Specials Episodes
1. Everlasting Love
What the hell would make this overplayed moldy-oldie count as an oddity? Find out...
2. The Max Headroom Incident of 1987 (Commentary)
The first Archive Riffs episode. Ben tackles a supposed promotional film for the "Butter & Egg Days Festival" that the Rifftrax guys already did--but they don't know real art (like Ben does).
3. Sounds to Make You Shiver
A nice, compact little review of one of the most (in)famous "drugstore" records ever released. Bet you thought we didn't have a copy!
4. TV Sign-Offs (Commentary)
An informal discussion of the TV Sign-Offs episode.
5. Emergency Broadcast Salute (Commentary)
Something about February always gets Ben thinking about Civil Defense Broadcasting.
6. Freedom is a Hammer (Album Review)
At the time of the Conservative Folk Music episode, some of the artists discussed had yet to make their digital debuts. Naturally, Ben would want to take a look at the CD that rounds up the complete folk-rock works of Janet Greene.
7. American EXXXtasy (Commentary)
Perhaps the Archive's most infamous episode needed a little more context. Maybe not. Nevertheless, it got it anyway--the context, that is.
8. Greetings From the Stars (Sort Of)
Ever wanted to get an (impersonal) birthday greeting from Milton Berle? How 'bout an answering machine message from "Richard Simmons"? Yeah, didn't think so.
9. Ask the Archive
An informal Q & A session. Yep, that's about it.
10. Archive Riffs: Petaluma Chicken
The first Archive Riffs episode. Ben tackles a supposed promotional film for the "Butter & Egg Days Festival" that the Rifftrax guys already did--but they don't know real art (like Ben does).
11. Local TV Special (Commentary)
A commentary cut for the Local TV Special that was originally shelved due to a factual error regarding Indianapolis-based Horror Movie Host, Sammy Terry. Well, that and a couple of other brain farts.
12. Archive Riffs: Greedy Humpty Dumpty
Ben riffs the sole survivor of his childhood Public Domain VHS collection.
13. VHS Vault Vol. 1 (Amvest Video) (Commentary)
Recorded before the original episode premiered. Since then, we've learned that: 1. Audiofidelity Records started in the mid/late 1950's and issued some of the first stereo records. 2. Someone at Audiofidelity went berserk sometime in the '70's and started issuing pirated Beatles albums. 3. Those that signed up for the Kid Pics newsletter wound up on mailing lists for sleazy child beauty pageants (are there any other kind?). Ben has since learned that: 1. Playing a record at 75% of it's original speed is equivalent to flattening the "key" by a fourth, not a flat-fifth. 2. Audio frequencies are exponential. 2. Ben cannot do math in his head.
14. Archive Riffs: Say No to Strangers
Learn to take the safe way to school (but only if you have to walk through Chinatown).
15. National Anthem Conspiracy Theory (Redux)
One of the Archive's earliest episodes seems to have gone missing. As such, Ben has been forced to remake it. Or, this was Ben's (unsurprisingly, failed) submission to the ConBravo indie video showcase.
16. Halloween Special 2012 (Commentary)
An all-too-brief look back at the Archive's first Halloween special.
17. Hallmark Presents: Spooky Sounds
Given we followed up the first Halloween Special with a review of a "spooky sound effects" album, we figured it wouldn't hurt to do it again.
18. Archive Riffs: Dining Together
Chain Aunt Phyllis to the family piano and enjoy an old-fashioned Thanksgiving.
19. Christmas Special 2012 (A Fair Use Christmas) (Commentary)
A much-maligned commentary to a forgotten Archive episode.
20. Archive Riffs: A Christmas Fantasy
Because nothing says "Christmas" quite like creepy wax figures and a bargain-basement Bing Crosby.
21. TV DX-ing
...because the local stations suck.
22. Archive Riffs: Live & Learn
Sid Davis would like to remind you that he loves his wallpaper and hates your child.
23. Archive Riffs: Cigarette Commercials
Since we spent so much time with anti-smoking propaganda last time out, in the name of fairness, we thought we'd share some pro-smoking propaganda. Sorry, no dancing Luckies here (seriously, what can you say about it? Insert smart-ass comments below).
24. Backwards Masking (Commentary)
Everything Ben has to say about the Backwards Masking episode in a mere 12 minutes!
25. A Nice Pair (of early, European VCR's)
Can your heart take the sheer sex appeal of the Philips N1500? No (prescription) pills necessary!
26. Blooper Reel
Alternate Title: Why The Archive isn't terribly conducive to outtake specials.
27. VHS Vault Vol. 5 (Y2K Apocalypse Party!) (Commentary)
One of those rare occasions where there was a little TOO much to say in an episode.
28. Archive Riffs: Atomic Alert (Elementary Edition)
Released about five minutes before the Conelrad system was established (and featuring some nice undercranking), 1951's Atomic Alert teaches you how to keep your nuclear experience nice and peaceful.
29. Ben's Junk: Sony Super Betamax
A new spin-off of the Archive in which a piece of equipment is discussed that either has already been discussed in greater detail or that simply wouldn't amount to even a minisode of Archive.
30. Ben's Junk: VideoNow PVD Player
The rejected pilot of Ben's Junk (for reasons that should become readily apparent fairly quickly). This time out, Hasbro's failed attempt at a portable DVD player for kids.
31. Format Wars 2 (COMMENTARY)
By request, Ben discusses "Format Wars". By unilateral action, Ben discusses both "Format Wars" videos in one convenient (for him) commentary.
32. Ben's Junk: VHS Camcorder (RCA CC285)
A "by request" Ben's Junk. Taking a look at the camcorder used to film "Going Analog" and "Y2K Apocalypse Party".
33. The Great Archive Treasure Hunt (Commentary)
Who'da thunk the making of this episode AND the episode itself was about rediscovery?
34. Ben's Junk: Tascam Cassette Portastudio
Perhaps a too-personal installment of Ben's Junk. Don't take that the wrong way...
35. Halloween Special 2013 (Commentary)
Must be that magic time of year again when Ben lazily dusts off the previous year's Halloween episode for a commentary.
