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Topic: PC Keyboards

Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-30-2002 03:25 AM

Here is a nifty keyboard. It is the first one I ever seen like this, because it has a built-in amplifier and two speakers, along with a microphone. It is powered by a 9-Volt adapter, and on the right side by the three bumps it has three mini-jacks for a sub-woofer output, a stereo headset, and an external microphone. This thing really sounds much better than the Soundblaster Multimedia speakers. It has an off/on switch, volume control, mute button, switch for Stereo-SRS (Whatever that is) that really makes stereo sound better. Supposedly it is called a "Noteworthy Concert Master." However, I did not find a true website on this company that built it.

I paid $7.50 for it at my friend's surplus store where I got my two truckloads of computers. The keyboard looks like new. I was so impressed with it as a general kick-around keyboard that I would like to get a couple more of them. Anyone have any ideas?

Has anyone seen these critters? Here is a picture:

If the picture on the monitor looks like I am assembling a Simplex E-7, you are absolutely correct.

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Daniel Boisson
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 157
From: Buffalo, NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 10-30-2002 11:14 AM

What company is that? I've seen one similar to it, but it had little tiny speakers and a bunch of useless extra buttons.
I prefer wireless...

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-30-2002 02:52 PM

Daniel, I didn't know who manufactured it at the time I made my post. I have the keyboard at the radio station on my computer. However, I am there now, and I found out who manufactured it.

It was built by Toshiba and the Model Number is NWKB104MM. The "SRS Logo" is a trademark of SRS Labs, Inc.

I suppose wireless keyboards and mice are fine. But I am too "cheap" to buy them, because I can't justify the cost when weighing it out with the extra benefits gained.

Here is a website of SRS Labs, Inc.
here

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 10-30-2002 03:03 PM

A couple friends of mine from way back work at SRS Labs (one of them is the president). SRS has licensed its stereo enhancement and surround-sound technology for a lot of consumer products like TVs. Their processor can take a standard 2-channel signal and make pretty convincing surround-sound out of it (CircleSurround).

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-30-2002 03:22 PM

If I had a wireless keyboard, I would have to buy a bigger monitor so I could see it from farther away.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-30-2002 03:26 PM

David, yes - it does make it quite "Convincing".....I was blown away by how much it improved the sound quality....out of 2-inch speakers (or smaller) on this keyboard. I wonder what it might sound like in a high-power system?

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Daryl C. W. O'Shea
Film God

Posts: 3977
From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from)
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-30-2002 05:08 PM

On a side note, Windows Media Player 8 (and maybe earlier) includes SRS. You can find it under 'View -> Now Playing Tools'.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-31-2002 12:51 PM

Daryl, yes indeed it is there as SRS WOW Effects....I tried it. It sure sounds nice.....I am impressed!

If you click on the SRS button, it takes you to the SRS Website.

But the TruBass, WOW Effect, ON Button, and Large Speakers button do work. But be aware - if you turn the FulBass up to maximum, it might be possible to blow up your sub-woofer... (j/k)

I could be wrong, but Music Match does not have that SRS option....at least, I didn't see it in there anywhere. I don't use WINAMP in this machine, so I could not check.

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Daryl C. W. O'Shea
Film God

Posts: 3977
From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from)
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-31-2002 01:01 PM

It seems like TruBass, WOW Effect, and the ON button work for me. The Large speakers button seems to slightly adjust the EQ. Maybe it's soundcard dependent? I'm using an SBLive Pro.

edit: I just re-read your post. Either you edited it, or I can't read 'this early' in the day. Probably the later.

I don't think I'll have to worry about blowing my 18" endtable (um, subwoofer), but the guy downstairs might complain.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-31-2002 01:11 PM

Daryl, that's the same soundcard I use. I have to admit I don't have a syb-woofer in this system, but I do have a QSC-1400 driving some old Sansui SP-5000's, and the QSC is driven by an Audio Technica ATC-1220.

I don't need a "Sub" in this system. Those Sansui's have one helluva low end to begin with.

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Daryl C. W. O'Shea
Film God

Posts: 3977
From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from)
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-31-2002 02:58 PM

I don't have a television in my apartment here in Hamilton, so I use my 21" LCD for everything (television, DVD's, etc.) otherwise I wouldn't bother with a subwoofer for a computer.

I've heard those Sansui's before, you're right Paul, they sure do have a heck of a low end.

Back to keyboards, I use a Mitsumi keyboard with an 8 foot cable, it cost me $10, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some days I'd never be able find a wireless keyboard on my desk... no cable to follow. I've tried a few wireless keyboards but can't stand the buffering most suffer (especially in RF noisy enviroments). Maybe I need to type slower. I bet if I called tech-support to complain that that would be their solution.

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-31-2002 03:09 PM

Yeah - I can just visualize one of those wireless keyboards sittin' 14 feet away from a 10kw AM transmitter RF cabnet.....

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Jason Burroughs
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Allen, TX
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-31-2002 05:01 PM

A little off subject, but didn't SMART make a processor that used SRS?

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