1981-2011: 30 Years of the IBM Personal Computer


This year will be the 30th anniversary of the original IBM Model 5150 Personal Computer, the very first "PC". To celebrate, I pulled out my IBM PC, did some repairs and upgrades, and loaded it with classic DOS games and applications. Here I present a full system tour of the hardware and software, and also show some of the neat tricks that can be done with the original CGA video card.


1981 30th anniversary 30 years ibm pc personal computer xt at 5150 8088 4.77 mhz dos ms-dos 7.0 games pango microsoft works cga color video graphics adapter cga_comp cgacomp

Westlife is splitting up, but VWestlife is here to stay!


Announcement on Westlife's Facebook page: www.facebook.com To commemorate the news that Westlife will be disbanding next year, I present my entire collection of physical media by them: CD albums, CD singles, cassettes, 45 RPM singles, and Video CDs. During the height of my interest in Westlife (admittedly bordering on obsession!), there was no YouTube back then, iTunes did not have their music yet, and it wasn't sold in stores here in the USA, so I had to buy it all directly from the UK. And ironically, Westlife's executive producer Simon Cowell came to be a much bigger success in America than the group itself ever was -- although Westlife did have one US Top 20 hit in 2000, with their debut song "Swear It Again". I always will be a huge fan of the kind of clean-cut, ballad-driven pop music that I grew up with in the '80s and '90s, and Westlife carried the torch for it longer than almost anyone else in my generation. And especially in today's media circus, that kind of staying power is greatly underappreciated. But Westlife have already proved their critics wrong by lasting 14 years, when most of the other groups in their genre only lasted 4 or 5. I can't pick a single favorite Westlife song, but if I had to choose a Top 3: "Obvious": www.youtube.com "If I Let You Go": www.youtube.com "Flying Without Wings": www.youtube.com


westlife splitting up group split end ending disbanding 2011 2012 announcement statement last farewell tour cd cassette vinyl 45s 45 rpm singles albums videos collection history favorite songs iou ioyou shane mark nicky kian bryan american male fan

Vivitar 810HD camcorder review


The Vivitar DVR 810HD is one of the least expensive "High Definition" digital camcorders on the market today, but is it a bargain buy or just cheap junk? I'd say it's half and half. The 810HD looks, feels, and operates like a "real" camcorder costing hundreds more, but the video and audio quality are poor at best. The lower-res modes deliver about the same results as recording video on a low-end digital still photo camera (or even a good cell phone camera), and although "HD" mode does record at 1280x720 "720P" resolution, the image is pixellated and the unusually low 20 frames per second recording delivers smeary, jittery motion (a sample of this "HD" footage will be featured in my next video). I would only recommend this camcorder for children, so they can learn how a "real" digital flash memory camcorder operates, with its various manual controls (exposure, white balance, ISO speeds, etc.), without the expense of buying a "real" camcorder and then worrying about it getting lost or broken. The 810HD's low-tech MJPEG files can be easily edited with any version of Windows Movie Maker or iMovie and then uploaded to YouTube, such as I did to create this video. But if you are just looking for a good inexpensive camcorder, spend a little bit more and get a model from a known brand with good reviews, such as the pocket-size Kodak Zi6 which is now commonly on sale for under $100. Needless to say, I am now returning this camcorder because it is of no use to me. (Don't worry <b>...</b>


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Frequency Analysis between Optimod FM 8000 from VWestlife & Album version on Rhapsody


First time is VWestlife and the Optimod FM 8000 FM Stereo Audio Compressor / Normalizer. Second is the song on Rhapsody. Notice the difference between the two. Used Adobe Audition and CamStudio Song is Heart - Alone. (FULL SONG)


Audio Frequency Analysis Adobe Audition Optimod FM Compression Heart Alone vwestlife

