tech.nocr.at » lights

Kensington’s PowerLift Backup-Up Battery

Frank — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:33:09 +0000

I was just talking to someone from Steam TV Networks about the need for a sturdy dock that can hold up a tablet or phone, something that keeps the device propped up when using it to watch video. Kensington has release just such an item built for the iPhone.

Kensington’s new PowerLift is a sturdy dock that also contains a 1,200 mAh lithium-ion polymer backup battery. This bulky yet small unit is perfect for those long flights; prop it up on the fold out tray and you can enjoy countless hours of media goodness. 20 additional hours of music playback, 5 additional hours of video and even an extra hour and a half of FaceTime.

The unit also has a built in USB cable, perfect cable management, and it has some LEDs to let you know where the charging level is at. Its up for pre-order on Kensington’s site and will run you about $50.

Kensington’s PowerLift Backup-Up Battery originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2011/01/19. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Coolest DIY Lightsaber

Frank — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:41:00 +0000

Bradley Lewis of Sloth Furnace has created easily the coolest homemade lightsaber ever. Since we are still quite a ways away from having an actual lightsaber this will just have to do.

This saber is the brightest replica I have ever seen. It lights up almost instantly and has some sweet detail in it’s construction. Check out the video after the break of it in action. There is a complete gallery or pictures and videos over at SlothFurnace.

Coolest DIY Lightsaber originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2011/01/02. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Xtoaster360

Frank — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:50:40 +0000

I have seen many mods in my time, but I have never seen anything like this. Modder ncaruso11 yanked out the guts of his toaster and replaced them in epic fashion with the innards of an Xbox 360. Sure it ends up being a lot bulkier than your average 360, but how cool would it be to have a toaster sitting under your TV. If that doesn’t get the chicks I don’t know what will (alright so it won’t get you any chicks or toast actually).

How sweet is that, especially how he moved the interface status lights to the front on the toaster. ncaruso11 says “If I can sell this one then there are sure to be bigger and better ones in the future. Feel free to throw out any ideas.”. I just might consider bidding on this. I need a new 360 for the basement and best of all, I can tell my wife I’m just buying a toaster, and expensive one yes, but still a toaster.

Xtoaster360 originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2011/01/02. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Glow In The Dark Toilet Paper

Frank — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:10:07 +0000

How many times have you been in the bathroom taking care of business when suddenly the lights go out? Never you say? Well I have, once. Trust me, when you are caught in a situation where you are in complete darkness the only thing you want to know is where the toilet paper is, and when the lights are off you have no idea.

Enter the glow in the dark toilet paper. If you are ever caught in a situation like I mentioned above you will be thankful that you spend $8 a roll (ya that’s right, cleaning up you business with glow in the dark toilet paper is expensive).

You can grab you very own roll at I Want One of Those

Glow In The Dark Toilet Paper originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2010/02/22. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Enterprise Chandelier, For The Geeky

Frank — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:52:46 +0000

I know my wife would love to have me hang up this Enterprise chandelier in our dining room. She would love it so much that it would easily be grounds for her to divorce me. On the other hand, if your already single and your a hardcore trekie then this $189 USS Enterprise chandelier might just be perfect for your residence.

[Link to Enterprise Chandelier]

Enterprise Chandelier, For The Geeky originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2009/11/12. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Your Very Own Tricorder

Frank — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:23:44 +0000

I’m a hardcore Trekie. I’d almost go as far as saying i’m one serious ass trek head, but i’m not sure if walking out in public with this $49.99 Tricorder replica, especially if i don’t want to be laughed at or beaten in public.

On the other hand if you plan on attending Comic-Con or a Star Trek convention then bringing this along to show all of the massive nerds it’s working sound effects and lights you should be alright.

If your cool with the later scenario, then you can pick this baby up from Amazon on June 4th 09 for a mere $49.99.

Your Very Own Tricorder originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2009/05/18. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Rock Band Smoke And Light Kit

Frank — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:19:05 +0000

Do you think that you are a? Play Rock Band day and night? Why not add to your experience with the Rock band smoke and light kit. Alright, so I agree with you, this is a stupid idea, but then again stupid people buy stupid things. Performance Designed Products will soon be selling a smoke and light effects kit that will synchronize with the music from Rock Band. Not too much more info but it seems that the kit is only available to Xbox 360 owners.

