VWestlife
The most aesthetic Mid-Century stereo demonstration record [Zenith Micro-Touch 2G]
updated
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:57 Unboxing
3:39 Testing
7:08 Conclusion
#VintageComputer #VacuumCleaner #RetroTech
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:04 Unboxing & first test
4:08 Creepy recording
5:23 Bandai micro cartridges
7:09 Recording problem
8:27 A look inside
10:13 Databits video
#cassette #RetroTech #vaporwave
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:37 Overview
2:56 Initial tests
5:56 VHS test
7:09 Comparison to DVD recorder
8:29 Hi8 test
9:34 Bad de-interlacing
9:52 Computer/video game test
10:36 Using OBS
12:03 Teardown
13:00 Elgato's response
13:42 Conclusion
Additional notes:
1. The Windows version of the Elgato software uses a slightly higher video bitrate (2.5 Mbps) than the Mac version, but that's still too low for good quality. It has a "high resolution" option, but that's just the normal 640x480; if you uncheck it, you get 320x240.
2. The Honestech VHS to DVD software that comes with many of the EasyCap devices works fine with the Elgato, and ironically produces much higher quality than Elgato's own software, since it can record MPEG2 video at up to 10 Mbps, and has better-quality de-interlacing.
3. The cheaper Diamond VC500 I mentioned is actually more fully-featured than the Elgato, because it has power and recording LEDs and a recording start/stop button on the device itself; Elgato's version eliminated these features, but still has traces for them on the circuit board.
4. Just like the EasyCap, numerous variations and rebrandings of the OTG102 hardware design used by the Elgato have been on the market for many years (since at least 2009), usually with some reference to "Grabber" in their name. You can buy generic versions of it for as little as $15.
#VHStapes #digitizing #RetroTech
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
0:55 Not a Walkman
3:14 Replacing belts
6:20 Playback test
8:25 Recording test
9:45 Conclusion
#Walkman #RetroTech #cassette
Music: "Phenomefile" from the BackTraxx 2 Music Library
#SolarEclipse #eclipse #TimeLapse
Time flow:
0:00 I hate computers
0:46 Introduction the DVDirect
3:09 Handycam owners only
5:15 MiniDV / Digital8
11:34 Hi8 / Video8
12:59 VHS
16:13 Computers & video games
17:55 Technical details
18:50 Ripping the DVDs
21:03 Ouch!
#retrotech #VHS #DVD
Update: I was able to identify this as the Electrophonic model T-109.
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:07 Fine tuning
3:29 Playback samples
5:16 Homemade recordings
7:03 Self-destructing tapes
7:48 A look inside
10:22 No model number
11:03 Conclusion
#retrotech #8track #vintageaudio
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:23 Power consumption
2:30 The Monitor Miser
3:44 Unwrapping
4:14 DIP switches
5:30 PS/2 adapters
6:26 DOS test
7:41 Bonus feature
8:02 Windows test
8:54 Monitor Miser Plus
9:23 Teardown
10:06 Outro
Time lapse music: "Telesound 13" by Ben Minnotte: benminnotte.bandcamp.com/album/music-from-the-oddity-archives
#vintagecomputing #RetroTech #crtgaming
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:27 History
3:13 Fake DVD camcorder
5:44 Model numbers
6:35 Manufacturer warnings
7:29 eBay sellers
8:15 Video quality comparison
10:32 New fake camcorders
11:10 Recommendations
#camcorder #RetroTech #ebay
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:06 Radio tuner
4:33 Cassette playback
8:05 Turntable
10:49 Teardown
13:23 Repair
15:33 Vinyl playback
17:11 Conclusion
#RetroTech #cassette #vinyl
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:31 Unboxing
2:41 Who was Dora Hall?
3:56 "Did He Call Today, Mama?"
