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AI Restores 20-Year-Old Video! | Topaz Labs Brings Tommy Chong Footage Back to Life

Ever wondered what happened to those old home movies, VHS tapes, and grainy digital videos sitting on hard drives or tucked away in storage boxes? In this week’s FOX 11 Tech Segment, Andy Taylor explores how modern AI-powered restoration tools are helping preserve family memories and breathe new life into aging video footage.

Using software from Topaz Labs, Andy demonstrates how advanced video enhancement models can reduce noise, improve clarity, sharpen details, and upscale low-resolution footage into high-definition video. The segment highlights Topaz’s Starlight Precise 2.5 model, one of the latest tools designed specifically for video restoration and enhancement.

As a real-world example, Andy revisits a video interview with comedian and actor Tommy Chong that was originally recorded at KLPX Radio in 2004-2005 using a 320×240 digital camera. After processing the footage through Topaz Labs’ restoration tools, the video was transformed into a much cleaner 1280×720 HD version, revealing details that were nearly impossible to see in the original recording.

Whether you’re digitizing old photo albums, preserving Super 8 film, restoring VHS recordings, or upgrading early digital video, today’s AI tools offer powerful new options for digital preservation. Watch the segment to see the dramatic before-and-after results and learn how these technologies can help save your own memories for future generations.

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Scented Dice, AI Lies & Bubble Pop Addictions – EP480

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd explore the tech, gaming, and gadget stories making headlines — along with one of the most creative gaming accessories we’ve ever featured. From addictive mobile games and ultra-thin laptops to AI assistants that still get things wrong, this episode blends humor, nostalgia, and real-world techtalk.

Andy and Shawn discuss the surprisingly addictive Bubble Pop Origin mobile game, the new ASUS Zenbook A16 with its stunning 3K OLED display and Snapdragon AI-powered processor, plus what Apple may reveal during WWDC. The conversation also dives into Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT, and why AI tools still require a healthy dose of skepticism. Along the way, the hosts reminisce about retro computers, Windows XP builds, DOS gaming, wired keyboards, old MP3 players, and classic gaming memories.

Special guest Brent Critchfield from Studio Woe joins the show to talk about his unique “Baron Smelly Bones” scented gaming dice currently launching on Kickstarter. The discussion covers how the dice were created, why smell can enhance tabletop gaming experiences, and the incredible reactions gamers have had to scents inspired by coffee, fire, storms, forests, and magical spells.

The episode also features a bizarre Microsoft Teams story involving fired IT workers accidentally recording their own cybercrime confession, a look at the upcoming game Mouse PI for Hire, thoughts on Plex media servers, and anticipation for The Mandalorian and Grogu arriving in theaters.

If you love gaming culture, gadgets, retro tech, AI discussions, tabletop gaming, and fun conversations about the ever-changing world of technology, this week’s TechtalkRadio has something for you.

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Episode 472 – MacBook Neo Is Official, AI Music Gets Real & Choosing the Right Security Camera | TechtalkRadio

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy and Shawn open with condolences for Justin, who’s away for a couple weeks after a loss in the family. From there, the conversation swings into Shawn’s very real-world tech life as a broadcast engineer at Notre Dame—juggling a marathon Saturday that included multiple live productions across different networks and platforms. They also touch on the frustration of missing major industry conferences like NAB and Infocom due to schedule collisions, while still keeping an eye on the one event Shawn refuses to miss: Gen Con, the massive tabletop gaming convention he’s attended for over a decade.

Andy shares some features of the K19+
Andy shows the K19+ Hidden Camera Detector Feature
Shawn shares a Multi-Function Switch together with a Wyze Switch
Shawn shares the Multi Feature Switch he made with a Wyze Product

The middle of the show dives into the growing “ownership problem” in modern tech—especially as it relates to phones, computers, and cloud services. Andy and Shawn react to Apple’s latest headlines, including talk of a more affordable iPhone option and what a lower-cost iOS device could mean for people who don’t want (or can’t justify) flagship pricing. That naturally leads to a bigger discussion: device upgrade fatigue, the rising cost of PC parts like RAM and storage, and the creeping shift toward renting everything—software, storage, even processing power—through subscriptions and cloud instances.

The Final after Adjusting Eye Color in Photoshop
Final after Photoshop Eye Layer
Original Photo of Gloria before attending a KLPX Ozzy Event
Original Photo from 2002 of Gloria
After having Gemini update the background with a prompt highlighting the event. We shouldn't have asked for the Green Eyes.
Gemini Take after asking for Green Eyes??

AI is the big philosophical thread this week. They debate the ethical and emotional cost of AI-generated content—how it’s getting harder to tell what’s real, why disclosure matters, and what happens when companies replace human creativity because AI is cheaper and “good enough.” Andy shares a fascinating example using Suno, an AI music generator that created a shockingly convincing song featuring the show’s names—cool, impressive… and immediately uncomfortable once you realize what it represents. They also dig into the fine print reality: even when you prompt the creation, you often don’t truly own it, and rights can disappear the moment you stop paying.

