Post the very best in obsolete and failed technology

The Something Awful Forums > Main > Post Your Favorite: Carefully Curated > Post the very best in obsolete and failed technology

«‹›916 »

FilthyImp: Sep 30, 2002; Anime Deviant

Wasnt DTS mastered so that each channel received discrete data, instead of having your receiver try to magic up the feeds to your various speakers?

If so, that alone would be a big boost

# ? Feb 25, 2018 00:21

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Jun 9, 2024 06:23

TheQuietWilds: Sep 8, 2009

KozmoNaut posted:

They were just recorded and mastered really well. DTS is a lossy format, so technically inferior to CD audio.

Yeah at this point it's nearly impossible to tell the difference between the limitation of different formats since everything gets brick wall limited to poo poo so it sounds maximally loud over lovely speakers or earbuds.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 00:22

KozmoNaut: Apr 23, 2008; Happiness is a warm
Turbo Plasma Rifle

FilthyImp posted:

Wasnt DTS mastered so that each channel received discrete data, instead of having your receiver try to magic up the feeds to your various speakers?

If so, that alone would be a big boost

Yeah, it has discrete channels, which makes it better than previous surround sound formats (also all lossy), but for outright sound quality, it loses to CD audio and lossless formats, as well as more modern lossy formats.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 00:34

Powered Descent: Jul 13, 2008; We haven't had that spirit here since 1969.

My local alternative rock station plays new stuff but also mixes in oldies from all the way back in the 90s, so I'm still able to pretend that the stuff I listened to in high school is still "current".

:smug:

# ? Feb 25, 2018 00:54

SomeJazzyRat: Nov 2, 2012; Hmmm...

It weirdly kinda inverted in my local radio's case. The 'Modern Rock' station will play anything from contemporary Indie hits to 90's megahits. Not too absurd to hear Florence and the Machines followed by White Stripes 'Hardest Button to Button' followed by Nirvana's 'Come as You Are' followed by Daft Punk's 'Technologic' (which isn't rock but hell if I'll complain).

That is, that's what it would play years ago when I listened to the radio. For all I know it's just carried on, or turned into another Country Station, or just plays exclusively Kendrick Lamarr now.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 01:34

roffels: Jul 27, 2004; Yo Taxi!

sarcastx posted:

And why did we decide that CD-DA was as good as we would ever get?

SACD and Dvda, on paper, are superior to CD. There are also high-res downloads from hdtracks.com and other sites. Some releases on bandcamp.com are also higher resolution than CD.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 02:15

Powered Descent: Jul 13, 2008; We haven't had that spirit here since 1969.

Spy_Guy posted:

Here's an interesting thing I acquired recently. A Facit CA2-16, one of the most advanced desktop electromechanical calculators ever made.

These were manufactured during the 1960s and were the culmination of Facit's development in calculating machine technology.
They look quite nice internally, too.

The problem with these machines is that they were made just before the transistor and smaller electronics took the market by storm. In that sense the CA2-16 took the wrong fork in the path of computing history and became obsolete almost immediately.
I've been wanting to get a hold of one of these marvels for years now, and it's currently sat in my living room.

Want to make sure this doesn't get lost. That thing's rad as hell.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 02:30

ThanatosOfOne: Mar 24, 2009

roffels posted:

SACD and Dvda, on paper, are superior to CD. There are also high-res downloads from hdtracks.com and other sites. Some releases on bandcamp.com are also higher resolution than CD.

I have a stereo Blu-ray audio of Supertramp's Breakfast in America. Sounds amazing, but I cant tell a bit of difference between that and the MSFL CD pressing I have of it. I bought it cause it seemed like it would be cool to own.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 02:50

ladron: Sep 15, 2007; eso es lo que es

roffels posted:

SACD and Dvda, on paper, are superior to CD

once you get too old in this business. you gotta do dvda or no one will hire you

# ? Feb 25, 2018 03:11

Keiya: Aug 22, 2009; Come with me if you want to not die.

sarcastx posted:

And why did we decide that CD-DA was as good as we would ever get?

