Oddity Archive — Specials

Jul 20128m

Michael Bay directed music videos? That would explain a lot.

Aug 20124m

This video has been censored by "The Man" for your pleasure.

Sept 20128m

What the hell would make this overplayed moldy-oldie count as an oddity? Find out...

Oct 201212m

The first Archive Riffs episode. Ben tackles a supposed promotional film for the "Butter & Egg Days Festival" that the Rifftrax guys already did--but they don't know real art (like Ben does).

Oct 20125m

A nice, compact little review of one of the most (in)famous "drugstore" records ever released. Bet you thought we didn't have a copy!

Dec 201215m

An informal discussion of the TV Sign-Offs episode.

Feb 201317m

Something about February always gets Ben thinking about Civil Defense Broadcasting.

Mar 20139m

At the time of the Conservative Folk Music episode, some of the artists discussed had yet to make their digital debuts. Naturally, Ben would want to take a look at the CD that rounds up the complete folk-rock works of Janet Greene.

Apr 201316m

Perhaps the Archive's most infamous episode needed a little more context. Maybe not. Nevertheless, it got it anyway--the context, that is.

May 20138m

Ever wanted to get an (impersonal) birthday greeting from Milton Berle? How 'bout an answering machine message from "Richard Simmons"? Yeah, didn't think so.

May 201312m

An informal Q & A session. Yep, that's about it.

Jun 20135m

The first Archive Riffs episode. Ben tackles a supposed promotional film for the "Butter & Egg Days Festival" that the Rifftrax guys already did--but they don't know real art (like Ben does).

Jun 201321m

A commentary cut for the Local TV Special that was originally shelved due to a factual error regarding Indianapolis-based Horror Movie Host, Sammy Terry. Well, that and a couple of other brain farts.

Jun 201310m

Ben riffs the sole survivor of his childhood Public Domain VHS collection.

Jun 201323m

Recorded before the original episode premiered. Since then, we've learned that: 1. Audiofidelity Records started in the mid/late 1950's and issued some of the first stereo records. 2. Someone at Audiofidelity went berserk sometime in the '70's and started issuing pirated Beatles albums. 3. Those that signed up for the Kid Pics newsletter wound up on mailing lists for sleazy child beauty pageants (are there any other kind?). Ben has since learned that: 1. Playing a record at 75% of it's original speed is equivalent to flattening the "key" by a fourth, not a flat-fifth. 2. Audio frequencies are exponential. 2. Ben cannot do math in his head.

Jul 201312m

Learn to take the safe way to school (but only if you have to walk through Chinatown).

Aug 20135m

One of the Archive's earliest episodes seems to have gone missing. As such, Ben has been forced to remake it. Or, this was Ben's (unsurprisingly, failed) submission to the ConBravo indie video showcase.

Oct 201310m

An all-too-brief look back at the Archive's first Halloween special.

Oct 201311m

Given we followed up the first Halloween Special with a review of a "spooky sound effects" album, we figured it wouldn't hurt to do it again.

Nov 201312m

Chain Aunt Phyllis to the family piano and enjoy an old-fashioned Thanksgiving.

Dec 201324m

A much-maligned commentary to a forgotten Archive episode.

Dec 20137m

Because nothing says "Christmas" quite like creepy wax figures and a bargain-basement Bing Crosby.

Jan 20145m

...because the local stations suck.

Jan 201414m

Sid Davis would like to remind you that he loves his wallpaper and hates your child.

Feb 20146m

Since we spent so much time with anti-smoking propaganda last time out, in the name of fairness, we thought we'd share some pro-smoking propaganda. Sorry, no dancing Luckies here (seriously, what can you say about it? Insert smart-ass comments below).

Mar 201413m

Everything Ben has to say about the Backwards Masking episode in a mere 12 minutes!

Apr 201411m

Can your heart take the sheer sex appeal of the Philips N1500? No (prescription) pills necessary!

May 20145m

Alternate Title: Why The Archive isn't terribly conducive to outtake specials.

Jun 201424m

One of those rare occasions where there was a little TOO much to say in an episode.

Jun 201412m

Released about five minutes before the Conelrad system was established (and featuring some nice undercranking), 1951's Atomic Alert teaches you how to keep your nuclear experience nice and peaceful.

Jun 20148m

A new spin-off of the Archive in which a piece of equipment is discussed that either has already been discussed in greater detail or that simply wouldn't amount to even a minisode of Archive.

Jun 20145m

The rejected pilot of Ben's Junk (for reasons that should become readily apparent fairly quickly). This time out, Hasbro's failed attempt at a portable DVD player for kids.

Jul 201414m

By request, Ben discusses "Format Wars". By unilateral action, Ben discusses both "Format Wars" videos in one convenient (for him) commentary.

Jul 20148m

A "by request" Ben's Junk. Taking a look at the camcorder used to film "Going Analog" and "Y2K Apocalypse Party".

Aug 201424m

Who'da thunk the making of this episode AND the episode itself was about rediscovery?

Sept 201412m

Perhaps a too-personal installment of Ben's Junk. Don't take that the wrong way...

Oct 201412m

Must be that magic time of year again when Ben lazily dusts off the previous year's Halloween episode for a commentary.

Nov 20148m

SPOILER ALERT: Whoa-oh here it comes/Watch out boy, it'll chew them up/Whoa-oh here it comes/It's a tape eater!

Dec 201411m

Finally, a VCR that can play all international formats! What do you mean, it only has mono sound?!? What you do mean I need converter boxes?!?