6:45 My opinion of her singing
7:25 Conclusion
Discovery of a videotape containing long-lost footage from the taping of one of Dora's TV specials: youtube.com/watch?v=GKbL14b7zEg
One of Dora's later TV specials that was released on VHS, featuring breakdancing(!): youtube.com/watch?v=eKM8KLEpIGI
The flip side of the record, which is Dora's version of "Crazy":
youtube.com/watch?v=1zMPk0y7-Q0
#vinyl #outsidermusic #45rpm
My first video about the FiiO CP13 and three other models of new Walkman-type portable cassette tape players: youtube.com/watch?v=asvi0iU7fR0
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Speed adjustment
2:56 Azimuth adjustment
4:34 Chrome tape & Dolby NR
5:15 Gypsy - Merlina's Theme
5:47 Mark Thompson-Smith - Personality
6:18 Steve Gillette - Glass Houses
7:03 Size comparison & conclusion
#cassette #walkman #audiophile
Correction: The Mulann and Tomashi do have a metal flywheel, not plastic as I said -- just not as large or well-balanced of one as in the FiiO or We Are Rewind. And it is possible to adjust the speed of the FiiO without opening the case -- see my follow-up video: youtube.com/watch?v=zFUp5JRwQUw
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:29 The contenders
2:27 Features and sizes
3:51 The mechanism
5:57 Speed and wow & flutter
9:30 Audio quality
13:51 The verdict
#RetroTech #cassette #walkman
Sony Betamax 711B3 Loading Mechanism Plastic Post Repair Kit: ebay.com/itm/284930178769
Hint: It may be easier to reinstall the tape basket into the mechanism before putting the new plastic posts on it. Unless you disassemble the mechanism further, it takes a lot of prying to get the tape basket to fit back into place with the new pegs sticking out.
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:07 Teardown
2:41 Repair
6:25 Reassembly
8:53 Power supply problem
11:27 Conclusion
#RetroTech #Betamax #videotape
The thumbnail image (automatically chosen by YouTube) is from youtube.com/watch?v=Rnjtk-AxwkU
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:34 Unboxing
3:36 Inspecting damage
5:46 First test
8:07 Teardown
10:37 Repair
16:01 Final result
#VintageComputing #CRTgaming #RetroTech
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:12 Features & controls
5:33 Recording tests
8:31 Mechanism & tape design
10:02 Conclusion
#RetroTech #cassette #audiophile
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:41 Unboxing
4:26 Unwrapping
6:52 Playing
9:48 Conclusion
#vinyl #records #amazon
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Video only
1:54 Video & mono audio
6:17 Video & stereo audio
14:57 Apple's flip-flop
16:43 The camcorder standard
18:32 Are you feeling lucky?
20:47 S-Video
21:42 Component video
22:56 Where to buy
24:11 Sony's solution
#RetroTech #camcorder #CRTgaming
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:32 New tires
2:43 Quirks & features
2:53 Heated mirrors
3:33 Lights
4:30 Key
5:02 Radio
6:43 Wipers
7:31 TPMS
8:05 Reverse
8:19 Service history
10:16 Not an upgrade
10:57 Summary
#volkswagen #jetta #JettaMk6
Time flow:
0:00 Background
0:32 Introducing Personics
2:00 Music catalog
3:42 Locations
4:12 Genres
4:44 Record labels
5:28 The technology
9:14 The downfall
9:48 Why it failed
12:14 The singles game
13:06 Direct marketing
14:32 The end of Personics
15:36 Conclusion
Recommended reading:
Pitchfork article "The Forgotten Precursor to iTunes": pitchfork.com/thepitch/1340-the-forgotten-precursor-to-itunes
The Daily Ping article about Personics, including comments by co-founder Tom Sharples and their mastering engineer: http://www.dailyping.com/archive/2000/10/15/the-personics-system
Business 2.0 article "The Song Remains the Same": web.archive.org/web/20011005031515/http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,14814,FF.html
Wall Street Journal article from 2002 "Looking for Harmony: New technology could bring record stores into the digital age. Why hasn't it?":
wsj.com/articles/SB1027624806819990480
A look at the November 1988 Personics "Music Makers" magazine/catalog:
hercshideaway.blogspot.com/2017/03/personics-music-makers-november-1988.html
And a full scan of the December 1990 Personics magazine/catalog:
drive.google.com/file/d/1a62FUwmklwkR_KDfCxbUA27zqzzA1Oji/view?usp=sharing
#cassette #RetroTech #iTunes
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:28 Features & controls
3:29 Radio tuner
5:30 TV tuner
7:31 Video input
9:39 Resolution
11:10 PAL test
11:28 Conclusion
#RetroTech #CRTgaming #VintageTV
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
0:58 Turntable features
4:21 Bluetooth
5:49 Direct audio samples
7:34 Tests & measurements
8:19 Shortcomings
9:58 Internal components
11:21 Conclusion
#vinyl #turntable #RecordPlayer
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:01 Overview
3:17 First test
4:09 Carbonless copy paper
6:09 Windows driver fail
7:35 Using with vintage PC
9:58 Not as old as it looks
10:30 Printing on bankbook
11:01 Conclusion
#Retrotech #receipt #printer
Another mystery is the Beat Cut switch found on many boomboxes and integrated stereo systems: youtube.com/watch?v=gm0dT-vi0XU
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:32 RTFM
3:55 Pilot tone
5:50 FM transmitter test
9:24 What it doesn't do
10:10 Effect on audio quality?
