techmoan posts
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The Bandai Micro-cartridge
A couple of weeks ago I looked at some of the smallest records ever made, today it’s the turn of the smallest endless-loop tape cart.https://youtu.be/51ObvFfz3_gJust like the records, this tiny cartridge was a suitable topic for a short video that I could make before I go off on my travels. I’m still here for another week or so though, so there will be another video uploaded to Patreon before I go…and then after that there will be a couple of Patreon-only videos scheduled to appear while I’m away.I’ll explain more next time. I trust y...
DCC in 2023
In this video I’m looking at the latest developments in this long dead format. You may have seen me mention in a Patreon update how I’d met up with Ralf from the DCC museum and he’d dropped some things off - this is the video where I show those things.This video was moved up the ‘production schedule’ queue after I discovered that one of the items I’d be showing is being unveiled to the public today.https://youtu.be/GJSlkNbpPsMIt’s been a bit of a rush to get it all done in time while it’s still relevant (as relevant as a dead fo...
Oddcast September 2023
In the absence of a new video on the channel this week here’s my Patreon exclusive oddcast for September 2023.https://youtu.be/qaqGFoa3WYQNote - this video suffers from brief audio drop-outs throughout. I was testing a new wireless microphone setup. It didn’t pass. I have ordered the new R0DE Wireless Pro mic set which should be arriving any day now and in future I’ll be using that one instead.During the course of this video I mentioned some music videos - the links for those can be found in the video description over on youtube.I’m not...
Sony FH-7 The best gets better
In this video I’m returning to the beautiful Sony FH7 Mk2 stereo system. This time I’m showcasing some hard to find optional components that expanded its capabilities.https://youtu.be/nd69TqFEsb4After this, due to commitments, I anticipate there will be a week gap with no new regular video produced, but I do hope to be able to post a Patreon update video on here in the meantime.Take care.
Two can be more than double one.
A sequel to a Bluetooth speaker review - now in stereohttps://youtu.be/fYBEnowdvuwI felt like I almost veered towards a thought provoking angle during this one - one that ultimately eluded me. Like one of those seemingly brilliant ideas you feel you had in a dream that dissolves away when you awake. The harder you try to remember what it was, the more elusive it becomes.The paragraph above is my attempt in a roundabout way to say that this is not a great video. The best I can say is that it is a video. It’s in colour and 4K and it takes up 13...
The Mighty Tiny
A look at ‘The worlds smallest record player’. But is it?I held off from looking at this device for a long time because I was worried that there just wouldn’t be enough to talk about. Turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong and its ended up making a decent video.https://youtu.be/mzWaj_vDKBMAs usual there may be the need for re-edits before the video goes live in a week, hopefully not. However I did end up completely changing the end of the chess video after I’d gathered together a few more thoughts about it, so you never know.Hope y...
The return of Ghost Chess
A few years ago I made a video about the Square Off automated chess set.I shot the video in one day and edited together the next. That video went on to receive over a million views.Today I’d like to show you the sequel to that video and chess set. This is the Square Off Neo.https://youtu.be/YzMTmAHx_MAI recorded this video across a few days, the multi-layered editing was a bit of a multi day headache and given current YouTube trends, this one will be lucky if it gets a fifth of the views of the first.Times move on, tastes change. it seems it...
SL-N25 : (Slightly) unusual early '80s turntable
A video looking at an (ever so slightly) unusual record player.When I saw this for sale I thought, ‘Hey that’s something I’ve never seen before’.Whenever that thought occurs, the enthusiasm of seeing something for the first time, often results in me thinking it would be interesting to show in a video.In hindsight this one was probably not quite weird enough. Nevertheless - here’s that video, all about a forty year old record player, one I certainly hadn’t encountered before.https://youtu.be/gpN2CN1EldcIn other news, I’ve been tryi...
8-Track Boomboxes fixed up (includes uncut Edition) - UPDATED
This week I’ve been attempting some repairs - as well as a Patreon experiment.Before you click on the embedded video above or the link below - I'd recommend taking a moment to read this post, because there are two different versions of the video here.Whenever I’m making a video I assemble all the clips I might use into a rough edit. I then tidy things up and make the video snappier by snipping out any extraneous sections that slow things down or don't add value.When the initial pre-edit version of this video ended up almost 40 mins ...