Dec 20149m

The long-awaited conclusion to the two-part Ben's Junk VHS extravaganza. Does this count as the climax?

Jan 20159m

Two episodes of LaserKaraoke and still no demonstration of the machine? Yeah, I'm kinda slow...

Jan 201526m

A dual commentary for both 1-900 ARCHIVE volumes. WARNING: Wrestling aficionados may not like what I have to say.

Feb 20159m

The DuMont episode ran ridiculously overlong (gotta love that molasses-slow early TV!). Here is a deleted segment giving an overview on the Game Shows aired on the DuMont Network.

Mar 20155m

Pouring some additional salt in the gamer wounds...

Apr 201510m

Slightly bastardizing the usual Ben's Junk format--but not Ben's Junk itself (that'd hurt).

Apr 201511m

...and welcome to (probably the only edition of) "Ben Tries"!

May 20158m

A day late, a dollar short--you know the deal.

Jun 201523m

Little did I know... NOTE: If you don't like my dry, rambling (and stutter-heavy) commentaries, you might wanna skip this one.

Jun 201510m

Nothing but the cutting edge in home video technology in Archive-land!

Jun 201512m

I'm so vain, I KNOW I think this short is about me...

Jul 201524m

I really wanted to be hypnotized! Seriously!

Jul 20157m

The original "demo" segment in the CD-I episode ran long. REALLY LONG! This is the complete, intended segment shamelessly re-purposed as a "Ben's Junk" episode.

Aug 20157m

Just going through some (relatively) recent additions to the Archive's 8-track (and associated) pile.

Sept 20156m

DVR? Two-week advance recording? Wusses.

Sept 20156m

Made as a thank you to the viewer who sent this. A thank you for not sending us any Magic Clown ephemera, that is.

Oct 201514m

Looking back on the mental and physical scars sustained while making the Rejuvenique episode--and the mask too.

Oct 201526m

Recounting one of the Archive's more memorable production experiences.

Oct 201511m

I hate it when my ideas for holiday specials fall through...

Oct 20151m

Nov 201512m

Discussing what was arguably the most difficult restoration project I’ve (successfully) undertaken. Special thanks once again to Stephen Greer for his generous donation.

Nov 201511m

'Cause, you know, Thanksgiving, food...it all makes sense.

Dec 201512m

What's with the box? Who's that creepy guy in the intro? Is Chuck Swirsky really a freakin' nerd? Those questions (and more) will be answered in this video.

Dec 201513m

The Archive dusts off a minor (albeit severely butchered) art-house classic. Merry Christmas!

Jan 20164m

Filmed for inclusion on the CED episode (Episode 92), but left off for time.

Jan 201625m

Ben geeks out about guitars for 25 minutes. Watch at your own peril.

Feb 201614m

Let’s just say it all just kind of fell into my lap.

Mar 20169m

As promised, here's the second installment on the CD-I collection. Was it worth the wait?

Mar 201617m

The one time where it's ok to giggle at Ben's Junk.

Apr 20166m

It takes a steady hand to run one of these. Unfortunately, that's something I sorely lack.

May 201611m

A wise man once said: “Save the big (stuff) for Ben’s Junk—it needs all the help it can get.”

May 201616m

Sometimes it takes a while for Ben's Junk to get in motion.

Jun 201632m

Admittedly, a very stream-of-consciousness commentary here, but a(n apparently) necessary one.

Jun 201610m

I already discussed this one back on the VCR Ephemera episode, but didn't have one, so I couldn't test it. Let's rectify that situation.

Jun 201610m

Taking a look at a (rather cryptic) promo reel for a series of silent, educational two-reelers.

Jun 201623m

A look at the first installment (and, to a lesser degree, the subsequent installments) of the recurring Record Ripoffs series. This is a commentary I’ve been wanting to do for awhile.

Jun 201611m

A look at one of the many competitors to the Atari 2600.

Jul 20168m

Discussing another bit of donated junk--'cause, you know, everybody apparently wants a hand in Ben's Junk.

Aug 201642m

Lately, I've been getting asked quite a bit about my music collection. All I can say is, be careful what you wish for.

Aug 201614m

Oh-oh, won’t you tell me again…and again…and again…

Sept 20166m

Taking another stab at the now-infamous "zombie" disc.

Sept 201612m

Fairly recent for an Archivism—let’s take a look at how the current generation of middle and high-schoolers grew up to be such narcissists.

Oct 201620m

Yeah, there were some ghosts in the camera—or were they gremlins?

Nov 201615m

ACTUAL (paid) TESTIMONIAL: Parenthood turned out to be a real bitch and we were totally unprepared. Thanks bob!

Nov 201611m

Another weapon in the Archive’s—well, archiving arsenal.

Dec 201613m

Well, I already discussed Big Mouth Billy Bass. Might as well finish the 90’s/Gemmy/Talking Novelty Item concept.

Jan 201722m

Superheroes? What are those?

Feb 201716m

A soldering kit for kids? Yeah, that about fits my skillset.

Mar 20179m

Like clockwork, I get my hands on a MD Walkman with a mic input just after I finish making the Minidisc episode. I swear it's a conspiracy.

Mar 201713m

I was downright embarrassed by my old CED Player (see the CED episode). Obviously, an upgrade was in order.

Apr 201714m

For all the overpriced hunks of plastic in my possession, it’s kind of a wonder that this segment of my record collection is so small.

May 201718m

(conversation overheard at VTech, 1988) Boss: What’s a name that sounds good and smart for our quasi-educational video game console? Engineer: Um, Socrates! Boss: Is he smart? Engineer: Yeah. Boss: Perfect! What’s for lunch?

