I'm ready for close-up now. In HD!

Logitech seems to be at the head of the pack when it comes to new webcam technology. And so they stay there they just introduced a whole line of HD-capable webcams. (HD = High Definition) So “there’s something for everyone” the new Logitech HD line runs from about $50 to $100. Even the under $50 webcam is HD, it just lacks some of the features of the higher end models.  To record hundreds of Daily Giz Wiz episodes I’ve been using the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000. TWiT often sends a Logitech Pro 9000 to guests who are going to be on the Network because the glass Carl Zeiss lens offers great quality for under $100. Now the new matte high end model is the HD Pro Webcam C910. It offers full 1080p video for recording and 720p for video chats. It also had an integrated stereo microphone. And it features their exclusive Right Light & Right Sound technology.  I started using the C910 to record the Daily Giz Wiz with this episode. Leo says it the best video he’s seen from a consumer web cam. Logitech ships the cameras with its own HD videoconferencing software they call Vid HD. It designed to take full advantage of the output of the new HD cameras. You can make video calls to friends and family even if they don’t have a Logitech web cam. The person you call just has to download the free Vid software on their computer. The cameras are being released in July and August. The new top-of-the-line C910 is just under $100, the same price as the older Pro 9000. http://tinyurl.com/26rto93

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1116   Video versions on iTunes, mediafly or:

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Oh no, not another tie for dad on Father’s Day!

Well, actually this is most likely like no other tie dad owns. First you need to know the slogan the company prints on each tie:  Because most functions that require a necktie deserve to be slept through -- that’s the idea behind Pillow Tie. These designer ties have a little internal bladder that you can blow up to make your tie into a mini-pillow. Now you’re really not going to use this tie for a pillow for more than a few minutes because it’s not all that comfortable. But hey you really didn't buy it for sleeping, did you? But you do get a decent tie and a lot of laughs from dad and friends for your clever gift. At $20.00 it serves as a real business tie. Yes, you can remove the bladder if you want. And I’m not sure if they did this as a joke – or its just a way to make sure no one's dumb enough to try it --- but heed this warning: Pillow Tie is NOT to be used as a flotation device! One note:  I did have trouble blowing mine up at first. I used a push pin to get the bladder moving and then it was fine.

www.pillowtie.com 

The Giz Wiz with his Pillow Tie on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMAnEk4y44U 

From their website: Order your Pillow Tie with Priority Shipping by 3:30 MST on Thursday June 17, and have your order guaranteed by Father's Day.

Now you can look behind & under things, even inside a wall!

    From General Tools comes their new Video Seeker Systems. These devices look a little like an electric drill, but its function is very different. It lets you view behind & under things you can’t see with the naked eye. You aim a flexible probe with built in LED’s to see just about anywhere you can't see with the naked eye, even under your car engine! You view what the mini video camera sees on a video monitor that’s included. The most deluxe model (under $400) let’s you record the results on an SD card. It also features a wireless color TV monitor. You can also watch the playback on the monitor. There's also a way to shoot still pictures as you examine with the probe.  Is that AC wire inside the wall frayed? Is there mold forming behind the walls because of that dreaded Chinese dry wall? Now you can know! There are 3 models, the 200, 300 & 400. On the Daily Giz Wiz I was mainly talking about the model 400, which has the deluxe features mentioned above. The 38” long probe is waterproof in case you want to look down a drain or under a boat. I plan on using this device very soon to see if there are any barnacles on the hull of my boat. Even though you can get the probe wet, becareful not to  get the main unit or the TV monitor wet! The Video Seeker 400 comes with a rechargeable battery and AC charger. The charger has a cable that lets you charge both the main unit and the wireless TV monitor at the same time. Although the list price is close to $400, you can do a web search and find it for almost $100 less.  

http://www.generaltools.com/Products/The-Seeker-400-Wireless-Video-Borescope-System__DCS400.aspx

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1099

High Tech Clock Cubes Let You Display Time Your Way.

Yep, you really get to make that decision with the Matrix Cube Clock from our friends at Think Geek. It includes three separate cubes connected by thin ribbon cables. One cube has the hours, one has the minutes and one has the seconds. Each clock module can be stacked vertically, horizontally or in a pyramid. (But they can’t be more than about a couple of inches apart which is the length of the ribbon cable that connects them. The Matrix Cube Clock also has a calendar feature, which you activate by pushing a button. But wait! There's more!  It’s also an alarm clock with a “snooze” button. If you’re looking for an alarm clock that has a techie feel, this is it. I love the backlit green numbers, which are big enough to see from fairly far away. Even Leo, who has his own gigantic clock said he’d like to get one of these Matrix Cube Clocks. Each cube is approximately 3.5" square and you can select a12 or 24-hour format. In the 12 hour format a green LED at the bottom of the hour cube lights to indicate PM. Another green LED lights to indicate that the alarm is set to “on”. $34.99

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/99fc/ 

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1101 

A dual keyboard for QWERTY typists & ABCDE typists too!

There have been many keyboards designed especially for Hunt 'n Peckers, those folks who don’t know how to use the standard QWERY keyboard. They prefer to hit the letters one-at-a-time as they ‘hunt & peck’. The Fastfingers Keyboard has several unique advantages for all kinds of typists. If two people share the computer and one is a touch typist and one is a ‘hunt ‘n pecker’, the Fastfingers Keyboard works for both. Instead of having to plug in and use two different keyboards, you just touch a button to toggle to the alphabetical (ABC) or the standard (QWERTY) key layout. It’s Plug & Play, just plug into a USB Port and select the layout option that works best for you. But wait! There’s more! If you’re into instant-messaging, there are shortcut keys to common acronyms like: LOL, BRB, etc.) Other Internet shortcut buttons provide instant access to web browsing and e-mail , plus there are media shortcut buttons that allows easy music or video playback and volume control. Compatible with PC and Mac computers. $29.99.

www.fastfingerkeyboards.com/

It’s under $25 at Things you never knew existed:
http://www.thingsyouneverknew.com/product/86325.do?WT.srch=1&code=RJS00000

Take your own speed typing test: http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/

(I took it a couple of times & average 54 words per minute.)

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1103