12:01 Not always necessary
13:29 Conclusion
#cassette #audiophile #RetroTech
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:21 Setup
2:37 Time zones & airport codes
4:46 Daylight Saving Time
5:16 Alarms
6:21 Other features
7:03 Conclusion
#seiko #gold #RetroTech
You can download a scanned copy of the TeleSound's manual here:
http://www.amstereo.org/files/telesound_manual.pdf
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:16 Overview
2:12 Stereo video history
3:21 Simulated stereo
3:59 Sealed cabinet
4:29 Comparison test
6:26 Direct audio hookup
7:19 Stereo speaker test
8:20 What happened?
9:42 Conclusio
#VintageTV #soundbar #RetroTech
The recording test music is a remix of Stan LePard's "Velkommen" (better known as the Windows XP installation music) from the 1998 Encarta Virtual Globe: soundcloud.com/stanlepard/1998-evg-flights-north-america
Time flow:
0:00 Overview
2:55 Playback tests
4:50 Mechanism & circuitry
7:30 Recording test
9:06 Conclusion
#cassette #RetroTech #audiophile
Today there are some signs of a resurgence in popularity of camcorders due to their "retro" aesthetic, but unfortunately the inexpensive new ones all over Amazon are gussied-up toys with very bad video and audio quality, and it may be difficult to import and edit the footage from a vintage camcorder on a modern computer. Windows Movie Maker 2012 is my beginner's recommendation because it's a simple solution that supports a very wide variety of formats, and unlike many modern video editors (including Microsoft's own replacement for it, ClipChamp), it actually knows how to properly deal with interlaced, rectangular-pixel, and/or 4:3 aspect ratio footage.
One 2000s camcorder format I didn't mention was MicroMV, because it was already long gone by 2008. See Techmoan's excellent video about MicroMV: youtube.com/watch?v=JJ9M8eiRcEc
And Panasonic's brochure for their 2008 camcorders was a real tour de force of marketing, sloganeering, and logos plastered all over the place: http://www.amstereo.org/files/panasonic2008.pdf
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:03 Analog Hi8/VHS-C
1:34 Digital8
2:04 MiniDV
3:15 DVD
3:58 Hard drive
4:31 Flash memory
5:05 Extra features & hybrid models
5:51 HDV
6:37 HD on DVD & Blu-ray
7:58 AVCHD
8:38 SD with HDMI output
9:09 Budget HD camcorders
10:06 Over 50 models in 2008
11:22 The camcorder market today
12:34 My recommendations
13:20 Conclusion
Disclaimer: Except for the cat, none of the sample footage was recorded by me, and I don't know any of the people in it.
#camcorder #RetroTech #FoundFootage
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:30 Foot pedal
4:53 Other features
5:56 Variable Speech Control
8:37 Music with VSC
9:52 How VSC works
11:06 Other recording tricks
12:04 Conclusion
#cassette #vaporwave #ExperimentalMusic
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:18 Newtron speaker
7:21 Realistic speaker
12:27 Conclusion
#speaker #audio #cassette
Here's the lamp base I used in the video: smcelectronics.com/partmisc.htm
Time flow:
0:00 Light bulb shapes
1:05 Circlite lamps
1:54 The first CFLs
3:34 Unboxing
5:12 Assembly
6:29 New lamp base
7:23 First test
8:39 Radio interference
9:24 Comparison to incandescent
11:07 Installation
12:56 Conclusion
#fluorescent #vintage #lighting
A detailed article on the history of early digital audio recording:
aes.org/aeshc/pdf/fine_dawn-of-digital.pdf
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:28 First digital LP in 1971
3:44 1979, the year of digital
8:35 Digital in the 1980s
10:27 Why audiophiles hate digital
12:44 The pure digital myth
13:34 Conclusion
#vinyl #digital #audiophile
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:40 The shift stretch and return reach
4:39 What the F-keys?
5:38 Under lock and arrow keys
7:44 Other keys
8:55 IBM finally got it right
11:29 Influential flops
Voice of Bill Gates provided by This Does Not Compute: @ThisDoesNotCompute
#SepTandy #MechanicalKeyboard #VintageComputer
Celebrity voices provided by:
Fran Blanche: @FranLab
Gary Keep It Simple: @GaryKeepItSimple
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:20 Why three minutes?
