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SSTG
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SSTG
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I bought many toys for my computers over the years and I don't include the computers (9) and laptops (3).

I made a list of my favorite ones.

1- ADVC 100 by Canopus
http://dv411.com/canopusadvc100.html#specs

I bought it to digitize my VHS movies to DVD.
The version I have was purchased on the Internet and it has a button to disable the Macrovison (crap used to prevent making copies). I even used to record movies or shows from Hulu by connecting my two computers and recording on the 2nd one.
That was a great device. I still have the original box and accessories.

2- Fusion HDTV 3 QAM gold from Dvico
http://www.dvico.com/products_mul_hd3.html

I used it to capture HD videos from cable over the air.
I had a great time with this toy!

3- ION Turntable
http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/ttusb

I bought it to digitize my vinyls via USB on my computer.
It comes with a free editing software to help remove scratches, pops, clicks and background noise.

4 - HD PVR by Hauppauge
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

Even better than my ADVC 100! It can record HDTV straight to my computer and the quality is amazing! My favorite toy so far!

5 - WD Live TV Hub
http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=570

I can watch TV online, play games, watch my own videos, play my music, look at pictures, etc.

Here's my next gadget I want to buy!
http://www.audioquest.com/usb_digital_analog_converter/dragonfly-dac

Okay that's it! What's your favorite computer toy?

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SSTG
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The NES is back!

Check this out!

I love the small size.

BalkanRenegades
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Although there are some gadgets that can be very entertaining like Oculus Rift, lots of these accessories are pretty much useless and made just to take money from gamers. Best example are Nintendo's Wii and WiiU sports gear.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81rMwGuNmxL._SX425_.jpg
If I am having a regular controler why would I need one of these?

SSTG
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Yeah those look useless to me as well.

R2D21999
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Use the Wii Sport gear to play actual sports.

ermassa
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ermassa
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Wow, they look utterly pointless. The only possible advantage to having an actual club or racquet would be if it was full sized so you get a more realistic feel, but then it defeats the point the virtual game!

HahiHa
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There would also be a lot more, ah, 'accidents' and broken things (controllers as well as decoration and other). Considering some already manage to shatter their TV with regular Wii controllers.....

SSTG
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Wow, Imagine you just finished paying for your 90 inches flat screen HDTV and then the Wii remote slip off your hand and break the TV screen.

ermassa
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ermassa
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Enough to make a grown adult cry, for sure. I reckon that golf club would do a fair bit of damage!

SSTG
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Got my new toy, the Modi2 from schiit.

I played 4 CDs and I noticed a HUGE improvement! I can hear more details everywhere.
All the instruments sound more realistic.

I love it!!!

SSTG
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I'm not really into drones but this one is really interesting.
Check this out!
DJI Spark

That would be cool to use it on a short bike ride and have it follow while recording from the sky.

HahiHa
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Meh. Would you actually look at the videos, even after the first few times? I get that the idea is cool, but it is mostly useful for professionals who might want to monitor themselves, in my opinion. Buying that just for fun feels like a short-lived investment to me.

SSTG
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Meh. Would you actually look at the videos, even after the first few times? I get that the idea is cool, but it is mostly useful for professionals who might want to monitor themselves, in my opinion. Buying that just for fun feels like a short-lived investment to me.

I would. I actually have a Polaroid Cube attached to my bike's handle bar and I use it every time in case I see some cool stuff. A few years ago I was on the bike path and a turkey came out of the woods and flew practically in my face. All I saw was a big brown feathery butt.

That's how I learned that turkeys can actually fly but not for long.

SSTG
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I saw this article about FireWire technology and I thought it would be appropriate to share it here.

I loved this technology because at the time it was the fastest way to transfer stuff and I used it with my ADVC-100 which was an amazing video capture device (mentioned in the early pages of this thread).

Stupid Apple killed it. I was mad for 2 years after that because at the time, USB ports were so lame and SLOW.
Now USB technology is much faster but imagine if they had continued improving the FireWire ports?

Anyway, it's now part of history.

SSTG
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I got a Polaroid Cube + for my birthday and I must say I'm disappointed with the quality of the video, it's over compressed and the motion stabilization is crap but when you take a picture, it's an other story, the quality is better than the original Cube.

Just got one of these bad boys. I can run almost anything at max resolution and its still semi-portable. Battery will die within 45 min if it is left unplugged. Trying to find some new monitors for my @home setup.

Cool, my Alienware rig is getting old now but I still love it.

SSTG
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@SSTG really? I was thinking of grabbing my girlfriend a Polaroid Cube + for her birthday, but if you say the quality isn't very good then I might have to think of another idea.

Check this out, I wish I had known this before, I would have bought this one instead!

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