Episodes 337

Michael Bay directed music videos? That would explain a lot.

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2

National Anthem Conspiracy Theory

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August 23, 20124m

This video has been censored by "The Man" for your pleasure.

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3

Everlasting Love

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September 20, 20128m

What the hell would make this overplayed moldy-oldie count as an oddity? Find out...

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4

The first Archive Riffs episode. Ben tackles a supposed promotional film for the "Butter & Egg Days Festival" that the Rifftrax guys already did--but they don't know real art (like Ben does).

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5

Sounds to Make You Shiver

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October 31, 20125m

A nice, compact little review of one of the most (in)famous "drugstore" records ever released. Bet you thought we didn't have a copy!

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6

TV Sign-Offs (Commentary)

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December 13, 201215m

An informal discussion of the TV Sign-Offs episode.

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7

Emergency Broadcast Salute (Commentary)

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February 7, 201317m

Something about February always gets Ben thinking about Civil Defense Broadcasting.

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8

Freedom is a Hammer (Album Review)

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March 7, 20139m

At the time of the Conservative Folk Music episode, some of the artists discussed had yet to make their digital debuts. Naturally, Ben would want to take a look at the CD that rounds up the complete folk-rock works of Janet Greene.

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9

American EXXXtasy (Commentary)

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April 4, 201316m

Perhaps the Archive's most infamous episode needed a little more context. Maybe not. Nevertheless, it got it anyway--the context, that is.

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10

Greetings From the Stars (Sort Of)

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May 2, 20138m

Ever wanted to get an (impersonal) birthday greeting from Milton Berle? How 'bout an answering machine message from "Richard Simmons"? Yeah, didn't think so.

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11

Ask the Archive

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May 30, 201312m

An informal Q & A session. Yep, that's about it.

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12

Archive Riffs: Petaluma Chicken

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June 6, 20135m

The first Archive Riffs episode. Ben tackles a supposed promotional film for the "Butter & Egg Days Festival" that the Rifftrax guys already did--but they don't know real art (like Ben does).

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13

Local TV Special (Commentary)

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June 13, 201321m

A commentary cut for the Local TV Special that was originally shelved due to a factual error regarding Indianapolis-based Horror Movie Host, Sammy Terry. Well, that and a couple of other brain farts.

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14

Archive Riffs: Greedy Humpty Dumpty

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June 20, 201310m

Ben riffs the sole survivor of his childhood Public Domain VHS collection.

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15

Recorded before the original episode premiered. Since then, we've learned that:

1. Audiofidelity Records started in the mid/late 1950's and issued some of the first stereo records.

2. Someone at Audiofidelity went berserk sometime in the '70's and started issuing pirated Beatles albums.

3. Those that signed up for the Kid Pics newsletter wound up on mailing lists for sleazy child beauty pageants (are there any other kind?).

Ben has since learned that:

1. Playing a record at 75% of it's original speed is equivalent to flattening the "key" by a fourth, not a flat-fifth.

2. Audio frequencies are exponential.

2. Ben cannot do math in his head.

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16

Archive Riffs: Say No to Strangers

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July 25, 201312m

Learn to take the safe way to school (but only if you have to walk through Chinatown).

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17

National Anthem Conspiracy Theory (Redux)

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August 22, 20135m

One of the Archive's earliest episodes seems to have gone missing. As such, Ben has been forced to remake it.

Or, this was Ben's (unsurprisingly, failed) submission to the ConBravo indie video showcase.

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18

Halloween Special 2012 (Commentary)

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October 17, 201310m

An all-too-brief look back at the Archive's first Halloween special.

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19

Hallmark Presents: Spooky Sounds

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October 31, 201311m

Given we followed up the first Halloween Special with a review of a "spooky sound effects" album, we figured it wouldn't hurt to do it again.

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20

Archive Riffs: Dining Together

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November 28, 201312m

Chain Aunt Phyllis to the family piano and enjoy an old-fashioned Thanksgiving.

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A much-maligned commentary to a forgotten Archive episode.

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22

Archive Riffs: A Christmas Fantasy

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December 24, 20137m

Because nothing says "Christmas" quite like creepy wax figures and a bargain-basement Bing Crosby.

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23

TV DX-ing

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January 9, 20145m

...because the local stations suck.

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24

Archive Riffs: Live & Learn

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January 30, 201414m

Sid Davis would like to remind you that he loves his wallpaper and hates your child.

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25

Archive Riffs: Cigarette Commercials

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February 27, 20146m

Since we spent so much time with anti-smoking propaganda last time out, in the name of fairness, we thought we'd share some pro-smoking propaganda. Sorry, no dancing Luckies here (seriously, what can you say about it? Insert smart-ass comments below).

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26

Backwards Masking (Commentary)

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March 27, 201413m

Everything Ben has to say about the Backwards Masking episode in a mere 12 minutes!

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27

A Nice Pair (of early, European VCR's)

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April 24, 201411m

Can your heart take the sheer sex appeal of the Philips N1500? No (prescription) pills necessary!

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28

Blooper Reel

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May 15, 20145m

Alternate Title: Why The Archive isn't terribly conducive to outtake specials.

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29

VHS Vault Vol. 5 - Y2K (Commentary)

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June 5, 201424m

One of those rare occasions where there was a little TOO much to say in an episode.

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Released about five minutes before the Conelrad system was established (and featuring some nice undercranking), 1951's Atomic Alert teaches you how to keep your nuclear experience nice and peaceful.

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31

Ben's Junk: Sony Super Betamax

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June 19, 20148m

A new spin-off of the Archive in which a piece of equipment is discussed that either has already been discussed in greater detail or that simply wouldn't amount to even a minisode of Archive.

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32

Ben's Junk: VideoNow PVD Player

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June 23, 20145m

The rejected pilot of Ben's Junk (for reasons that should become readily apparent fairly quickly).