2:24 Not totally silent
3:06 Motown Hush records
3:49 Congressional hearing
4:36 Brian Eno
5:32 Jeremy Clarkson
6:09 Silence isn't always golden
7:44 Three minutes of silence
#jukebox #silence #vinyl
PC Chips BKi810 Book PC drivers, BIOS images, and manual:
theretroweb.com/motherboards/9826
My old video about its successor, the Book PC II:
youtube.com/watch?v=b8VnW5Po7A4
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:20 Teardown
4:41 Power supply
6:54 CMOS setup
8:56 Windows 98
12:06 OPL3 MIDI sound
12:35 Size comparison
13:07 Conclusion
#RetroTech #Windows98 #repair
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:23 Overview
2:12 Radio tuner
3:33 Connections & controls
5:52 TV tuner
9:52 Channel 6 bonus
10:43 Why no video output?
13:25 Green slime repair
15:37 Conclusion
#blind #TV #RetroTech
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:01 Bible cassettes
2:22 Reusing cassettes
3:18 Calibration test
4:55 First recording test
6:27 Different tape stock?
7:09 Recording with Dolby NR
8:34 Different tape lengths
9:41 Removing labels
10:05 Other books on tape
10:44 Conclusion
#cassette #tape #bible
Download OS/5 version 1.0: http://www.amstereo.org/files/os5v10.zip
Download OS/5 version 1.1: http://www.amstereo.org/files/os5v11.zip
Ignore any security warnings; I run the site and it does not store any personal data. Feel free to archive these files elsewhere.
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 OS/5 1.0 documentation
1:56 OS/5 1.0 review
6:53 OS/5 1.1 documentation
8:15 OS/5 1.1 review
13:25 Visual Basic for DOS
14:43 Higher resolutions
16:08 Memory & disk space
17:15 Conclusion
#RetroTech #PC #MSDOS
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Robocalls
2:59 Text messages
3:40 Recorded call
8:54 Selling your personal info
9:30 Lawsuit & settlement
10:28 Another text message
11:02 Conclusion
#solar #scam #robocalls
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Overview
2:42 First test
4:20 Playback features
5:27 Direct capture samples
7:16 LP mode playback
8:15 Mechanism & circuitry
10:20 Automatic head cleaner
11:02 Recording test
12:45 Common problems
13:49 Conclusion
14:18 Calling Funai
#VHS #VCR #RetroTech
FYI: This system was also sold in the UK as the Neostar NTCD1V Vinyl2CD: youtube.com/watch?v=o0DMCse2OT8
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:33 Features
4:09 Turntable
9:48 Cassette player
14:07 CD recorder
17:50 A look inside
20:46 Conclusion
Owner's manual: http://www.amstereo.org/files/anders_nicholson_2655_manual.pdf
Other documents: http://www.amstereo.org/files/anders_nicholson_2655_instructions.pdf
Records and tapes shown in the video, in order of appearance:
Jeremy Heiden - Blue Wicked
Vincenzo Salvia - Auto Radio
Betamaxx - Lost Formats
Eddy Howard & his Orchestra - All Dressed Up with a Broken Heart (78)
Anders Enger Jensen – Retro Grooves Vol. 3
The Ken-Tones - For Your Dancing and Listening Pleasure
Slugbug - Stupid Rock EP
Ivan Rodriguez - Ajena (78)
Anders Enger Jensen – Retro Grooves Vol. 2
Cicada Killer – The Cicada Killer Demos
Bib Hi-Fi Stereo Test Cassette
Les Gillis and Mountain Fire - Ball and Chain (cassingle)
GNC - The Walkers Tape
Live From High Fidelity: The Best Of The Podcast Performances
Concert Hall Symphony Orchestra - Mozart Piano Concerto No. 13
Shirley Horn - Softly
Jean Goldkette & His Orchestra - Gimme A Little Kiss, Will Ya? Huh? (78)
#vinyl #CDs #cassette
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:31 Overview
2:51 Handheld scanner
5:34 Scanning magazines
9:07 Sheet feeder scanner
11:30 Scanning photos
12:39 Landscape image
13:35 3-way comparison
14:47 Conclusion
#portable #photo #scanner
Here's a better example of how good the "plastic fantastic" turntable can sound when equipped with an LP Gear Cerapreme Blue elliptical stylus and connected to an amplifier that properly matches the ceramic cartridge's impedance: youtube.com/watch?v=dklcOM_1zbw
And here's a scan of the turntable's instruction sheet: http://www.amstereo.org/files/soundesign_turntable.pdf
Time flow:
0:00 Styling & features
2:19 Connections & speakers
3:05 Radio tuner
3:56 Cassette deck
6:01 Circuitry
6:34 Cassette mechanism repair
9:05 High-speed dubbing
10:43 Cassette playback
11:41 Turntable
15:36 Conclusion
#80s #audio #retrotech
#tv #vintage #woodgrain
For much more information, see the Stereo Singles Project web site:
bsnpubs.com/stereoproject/history.html
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:17 RCA Victor's 45
1:59 Columbia's LP
2:45 Both formats coexist
3:34 New stereo, old rivalry
4:27 Stereo Seven
6:50 Seeburg jukeboxes
8:08 Compact 33
9:09 Mono after stereo
9:51 RCA Victor joins!
