Giz Wiz #1564 Mar 30th, 2016 - 48th Independent Produced Giz Wiz

Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters The Giz Wiz Show continues in 2016!

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Unveiled at the show was the 2016 FX Cruiser SVHO, billed as Yamaha’s top-of-the-line WaveRunner, featuring their most powerful engine ever. When you ride this high-tech marvel you'll be sitting above a 250-horsepower, fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine. Andrew Cullen, Communications Manger for Yamaha's Watercraft group, told me you'll be able to go bounding over the water at close to 70 mph. I asked what the speed would be with 3 people aboard and he said, “almost the same”. It's 1812 cc of torque gets up to 30 mph in under two seconds if I remember correctly. An innovative feature is the SVHO’s dual-throttle system. The right handlebar has the forward throttle and the left handlebar is reverse. When you’re speeding across the water, you can use the left throttle as a brake. If you left go of both throttles you come to a standstill. But wait, there's more! Yamaha claims it’s more fuel-efficient than anything in its class, mostly because it’s lighter at 836 pounds. When you fill the 18.5-gallon tank with the recommended premium unleaded gas, you can travel 100 miles or more depending on heavy you lean the throttle. $15,899 includes most of the deluxe features, and Yamaha offers many other lower prices WaveRunners.

http://www.yamahawaverunners.com/performance/fx-cruiser-svho 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1564  

A unique way to be able to hear the sound from your TV clearer and louder.

Turtle Beach, famous for their video game accessories, has a very interesting product which can offers welcomed help to those with hearing loss. It's called the HyperSound Clear audio system and it has the ability to direct a beam of clear sound so that only the person(s) in the 'sweet spot' can hear it. The kit includes a controller module and a pair of thin-film reflecting speakers. They can be used with standard TV speakers or a home theater setup. The amazing thing is that only the person at the HyperSound sweet spot hears the beamed 3-D-like sound. I had a quick demo which proved to me it works. I walked over to couch and stood at the sweet spot, but couldn't hear the sound. But as soon as I sat down into the 'sweet spot" I could hear fine. The object is that the person who needs to hear better can sit in that seat and enjoy a significant benefit in the ability to understand TV program dialogue or the music or whatever." A HyperSound Clear system isn't cheap, priced at about $1,675. But it's not so bad when you consider hearing aids run into the thousands. You may have actually heard this technology at Best Buy and some other retail display kiosks for the video game blockbuster Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. That application allows customers to hear video game audio when they approach the display but to not distract other shoppers throughout the store. 

http://hypersound.com/

company demo: 
http://hypersound.com/media/video/What%20is%20HyperSound%20Clear.mp4

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1564

Excercise without realizing you're doing it.

So what is VirZOOM? The company says it's a way to create thrilling VR experiences powered by you. You sit on, and pedal your VirZOOM Controller to propel yourself through endlessly exciting VR games. You might power a horse in a race, command a tank in battle, or even take control of a fire-breathing dragon through mountains. Patent pending software controls keep you feeling good. It's a workout without the work. I got to try VirZoom for about 5 minutes at the Luxury Tech Show and I must say it was exciting, and when I got the machine, I was sweating. I did get a mini-workout without realizing it. The system consists of a VirZOOM controller and games! You plug your VirZOOM Dongle into the USB port of your PC or PS4, and launch the VirZOOM Active Play game app. Then unfold and sit on the seat of VirZoon device, put on your Oculus, Vive or PlayStationVR, and start pedaling your way through fantastical game worlds. VirZOOM currently works with Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStationVR. The company says VirZOOM Early Access will be available in limited quantities in the first half of 2016. MSRP: $399.95, which includes the VirZOOM Excercise Bike-based VR Game Controller, FREE: All VirZOOM Games, FREE: Lifetime VirZOOM Plus Membership ($199.95 Value), FREE: Shipping (U.S. & Canada). You can stay updated on launch schedules by signing up on the company website! 

https://youtu.be/7KpE5O6Q6ss  

http://www.virzoom.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1564  

Chad's Crappy Corner and another gadget for his theme for March, cheap gaming gadgets.