36. Ben's Junk : 8-Track/Cassette "Adaptor"
SPOILER ALERT: Whoa-oh here it comes/Watch out boy, it'll chew them up/Whoa-oh here it comes/It's a tape eater!
37. Ben's Junk: Multi-System VHS VCR (Hitachi VT-M768EM)
Finally, a VCR that can play all international formats! What do you mean, it only has mono sound?!? What you do mean I need converter boxes?!?
38. Ben's Junk: JVC S-VHS VCR (S7600U)
The long-awaited conclusion to the two-part Ben's Junk VHS extravaganza. Does this count as the climax?
39. Ben's Junk: LaserKaraoke/Laserdisc Player (Pioneer CLD-S304)
Two episodes of LaserKaraoke and still no demonstration of the machine? Yeah, I'm kinda slow...
40. 1-900 ARCHIVE Vol. 2 (Commentary)
A dual commentary for both 1-900 ARCHIVE volumes. WARNING: Wrestling aficionados may not like what I have to say.
41. The DuMont Network (Deleted Game Show Segment)
The DuMont episode ran ridiculously overlong (gotta love that molasses-slow early TV!). Here is a deleted segment giving an overview on the Game Shows aired on the DuMont Network.
42. Ben's Junk: Handheld Electronic Games
Pouring some additional salt in the gamer wounds...
43. Ben's Junk: B-Movies & cult Classics
Slightly bastardizing the usual Ben's Junk format--but not Ben's Junk itself (that'd hurt).
44. Ben Tries Finnish Candy
...and welcome to (probably the only edition of) "Ben Tries"!
45. Ben's Junk: WebTV Box
A day late, a dollar short--you know the deal.
46. The Death of Analog TV (Commentary)
Little did I know... NOTE: If you don't like my dry, rambling (and stutter-heavy) commentaries, you might wanna skip this one.
47. Ben's Junk: Super 8 Sound Projector (Sears Sound II - Model 9258)
Nothing but the cutting edge in home video technology in Archive-land!
48. Archive Riffs: Self-Conscious Guy
I'm so vain, I KNOW I think this short is about me...
49. VHS Vault Vol. 6 (How's Your Sex Life?) (Valentine's Day Special 2015) (Commentary)
I really wanted to be hypnotized! Seriously!
50. (Unofficial) Ben's Junk: Philips CD-I (model 220)
The original "demo" segment in the CD-I episode ran long. REALLY LONG! This is the complete, intended segment shamelessly re-purposed as a "Ben's Junk" episode.
51. Ben's Junk: 8-Track (and related) Oddities
Just going through some (relatively) recent additions to the Archive's 8-track (and associated) pile.
52. Ben's Junk: Sony DT-30 (External VCR Timer)
DVR? Two-week advance recording? Wusses.
53. Ben Tries Bonomo's Turkish Taffy
Made as a thank you to the viewer who sent this. A thank you for not sending us any Magic Clown ephemera, that is.
54. Ben's Junk: Rejuvenique Revisited (plus Contest!)
Looking back on the mental and physical scars sustained while making the Rejuvenique episode--and the mask too.
55. Halloween Special 2014 (Archive Wares: Rejuvenique) (Commentary)
Recounting one of the Archive's more memorable production experiences.
56. An Overly Nostalgic Halloween (or, For The Want of a Pail)
I hate it when my ideas for holiday specials fall through...
57. For The Want of a Pail (Conclusion)
58. Ben's Junk: Fisher-Price PXL 2000 Camcorder
Discussing what was arguably the most difficult restoration project I’ve (successfully) undertaken. Special thanks once again to Stephen Greer for his generous donation.
59. Ben Tries (Thanksgiving Edition) (or, Ben tries Australian Stuff)
'Cause, you know, Thanksgiving, food...it all makes sense.
60. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What's with the box? Who's that creepy guy in the intro? Is Chuck Swirsky really a freakin' nerd? Those questions (and more) will be answered in this video.
61. Archive Riffs: A Christmas Dream
The Archive dusts off a minor (albeit severely butchered) art-house classic. Merry Christmas!
62. Ben's CED Collection (Deleted Segment from CED Episode)
Filmed for inclusion on the CED episode (Episode 92), but left off for time.
63. Ben's Junk: Guitars! Guitars!! Guitars!!!
Ben geeks out about guitars for 25 minutes. Watch at your own peril.
64. Ben's Junk: Ben's Philips CD-I Collection
Let’s just say it all just kind of fell into my lap.
65. Ben's Junk: Philips CD-I Peacekeeper Revolver
As promised, here's the second installment on the CD-I collection. Was it worth the wait?
66. Ben's Junk: Ben's (Incomplete) Comedy LP Collection
The one time where it's ok to giggle at Ben's Junk.
67. Ben's Junk: Fisher-Price Movie Viewer
It takes a steady hand to run one of these. Unfortunately, that's something I sorely lack.
68. Ben's Junk: Commodore 64 (& Peripherals)
A wise man once said: “Save the big (stuff) for Ben’s Junk—it needs all the help it can get.”
69. Ben's Junk: Sony TT-100 Tuner/Timer (for U-Matic)
Sometimes it takes a while for Ben's Junk to get in motion.
70. Commodore 64 (Commentary)
Admittedly, a very stream-of-consciousness commentary here, but a(n apparently) necessary one.
71. Ben's Junk: VCR Co-Pilot
I already discussed this one back on the VCR Ephemera episode, but didn't have one, so I couldn't test it. Let's rectify that situation.
72. Archive Riffs: Fox Hour Promotional Reel
Taking a look at a (rather cryptic) promo reel for a series of silent, educational two-reelers.
73. Record Ripoffs (Commentary)
A look at the first installment (and, to a lesser degree, the subsequent installments) of the recurring Record Ripoffs series. This is a commentary I’ve been wanting to do for awhile.
74. Ben's Junk: Magnavox Odyssey 2 (Video Game Console)
A look at one of the many competitors to the Atari 2600.
