Episode 440 - "From Flashlights to Flight: Tech That Glows and Goes"
May 15, 2025•55 min
Episode description
This Week on TechtalkRadio:
Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd dive into a tech-filled episode with Shawn sharing his role as Technical Director for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Society competition, where he managed the live YouTube stream of performances. The duo also chatted about the upcoming musical follow up to Wicked and the announcement of a new trailer, which will debut during a re-release of the original film.
Shawn explored the Wyze camera’s RTSP streaming platform and its potential costs, recommending the Cam Plus Unlimited plan for multi-camera setups. He also broke down the benefits of lithium iron phosphate batteries—lighter, longer-lasting, but requiring upgraded components like solar controllers and breaker boxes. He plans to double his battery storage for better camping power, confirming his solar panels and gas generator can already handle overnight usage.
Andy asked whether Shawn has an Insta360 Camera mounted on his trailer for immersive views and potential security use. The team also discussed the DJI Mavic Pro 4, boasting a 100MP Hasselblad camera, triple-camera 360° rotation, and 6K 60fps HDR capabilities. While not officially available in the U.S. due to tariffs, a few retailers seem to have them. They discussed the lack of competitive U.S.-made drones in the consumer market.
A listener named Rick from Sahuarita wrote in about learning tech. Andy and Shawn suggested focusing on one area—like cameras, drones, or computers—and using platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Khan Academy. Andy shared how he learned by taking apart PCs, while Shawn recommended building a system and installing Linux for hands-on experience. They also tackled the growing trend of companies revoking lifetime subscriptions, like VPN Secure. A Article from ARSTechnica highlighted one of these issues. Both agreed this will become more common with the shift to SaaS models, where ongoing development often leaves older one-time purchases behind.
Finally, Shawn wrapped things up with his latest DIY project—modifying an old Playskool flashlight with a 3.7-volt 10-watt LED, USB-C charger, and a heat sink to prevent overheating. It was a bright success (pun intended) and just the start of more hands-on builds to come.
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Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd dive into a tech-filled episode with Shawn sharing his role as Technical Director for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Society competition, where he managed the live YouTube stream of performances. The duo also chatted about the upcoming musical follow up to Wicked and the announcement of a new trailer, which will debut during a re-release of the original film.
Shawn explored the Wyze camera’s RTSP streaming platform and its potential costs, recommending the Cam Plus Unlimited plan for multi-camera setups. He also broke down the benefits of lithium iron phosphate batteries—lighter, longer-lasting, but requiring upgraded components like solar controllers and breaker boxes. He plans to double his battery storage for better camping power, confirming his solar panels and gas generator can already handle overnight usage.
Andy asked whether Shawn has an Insta360 Camera mounted on his trailer for immersive views and potential security use. The team also discussed the DJI Mavic Pro 4, boasting a 100MP Hasselblad camera, triple-camera 360° rotation, and 6K 60fps HDR capabilities. While not officially available in the U.S. due to tariffs, a few retailers seem to have them. They discussed the lack of competitive U.S.-made drones in the consumer market.
A listener named Rick from Sahuarita wrote in about learning tech. Andy and Shawn suggested focusing on one area—like cameras, drones, or computers—and using platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Khan Academy. Andy shared how he learned by taking apart PCs, while Shawn recommended building a system and installing Linux for hands-on experience. They also tackled the growing trend of companies revoking lifetime subscriptions, like VPN Secure. A Article from ARSTechnica highlighted one of these issues. Both agreed this will become more common with the shift to SaaS models, where ongoing development often leaves older one-time purchases behind.
Finally, Shawn wrapped things up with his latest DIY project—modifying an old Playskool flashlight with a 3.7-volt 10-watt LED, USB-C charger, and a heat sink to prevent overheating. It was a bright success (pun intended) and just the start of more hands-on builds to come.
Connect With Us on social media
Facebook @techtalkers
Instagram @techtalkradio
X @TechtalkRadio
Instagram techtalkradio
Bluesky : techtalkradio
Web: TechtalkRadio.ComAvailable on Audacy, iHeart, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google, Spotify and Spreaker!
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