This time out, Hasbro's failed attempt at a portable DVD player for kids.

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33

Format Wars 2 (COMMENTARY)

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July 3, 201414m

By request, Ben discusses "Format Wars". By unilateral action, Ben discusses both "Format Wars" videos in one convenient (for him) commentary.

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34

Ben's Junk: VHS Camcorder (RCA CC285)

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July 31, 20148m

A "by request" Ben's Junk. Taking a look at the camcorder used to film "Going Analog" and "Y2K Apocalypse Party".

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35

Who'da thunk the making of this episode AND the episode itself was about rediscovery?

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36

Ben's Junk: Tascam Cassette Portastudio

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September 25, 201412m

Perhaps a too-personal installment of Ben's Junk. Don't take that the wrong way...

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37

Halloween Special 2013 (Commentary)

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October 9, 201412m

Must be that magic time of year again when Ben lazily dusts off the previous year's Halloween episode for a commentary.

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38

Ben's Junk : 8-Track/Cassette "Adaptor"

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November 20, 20148m

SPOILER ALERT: Whoa-oh here it comes/Watch out boy, it'll chew them up/Whoa-oh here it comes/It's a tape eater!

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Finally, a VCR that can play all international formats! What do you mean, it only has mono sound?!? What you do mean I need converter boxes?!?

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40

Ben's Junk: JVC S-VHS VCR (S7600U)

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December 18, 20149m

The long-awaited conclusion to the two-part Ben's Junk VHS extravaganza. Does this count as the climax?

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Two episodes of LaserKaraoke and still no demonstration of the machine? Yeah, I'm kinda slow...

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42

1-900 ARCHIVE Vol. 2 (Commentary)

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January 22, 201526m

A dual commentary for both 1-900 ARCHIVE volumes. WARNING: Wrestling aficionados may not like what I have to say.

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43

The DuMont episode ran ridiculously overlong (gotta love that molasses-slow early TV!). Here is a deleted segment giving an overview on the Game Shows aired on the DuMont Network.

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44

Ben's Junk: Handheld Electronic Games

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March 5, 20155m

Pouring some additional salt in the gamer wounds...

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45

Ben's Junk: B-Movies & cult Classics

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April 2, 201510m

Slightly bastardizing the usual Ben's Junk format--but not Ben's Junk itself (that'd hurt).

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46

Ben Tries Finnish Candy

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April 30, 201511m

...and welcome to (probably the only edition of) "Ben Tries"!

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47

Ben's Junk: WebTV Box

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May 28, 20158m

A day late, a dollar short--you know the deal.

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48

The Death of Analog TV (Commentary)

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June 11, 201523m

Little did I know...

NOTE: If you don't like my dry, rambling (and stutter-heavy) commentaries, you might wanna skip this one.

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Nothing but the cutting edge in home video technology in Archive-land!

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50

Archive Riffs: Self-Conscious Guy

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June 25, 201512m

I'm so vain, I KNOW I think this short is about me...

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I really wanted to be hypnotized! Seriously!

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The original "demo" segment in the CD-I episode ran long. REALLY LONG! This is the complete, intended segment shamelessly re-purposed as a "Ben's Junk" episode.

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53

Just going through some (relatively) recent additions to the Archive's 8-track (and associated) pile.

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54

Ben's Junk: Sony DT-30 (External VCR Timer)

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September 3, 20156m

DVR? Two-week advance recording? Wusses.

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55

Ben Tries Bonomo's Turkish Taffy

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September 17, 20156m

Made as a thank you to the viewer who sent this. A thank you for not sending us any Magic Clown ephemera, that is.

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Looking back on the mental and physical scars sustained while making the Rejuvenique episode--and the mask too.

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Recounting one of the Archive's more memorable production experiences.

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I hate it when my ideas for holiday specials fall through...

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59

For The Want of a Pail (Conclusion)

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October 31, 20151m

We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.

60

Ben's Junk: Fisher-Price PXL 2000 Camcorder

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November 12, 201512m

Discussing what was arguably the most difficult restoration project I’ve (successfully) undertaken.

Special thanks once again to Stephen Greer for his generous donation.

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'Cause, you know, Thanksgiving, food...it all makes sense.

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62

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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December 10, 201512m

What's with the box? Who's that creepy guy in the intro? Is Chuck Swirsky really a freakin' nerd? Those questions (and more) will be answered in this video.

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63

Archive Riffs: A Christmas Dream

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December 24, 201513m

The Archive dusts off a minor (albeit severely butchered) art-house classic. Merry Christmas!

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Filmed for inclusion on the CED episode (Episode 92), but left off for time.

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65

Ben's Junk: Guitars! Guitars!! Guitars!!!

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January 28, 201625m

Ben geeks out about guitars for 25 minutes. Watch at your own peril.

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66

Ben's Junk: Ben's Philips CD-I Collection

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February 11, 201614m

Let’s just say it all just kind of fell into my lap.

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67

As promised, here's the second installment on the CD-I collection. Was it worth the wait?

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The one time where it's ok to giggle at Ben's Junk.

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69

Ben's Junk: Fisher-Price Movie Viewer

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April 7, 20166m

It takes a steady hand to run one of these. Unfortunately, that's something I sorely lack.

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70

A wise man once said: “Save the big (stuff) for Ben’s Junk—it needs all the help it can get.”

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Sometimes it takes a while for Ben's Junk to get in motion.

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72

Commodore 64 (Commentary)

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June 2, 201632m

Admittedly, a very stream-of-consciousness commentary here, but a(n apparently) necessary one.

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73

Ben's Junk: VCR Co-Pilot

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June 9, 201610m

I already discussed this one back on the VCR Ephemera episode, but didn't have one, so I couldn't test it. Let's rectify that situation.

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74

Archive Riffs: Fox Hour Promotional Reel

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June 16, 201610m

Taking a look at a (rather cryptic) promo reel for a series of silent, educational two-reelers.

