I think the design of the PowerCD is beautiful. I love that mid 90s clunky but practical look. It hasn't dated in the same way that the translucent curvy stuff from the early 00s has.
@Telekenesis123 I think I was pretty clear on why it failed at about 1:50 in the video. Also, I wouldn't say that it "sucked". It worked well for what it was designed to do.
@themaritimeman Glad you like it. It is definitely a SCSI port, although I can see how you might mistake for a "parallel" as SCSI is a type of parallel interface (just not the one most people refer to)
I just purchased another PowerCD on ebay and received it today. Both have the power supplies and bases and work. I had one at work back in 1993 when we used Macs and just thought they were kinda retro like. The only problem I have is one does not snap open by itself when you press the open button. There are two wire springs at the bottom of the door and one spring in no longer held in place. I'd like to find a repair manual.
@Telekenesis123 As I said in the video, it was overpriced in comparison to its competition- which it was nearly identical to. Apple was also stuttering into consumer electronics unprepared. I don't feel like there is any more elaboration required than that.
@pettyfan45 One of the most successful consumer electronics of all time? I don't think it'll make this list. If I ever make an "Apple Mega Successes" list I'll be sure to include, though.
@whatthefudge2009 Nope. In fact, several glaring and HUGE failures happened while Jobs was at the helm. Remember the Apple III? An unmitigated disaster. The LISA? So bad that Jobs actually threw his entire development team under the bus rather than take responsibility for it. Perhaps the worst mistake was immediately after Jobs returned to Apple in the late 90s. He had a hidden agenda to push the NeXT platform and Rhapsody, not Mac. Everyone jumped ship for Windows, instead.
at earliest the idea would have come about late 92 and it was released in 93. playstation an addon for snes came about by 91-92 at the latest, nintendo screwed sony and work began to make it its own console in 93 and released 94. Either way they have a small similar look, no way can be compared. Thats like saying the dreamcast ripped off the n64 bcz theres 4 controller ports. When the atari 5200 had 4 ports as well.
I owned a powerCD for a few years. Used it exclusively for playing music in a stereo system. Frankly, I loved that thing. It was always so much more interesting than a regular old black box CD player even though on a spec sheet it was almost certainly inferior to most if not all of them due to the on board D/A section. Also, the 3.5 mini jack line out didn’t help things. Still, it was cool and it was a favorite bit of Apple gear that I owned years before I could afford a Mac. When it finally quit working I was genuinely depressed at having to replace it with a normal one.
I still have a PowerCD in the original box. I bought it second-hand to use CD ROMS with my old Performa 476, which didn't have a CD ROM drive built in. As far as I know my PowerCD still works. Never had a QuickTake camera though.
Cool review Matt, Remember computer built-in CD players still uncommon were just getting hot. 'CD-rom Today' and later 'Mac Addict' shipped with a disc loaded with content. But I think the main selling angle was Kodak's scheme to digitize all film they developed. Desktop scanners were crazy expensive at the time and Kodak was telling the world theirs was the only way to get your photos online. Just like a DeLorean these were over priced and under powered, lol!
@MattsMacintosh sorry i accidentally removed the comment when i was trying to reply if i was looking for a entry level hd camcorder where would you go?
Nice video! I don't remember this device. Although, I'm not sure you could call the quote about multimedia being ahead of its time. In the early 90's, multimedia was a major buzzword. There were a lot of CD based systems that could hook up to TVs - all of which failed, too. Until the Web really took off- a lot of companies tried to make TV boxes and portable devices for accessing multimedia.
Soooooooo you didn't even mention the CD drives speed, types of discs it can play, playable file formats, and so on. This video really didn't give me enough info about this.
@MattsMacintosh can you tell me what TV tuner product you used? I'm going to be getting the parents a new Mac and this is one feature that I put into the family PC that will need to come over to the Mac.
i noticed you were using a tv tuner in the beginning of the video. was it the eyetv, because thats the one im looking at. if so, do you recommend that? :)
Of course I respond. If it wasn't for you guys I'd probably be doing something lame right now, instead I'm doing something awesome. The least I can do is answer questions. Thanks for watching!