May 201715m

A couple of obsolete, useless (to me) bits of Pay-TV history—so, of course, I bought them.

Jun 20178m

Ben helps save the environment—with bad audiobooks on a cheap, low-capacity, unalterable mp3 player!

Jun 201713m

I’m ready for my mail, Mr. DeMille.

Jun 201717m

Effectively tackling the three “(100% showtune-free) Musical March” episodes all at once. Who’da thunk old audio gear could be so controversial?

Jun 201720m

A decidedly different installment in the Ben’s Junk series. This time, I take a(n admittedly lengthy) stroll down memory lane about a family vacation from 20 years earlier.

Jul 201712m

Alternate Title: God, Ben! Don’t you listen to anything from this century?!?!

Jul 201712m

Remember kids, these are MY favorite albums, not yours. If there’s any overlap, consider it a happy accident.

Aug 20176m

A slightly askew edition of Ben’s Junk. Let’s rectify that situation.

Aug 20177m

When researching the DBX episode, as best as I could gather, there were no (legit) pre-recorded DBX-encoded audiocassettes. Turns out there was a line of Classical tapes.

Sept 20178m

…and the great Archive A/V tune-up continues.

Sept 20178m

The Archive kicks it up a notch—or at least about one-fifth of one.

Oct 201710m

Remember the single-use 35mm camera? How ‘bout a single-use camcorder?

Oct 201722m

The Archive gets nostalgic for nukes…

Nov 201719m

Ben gets nostalgic for nostalgia—he’s meta like that.

Nov 20176m

Taking a look at an external preamp for the turntable—largely only because the cool kids are into it.

Nov 20179m

An especially dull (or sharp) edition of Ben’s Junk—it’s capable of both.

Dec 20179m

Ben gets ambitious with his Christmas lights—in that, he’s putting any up at all.

Dec 201713m

…or, Telecine redux.

Jan 20188m

It’s no secret that the LP’s discussed on Archive were usually (presumably) buried in someone’s backyard. Naturally, we’re open to any new method of cleaning them up.

Jan 201812m

Ben’s second new (to him) cassette deck in a year. What makes this one so special?

Feb 20188m

Taking a look at (possibly) the first-ever CD cleaner/repair thing to ever hit the market. Is it a lost classic?

Feb 20186m

The second installment on CD cleaning/repair devices. Is it Royally good or Royal garbage?

Mar 201825m

What’s that thing with the face in the background? This, and many (well, a few) other questions will be answered at long last!

Mar 20187m

Let’s commit a bit of Luddite blasphemy, shall we?

Apr 201815m

Testing out a new, potential subseries—and hitting every conceivable pothole along the way.

Apr 201813m

…figured I’d better shoot at least one episode in Beautiful Downtown Aurora before leaving.

May 201812m

At last! Ben reviews a K-Tel product!

May 201812m

The MCS deck kinda got fried. Time for another fixer-upper!

May 201815m

Let’s unearth some (unintentional) pre-DVD Easter Eggs…

Jun 201811m

An early, talking board game—whose (nearly) every move is dictated by a tiny record.

Jun 20189m

Rather serendipitously, just in time to move, we’ve unearthed a promo video for an item that we’ve used on Archive many times—namely, the Talking House Transmitter. Talk about timing!

Jul 201824m

…because I totally needed a bunch more junk to try and pack up.

Aug 20187m

There were a precious few hallmarks of the old Archive HQ that I did NOT want to carry over. Speaker wire running all over the room was one of them.

Aug 201819m

Already went over to a direct-drive cassette deck, might as well do the same with vinyl…

Aug 201812m

Looking into the most intimate areas of Ben’s…half-baked stereo system.

Sept 201811m

Sergei’s Catacomb of Classics in stereo, anyone?

Sept 201830m

The Archive’s first livestream since 2014…and just as lo-fi as ever.

Sept 201829m

Archive Thrifting®: Now in ESTEREO!!!

Oct 201825m

A mere 3½ months in the making!

Oct 201814m

The return of the Halloween album reviews! Now in screaming, spooktacular stereo!

Nov 201812m

I’ve got search-for-a-reissue-of-the-original-Pac-Man-arcade-game fever…it’s driving me crazy.

Nov 20187m

A (non-filling) seven-course meal of Turkey Day commercialism!

Dec 201812m

So, what is the Oddity Archive guy doing with a reissue console?

Dec 20185m

A little stocking stuffer of yuletide caterwauling—er, caroling!

Jan 201914m

New year, more audio kit. It’s tradition, ya know?

Jan 201916m

Time to learn…that edutainment consoles rarely end well.

Jan 201912m

Wait, didn’t we already cover this? Talk about déjà vu…

Jan 201918m

Ben’s recovering from a virus (and middle-ear dysfunction). Sounds like a good time to do a (kiddie) camcorder review.

Feb 20196m

We’re just a bunch of old softies…with a taste for bent story arcs.

Feb 201921m

Will our scrappy hero escape the clutches of the snow monster? Find out in our next installment: “Frosty The Slowman, or, Snow Thanks to You”!

Mar 201912m

Tagline: Ben: Hey, good lookin’! How ‘bout I pick you up later? Attractive Lady: (smacks Ben so hard his fillings are rearranged) Ben: But it worked for the guy in the commercial…

Mar 201915m

Another fixer-upper? In Archiveland? Never!!!

