Unimpressed

[BSG]

I was wholly unimpressed with the show. It takes the faults from DL.TV, Indigital, and SYSTM and puts it all in one frightening place. Throw in some really newbie audio and production issues, and you've got the makings of a really poor show.

The first big issue that I noticed was in the pacing of the show. There was a severe disconnect from the beginning of the show and the first review. Television programs like The ScreenSavers, as well as successful podcasts like Diggnation develop a wonderful structure that their show follows, providing logical pacing that isn't just dictated by commercials. Ramping right up into a review is jarring and rather unprofessional feeling. The shows I mentioned before use a period of introduction, asking the hosts how life has been, reading some news, and setting a stage for the show.

The second major flaw was in the lack of conversational material. I'm not sure who decided what the major stories of the show would be, but it was quite lackluster. Playing with a movie box, watching Jessica regurgitate basic camera suggestions, listening to a muffled discussion about halo 3, and then an awkward and overall uninformative rundown of a memory testing program and a battery in a fanny pack really bored the hell out of me. I really thought the content of the show could have been more appropriately tackled.

The production was horrendous. Drab colors, poor lighting, bad sound, awkward compositions and an overall lack of graphics made the show seem really tossed together. I don't know if this is due to time constraints, an inexperienced production manager, or something all together, but it really isn't revision3 quality.

But I have hopes! I think that if Techzilla borrowed more elements from TSS and other well structured shows, improved their quality of production, and obtained some better content, the sparkling personalities that we know Patrick and Jessica have should come shining through. I probably really sounded down and harsh, but I'm only saying as much because I want the show to be the best that it can be. I am a really big fan of Patrick, and I'm really hoping he can get out of his awkward and confusing tech phase and back into his witty, straight forward "laying it on the line" kind of hosting that we loved him for in TSS.

[serpico007]

Holy shite BSG, you hit the nail right on the head! I totally agree. Keep the DIY projects to SYSTM.

[diggkisser]

I don't know what you're on but it was by far the best show I've seen on Rev3. The hosts are PROFESSIONAL rather than the amateurs (I still love the other guys) of the other shows. It was edited fantastically and moved quickly so the viewer didn't get bored.

Pat Norton is probably the best tech host there is, period. I have followed him from SS, to DLTV, to this and he does a great job. Jessica is also a pro. They make a great team. They've actually had years of experience and it shows. I would suggest the other hosts take a few classes from Tekzilla on how to host and how to edit down a show. TRS gets way to out there sometimes (which is fun but it's hard to watch) and iFanboy should actually do their podcast show via video. I don't even bother with the other shows on Rev3.

I thought it was a great show and they need to get Robert Heron over to Rev3 to do a few shows. He's another great and funny professional host.

[BSG]

I wasn't saying the hosts were unprofessional, and the editing was fine too. The problems come from content, production, and pacing. Of course this is subjective, but I've been in the video business for 6 years. I'm not trying to claim superiority. I'm just noticing some glaring flaws that could really be improved.

[dom]

I have to agree with BSG. I'm not sure how they managed it, but they've somehow conspired to squeeze all the worst aspects of every Rev3 show (and the backdrop from Hak.5) into handy bitesize piece of crap.

[WizMaster]

I wasn't saying the hosts were unprofessional, and the editing was fine too. The problems come from content, production, and pacing. Of course this is subjective, but I've been in the video business for 6 years. I'm not trying to claim superiority. I'm just noticing some glaring flaws that could really be improved.

True but it's a first show in an unfinished studio. It'll take much more glaring flaws to turn me off.

[BSG]

Completely agreed. I'm NOT saying this show is a lost cause. I'm just trying to contribute in the early stages: Before the show is too solidified.

[WizMaster]

Completely agreed. I'm NOT saying this show is a lost cause. I'm just trying to contribute in the early stages: Before the show is too solidified.

Yea, that would suck. Not really an audio or video buff but wouldn't normalize adjust all the audio to the same level? It's not some HD audio we're dealing with here so a little loss in quality wouldn't matter.

As for the set, I like it but it is too small. Well, it just looks small and it has the impression of closing you in.

The lighting didn't bother me much and I'm not sure whether it's because of using different types of cameras or the lighting in the unfinished studio (or both). Now that R3G is for everyone, I got a good look at the "studio" and it's just not a good place for lighting. Of course, I would board up the windows and have all lighting be artificial (consistency) but I don't think it matters ATM since some walls are probably not done and the set is probably a temp "fold and put away" one.

It would be cool if we could help with the design/look of the set though. Not all but some suggestions.

[Digitel]

As for the set, I like it but it is too small. Well, it just looks small and it has the impression of closing you in.