@southparkking1997 you can also use a computer emulator to play nes all the way through wii games, just look up jnes for nes znes for snes project64 for n64 you download the roms and whatnot, than run them in the emulator. the only one i know that has a mac compatible counterpart though is ZNES
@raskoldorks Man, what. He doesn't have expensive studio lighting-- as u said, it's not tv -- so when he has close shots especially moving ones showing details, he has to be really stepped down on the aperture, which reduces the depth of field and increases what is out of focus. To make up for this he does a good of racking and pulling and even pauses. He uses the effect also mostly to highlight what he's talking about. Real criticism of this video is the audio->lack of popping filter
I wish companies made things like this again. I like chunkier electronics with large buttons or nobs that feel good when pressing them. Right now, everything is a tactile-less slate,
Great video as always Matt! I really liked the ending, great idea instead of just showing a couple videos.
hi austi,n
I think the design of the PowerCD is beautiful. I love that mid 90s clunky but practical look. It hasn't dated in the same way that the translucent curvy stuff from the early 00s has.
@sounddie I use a TV tuner called the Elgato EyeTV Hybrid (there are others out there as well). It basically converts TV signals to USB.
@chasesmith8011 Its the Podium stand, and it actually only works with the bumper on because its designed for the 3G
@Telekenesis123 I think I was pretty clear on why it failed at about 1:50 in the video. Also, I wouldn't say that it "sucked". It worked well for what it was designed to do.
@TechExplosion Thanks. I really like shoot with the DSLR. If gives you so much more flexibility than a standard video camera.
@themaritimeman Glad you like it. It is definitely a SCSI port, although I can see how you might mistake for a "parallel" as SCSI is a type of parallel interface (just not the one most people refer to)
@2020man996 Nope, its an actual Nintendo hooked into the iMac via an Elgato TV tuner.
You need like 100,000 more subscribers! Your videos are amazing! And extremely professional camera work!
I LOVE your videos. None out there like it. Keep up the good work. Apple Failures and Obsure Products are my favorites.
@chasesmith8011 Yeah, it works fine. You might want to wait for an iPhone 4 specific one, though.
I use one as a cd player in my vintage McIntosh hifi setup today. Looks awesome and sounds as good as some quite expensive cd players from the 80s/90s
@vantageIIx Yep, it rocks. I use it in my home theater and to stream to my iPad.
For a vintage tech fan like myself, that would take all the fun out of it.
@Campwise05 I prefer DSLRs that do video, but it really depends on what your budget is.
@TheBioman12 I'm using the Mac as a monitor for the Nintendo.
I connected it through a USB TV Tuner. I just added a link to the model I use in the description for you.
@coffeeandsugar20 You need to turn off the buffering and instant video playback.
I just purchased another PowerCD on ebay and received it today. Both have the power supplies and bases and work. I had one at work back in 1993 when we used Macs and just thought they were kinda retro like.
The only problem I have is one does not snap open by itself when you press the open button. There are two wire springs at the bottom of the door and one spring in no longer held in place.
I'd like to find a repair manual.
@theworldisnotmine Awesome. Glad you like my videos!
nice video its cool seeing the vintage Apple products! Nice quality
@Telekenesis123 As I said in the video, it was overpriced in comparison to its competition- which it was nearly identical to. Apple was also stuttering into consumer electronics unprepared. I don't feel like there is any more elaboration required than that.
@Campwise05 Canon T2i, usually with a 50mm lens
I just watched a couple of your vids, they are awesome! Definitely subscribed!
@southparkking1997 The Nintendo was connected to my Mac through a TV tuner.
Nice narrating & the quality of the video.
@costumATX Canon T2i. For this video I used a 50mm and a 28mm lens with the focal ratio between f1.8 and 2.4.