You can pre-order it right now from Amazon for $99.99 as it won’t clutter store shelves until November 11th. rockstar

Rock Band Smoke And Light Kit originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/10/14. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Thrustmaster’s Lightsaber Wimote Add-On

Frank — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:10:27 +0000

There have been quite a few lightsaber add-ons for your wimote’s before, but this one from Thrustmaster actually looks quite cool. The units are powered by three AAA batteries and have 17 blue or red LED’s for some glow in the dark fun. I’m not sure how much they will add to gameplay, but they will cause some fun when you swing it around and smash the light on the end table in your living room.

[Link to Thrustmaster]

Thrustmaster’s Lightsaber Wimote Add-On originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/09/28. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

24-Ct Gold Touch And Nano

Frank — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:05:36 +0000

The iPod is considered one of the worlds most stolen item, so let’s just up the ante and wrap it in 24-ct gold. For a mere $644 for your nano or $823 for your Touch you too can burn your money away and wrap your mp3 player up in 24-ct gold. They should sell big red lights that you could wear on your persons announcing to the world that you have more money than you know what to do with. With all of the staving children in the world and all.

[Via Gizmodo]

24-Ct Gold Touch And Nano originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/09/28. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

How To: Make An Invisible License Plate

Frank — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:38:28 +0000

Here is another take on using IR lights to blind a camera, this time a photo-radar camera no-less. I’m not really sure on how well this would work for you, and it’s probably highly illegal, but if you want to try it for your own educational purposes go ahead.

All you really need are some LED flashers, some IR lights, and a bit of soldering skill. If you put this together and it actually does blind a camera, remember that it doesn’t blind the naked eye and might arouse some suspicion from any law enforcement agency.

How To: Make An Invisible License Plate originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/09/04. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

LucasArts Planning A Wii MotionPlus Lightsaber Game

Frank — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:33:26 +0000

According to gaming site Joystiq, The Star Wars factory is looking to follow up on The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels with another lightsaber game, this time using the Wii MotionPlus accessory.

According to the Q-man, now that the company has access to the tech for development purposes, it wants to make the bestest lightsaber game ever. Might we suggest it be called: Star Wars: Lightsaber Duels – This Time It’s Not All Spazzy, Really!

[Via Joystiq]

LucasArts Planning A Wii MotionPlus Lightsaber Game originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/08/28. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Captian Kirk’s Chair

Frank — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:36:44 +0000

Need to assert some authority over your bridge, or if you don’t happen to own a Constitution Class starship you could also assert some authority over your living room with this Captain’s chair straight out of the original Star Trek series.

It looks remarkably similar to the original prop from the ’60s TV series. The makers have outfitted the chair with some authentic sound effects and blinking lights, it even comes with some sampled dialog you can play back. Now if it only had a button to order phasers set to kill so that you can wipe out those annoying friends who come over and stay to long.

No details on pricing but we do know it should be available sometime in 09.

Captian Kirk’s Chair originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/08/18. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

EeePC Keyboard Backlight for $15

Frank — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:00:11 +0000

I’m a huge fan of my EeePC. So much so that I am actually writing this post on my 4G right now. The one thing that drives me bananas with the unit is the lack of a keyboard light, and when you are in a dark room trying to type, well you can just imagine.

Popular Science has a great article on adding a keyboard backlight to a EeePC for under $15

As we showed you in our May 2008 issue, Asus’s Eee PC has quickly become a favorite of hardware hackers around the web. Here, we offer the first installment of our Eee PC School series. Check back in the coming weeks for more tiny ultraportable tweaking.â€”Eds.
What good is that portable PC if you canâ€™t type anywhere and anytime? With its ultra-compact keyboard, even touch typing pros will be hard-pressed to avoid frequent mistakes on when the lights go out. To say itâ€™s a frustrating exercise in futility to locate the miniature F3 key in the dark is an understatement. Oops, you just lost WiFi contact by accidentally hitting F2.
Clearly, a keyboard backlight like those found in higher-end laptops is the answer to your nocturnal Eee PC typing woes. And for less than $15, such a backlight can be installed with minimal fuss.

EeePC Keyboard Backlight for $15 originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/06/20. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Hack A Coke Machine

Frank — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:10:00 +0000

The internet is full of fun and weird information. Take the claims that many people have made about hacking all sorts of things from electricity meters to traffic lights. I found this video on hacking a coke machine of all things. Iâ€™m not sure if this even works, seems like a gimmick for page views if you ask me, but iâ€™ll let the views decide.

You task, if you choose to accept, is to go out and try this, see if it works and report back. Good luck, and remember, this can be considered illegal!

