DVD = RetroTech
Added 2024-11-02 17:21:49 +0000 UTCDVD was launched a day over twenty eight years ago on the 1st November 1996 in Japan.
There have been hundreds of different DVD players launched since then, but in order to show you the one that I feel has the most Techmoan-esque aesthetic we need to travel back to 2001 and take a look at the unique Sony D-VM1 DVD Walkman.
That’s it for this time. After the mammoth Muntz 4-track video I needed a simpler topic and this one seemed ideal. I’m just glad it was still working when I got it out of storage.
As I type this, the 4-track video has been live on YouTube for about seven hours and based on the view counts it seems the length might have frightened away some of the more casual viewers. Hopefully a few of these have added it to their ‘watch later’ playlist to view on the TV when they find the time. Hopefully.
I trust you’re well. Nothing of significance to report here - it was just a normal uneventful week, so I’ll cut this one short and wish you the best for your coming week. Take care.
UPDATE: I’ve trimmed a few seconds, tidied up a few bits and re-uploaded the video. The one you see above is the latest edit.
Comments
Picked up on The Verge this morning!
Listener Bob
2024-11-16 02:10:17 +0000 UTCCool video. I'm a sucker for early 2000's Sony stuff. And I always love to see your MDR-1R. It's a shame, that the earpads are starting to disintegrate. I hope they're replaceable.
Máté Mucsi
2024-11-09 20:19:36 +0000 UTCThis is the kind of stuff I watch your channel for, Mat! I'm certain if I was born 20 years earlier than I was, I would be watching one of those on the bus or on flights. My only recommendation is that during the section describing being able to see the first level of CD text, showing that text on the screen might be better.
Mason Carter
2024-11-08 06:52:33 +0000 UTCCheers Matt
Lee Coles
2024-11-07 11:13:48 +0000 UTCPeople complain about phone prices but look at all the devices it stops you needing
AzoriusMage
2024-11-06 15:25:19 +0000 UTCI picked one up recently. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to make a video on it soon.
Techmoan
2024-11-04 22:29:51 +0000 UTCSony also made a DVD Handycam camcorder shaped like an overgrown Discman, the DCR-DVD7. The image quality wasn't great and the microphone did an excellent job of picking up the whirring and buzzing of the disc mechanism.
VWestlife
2024-11-04 20:27:43 +0000 UTCThat later one has a hinged back door. I planned to make a video on it one day, but after using it I’m not sure it warrants one any more.
Techmoan
2024-11-04 00:49:31 +0000 UTCI like the fact it looks a bit Enterprise-y hence the Star Trek! That later model... does the disc just slide in? Slot loader? I have a Panasonic portable VCD player, but it still needs hooking up to a separate screen. It just resembles a normal portable player, mind you.
Brad Jones
2024-11-04 00:03:19 +0000 UTCThanks old chap, much appreciated.
Techmoan
2024-11-03 23:13:47 +0000 UTCGreat video again 👍
Simon Arnold
2024-11-03 21:59:58 +0000 UTCI won't argue that the tech is better. Yet these devices did one or two things in this case. I find that wonderful. It isn't distracting, it doesn't have notifications,you don't share or mingle... Just a device ,like a tool
Raul Ramos
2024-11-03 20:01:48 +0000 UTCLovely video, it was Good! I have to day I was captured by the device. I could seem myself in the train in endless commutes but, to be honest, while taking a break at work. Sit on my car and watch half an hour of a series. Or stop commuting, that would be nicer
Raul Ramos
2024-11-03 19:20:19 +0000 UTCI think the gimmicks and gadgets of today revolve around foldable devices, which aim to deliver a tablet-like experience in a format that folds down to the size of a smartphone. However, these devices are so fragile and expensive that using them on the go just feels risky. Everyday hazards, like tiny traces of sand in the hinges or just keys in your pocket, can easily cause damage.