Apr 201918m

While researching the recent VHS Distributors episode, I kept running into references to a publication known as the “Big Reel”. Turns out, it’s most (in)famous of the old film collector publications—and it’s easy to see why.

Apr 201924m

In a way, Laserdiscs never really outgrew their experimental phase. Here’s an informal, overview of SOME of the more idiosyncratic Laserdiscs out there (and/or their packaging).

May 201913m

DVD Easter Eggs? Nah, way too easy.

May 201915m

A double dose of turn-of-the-millennium PC goodness!

Jun 201914m

After a long delay…well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.

Jun 201911m

The Archive finally gets to “see the X”! Spoiler: It’s a rock.

Jun 201924m

Let’s see if we can’t clear up some misconceptions about this episode…

Jul 201920m

I was going a little stir crazy at the end of last season. So, naturally, I decided to add a little to my at-home clutter.

Jul 201920m

New from K-Smell Records, it’s all those irritating moments that lead off each Record Ripoffs episode in one convenient package! ORDER NOW!!!

Aug 201915m

Readin’ and dreamin’ ‘bout those Archivisms that’ll probably never happen.

Aug 20198m

All seven minutes of the Archive’s low-grade, wannabe Frippertronics experiment! Earplugs are highly recommended.

Aug 201949m

Uh, oh. Ben’s geeking out again. Get comfy.

Aug 201925m

…or, how Ben unwittingly jumped on the “lo-fi” bandwagon.

Sept 201919m

Who says Ben’s got no rhythm? He’s got 10 of them!

Sept 201917m

…or, The Space-Age Sounds of the Oddity Archive! (now available on vinyl and 3¾ips reel)

Oct 201925m

Featuring our very Special Guest: Zippy The Chimp!

Oct 201911m

Can your heart (or better yet, head) stand a trip through this haunted house? No, seriously, this is our most headache-inducing one yet.

Nov 20194m

The first new piece of music I've written and released since 2012. As a challenge to myself, I tasked myself with creating a song using nothing but my old Moog/Realistic Concertmate MG-1 synthesizer--which is a REAL challenge given that I'm not a synth geek and my keyboard skills are dodgy at best. It also had to sound like something that could've been made and released around the time the synth was made (circa 1982). As such, effects are used sparingly and are confined to the basics (read: EQ, reverb & compression). Written as part of my ongoing attempts at creating some new, original incidental music for Oddity Archive. NOTE: Just in case you couldn't tell, the synth pics shown are NOT representative of the patches used.

Nov 201924m

Whatdaya mean you forgot you had a Moog? Also, synth snobs need not apply.

Nov 201915m

Since we were already talkin’ Video8, it only seemed right to cover the Archive’s first camcorder…not to mention, a piece of gear still (as of this episode, at least) in regular use around Archive HQ.

Dec 201913m

Guaranteed to keep this (internet) video from rolling!

Dec 20197m

Can online audio mastering render audio mastering engineers obsolete? The short answer: No. Having said that, it’s not as bad as you’d think.

Dec 201926m

Just your standard, good, old-fashioned, combustible, unnerving, overpriced Country Christmas…

Dec 20197m

Celebrating the true meaning of Boxing Day… a whole lotta furniture and carpet sales.

Jan 202012m

A would-be full-fledged video format episode…which got curtailed by (amazingly enough) a lack of computer stuff at Archive HQ.

Jan 202029m

An informal stroll few some cherry-picked titles from Ben’s (somewhat unintentional) collection of B-Movies and Cult Classics.

Feb 202018m

…or, what happens when ol’ Benny-boy decides he needs more than 2 microphone inputs.

Feb 202024m

Yes, I bought another synth. Yes, I swatted myself on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper over my lack of self-control.

Mar 20203m

Now you can enjoy a classic OA sign-off without all that pesky talking and technical junk! F.D.G. = Fully Digital Gunk? Faulty Daily Gherkins? Make up your own acronym.

Mar 202017m

Lookin’ under the hood of Ben’s laserdisc player (quite appropriately) with some General Motors discs.

Mar 202032m

Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Audio School is now in session!

Apr 202022m

Please note that this episode may not run correctly unless your monitor is running at a minimum of 256 colors and your system has at least 12MB of available RAM.

Apr 202018m

Well, my last attempt at a semi-regular home audio recording rig failed…and my regular laptop is on its last legs. Here’s my attempt at solving both issues at once.

Apr 202019m

Time to take a bet(t)a look at the Archive’s first Betamax—from before the Archive even existed (in every sense).

May 202026m

A genuine televisual feast.

May 202013m

Question #196.5: What is the Quiz Wiz lacking? Multiple Choice: A. An objective B. A reward C. Entertainment value D. All of the above

Jun 20201m

In honor of the "Switched-On Archive" episode, I figured I'd make two pieces of music, one to represent both extremes of the trend of late '60's/early '70's Moog Synthesizer albums--the good and the "bad". This rendition of the Archive's usual theme song is intended to salute/work within the realm of the album that (unwittingly) started it all, Wendy Carlos' "Switched-On Bach" (1968). This was created entirely on a Moog MG-1 and was done strictly within the realm of what was possible in the late '60's and early '70's. Keeping in spirit with the original, monophonic synths of the '60's, I used NONE of the polyphonic settings.

Jun 20202m

My half-salute to/half-parody of those especially tacky late '60's/early '70's Moog Synthesizer albums. The cheese factor goes to 11 here. This was created...without a Moog. Instead, I used a Behringer Neutron monophonic synth (more potential whiz-bang sound effects than my Moog MG-1) and a circa 1972 Whippany Rhythm Master. This was recorded with the general limitations of this period of recording gear.