Because CDDA is good enough that in all but the most extreme audiophile setups, things like the speakers are introducing enough problems that there is literally no point to doing better.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 03:12

Mr.Radar: Nov 5, 2005; You guys aren't going to believe this, but that guy is our games teacher.

Keiya posted:

Because CDDA is good enough that in all but the most extreme audiophile setups, things like the speakers are introducing enough problems that there is literally no point to doing better.

Yeah. This video by the creator of the Ogg Vorbis audio codec does an excellent job of explaining why audio quality above "CD quality" doesn't make any perceptible difference for playback.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 04:11

Humphreys: Jan 26, 2013; We conceived a way to use my mother as a porn mule

ladron posted:

once you get too old in this business. you gotta do dvda or no one will hire you

Haha. I get this reference.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 04:25

90s Solo Cup: Feb 22, 2011; To understand the cup
He must become the cup

Olive! posted:

Hi I don't read this thread at all so I can probably assume someone in here already talked about it, but out of nowhere I just remember Microsoft Songsmith and how goddamn stupid it was

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oGFogwcx-E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22AWPW5s4EA

A bit late to the party, but.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eogdhz60L2U

# ? Feb 25, 2018 05:26

Farmdizzle: May 26, 2009; Hagel satan; Grimey Drawer

Domestic Amuse posted:

A bit late to the party, but.....

Still my favorite:

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

Don't be fooled by "alternate version" in the title. This is the OG version that was originally posted to Metafilter back in 2009.

Holy poo poo I can't believe this is nine years old already.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 06:11

Randaconda: Jul 3, 2014; by Jeffrey of YOSPOS

ladron posted:

once you get too old in this business. you gotta do dvda or no one will hire you

I appreciate this reference

# ? Feb 25, 2018 10:57

Jedit: Dec 10, 2011; Proudly supporting vanilla legends 1994-2014

mostlygray posted:

When I was in college in the '90s, my friend and I once wondered what we would hear on classic rock stations once we got "old" We joked about jamming out to Beck with our kids in the back seat.

I'm pushing 40 now and I turned on a local classic rock station a few days ago while driving my kids. What do I hear? "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey..." I start singing along and my kids start looking at me weird.

We're all old now.

We can rebuild you. We have the obsolete and failed technology.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 12:07

GRINDCORE MEGGIDO: Feb 28, 1985

Randaconda posted:

I appreciate this reference

If you don't think that splits me open like a turkey on Thanksgiving, heh...

# ? Feb 25, 2018 15:17

P.N.T.M.: Jan 14, 2006; tiny dinosaurs; Fun Shoe

Tungsten Lighting for film is spiraling.

LED cob chips are hitting the right color accuracies, burning a fraction of the energy, panel designs too, 105w/hr vs 2000w/hr with the former emitting enough light to be competitive, including battery powered options, color temp changing. It's getting super affordable to rent and own.

I work in a college film department, we got maybe 7 led panels, and over 100 Tungsten instruments. We're going to keep using Tungsten because it's the standard and all. But the other thing is these lights are so completely simple, they can't really be broken beyond repair.

We got a couple of these beefy Mole-Richardson "Junior" 2k lights donated to us (pictured next to 32oz water bottle). They were in a ground level storage facility during Sandy, and one of them has a power cable that's crumbling. But not an inch of rust to be found.

Ain't nothing. Just take out 4 screws, separate the top housing, rub down with ethanol, clean the fresnel glass. Then on the base half, clean out the dust, unscrew the power switch + socket + reflector dish, replace cabling where necessary, total of 10 extra screws, some 12awg 3 conductor, some spade terminators. Stick it all back together and insert a $22 bulb. Bing bang boom. Every single part is replaceable, salvageable with the right tools, or basically indestructible. Your light socket ceramic has completely cracked and is in bits? There's a part number. You're glass was over 400F, got hit by rain and went SHPIISSHHH, that's just a part number away from a replacement.