10:55 Compact Double
12:00 Little LP
12:58 Why 7" 33s failed
13:55 45 RPM thrives
14:18 Conclusion
Additional notes:
1. The 78 I smashed was already cracked. I hid the broken part with my hand.
2. Stereo 45s were a flop the first time around (1958-1961), as well, and didn't start coming back until the late '60s, so Columbia was right to sit out that fad.
3. Did you notice how the spindle hole forms part of Columbia's fancy "33" logo? That's really clever.
4. Columbia's mono 7" 33s were made from polystyrene, just like their 45s. Styrene was cheaper to make than vinyl, but more brittle and much more prone to groove wear.
5. The August 10th, 1963 issue of Billboard was the last to list 33 RPM singles on the Hot 100 chart; at that time, only 5 of the top 100 singles were available as 7" 33s. Even when priced lower than 45s, people still didn't want to buy them.
6. 33⅓ RPM remained standard on all Seeburg jukeboxes until 1971, when they made it an extra-cost option. Two small companies kept making Little LPs for jukeboxes until the mid-'70s.
#45rpm #33rpm #vinyl
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:16 Unboxing
2:51 Quartz mechanism
5:06 First test
6:37 Opening the cover
8:19 Circuit analysis
13:15 Conclusion
#clock #electronic #teardown
Time flow:
0:27 Channel identification
1:29 Balance control
5:12 Speaker phasing
9:55 Spartacus
13:34 Individual instruments
15:49 Wow & flutter
16:52 Vivaldi's Four Seasons
18:33 H.M.S. Pinafore
23:00 Blue Danube Waltz
26:01 Recording from radio
28:46 Adjusting recording level
35:13 Cleaning tape heads
37:23 Eliminating hum
38:38 Cassette accessories
39:22 Recording from microphones
41:16 Symphonie Fantastique
44:28 Don Quixote
45:55 Rigoletto
49:03 1812 Overture
Includes narration by David Gell and Maroussia Frank and musical excerpts from a Jazz trio featuring Max Harris (piano), Jeff Clyne (bass), and Jack Cummings (drums and percussion).
#cassette #recording #tips
Correction: As several viewers pointed out, the circuitry does switch between different equalizations for 8-track and cassette playback. And the idler wheel and smaller flywheel do change the speed for playing cassettes, but not the direction of rotation; instead, that's accomplished by the 8-track and cassette capstans being on opposite sides of the tape. (Also, upon closer inspection I found a 1980 date code on the speakers.)
Time flow:
0:00 The dilemma
1:37 Soundesign's solution
2:31 Overview
4:32 Cassette playback
5:41 Shared components
7:02 8-track mechanism
8:01 Cassette mechanism
8:56 Shiftable drive carriage
10:11 Bottom view
10:54 Direction & speed
12:01 Electronic design
12:42 Why it didn't catch on
13:58 Conclusion
#cassette #8track #vintageaudio
Update: Further testing reveals that only files with .mp3 extensions are recognized. It will try to play MP3 files above 224 kbps, but the audio gets choppy because it can't keep up. VBR is fine as long as the maximum bitrate does not exceed 224 kbps any more than occasionally and briefly. Renaming an MP2 (MPEG-1 Layer II) file to .mp3 works as long as the bitrate is at or below 224 kbps. MP1 (MPEG-1 Layer I) is not supported, nor is MPEG2.5 (MP3 files with very low bitrate and/or sampling rate).
Time flow:
0:00 What is an MP-ROM?
2:49 Using it in a car
3:36 First test
5:42 Ring around the collar
6:39 Drive replacement
9:02 Fully working now
10:31 MP3 audio samples
11:38 CD-RW & CD audio
12:21 MP3 DVD test
14:02 Ideal use for it
#mprom #player #mp3
Time flow:
0:00 Hard drives weren't easy
0:48 Introducing the Hardcard
2:06 Knockoffs
3:40 Installation
4:54 Drive technology
5:34 Powerup
6:33 Formatting
8:04 Testing
9:37 Later Hardcard models
10:42 Failure & repair
View or download the Hardcard manual here:
http://www.amstereo.org/files/hardcardmanual.pdf
#msdos #pc #retrogaming