I agree the set needs to be bigger / different.
i was hoping for something a step up from the rest of the homemade Wayne's World sets.



The host are great couldn't of ask for a better setup.

[scienceking]

My only problem with Tekzilla so far is that its more of a TV show than a Podcast. TV shows are about addressing a general audience, while Podcasts can be more specific and targeted. Tekzilla just seems like everything at once(a real "*Zilla"), but that just doesn't seem like a good Podcast concept. Also, I have no idea who is in its target demographic for this show, that said. But I found the show enjoyable over all and will probably keep watching it every so often when I have the time.

[Shky]

I have to agree with a lot of your complaints. I wrote a review over at YouMakeMedia.com (http://youmakemedia.com/2007/09/28/tekzilla-review-is-rev3s-new-show-as-big-as-promised/)

(So you don't have to click over if you don't want to) :

About the "review" of Vudu: "Jessica doesn’t think the price is a deal breaker, and Patrick feels like there’s a lot of potential. A lot of squandered potential perhaps, and what kind of fortune do you have to be sitting on for those prices not to be deal breakers? That’s just a bad product review. Remember the Bowling Balls verdict on the last episode InDigital? That’s what they should have ended with here."

The portable battery supply segment: "The last segment, dealing with creating your own portable power supply, focuses more on the bag it’s carried in than the creation itself. An attempt at injecting humor that falls pretty flat. Though the information about the power supply itself was interesting."

About the "humor": "The embarrassingly unfunny LOL Pats cutaway should just be ignored outright."

In summary: "Frankly, the show doesn’t live up to any of the hype. It’s InDigital without Wil’s humor. It’s The Screen Savers without Leo’s enthusiasm.

At the end of the day, it’s just another tech show. How is that BIG?"

[hedg12]

I'm sure the they'll work out the bugs. Patrick and Jessica are both great hosts, and Rev3 will focus on what people want. I tend to agree that the in depth techie projects should be left to Systm, but I like the idea of a review/interview show with a tech focus.

[WizMaster]

I have to agree with a lot of your complaints. I wrote a review over at YouMakeMedia.com (http://youmakemedia.com/2007/09/28/tekzilla-review-is-rev3s-new-show-as-big-as-promised/)

(So you don't have to click over if you don't want to) :

About the "review" of Vudu: "Jessica doesn’t think the price is a deal breaker, and Patrick feels like there’s a lot of potential. A lot of squandered potential perhaps, and what kind of fortune do you have to be sitting on for those prices not to be deal breakers? That’s just a bad product review. Remember the Bowling Balls verdict on the last episode InDigital? That’s what they should have ended with here."

The portable battery supply segment: "The last segment, dealing with creating your own portable power supply, focuses more on the bag it’s carried in than the creation itself. An attempt at injecting humor that falls pretty flat. Though the information about the power supply itself was interesting."

About the "humor": "The embarrassingly unfunny LOL Pats cutaway should just be ignored outright."

In summary: "Frankly, the show doesn’t live up to any of the hype. It’s InDigital without Wil’s humor. It’s The Screen Savers without Leo’s enthusiasm.

At the end of the day, it’s just another tech show. How is that BIG?"

Your review isn't that great.

The price being a deal breaker is kind of opinionated and they tell you the price so you can make your own opinion. There IS HD content and more will probably show up soon (Pat spoke about that) as the service gets rolled out. Also, the product wasn't officially released so this preview was pretty good. I don't find anything really wrong with the preview. It may not appeal to you but are you reviewing their review or the product?

I guess *most* people didn't submit videos to Rev3 shows, or youtube, or etc. Considering that so many people still don't use the "basic" timer functions on cameras, these "basic" tips are useful to some people. If you already knew about them, good for you.

He said the bag doesn't matter. He referenced the bag a lot but it didn't take away from the actual DIY project. I would have preferred more info on how to make it (not that I need the info) but this isn't Systm. A link to a tutorial would have been good. That way, you don't clutter the show but still provide the info.

LolPat was pretty bad.

The show will maybe have live components in the future but it will have user submitted stuff. I didn't really find a problem with it and you don't give any reasons why you didn't so...

Honestly, your "review" doesn't seem to be a good one. You have an entire paragraph about how you disagree with their conclusions (with misleading info to boot) on their preview instead of reviewing the preview itself. The rest is basically complaining.

It really comes off as "I don't like this so how could you or anyone else, I know that already so most people must, this part didn't talk enough about the technical aspects" and it's just horrendous.

[BSG]

I kind of have to agree. I only had a problem with the content: Not their opinions.

[Shky]

WizMaster:

After reading your points and my own review again, I do agree with a lot of what you're saying and will be posting a follow-up soon.

