Andy TaylorActivision, AI, Audio Production, Cameras, Comedy, Computer Games, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Drone, Health, Nex Playground, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 468 – Tech, Games & AI: What’s Real Anymore?

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd deliver another wide-ranging episode that blends practical tech advice, nostalgic gaming, and real-world perspective—without taking things too seriously.

The show opens with a discussion about content creation, audio gear, and accessibility, as the guys compare microphones, wireless lavs, and mixers while discussing captions, video platforms, and the ongoing challenges of cloud-based workflows. From there, listener questions drive the conversation into mobile video editing, USB formatting, and the never-ending debate over whether thumb drives are outdated—or still essential.

Shawn revisits classic titles through modern retro hardware, sparking a broader discussion about digital ownership, microtransactions, and why older games still feel more complete than many modern releases. Andy also highlights family-friendly, motion-based gaming designed to get kids moving—The Nex Playground which does a great job opening up a conversation about screen time, balance, and growing up in a tech-saturated world. 

The episode wraps with a ook at AI and perception, exploring how viral images, deepfakes, and powerful generative tools are changing the way we trust what we see online. Andy notes that is easy now to just say “It’s AI” as he was seeing in a video from over 5 years ago during the Military Coup in Myanmar. Andy and Shawn reflect on why skepticism can be healthy—but also why it’s important to slow down, verify, and remember that not everything is artificial.

Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com.

Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page.

Connect With Us on social media – See the Video of this Show on our YouTube Page and Now on Spotify as well.Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!

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Episode 466 – “Retro Reboots, Stranger Things Secrets, and TechtalkRadio Turns 30!”

TechtalkRadio kicks off 2026 with Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd diving into what everyone’s talking about — including the Stranger Things finale buzz and the rumor of a “secret” alternate episode (conspiracy theories included). Since recording, we find out that it is exactly that, a Rumor! From there, the guys slide into full nostalgia mode: retro gaming, childhood memories, and why classic consoles still hit differently — from Mario Kart 64 and Ocarina of Time, to the reality check of firing up an old Wii and realizing… the graphics don’t look like you remembered.

Photo of Andy Taylor

The show also hits practical tech with listener questions, including how to digitize VHS tapes the right way (without creating giant files or losing quality), what capture gear actually matters, and why transferring analog media is still a time-consuming “real-time” process. Plus, they revisit the debate: should you shut your computer down at night — and what exceptions make sense (like Plex servers)?

On the home media side, Shawn breaks down Plex in plain English — what it is, how it works, what’s free, and why opening your server for remote streaming can be risky if you aren’t staying on top of updates. You’ll also hear tips for responsibly getting rid of old towers and CRT gear (and why you should always pull hard drives first).

Finally, Andy shows off a couple of fun gadgets — including a compact media player as a “phone-free” music option and a slick new Ethernet-equipped hub — before wrapping with a rapid-fire trip down 1990s memory lane (dial-up sounds, TV Guide, Blockbuster nights, and the Dewey Decimal System).

Tech, nostalgia, CES talk, and real listener help — all in the first TechtalkRadio of 2026.

Andy TaylorAI, Amazon Prime, Apple, Asus, Audio Production, Backups, Books, Cameras, Comedy, Computers, Events, Facebook, Google, Hardware, Home Theater, Keyboards, Kingston Technology, Mobile Games, Music, Streaming Video, Technology Companies, Technology News, Technology Radio, TechtalkRadio, TTR Website, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Episode 465 – Pricey RAM and Scams That Sleigh Your Wallet

We have been running behind so wanted to make sure we share these episodes that Aired but have not been posted. Hope you enjoy them!

Linda Chorney at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards February 12, 2012
Andy Taylor takes a Pie to the Face
New Audiobook Available



This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off in full holiday mode with a look at Microsoft’s latest seasonal merch drop—highlighting the surprisingly steep price tag on the new “ugly sweater,” the retro logos packed into the design (and a few questionable modern additions), plus the equally head-scratching 50th anniversary Crocs and other oddball collectibles on Microsoft’s revamped merchandise site. The conversation rolls naturally into Shawn’s Christmas wish list—everything from retro gaming gear and board-game storage to soldering tools, ham radio accessories, and FPV drones—along with the realities of finding certain tech items in stock (or even available) right now.

