This week’s find at Dick’s Gadget Warehouse is an exciting personal one. On a shelf I found a box containing a reel of Sony V-32 Video Tape for Helical Tape Recorders. Actually, the box was from Sony, but I see from looking closer at the photo, that Goodson-Todman also bought Scotch branded helical scan video tape.
Before I tell you the personal part, here's a bit of background on this long gone video tape format. Long before VHS, Sony is credited for developing the first home video recorder. It was big, heavy and expensive. I believe mine was over $1,000. It recorded on Sony or Scotch Brand Helical ½” Video Tape. Unfortunately, I have yet to uncover my big reel-to-reel Sony Video Recorder, so the tape won’t do me much good. But there are two things listed on the label of the video tape that are of interest to me, and hopefully fans of the MAD and the Giz Wiz. This 45-year-old videotape contains two To Tell The Truth shows from back in the days when I worked for Goodson-Todman Productions. (Later, Goodson TV Productions after Bill Todman passed on.) One is a 1970 edition of To Tell The Truth, where MAD founder/publisher William M. Gaines is the central guest along with 3 imposters. No one guessed the real Bill Gaines. Fortunately that show has been posted on YouTube and the link is below. I’m also on that show during the credits. The other show on this tape lists “Dick DeBartolo as contestant on To Tell The Truth.” I sure don’t remember being a contestant on the show, but that’s 44 years ago! If I can’t find my Sony helical scan machine to play this tape, I’ll have to scout out someone who still might have one that works. I’d love to get a copy of the show I’m on.
Bill Gaines on To Tell The Truth 1970: http://youtu.be/NSoxQNJjkFs
At about the 9:28 mark in the video I’m standing there with Gene Rayburn. No moustache, and actually wearing a jacket and tie!
Here’s what the machines that used 7” Reels of Helical tape look like. The Rewind Museum is a great source of video history!
http://www.rewindmuseum.com/reeltoreelvideo.htm
See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1456
We have run out of Viewer’s Videos, so we’d love to get more! Here are the details!
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Here’s what we’re looking: Your home shoot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in any of the following categories:
I bought a piece of crap: Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies.
I invented this! Did you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions. No professionally made videos please. It makes us look even worse than we are.
My Gadget Warehouse: Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it.
My Favorite Gadget of All Time: Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be something you just bought too.
Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long! Low production value is fine, but we should be able to hear you and see you! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz, you will be rewarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and maybe even some piece of crap. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!
All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv
February 18, 2014 
WowWee’s MiP robots were at CES, but I didn’t have time to play with them. So I was glad to find them at Toy Fair 2014. Equipped with GestureSense technology, you can use hand motion controls to control MiP. You can also program it to do up to 100 movements in a row. You’ll see a mini demo of that feature in the video Dennis Wunderlin shot. The Mio walks away from the spokesperson, then turns and walks right up to Dennis' video cam. Amazing! The Mip has built in speaker and a built in microphone. So they can dance to music that’s on your smartphone, which will play right on, MiP, or MiP can dance to external music and follow the beat heard through its internal mic. But wait, there’s more! There' also a free app that lets you drive MiP, play games & more. I was impressed how MiP can carry stuff like a can of soda, or another MiP while balancing on two wheels! It kind of looks like a robotic Segway with a head and arms. Available Spring 2014 for $99.99. It will be a Best Buy exclusive for three months, and then it will be widely available. You can pre-order it now on the WowWee website, but it’s $119.99 there. 