75. Ben's Junk: Colecovision Video Game Console
Discussing another bit of donated junk--'cause, you know, everybody apparently wants a hand in Ben's Junk.
76. Ben's Junk: (Some Of) Ben's Vinyl Collection
Lately, I've been getting asked quite a bit about my music collection. All I can say is, be careful what you wish for.
77. "The Voice" Module (for Magnavox Odyssey 2)
Oh-oh, won’t you tell me again…and again…and again…
78. Flexplay Disposable DVD Update
Taking another stab at the now-infamous "zombie" disc.
79. Fisher-Price Star Station Sing-Along Machine
Fairly recent for an Archivism—let’s take a look at how the current generation of middle and high-schoolers grew up to be such narcissists.
80. Fisher-Price PXL-2000 Camcorder (Halloween Special 2015) (Commentary)
Yeah, there were some ghosts in the camera—or were they gremlins?
81. Ben's Junk: bob (Another Nanny Box)
ACTUAL (paid) TESTIMONIAL: Parenthood turned out to be a real bitch and we were totally unprepared. Thanks bob!
82. Ben's Junk: DVD Recorder (Panasonic DMR-E55)
Another weapon in the Archive’s—well, archiving arsenal.
83. Ben's Junk: Gemmy Douglas Fir Talking Christmas Tree
Well, I already discussed Big Mouth Billy Bass. Might as well finish the 90’s/Gemmy/Talking Novelty Item concept.
84. Ben's Junk: Ben's Comic Book Collection
Superheroes? What are those?
85. Ben's Junk: Learn To Solder Kit
A soldering kit for kids? Yeah, that about fits my skillset.
86. Ben's Junk: RCA Selectavision CED Player (SGT 250)
I was downright embarrassed by my old CED Player (see the CED episode). Obviously, an upgrade was in order.
87. Ben's Junk: Ben's Audiophile Albums
For all the overpriced hunks of plastic in my possession, it’s kind of a wonder that this segment of my record collection is so small.
88. Ben's Junk: Vtech Socrates Educational Video System
(conversation overheard at VTech, 1988) Boss: What’s a name that sounds good and smart for our quasi-educational video game console? Engineer: Um, Socrates! Boss: Is he smart? Engineer: Yeah. Boss: Perfect! What’s for lunch?
89. Ben's Junk: Videocipher II Plus/Manhattan Cable TV Box
A couple of obsolete, useless (to me) bits of Pay-TV history—so, of course, I bought them.
90. Ben's Junk: go reader (Audiobook Device)
Ben helps save the environment—with bad audiobooks on a cheap, low-capacity, unalterable mp3 player!
91. Archive Riffs: Dear Miss Gloria
I’m ready for my mail, Mr. DeMille.
92. DBX Noise Reduction System (Commentary)
Effectively tackling the three “(100% showtune-free) Musical March” episodes all at once. Who’da thunk old audio gear could be so controversial?
93. Ben's Junk: Las Vegas Vacation (1997)
A decidedly different installment in the Ben’s Junk series. This time, I take a(n admittedly lengthy) stroll down memory lane about a family vacation from 20 years earlier.
94. Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 1)
Alternate Title: God, Ben! Don’t you listen to anything from this century?!?!
95. Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 2)
Remember kids, these are MY favorite albums, not yours. If there’s any overlap, consider it a happy accident.
96. Ben's Junk: MFSL Geo-Tape (Azimuth Alignment Cassette)
A slightly askew edition of Ben’s Junk. Let’s rectify that situation.
97. Ben's Junk: DBX Cassettes (DBX Addendum)
When researching the DBX episode, as best as I could gather, there were no (legit) pre-recorded DBX-encoded audiocassettes. Turns out there was a line of Classical tapes.
98. Ben's Junk: MFSL Geo-Disc (Turntable Cartridge Alignment Tool)
…and the great Archive A/V tune-up continues.
99. Ben’s Junk: (New) Speed Calibration Cassette
The Archive kicks it up a notch—or at least about one-fifth of one.
100. Ben's Junk: CVS One-Time-Use Camcorder
Remember the single-use 35mm camera? How ‘bout a single-use camcorder?
101. Conelrad (Halloween Special 2016) (Commentary)
The Archive gets nostalgic for nukes…
102. Ben’s Junk: The World of Yesterday (& other Classic Hollywood Fanzines)
Ben gets nostalgic for nostalgia—he’s meta like that.
103. Ben's Junk: Realistic Phono Pre-Amp (Model 42-2109)
Taking a look at an external preamp for the turntable—largely only because the cool kids are into it.
104. Ben's Junk: Vidicraft Vidimate Video Enhancer (Model VDM300S)
An especially dull (or sharp) edition of Ben’s Junk—it’s capable of both.
105. Ben's Junk: Star Shower Laser Light
Ben gets ambitious with his Christmas lights—in that, he’s putting any up at all.
106. Ben's Junk: Sankyo Dualux Dual8 Projector (Model 2000H)
…or, Telecine redux.
107. Ben's Junk: Allsop 3 Orbitrac Record Cleaning System
It’s no secret that the LP’s discussed on Archive were usually (presumably) buried in someone’s backyard. Naturally, we’re open to any new method of cleaning them up.
108. Ben's Junk: JVC KD-A6 Cassette Deck
Ben’s second new (to him) cassette deck in a year. What makes this one so special?
109. Ben's Junk: Discwasher Compact Disc Cleaner
Taking a look at (possibly) the first-ever CD cleaner/repair thing to ever hit the market. Is it a lost classic?
110. Ben's Junk: Royal Disc Repair System
The second installment on CD cleaning/repair devices. Is it Royally good or Royal garbage?
111. Ben's Junk: The Archive HQ Bookshelf
What’s that thing with the face in the background? This, and many (well, a few) other questions will be answered at long last!
112. Ben’s Junk: MP32C64 Adapter (Commodore Datasette Substitute)
Let’s commit a bit of Luddite blasphemy, shall we?
113. Archive Thrifting #1: Impromptu Investigations
Testing out a new, potential subseries—and hitting every conceivable pothole along the way.