Just a couple things:
"but are you reviewing their review or the product?'
Yes, I am. Just like you're reviewing my review of their review.

I felt that it glossed over serious issues with the product. I misstated that it was a review, true, but their conlusions at the end seemed too favorable for a product that seemed too flawed to me.

By most people, of course, I meant viewers of a show like Tekzilla on a webTV network. I think I can safely say that the technical knowledge of this demographic skews a little higher than the regular users of YouTube.

"He referenced the bag a lot but it didn't take away from the actual DIY project."
Well, I felt that it did. It added nothing and, in fact, detracted, somewhat. It wasn't funny, and had nothing to do with the review. That's a net loss in my opinion.

Their banter was the "awkward live vibe" I was referring to. It felt stilted and it wasn't entertaining.

"The rest is basically complaining."
That would be because I was very disappointed with a show billed to be "BIG!", when it was just another tech show.

"It really comes off as "I don't like this so how could you or anyone else, I know that already so most people must, this part didn't talk enough about the technical aspects" and it's just horrendous."

Any implication that I don't understand how other people could like it is unintentional, but I don't understand how anyone could think this show is worthy of any of the hype. It fills no niche that hadn't already been filled (other than consumer electronics reviews, which had been so recently filled by another program), and wasn't very impressive.

[nace33]

I am fine with the hosts, but it doesn't seem like they have very good chemistry. The Chemistry on indigital was much better. I also thought the editing on inDigital was better.

I am not writing this show off due to respect I have for Patrick, but I definitely hope this show is not a sign of what is to come. This show is basically a less interesting version of dl.tv with a new name (and a horrible theme song).

Looks like that Ultimatum to Hahn is not looking like such a wise move now.

Bring back Hahn!

[scoobydiesel]

you know...i liked the show but you did very well imo at pointing out all the bad stuff an went into great detail, maybe they will work on all the downs to make the show better then what it is.

[WizMaster]

WizMaster:

After reading your points and my own review again, I do agree with a lot of what you're saying and will be posting a follow-up soon.

Just a couple things:
"but are you reviewing their review or the product?'
Yes, I am. Just like you're reviewing my review of their review.

I felt that it glossed over serious issues with the product. I misstated that it was a review, true, but their conlusions at the end seemed too favorable for a product that seemed too flawed to me.

By most people, of course, I meant viewers of a show like Tekzilla on a webTV network. I think I can safely say that the technical knowledge of this demographic skews a little higher than the regular users of YouTube.

"He referenced the bag a lot but it didn't take away from the actual DIY project."
Well, I felt that it did. It added nothing and, in fact, detracted, somewhat. It wasn't funny, and had nothing to do with the review. That's a net loss in my opinion.

Their banter was the "awkward live vibe" I was referring to. It felt stilted and it wasn't entertaining.

"The rest is basically complaining."
That would be because I was very disappointed with a show billed to be "BIG!", when it was just another tech show.

"It really comes off as "I don't like this so how could you or anyone else, I know that already so most people must, this part didn't talk enough about the technical aspects" and it's just horrendous."

Any implication that I don't understand how other people could like it is unintentional, but I don't understand how anyone could think this show is worthy of any of the hype. It fills no niche that hadn't already been filled (other than consumer electronics reviews, which had been so recently filled by another program), and wasn't very impressive.

The thing is your review is on how you disagree with their review, not on how they reviewed (or previewed) the product. It doesn't seems that bad to me but I doubt it'll get far without an option for monthly billing and unlimited views (a la gamefly without discs). Otherwise, it's a cool product for those that are interested. The gave pros and cons and even though they liked it, people can see the cons and pricing and decide if they like it.

Otherwise, it didn't seem like a review on the good and bad of how the show was (lightinf, dialouge, "chemistry") but instead on the dislike of the content. You could rewrite it with a more objective tone and discuss what exactly about their presentation/segments/etc. was good and bad.

As for hype, was there ANY hype? After the whole Indigital thing, I doubt you could call it "hype". After a few episodes we can decide whether it's "Big" or not. Otherwise it's just marketing. Halo 3 was hyped. I didn't a Tekzilla version of Sprite so it's not that bad (lol). I don't think anyone was hyped about this show other then Pat fans.

[Shky]

Fair enough, WizMaster. As far as hype goes, though, this (http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/09/for-those-of-yo.html) story getting over 800 diggs and attaching ads to the ends of other Rev3 shows promising something BIG, counts as hype in this small corner of the web, in my opinion.

I'll post a follow-up when there's at least another episode out, so there's a little more to form opinions on.