Jun 202013m

The Archive gets secure...or just paranoid.

Jun 202015m

OA calling CQ, hopefully DX, lookin’ for the QT on the DL while TCB.

Jul 202019m

Archive Thrifting is a magical tool of last resort…Why? Because it NEVER fails!

Jul 202021m

…or, Ben’s weirdest pet-project to date! (kerchunk)

Jul 20204m

Initially intended as a full-band "electric" tune, but recorded as a folk piece back in 2004. Sixteen years later, I'm finally getting around to an electric version--albeit with some slightly cinematic modifications.

Jul 202027m

Aug 202018m

Meet the Archive’s new (to us) 8-track deck…

Aug 202014m

A rare, intimate, bedroom edition of Ben’s Junk…

Aug 20201m

I was informed that the regular version was too upbeat and concise for the Episode 200 OA documentary. This was my best attempt at making it as dreary and hazy as possible.

Aug 20202m

Representing the dry, yet thoughtful end of Episode 200...

Aug 202015m

Ok, time for my side of the story...

Sept 20202m

Somehow I started with what I thought was a pretty cool-sounding canned rhythm (running through a guitar delay pedal) and wound up with a Jean-Michel Jarre pastiche. No idea how I got there.

Sept 202019m

Since I had S-VHS and VCR’s on the brain already (moreso than usual), it seemed like the right time to revisit one of the early, ultra-wonky Ben’s Junk topics.

Oct 202041m

October 4, 2020 marked the 125th anniversary of comedian/filmmaker Buster Keaton’s birth. Consider this the Archive’s (slightly belated and rambling) tribute to one of the greats…

Oct 202025m

It’s the first Archive Thrifting Spooktacular! Strangely enough, it’s probably one of the least scary Thrifting episodes to date.

Nov 202010m

You can keep your fancy digital cameras, thank you very much.

Nov 202036m

A slow-speed ramble for a slow-speed format.

Dec 202016m

We be stylin’…stylus(in’), that is…y’all.

Dec 202026m

Fillin’ up the ol’ one-horse open sleigh with…some junk.

Jan 202147m

Time to get back in the groove! (dodges tsunami of rotten produce)

Feb 202117m

Finishing up the trilogy of belatedly-acquired, nostalgically-motivated miniature video game consoles…

Feb 202129m

Only about seven years in the making… With the occasional small liberty, a recreation of the first, commercially-available home videotape recording setup in North America. Depending on your perspective, it’s either hardcore or half-baked.

Mar 202112m

No one should ever get this excited over something this mundane… Or, this CRT is 20 AF…y’all.

Mar 202121m

You’ll be green with envy over these finds…or not.

Apr 202112m

Just when you thought the Archive couldn’t get any more phake…

Apr 20218m

It’s time to get down to business in Archiveland!

Apr 202123m

Can a (relative) cheapie from Menard’s drag the Archive’s off-air recording capabilities (kicking and screaming) into the 21st century? Sort of…

May 202132m

A late-night, low-light, romantic fishing expedition with everybody’s favorite Oddity Archivist…fishing for ArchiveAnnex material, that is.

May 202123m

Could it be I’ve finally stumbled onto the rightful heir of the VCR? Looks like it…

Jun 202116m

A double-(4)-header of D-VHS (when possible) goodness!

Jun 202127m

If ever an OA episode needed a commentary track, it’s this one…

Jun 202118m

Featuring deals so far outta sight, they’re outta mind!

Jul 202121m

Of course, I had to pick up a rare and unusual deck for a tape cleaning rig. Also, not to be confused with the Akai GX-220D.

Jul 20211h 44m

You wanted a history lesson? You got a history lesson!

Jul 20217m

The Archive delivers its first real travelogue…granted, it was all of a half-hour away from home, but still.

Aug 202122m

Thrifting can be a real drag…but not when Ben’s around!

Aug 202131m

A bit of VHSMR for everyone…

Sept 202125m

There’s plenty in the OA oven right now, just none of it is rising.

Sept 202126m

I got things just a hare wrong the first time around, so let’s hop to another round of tests…

Sept 202127m

Most people would rent a video once…Benny-boy was just insane enough to rent the same tapes over and over…then eventually buy them.

Oct 202130m

A half-hour Ben’s Junk? You might say the machine caused it to run reely long.

Oct 202125m

Get a witches shawl on and find a broomstick you can crawl on…and go thrifting with Benny-boy! (snap, snap)

Oct 20216m

0:01 - Thereminiature (featuring Sty Lo Phone) (A bit of B-Movie cheese) 1:36 - Pavanned (Version 6.66) (A half parody of/half tribute to the Alan Parsons Project)

Nov 202118m

Finally getting into this newfangled digital camera stuff…whatdaya mean you can’t get 3.5” floppies anymore?!?

Nov 202122m

Does Ben really think he’s better than Chuck Swirsky? That freakin’ liberal…

Dec 202125m

‘Tis the season…for holiday specials. Here’s some of my favorites…

Dec 202126m

Run, run Rudolph…towards another pile of junk!

Dec 20213h 22m

Move over, “History of the Eagles”. There’s a new rock doc opus in town…

Jan 202221m

Going down a mental rabbit hole…in the most Archivian way possible.

Jan 20222m

Not so much chosen for musical content, but because of the long spaces between phrases and major volume drops. Shame it isn't more EQ'd, this'd the ultimate stress test for a PCM unit otherwise.