114. Archive Thrifting #2: Arc of a (Dumpster) Diver
…figured I’d better shoot at least one episode in Beautiful Downtown Aurora before leaving.
115. Ben's Junk: K-Tel Record Selector
At last! Ben reviews a K-Tel product!
116. Ben's Junk: Teac V-770 Cassette Deck
The MCS deck kinda got fried. Time for another fixer-upper!
117. Discovision Dead Sides
Let’s unearth some (unintentional) pre-DVD Easter Eggs…
118. Ben's Junk: ABC Talking Monday Night Football (Board Game)
An early, talking board game—whose (nearly) every move is dictated by a tiny record.
119. Archive Riffs: Selling Your Home? (Talking House Transmitter Promo Video)
Rather serendipitously, just in time to move, we’ve unearthed a promo video for an item that we’ve used on Archive many times—namely, the Talking House Transmitter. Talk about timing!
120. Archive Thrifting #3: Beautiful Downtown Aurora's Last Stand
…because I totally needed a bunch more junk to try and pack up.
121. Ben's Junk: Rocketfish Wireless Rear Speaker Kit
There were a precious few hallmarks of the old Archive HQ that I did NOT want to carry over. Speaker wire running all over the room was one of them.
122. Ben's Junk: Audio Technica AT-LP120 Turntable (Early Thoughts)
Already went over to a direct-drive cassette deck, might as well do the same with vinyl…
123. Ben's Junk: Ben's Makeshift Bedroom Stereo System
Looking into the most intimate areas of Ben’s…half-baked stereo system.
124. Ben's Junk: Ramsey FM Transmitter (Further Experiments)
Sergei’s Catacomb of Classics in stereo, anyone?
125. Archive Thrifting #4: Elvis Sightings
Archive Thrifting®: Now in ESTEREO!!!
126. Archive Thrifting #5: Low Money Hu$tla
A mere 3½ months in the making!
127. Sounds of Terror! (Halloween Album Review)
The return of the Halloween album reviews! Now in screaming, spooktacular stereo!
128. Ben's Junk: Pac-Man Fever (Pac-Man Tiny Arcades)
I’ve got search-for-a-reissue-of-the-original-Pac-Man-arcade-game fever…it’s driving me crazy.
129. Archive Riffs: Thanksgiving Commercials
A (non-filling) seven-course meal of Turkey Day commercialism!
130. Ben's Junk: NES Classic Edition (The Last Word?)
So, what is the Oddity Archive guy doing with a reissue console?
131. Christmas LaserKaraoke (Deleted Segment from Christmas Special 2018)
A little stocking stuffer of yuletide caterwauling—er, caroling!
132. Ben's Junk: Nagaoka MP-110H Phono Cartridge
New year, more audio kit. It’s tradition, ya know?
133. Ben's Junk: Sega Pico ("Edutainment" Console)
Time to learn…that edutainment consoles rarely end well.
134. Ben's Junk: SNES Classic Edition (Belated) First Impressions)
Wait, didn’t we already cover this? Talk about déjà vu…
135. Ben's Junk: Tyco VideoCam
Ben’s recovering from a virus (and middle-ear dysfunction). Sounds like a good time to do a (kiddie) camcorder review.
136. Archive Riffs: Valentine’s Day Commercials (A Semi-Romantic Tale)
We’re just a bunch of old softies…with a taste for bent story arcs.
137. Archive Thrifting #6: Frostbite Falls
Will our scrappy hero escape the clutches of the snow monster? Find out in our next installment: “Frosty The Slowman, or, Snow Thanks to You”!
138. Ben's Junk: Ronco Mr. Microphone
Tagline: Ben: Hey, good lookin’! How ‘bout I pick you up later? Attractive Lady: (smacks Ben so hard his fillings are rearranged) Ben: But it worked for the guy in the commercial…
139. Ben's Junk: GAF Super 8 Sound Film Projector
Another fixer-upper? In Archiveland? Never!!!
140. Ben's Junk: The Big Reel (Film Collector’s Magazine)
While researching the recent VHS Distributors episode, I kept running into references to a publication known as the “Big Reel”. Turns out, it’s most (in)famous of the old film collector publications—and it’s easy to see why.
141. Discovision/Laserdisc Quirks (An Informal Discussion)
In a way, Laserdiscs never really outgrew their experimental phase. Here’s an informal, overview of SOME of the more idiosyncratic Laserdiscs out there (and/or their packaging).
142. Discovision Dead Sides Vol. 2
DVD Easter Eggs? Nah, way too easy.
143. Ben’s Junk: VGA Converters/Public Domain CD-ROMs
A double dose of turn-of-the-millennium PC goodness!
144. Ben’s Junk: Innovative Technologies ITNS-500 Slide “Scanner”
After a long delay…well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.
145. Archive Riffs: Clutch Cargo (Big "X", Parts 4 & 5)
The Archive finally gets to “see the X”! Spoiler: It’s a rock.
146. Mystery 8mm Films/The Ballad of Ben & 8mm (Commentary)
Let’s see if we can’t clear up some misconceptions about this episode…
147. Archive Thrifting #7: Wii, Wii, All The Way Home
I was going a little stir crazy at the end of last season. So, naturally, I decided to add a little to my at-home clutter.
148. Ben's Junk: Video Action Magazine (Issue #1: December, 1980)
Readin’ and dreamin’ ‘bout those Archivisms that’ll probably never happen.
149. Ben's Junk: Ben's Laserdisc Collection (2019 Edition)
Uh, oh. Ben’s geeking out again. Get comfy.
150. Fostex X-14 Cassette Multitracker/ Ben's Music "Career": The Gear
…or, how Ben unwittingly jumped on the “lo-fi” bandwagon.
151. Ben's Junk: Whippany Rhythm Master (Circa 1972 Drum Machine)
Who says Ben’s got no rhythm? He’s got 10 of them!
152. Ben's Junk: Burns Theremin
…or, The Space-Age Sounds of the Oddity Archive! (now available on vinyl and 3¾ips reel)
153. Archive Thrifting #8: Break IT You Pay For IT
Featuring our very Special Guest: Zippy The Chimp!