Tunix
2024-11-03 17:56:34 +0000 UTCThis would have been cool in 2001 and I understand the stand and remote as many people were only just getting into DVDs at all. I have an old portable CD player and it had the same mentality as it came with a powerbrick and a remote and had a line out in the back. Both designed to be portable and stationary players in one.
J Ruonti
2024-11-03 17:10:06 +0000 UTCI feel exactly the same way. Most of us wouldn’t choose to have one of these over a tablet or smartphone when travelling on a long journey…but as objects they hold far more interest.
Techmoan
2024-11-03 16:03:59 +0000 UTCOkay, no TV tuner--makes sense. Now to rewatch the Stretch Walkman video, just what's needed for a lazy Sunday morning--thanks.
Mark Hesse
2024-11-03 15:39:01 +0000 UTCSuch a cool device that I would have craved back in the day, although I doubt I could have afforded one - and my commute was by car, anyway. When you make videos like this Mat, I get distinct pangs of ennui - all those wonderful devices that the internet and smart phones have wiped from the face of the earth. Of course, the tech is so much better now, but I do miss physical gadgets. Great video as always, Mat.
Roland Bogush
2024-11-03 15:25:40 +0000 UTCThey might have been holding that name back for models with a TV tuner, but as we saw with the Stretch Walkman, https://youtu.be/ZqW3wLU4P14 which products did or didn’t get the Walkman name is a difficult line to understand.
Techmoan
2024-11-03 15:07:11 +0000 UTCInteresting look into a particular period in the evolution of audio/video gear. Shouldn't it have been named a DVD Watchman instead though?
Mark Hesse
2024-11-03 13:45:13 +0000 UTCSolar powered? 🤔🤪
Grace Robbins
2024-11-03 12:28:50 +0000 UTCSpoiler alert! .. . . . . . . . . Sasquatch is an android.
MM
2024-11-03 12:06:47 +0000 UTCIt’s on the to-do list. I bought a massive bundle years ago.
Techmoan
2024-11-03 10:38:06 +0000 UTCYou can always send me a direct message on here or email me at techmoan@yahoo.com
Techmoan
2024-11-03 10:37:12 +0000 UTCThanks for posting, such a nice device. In this era I would watch TV on the train, the antenna was able to catch enough signal. I would have used this DVD Walkman! I can't understand either these people walking with their phones and airbuds, completely unaware of their surroundings, yet they are able to avoid me at the last second, because I won't deviate from my way.
CheeseParis
2024-11-03 08:07:45 +0000 UTCHave you done UMD yet ?
Duncan
2024-11-03 07:55:57 +0000 UTCPulp Fiction. ❤️ My favourite film released in my lifetime (i.e. since 1978).
Matthew Hunt
2024-11-03 02:11:07 +0000 UTCSorry. Just ANOTHER Excellent Video, good sir. The Muntz video was really cool, too.
Stephen Hamme
2024-11-03 02:08:42 +0000 UTCHi Mat, great vid as always! Found a bit of kit in a clear out that I’d like to offer for a video if it’s of interest. Don’t want to say out in the open in case it spoils it for the Patreons
Pete Strachan
2024-11-03 01:19:41 +0000 UTCIf I’d had one in 2001, I’d have watched it while sat on the train and then stuffed it all in my pocket or bag before alighting. This reminds me that every morning while walking from the train to the office a chap would walk in the opposite direction watching something on a PSP. He’d hold it at head height while walking. He did this for years after PSPs had been superseded by other portable video playback tech.
Techmoan
2024-11-02 23:51:47 +0000 UTCI had some DVDs ripped to my 160GB iPod Classic—mostly just to have something to watch on long flights.
Don Rowe
2024-11-02 23:22:55 +0000 UTCBecause of things like Tiktok people's attention spans are far shorter. Also the world is in such a hurry. You would think after the pandemic they would have learned to slow down and appreciate life a bit more 😁
Sparky Kelly
2024-11-02 23:21:50 +0000 UTCAgreed! I was so stoked when I saw the run time for the 4-track video. I've heard the algorithm seems to prefer shorter videos, too. Why can't more people be nerds with attention spans like us!
