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Episode 18 - Television Magic
Episode 18 - The Magic Behind Television Productions. Charlie and Stephen unveil some of the behind the scenes secrets of live television. They discuss teleprompters, chromakeying, and what it takes to put together Monday Night Football. They also discuss URGE from Microsoft and winter weather gear. The duo answer email, give away free prizes and run through the Rapid Fire Roundup of Cool Products of the week.
Articles You Need to Read
Monday Night Football: Behind the Scenes
The trucks, the crew, the drama of the largest prime time sports broadcast in the world
On a cold November night on the frozen tundra of northern Wisconsin, a team of nearly 200 of the world’s best video warriors staked out their turf, planting 25 HDTV cameras in a myriad of locations around the legendary Lambeau Field. It was time for Monday Night Football, with its convoy of trucks containing only the best technicians, artists, creative types, leaders and technology, all poised to bring their unique interpretation of NFL football into millions of living rooms across America. Are you ready for some football? It was a Super Bowl-sized extravaganza, and Digital Media Net was there. Here’s our exclusive insider report.
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Coolness for Christmas
Lots of great ideas here
by Charlie White
It’s that time of year again, where chestnuts roast, merrymakers toast, and office workers coast. That’s right, it’s the Christmas season— notice I’m not saying the word “holiday” because that’s gotten to be way, way too controversial. Anyway, it’s time to procure material things for others, and I’m here to help. In this special expanded edition of Santa’s Wish List, you’ll see items that are wonderful, each in its own way. Some are technological, some not. All are highly recommended. This week, in part 2 we show you a vast variety of goodness, from cars to chocolate.
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Rapid-Fire Roundup® of Cool Products
PowerSquid Outlet Multiplier
Too many gadgets, not enough power outlets? Here's a special group of plugs that will replace that power strip and give you plenty of room for those big AC adapters -- commonly called wall warts. Solve that problem with the power squid, which lets you plug in five bulky adapters with no sweat. Available in both yellow and black, PowerSquid is a power strip minus the strip.
Norelco SmartTouch 9190XL Razor
OK guys, are you tired of cutting yourself shaving with razor blades? Try out the Norelco SmartTouch XL razor. The model 9190XL is Norelco's best, and it's the only Norelco razor that's actually made in the Netherlands -- the other cheaper models are made in China. This one has a two-color LCD display, and has bigger and more efficient shaving heads. I'm sold on Norelco razors, and this is the best one yet. You can find it for just under $200 and your bleeding face will thank you.
Niveus Denali Edition PC
If you're looking for a great computer to run your Windows Media Center, take a look at this Niveus Denali Edition PC for your home theater. It looks just like a stereo component, and it's just as quiet as one, too, with a fanless case that's absolutely quiet. This monster delivers HDTV with crispy clean video performance. Eight channel audio, three TV tuners, all yours for $4600.
HansaCanyon
Here's a faucet that has LEDs that light the water as it flows through its canyon-like slot and into your hands. Called the HansaCanyon, you can precisely control the temperature of the water as it comes out, and the LEDs change color with the temperature, so you can see how hot the water is by its color. The hot and cold water controls are also backlit with futuristic-looking LEDs. The HansaCanyon, a fixture for the 21st century.
Visual Thesaurus
Take a look at the Visual Thesaurus, a downloadable application with an online version that lets you explore and understand language in a whole new way. Type a word in the text box and it suddenly appears in a spider web-like structure surrounded by its synonyms. Click on one of those words and it's surrounded by its synonyms. The whole thing reacts to your clicking and seems like it's almost alive. Improve your vocabulary and have fun at the same time -- it's the Visual Thesaurus, and it's unlike anything you've ever seen.
Scooba
If you fell in love with Roomba, you’ll love Scooba too. Scooba goes a step further by actually mopping your floor in the same way Roombo sweeps.
Yahoo Widgets
If you are jealous of all those mac people with their fancy desktops and cool popup widgets, be jealous no longer with Yahoo Widgets. Popup applications that monitor your computer, check the weather, games, images, cool applications and more.
The Sumo Suit
Pretend you’re a sumo wrestler with this quickly inflatable suit that will bring you hours of fun. The built in fan allows you to quickly get in and out of the suit. Get two and have fun with your friends.
Wulitzer
iPod Jukebox Wulitzer is world renowned for creating classic jukeboxes. The one more time model allows you to connect your ipod directly to the bubble and neon machine for hours of music fun.
Griffin ITrip
If you don’t have a fancy stereo system in your car to connect your iPod to, the Griffin iTrip is the next best thing. Tune your radio to an unused channel, dial in the same frequency on the iTrip, connect it to your iPod and everyone in the car can listen along to the Bay City Rollers.
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Coolness Roundup Copyright Charlie White and Stephen Schleicher 2005
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