For his last 'cheap gaming gadgets' spot (Chad's theme for March) Chad picked two. The 1^st is the CTA Digital Controller Glove for Wii. Here's what Amazon says: Get a grip, with the Controller Glove for Wii. This multi functional glove will assure that you never lose the handling of your remote control while providing ultimate comfort. The backside of the glove is made of a ribbed, elastic spandex material to fit hands of all sizes while allowing ventilation so your hands do not perspire. The Velcro adjustable strap in the back, above the wrist, assures that the glove is tightly fit. The bottom palm portion is made of soft leather that allows a more secure grip on the controller. Not only are these gloves ideal or limited to usage with the Wii, they are also great for recreational activities like bike riding, weight lifting, baseball batting and anything else that requires a firm and secure grip.  

http://amzn.to/22TFPXu As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And here's what Amazon said about Chad's second item, Gaming Computer Glasses.

How they work: These classic composite frames are outfitted with state of the art yellow tinted lenses that counterbalance the bothersome and harmful blue light that is emitted from the many technological devices we use throughout our day. Because yellow and blue are opposite each other on the color spectrum, these yellow lenses successfully work to protect your eyes from this type of bothersome light. These ultra lightweight and flexible plastic frames with plastic lenses can be worn comfortably for all face shapes and with or without prescription glasses underneath. These impact resistant designer gaming glasses are built for full and complete protection against the eye straining elements and are equipped with wrap-around side shields as well for 360 degree safety. MSRP: $14.99  

http://amzn.to/1MFG9kY - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And Chad's take? Chad liked the gloves and said he thought would work well to keep things from slip out of your hands. Also at under $4, it's not much of an investment, so he recommends them if you need slip-proof gloves. But be aware, that they seem to only come in one-size-fits-all. Chad said he has average sized hands, but that gloves felt tight. He wasn't sure if they would feel more comfortable after wearing them for a while. And be sure to watch the video, or at least look at the photo to see what these gloves look like. They do not cover your fingers as you will be using them to play video games. The computer glasses Chad was less enthralled with. You can see they're yellow in the picture, but Chad reminded us several times that everything you see is “really, VERY yellow!”. In the video you can get an idea when Chad holds them in front of the camera lens. Yes, everything is bring yellow. They can be worn over regular eye wear and Chad pointed out that they seemed well made with protective side panels and eye-guard at the top. But at $15 Chad didn't think he could stand that much yellow.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1564  

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

Our viewer video for this week's Gadget Warehouse spot arrived with this email: 

Hi Dick and Chad,

Here's a short video I shot at the 41st annual Trenton Computer Festival 2016.   

It features some computers being shown by the Vintage Computer Federation.  I think Dick used to have the Tandy 100 shown (in the video). 

The speaker wanted to let people know that they are about more than just games and old PCs.  Back in their NJ museum in Wall, NJ they have full size working mainframes.  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAvNk0OXyZA

Doug from NJ 

Vintage Computer Federation Website: http://vcfed.org/wp/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1564 

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We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so here's what we're looking for! Your home shot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in any of the following categories:
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 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.
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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 professional ads please.
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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.
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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 a new gadget you just bought too.
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Post them on YouTube and send us 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’ll a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! IMPORTANT: We'll just shower you with praise for your video if you live outside the US or Canada since we can't afford to send stuff outside of those two places. (Thanks for understanding.)

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv 

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Letter of the week:

 From: Edina Rene

Subject: Dickie Dee: Weather Forecaster?

Hey Dick and Chad,

I've loved the show for quite a while and I'm happy that you are 
continuing and doing well as an indie podcast. When I can make it for the 
live-cast or GizFiz I'm Edina in the chatroom.

I was looking for a picture to illustrate how weather men's (or women) 
tech has improved since the 60's when I first started watching the news. I 
remembered Tex Antoine and his weather board sidekick Uncle Weatherby's 
low tech presentation and I found a picture on Google Images. I was struck 
by how much Unk looked like you Dick. I'm sure, being a fellow New Yorker, 
you watched them here on WABC News like I did back in the day.

Keep up the great, if dunb, shows coming and I'll keep being here.

Edina Rene