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75

Record Ripoffs (Commentary)

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June 23, 201623m

A look at the first installment (and, to a lesser degree, the subsequent installments) of the recurring Record Ripoffs series. This is a commentary I’ve been wanting to do for awhile.

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A look at one of the many competitors to the Atari 2600.

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77

Discussing another bit of donated junk--'cause, you know, everybody apparently wants a hand in Ben's Junk.

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78

Lately, I've been getting asked quite a bit about my music collection. All I can say is, be careful what you wish for.

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79

"The Voice" Module (for Magnavox Odyssey 2)

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August 25, 201614m

Oh-oh, won’t you tell me again…and again…and again…

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80

Flexplay Disposable DVD Update

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September 8, 20166m

Taking another stab at the now-infamous "zombie" disc.

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Fairly recent for an Archivism—let’s take a look at how the current generation of middle and high-schoolers grew up to be such narcissists.

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82

Fisher-Price PXL-2000 Camcorder (Commentary)

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October 20, 201620m

Yeah, there were some ghosts in the camera—or were they gremlins?

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83

Ben's Junk: bob (Another Nanny Box)

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November 3, 201615m

ACTUAL (paid) TESTIMONIAL: Parenthood turned out to be a real bitch and we were totally unprepared. Thanks bob!

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84

Ben's Junk: DVD Recorder (Panasonic DMR-E55)

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November 17, 201611m

Another weapon in the Archive’s—well, archiving arsenal.

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Well, I already discussed Big Mouth Billy Bass. Might as well finish the 90’s/Gemmy/Talking Novelty Item concept.

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86

Ben's Junk: Ben's Comic Book Collection

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January 12, 201722m

Superheroes? What are those?

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87

Ben's Junk: Learn To Solder Kit

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February 23, 201716m

A soldering kit for kids? Yeah, that about fits my skillset.

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Like clockwork, I get my hands on a MD Walkman with a mic input just after I finish making the Minidisc episode. I swear it's a conspiracy.

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I was downright embarrassed by my old CED Player (see the CED episode). Obviously, an upgrade was in order.

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90

Ben's Junk: Ben's Audiophile Albums

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April 6, 201714m

For all the overpriced hunks of plastic in my possession, it’s kind of a wonder that this segment of my record collection is so small.

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(conversation overheard at VTech, 1988)

Boss: What’s a name that sounds good and smart for our quasi-educational video game console? Engineer: Um, Socrates! Boss: Is he smart?

Engineer: Yeah.

Boss: Perfect! What’s for lunch?

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A couple of obsolete, useless (to me) bits of Pay-TV history—so, of course, I bought them.

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93

Ben helps save the environment—with bad audiobooks on a cheap, low-capacity, unalterable mp3 player!

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94

Archive Riffs: Dear Miss Gloria

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June 15, 201713m

I’m ready for my mail, Mr. DeMille.

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95

DBX Noise Reduction System (Commentary)

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June 22, 201717m

Effectively tackling the three “(100% showtune-free) Musical March” episodes all at once. Who’da thunk old audio gear could be so controversial?

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96

Ben's Junk: Las Vegas Vacation (1997)

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June 29, 201720m

A decidedly different installment in the Ben’s Junk series. This time, I take a(n admittedly lengthy) stroll down memory lane about a family vacation from 20 years earlier.

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97

Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 1)

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July 13, 201712m

Alternate Title: God, Ben! Don’t you listen to anything from this century?!?!

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98

Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 2)

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July 27, 201712m

Remember kids, these are MY favorite albums, not yours. If there’s any overlap, consider it a happy accident.

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A slightly askew edition of Ben’s Junk. Let’s rectify that situation.

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100

Ben's Junk: DBX Cassettes (DBX Addendum)

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August 24, 20177m

When researching the DBX episode, as best as I could gather, there were no (legit) pre-recorded DBX-encoded audiocassettes. Turns out there was a line of Classical tapes.

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…and the great Archive A/V tune-up continues.

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102

Ben’s Junk: (New) Speed Calibration Cassette

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September 21, 20178m

The Archive kicks it up a notch—or at least about one-fifth of one.

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103

Remember the single-use 35mm camera? How ‘bout a single-use camcorder?

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104

The Archive gets nostalgic for nukes…

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Ben gets nostalgic for nostalgia—he’s meta like that.

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106

Taking a look at an external preamp for the turntable—largely only because the cool kids are into it.

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An especially dull (or sharp) edition of Ben’s Junk—it’s capable of both.

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108

Ben's Junk: Star Shower Laser Light

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December 14, 20179m

Ben gets ambitious with his Christmas lights—in that, he’s putting any up at all.

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…or, Telecine redux.

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It’s no secret that the LP’s discussed on Archive were usually (presumably) buried in someone’s backyard. Naturally, we’re open to any new method of cleaning them up.

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111

Ben's Junk: JVC KD-A6 Cassette Deck

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January 25, 201812m

Ben’s second new (to him) cassette deck in a year. What makes this one so special?

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112

Ben's Junk: Discwasher Compact Disc Cleaner

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February 8, 20188m

Taking a look at (possibly) the first-ever CD cleaner/repair thing to ever hit the market. Is it a lost classic?

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113

Ben's Junk: Royal Disc Repair System

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February 22, 20186m

The second installment on CD cleaning/repair devices. Is it Royally good or Royal garbage?

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114

Ben's Junk: The Archive HQ Bookshelf

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March 8, 201825m

What’s that thing with the face in the background? This, and many (well, a few) other questions will be answered at long last!

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Let’s commit a bit of Luddite blasphemy, shall we?

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116

Testing out a new, potential subseries—and hitting every conceivable pothole along the way.

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117

…figured I’d better shoot at least one episode in Beautiful Downtown Aurora before leaving.

