HP calls it their most versatile detachable PC. It’s a laptop that easily converts to a tablet and even a table tent for kiosk options. The folks at HP gave me one to play with and although I am getting compensated for this review, the review itself is my own opinion. So let’s get started with the specs, then see if this machine is worth the sub-$500 price tag. Pavilion x2 12 inch comes in 2 models – with an Intel ATOM x5 series processor and Intel Core M – thier 6th generation processor. The machine I have is the Intel core m3 at 1.51 GHz, 100 MHz Bus, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage supplied by Samsung. Windows 10 64-bit home is on the machine and it can be configured for PC or tablet mode depending on what you want. The screen is an IPS...

I’ve been having an awesome time with figuring out 360 video. That is why I decided to create this review in 360 video view. Now if you are watching this from my podcast channels, you might be seeing this crunched down. To view it in the intended version, you either will have to download 360 viewing software or go to Youtube.com/geekazine and watch it there. The hardware I am using is 360fly. This is a 360 half-spherical camera. What does that mean? Well even though you get a 360 degree view in the middle, either the top or the bottom does not get recorded because there is no optics on one side. The top or bottom recording is all dependant on how you set up the camera. I have the 360 fly set up to point down. This makes it a little more difficult because I have to...

This week: Non-Spoiler review of Captain America: Civil War. Should you see it in IMax? I look at the 360fly 360 degree camera. Ghostbusters is the worst trailer ever? Did Han shoot first? Star Trek show details revealed! Morning Geeks! Episode 4 – Seth MacFarlane Sci-Fi TV series coming – Mercury crosses by – Bookshelf Snake game – Power Rangers Reboot – Food in LEGO form – Chelsea coming to Netflix – Youtube TV subscription coming? – Build a tabletop arcade with a Raspberry Pi and an IKEA table

Imagine being at a conference or wedding with camera crews capturing the event. As you get ready to leave the event, you are given an SD card with the festivities inside for you to consume again and again. That is what the Blackmagic Design Duplicator 4K does. While at NAB I talked with Kendall with Blackmagic Designs on the Duplicator 4K. You can copy up to 25 cards per rack mount at a time. You can also daisy-chain the units together to record more for larger events. Each unit can take a SD card and fill it with the event you recorded in multiple formats up to Ultra HD at 2160p 60fps. Each video is encoded in H.265 for smaller file sizes but also 4K resolution. Weddings, sporting events, live concerts, conferences and more can benefit from the Duplicator 4K. It can also pause and continue to omit breaks...

Sennheiser has been teaming up with Apogee to deliver microphones for your mobile and desktop devices. USB microphones for the podcaster or on the go reporter. In this video we take a look at two of the new microphones in the Sennheiser line. Handheld USB to iOS Dynamic Microphone With a versatile USB turning iPhones and iPads into full video recording devices, Sennheiser has created a dynamic handheld microphone that allows you to become the mobile reporter. This microphone will connect via Lightning cable or USB for PC and Mac computers and allow you to get the interview without too much background noise. We tested out the microphone, which you can hear in the video. This handheld device will be available Summer 2016. No price is set. Sennheiser MK 4 Digital Sennheiser MK 4 Digital is based on the standard MK 4. This is a standard condenser studio microphone you can...

If you wanted to mic up a guest to an interview such as this one, you would need two wireless receivers to do it. Sony is now helping fix that with the UWP-D series wireless mics. The URXP03D is a receiver that not only can connect two wireless sources but also allows for two more inputs for many different operations. While at NAB 2016, I talked with Andy and learned about all the types of wireless they offer. The UWP-D series includes in-camera adapters and external adapters such as the URXP03D. This receiver is a 4-input, 2 output device. This means you can connect 2 wireless microphones – lavaliere or handheld – and either one or two microphones through the Mic Input (stereo connection). This will give you ability to mic the room and the speakers, then adjust for maximum performance. The two wireless subjects can be captured on...

Morning Geeks! Episode 3: – New Lara Croft for Upcoming Tomb Raider – Nintendo NX First Look – Is our Future Blue? – Playstation Lamp – Support the Spaceballs LEGO campaign – New Dr. Who Companion Announced – Nathan Fillion Heading to Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – New Shows on Netflix – Coming out this week: Keanu, Ratchet & Clank, IMAX A Beautiful Planet and the 20th Anniversary edition of Independence Day – Is a Robert Downey Jr. Iron Man 4 Possible? – This Weevel Beetle is called “Chewbacca”. Find out why! – A Star Trek Coffee Table Pinball Machine. The best Geek gift you could get me!   Finally, we look at how a Snapchat filter caused a wreck at 100 MPH. Should Snapchat be held responsible?

In a video production environment, spreading out tasks between computers can help in many different ways. From producing the video for public consumption to creating archive and even monitoring systems. Network Device Interface (NDI) is a standard that can bridge devices together – and you don’t even have to own a Tricaster. While at NAB, I talked with Phillip Nelson of NewTek about this open standard. NDI was announced back in 2015 to communicate with devices over Gigabit Ethernet. A standard that almost all corporate and video production buildings (even home studios) have. The idea is to have one computer send video or other items over to the production machine without having to convert or render. The end result is a reduction in production workflow. Many different programs have already adopted NDI into their systems. You don’t even need NewTek products to use the software. If your system...

A couple months ago I purchased the Saramonic Smart Mixer for my phone and have been happy with the results for covering live shows. While at NAB I stopped by the Saramonic booth to find out what other great products they have for my video and audio production on the go. Turns out Saramonic has a lot of great audio solutions – wired and wireless. I started with the SmartMixer 2 channel Audio Mixer Kit for iOS or Android. As I was recording via the device, you can hear how this cuts out background noise to get the interview. I looked at a very interesting microphone for GoPro cameras for $35. They also have lavaliere microphones if you do vlogging or simple on-camera spots. I then went over the large array of DSLR Camera Microphone Pre-Amps, such as the SR-AX101. You can attach two handheld microphones, one handheld and...

Back from NAB, Live show took three takes, but it’s in the books. Morning Geeks Episode 2 – RIP Prince, Chyna and Doris Roberts – Magnificent Seven gets a reboot, USA Today has photos – Apple Macbooks get an upgrade and the color Pink – Warcraft trailer drops – Three’s Company to be rebooted into a movie – Jason Bourne trailer drops – Netflix prices increase for those grandfathered in – Was Snapchat’s 4/20 filter a good idea? – Google Doodle Celebrates Earth Day – Stephen Hawking packed Harvard to talk about Black Holes – Robot Buddhist Xian’er