From there, the show pivots to timely safety and consumer tech advice. Andy shares warnings tied to “Dangerous December,” reinforcing how critical it is to keep browsers and mobile devices updated during peak online shopping season, when older devices and outdated software can become easy targets. The duo also addresses a growing concern around romance scams, outlining common red flags—like refusing video calls or pushing for money—and reminding listeners how easily scammers can use public online details to build trust and manipulate victims.

We get a chance to answer a listener question from Cecilia in Tucson about a dropped laptop with a shattered screen—explaining how adding an external monitor can often bring the machine back to life, and walking through common steps to enable an external display if it doesn’t switch automatically. That discussion expands into practical habits for everyday computing, including whether to shut down systems overnight, what “update and shut down” really means in the real world, and how different devices (home rigs, servers, and work machines) have very different expectations for uptime and maintenance.

Later, Andy welcomes Linda Chorney—Grammy-nominated artist, filmmaker, and self-described DIY “rebel”—to talk about her new audiobook, It Ain’t Over Till the Indie Sings. Linda shares the remarkable story behind her career, how technology and persistence helped her navigate the industry, and how she taught herself production workflows—from editing and syncing audio to recording in Pro Tools and meeting modern audiobook standards. The episode closes with gaming news for Tomb Raider fans and a nostalgic holiday wrap-up, as Shawn recounts a weekend of in-person gaming, board games, and Lord of the Rings marathons—celebrating the kind of face-to-face tech friendship and shared experiences that many of us miss in today’s always-online world.

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Episode 464 – Cartridges, Clouds, and Cardboard Full of Lies

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor and Shawn DeWeerd kick things off with retro gaming nostalgia, sparked by Shawn’s new Analogue 3D Nintendo 64 console. They reminisce about classic titles like GoldenEye, Mario 64, Zelda, and Perfect Dark, discuss the rising value of physical game cartridges, and debate whether rare sealed games should be played or preserved. The conversation highlights why many gamers are rediscovering the joy of owning physical media in an era dominated by digital licenses and always-online requirements.

Andy used the New Tools to Correct this Photo from 1998 using Adobe
The Before Correction original Photo from 1998 before usings tools from Adobe

Andy announces he will be able to preview the upcoming Anti-Gravity A1 drone which has some amazing features, comparing it to DJI’s lineup while breaking down FAA weight rules, 360° video capabilities, proprietary file formats, and real-world use cases for content creators. From there, listener Alan gives us a question which leads into practical advice on buying used computers, including what specs matter most, how to spot poorly maintained systems, and why gaming PCs often make excellent everyday machines.

Shawn shares the Analogue 3D Console
Shawn DeWeerd and Andy Taylor of TechtalkRadio

Cybersecurity takes center stage next as Andy and Shawn react to a viral story that was posted on Reddit of a customer receiving a box of rocks instead of a high end graphics card from a major retailer, prompting a discussion on recording unboxings to protect against fraud. They also share timely guidance on VPNs, echoing federal warnings from CISA to avoid free VPN services, a basic explaination of how VPNs encrypt data, protect users on public Wi-Fi, and allow access to region-locked content while traveling.

Gloria before Touch Up
After Corrections in Adobe Photoshop

To wrap up this weeks show, Andy talks about his recent to Adobe with the purchase of Creative Cloud Pro and how he has found the modern AI-powered tools in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Firefly have transformed photo restoration, from repairing washed-out celebrity photos, see the pic of Andy and Stallone above, to restoring older damaged family images. There are so many new features, some AI, others just enhanced more functional tools in the suite which has Andy very excited about using them. While on the subject of photos, Andy shares a story that was covered by CBS News that serves as a heartfelt reminder to digitize and back up family photos after Actress/TV Host Ricki Lake’s lost memories thought destroyed in the Malibu Fires were unexpectedly recovered at a Flea Market. Shawn shares the clear breakdown of the essential “3-2-1 backup rule.”

Got a question for the show? Email techguys@techtalkradio.com, and catch more at techtalkradio.com.

Please Share, Listen, Subscribe to the Show on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, YouTube and Our YouTube Page. Connect With Us on social media – See the Video of this Show on our YouTube Page and Now on Spotify as well.

Also Available on KGVY AM/FM, Amazon Music, PodBean and other Delivery Networks!