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118

Ben's Junk: K-Tel Record Selector

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May 3, 201812m

At last! Ben reviews a K-Tel product!

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119

Ben's Junk: Teac V-770 Cassette Deck

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May 17, 201812m

The MCS deck kinda got fried. Time for another fixer-upper!

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120

Discovision Dead Sides

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May 31, 201815m

Let’s unearth some (unintentional) pre-DVD Easter Eggs…

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An early, talking board game—whose (nearly) every move is dictated by a tiny record.

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122

Archive Riffs: Selling Your Home?

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June 28, 20189m

Rather serendipitously, just in time to move, we’ve unearthed a promo video for an item that we’ve used on Archive many times—namely, the Talking House Transmitter. Talk about timing!

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…because I totally needed a bunch more junk to try and pack up.

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There were a precious few hallmarks of the old Archive HQ that I did NOT want to carry over. Speaker wire running all over the room was one of them.

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Already went over to a direct-drive cassette deck, might as well do the same with vinyl…

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126

Looking into the most intimate areas of Ben’s…half-baked stereo system.

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Sergei’s Catacomb of Classics in stereo, anyone?

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128

Ask The Archive Live (9/14/2018)

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September 17, 201830m

The Archive’s first livestream since 2014…and just as lo-fi as ever.

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129

Archive Thrifting #4: Elvis Sightings

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September 26, 201829m

Archive Thrifting®: Now in ESTEREO!!!

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130

Archive Thrifting #5: Low Money Hu$tla

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October 11, 201825m

A mere 3½ months in the making!

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131

Sounds of Terror! (Halloween Album Review)

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October 25, 201814m

The return of the Halloween album reviews! Now in screaming, spooktacular stereo!

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132

I’ve got search-for-a-reissue-of-the-original-Pac-Man-arcade-game fever…it’s driving me crazy.

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133

Archive Riffs: Thanksgiving Commercials

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November 22, 20187m

A (non-filling) seven-course meal of Turkey Day commercialism!

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134

NES Classic Edition (The Last Word?)

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December 6, 201812m

So, what is the Oddity Archive guy doing with a reissue console?

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135

Christmas LaserKaraoke (Deleted Segment)

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December 24, 20185m

A little stocking stuffer of yuletide caterwauling—er, caroling!

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136

Ben's Junk: Nagaoka MP-110H Phono Cartridge

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January 3, 201914m

New year, more audio kit. It’s tradition, ya know?

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137

Ben's Junk: Sega Pico ("Edutainment" Console)

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January 10, 201916m

Time to learn…that edutainment consoles rarely end well.

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Wait, didn’t we already cover this? Talk about déjà vu…

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Ben’s recovering from a virus (and middle-ear dysfunction). Sounds like a good time to do a (kiddie) camcorder review.

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We’re just a bunch of old softies…with a taste for bent story arcs.

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141

Archive Thrifting #6: Frostbite Falls

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February 28, 201921m

Will our scrappy hero escape the clutches of the snow monster? Find out in our next installment: “Frosty The Slowman, or, Snow Thanks to You”!

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142

Ben's Junk: Ronco Mr. Microphone

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March 14, 201912m

Tagline: Ben: Hey, good lookin’! How ‘bout I pick you up later?

Attractive Lady: (smacks Ben so hard his fillings are rearranged)

Ben: But it worked for the guy in the commercial…

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143

Another fixer-upper? In Archiveland? Never!!!

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While researching the recent VHS Distributors episode, I kept running into references to a publication known as the “Big Reel”. Turns out, it’s most (in)famous of the old film collector publications—and it’s easy to see why.

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In a way, Laserdiscs never really outgrew their experimental phase. Here’s an informal, overview of SOME of the more idiosyncratic Laserdiscs out there (and/or their packaging).

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146

Discovision Dead Sides Vol. 2

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May 9, 201913m

DVD Easter Eggs? Nah, way too easy.

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A double dose of turn-of-the-millennium PC goodness!

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After a long delay…well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.

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The Archive finally gets to “see the X”! Spoiler: It’s a rock.

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Let’s see if we can’t clear up some misconceptions about this episode…

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I was going a little stir crazy at the end of last season. So, naturally, I decided to add a little to my at-home clutter.

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New from K-Smell Records, it’s all those irritating moments that lead off each Record Ripoffs episode in one convenient package! ORDER NOW!!!

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Readin’ and dreamin’ ‘bout those Archivisms that’ll probably never happen.

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All seven minutes of the Archive’s low-grade, wannabe Frippertronics experiment! Earplugs are highly recommended.

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Uh, oh. Ben’s geeking out again. Get comfy.

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156

Fostex X-14/Ben's Music "Career": The Gear

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August 29, 201925m

…or, how Ben unwittingly jumped on the “lo-fi” bandwagon.

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Who says Ben’s got no rhythm? He’s got 10 of them!

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158

Ben's Junk: Burns Theremin

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September 26, 201917m

…or, The Space-Age Sounds of the Oddity Archive! (now available on vinyl and 3¾ips reel)

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159

Archive Thrifting #8: Break IT You Pay For IT

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October 10, 201925m

Featuring our very Special Guest: Zippy The Chimp!

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160

Haunted House (Halloween SFX Album Review)

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October 24, 201911m

Can your heart (or better yet, head) stand a trip through this haunted house? No, seriously, this is our most headache-inducing one yet.

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161

The first new piece of music I've written and released since 2012. As a challenge to myself, I tasked myself with creating a song using nothing but my old Moog/Realistic Concertmate MG-1 synthesizer--which is a REAL challenge given that I'm not a synth geek and my keyboard skills are dodgy at best. It also had to sound like something that could've been made and released around the time the synth was made (circa 1982). As such, effects are used sparingly and are confined to the basics (read: EQ, reverb & compression). Written as part of my ongoing attempts at creating some new, original incidental music for Oddity Archive. NOTE: Just in case you couldn't tell, the synth pics shown are NOT representative of the patches used.