154. Haunted House (Halloween SFX Album Review)
Can your heart (or better yet, head) stand a trip through this haunted house? No, seriously, this is our most headache-inducing one yet.
155. Ben's Junk: Realistic Concertmate (Moog) MG-1 Synthesizer
Whatdaya mean you forgot you had a Moog? Also, synth snobs need not apply.
156. Ben's Junk: Sony DCR-TRV320 Digital8 Handycam (Video8 Addendum)
Since we were already talkin’ Video8, it only seemed right to cover the Archive’s first camcorder…not to mention, a piece of gear still (as of this episode, at least) in regular use around Archive HQ.
157. Ben's Junk: Archer Video Processor/Stabilizer (Model 15-1272A)
Guaranteed to keep this (internet) video from rolling!
158. Algorithmic Audio Mastering (CloudBounce Review)
Can online audio mastering render audio mastering engineers obsolete? The short answer: No. Having said that, it’s not as bad as you’d think.
159. Archive Thrifting #9: Christmas Confidential
Just your standard, good, old-fashioned, combustible, unnerving, overpriced Country Christmas…
160. Archive Riffs: Boxing Day Commercials (er, Adverts)
Celebrating the true meaning of Boxing Day… a whole lotta furniture and carpet sales.
161. MovieCD
A would-be full-fledged video format episode…which got curtailed by (amazingly enough) a lack of computer stuff at Archive HQ.
162. Ben's Junk: Cult VHS (& A Few DVD's) (2020 Edition)
An informal stroll few some cherry-picked titles from Ben’s (somewhat unintentional) collection of B-Movies and Cult Classics.
163. Ben's Junk: Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD Audio Interface
…or, what happens when ol’ Benny-boy decides he needs more than 2 microphone inputs.
164. Ben's Junk: Behringer neutron (analog, Monophonic) Synthesizer
Yes, I bought another synth. Yes, I swatted myself on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper over my lack of self-control.
165. Ben's Junk: Industrial Laserdiscs/ Anderic (Reproduction) Service Remote
Lookin’ under the hood of Ben’s laserdisc player (quite appropriately) with some General Motors discs.
166. Ben's Music "Career", Vol. 4.5: Greetings From Elderbush Gulch Multitracks (An Addendum)
Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Audio School is now in session!
167. Enhanced CD's (& other multimedia CD's) (an informal chat)
Please note that this episode may not run correctly unless your monitor is running at a minimum of 256 colors and your system has at least 12MB of available RAM.
168. The OA (Semi-)Supercomputer/ The OA Recording Studio Redux
Well, my last attempt at a semi-regular home audio recording rig failed…and my regular laptop is on its last legs. Here’s my attempt at solving both issues at once.
169. Ben's Junk: Sony SLO-325 Industrial Betamax
Time to take a bet(t)a look at the Archive’s first Betamax—from before the Archive even existed (in every sense).
170. Ben's Junk: 1953 & 1956 Hoffman Television Catalogs
A genuine televisual feast.
171. Ben's Junk: Tiger Quiz Wiz
Question #196.5: What is the Quiz Wiz lacking? Multiple Choice: A. An objective B. A reward C. Entertainment value D. All of the above
172. Ben's Junk: First Alert FTR-960R Time-Lapse VCR (+ Time-Lapse Tape)
The Archive gets secure...or just paranoid.
173. Archive Riffs: Moving Up To Amateur Radio
OA calling CQ, hopefully DX, lookin’ for the QT on the DL while TCB.
174. Archive Thrifting #10: Before We Were SO Rudely Interrupted
Archive Thrifting is a magical tool of last resort…Why? Because it NEVER fails!
175. Ben's Junk: Sony U-Matic & Industrial Betamax Wired Remotes
…or, Ben’s weirdest pet-project to date! (kerchunk)
176. Archive Thrifting #11: This Can Not Be The Right Price Deal
177. Ben's Junk: Pioneer RH-65 8-Track Deck
Meet the Archive’s new (to us) 8-track deck…
178. Ben's Junk: Denon UD-M30 CD Receiver
A rare, intimate, bedroom edition of Ben’s Junk…
179. Episode 200 Rebuttal & Deleted Scenes
Ok, time for my side of the story...
180. Ben's Junk: JVC HR-S7600U S-VHS ET VCR (REVISITED)
Since I had S-VHS and VCR’s on the brain already (moreso than usual), it seemed like the right time to revisit one of the early, ultra-wonky Ben’s Junk topics.
181. Ben's Junk: Buster Keaton Video Collection
October 4, 2020 marked the 125th anniversary of comedian/filmmaker Buster Keaton’s birth. Consider this the Archive’s (slightly belated and rambling) tribute to one of the greats…
182. Archive Thrifting #12: (Not-So) Scary Deals
It’s the first Archive Thrifting Spooktacular! Strangely enough, it’s probably one of the least scary Thrifting episodes to date.
183. Ben's Junk: (New) Polaroid 600 Film (& old camera(s))
You can keep your fancy digital cameras, thank you very much.
184. Ben's Junk: (Some of) Ben's Audiocassette Collection
A slow-speed ramble for a slow-speed format.
185. Ben's Junk: (New) Dubreq Stylophone
We be stylin’…stylus(in’), that is…y’all.
186. Archive Thrifting #13: Deck The Hauls
Fillin’ up the ol’ one-horse open sleigh with…some junk.
187. Ben's Junk: (some of) Ben's Vinyl Collection Vol. 2
Time to get back in the groove! (dodges tsunami of rotten produce)
188. Ben's Junk: Sega Genesis Mini
Finishing up the trilogy of belatedly-acquired, nostalgically-motivated miniature video game consoles…
189. Home Video Recording, 1972-Style (or, Ben's Complete U-Matic Rig)
Only about seven years in the making… With the occasional small liberty, a recreation of the first, commercially-available home videotape recording setup in North America. Depending on your perspective, it’s either hardcore or half-baked.