Sony Mavica floppy disk digital camera


Before flash memory and USB ports existed, digital cameras stored their images on an internal 3½-inch floppy disk drive. Yes, a floppy disk camera! This Sony MVC-FD7 camera was introduced in late 1997, and is designed much like Sony's camcorders of the time -- it even uses the same battery. With 10X optical zoom and autofocus, the quality of the optics is very good, but in order to fit about 20 photos on one 1.44 MB floppy disk, the image files are compressed to such an extent that they always turn out fuzzy and grainy -- but no worse than any other digital camera from the '90s.


sony mavica digital still camera mvc-fd7 mvcfd7 floppy disk diskette drive internal 3.5 inch 1997 1998 retro 1990s hi8 camcorder battery

Hidden Windows 3.1 startup sound!


What Windows 3.1 really sounded like for those who used it back in the day.


reencode windows 3.1 3.11 3.x 3.1x 3.0 for workgroups wfwg dos ms-dos msdos 16-bit crash fail bsod blue screen of death start start-up startup sound wav crashing error noise general protection fault gpf

Canon FS200 camcorder review


Unfortunately, Canon is no longer selling refurbished FS200 camcorders. You can certainly find used ones on eBay and other places, though. The FS200's main selling point is its stereo external microphone and headphone jacks. With an attenuation cable, it also does an excellent job at capturing audio from line level sources. But it is not that good in low light. Video taken under typical indoor lighting will be dark, grainy, and pale. For better results in low light, I recommend a Sony Digital8 or MiniDV tape camcorder -- but not their newer flash memory and hard drive Handycams with a tiny 1/8-inch CCD, which do even worse than the Canon in low light. Sample FS200 footage outdoors: www.youtube.com www.youtube.com Sample footage indoors, medium lighting, external mic jack + attenuation cable: www.youtube.com Sample footage indoors, low light (4:3): www.youtube.com


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Re: My Response To vwestlife


vwestlife shayna TheFieryPrincess copyright infringement??? you decide


vwestlife shaynaherti thefieryprincess copyright

To VWestlife- Kenyo Mutimedia Speakers


To VWestlife- Kenyo Mutimedia Speakers


To vwestlife- Kenyo Mutimedia Speakers

Panasonic PV-GS39 MiniDV camcorder review


This 2006 Panasonic MiniDV camcorder's performance is surprisingly good, considering how small and basic it is. The electronic image stabilization isn't very effective and the low light footage is a bit grainy, but otherwise it has excellent video and audio quality -- the image is a lot sharper and clearer than Panasonic's newer solid-state standard-definition camcorders, and the audio has almost no audible tape transport or zoom/focus motor noise. Other Panasonic MiniDV models from 2006 include the low-end PV-GS29, which lacks a true 16:9 mode, and the more fancy PV-GS59, which adds a remote control and a few other frills.


2006 panasonic minidv dv cassette tape digital video camera camcorder pv-gs39 pvgs39 pv-gs29 pvgs29 pv-gs59 pvgs59 review test sample footage low light indoors outdoors driving audio quality music

Boyzone v's westlife the love mix pt 1


megamix of ballads by boyzone and westlife


boyzone westlife megamix love ballads medley

Panasonic PV-GS90 MiniDV camcorder review


The PV-GS90 was Panasonic's last MiniDV camcorder, and is also the quietest tape camcorder I've ever heard or used, with absolutely no audible tape motor noise! Panasonic also calibrated the auto level control to preserve a good amount of dynamic range -- I had to reduce the audio volume level of the Handycam footage down to 50% in iMovie '06 in order to match the Panasonic's level. The video quality is typical for a low-end model -- a bit fuzzy and with some motion trailing effects in low light -- but the optical image stabilization works very well, even at full 42X optical zoom. The color viewfinder and built-in LED light are also useful, the controls are all very simple and easy to use, and overall it has a solid, high-quality fit and finish. An excellent bargain buy for those who demand both superb audio quality and the convenience of the MiniDV tape format!


panasonic pv-gs90 pvgs90 ccd minidv dv digital stereo tape camcorder review 2008 optical image stabilization ois 42x zoom standard definition widescreen led light audio quality test sample footage demonstration sony handycam

First test of my new Mini-DV camera from Vwestlife. JVC model GR-D850U.