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Whatdaya mean you forgot you had a Moog? Also, synth snobs need not apply.

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Since we were already talkin’ Video8, it only seemed right to cover the Archive’s first camcorder…not to mention, a piece of gear still (as of this episode, at least) in regular use around Archive HQ.

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Guaranteed to keep this (internet) video from rolling!

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165

Can online audio mastering render audio mastering engineers obsolete? The short answer: No. Having said that, it’s not as bad as you’d think.

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166

Archive Thrifting #9: Christmas Confidential

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December 12, 201926m

Just your standard, good, old-fashioned, combustible, unnerving, overpriced Country Christmas…

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167

Celebrating the true meaning of Boxing Day… a whole lotta furniture and carpet sales.

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168

MovieCD

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January 9, 202012m

A would-be full-fledged video format episode…which got curtailed by (amazingly enough) a lack of computer stuff at Archive HQ.

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169

An informal stroll few some cherry-picked titles from Ben’s (somewhat unintentional) collection of B-Movies and Cult Classics.

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…or, what happens when ol’ Benny-boy decides he needs more than 2 microphone inputs.

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Yes, I bought another synth. Yes, I swatted myself on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper over my lack of self-control.

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172

F.D.G. (Oddity Archive Sign-Off Muzak)

0%
March 2, 20203m

Now you can enjoy a classic OA sign-off without all that pesky talking and technical junk! F.D.G. = Fully Digital Gunk? Faulty Daily Gherkins? Make up your own acronym.

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Lookin’ under the hood of Ben’s laserdisc player (quite appropriately) with some General Motors discs.

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Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Audio School is now in session!

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Please note that this episode may not run correctly unless your monitor is running at a minimum of 256 colors and your system has at least 12MB of available RAM.

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Well, my last attempt at a semi-regular home audio recording rig failed…and my regular laptop is on its last legs. Here’s my attempt at solving both issues at once.

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177

Time to take a bet(t)a look at the Archive’s first Betamax—from before the Archive even existed (in every sense).

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A genuine televisual feast.

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179

Ben's Junk: Tiger Quiz Wiz

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May 28, 202013m

Question #196.5: What is the Quiz Wiz lacking?

Multiple Choice:

A. An objective

B. A reward

C. Entertainment value

D. All of the above

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In honor of the "Switched-On Archive" episode, I figured I'd make two pieces of music, one to represent both extremes of the trend of late '60's/early '70's Moog Synthesizer albums--the good and the "bad". This rendition of the Archive's usual theme song is intended to salute/work within the realm of the album that (unwittingly) started it all, Wendy Carlos' "Switched-On Bach" (1968). This was created entirely on a Moog MG-1 and was done strictly within the realm of what was possible in the late '60's and early '70's. Keeping in spirit with the original, monophonic synths of the '60's, I used NONE of the polyphonic settings.

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My half-salute to/half-parody of those especially tacky late '60's/early '70's Moog Synthesizer albums. The cheese factor goes to 11 here. This was created...without a Moog. Instead, I used a Behringer Neutron monophonic synth (more potential whiz-bang sound effects than my Moog MG-1) and a circa 1972 Whippany Rhythm Master. This was recorded with the general limitations of this period of recording gear.

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The Archive gets secure...or just paranoid.

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183

OA calling CQ, hopefully DX, lookin’ for the QT on the DL while TCB.

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Archive Thrifting is a magical tool of last resort…Why? Because it NEVER fails!

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…or, Ben’s weirdest pet-project to date! (kerchunk)

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186

Initially intended as a full-band "electric" tune, but recorded as a folk piece back in 2004. Sixteen years later, I'm finally getting around to an electric version--albeit with some slightly cinematic modifications.

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We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.

188

Ben's Junk: Pioneer RH-65 8-Track Deck

0%
August 6, 202018m

Meet the Archive’s new (to us) 8-track deck…

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189

Ben's Junk: Denon UD-M30 CD Receiver

0%
August 13, 202014m

A rare, intimate, bedroom edition of Ben’s Junk…

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190

Pavanned (Documentary Style) (Vaporwave?)

0%
August 24, 20201m

I was informed that the regular version was too upbeat and concise for the Episode 200 OA documentary. This was my best attempt at making it as dreary and hazy as possible.

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191

In Your Hands (Violin & "Mellotron" Thing)

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August 24, 20202m

Representing the dry, yet thoughtful end of Episode 200...

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192

Ep. 200 Rebuttal & Deleted Scenes

0%
August 27, 202015m

Ok, time for my side of the story...

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193

Nitrogené (Synth Instrumental)

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September 10, 20202m

Somehow I started with what I thought was a pretty cool-sounding canned rhythm (running through a guitar delay pedal) and wound up with a Jean-Michel Jarre pastiche. No idea how I got there.

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194

Since I had S-VHS and VCR’s on the brain already (moreso than usual), it seemed like the right time to revisit one of the early, ultra-wonky Ben’s Junk topics.

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195

Ben's Junk: Buster Keaton Video Collection

0%
October 8, 202041m

October 4, 2020 marked the 125th anniversary of comedian/filmmaker Buster Keaton’s birth. Consider this the Archive’s (slightly belated and rambling) tribute to one of the greats…

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196

Archive Thrifting #12: (Not-So) Scary Deals

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October 22, 202025m

It’s the first Archive Thrifting Spooktacular! Strangely enough, it’s probably one of the least scary Thrifting episodes to date.

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You can keep your fancy digital cameras, thank you very much.

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198

A slow-speed ramble for a slow-speed format.

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199

Ben's Junk: (New) Dubreq Stylophone

0%
December 3, 202016m

We be stylin’…stylus(in’), that is…y’all.

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200

Archive Thrifting #13: Deck The Hauls

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December 17, 202026m

Fillin’ up the ol’ one-horse open sleigh with…some junk.