Mystery 1960s aviation tape machine - UPDATED
I found a weird tape machine on ebay. I should have left it there.In the past I’ve mentioned how I’ve abandoned videos when it transpired that there wouldn’t be enough to show. This should be one of those videos, but it’s oft been suggested that I should share these failures. That, and the fact I need to try and get ahead, means that you get to see this less than perfect video.https://youtu.be/w-nlHWKM1ikThis one does have slightly more meat on its bones that most of my abandoned videos - but whether there’s enough here to hold anyone...
Patreon Update AUDIO Odd-cast July 2023
Here’s the Audio version of this month's odd-cast. RSS links for adding the audio versions as a Podcast should (might) appear under the Membership tab.The video version is available under a separate post.
Patreon Update VIDEO Odd-cast July 2023
This is the video version of the July '23 odd-cast.Random and mostly unconnected topics, covered in a loose and unprofessional manner.https://youtu.be/bTTJtXjxjdUThere is an audio only version of this update available in a separate post.If anyone has the ability (and desire) to view a 3D MPO format photo taken with the Panasonic DMC-3D1 camera, I’ve attached an example at the bottom of this post.Take care.
The flashiest ‘Now Playing’ stand.
A short video this week about something utterly pointless, completely unnecessary and not exactly cheap.So, right up my street.https://youtu.be/a8OkyJf3J4UOff screen there’s been a run of obligations, medical, dental, family, birthday (not mine) etc. These things have a habit of converging. As a result I’ve only had the time to make this rather brief video offering.A Patreon update video is overdue though, so I’ll get on with shooting that next. I fear it’s likely to get a bit too talky though as I haven’t managed to shoot any extras ...
Japan’s 1980s 3D Videodiscs
In the 80s it felt like people in Japan were living in the future. 3D VHD is a good example of this. The same year my family bought our first VHS recorder, movie enthusiasts in Japan were watching 3D videodiscs in their homes courtesy of the 3D VHD system.Better late than never, I’m going to see what I missed out on.https://youtu.be/PxkNilHB9hcI might need to take another pass at the editing on this one. But I’m not feeling my best today, so I thought I’ll just get this version out to you now and then maybe take another look at this in a ...
Breakdown or Low Power?
One of the most rewarding aspects of doing this (whatever this is) is when someone gets in touch about something unusual that I can then share with a wider audience. This is one of those videos. A chap called Mart sent me a tape stored away for sixty or so years by his relative.https://youtu.be/3ENRbOWDXmIThis made me think about how so much of our history has been derived from the artefacts of the past. Objects can tell a story or at least act as a jumping off point for one.We’re moving towards a time where people are able to live a full lif...
Album wall art that plays itself.
Most wall mounted CD players are hampered by copying a design Muji introduced in the 20th century. The km5 CP1 gets a lot more right by taking a different route.https://youtu.be/MZyRiHy46FQThis was something I spotted on Amazon Japan while getting screen grabs together for the Patreon exclusive Yellow Sound Burger video. It took five days to arrive and there was no duty to pay.Behind the scenes...Some of my recent videos have felt bloated. As a result on this video I returned to my original shooting style to make this one a snappier viewing exp...
Game Over for the CD?
"An ever diminishing number of households have CD players" I said.“Don't forget that anyone with a games console can play CDs” they replied.Citation needed.Here’s a video: https://youtu.be/tFFMoWSjxcIThis one revealed a shocker about the state of Sony audio in 2023.There is one (count it), one, current product left in Sony's ‘HiFi Components’ range.I know it’s a sign of the times and I’m aware it’s all about consumer demand and I understand that they can’t sell things that aren’t profitable just for the sake ...
EXTRA - How I obtained the unobtainable new Yellow Sound Burger
A quick extra Patreon Exclusive video about how I got the ‘out of stock/unavailable’ Yellow Sound Burger delivered in under a week and with a discount.https://youtu.be/8Mw5bcRTKGYWhy did I buy another? I just wanted to test for myself how long it took and whether I got charged any extras before mentioning this as an option for those who aren’t risk-averse.Here's a NON-AFFILATED Amazon Japan link https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Audio-Technica-AT-SB727-YL-Lightweight-Bluetooth/dp/B0C3VWJHK4Bear in mind if something goes wrong it will be d...
Nuon/off/on-again (updated)
A few years ago I thought it might be fun to make a video about Nuon enhanced DVD players. In hindsight, I’ve probably had better ideas.https://youtu.be/JN_XeVSKqSYHope you’re doing well. After spending the week in front of the computer, I intend to spend what little is left of the weekend taking in the unusually pleasant weather we’re encountering in this part of the world. Take care and thanks again for all the help and support.UPDATED: Changed the outro (Thanks to Andre for the suggestion). Also added a brief section making additional ...
