A look at the Mira Ball Message Display Globe
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 5:59PM This is a review that very nearly didn't happen.
I remember seeing the Olympia Infoglobe many years ago, but wasn't able to buy one as it didn't make it to the UK and the US model didn't work with the UK phone systems. I suppose that disappointment must have been at the back of my mind when I ordered the Mira Ball from Hong Kong. For some reason I wanted one, but I didn't know why. I can now say that after struggling with it for a few weeks, I am now officially over it.
The problems with the Mira Ball were numerous. The software needs Windows XP to run, (it wouldn't install on Windows 7). The pictures the Mira Ball displays are a maximum of 24 pixels tall in .BMP format and using a primary colour palette. When I started to look for interesting images that matched this criteria I drew a blank. I don't have sufficient talent to draw my own pictures. I also wanted to show some animations - but again the only images I could find were animated GIFs, usually in the wrong dimensions and the wrong colour palette. I tried to convert these, mostly without success.
In the end, I spent far too long messing about trying to find something interesting to put on the device for the mediocre results that I achieved. The juice just wasn't worth the squeeze.
I nearly deleted the footage I'd shot for this review without editing it, but in the end decided that I should have something to show for the amount of time I'd spent - so here it is. A brief look at a device that I really shouldn't have bought.
Reader Comments (7)
Hello can u send me the miraball software I only want to try it :)
I loved the review, but did not like the product.
Ciao, poteri avere una copia del software, il mio l'ho perso.
Grazie
@Giuseppe
http://db.tt/nSLiXCA
I got a great idea for this Mira Ball !!!
Give it away in some sort of contest.
I know i would try to win it as i know my 3 year old daughter would like this as a night lamp (behind thick glass because of the noise...i know ;-)
Greetz from Holland.
@P.J. I thought about competitions with a few of my unused things.....but I think there are rules and laws about comps and ultimately it would cost me even more money to post these things on....so for the moment they all sit on the Shelf of Shame.
Hi Techmoan great site btw - My friend bought the olympia infoglobe and it worked in the UK after some rewiring - I wish I had bought one now - caller ID and everything!
Phil