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201

Time to get back in the groove! (dodges tsunami of rotten produce)

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Finishing up the trilogy of belatedly-acquired, nostalgically-motivated miniature video game consoles…

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Only about seven years in the making…

With the occasional small liberty, a recreation of the first, commercially-available home videotape recording setup in North America. Depending on your perspective, it’s either hardcore or half-baked.

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204

Ben's Junk: Toshiba 20AF43 CRT TV

0%
March 11, 202112m

No one should ever get this excited over something this mundane… Or, this CRT is 20 AF…y’all.

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You’ll be green with envy over these finds…or not.

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206

Phonies (Answering Machine Greetings)

0%
April 1, 202112m

Just when you thought the Archive couldn’t get any more phake…

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It’s time to get down to business in Archiveland!

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208

Can a (relative) cheapie from Menard’s drag the Archive’s off-air recording capabilities (kicking and screaming) into the 21st century? Sort of…

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209

A Geeky Evening With Benny-Boy

0%
May 13, 202132m

A late-night, low-light, romantic fishing expedition with everybody’s favorite Oddity Archivist…fishing for ArchiveAnnex material, that is.

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Could it be I’ve finally stumbled onto the rightful heir of the VCR? Looks like it…

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A double-(4)-header of D-VHS (when possible) goodness!

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212

If ever an OA episode needed a commentary track, it’s this one…

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213

Featuring deals so far outta sight, they’re outta mind!

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Of course, I had to pick up a rare and unusual deck for a tape cleaning rig. Also, not to be confused with the Akai GX-220D.

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215

History of VHS (COMPLETE SERIES)

0%
July 15, 20211h 44m

You wanted a history lesson? You got a history lesson!

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The Archive delivers its first real travelogue…granted, it was all of a half-hour away from home, but still.

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217

Thrifting can be a real drag…but not when Ben’s around!

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218

VCR Cleaning (A Public Service Video)

0%
August 19, 202131m

A bit of VHSMR for everyone…

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There’s plenty in the OA oven right now, just none of it is rising.

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220

VCR Rabbit Revisited

0%
September 9, 202126m

I got things just a hare wrong the first time around, so let’s hop to another round of tests…

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221

Ben's Junk: Video Store Regulars (& Memories)

0%
September 23, 202127m

Most people would rent a video once…Benny-boy was just insane enough to rent the same tapes over and over…then eventually buy them.

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A half-hour Ben’s Junk? You might say the machine caused it to run reely long.

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223

Archive Thrifting #17: Spooktacular Savings

0%
October 21, 202125m

Get a witches shawl on and find a broomstick you can crawl on…and go thrifting with Benny-boy! (snap, snap)

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224

Thereminiature/Pavanned (Version 6.66)

0%
October 31, 20216m

0:01 - Thereminiature (featuring Sty Lo Phone) (A bit of B-Movie cheese) 1:36 - Pavanned (Version 6.66) (A half parody of/half tribute to the Alan Parsons Project)

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Finally getting into this newfangled digital camera stuff…whatdaya mean you can’t get 3.5” floppies anymore?!?

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Does Ben really think he’s better than Chuck Swirsky? That freakin’ liberal…

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227

Ben's Junk: Christmas TV VHS & DVD's

0%
December 2, 202125m

‘Tis the season…for holiday specials. Here’s some of my favorites…

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228

Archive Thrifting #18: Shortwave Santa

0%
December 16, 202126m

Run, run Rudolph…towards another pile of junk!

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229

Ben’s Music “Career” (The Complete Saga)

0%
December 30, 20213h 22m

Move over, “History of the Eagles”. There’s a new rock doc opus in town…

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Going down a mental rabbit hole…in the most Archivian way possible.

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231

The Wire (via Sony PCM-701ES, Betamax)

0%
January 12, 20222m

Not so much chosen for musical content, but because of the long spaces between phrases and major volume drops. Shame it isn't more EQ'd, this'd the ultimate stress test for a PCM unit otherwise.

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Feeling nostalgic for those early YouTube potato video captures? I’ve got just the scratch for that itch…

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233

Ben's Junk: The Clapper

0%
February 3, 202217m

At long last, Ben’s Junk gets the clap…per.

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234

Laserdisc Laser Rot

0%
February 17, 202224m

A little mythbusting (and philosophizing)…OA style.

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235

Ben's Junk: Magnus Chord Organ

0%
March 3, 202215m

After last week’s video, I had to seek a 600-second miracle of my own. It seems to involve turning into a less-charming Daniel Johnston.

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An addendum to the “Prehistoric UHF” episode…and the “ONTV/Pay TV Vol. 2” episode—about three years too late.

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237

For those about to rock (in 11/4 time), we salute you…

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Ben recreates the best TV program of all time—the color bars!

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Flying by the seat of Benny's ripped (by wear and tear) jeans using only an iPad and his (half-)wit to try and raise money for a new computer.

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It takes a lot to keep Ben’s Junk together…‘cause Ben’s Junk ain’t no good when it’s distorted and out-of-sync.

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A little (non-alcoholic) wine, a little song...which'll all cease if the price is right. Otherwise, we'll chat and I may pick a techie brain or two.

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242

CD Frustrations & Easter Eggs

0%
May 12, 202220m

A casual chat…if only because the prospect of the sixth “Ben’s Junk” in a row was too much to bear.

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Please note, these are the statements of an analog-brained lunatic and are probably woefully inaccurate. In other words, never give an analog brain a computer.

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CRT’s are for squares…which we proudly are.

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245

The Eraser Laserdisc Experiment

0%
June 23, 202217m

Tackling one of the great urban legends of the Laserdisc format. Are there any “good” copies of Eraser? And, no, I’m not referring to the film itself.

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246

Archive Thrifting #19: Radios, Radios

0%
June 30, 202226m

Got a new phone (not by choice)…which means a new camera…which means…test drive time!

