While working from home, Norm experiments with different camera setups for Zoom meetings, podcasting, and livestreaming with OBS Studio software. Here’s how you can get much better video quality than your laptop’s built-in webcam by using either an iPhone, Canon DSLR or mirrorless camera, or camcorder, and the pros and cons of each. You can get great-looking video even without a capture card!
Episode 459 – All Week Battery Life – 4/30/20
Will sits in this week as we discuss the rumors that Apple will transition Mac processors away from Intel next year, what the success of Trolls 2 means for theatrical releases, and the groundbreaking specs for Canon’s EOS R5 camera. Plus, Star Wars television show news, a swimming dinosaur discovery, and the delightful Animal Crossing-based talk show created by our friend Gary Whitta!
Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Little Thwacker Hammer!
Adam puts his new die filer to use in today’s One Day Build of a small thwacker hammer! Starting with a beautiful piece of koa wood for handle and brass for the head, Adam works around the shop using his table saw, lathe, and mill, all producing wonderful shop sounds. But this is also a build that doesn’t require heavy machinery, and could be done with hand tools. Let’s watch this lovely little thwacker come together!
Adam Savage’s Favorite Tools: Wearable Magnifiers!
Adam goes through the different types of magnifying devices modelmakers can use for precision work, from handheld loupes to stereo surgical glasses. But the best type of magnifiers for both ergonomics, field-of-view, and depth-of-focus are just at simple set of headband magnifiers that you can get for around $20! Adam demonstrates why he likes this style so much, but we’d love to know what works best for you!
Benchtop Tools – Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project – 4/28/20
We’re giving one more week before returning to Spoilercast movie discussions, but can announce that the first movie we’ll be watching is the 1976 gangster film Mikey and Nicky. In previewing the film (spoiler-free), we detour into the deep well of movies streaming on the Criterion Channel. We also talk about great films about San Francisco, what we keep on our bookshelves, and the struggle to stay productive at home.
Adam Savage’s Original Matrix Lightning Gun!
Adam can’t contain himself when one of the original lightning gun props from The Matrix arrives at the shop! And incredibly, this 20-year old prop is in almost perfect condition. We check out the details and test its built-in lighting effect, and learn why this piece in particular is so special. Adam is delighted and honored to be the new custodian of this epic movie prop!
Adam Savage Answers Your Questions! (4/21/20)
While sheltering-in-place, Adam is livestreaming every week to work on builds and take questions from the Tested community! This livestream took place on 4/21/20, after Adam completed his LEGO Blade Runner Spinner assembly. Join the Tested Discord server to ask questions: https://discord.gg/tested
Tested From Home: LEGO Builds and Camera Test!
Norm checks in with a weekend show and tell of two unique LEGO builds: one an official crowdfunded LEGO set that was a pilot program for Technic automata, and the second a delightful custom Star Trek starship designed by a fan. It’s also a way for us to test an iOS app that allows using an iPhone as a low-latency live camera that can feed directly into an OBS Studio mix. The quality of the connection is surprisingly good!
Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Making a Die Filer Machine!
Adam uses the time he has during quarantine to finish up a kit he’s been working on for over a year: a die filing machine. It’s a tool Adam learned about watching Clickspring, and the kit requires machining and finishing beautiful cast pieces as well as mounting it to a motor and stand. Let’s follow along as Adam builds and pieces together all the supporting parts for this machine and adds a new tool to the workshop!
Adam Savage Paints and Weathers the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Model Kit!
Adam catches up on the Eaglemoss Ghostbusters Ecto-1 model kit with the intricate engine assembly. In this condensed build update, he guides us through his painting and weathering process, using a mix of oil washes and rub-n-buff wax highlights to make this scale model look like a beat-up and grimy piece of 50s machinery! (Full assembly and painting video here for Tested members!)