190. Ben's Junk: Toshiba 20AF43 CRT TV
No one should ever get this excited over something this mundane… Or, this CRT is 20 AF…y’all.
191. Archive Thrifting #14: (Non-)Luck of the (Non-)Irish
You’ll be green with envy over these finds…or not.
192. Phonies (Answering Machine Greetings)
Just when you thought the Archive couldn’t get any more phake…
193. Archive Riffs: A Taxing Set of Commercials (Tax Day Special)
It’s time to get down to business in Archiveland!
194. Ben's Junk: GPX Digital TV Tuner + Recorder
Can a (relative) cheapie from Menard’s drag the Archive’s off-air recording capabilities (kicking and screaming) into the 21st century? Sort of…
195. A Geeky Evening With Benny-Boy
A late-night, low-light, romantic fishing expedition with everybody’s favorite Oddity Archivist…fishing for ArchiveAnnex material, that is.
196. Ben's Junk: ClonerAlliance Box Pro (Video Capture Device)
Could it be I’ve finally stumbled onto the rightful heir of the VCR? Looks like it…
197. Ben's Junk: JVC HM-DH30000U & Mitsubishi HD-HS2000u D-VHS VCR's
A double-(4)-header of D-VHS (when possible) goodness!
198. Episode 200 (Behind The Box) (Commentary)
If ever an OA episode needed a commentary track, it’s this one…
199. Archive Thrifting #15: Out Of This World Deals
Featuring deals so far outta sight, they’re outta mind!
200. Ben's Junk: Akai GX-220 Reel-To-Reel Audiotape Deck
Of course, I had to pick up a rare and unusual deck for a tape cleaning rig. Also, not to be confused with the Akai GX-220D.
201. Ben's Casino Travelogue (Deleted Segment From How I Spent My Summer VIII)
The Archive delivers its first real travelogue…granted, it was all of a half-hour away from home, but still.
202. Archive Thrifting #16: La Cage Aux Thrifting
Thrifting can be a real drag…but not when Ben’s around!
203. VCR Cleaning (A Public Service Video)
A bit of VHSMR for everyone…
204. Channel Update (9/2021) (Sony AV-2600 Update, Sencore VA62, etc.)
There’s plenty in the OA oven right now, just none of it is rising.
205. VCR Rabbit Revisited
I got things just a hare wrong the first time around, so let’s hop to another round of tests…
206. Ben's Junk: Video Store Regulars (& Memories)
Most people would rent a video once…Benny-boy was just insane enough to rent the same tapes over and over…then eventually buy them.
207. Ben’s Junk: Wolverine Moviemaker Pro 8mm & Super8 Film Scanner
A half-hour Ben’s Junk? You might say the machine caused it to run reely long.
208. Archive Thrifting #17: Spooktacular Savings
Get a witches shawl on and find a broomstick you can crawl on…and go thrifting with Benny-boy! (snap, snap)
209. Ben's Junk: Sony Digital Mavica (Model MVC-FD73) (Floppy Disk Digital Camera from 1999)
Finally getting into this newfangled digital camera stuff…whatdaya mean you can’t get 3.5” floppies anymore?!?
210. Ben's Junk: Coolmusic Ring Modulator (& other FX) ("Max Headroom" Hijacker Voice)
Does Ben really think he’s better than Chuck Swirsky? That freakin’ liberal…
211. Ben's Junk: Christmas TV VHS & DVD's
‘Tis the season…for holiday specials. Here’s some of my favorites…
212. Archive Thrifting #18: Shortwave Santa
Run, run Rudolph…towards another pile of junk!
213. Ben's Junk: Keyfax Update/Pioneer GGF1381 Laserdisc Service Remote/Discovision Dead Sides Vol. 3
Going down a mental rabbit hole…in the most Archivian way possible.
214. Ben's Junk: VuPoint Digital Video Converter (or, the circa 2010 YouTube video device)
Feeling nostalgic for those early YouTube potato video captures? I’ve got just the scratch for that itch…
215. Ben's Junk: The Clapper
At long last, Ben’s Junk gets the clap…per.
216. Laserdisc Laser Rot
A little mythbusting (and philosophizing)…OA style.
217. Ben's Junk: Magnus Chord Organ
After last week’s video, I had to seek a 600-second miracle of my own. It seems to involve turning into a less-charming Daniel Johnston.
218. Ben's Junk: Blonder-Tongue BTX-111 "Ultraverter" (& ONTV Pay TV Box Update)
An addendum to the “Prehistoric UHF” episode…and the “ONTV/Pay TV Vol. 2” episode—about three years too late.
219. Ben's Junk: Prog & Metal VHS, Beta & Laserdiscs
For those about to rock (in 11/4 time), we salute you…
220. Ben's Junk: Newtek Calibar (A Pen-Sized Test Pattern Generator)
Ben recreates the best TV program of all time—the color bars!
221. Ben's Junk: Hotronic AP41 (Frame Synchronizer & Time Base Corrector)
It takes a lot to keep Ben’s Junk together…‘cause Ben’s Junk ain’t no good when it’s distorted and out-of-sync.
222. CD Frustrations & Easter Eggs
A casual chat…if only because the prospect of the sixth “Ben’s Junk” in a row was too much to bear.
223. Ben's Junk: Sony CVM-51UW & Panasonic WV-BM990 CRT Monitors
CRT’s are for squares…which we proudly are.
224. The Eraser Laserdisc Experiment
Tackling one of the great urban legends of the Laserdisc format. Are there any “good” copies of Eraser? And, no, I’m not referring to the film itself.
225. Archive Thrifting #19: Radios, Radios
Got a new phone (not by choice)…which means a new camera…which means…test drive time!
226. Archive Riffs: Hey, Stop That!
It’s a(n apparent) fine line between deep expressionism and wonky student film.
227. Ben's Junk: Midland WR400 NOAA Weather Radio (& other Radio Ramblings)
Mother Nature: (throws flash floods, tornadoes, derechos and blizzards at Archive HQ) Ben: I get the hint already! Geez…
228. Ben's Junk: Sony SRF-A100 AM/AM Stereo/FM Portable Radio
A truly nice little radio (especially on the AM front)…and a nice little prelude to the OA 10th Anniversary episode.