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247

Archive Riffs: Hey, Stop That!

0%
July 7, 20227m

It’s a(n apparent) fine line between deep expressionism and wonky student film.

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Mother Nature: (throws flash floods, tornadoes, derechos and blizzards at Archive HQ)

Ben: I get the hint already! Geez…

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A truly nice little radio (especially on the AM front)…and a nice little prelude to the OA 10th Anniversary episode.

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Taken while shooting the AM Stereo episode. If nothing else, it was the least sticker-shock-intensive part of the trip.

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Testing out a potential, new occasionally recurring thing in which I undertake minor repairs on some item…and, as always, mock it a bit.

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…and the single most challenging project I’ve ever taken on…continues to kick my butt. Share in the frustration, won’t you?

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253

Ben's Junk: Tyler Portable TV (model TTV701-7)

0%
September 1, 202246m

Hope you like fussy, fidgety, unintuitive setups…and 45-minute Ben’s Junks.

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Hey Buddy, wanna see some early 20th century movie theater slides? Didn’t think so.

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…or, Ben gets nostalgic for other people’s nostalgia.

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A rather unprofessional look at a truly professional piece of gear. Such is the Archive… And, yes, “Junk” is used in the loosest way possible here.

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Mom, can we buy some Halloween? (see title for answer)

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258

Benny M.'s TV Party (Commentary)

0%
October 24, 202222m

I think I have some ‘splainin’ to do regarding this one. NOTE: I recorded this back in early June (2022) as a fail-safe in case the thrifting episode I was trying to make fell through. Some of the points discussed here are now outdated.

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259

Halloween Special 2022 Blooper Reel

0%
November 3, 20224m

…or, as some might call it, “Ben’s Final Descent Into Madness”.

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260

Ben's Junk: Telemeter Pay TV Box (Circa 1960)

0%
November 17, 202221m

It’s (apparently) a fine line between your TV and a taxi meter…

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Even old scrooge Benny-boy has those Christmas tunes that get his foot (arrhythmically) a-tappin’.

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262

Archive Thrifting #22: Christmas In Elbonia

0%
December 15, 202222m

The merriest* thrifting video of the year! *FACT CHECK: Mostly false.

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263

Archive Thrifting #23: Holiday Hangover

0%
December 29, 202221m

Old year, old junk. Poetic, ain’t it?

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264

Magna-Guard (or, Copy-Protection, Vol. 3)

0%
January 5, 202326m

And the quest for that form of copy protection that’ll make my VCR burst into flames continues…

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265

Please inspect Ben’s Junk for damage before use…and let it warm up for awhile…and don’t point it at anything bright for more than a second or two. You know what, forget it.

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You wanted more Oddity Archive…After Dark? Here ya go. Just don’t expect anything too hot.

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For those looking to up their YouTube microphone game…had such a thing existed in 1988.

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For how much TV I watched when I was younger, it’s a wonder my brains didn’t completely leak out of my ears. See the beginning of the de-evolution of Benny-boy here…

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…because I MUST get my Diamond Rio loaded (ideally, with Diamond Rio songs)!

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270

Ben's Junk: Ben's Mad Magazine Stash

0%
April 6, 202327m

What—Me Ramble?

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Some like roses on a date, some like candy. Benny-boy likes uncatalogued analog magnetic media.

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Oddity Archive and MTV have a momentary cease-fire to appreciate some 80’s tuneage.

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273

Ben's Ugly A/V Rack

0%
May 18, 202311m

Hey! Nice rack, Benny-boy! (snicker)

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A ferric-oxide (or metal, depending on the tape) baptism…by fire.

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Hope you have your June tree up (ideally, something deciduous), 'cause we're about to celebrate Christmas in June.

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Some things don’t come easy…like the first thrifting video of 2023 (more than halfway into the year, no less).

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Coming right at the end of the usefulness for something like this. Let’s see if it’s too little, too late…or right on time.

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Some people’s sinuses come back from Arizona…my AV-3600 came back from Arizona—arguably the same headache.

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Celebrating the 25th OA Thrifting video by doing one in Minnesohta, doan ‘cha know?

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280

Fix It or Forget It? (NEC S-VHS Deck)

0%
August 10, 202319m

It’s everybody’s favorite new (not quite) nerdy game show…Fix It or Forget It!!!

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The Archive phones it in…phoneVISION, that is.

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282

Ben's Junk: SelecTV Pay TV Box

0%
September 7, 202315m

Oddity Archive®: Only for the most SelecTiVe viewers!

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A little device with a lot of potential…but does it live up to it?

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Well, it does du all, I’ll give it that…

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285

Archive Thrifting #26: Indian Summer

0%
October 12, 202325m

Dragging out the Summer a little longer…whether you like it or not.

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Oddity Archive®: Now in glorious Hi-Fi Mono!

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287

Archive Thrifting #28: Scandalous Santa

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December 14, 202324m

Just hear those cash tills jing-a-ling’—ring-ting-tinga-ling…

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288

Archive Thrifting #29 (Christmas Leftovers)

0%
December 28, 202318m

From that part of the Archive that’s a bit like that old take-out in the back of your fridge…that you forgot about.

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Looking at the Rifftrax collection…with only minimal snark…which may very well go against the laws of riff comedy.

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290

Ben's Junk: Denon RCD-N10 CD Receiver

0%
January 18, 202437m

…because Benny-boy apparently goes through mini stereos like (insert absurdly famous pop star) goes through boyfriends.

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The tech geek equivalent of rummaging through someone’s medicine cabinet…

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Archiveco Home Theatre®: Now serving Lawn Guyland & New Joisey!

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Some livestreamers run PC games…Benny-boy likes to run Betamax tapes.