Jan 202219m

Feeling nostalgic for those early YouTube potato video captures? I’ve got just the scratch for that itch…

Feb 202217m

At long last, Ben’s Junk gets the clap…per.

Feb 202224m

A little mythbusting (and philosophizing)…OA style.

Mar 202215m

After last week’s video, I had to seek a 600-second miracle of my own. It seems to involve turning into a less-charming Daniel Johnston.

Mar 202214m

An addendum to the “Prehistoric UHF” episode…and the “ONTV/Pay TV Vol. 2” episode—about three years too late.

Mar 202224m

For those about to rock (in 11/4 time), we salute you…

Apr 202215m

Ben recreates the best TV program of all time—the color bars!

Apr 20221h 40m

Flying by the seat of Benny's ripped (by wear and tear) jeans using only an iPad and his (half-)wit to try and raise money for a new computer.

Apr 202223m

It takes a lot to keep Ben’s Junk together…‘cause Ben’s Junk ain’t no good when it’s distorted and out-of-sync.

May 20222h 22m

A little (non-alcoholic) wine, a little song...which'll all cease if the price is right. Otherwise, we'll chat and I may pick a techie brain or two.

May 202220m

A casual chat…if only because the prospect of the sixth “Ben’s Junk” in a row was too much to bear.

May 202222m

Please note, these are the statements of an analog-brained lunatic and are probably woefully inaccurate. In other words, never give an analog brain a computer.

Jun 202224m

CRT’s are for squares…which we proudly are.

Jun 202217m

Tackling one of the great urban legends of the Laserdisc format. Are there any “good” copies of Eraser? And, no, I’m not referring to the film itself.

Jun 202226m

Got a new phone (not by choice)…which means a new camera…which means…test drive time!

Jul 20227m

It’s a(n apparent) fine line between deep expressionism and wonky student film.

Jul 202224m

Mother Nature: (throws flash floods, tornadoes, derechos and blizzards at Archive HQ) Ben: I get the hint already! Geez…

Jul 202210m

A truly nice little radio (especially on the AM front)…and a nice little prelude to the OA 10th Anniversary episode.

Jul 202217m

Taken while shooting the AM Stereo episode. If nothing else, it was the least sticker-shock-intensive part of the trip.

Aug 202218m

Testing out a potential, new occasionally recurring thing in which I undertake minor repairs on some item…and, as always, mock it a bit.

Aug 202234m

…and the single most challenging project I’ve ever taken on…continues to kick my butt. Share in the frustration, won’t you?

Sept 202246m

Hope you like fussy, fidgety, unintuitive setups…and 45-minute Ben’s Junks.

Sept 202224m

Hey Buddy, wanna see some early 20th century movie theater slides? Didn’t think so.

Sept 202224m

…or, Ben gets nostalgic for other people’s nostalgia.

Oct 202225m

A rather unprofessional look at a truly professional piece of gear. Such is the Archive… And, yes, “Junk” is used in the loosest way possible here.

Oct 202219m

Mom, can we buy some Halloween? (see title for answer)

Oct 202222m

I think I have some ‘splainin’ to do regarding this one. NOTE: I recorded this back in early June (2022) as a fail-safe in case the thrifting episode I was trying to make fell through. Some of the points discussed here are now outdated.

Nov 20224m

…or, as some might call it, “Ben’s Final Descent Into Madness”.

Nov 202221m

It’s (apparently) a fine line between your TV and a taxi meter…

Dec 202242m

Even old scrooge Benny-boy has those Christmas tunes that get his foot (arrhythmically) a-tappin’.

Dec 202222m

The merriest* thrifting video of the year! *FACT CHECK: Mostly false.

Dec 202221m

Old year, old junk. Poetic, ain’t it?

Jan 202326m

And the quest for that form of copy protection that’ll make my VCR burst into flames continues…

Jan 202326m

Please inspect Ben’s Junk for damage before use…and let it warm up for awhile…and don’t point it at anything bright for more than a second or two. You know what, forget it.

Feb 202315m

You wanted more Oddity Archive…After Dark? Here ya go. Just don’t expect anything too hot.

Feb 202320m

For those looking to up their YouTube microphone game…had such a thing existed in 1988.

Mar 202330m

For how much TV I watched when I was younger, it’s a wonder my brains didn’t completely leak out of my ears. See the beginning of the de-evolution of Benny-boy here…

Mar 202321m

…because I MUST get my Diamond Rio loaded (ideally, with Diamond Rio songs)!

Apr 202327m

What—Me Ramble?

Apr 202324m

Some like roses on a date, some like candy. Benny-boy likes uncatalogued analog magnetic media.

May 202329m

Oddity Archive and MTV have a momentary cease-fire to appreciate some 80’s tuneage.

May 202311m

Hey! Nice rack, Benny-boy! (snicker)

May 202313m

A ferric-oxide (or metal, depending on the tape) baptism…by fire.

Jun 202320m

Hope you have your June tree up (ideally, something deciduous), 'cause we're about to celebrate Christmas in June.

Jul 202325m

Some things don’t come easy…like the first thrifting video of 2023 (more than halfway into the year, no less).

Jul 202319m

Coming right at the end of the usefulness for something like this. Let’s see if it’s too little, too late…or right on time.

Jul 202312m

Some people’s sinuses come back from Arizona…my AV-3600 came back from Arizona—arguably the same headache.

Aug 202330m

Celebrating the 25th OA Thrifting video by doing one in Minnesohta, doan ‘cha know?