Thank you! This is a pretty nice camera, and has zero problems on playback.


Mini-DV camera

Final word on "vwestlife" / disclaimers


This started off as a prospective intelligent conversation that fish-tailed into HATE.


disclaimers

1998 Sharp CD-C406 stereo system


Cheap but good.


1998 sharp cd-c406 cdc406 cd compact disc changer am fm integrated mini component stereo receiver tuner amplifier system dual cassette tape player recorder deck ac bias speakers fake tweeters x-bass xbass

Nightshot Plus - Video Response to vwestlife


nightshot plus is pretty cool


sony handycam nightshot plus

gaz v westlife


i was bored at home all alone so i made a video of me and westlife- i am a star


star westlife home bored gazvwestlife

McDonald's singing fish Casio SK-1 rhythm


This is the music track of the annoying McDonald's Filet-o-Fish ad you hear on the radio and see on TV: the late '80s Casio SK-1 keyboard, with the "Pops" rhythm and Casio Chord in the key of A.


mcdonald's macdonalds filet-o-fish filet of fish ad advert commercial jingle talking singing song music casio sk1 sk-1 pops rhythm track chord synth electronic drum maker sound

Righteous Brothers You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (45 RPM)


"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by the Righteous Brothers, produced and co-written by Phil Spector. Played from the 45 RPM single record on a Sony PS-LX250H automatic turntable using its built-in pre-amp.


lq34 righteous brothers you've lost that lovin' feelin' feeling 45 RPM single record vinyl turntable LP phil spector

The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer In The City (Hot Mono 45)


By far the "hottest" (loudest) record in my collection. Even with a heavy-duty "DJ" cartridge and preamp I'm sure it would still sound distorted, but the maxed-out sound lends a certain unique flavor to the song.


lovin' lovin loving spoonful summer in the city mono monaural monophonic 45 rpm single record vinyl hot mix

Fixing a free Lexmark laser printer


I got this Lexmark E232 laser printer (also sold as a Dell) for free because it wasn't pulling paper from the tray anymore. The problem was worn out feed rollers, and replacing them was cheap and easy.


free lexmark e232 laser printer dell feed roller rollers paper tray jamming not pulling fix repair replacement how-to

Denon TU-680NAB AM Stereo tuner


I got a very lucky eBay score on this tuner: in perfect working condition, and also brand new in the box! In 1993, the National Association of Broadcasters commissioned the design of this tuner to demonstrate the quality that C-Quam AM Stereo is able to achieve with the new "AMAX" receiver performance standard they introduced. Unfortunately, the FCC never required all new radios to meet the AMAX specs, so most people have never been able to hear just how good analog AM radio can sound. But this Denon does bring out the best from AM radio -- in my next video, I will give you a direct audio hookup of it receiving some local AM and AM Stereo stations. The Denon TU-680NAB is also an excellent FM tuner. In narrow bandwidth mode it can easily pick up distant signals on channels adjacent to strong local stations, and in wide bandwidth mode, the audio quality and stereo separation are among the best you'll ever hear from analog FM.


denon tu680 tu-680nab nab am fm stereo radio receiver tuner analog cquam c-quam motorola amax wideband wide bandwidth nrsc 10 khz audio 1993 unboxing demonstration

Horatio Caine v Westlife


Piccies of Horatio / David (song i thought was appropriate, as he is totally hot) song Hit You With The Real Thing by Westlife from album Face To Face


David Caruso Horatio Caine CSI Miami Westlife Hit You With The Real Thing

Casio PT-100 keyboard (NOT circuit-bent!)