I know next to nothing about cars, but this has to be relevant to some of you. Like, the new stuff is more efficient, lighter, has more features, but LEDs are not "repairable after being submerged in poo poo water for 10 hours" yet. And even if they get there, nothing will ever be this simple ever again.

So it's probably a slow spiral, and there will always be hold outs who don't want to learn the nuances of LEDs. But it's happening. In studios and huge sets alike. It's different light, the measurements have to be updated, but it's a thing.

Only registered members can see post attachments!

# ? Feb 25, 2018 18:17

chitoryu12: Apr 24, 2014

I'm getting an LED lighting kit for $250 for the film I'm shooting. Battery-powered (no need to run power cables anywhere or bring a generator, so I can shoot literally anywhere the light will fit) and I can change the color temp to resemble old tungsten to get that 1970s look. There's really no need for old lights unless they're the only equipment you have or you really need to look like it's old poo poo.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 20:27

spog: Aug 7, 2004; It's your own bloody fault.

P.N.T.M. posted:

Ain't nothing. Just take out 4 screws, separate the top housing, rub down with ethanol, clean the fresnel glass. Then on the base half, clean out the dust, unscrew the power switch + socket + reflector dish, replace cabling where necessary, total of 10 extra screws, some 12awg 3 conductor, some spade terminators. Stick it all back together and insert a $22 bulb. Bing bang boom. Every single part is replaceable, salvageable with the right tools, or basically indestructible. Your light socket ceramic has completely cracked and is in bits? There's a part number. You're glass was over 400F, got hit by rain and went SHPIISSHHH, that's just a part number away from a replacement.

I know next to nothing about cars, but this has to be relevant to some of you. Like, the new stuff is more efficient, lighter, has more features, but LEDs are not "repairable after being submerged in poo poo water for 10 hours" yet. And even if they get there, nothing will ever be this simple ever again.

Not to take away from the enjoyment of old tech but part of the wonderful magic of LED is that you don't need all that poo poo in the first place: no socket holder required, no hot glass that breaks if you dribble on it, no bulb that goes bang at the wrong time out of spite.

# ? Feb 25, 2018 21:11

FilthyImp: Sep 30, 2002; Anime Deviant

chitoryu12 posted:

There's really no need for old lights unless they're the only equipment you have or you really need to look like it's old poo poo.

Cheap LED lights don't really have that faux tungsten dimmer curve, or don't replicate amber/red shift with intensity changes. Plus you also have to deal with the chance that one manufacturer 's interpretation of a certain gel or temp is a little off .

At least theatrically. If we're talking a giant 6k inflated globe light vs a 650 watt LED then yeah it's a cool change

# ? Feb 25, 2018 22:30

ryonguy: Jun 27, 2013

Are we talking noticeable hue/contrast differences here, or are we talking about the film student equivalent of audiophiles?

# ? Feb 26, 2018 00:09

Vic: Nov 26, 2009; malae fidei cum XI_XXVI_MMIX

ryonguy posted:

Are we talking noticeable hue/contrast differences here, or are we talking about the film student equivalent of audiophiles?

Yes.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 00:30

FilthyImp: Sep 30, 2002; Anime Deviant

ryonguy posted:

Are we talking noticeable hue/contrast differences here, or are we talking about the film student equivalent of audiophiles?

Because of funding/budgeting, my school theatre space has LEDs from at least 4 manufacturers.

The difference between everyone's interpretation of Bastard Amber is interesting. For real fun, set it to 'Pure White' and maybe cry.

That's just live theatre though.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 00:34

3D Megadoodoo: Nov 25, 2010

spog posted:

Not to take away from the enjoyment of old tech but part of the wonderful magic of LED is that you don't need all that poo poo in the first place: no socket holder required, no hot glass that breaks if you dribble on it, no bulb that goes bang at the wrong time out of spite.

