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Showing results for tags 'techmoan'.
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Psst! Did you see that electronic doohickey on that Japanese tech site? You bid on it and won, but how do you pay for it and get it shipped without tons of red tape and customs fees? "Techmoan" unboxes a mysterious, bulky package from Japan and reveals "what lies within." What could go wrong? Keep watching this tale of intrigue, layered packing, and the "how did that happen to this?" result.
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Submitted for your approval, a good quality electronic equipment brand that aimed at the middle of the market. "Techmoan" has a "stealth brand" for budget stereophiles in search of "good value flying under the radar."
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Back in the days just before Blockbuster Video left the corner video rental store in the dust, I wondered if a recordable Laserdisc was possible. Time marches on, Blockbuster is doing a "fade to black," and I'm using one of the last DVD recorders made in the early 2000s to record a 1983 Japanese "morning drama show," about a Meiji-to-Showa girl/woman, "Oshin." (I wasn't interested in this unique year long NHK Taiga drama when it ran in 15 minute daily segments back then.) Submitted for your approval, "Techmoan" has intercepted a dumpster-bound "Laserdisc" recording system! A product of the early 1990's, this particular "Write Once, Read Many" videodisc system was used by a museum for it'a ability to store 43,000 images. Look closely at this "MaxiDisc" and be amazed at the swift march of progress...
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And now something unique for the holidays from "Techmoan." Submitted for your approval, new music/artists on: LPs, Compact Cassettes, MiniDisc, DCC, and 8 Track cartridge!? As an unknown/new artist, how do you "get noticed" or rise above the crowd? For maximum impact, get your music pressed on a "sparkly" disc that is a sight and sound delight. (Not only does it sparkle, there's a changing hologram to be seen!) What if you're an established artist who wants to make the next opus memorable? A limited edition tape cassette will get the Steam Punks to notice. How about DIY music? MiniDiscs are still being produced for that "Blade Runner'/"Star Trek" alternate time line feel. Stuck in the 1070's? Put your next musical journey on 8 Track for the mobile sound market. Is the ultra niche market your game? Go with DCC, an obscure 1990's format. Not obscure enough? Release it on microcassette! (No Puppets...again.)
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Submitted for your approval, a "Techmoan" video! Here Matt uses a "free camera" provided by the UK Kodak instant picture patent holder on a sunny day. Will this "peek aboo" camera produce good results, or is the Zink paper system camera disappoint? How long between prints. (It's still a "when can I see the picture?" slow dance.) Can you use the camera as a printer for your Smartphone? How much does each Zink print cost? (The usual question, "is it available for sale on this side of the Atlantic?" isn't answered.)
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Along with 50Hz power and amazing AC plugs, the UK does things a bit differently than the U.S.A. 45 RPM 7 inch singles in the UK (Europe as well?) had LP-size small holes, unlike the RCA "doughnut"-size spindle holes. "Techmoan" takes on the question of adapting the small hole 7 inch 45 RPM disks to a U.S./RCA-spec. Jukebox via vinyl hole makers/enlargers. Warning! The ham-handed results may horrify vinyl record collectors! Proceed at your own risk!
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Submitted for your approval, a Sony Compact Cassette player-recorder that ISN'T a Walkman! Decrepit, er, Classic Tech seeker "Techmoan' found a long piece of "needs repair/for parts" Sony portable cassette tape machine that also "does shortwave radio." As expected, a "disintegrated into goo" rubber belt needs to be replaced and the circuitous path that drive wheel and guides lie upon require hard work. Did you know that LED lamps interfere with radio reception? Oh well, two steps forward, one step back. Big news! The "Moan Family puppets" are back, and "tech talker Zack" makes his debut, along with the Higgs-Boson particle!
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Submitted for your approval, a 40th anniversary Sony Walkman without headphones and a never-ending "Cassette Tape" display for 400 English Pounds Sterling! (Say what!?) "Techmoan" imported this thing from Japan and got an Android without either cellphone nor camera. (WTF!?) Just play the video, Mr. Phelps, and imagine what the Impossible Missions Force at Sony has to do to sell this product...
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The previous Gixie clock was a quality control mess: One tube socket not glued, the clock would dim if "shaken or stirred," and one tube was DOA. (Dead on arrival.) The manufacturer contacted "Techmoan" and sent: A replacement tube and TWO Gixie clocks! These "2.0" versions are much better built and no amount of "earthquake shakes" dim the display. See the video for particulars on the revised version...
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Have you ever wondered why the Vinyl(ite) record world is divided into 33 1/3 and 45 RPM disks? Fear not, "Techmoan" takes us on a "Wayback machine" journey to 1949, when...well, you'll have to find out for yourself. Submitted for your approval, Columbia/CBS Records announces, RCA Victor grouses, and Philco cleans up like gangbusters, in a tale of THREE record disk speeds! No Shellac bugs were hurt during the production of this video...which lacks Puppets!
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Submitted for your approval, a "Hertz rending" problem for UK Boffin, "Techmoan." The UK runs on 230V, 50Hz line power, while the U.S. and Japan run on 100-115V, 60Hz, which becomes a problem for "Techmoan" when he imports interesting/unique/decrepit tech. What to do? How about a battery-powered voltage inverter? It's a "humdinger" for "Techmoan" and this time, The Puppets Are Back!;)
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Submitted for your approval, a cheese sandwich! This culinary gem from "Techmoan's" kitchen is...hold on there, this is about electronics, not Food! Ahem, submitted for your approval, the Gixie clock, which simulates a "Nixie tube" display and comes in various colors. "For how long?" You cheeky plonker! What does it matter if this Chinese "appliance" is poorly built, displays substandard quality control, and raises the ire of "Techmoan"? You've just gotta see how this...thing disappoints in so many ways.