Pure Elan Connect+ Internet Radio REVIEW (Updated)
In this video I test out a budget Internet Radio that might prove to be a bit of a bargain.https://youtu.be/7tkozYf9JzYIf you’re in the UK or Germany and fancy picking one of these up from Amazon there are affiliated links in the description on Youtube, alternatively you can find this with a regular search.If you’re elsewhere in the world then sorry if the deal isn’t relevant, but if this kind of functionality appeals then perhaps you can find a similar device locally.That’s it - I’m taking Sunday off. Speak again soon. All the best, ...
Patreon Update AUDIO Odd-cast May 2023
Here's the audio version of the May 2023 update/chat. The video version is available under a different post.You can also play this audio version as a Podcast - I believe the RSS link for this can be found on my Patreon Homepage under the Membership tab which should be located towards the centre of the screen.
Patreon Update VIDEO Odd-cast May 2023
This months Patreon update chat is based around three sections, the last of which lasts around 45 minutes. There are chapters over on Youtube if you need to jump around.https://youtu.be/LT8Fj4hyUaEThere's also an audio/podcast version of this available under a separate post.
Micro HiFi - Third Time Lucky?
This week I’m finishing off the Micro HiFi Mini Series with a Denon CEOL N11 - Denon’s latest (and I suspect, last) device of this kind.While shooting this I discovered that the only thing more difficult than making an interesting video about something that doesn’t work - is making one about something uninteresting that works perfectly fine.You’re aware I like my spinning reels, flashing lights and bouncing needles, partially because it’s just something that I can show moving while talking about the device. Well there’s none of that...
Micro Systems Part 2 - The naughties
Last week I demonstrated that a HiFi Micro System from the late 1970s might end up being more of a restoration project than a turn-key (press button) way to enjoy music.In this video I’m looking at another Micro HiFi, but one that reflects almost a quarter of a century of additional technological development. Surely a fully loaded music system from 2003 will turn out to be a better option for the average person. Well...https://youtu.be/gZO5ftu1CPkI was unwell for a good (bad) part of the week - so I’m happy that I finally managed to move th...
Micro HiFi - Aiwa system 22
Here’s a new video about an old Micro component system.I have the vaguest of vague memories of seeing one of these in a shop window in the early eighties and thinking that due to its size it must be a HiFi for kids. In fairness I didn’t have a clue what was going on back then. Some things never change.Here’s the video - https://youtu.be/TMtqWGsvLaUIt was a bit of a struggle getting this one made. It seemed to take forever to get started although the editing side of it went smoothly. It’s hard to pin down exactly what the problem was but...
Patreon Update AUDIO Odd-cast April 2023
Here's the audio version of the April 2023 update - not much to see here, but plenty to listen to. The video version is available under a different post.
Patreon Update VIDEO Odd-cast April 2023
Hello there - it's time for another Patreon exclusive video. A bit more extra stuff in here than usual, so I hope you enjoy it.https://youtu.be/Fekw1HTQpksThere's also an audio podcast version of this available under a different post.Oh and here's that link for the mugs if anyone is interested https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/nerdkeyz?section_id=42616296
The Sony RK-TXT1
After a couple of unfortunate false starts (old tech is getting very unreliable) I finally managed to finish a video.While this wasn’t my first (or second) choice to showcase this week, it is something I’ve been interested in taking a quick look at for a while.So here’s a video about a 0.5m cable that hardly anyone used or even remembers.https://youtu.be/Wg2Si7D3JS0I’m aiming to get straight onto the next video project on Monday - I’m also planning to have a new Patreon update video ready soon. I already have a few segments recorded f...
the CityRadio - Passo falso
I made the mistake of assuming the CityRadio was one thing, but it turned out to be something less.Here’s the video. https://youtu.be/s0y1pUtPGQkBehind the scenes it’s been one of those weeks and as a result all I have to show you is this rather meagre offering.All being well I should now be able to get cracking on with some more worthwhile video projects.Hope you’re all doing fine, have a good one. Till next time.
Stereo dongles…and stuff
If you’ve ever subjected yourself to one of my Patreon update videos you’ll be aware that I can wander off on tangents (and tangents of tangents).This can be an issue for a regular YouTube video where the majority of the audience expects a simple premise summed up by a descriptive title.An example of a good clear title would be “I review the new iPhone 28 - is it marginally better than the almost identical iPhone 27se+2a ?” I'd imagine that a YouTube audience would be annoyed if at some point during that video I’d moved on from re...