Here I give a quick (and quite amateurish -- I am not a good keyboard player by any means!) demonstration of my Casio PT-100 keyboard. It is ALL ORIGINAL and NOT modified or "circuit bent" in any way, unlike almost all the other Casio keyboards you'll find shown on YouTube! From the late '80, the PT-100 was one of the last and most advanced Casio keyboards to use exclusively multi-pulse squarewave sounds... *not* FM synthesis or digital samples! It also features Casio Chord with percussion accompaniment, which also makes some very nice retro-style synthesized electronic sounds, especially the "zizz" sound of the hi-hat cymbal. I just wish they made a bigger keyboard with the same electronics, because I really like its sounds (both keyboard voices and percussion / accomaniment), but especially with Casio Chord enabled, it doesn't give you very many keys to play the melody on. ps The snippet of melody I keep repeating is from Louise Tucker's "Dancing By Moonlight", which itself is based on some classical composer's melody, the identity of which is unknown to me.


lq34+hq18 casio pt-100 pt 100 pt100 electronic keyboard piano analog digital synth synthesizer squre ware squrewave multi pulse multi-pulse multipulse polyphonic late 1980s 1980's 80's '80s 80s chord accompaniment rhythm maker percussion drum drums effects voices demo demonstration melody song not circuit bent bending original stock unmodified

1997 Volkswagen Passat TDI miscellanea


Some clips of my VW which I recorded and then forgot about. January 23, 2010: warm start, horn, old music on 87.7 WNYZ-LP (Channel 6 TV station acting as FM radio station). October 1, 2010: Fall rainstorm leaves a mess to clean up.


1997 97 b4 35i vw volkswagen passat gls tdi turbo direct injection diesel 5-speed manual random video clips warm start dual tone horn radio stereo head unit sony dcr-trv19 trv19 minidv

Sony MDS-JE330 MiniDisc recorder


MiniDisc is an interesting format that never quite caught on in the USA, due to the expense of the media, the presistent popularity of cassettes, and the rapid adoption of recordable CD-R discs. It is not true "CD quality" due to the use of lossy ATRAC3 compression, which is comparable to MP3, but not as good as MP4/AAC. (For that reason, a high bias cassette recorded with Dolby C, S, or DBX noise reduction actually sounds better to my ears.) Nonetheless, this MiniDisc recorder works perfectly, despite its atrocious cosmetic condition.


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Updates, previews, and Hit Clips


Just a quick update of some of my new goodies, and a preview of some of the videos that will be coming up soon on my channel. I'm putting my vintage Sony Digital8 camcorder to good use, and it is working flawlessly! And remember "Hit Clips" from Tiger Electronics? If there is enough interest, I'll make a full video on that, too. So stay tuned to the VWestlife channel, as well as to my music channel: www.youtube.com And thanks for all your support!


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Wild Planet Radio DJ transmitter toy


A toy "DJ mixer" that plays cassettes and transmits on 1610 AM. The quality of the signal is actually very good, as it appears to be crystal-controlled. The range of the signal isn't very far, though. One of these would be useful for playing your favorite music on an antique AM radio. It works better than many AM transmitter kits I've seen, from companies like Ramsey. The only limitation is that you can't change the frequency, at least not without opening it up and modifying the circuit.


wild planet radio dj toy am transmitter mixer mixing board mic microphone cassette tape player deck sound effects 1610 khz fcc part 15 microbroadcast low power

Panasonic RQ-2736 Slimline Cassette Recorder


a cassette recorder most likely from the early 80's, judging by the cheapness and the silverish styling. this recorder is a classic example of DC bias. Cassettemaster here on youtube has the same model in much better condition then mine. vwestlife has a panasonic as well that's very similar to this one, probably from the same era as this one.


panasonic slimline rq-2736 cassettemaster cassette recorder tape DC bias vwestlife

1970s Philips 212 turntable with 78 RPM modification


An old video I made of a Philips 212 turntable, which was modified by its previous owner to add 78 RPM speed and use multicolor LEDs instead of the original incandescent indicator bulbs. I have since sold this turntable, and unfortunately I did not keep any of the documentation on the 78 RPM mod. But nonetheless, this was a quick tour of its features and demonstration of its performance, using a Stanton 500 series cartridge.