@pettyfan45 One of the most successful consumer electronics of all time? I don't think it'll make this list. If I ever make an "Apple Mega Successes" list I'll be sure to include, though.
@whatthefudge2009
Nope. In fact, several glaring and HUGE failures happened while Jobs was at the helm. Remember the Apple III? An unmitigated disaster. The LISA? So bad that Jobs actually threw his entire development team under the bus rather than take responsibility for it. Perhaps the worst mistake was immediately after Jobs returned to Apple in the late 90s. He had a hidden agenda to push the NeXT platform and Rhapsody, not Mac. Everyone jumped ship for Windows, instead.
sony copied this design to the playstation 1
more like apple copied it from sony
bpali2001 maybe but it seems older than the ps1
yeah. i wasnt thinking it through:P
at earliest the idea would have come about late 92 and it was released in 93.
playstation an addon for snes came about by 91-92 at the latest, nintendo screwed sony and work began to make it its own console in 93 and released 94.
Either way they have a small similar look, no way can be compared. Thats like saying the dreamcast ripped off the n64 bcz theres 4 controller ports. When the atari 5200 had 4 ports as well.
bpali2001 maybe I donno
I owned a powerCD for a few years. Used it exclusively for playing music in a stereo system. Frankly, I loved that thing. It was always so much more interesting than a regular old black box CD player even though on a spec sheet it was almost certainly inferior to most if not all of them due to the on board D/A section. Also, the 3.5 mini jack line out didn’t help things. Still, it was cool and it was a favorite bit of Apple gear that I owned years before I could afford a Mac. When it finally quit working I was genuinely depressed at having to replace it with a normal one.
Absolutely amazing camera work, Very creative Matt. You work wonders with that T2i, Dslr's for video ftw. :) I personally use my Pentax K-x.
I still have a PowerCD in the original box. I bought it second-hand to use CD ROMS with my old Performa 476, which didn't have a CD ROM drive built in. As far as I know my PowerCD still works. Never had a QuickTake camera though.
Man, you really own all that stuff? Apple really have earned a lot of money with you!!
Cool review Matt,
Remember computer built-in CD players still uncommon were just getting hot.
'CD-rom Today' and later 'Mac Addict' shipped with a disc loaded with content.
But I think the main selling angle was Kodak's scheme to digitize all film they developed.
Desktop scanners were crazy expensive at the time and Kodak was telling the world theirs was the only way to get your photos online.
Just like a DeLorean these were over priced and under powered, lol!
@MattsMacintosh sorry i accidentally removed the comment when i was trying to reply if i was looking for a entry level hd camcorder where would you go?
That phone stand is nice may I have a link for it?
Nice video edit! And great the Cube :)
What kind of extension do you need to use an NES controller with a Mac? It looks badass!
A Nintendosh? This is awesome's purest form.
No. You just need to disable the buffer.
Nice video! I don't remember this device. Although, I'm not sure you could call the quote about multimedia being ahead of its time. In the early 90's, multimedia was a major buzzword. There were a lot of CD based systems that could hook up to TVs - all of which failed, too. Until the Web really took off- a lot of companies tried to make TV boxes and portable devices for accessing multimedia.
Nice vid. I completely forgot about the PowerCD. And probably for good reason too. LOL
there's something strange about your NES..
but I can't quite see it..
@MattsMacintosh I have a question about that. Doesn't the TV tuner have a bit of lag between the NES and the actual game play?
Will you please do a Hockey Puck mouse Apple failure video?
When Steve Jobs was at Apple during that time, they would have never created that crap.
umm, Ping? The strange iPod Motorola phone? iCloud/MobileMe/.Mac?
Dan Barker iCloud is the tits!
Soooooooo you didn't even mention the CD drives speed, types of discs it can play, playable file formats, and so on. This video really didn't give me enough info about this.