229. Archive Thrifting #20: Fair(mont) (St.) Clouds over Mankato
Taken while shooting the AM Stereo episode. If nothing else, it was the least sticker-shock-intensive part of the trip.
230. Ben Repairs: Radio Shack Executive Stress Eliminator
Testing out a potential, new occasionally recurring thing in which I undertake minor repairs on some item…and, as always, mock it a bit.
231. Sony Videocorders Update (CV-2100 & AV-3600) (8/2022)
…and the single most challenging project I’ve ever taken on…continues to kick my butt. Share in the frustration, won’t you?
232. Ben's Junk: Tyler Portable TV (model TTV701-7)
Hope you like fussy, fidgety, unintuitive setups…and 45-minute Ben’s Junks.
233. Ben's Junk: Sears Whisper-Matic IV (& Victorian-Era Theater Slides)
Hey Buddy, wanna see some early 20th century movie theater slides? Didn’t think so.
234. Ben's Junk: Ben's Blackhawk Films Collection (minus the videotapes)
…or, Ben gets nostalgic for other people’s nostalgia.
235. Ben's Junk: Sony Trinitron PVM-1343MD (Professional Video Monitor)
A rather unprofessional look at a truly professional piece of gear. Such is the Archive… And, yes, “Junk” is used in the loosest way possible here.
236. Archive Thrifting #21: We Already Have Halloween At Home
Mom, can we buy some Halloween? (see title for answer)
237. Benny M.'s TV Party (Commentary)
I think I have some ‘splainin’ to do regarding this one. NOTE: I recorded this back in early June (2022) as a fail-safe in case the thrifting episode I was trying to make fell through. Some of the points discussed here are now outdated.
238. Halloween Special 2022 Blooper Reel
…or, as some might call it, “Ben’s Final Descent Into Madness”.
239. Ben's Junk: Telemeter Pay TV Box (Circa 1960)
It’s (apparently) a fine line between your TV and a taxi meter…
240. Ben's Junk: Favorite (and/or Notable) Christmas Albums
Even old scrooge Benny-boy has those Christmas tunes that get his foot (arrhythmically) a-tappin’.
241. Archive Thrifting #22: Christmas In Elbonia
The merriest* thrifting video of the year! *FACT CHECK: Mostly false.
242. Archive Thrifting #23: Holiday Hangover
Old year, old junk. Poetic, ain’t it?
243. Magna-Guard (or, Copy-Protection, Vol. 3)
And the quest for that form of copy protection that’ll make my VCR burst into flames continues…
244. Ben's Junk: RCA BW003 (1978 Home Video Camera)
Please inspect Ben’s Junk for damage before use…and let it warm up for awhile…and don’t point it at anything bright for more than a second or two. You know what, forget it.
245. Ben's Junk: Forbidden KLAK (via the Archer Multiple Video Distribution System)
You wanted more Oddity Archive…After Dark? Here ya go. Just don’t expect anything too hot.
246. Ben's Junk: Realistic (Radio Shack) FM Wireless Lavalier Microphone System (Circa 1988)
For those looking to up their YouTube microphone game…had such a thing existed in 1988.
247. Ben's Junk: (Some of) Ben's TV-on-DVD Collection
For how much TV I watched when I was younger, it’s a wonder my brains didn’t completely leak out of my ears. See the beginning of the de-evolution of Benny-boy here…
248. Ben's Junk: Hitachi Visionbook Pro 7560 Laptop (or, My 1st, failed attempt at a Windows 98 Rig)
…because I MUST get my Diamond Rio loaded (ideally, with Diamond Rio songs)!
249. Ben's Junk: Ben's Mad Magazine Stash
What—Me Ramble?
250. Noelle's Mystery Tapes (& Channel Update - 4/2023)
Some like roses on a date, some like candy. Benny-boy likes uncatalogued analog magnetic media.
251. Ben's Junk: 80's Music Videos (on Laserdisc)
Oddity Archive and MTV have a momentary cease-fire to appreciate some 80’s tuneage.
252. Ben's Ugly A/V Rack
Hey! Nice rack, Benny-boy! (snicker)
253. Betacam SP (1st Test...From A Newbie's Perspective)
A ferric-oxide (or metal, depending on the tape) baptism…by fire.
254. Christmas Morning on a June Evening (or, Mail Day From Tyrone)
Hope you have your June tree up (ideally, something deciduous), 'cause we're about to celebrate Christmas in June.
255. Archive Thrifting #24: The Delicate Sound of Thrifting
Some things don’t come easy…like the first thrifting video of 2023 (more than halfway into the year, no less).
256. Ben's Junk: X-10 Videosender (another VCR Rabbit-esque device)
Coming right at the end of the usefulness for something like this. Let’s see if it’s too little, too late…or right on time.
257. Revenge of the Sony AV-3600 Videocorder (1st Test)
Some people’s sinuses come back from Arizona…my AV-3600 came back from Arizona—arguably the same headache.
258. Archive Thrifting #25: 3M (Moderate Minnesota Madness)
Celebrating the 25th OA Thrifting video by doing one in Minnesohta, doan ‘cha know?
259. Fix It or Forget It? (NEC S-VHS Deck)
It’s everybody’s favorite new (not quite) nerdy game show…Fix It or Forget It!!!
260. Ben's Junk: 1966 (partial) Zenith Phonevision Pay TV Box
The Archive phones it in…phoneVISION, that is.
261. Ben's Junk: SelecTV Pay TV Box
Oddity Archive®: Only for the most SelecTiVe viewers!
262. Ben's Junk: ClonerAlliance ViewLite AV (Video Capture Device)
A little device with a lot of potential…but does it live up to it?
263. Ben's Junk: Sears Du-All Eight (8mm Viewer/Editor)
Well, it does du all, I’ll give it that…
264. Archive Thrifting #26: Indian Summer
Dragging out the Summer a little longer…whether you like it or not.