In the second half, the show pivots back to practical tech help with a listener question about home security cameras. Shawn lays out why he’s a fan of Wyze—especially the value of an unlimited camera plan and SD-card local recording—while Andy weighs in with real-world comparisons like Google Nest limitations and other alternatives (including a window-mounted camera option he demoed on TV). The episode wraps with a fun maker-style segment where Shawn explains his DIY hack turning a Wyze smart switch into a portable “smart button,” plus a quick look at an RF/IR detection gadget Andy picked up for travel privacy and hidden camera detection. Finally, they close on fresh Apple rumors—an apparent leak pointing to a lower-cost “MacBook Neo”—and tease next week’s topic: AI journaling with Rosebud.

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Episode 471 – AI Ads, New Tech & The Death of Trust Online | TechtalkRadio

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Justin Lemme, and Shawn DeWeerd are finally all back in the same episode—and they waste no time diving into the biggest tech vibes of the week: Super Bowl ads, AI overload, and the growing feeling that nothing we see online can be trusted at face value.

The crew kicks things off talking about how Super Bowl commercials just don’t hit like they used to—especially now that so many ads get spoiled early and a wave of “AI everything” messaging has officially arrived. One standout: the uneasy reaction to a Ring-style “AI neighborhood search” concept that left everyone asking the same question… is this helpful… or is this Big Brother? That leads into a bigger conversation about terms-of-service “gotchas,” features enabled by default, and how the U.S. and EU often treat consumer protections very differently. Andy found his old Dude Your Getting a Dell T-Shirt, The Guys wondered what happened to the Dude Guy? 10 years ago this week – He answered the Questions in this video for TechInsider posted to YouTube

From there, the episode shifts into something closer to home: the ongoing Nancy Guthrie case in Tucson and how AI-generated “enhancements” and misinformation are muddying the waters online. The guys discuss how quickly fake visuals and wild speculation can spread, especially when streamers and social feeds turn a real investigation into 24/7 content. The takeaway is simple—and kind of scary: AI is making it harder than ever to trust what we’re seeing.

Listener questions bring the episode into practical territory. One parent asks where teens should start with AI, and the answer is all about guardrails: keep it open, keep it honest, and stay involved. Justin shares a great real-world example—using AI as a supervised helper so his son can learn Roblox Studio and build an actual working game. (Proof that with the right oversight, these tools can be more “creative superpower” than “digital doomscroll.”)

Then it’s nostalgia time. Susan in Green Valley wants to revisit classic Windows 95-era games, and Shawn points listeners toward GOG (Good Old Games) for DRM-free classics and the Internet Archive for browser-playable retro titles. The gaming talk escalates into Diablo vs. World of Warcraft, “Will It Run Doom?” madness (yes, people run Doom on everything), and even a moment of remembrance for Hideki Sato, a key figure behind Sega’s legendary hardware era—including the Dreamcast.

The episode wraps with a quick Apple-watch segment: a teased “special Apple experience,” rumors of new hardware like an iPhone 17E and MacBook Pro with M5, and a side-road into shifting tech ecosystems—Windows frustrations, growing Linux momentum, and Andy’s ongoing real-world adjustment to Android life with his Pixel. As always: listener questions, tech laughs, and just enough chaos to keep it fun.

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New Show Posted! Episode #373 – The Pumpkin Party

On this week’s TechtalkRadio Show, join Justin, Shawn, Andy, and Slick as they dive deep into the latest in tech news and trends. The show kicks off with a discussion and description of Midjourney, an artificial intelligence tool from creating media. Justin, tell us about experimenting with Midjourney and his experiences are nothing short of fascinating. The conversation starts on a light note as Justin requests the Midjourney Bot to create an image of three individuals ready to discuss technology, resulting in surprisingly realistic scenarios. However, things take an unexpected turn when Justin challenges the bot to generate images of women celebrating October and the beloved pumpkin spice flavors. The results are, in a word, weird!

The heart of the discussion revolves around the world of AI, including the likes of ChatGPT and Midjourney, and how understanding and harnessing this technology is vital for the evolving business landscape. Justin even shares an AI-generated photo of Tupac enjoying ice cream and recommends the “Cursed AI” Facebook group for some authentic laughs.


As the AI discussion continues, the team explores companies’ limitations on AI use. Andy recounts a corporate memo from a radio group he worked with forbidding Voice AI in commercials and radio shows even as a parody. They also touch upon the limitations of AI in Zoom meetings, which could potentially unveil sensitive transcripts from the third-party apps.

Next up, Andy introduces us to some exciting Samsung products, including the Disney 100, Neo G9 57″ curved monitor, and the Samsung Terrace, an impressive 85″ outdoor viewing screen priced around $20,000. The team delves into the 4K technology and its perceived necessity, shedding light on its benefits. Shawn and Justin provide insights into ATSC 3.0 and its potential to revolutionize programming, with 112 active stations currently using it.

Apple’s upcoming event on September 12th takes center stage, with expectations of an iPhone 15 announcement featuring USB-C. The advantages of USB-C are explored in-depth.Amidst the tech buzz, Andy confesses to his computer gaming indulgence with Windows Solitaire and expresses his interest in trying out Baldur’s Gate 3, a game recently experienced by Shawn and Justin. They share their thoughts on this new title.

The show concludes with a cautionary tale shared by Andy about a deceptive Instagram friend request that turned into an attempt to compromise an account. The lesson here: always exercise caution online and verify suspicious messages, even if they appear to come from social media platforms. Don’t click on unsolicited SMS or Email links!

Tune in for another TechtalkRadio episode packed with tech insights, humor, and valuable lessons in navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape and please share with a friend!

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