[kingkilr]

I didn't think it was bad, but as others mentioned it doesn't feel targeted enough, it has things like Memtest which gears it towards a more technical audience, but the coverage is so non-technical to make someone hurt, it sort of feels like they smacked systm and indigital together, which doesn't work.

[Jason H]

I was Unimpressed as well.

[iccanui]

I couldnt agree with this post any more then i do now. This show is exactly what it set out to be. The middle ground between the alpha geek and the day to day user. This isnt GigaOM or diggnation so if you want a talk show, go watch those.

Like i said in the other thread, as i was watching that battery segment it inspired my mind to mull over other projects. Thats freaking awesome. Its not just sit watch and laugh or whatever.


Give it time, this is the first show and they made it very clear the show is about us, so till we start putting our content on and helping it grow its not complete.

try being positive and adding to this thread...

http://revision3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10219

[rabidbadger]

I hate saying this cause I love Rev3, and I love Pat and Jess, but I literally (as in actually really and truly did) fall asleep halfway through.

At least for the half ep I was awake for, I was disappointed majorly. A show hyped as "TEKZILLA" shouldn't have the hosts look like they're filming from a tiny cell at Gitmo. This is easily fixed, and most probably just a fault of filming while still building the studio. But the lighting sucked. I, like Patrick, am losing my hair, and correctly just shave it down instead of faking it with a comb-over, but the lighting made it look like he had alternating stripes and bald-strips. Oddly enough, the lighting was fine on Jessica's side of the screen. She looked lovely. (and yeah, I got a crush on Patrick, so this was disappointing)

I liked the Camera tip segment. After being locked in a cell was good to be outside for a bit, and even though I've done my own vidcast, some of those simple ideas never occoured to me.

The Vudu review: ack! David Pouge did a NYT vid on that a few weeks ago, and in 3 minutes packed more info, pros and cons, prices, etc... while still being 10 times more entertaing.

then I fell asleep. And I'm a night person!

I'm gonna keep watching for a few more eps, see if Rev3 listens to us, or see if it just improves 'cause of the "comfort level" of all involved, in front of the camera or behind. But right now... Ehhh...

(PS: Love the idea of Wil Wheaton sending in segments when he can, and I think the wise-ass chemistry tween him and Patrick would be great if they flew him up to 'Frisco' -yes I said 'frisco' just to piss 'friscans off :) - like they fly one or the other of the diggnation guys back and forth every week.)

(And with all the Patrick/Jess/Hahn discussions here, there has been no word on Wil being involved at all anymore. If not, then big loss to Rev3 :( )

[lindqvist]

Things that bugged me to some degree about this first episode:

The set looked kind of cheap, especially in the less forgiving HD version. (Things like the "bricks" folding in the corner of the background and the hastily folded cloth around the table surfaces were actually sort of distracting.)
Also, it made it look like a really small place, as has been pointed out.

During the vudu review, Patrick and Jessica made so little "eye contact" with the camera that you kind of started feeling left out. (Facing away half the time, facing each other the rest of the time.)

What's up with the Diggnation style intro with two real sponsors and a fake one?

What's up with "lolpatz"?!?


(I make a point of not comparing Tekzilla with a certain other show that it unfortunately replaced, that just makes me upset. Overall, I think Tekzilla had a pretty good first episode overall.)

[radzack]

I definitely get more of a TV show vibe, which isn't a bad thing at all...but you have to consider that most people on Rev3 are looking for interesting podcasts...they could go to g4 for shows like tek. It was a little long I thought. But all in all, i Liked it. Keep it going and we'll see what happens.

[iccanui]

Actually i think wil can kinda step off for a while. How he acted in InDigital was really unimpressive. I think the people watching were disappointed and it was obvious the hosts were disappointed. I mean i know we all have lives and things get crazy, but for him to pop into this show almost seems like a undeserving reward.

I dont mean to be hard on wil at all, he past contributions were great on techtv. I dont know, maybe im being to rough on the guy. Just seems to me when you commit to something you commit and when you dont, you dont really deserve the rewards of other peoples committed hard work. I think he has a little bit to prove, a little respect to earn back.

[roomforpanic]

I could not have been more disappointed with this show. I loved InDigital and am still sad that it was canceled; however I really gave this first episode an honest shot.

That being said, I felt like I was watching a dumbed down version of Systm combined with a much less interesting version of ID. Was there really an entire segment on using a tripod with your camera? Also, if you're going to tell us about something cool like using a 12V battery to charge ipods and laptops, then show us how to wire it up.

This is sad. I want Hahn and Wil back. The three together seemed like a relaxed group of friends having a conversation. Patrick (whom I love) and Jessica together seemed like an awkward first date.