I don't do film but where I'm at LED per up-time is just cheaper than loving anything.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 00:45

Spy_Guy: Feb 19, 2013

chitoryu12 posted:

I'm getting an LED lighting kit for $250 for the film I'm shooting. Battery-powered (no need to run power cables anywhere or bring a generator, so I can shoot literally anywhere the light will fit) and I can change the color temp to resemble old tungsten to get that 1970s look. There's really no need for old lights unless they're the only equipment you have or you really need to look like it's old poo poo.

Oh hey, that sounds real useful. May I ask you for a link?

I currently use a nasty pair of soft boxes with a massive flourescent monster inside them for lighting, which works, but they're a lot colder than I would like.

Also some content:
https://i.imgur.com/J48Bzd1.mp4

# ? Feb 26, 2018 06:41

chitoryu12: Apr 24, 2014

Spy_Guy posted:

Oh hey, that sounds real useful. May I ask you for a link?

I currently use a nasty pair of soft boxes with a massive flourescent monster inside them for lighting, which works, but they're a lot colder than I would like.

Also some content:
https://i.imgur.com/J48Bzd1.mp4

http://dslrvideoshooter.com/250-led-video-lighting-kit/

# ? Feb 26, 2018 13:45

Volcott: Mar 30, 2010; People paying American dollars to let other people know they didn't agree with someone's position on something is the lifeblood of these forums.

I SAID we'll fix it in post.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 14:06

chitoryu12: Apr 24, 2014

ryonguy posted:

Are we talking noticeable hue/contrast differences here, or are we talking about the film student equivalent of audiophiles?

The latter, especially in the age of easy digital color correction. The only time today that you need tungsten lights is if the particular look of that particular light is impossible to replicate with LEDs on hand and you can't buy an LED replacement.

I once used an iPhone flashlight for emergency film lighting.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 15:44

Platystemon: Feb 13, 2012; BREADS

Spy_Guy posted:

The problem with these machines is that they were made just before the transistor and smaller electronics took the market by storm. In that sense the CA2-16 took the wrong fork in the path of computing history and became obsolete almost immediately.

So what you�re saying is:

This machine kills Facits.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 21:09

porktree: Mar 23, 2002; You just fucked with the wrong Mexican.

Spy_Guy posted:

Here's an interesting thing I acquired recently. A Facit CA2-16, one of the most advanced desktop electromechanical calculators ever made.

These were manufactured during the 1960s and were the culmination of Facit's development in calculating machine technology.
They look quite nice internally, too.

The problem with these machines is that they were made just before the transistor and smaller electronics took the market by storm. In that sense the CA2-16 took the wrong fork in the path of computing history and became obsolete almost immediately.
I've been wanting to get a hold of one of these marvels for years now, and it's currently sat in my living room.

This is so loving cool.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 21:47

Samizdata: May 14, 2007

Spy_Guy posted:

Here's an interesting thing I acquired recently. A Facit CA2-16, one of the most advanced desktop electromechanical calculators ever made.

These were manufactured during the 1960s and were the culmination of Facit's development in calculating machine technology.
They look quite nice internally, too.

The problem with these machines is that they were made just before the transistor and smaller electronics took the market by storm. In that sense the CA2-16 took the wrong fork in the path of computing history and became obsolete almost immediately.
I've been wanting to get a hold of one of these marvels for years now, and it's currently sat in my living room.

We need a video, man. I want to hear it clunk and chunk and tickety-tickery-tick for myself...

# ? Feb 26, 2018 22:08

Sweevo: Nov 8, 2007; i sometimes throw cables away

i mean straight into the bin without spending 10+ years in the box of might-come-in-handy-someday first

im a fucking monster

Spy_Guy posted:

Also some content:
https://i.imgur.com/J48Bzd1.mp4

I love the way it shakes the desk when it gets going.

