothers, they allowed Bill Gaines to continue to run Mad in the old office.
It's the iPod Tripod Speakers. More than 100 people got the answer, and Leo's the one who "screwed up", because it's featured in one of Leo's Gadget Almanacs.
Listen to Episode 31