Aug 202319m

It’s everybody’s favorite new (not quite) nerdy game show…Fix It or Forget It!!!

Aug 202316m

The Archive phones it in…phoneVISION, that is.

Sept 202315m

Oddity Archive®: Only for the most SelecTiVe viewers!

Sept 202337m

A little device with a lot of potential…but does it live up to it?

Oct 202319m

Well, it does du all, I’ll give it that…

Oct 202325m

Dragging out the Summer a little longer…whether you like it or not.

Nov 202321m

Oddity Archive®: Now in glorious Hi-Fi Mono!

Dec 202324m

Just hear those cash tills jing-a-ling’—ring-ting-tinga-ling…

Dec 202318m

From that part of the Archive that’s a bit like that old take-out in the back of your fridge…that you forgot about.

Jan 202426m

Looking at the Rifftrax collection…with only minimal snark…which may very well go against the laws of riff comedy.

Jan 202437m

…because Benny-boy apparently goes through mini stereos like (insert absurdly famous pop star) goes through boyfriends.

Jan 202424m

The tech geek equivalent of rummaging through someone’s medicine cabinet…

Feb 202422m

Archiveco Home Theatre®: Now serving Lawn Guyland & New Joisey!

Feb 202427m

Some livestreamers run PC games…Benny-boy likes to run Betamax tapes.

Feb 20247m

For us old fartknockers that haven’t yet warmed up to stretch-o-vision…

Mar 202435m

Thumbing through the catalog of the hottest new video format (by OA standards).

Mar 202424m

Come on down to Crazy Benny’s for…a bunch of audiocassettes that you probably don’t care about.

Mar 20249m

Trying to bulk dump the contents of the DVR. Here’s how NOT* to do it… *No Hard Drives were harmed in the making of this episode. It was reinstalled and all material is still 100% intact.

Apr 202421m

Inconvenience and mildly annoy those evil VCR thieves with the Videolok!

Apr 202415m

Don’t wanna wait for Stereo TV’s to be invented? Here ya go!

Apr 202412m

The saga continues. On and on…and on…and on…

May 202427m

Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Physical Media Studies class is now in session!

May 202448m

An unintentional episode of Oddity Archive…After Dark…in the most literal sense.

May 202423m

Ben christens his newly-functional laptop…by playing a little Slim Whitman.

Jun 202426m

Ben’s 3(.0)rd attempt at FM, Part 15-legal microbroadcasting! Let’s see if it’s the charm…

Jun 202430m

A quick experiment evolves (er, devolves) into a borderline documentary…on the subject of cleaning mold off an old ¾” “U-Matic” videotape. And they say OA isn’t mainstream…

Jul 202419m

Spend the 4th of July the American way…shopping for junk.

Jul 202428m

(with apologies to Frank Sinatra) …’cause it’s Vidicraft, wicked Vidicraft. And, although I know it’s strictly taboo…

Aug 202410m

After making the Great Time Machine episodes in 2023, I was offered another unit in exchange for transferring some tapes. I may not have gotten the better part of that deal.

Aug 202431m

Something I never thought I’d have…warm, gooey nostalgia for the Y2K era.

Aug 202423m

A trip back to the late-90’s. Of course, that means being unnecessarily EXTREEEEME!!!! (insert dorky camera zoom)

Aug 202420m

The little brats are finally back in school. Let’s go thrifting…

Sept 202413m

Mold®: Now available in yellow and brown!

Sept 202422m

Truly from the audiovisual litterbox, an impractical solution to a problem that didn’t/doesn’t exist. Or, Benny-boy officially becomes a cat herder...and hoarder.

Sept 202413m

A color bar generator called “Little HUEy”. No, it’s not a Norm MacDonald joke…I think.

Oct 202418m

Keep losing that remote control? Perhaps there’s just too many gosh-darn buttons? We’ve got a (borderline-toy) solution for you!

Oct 202425m

I set out to discuss laserdiscs and wound up on a tear about various movies. Ain’t that always the way?

Oct 202423m

Grab yer pardner, do-si-do…and go thrifting with ol’ Benny-boy!

Oct 202421m

Discussing the great swindle that is my little parody of “Halloween III”…and mustaches.

Nov 202418m

A radio that’ll send you into outer space…8 times!

Nov 202417m

An Up Beat (by my standards) look at an issue of Down Beat magazine. Now, excuse me while I clap out-of-rhythm…

Nov 202420m

You can get anything you want at Benny-boy’s (non-existent) Restaurant…

Dec 202426m

A product so nice, I had to review it twice…

Dec 202418m

Out in the stores there’s so much clutter/Let’s listen to Benny-boy groan and mutter…

Dec 202416m

My first steel string acoustic guitar…which was even cheaper than the ones Esteban was hawking on TV at the time.

Jan 202518m

The OA soundtrack album was SUPPOSED to be the most tricked-out CD of all time…of course, things didn’t pan out. And, yes, this may very well be the geekiest, most jargon-heavy discussion I’ve ever given.

Jan 202518m

Mono reprocessed for stereo? How quaint. How ‘bout stereo reprocessed for surround sound?

Jan 202519m

Benny-boy covers a projector…but not a film projector. Blasphemy, I know.

Feb 202523m

…because it’s (apparently) cool to be contrarian.

Mar 202522m

Hey, hey…the Ben’s Junk items I was gonna cover fell through. Let’s get nostalgic.

Mar 20259m

You’ve heard of “oddware”, right? This is outright “deadware”.

Mar 202523m

Easter Eggs are earned, my friend…

Mar 202525m

Fulfilling another one of my utterly pointless life missions…almost.

