EEVblog #899 - Extreme Mailbag

[Fungus]

For me it would be nice if items got the time they needed in the mailbag and then do two mailbags some weeks.

Yep.

All items are not equal. Some are worthy of two seconds (a phone), some are worthy of much more (that multimeter - does it work? Show it in action!)

[g0hjq]

I definitely prefer the old format - some things deserve more time than others.

I'm quite happy for Dave to fast-forward or even skip completely the opening of boxes part though.

[Fungus]

I definitely prefer the old format - some things deserve more time than others.

I'm quite happy for Dave to fast-forward or even skip completely the opening of boxes part though.

Maybe he could even cut the tape and open the envelopes before starting.

[orion242]

Put me down for the old format.

Why the hell do you need a goggle+ account just to leave a fricken comment on a video.  The borge just wants more I suppose...

[HeywoodFloyd]

Those calculators, they're like the coolest thing ever  I have an emulator on my phone...  BUT .. do the keys have the same clicky feel that those of the original HPs had? I'd buy them just for that.. and obviously the phone emulator can't do that 

And RPN is like the best thing ever for calculators, once you're used to it you won't go back... at least as long as your stack is deep enough, I think it was only four on the oldest ones?

And as regards the mailbag format, for my two post-brexit-penny's worth, I prefer the old format.

[Cerebus]

+1 for the old format.

I was really annoyed that the first thing to come up, and the first thing to get the rushed treatment, was the - to me - interesting packaging/construction techniques in that motor controller - I'd have liked to see more detail on that one for sure.

[German_EE]

  Add one more vote for the new format but maybe have a little longer per item, say 3 minutes?

[Halcyon]

I might be treading on uncharted waters, but hear me out...

I wonder what a live mailbag segment would look like where viewers get to "vote" on what they want to see more of or less of through the use of a "move on" button. Dave just goes through is motions and the viewers decide when they've had enough of a particular item. The less people that hit the "move on" button, the more Dave rambles. ;-)

Of course this wouldn't be a format for every week, but once in a while might be nice.

It would involve a little more setting up on Dave's end (you'd want at least two cameras, one overall shot and one close up of the desk which Dave can switch between).

Just a thought. 

[bryanrj1]

Stick with the old format please.

[bktemp]

I might be treading on uncharted waters, but hear me out...

I wonder what a live mailbag segment would look like where viewers get to "vote" on what they want to see more of or less of through the use of a "move on" button. Dave just goes through is motions and the viewers decide when they've had enough of a particular item. The less people that hit the "move on" button, the more Dave rambles. ;-)

I thought the same when Dave said he tries to empty the mailbag shelf. I have no idea if this could work, because Dave rambles even more when he is live, but it could be an interesting experience:
Live mailbag until all packages and letters on the shelf are gone. Just opening them, showing everything for a short time (like in this extreme mailbag) and in the meantime people can vote what items deserve more time afterwards, or if Dave should do a 2 minute teardown (or put them on the shelf next to the other 20 mobile phones waiting for a mass teardown).

[Brumby]

IMHO, live casting is not the sort of thing that would work for this segment.  You would need to spend more time preparing and setting up - and you would need to watch the clock - and every word spoken - ALL the time.  The current approach means, just shoot ... and edit later.

Add to that the need for an audience to be available at exactly that time in order to get real-time input and you not only tie down Dave to a specific time - but any audience participants as well.  Add to that the possibility that anybody available at the time may not be representative of Dave's wider viewing audience and the content may not end up being more interesting - but more frustrating.

Also - the current approach allows for interruptions during the shoot and editing, something that just isn't on for a live event.  Interruptions can happen - and when it is a higher priority or even urgent, the current approach can be dropped in a second and picked up again later.

[Fungus]

I might be treading on uncharted waters, but hear me out...

I wonder what a live mailbag segment would look like where viewers get to "vote" on what they want to see more of or less of through the use of a "move on" button. Dave just goes through is motions and the viewers decide when they've had enough of a particular item. The less people that hit the "move on" button, the more Dave rambles. ;-)

Of course this wouldn't be a format for every week, but once in a while might be nice.

He'd have to do it in the middle of the night of course...most of his viewers are in a completely different time zone.

And you'd probably find out how much dead-time there is between opening up each parcel, walking it over to the teardown bench, setting up the camera over there, etc.

[bktemp]

He'd have to do it in the middle of the night of course...most of his viewers are in a completely different time zone.

That shouldn't be a problem. If you look at Dave's recent live shows, he got hundreds of viewers almost immediately. But you are right, if Dave wants viewers from both USA and Europe, he has to do it in the middle of the night. He can pick 2 out of 3: America, Australia, Europe.

And you'd probably find out how much dead-time there is between opening up each parcel, walking it over to the teardown bench, setting up the camera over there, etc.

Dave can open everything on the mailbag bench first and then take only the most requested items to his other bench. So he has to move only once.

[System Error Message]

2 minutes only? What about 2 hours per item
Think Dave would have the endurance to handle 2 hours per item?

[Brumby]

Think Dave would have the endurance to handle 2 hours per item?

Dave would have a better chance than 99.999999% of his viewers.