@MattsMacintosh can you tell me what TV tuner product you used? I'm going to be getting the parents a new Mac and this is one feature that I put into the family PC that will need to come over to the Mac.
Have you done a video on the Apple Pippin?
@raskol666 lol how was he changing the aperture in every shot? I don't think you quite understand cameras.
I love ur intro it's really special man Apple loves to copy other company's product at the 1980's
@downphoenix I guess he was recording this video with a Apple DSLR too right?
Hey I just want to know if you think apple products are a little over priced
where do you get all of these things
i noticed you were using a tv tuner in the beginning of the video. was it the eyetv, because thats the one im looking at. if so, do you recommend that? :)
this thing looks so cool apple has done everything! I am thinking about picking up one!
what is the name of the philips product that looks like the powercd. I can't find it in a google search. thanks
Will you ever review the Pippin?
Will it work the same for a MacBookPro (late 2011)? And what software is needed? Thanks(:
hey! I had a mac cube! it had a defect and they accepted it back without any problems.
wat stand is that you have your phone in and does it still work without the bumper because I've been look for a stand for the iphone 4?
....so what episode will the ipad be in this series
I have one and it still works... amazing !
Of course I respond. If it wasn't for you guys I'd probably be doing something lame right now, instead I'm doing something awesome. The least I can do is answer questions. Thanks for watching!
The days when i watched youtube vids on a COMPUTER. Now it just makes u feel old to do so.
I've always found these products that had a mix of round sides and flat sides always a confusing mix. This **HAS** to be from the 90's right?
I wanna know what the product shown at :28 is
Great, well done video!
That was an awesome intro
does it work well with the bumper?
@airjus Nope, Amazon
@MattsMacintosh do you know which one specifically you bought? i've been looking for a good one
@downphoenix He was playing on a NES in the beginning. And since the NES is not an Apple product i guess he does know other companies.
You were playing mario in the beginning. How?, was it like an app or on the internet or what? Please tell
@supercooldude2121 I actually did a video on where to buy old Apple stuff a couple months ago. You can see it on my channel page.
@2020man996 and by the way, the patents on the NES have expired so it isnt illegal
what camera are you using? it looks astonishing
But how can you buy a PowerCD and a QuickTake if it was failed?
Hey Matthew, what do you think about IOS 7?
@southparkking1997 you can also use a computer emulator to play nes all the way through wii games, just look up jnes for nes
znes for snes
project64 for n64
you download the roms and whatnot, than run them in the emulator.
the only one i know that has a mac compatible counterpart though is ZNES
@raskoldorks Man, what. He doesn't have expensive studio lighting-- as u said, it's not tv -- so when he has close shots especially moving ones showing details, he has to be really stepped down on the aperture, which reduces the depth of field and increases what is out of focus. To make up for this he does a good of racking and pulling and even pauses. He uses the effect also mostly to highlight what he's talking about. Real criticism of this video is the audio->lack of popping filter
I never knew about this! This is so cool!
how did conect the nintendo to the imac
what is the model of the philips
Great review!
Great video!
Oh, and forgot IRQ9: VGA. The IRQ2 was reserved, because the original spec had only 8 IRQ's and it was later an assignment prefix for the 8..15 IRQ's.
@MattsMacintosh cool and again sorry for the comment removal!
what song is the end song
I wish companies made things like this again. I like chunkier electronics with large buttons or nobs that feel good when pressing them. Right now, everything is a tactile-less slate,
where do you get your music
form where did you get this stuff?
@alfredoowns12 Ha. This one made me laugh a little since its on a video about how Apple screws up and makes terrible products sometimes.
Repost:What kind of camcorder do you use?
I have one of these, back then it was so cool xD
It was very expensive when it came out and you could buy a regular CD drive at a fraction of the cost back then.
Umad Sony?
Is that a Radial pin Cam lock @ 1:22 , WTF is that for?
I have a Aiwa Boom Box that loads the same way, you put the CD in the door and then close it to load the CD.