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I'm not sure you'll get a human-powered DVD player that will work  
very well, for a lot of the same reasons having your computer plugged  
into a switched outlet and flipping the switch on and off is not a  
good idea.
DVD players rely on a steady inflow of power to operate.  They don't  
run slow the way a phonograph player would if it wasn't receiving  
full juice.  And with any unregulated human-powered exhibit, you risk  
power surges which could fry the little computer in the DVD player.
Also, I've never seen a DVD player that doesn't have a lengthy start- 
up mode before any video will play.  That makes the feedback/response  
pretty clunky.

Try plugging a player into a circuit with a dimmer switch and  
experiment.

On the other hand, I can think of three ways off the top of my head  
to fake it!
For example, I've built a couple art installations in which the user  
seems to be turning CD players on and off, but in actuallity, the CD  
players is always on, and the speakers are switched.
Likewise, you could have a human-powered TV monitor, and keep the DVD  
player running constantly.

Good luck and let us know what develops.  I'd prefer to be proven  
incorrect on this!

--Jason

__
JasonJayStevens
JasonJayStevensStudio
[log in to unmask]
www.potterbelmar.org/jjss
536 Roosevelt Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78210




On Dec 12, 2007, at 6:29 PM, joyceberman wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> ********************************************************************** 
> *******
>
> Greetings, fellow museum folks.  Does anyone know of a good energy  
> exhibit
> that examines wind/solar/water energy?  I am looking in the  
> neighborhood of
> $10,000 - $15,000?
>
> If not, does anyone know of a smaller exhibit that would be human  
> powered
> that would then turn on a DVD player?  (We would like it to be  
> either a
> rowing machine, a bicycle, a treadmill, cross country skis).
>
> If not in existence, who might be good to build us a good one here  
> on the
> west coast?
>
> Joyce Berman
> Executive Director
> Science Factory
>   Children's Museum & Planetarium
> 2300 Leo Harris Parkway
> Eugene, OR  97440
>
> (541)682-7888
> (541)682-7887 (Direct)
> [log in to unmask]
> FAX:  (541)484-9027
> www.sciencefactory.org
>
> engage.excite.inspire!
>
> ********************************************************************** 
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