[Falkra]

I see there are a lot of comments on Youtube. I also prefer the "old" format.
- some items are really interesting and deserve more than 2 minutes (and are not candidates for a full length episode)
- comments and explanations are cool, and interesting
- viewers can always skip if they think some parts are too long (but if it's too short...  they are a bit hungry for more)
- this test video looked rushed/hurried, I think Dave wanted to tell us more and auto-censored 

The good points (IMO) :
- automatic fast forward box opening
- well focused close ups when showing objects (again, because it is interesting to see, no complaints here)
- blood (new feature) just kidding

Also, mailbag isn't my favorite segment. 
Is dumpster diving gone ? Maybe they locked the door (or the new place has simply no good diving point).

[Zad]

To be fair, most of the results from dumpster diving are going to to be either generic PCs, or another monitor/TV with a faulty backlight driver or power supply. There is only so much you can say about those, and I think they have been "done".

[Falkra]

True. But it was quite fun. 
Everything has an end.

[Rolo]

My two cents, stick with the old format and fast forward the unpacking. And use a normal knive. This started as fun but now I find it's radiating a bit of agression.

[strangersound]

My two cents...

Dave, some good ideas already mentioned:

- Definitely do a separate video for the Simpson 269. She's definitely worth the time.
- Annotations so people can advance to the next package/item. A good bit more trouble for Dave, but it would be handy for people with ADD. I like listening to Dave ramble, so the more the merrier, but I can understand people who want something different.
- And just do more mailbag videos to address the backlog. You've mentioned previously that Mailbag is a popular segment with your viewers, so just do more of them. I don't see a need to limit the videos to one a week or whatever.
- A separate video with all the cellphones that follows the timeline of their release showing the evolution of circuitry.

I like the above ideas. I didn't mind the FF of the actual unboxing. That helps trim the length a little bit. I was kinda shocked at the idea, because you already talk fast and usually appear to be doing everything you can to keep the Mailbag and other videos from going over the hour mark. You like to talk at length about things, which is the primary reason I became a regular viewer. I'm a fan of electronics, but I'm more an audio guy (yeah, I know...), but I like your personality and I've actually learned a lot from watching your videos.
Content is king, but presentation is what seals the deal. Just look at AvE. His content is all over the place and a lot of times is just filler...but for him, it's all about the delivery. He's a comedian, he just works an unusual niche.

So yeah, we already think your extreme and we love your inability to make a short video. I think that's why most are voting for the old format.

You could try some new hybrid. Like try the extreme version again, but with some 2 minute teardowns, and then wait for the viewers to vote on what we want another video on. Do like a poll when you post the companion thread for the video. When you are in the edit stage, you'll know which items are gonna be popular.

So I didn't mind the "extreme" version, but I did miss the 2-minute teardowns. And as somebody else noted, you do suggest a lot that you may come back to an item with another video, but most of the time you're just teasing us.

I don't know if people realize that the process of making a Mailbag video takes a lot more time than you think. I'd guess at least two hours to shoot one, a few hours to edit, annotations, uploading, making the related thread and social media posts. I'd assume he's got a day's work in one.

So I'm just guessing Dave's trying to streamline his process, not reduce content or attempt to be trendy. Calling it extreme mailbag I'm sure was totally tongue in cheek.

Anyway, thanks for all the work you do Dave. And please do the full treatment on that Simpson 269. Vintage test gear getting the Dave treatment is the primo stuff.

 

[Brumby]

So I didn't mind the "extreme" version, but I did miss the 2-minute teardowns. And as somebody else noted, you do suggest a lot that you may come back to an item with another video, but most of the time you're just teasing us.

I have to agree (not about the teasing part).

The item is there, and the interest is piqued at that moment.  A 2 minute teardown there and then deals with all that and takes the pressure off finding the time and justification for a separate video.  For those who are so motivated, any further interest can be discussed in comments or on the forum.  For those who are not, they can just let the mailbag video run or skip to the next item.

If things really fire up, then maybe it will give Dave an idea for a fully fledged video - perhaps exploring not only the item received in the mailbag, but of kindred tech.  It's been done before - and it works for me.


Dave - I suggest you read all these comments - and then just trust your gut.

Remember, your content and personality to date are what have brought you the following you have today.

[Bobson]

AIWA is NOT in business now, Dave. SONY quit AIWA in 2005.

The cassette player probably is AIWA HS-PX410, a high-end model from early 90-es.
http://walkman-archive.com/gadgets/series_aiwa_px_line.html

[Muessigb]

I personally do NOT like the new format at all.
The old, long style was so much better and more respectful to the people spending a little fortune to send items all the way to Australia.
While you could speed up the general unboxing, keep reviewing the items longer! A fixed two minutes just don't cut it!

EDIT: I am glad you found back to a fun to watch format for the latest mailbag

[Brumby]

Yep - that's how Dave has taken all the feedback on board.

Now the only thing I wonder about is what he's saying when fast forwarding through the opening of the packages.  Sometimes there are little gems of wisdom or other interesting snippets.  Now we just get a chipmunk on red cordial...

[rrinker]

 After a few dozen complaints about that horrible padding they use in some envelopes that gets all over, how many more do you need to hear?  I hate the stuff myself, for the same reason Dave does. And then there's the pull tabs that don't work - or the pull tabs that he notices only AFTER slicing the thing open with the Dundee knife. I did notice on the latest one that despite the chipmunk openings, he did leave in some, ie the one where he managed to slice the note while opening the package. Seems to me the chipmunk on speed ones are reserved for the boring ones only.