Re: Talking Viewmaster

[P3D Allan Woods <allanwx@xxxxxxxxxx>]

There was one "Production Prototype" of the Talking ViewMaster being showm
at the NSA Convention in Bellevue this past weekend.

The viewer is shaped like a small pair of binoculars (without objective
lenses).  The light to illuminate the chips is admitted through two
"tunnels" slanted at 45 degrees on the top just in front of the
chip plane.

The endless film loop is in a cartdridge about the size of a VHS-C
cassette.  There are three metal contact points on the cartridge and
viewer body which make the necessary connections.  Sounds made by
the digital sound chip are synched to the images so each image causes
its corresponding sound to be played.  (Remember, it is a TOY - and
intended for young techno-spoiled children.  It does sound a bit
squawky and some of the adult examiners were heard to say "What?  What
did it say?  I can't make it out.  I still can't tell what it is."
Perhaps they were unfamiliar with the sounds made by dinosaurs...)

I heard that one of the causes for delay in production is that there
is no production machinery to make the film strip.  It is a new
format.

Unfortunately, though they did re-design the whole gizmo, the film
images are still the size of a contact lens.

The strip is advanced by an electric motor, though there is no
electric illumination.  The same batteries power the sound.

The Lost World images were actual photographs taken on the set - though
they appear to be photographed at night with no flash and minimal
lighting.

They say the sound chip in the production model will be able to
produce a longer total time of digitized sounds.

Looks like a "fun toy"

allanwx@xxxxxxxxxx



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