Apr 202516m

True Archive® excitement, doled out by the pound…

May 202519m

Let’s celebrate (Halfway to) Halloween with…half a Halloween movie franchise collection.

May 202518m

Sportsarama®: Somehow even less convenient than scheduling an actual game of tennis (or hockey or handball)!

May 202517m

With all the hype about the 50th anniversary of the Betamax home video format, let’s not forget the 40th anniversary of…SuperBeta(max).

May 202522m

I always wanted a pinball machine…

Jun 20252h 17m

Jun 20251h 2m

77 LP’s (and a stray 45) in an hour. Now, THAT is efficiency…

Jun 202514m

Some people take in stray dogs and cats. I (apparently) take in stray early home video tapes.

Jun 202537m

Well, I haven’t really been able to go thrifting in the better part of a year. Time for the thrifting to come to me!

Jul 202519m

Taking a look at quite possibly the world's last working Action-brand portable TV. Last, not because it's rare or anything, it's just THAT poorly made.

Jul 202516m

WARNING: This update includes some unpleasant and frank medical discussion which may upset some viewers. Please watch at your own discretion.

Jul 20251h 58m

Ya coulda had a Keaton, but instead the viewers spoke and chose...AliExpress Martin & Lewis.

Jul 20254m

Hot off the presses--recorded overnight. Let's just say things are moving a bit quickly right now.

Jul 202522m

The most un-portable portable TV of all time! I like it anyway.

Aug 202519m

Ain’t no microphone gonna tie me down!

Aug 202511m

This should be the last of these update videos…

Aug 202523m

Rotting DVD-R’s and shedding videotapes? Must be Archiveland.

Aug 202528m

Yes, more shiny, 12-inchers…laserdiscs, that is. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Sept 202515m

…because a plain old screwdriver was just too gosh darn simple.

Sept 202518m

Oddity Archive®: Now presented in “Mosquito Net-Vision”*! *patent pending

Sept 202516m

NOTE: OA-generated content will vary in quality, will be inaccurate, and shouldn’t be relied on for professional advice.

Sept 202517m

We will only accept the most wood-grain and polyester sounds here in Archiveland!

Sept 20252h 19m

Probably the only time you'll ever see a drama on PD Theatre. It just seemed appropriate right now.

Oct 202516m

Karaoke is back in Archiveland! No lasers this time though.

Oct 202520m

Let’s scare ourselves to death with…a discussion of a handful of comedies.

Oct 202520m

A bubbling cauldron of...things that would make a witch gag.

Nov 202548m

Here we go trying to time travel again…

Nov 202527m

Another one from the “couldn’t afford it back then” file…

Nov 202529m

Maybe I need to join RCA (Record Collectors Anonymous, that is)…

Dec 202530m

Just looking over some uniquely Archivian gift ideas…

Dec 202516m

SPOILER ALERT: No, “Die Hard” is not on my list.

Dec 202524m

All I want for Christmas is…a nice, little tree for Archive HQ.

Dec 20251h 6m

Three tasty morsels from the kinescope era...

Dec 202548m

Dec 20252h 4m

Jan 202617m

All thrifting footage must go! No reasonable offer will be refused!

Jan 202616m

Let’s take an affectionate look at the Archive’s second-most famous resident (second only to the cardboard box). Benny-boy falls somewhere much farther down the list.

Jan 20261h 2m

Jan 202623m

Benny-boy’s (non-accredited) Audio School is back in session!

Jan 202618m

Not intended as a flex in any way, shape or form.

Feb 202623m

As close to J-Pop as we’re ever getting in Archiveland…

Feb 202623m

At long last, the Archive boards the Satellite of Love…

Mar 202636m

A sampling of magnetic oxide goodness from the early days of home video…and...no discs, thank you very much.

Mar 202629m

Despite my best efforts, enshittification has finally arrived in Archiveland.

Apr 202624m

It only took an audio nerd like me until 2024 to acquire an SPL meter. It only took me until 2026 to use it.

Apr 202632m

Old, musty and dusty. In other words, a perfect descriptor for Ben’s Junk!

Apr 202625m

Six of the absolute most uncool albums I’ve ever discussed...even by my standards.

May 202624m

Turn off the lights, close the blinds, crank the A/C and chill out to the Oddity Archive…

May 202629m

Either I was WAY ahead of my time or WAY behind. I’m still not sure…

Jun 202636m

A special, “by-request” Ben’s Junk! Because no one can ever get enough of Ben’s Junk…

Jun 202631m

Consider this a dig through a living time capsule of the late 2000’s…

Jun 20263h 43m

Jun 202641m

Jun 20263m

Sergei’s back…and so is his preferred spot on the dial!

Jul 202621m

Some folks surf the ocean waves during the summer, others surf the magnetic tape waves. Take a wild guess which one I partake in…

Jul 202659m

For the first (proper) time in three years…let’s spend some (great) time with the Great (amount of) Time Machine!

Jul 202617m

Adding to my (thoroughly unintentional) subgenre of moldy tape recovery videos…

Jul 20262h 5m

Anyone that dies of fright while watching this livestream is eligible for a free burial. Just have the deceased send along the appropriate paperwork (notarized, of course). Sorry, all paperwork MUST come from the departed. No exceptions!

Aug 202629m

An unintentional chronicle of 1997. As in, the start of the transition from VHS and Laserdiscs to DVD.

Aug 202616m

A quick, totally unscripted, heavily rambling little update on one of my little ongoing projects.