Landon Pool
2024-11-02 22:44:02 +0000 UTCIt's an interesting device, although probably a bit impractical. I can’t imagine that commuting while wired up like a Borg would have been pleasant. Not only might I have attracted unwanted attention, but I would also have constantly worried about getting caught on a handrail, turnstile, or something similar.
Tunix
2024-11-02 22:27:12 +0000 UTCStar Trek Insurrection & Pulp Fiction - what a combo! This would have been awesome to have as a kid in high school, but not for that price :D
Jason Wellband
2024-11-02 20:42:50 +0000 UTCI never really got the idea why you'd want to watch a movie on such a tiny screen, if it would be this device or a modern smart phone... But as always, we have Techmoan demonstrating it for us :-D
MrHammond
2024-11-02 20:30:35 +0000 UTCI love the aesthetic of this device, very much an early 2000s Sony product
Brady
2024-11-02 19:20:36 +0000 UTCThe sort of person who would pick one up for each of their kids and diamond jewellery for their wife / wives while on a business trip ?
Duncan
2024-11-02 19:06:55 +0000 UTCYes I’ve been redecorating, good spot on the MDs, I’ve been meaning to get around to making a display from them since I picked those up.
Techmoan
2024-11-02 18:36:22 +0000 UTCThat reminds me that I needed to say that the newer model has a worse battery life, perhaps I’ll go back and add something in.
Techmoan
2024-11-02 18:35:28 +0000 UTCThat’s really what kept me going when I was putting it together. I knew it wouldn’t be a mega hit because most people prefer to watch videos about things they already know about.
Techmoan
2024-11-02 18:34:27 +0000 UTC4 hours of battery life is not a lot, but this problem had portable DVD players from all manufacturers. On the other hand, portable CD players had more than 40 hours of battery life.
Jan Miksa
2024-11-02 18:27:24 +0000 UTCYou know, even if the 4-track video was a bust, you've still written the definitive history of it for the lay person. That's a real achievement.
Jimmy Mounsey
2024-11-02 18:21:04 +0000 UTC• My eyes spy quite a few new sparklies behind you and some inspired redecorating. That's a lovely MiniDisc player display. 🩵 • 'The Bionic Woman' and 'Six Million Dollar Man' are nice selections for this demo. • I had no idea there was a Walkman DVD player of this form; thank you for sharing this. I also like the automobile brake styling, too. It sort of reminds me of your old Honda NC700X DCT, too. • I can't imagine many of these were sold, unfortunately. They'd be perfect for a long train ride or flight. • MacMullet really should be wearing his glasses while walking down the street watching his portable DVD player - the gall of that guy. Enjoyable video and interesting item. Take care. 🤍
Grace Robbins
2024-11-02 18:19:19 +0000 UTCPersonally the longer the video the better. I'm not sure how people watch tiktok videos, given they are so short. 😂
Sparky Kelly
2024-11-02 18:17:00 +0000 UTCLooking forward to watching this badboy soon, Matt!! Cheers, Lee
Lee Coles
2024-11-02 18:14:54 +0000 UTCWhat a strange, expensive little piece of Sony tech. I can't imagine the market that this would target, (the affluent Japanese executive who wants to watch videos on a tiny screen connected to a player designed on a automotive disc brake?) It seems a bit random. Congrats on an enjoyable video.
CrimsonPig808
2024-11-02 18:11:30 +0000 UTCI want to take Sunday off so I worked all yesterday and today to get this one finished.
Techmoan
2024-11-02 18:08:20 +0000 UTCWow, i wasn't expecting another video until at least tomorrow. I look forward to watching this as soon as i can.
Martipar
2024-11-02 17:57:19 +0000 UTC
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