Glenn,
The subject of optical (or photonic) processors has been circulating for many years. It looks like someone's really hammering away at building a real processor, eh?

Biological-based processors (actually, bio-storage, I think) has interested me. It could put a whole new spin on the concept of having a "rotten computer".

Hmm.

Say, have you seen these "L-Cinerama" set-ups? Gotta love that "Grand Canyon" configuration.

These are popular with financial traders.

These things are definitely going to be ridiculously expensive to produce for quite some time, since manufacturing plants would have to be configured anew. But it's definitely promising.

Hmmm.... optical cpus.... so the next generation of hackers will just need a mirror and a pair of sunglasses.

The biological thing gives me an idea for a movie. Some criminal mastermind that starts using human brains to perform his complex calculations that will somehow give him control of the world.

It's probably been done.

Imran:

<< Some criminal mastermind starts using human brains to perform his complex calculations that will somehow give him control of the world >>

Actually it has been done, but in reverse. See Donovan's Brain.

Oooh, that's a goodie and a real classic. Also, see The Brain That Wouldn't Die. This makes Donovan's Brain look like Oscar material.

Here's something interesting - looking for clips for TV
 

Nash Entertainment is currently producing 8 half-hours for a FOX primetime series. The program will include a variety of clips from a wide range of sources and programming and will feature hilarious and outrageous moments.

As a producer/videographer, you may have the type of material we are looking for. We would be interested in learning more about your footage and whether excerpts would be available for license. We pay very fair rates. We are looking for a wide range of clips. A small sampling of what we are seeking includes:

TV/Film Outtakes
Funny Home Videos
Wedding Mishaps
Clumsy Children
News Bloopers
Outrageous Gameshow
Hidden Camera Gags
Crazy Promotions
Dumb Criminals
Bad Drivers
Jackass-style Stunts
Unusual Auditions/Wannabes
Outrageous Competitions
Animals Out of Control
Sports Bloopers
Stunts Gone Awry
Vacation Disasters
Outrageous Performers

We hope that you will be able to provide footage that would work on our show. Please keep in mind that, above all, we are looking for visually funny material. We are not looking for footage that has been staged or in any way shot with the intention of misleading viewers into thinking that it was anything but genuinely caught on tape unless it is a format that is, by nature staged, i.e. hidden camera, practical jokes etc.

We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your work and I appreciate any attention you can afford this request. Please include a copy of this request. Thank You.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey SV Willerth
Associate Producer
Nash Entertainment
323-468-4717
jwillerth@nashentertainment.com

Yay, another season of bad TV shows is on the way!

The 500 Series from iRiver is coming out soon. Already here by Japanese import. Flash recorder with mic in (plug-n-power), digital out, half the size and weight of minidisc, backlit face, voice activated recording.

EVD released
 

Does anybody think these things will ever make good?

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/sto...MPLATE=DEFAULT

Not till Hollywood studios adpot it.

I have it. The iriver IHP-120 has optical/analog in/out and records stereo MP3 at up to 320kb. Includes a small clip on mic and a remote with lcd. I got it not only for music but hopefully to use as a secondary field recording device.

Has built in FM tuner that you can record from.

Plays mp3, wma and OggVorbis. Currently will not play lossless wma (400 to 500kbs). Will play OggVorbis at up to 500kbs. Can be updated with software from iriver for future features.

go to iriveramerica.com for more info.

Have you had any problems with it such as glitches, loss of data,
et cetera? Are you pretty happy with it? I didn't see any mention of the clip-on mic at iriver. Can you tell more about it? How does it connect to the unit?

New Boxx HD Windows NLE
 

http://www.boxxtech.com/asp/ulapp/get.asp?FID=2265

(Note: This links to a PDF of the product's announcement.)

So far no problems. The mic attaches to the unit just like you would with a PC I wouldn't use it for professional recording, but might be okay for voice notes
You can also attach optical in, just not sure how to do that since it's not the same as on an AV receiver. Same for Optical out. You could use an adaptor to hook up an external recording mic if needed, but no XLR hookups. It also has a built in mic. Has a 1/8 male to male connector for hooking up analog in or out. I need to read the manual some more before answering any more questions.(grin).

Joe,

Love to hear about any experiences using it as a "secondary field recording device"!