265. Ben's Junk: Sharp VL-E47 "Viewcam" (Video8 Camcorder, circa 1995)
Oddity Archive®: Now in glorious Hi-Fi Mono!
266. Archive Thrifting #28: Scandalous Santa
Just hear those cash tills jing-a-ling’—ring-ting-tinga-ling…
267. Archive Thrifting #29 (Christmas Leftovers)
From that part of the Archive that’s a bit like that old take-out in the back of your fridge…that you forgot about.
268. Ben's Junk: Ben's Rifftrax DVD & Blu-Ray Collection
Looking at the Rifftrax collection…with only minimal snark…which may very well go against the laws of riff comedy.
269. Ben's Junk: Denon RCD-N10 CD Receiver
…because Benny-boy apparently goes through mini stereos like (insert absurdly famous pop star) goes through boyfriends.
270. Ben's Junk: Magnavox H2160MW9 (or, Exploring Someone's Old Personal DVR)
The tech geek equivalent of rummaging through someone’s medicine cabinet…
271. Ben's Junk: Wometco Home Theatre (WHT) Pay TV Decoder Box
Archiveco Home Theatre®: Now serving Lawn Guyland & New Joisey!
272. Ben’s Junk: ClearClick Video2USB/ A Tour of Ben’s Livestream Setup
Some livestreamers run PC games…Benny-boy likes to run Betamax tapes.
273. How To Unstretch Video (via HandBrake)
For us old fartknockers that haven’t yet warmed up to stretch-o-vision…
274. Ben's Junk: Laser Video File Laserdisc Catalog (Mid-1992)
Thumbing through the catalog of the hottest new video format (by OA standards).
275. Ben's Junk: Some More of Ben's Audiocassette Collection (Mystery Box!)
Come on down to Crazy Benny’s for…a bunch of audiocassettes that you probably don’t care about.
276. Magnavox H2160MW9 Personal DVR/DVD Recorder UPDATE (A Failure)
Trying to bulk dump the contents of the DVR. Here’s how NOT* to do it… *No Hard Drives were harmed in the making of this episode. It was reinstalled and all material is still 100% intact.
277. Ben's Junk: Videolok (VCR Anti-Theft Device)
Inconvenience and mildly annoy those evil VCR thieves with the Videolok!
278. Ben's Junk: Rhoades Teledapter (TV Stereo Simulator)
Don’t wanna wait for Stereo TV’s to be invented? Here ya go!
279. Windows 98 Laptop Update (4/2024)
The saga continues. On and on…and on…and on…
280. CD Rot Rant
Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Physical Media Studies class is now in session!
281. Ben A.'s Mystery Tapes (A Not-So-Livestream)
An unintentional episode of Oddity Archive…After Dark…in the most literal sense.
282. Windows 98 Laptop Update (5/2024) (She Lives!)
Ben christens his newly-functional laptop…by playing a little Slim Whitman.
283. Ben's Junk: Whole House FM Transmitter 3.0
Ben’s 3(.0)rd attempt at FM, Part 15-legal microbroadcasting! Let’s see if it’s the charm…
284. Ben Vs. The Cursed U-Matic Tape
A quick experiment evolves (er, devolves) into a borderline documentary…on the subject of cleaning mold off an old ¾” “U-Matic” videotape. And they say OA isn’t mainstream…
285. Archive Thrifting #30: Wet Fireworks
Spend the 4th of July the American way…shopping for junk.
286. Ben's Junk: A Tower of Vidicraft
(with apologies to Frank Sinatra) …’cause it’s Vidicraft, wicked Vidicraft. And, although I know it’s strictly taboo…
287. Quasar Great Time Machine (Round 2?)
After making the Great Time Machine episodes in 2023, I was offered another unit in exchange for transferring some tapes. I may not have gotten the better part of that deal.
288. Ben's Junk: My First DVD's
Something I never thought I’d have…warm, gooey nostalgia for the Y2K era.
289. Ben's Junk: JamC@m Digital Camera
A trip back to the late-90’s. Of course, that means being unnecessarily EXTREEEEME!!!! (insert dorky camera zoom)
290. Archive Thrifting #31: Summer's End
The little brats are finally back in school. Let’s go thrifting…
291. More Fun With Moldy U-Matic Tapes
Mold®: Now available in yellow and brown!
292. Ben's Junk: :CueCat Barcode Scanner
Truly from the audiovisual litterbox, an impractical solution to a problem that didn’t/doesn’t exist. Or, Benny-boy officially becomes a cat herder...and hoarder.
293. Ben's Junk: Sencore "Little Huey" Test Pattern Generator
A color bar generator called “Little HUEy”. No, it’s not a Norm MacDonald joke…I think.
294. Ben's Junk: Casio CMD-10 watch
Keep losing that remote control? Perhaps there’s just too many gosh-darn buttons? We’ve got a (borderline-toy) solution for you!
295. Ben's Junk: Laserviews Laserdisc Magazines
I set out to discuss laserdiscs and wound up on a tear about various movies. Ain’t that always the way?
296. Archive Thrifting #32: Halloween Hootenanny
Grab yer pardner, do-si-do…and go thrifting with ol’ Benny-boy!
297. Halloween Special 2023 (Season of the Wince) (Commentary)
Discussing the great swindle that is my little parody of “Halloween III”…and mustaches.
298. Ben's Junk: Realistic (Radio Shack) Astronaut 8 Radio
A radio that’ll send you into outer space…8 times!
299. Ben's Junk: Down Beat Magazine (10/23/1975)
An Up Beat (by my standards) look at an issue of Down Beat magazine. Now, excuse me while I clap out-of-rhythm…
300. Ben’s Junk: Thanksgiving Traditions (and not-so-traditions)
You can get anything you want at Benny-boy’s (non-existent) Restaurant…
301. Ben’s Junk: VHS is Life Mold Cleaning Rig REDUX
A product so nice, I had to review it twice…
302. Archive Thrifting #33: Christmas Clutter
Out in the stores there’s so much clutter/Let’s listen to Benny-boy groan and mutter…
Movie and TV Reviews