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294

How To Unstretch Video (via HandBrake)

0%
February 29, 20247m

For us old fartknockers that haven’t yet warmed up to stretch-o-vision…

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Thumbing through the catalog of the hottest new video format (by OA standards).

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Come on down to Crazy Benny’s for…a bunch of audiocassettes that you probably don’t care about.

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Trying to bulk dump the contents of the DVR. Here’s how NOT* to do it…

*No Hard Drives were harmed in the making of this episode. It was reinstalled and all material is still 100% intact.

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298

Inconvenience and mildly annoy those evil VCR thieves with the Videolok!

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Don’t wanna wait for Stereo TV’s to be invented? Here ya go!

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300

Windows 98 Laptop Update (4/2024)

0%
April 25, 202412m

The saga continues. On and on…and on…and on…

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301

CD Rot Rant

0%
May 9, 202427m

Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Physical Media Studies class is now in session!

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302

An unintentional episode of Oddity Archive…After Dark…in the most literal sense.

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Ben christens his newly-functional laptop…by playing a little Slim Whitman.

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304

Ben’s 3(.0)rd attempt at FM, Part 15-legal microbroadcasting! Let’s see if it’s the charm…

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305

Ben Vs. The Cursed U-Matic Tape

0%
June 27, 202430m

A quick experiment evolves (er, devolves) into a borderline documentary…on the subject of cleaning mold off an old ¾” “U-Matic” videotape. And they say OA isn’t mainstream…

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306

Archive Thrifting #30: Wet Fireworks

0%
July 4, 202419m

Spend the 4th of July the American way…shopping for junk.

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307

Ben's Junk: A Tower of Vidicraft

0%
July 11, 202428m

(with apologies to Frank Sinatra)

…’cause it’s Vidicraft, wicked Vidicraft. And, although I know it’s strictly taboo…

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308

Quasar Great Time Machine (Round 2?)

0%
August 1, 202410m

After making the Great Time Machine episodes in 2023, I was offered another unit in exchange for transferring some tapes. I may not have gotten the better part of that deal.

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309

Ben's Junk: My First DVD's

0%
August 8, 202431m

Something I never thought I’d have…warm, gooey nostalgia for the Y2K era.

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310

Ben's Junk: JamC@m Digital Camera

0%
August 15, 202423m

A trip back to the late-90’s. Of course, that means being unnecessarily EXTREEEEME!!!! (insert dorky camera zoom)

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311

Archive Thrifting #31: Summer's End

0%
August 22, 202420m

The little brats are finally back in school. Let’s go thrifting…

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312

More Fun With Moldy U-Matic Tapes

0%
September 5, 202413m

Mold®: Now available in yellow and brown!

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313

Ben's Junk: :CueCat Barcode Scanner

0%
September 12, 202422m

Truly from the audiovisual litterbox, an impractical solution to a problem that didn’t/doesn’t exist.

Or, Benny-boy officially becomes a cat herder...and hoarder.

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A color bar generator called “Little HUEy”. No, it’s not a Norm MacDonald joke…I think.

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315

Ben's Junk: Casio CMD-10 watch

0%
October 10, 202418m

Keep losing that remote control? Perhaps there’s just too many gosh-darn buttons? We’ve got a (borderline-toy) solution for you!

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316

Ben's Junk: Laserviews Laserdisc Magazines

0%
October 17, 202425m

I set out to discuss laserdiscs and wound up on a tear about various movies. Ain’t that always the way?

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317

Archive Thrifting #32: Halloween Hootenanny

0%
October 24, 202423m

Grab yer pardner, do-si-do…and go thrifting with ol’ Benny-boy!

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Discussing the great swindle that is my little parody of “Halloween III”…and mustaches.

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A radio that’ll send you into outer space…8 times!

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320

Ben's Junk: Down Beat Magazine (10/23/1975)

0%
November 14, 202417m

An Up Beat (by my standards) look at an issue of Down Beat magazine. Now, excuse me while I clap out-of-rhythm…

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You can get anything you want at Benny-boy’s (non-existent) Restaurant…

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322

A product so nice, I had to review it twice…

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323

Archive Thrifting #33: Christmas Clutter

0%
December 12, 202418m

Out in the stores there’s so much clutter/Let’s listen to Benny-boy groan and mutter…

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324

My first steel string acoustic guitar…which was even cheaper than the ones Esteban was hawking on TV at the time.

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325

Ben’s (Failed) Gimmick CD (A Rant)

0%
January 9, 202518m

The OA soundtrack album was SUPPOSED to be the most tricked-out CD of all time…of course, things didn’t pan out. And, yes, this may very well be the geekiest, most jargon-heavy discussion I’ve ever given.

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Mono reprocessed for stereo? How quaint. How ‘bout stereo reprocessed for surround sound?

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327

Benny-boy covers a projector…but not a film projector. Blasphemy, I know.

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328

Albums I Love (That I’m Supposed To Hate)

0%
February 27, 202523m

…because it’s (apparently) cool to be contrarian.

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329

Monkeeing Around

0%
March 6, 202522m

Hey, hey…the Ben’s Junk items I was gonna cover fell through. Let’s get nostalgic.

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You’ve heard of “oddware”, right? This is outright “deadware”.

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331

DiscoVision Dead Sides Vol. 5

0%
March 20, 202523m

Easter Eggs are earned, my friend…

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Fulfilling another one of my utterly pointless life missions…almost.

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333

True Archive® excitement, doled out by the pound…

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Let’s celebrate (Halfway to) Halloween with…half a Halloween movie franchise collection.

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Sportsarama®: Somehow even less convenient than scheduling an actual game of tennis (or hockey or handball)!

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Crew 0

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Written by: No writer has been added.

Guest Stars 0 Full Cast & Crew

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Episode Images 0 View All Episode Images

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With all the hype about the 50th anniversary of the Betamax home video format, let’s not forget the 40th anniversary of…SuperBeta(max).

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I always wanted a pinball machine…

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