Hack A Coke Machine originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/02/18. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

USB Traffic Light

Frank — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:35:34 +0000

You can easily file this one under â€œMost useless USB gadgetâ€. The USB traffic light is more than just a set of traffic lights (I sure hope so). Its exactly what I need, a reminder of all of the traffic I must deal with on my way home from work. Besides the frustrations you also get

4-port USB 2.0 Hub
USB Traffic Light as status indicators (Busy, Out To Lunch, Available)
10 Seconds Voice Recording and Playback
Monitor Cleaner
Memo Pad/Name Card Clipper

Iâ€™m not very clear on the monitor cleaner aspect, but if you have $25 burning a hole in your pocket itâ€™s yours.

USB Traffic Light originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/02/15. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

10.5.2 Is Here

Frank — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:00:28 +0000

The latest release for Macâ€™s latest OS, Leopard, is now available. The Update fixes a whole slew of bugs and quirks which have been plaguing the OS.

After installing 10.5.2 itâ€™s also recommended that users install the 48.9 megabyte Leopard Graphics Update 1.0 to fix some other issues that will speed up you system.

While you can visit Appleâ€™s site here to get a full list of bug and security fixes, these are the highlights:

Resolves Airport issues that result in kernel panics when running certain programs
Updated Stacks option adds “folder view” for all of us annoyed at seeing a document or file instead of our folder of choice.
You can turn off menu bar transparency (that should thrill many) and overall menu translucency has been reduced.
Fixed an issue where set-up assistant could randomly start up
Adds a menu bar option for accessing Time Machine
Additional RAW and iSynch support for new devices

All in all a worthy update.

10.5.2 Is Here originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/02/12. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

USB Controlled Colour Changing Light

Frank — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:50:32 +0000

The guys over at DYI Life have an awesome project to light up your life, a USB colour changing light controller. This little circuit will mix the light from high-powered LEDs to create more than 16 million colors. You can either hook it up to a USB port for complete control of your personal light show or allow the smooth auto-fading crystal to cycle the colours for you.

This is definitely not for beginners (although I think any beginner should be fine if they take their time and follow the detailed steps), but its a great toy to have for parties or to add some super cool lighting to your decor.

All you need, including detailed step-by-steps and project files are available at DYI Life.

USB Controlled Colour Changing Light originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/26. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Build Your Own Gears Of War Lancer, Sort Of

Frank — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:16:25 +0000

Wanna build your very own Lancer just like the one in the Gears of War game? Okay so it’s not technically a real weapon, but the plastic chainsaw moves, the unit lights up and it really does fire nerf bullets (Video after the break).

All you’ll need is a toy chainsaw and a nerf gun and you too can pretend to go on a violent rampage. Just don’t get any ideas and walk out in public with the unit since law enforcement would probably shoot you on the spot if they ever saw you with it.

[Via Joystiq]

Build Your Own Gears Of War Lancer, Sort Of originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/23. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Build An Emergency Lamp For $1

Frank — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:10:11 +0000

I remember when we had the massive blackout on the East coast a few years back how hard it was for most people to have something as basic as a light source at home. Dead batteries in their flash lights, no candles, or even basic survival supplies like water and canned foods.

I think that experience had opened a few eyes to the importance of building an emergency kit for such incidents, but on the other hand, if you are jammed in a situation this neat video will show you how to build an emergency lamp for about $1. Some vegetable oil and an empty glass bottle is all youâ€™ll need. Plus, it will last for 10 hours ensuring you have plenty of light.

Remember, this shouldnâ€™t be your basic light source in an emergency. You should have some fresh batteries in a flashlight. This should be used in emergency situations only.

Build An Emergency Lamp For $1 originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/22. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Semi-Pro Light Kit For $75

Frank — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:34:52 +0000

A quick trip to your local big box hardware store and a few bucks and you too can turn that spare room into a professionally lit ~~porn~~ natural model studio you have always dreamed of having. That is of course, if you have some camera equipment to go with it. Itâ€™s going to be pretty hard to convince any woman that you are a famous fashion photographer if you donâ€™t have some big camera mounted on a tripod.

For about $75 you can slap together some work style flood lamps, some foil-covered windshield heat protectors and some daylight tinted bulbs, thatâ€™s a lot cheaper than the $1000â€™s you could spend on some professional gear. The results? Youâ€™ll get about 90% of the quality youâ€™d get from a pro kit (if done properly) for less than a fifth of the price.

The guys at shuttertalk.com have a complete breakdown on assembly this diy light kit. If you are on a budget, this canâ€™t be beat.

Semi-Pro Light Kit For $75 originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/21. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Cheap Photo Studio Lighting

Frank — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:47:10 +0000

I’ve always been a sucker for anything with a lens. Between shooting Digital Underground.tv and my amateur (and i mean amateur) photography hobby trying to get good at both costs both time and money. I can’t help you with the time factor, but this is a great money saver.

