Giz Wiz Show #1594 for October 28th 2016 - Our 78th Independent Production!

Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters The Giz Wiz Show not only continues, but is well into its 2nd year of independent production. If you'd like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/ You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support.  

We start with two other great gadgets from Interbike, Las Vegas that I wanted to share.

One of the most clever accessories I found at Interbike, Las Vegas is called RackStand, a new concept in bicycle accessories. It's a 4-in-1 device - a luggage carrier, a fender/mudguard, kickstand, and work stand. A quick release allows it to rotate under the rear wheel on a specially designed axle mount. When in the lowered position it acts as a kickstand or workstand. If you have a folding bike, it makes it easier to be stored or displayed upright. RackStand connects to the rear axle on a standard quick release or bolt on hub. A replacement skewer or set of nuts is all that’s needed for attachment. The front attaches to the seat tube and just a push of the lever will allow you to rotate it to the lowered position under the wheel. It comes standard on several Montague Bikes, and should be available soon as an accessory for other brands of bikes and will retail under $100.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/8ORjTS1lc94

More Info: https://www.montaguebikes.com/rackstand/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1594 

Something new from Logitech for all you folks streaming video!

The Logitech C920 has been around for quite a while, but there's a new cam in town. It's the Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam. It lets you can broadcast in 1080P at 30 fps or 720P at 60 fps for a more fluid motion. It's aimed at gamers and all those who stream video these days. The webcam software also includes a dynamic background replacement feature that uses intelligent shape recognition to separate the gamer from their background. Basically what that means is there is no need for a green screen. Gamers can overlay video of themselves on the gaming stream with popular broadcasting apps such as OBS and XSplit. (By the way, it seems that in order to set the camera for 720P / 60 fps, you have to that using the XSplit software.) I tried both the camera at 1080P and the included Personify customizable background replacement software. The camera video is great, and is excellent in low light. But the Personify 'green screen' replacement software needs a bit of work to look good. You can't have a crowded background and it's best if your background is brightly lit and doesn't have a lot of different colors. If you sit mildly still, the software does a pretty good job isolating you, but if you move around, it can often cut off your ear or part of the your head as it tries to figure out which is really you. But it's free with the camera, so you can have fun seeing what you can do with it. Other features of the C922 include automatic low light correction and autofocus. There's also dual omni-directional noise cancelling microphones built in which will be better than almost any mic built into your computer. But for a more professional video, I'd opt for a separate higher end mic. And this is good news. The C922 webcam comes bundled with a 3-month XSplit Premium license, which includes complete access to the professional-grade tools and features of both XSplit Broadcaster and XSplit Gamecaster. That means you can quickly and easily start streaming any type of content right out of the box. (Box included!) The camera ships two ways. As the C922, it also include a mini-tripod. And as the C922x, it doesnt include a tripod, but it does include six months of free Xsplit, rather than three. I think that's a better deal since the tripod isn't all that robust. The C922 is $99.99, the same price as the older C920.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/c922-pro-stream-webcam

Here's the C922x on Amazon.  No tripod, but you get six months of free Xsplit!

http://amzn.to/2eS5REE 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1594

A great idea to use far use plastic water bottles.

Tech Week NY is a week long celebration of technology and innovation. Most of the days are taken up with seminars and classes. But there is an exhibit day where entrepreneurs display their ideas. That's where I found out about Reefill. Here's the backstory via the folks at The Washington Square News. As NYU Stern Alum Jason Pessel walked down the street in sweltering Manhattan heat one day, he realized that there was literally nowhere he could stop to fill up his sable bottle. So he created Reefill — a handy mobile app that allows users to access bottle refilling stations. To refill a bottle, users download the app, sign up and connect via Bluetooth to unlock the tap at a station. There are currently nine Reefill locations around the NYU campus. Reefill was conceived as an NYU Green Grants Project. Every month, the Green Grants committee convenes to award funding to innovative project proposals that reduce the university’s environmental footprint. Reefill’s goals are also aligned with NYU’s Take Back the Tap campaign which aims to end the sale of all bottled water in NYU buildings and to create more ways to fill up reusable bottles. Reefill stations chill and filter the water they dispense — an advantage over typical water fountains. NYU students receive a one-month free trial with the promo code “FREEMONTH,” after which they will be charged $1.99 per month. Pessel is hopeful for the future of responsible water consumption and distribution. He plans to expand Reefill to the greater New York City area, as well as other major cities. 

Refill video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c56S-Gh4HhE

http://www.reefill.com/

http://techweek.com/new-york-2016-thank-you/ 

Even more unique was ConBody Live -prison-style workouts to you through live streaming.

www.conbody.com

And Drone Go Home - Drone Defense & Containment Solutions

http://www.dronegohome.tech/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1594

Chad's Crappy Corner & His Final 'Cheap Car' Gadget, His Theme For October.

It's our last show in October, 2016, so Chad presents his final 'cheap car gadget', The Car and Driver Approved Portable Vacuum. 

Here's what I found on Amazon about the vacuum:

Car and Driver Portable Vacuum 60 watts/20 volt

Includes slim nozzle attachment.

Vehicle adapter with 9' cord.

Bagless design.

Comes in Blue or Red.

$12.50.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dQIokU

And here's what Chad said about it. He wasn't sure why the one reviewer on Amazon gave this vacuum just one star and said it didn't work. As you'll see in this video, Chad found that it worked pretty well. Chad put popcorn, which he crushed with his hands, all over the front seat of his car. Then he cleaned up the crumbs rather quickly with the Car and Driver portable vacuum. It plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and as Chad point out, it can only be used in a 12 volt situtation. The only thing Chad found wrong with the one he bought is that the filter was deformed. It looked like it got caught in a machine or something when they made it. Chad wasn't dazzled by the vacuum, but said "it rates a solid Okay!" Chad paid only $10 for his  Car and Driver vacuum at a local store. It's $12.50 on Amazon here:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dQIokU

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1594

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

Surpise! This week's Dick's Gadget Warehouse is actually something from, you guessed it, Dick's Gadget Warehouse! 

Long before dishonest folks could just hack your account and get your money, there was a thriving business in mail order rip-offs. Ads offered what looked like interesting items for very little money. The surprise came when your package arrived and you realize you got very, very little for your small amount of money, plus 'postage and handling' or course. You'll see exactly what I mean in this video about the Early American Style "Country Store Organizer". In the video I say it probably 20 to 25 years old, it actually is from 1986, so it's 30 years old. (As of 2016)

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/YA8APo3jTc4 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1594

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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:

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 professional ads please.-

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 a new gadget you just bought too.-

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:

This week's email is from Douglas Ferguson.

And the subject is: Here's a "What The Heck Is It?" for you.

Hey Dick and Chad,

A friend of mine does building demolitions, and runs across strange things. He found this item, and in 2+ years nobody has been able to identify it.

Any ideas? The metal piece is hollow and the wood is solid.

Douglas Ferguson