# ? Feb 26, 2018 22:30

Trabant: Nov 26, 2011; All systems nominal.

Platystemon posted:

So what you�re saying is:

This machine kills Facits.

I want to cheer and boo you at the same time. Like :golfclap:

# ? Feb 26, 2018 22:56

Spy_Guy: Feb 19, 2013

Platystemon posted:

So what you�re saying is:

This machine kills Facits.

Samizdata posted:

We need a video, man. I want to hear it clunk and chunk and tickety-tickery-tick for myself...

Nothing I'd rather do than make a video on this machine.

However, there is a problem - there was a blockage when I received it, so it needs to be restored to working order first.
As luck would have it I came across a brilliant resource on the restoration and maintenance procedures so it should not be an insurmountable task, but there won't be any chunking or clunking for quite some time.

Might make a video showing it off without function, because there's definitely something interesting about comparing it to a modern calculator vs. an old one.

Spy_Guy has a new favorite as of 07:19 on Feb 27, 2018

# ? Feb 27, 2018 07:11

Samizdata: May 14, 2007

Spy_Guy posted:

Nothing I'd rather do than make a video on this machine.

However, there is a problem - there was a blockage when I received it, so it needs to be restored to working order first.
As luck would have it I came across a brilliant resource on the restoration and maintenance procedures so it should not be an insurmountable task, but there won't be any chunking or clunking for quite some time.

Might make a video showing it off without function, because there's definitely something interesting about comparing it to a modern calculator vs. an old one.

Agreed. I have enjoyed your videos whenever I have come across them.

# ? Feb 27, 2018 07:20

P.N.T.M.: Jan 14, 2006; tiny dinosaurs; Fun Shoe

chitoryu12 posted:

The latter, especially in the age of easy digital color correction. The only time today that you need tungsten lights is if the particular look of that particular light is impossible to replicate with LEDs on hand and you can't buy an LED replacement.

I once used an iPhone flashlight for emergency film lighting.

There's color hue difference between manufacturers, but that was never my point. If you buy from the same manufacturer and use color correction, that's solved.

Part of it is I can't trust a student with a basic LED package. I can trust them with some name brand equipment in a huge pelican and a stern warning about treating the equipment well, but we've tried stamped sheet metal solutions, Lowell Omni and DP lights.

For anyone who doesn't know, Lowell lights are all the washers and screws and specialty plastics and Tungsten bulbs you could ever want. It's everything. They're a loving mess to repair.

On almost every point, LEDs are superior sources of light. I'm just moaning about how easy it is to fix a Mole Richardson when it comes back broken. They are on the way out, they are obsolete, but I really appreciate the engineering that went into making the traditional studio lights so simple.

By the by, it's totally a thing to replicate the fresnel's light pattern for LEDs. The concepts of hot spot and fall off are taught in Tungsten, and it's different patterns when a circular phosphor generates the light.

/end rant

# ? Feb 27, 2018 15:38

GRINDCORE MEGGIDO: Feb 28, 1985

Eventually in a few decades future SA will be a lot more sympathetic to the positives of that obsolete tech.

# ? Feb 27, 2018 16:44

P.N.T.M.: Jan 14, 2006; tiny dinosaurs; Fun Shoe

I'm ahead of the light curve

:v:

# ? Feb 27, 2018 17:18

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Jun 9, 2024 06:23

Johnny Aztec: Jan 30, 2005; by Hand Knit

GRINDCORE MEGGIDO posted:

Eventually in a few decades future SA will be a lot more sympathetic to the positives of that obsolete tech.

Being able to maintain or repair your own stuff is an obsolete trend

# ? Feb 27, 2018 17:36

The Something Awful Forums > Main > Post Your Favorite: Carefully Curated > Post the very best in obsolete and failed technology

«‹›916 »