1970s 70s philips 212 turntable phonograph record player stanton 500 broadcast phono cartridge 78 rpm modification mod upgrade tour demonstration demo review vintage classic hifi stereo audio equipment

Metrosonix FM SCA subcarrier receiver


The Metrosonix MS-Y2K1S is a small portable FM radio which can also receive 67 and 92 kHz subcarrier audio (SCA) channels. These are additional broadcasts which cannot be received on a standard FM radio. FM SCA is typically used for foreign language programming and reading service for the blind. SCA was also formerly used for Muzak-type background music services, but not anymore.


metrosonix fm sca subcarrier 67 92 khz radio tuner broadcast receiver ms-y2k1s review demo

Commodore 64 GUI, demos, games & music


Exploring some demos, games, and music on my Commodore 64. This is video capture from the original hardware, not an emulator. The "Final Cartridge III" from 1988 provides a neat little Amiga-like GUI and adds some extra commands and function keys, which come in very handy when loading programs from disk.


commodore 64 c64 64c 128 demo demos games atarisoft collection 1984 final cartridge iii amiga gui stereo sid player digiplayer voice sample tour review video jack tramiel

78 RPM vinyl on BSR record changer


I got the Panasonic SD-203's BSR record changer mechanism working correctly after a few minor adjustments, and I demonstrate playback of a newer 78 RPM record that was pressed onto vinyl and can be properly played with a regular LP-type stylus.


panasonic sd-203 sd203 early 1970s 1970's 70s '70s 70's stereo system radio tuner amplifier receiver turntable record deck changer player phono phonograph bsr 78 rpm vinyl shellac

The Diamonds - Little Darlin' (45 RPM record)


One of the awesomest (is that a word?) songs from the late '50s, played from the original 45 RPM single record. Of course there is no real music video for this song, but I thought I'd put one together. 45 RPM singles of the '50s and '60s were designed to sound the best when played on jukeboxes and AM radio, and this is really just a test to see how one would sound when played through YouTube, which has a similarly limited fidelity.


yt:stretch=4:3 reencode Diamonds Little Darlin' Darlin 45 RPM single record vinyl phonograph jukebox doo wop doowop 1950s '50s 50s rock hit disc

Radio DJ fries mixing board live on the air


"98 Rock" (97.9 WIYY) radio DJ Mickey Cucchiella knocked his cup of coffee onto the studio mixing board, with disastrous results. (May 4, 2012) Video showing the damage to the board: 98online.com


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Atari 2600 Pole Position


First try of my Matrox video capture card, trashpicked from a junked computer! The classic racing game Pole Position, as played on my Atari 2600 -- the real thing, not emulated!


yt:crop=16:9 lq5 atari 2600 vcs pole position namco video game arcade

Casio SK-1 sampling keyboard


A late '80s Casio keyboard with a nifty gimmick: digital sampling through a built-in microphone (or optional external mike or line-in), allowing you to capture sounds and play them as a voice on the keyboard. Its own instrument voices are digitally sampled as well, giving a more realistic but also more cheesy sound than my PT-100, but it has the same kitschy video-game-like percussion effects.


casio sk1 sk sk-1 digital sampling sampler keyboard electronic piano musical instrument not circuit bent late 1980s 1980's 80s '80s 80's square wave percussion drum drums effects

Audio-Technica AT-LP120 turntable modifications


If you don't like the sound of your AT-LP120 or AT-PL120 turntable's built-in preamp, you can easily remove and bypass it. The metal "ballast weight" can also be easily removed to make the turntable lighter.


audio-technica at-pl120 at-lp120 at-lp120usb atlp120 atpl120 turntable record player phonograph mod mods modification modifications usb preamp remove bypass metal ballast weight in base