Lighting is always the get to any good shot. Professional lighting kits can easily cost you $1000′s and to boot most of us just can’t transform our houses or apartments into the photography studio of our dreams. So, what can you do about it? How about moving some furnature around when you need it (as a matter of fact, we completely empty out my living room when we shoot the show) and dig up some seriously cheap lights.

The guys at diyphotography.net have a great article on how to build a decent 3 light setup for about $100. They have some snaps of people where they used their cheap lights, and take it from me, they look great.

[Via DIYLife]

Cheap Photo Studio Lighting originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/14. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Rock Band Stage Kit, Live Your Dream

Frank — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:57:18 +0000

Rock band has quickly become one of the greatest group games to hit the store shelves in many years (okay, so the old NHL games rocked too). The only problem is the lack of the glitter and the excitement you get from a live concert, that will all change real soon.

Gamestop is pre-ordering the Rock Band Stage Kit which includes an interactive light and smoke stage show so that you can release your inner Keith Moon. The kit will sell for about $100 bucks and will start to ship sometime in June.

This should liven up any party and bring you that one step closer to feeling like a true rock star. Sorry, no groupies or roadies included.

[Via Engadget]

Rock Band Stage Kit, Live Your Dream originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/14. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Lightsaber For Your Wii

Frank — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:05:36 +0000

You ever wanted your very own Lightsaber for your Wii? Okay maybe it hasn’t been on the top of your priority list, but if it is Camy’s Pro Gear Wii Light Swords come perfectly into play. These coloured plastic Wiimote holders are available in 3 colour for either the Jedi or Sith in you. The sabers will cradle your Wiimote with ample room for the IR signal to get through to your console. Just flip a switch and light up your room with you stubby yet fearful light saber. Now, if they could only get a decent Star Wars game for the Wii you could flip out and show off your mad force skills.

These units are scheduled to hit store shelves early spring.

Lightsaber For Your Wii originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/04. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Poor Mans 3d Scanner

Frank — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:40:29 +0000

Don’t have $4000 + to purchase a high end 3d scanner? Using a simple web cam, a free (as in beer) piece of windows software and a laser line level you too can achieve the same stunning results. The David Laserscanner does just that. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

- A camera (e.g. web cam)
- A hand-held line laser
- Two plain boards in the background
- A Windows PC
- DAVID-Laserscanner software (free)

Once you’ve got your equipment together, print off the calibration sheets that are included with the David Laserscanner software and apply them to you 2 plain boards.

Your two boards must form a perfect 90 deg right angle, this is key to the scanning process.

Next, point your webcam at your calibration boards and turn off any image enhancements that your camera might have (i.e., ambient light boot, auto exposure, etc).

Next we fire up the David Laserscanner software and auto calibrate our calibration boards. You must have as bright a room as you can get for this step, you almost want a complete washed out look for perfect calibration.

Once your done grab your line laser and turn all of the lights off, you want to make sure that the room is a pitch black as possible, all we want the camera to do is see the laser. Then, at a high angle, slowly pass your line laser over the object from top down, repeat the scan until you have a solid mesh form of your object.

Export your scan into an .obj format and load it up into your favorite 3d modeling program and enjoy.

Although it does take a while to get a decent scan out of the thing it sure is cheaper than some of the solutions out there. If you have the interest and some free time, it is a definite check out item.

Poor Mans 3d Scanner originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2007/12/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Hack your remote control

Frank — Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Have you even been sitting on your couch and had to stretch your arm out until your tendons creaked? Ever lean forward in your armchair and fallen off because you were trying to get your remote control to work? Ever have to arm the remote at the TV and wave it around like an aerosol paint can?

Do I ever have the hack for you (Video at the end). This little quick hack will let you boost the range of your remote control. If works so well that I can now use my remote as a lightsaber and slice cheese, okay maybe not cheese, but I can aim my remote at the TV with clear line of sight and change the channel from across the house! Awesome.

Hack your remote control originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2007/08/15. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

Changing traffic lights

Frank — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I’m a bit of a skeptic about these whole “Making elevators come fast” or “Changing Street lights quickly” kind of hacks. KipPlay has brought us some interesting videos in the past that have been quite useful, like the Laptop Battery Hack and the Hack Your Remote Control video, but this one leaves me guessing so I put this to you to see if this hack actually works. I haven’t been able to get it to work in the streets of Toronto but maybe some of you out there might get it to work in your town(s). Post your success in the comments section.

Changing traffic lights originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 1999/11/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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