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Submitted for your approval, hear the latest "article of interest" read in "audio book" style on Compact Cassette. Here's the latest from "Techmoan" who reveals a health issue that may make him a client of such services. Nevertheless, take a look/listen at a fascinating method of getting around the "dead tree" debate and how a tape can be played for six hours at a stretch.
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Step right up folks, see this miracle of the age! Hot from "Techmoan," here's a "Laser" light projector to enliven your parties after dark. Yessir, similar merchandise was sold at The Sharper Image for $200, but we're putting into your hands for less than that! How many do you want for Holiday season gift giving? Is it "I'll take eight," which is Dr. Zoiberg;s line? Here is something that will light up the Internet when your friends get it for Christmas! (Sorry, no puppets.)
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Submitted for your approval, a digital music player! You remember those, don't you, "iPod" and all that? "The Smartphone can do EVERYTHING, so why do I need this thing?" As one of the "Moan Family" puppets will say: Some things are better left Separate. (Yes, they're Back!) Find out what nefarious uses "Techmoan" puts to this Sega Saturn Edition, which will handle most of the disparate digital audio file formats on the Interweb. Did you know that Sony dares to celebrate Ye Olde Walkman? Enter if you dare...
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Submitted for your approval, a subtle torture device aimed at store staff, or "loungers" who spend more time than money in the shop.;) It's "Techmoan" again, showing off decrepit, er, "classic" electronics of the past, in this early (1960's?) tape cassette baclground music player from Rediffusion of Jersey. First appearing in 1957, this early "endless loop" tape player ran at 3.75 inches/second, resulting in frequent cassette changes at the business. Good news! The mighty "Techmoan Family Puppets" show up...in the middle of the video!? There's a "further developments" segment that runs after the main video, which would interest mainly tech geeks tracking the company, which started as a "wired speaker subscription radio program rebroadcaster" to non-electric-power homes in 1927 and faded out in the 1980's. It's definitely NOT your grand dad's 4- or 8-track tape player...
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Submitted for your approval, "Techmoan" the Human, takes on the dastardly AI of "Automated Chess"! Who will win this battle of brains and eerily moving Chess pieces? (Rod Serling is kibitzing for all the good it will do.)
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Submitted for your approval, yet another interesting way to distribute music. Step right up folks, see a marvel of the modern age: Music on a Chip! By cracky, what will the boffins think of next? "Techmoan" usually unearths old tech, but this features chips, not of the edible variety, but the many-contact-bearing silicon chip that plugs into a game port or equivalent. What kind of music, you ask? Something that c computer might come up with...if it was "bored" and sought attention for Humans. (As a added bonus, the controls are more like game controls!)
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Submitted for your approval, a 1984 executive-level landline telephone with much of the functionality found in a modern "Smartphone." Yes, it's another "rescued from obscurity" find by "Techmoan," who waxes ecstatically over the many buttons and functions on this all-in-one beast. It sorta works and, the company that owned this executoy is still in business! Continue exploring if you dare! (Sorry, no "Moan family" puppets again.;)
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Summer is headed for "the dog days" and "Techmoan" has a mixed bag of electronic toys. Here's a tale of a small amplifier, "Ball speakers," and a "flashing lights" equalizer. As you can tell from the "cover art," some electronic gadgets rub "Techmoan" the wrong way. (More to come.;) And, once again, no Puppets.
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With help from friends across the Interweb, "Techmoan" got detailed "tear down and repair" information, spare parts, and drive mechanisms to "bring dead tech back to life." No puppets this time, just details on how to clean off "rubber belt goo," demount "C-clamps," and how the repaired unit sounds today. Can you get all three decks to play at once? Will running two decks at the same time drain the battery pack? Just play the video and find out.;)
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The year is 1969, and Apollo 10 is in orbit around the Moon. What do Astronauts do for music 240,000 miles from Earth? They put a Compact cassette tape in a Sony TC-50 and play Pop music instead of listening to "the sounds of silence" as they enter "the dark side of the Moon." "Techmoan" imported this ancient piece of audio tech from Japan and did his best to restore it to "playing condition." Did he succeed? What does this "run-of-the-mill" tape recorder have to do with the Sony Walkman? Play the video for answers to these burning questions. Also, the "Moan family puppets" talk about "setting foot" hither and yon.;)
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"Techmoan" has Something Of Great Importance on his workbench. A recording of the July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing audio+ rescued from a library's "clearing out the rubbish" campaign, along with a Space Age (1969) Philips 22 GF 303 portable record player, aka "Philips UFO." Both items might be found on eBay, though the record player is an "expensive collector's item." If you do find the recording, "play it like it's 1969" this Saturday to commemorate "One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind." (Watch the "Capricorn One" video, instead, if you think "it was all done on a CIA movie set.";)
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Your eyes are working fine, mate! "Techmoan" has dug up, er, resurrected another fine example of 1980's Japanese tech for the mixtape maniac in you. It's a "full-featured-one-stop-got-everything-mini-boombox" that allows you to "play one and tape 2." Does it work? Of course not! The FM and AM radio bands can pick up a limited spectrum of "radio gaga," and it looks Sooo cute. The drive belts and clutches are in serious need of replacement, but getting to the gloopy mess that used to play the likes of Toto is a puzzle for the Almighty Techmoan Tinkerer. But, The Moan Family Puppets are back! With their "e;lectric underpants" and "I hate this" banter, YouTube fame awaits...
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"Techmoan" is at it again! In search of a radio with numerous switches and readouts, there are very expensive Classic Sony radios. But our favorite tinkerer finds a "for parts. not working" Shortwave radio that might benefit from some cleaning... (Sorry, no "Moan family" puppets today.)
