I would like to list all of the parts for the Knight 3000 made by others for there own use or for sale and the pros and cons to each version:
"K3000 Software voicebox"
Who made this: Nutz95 on youtube
What it is: Knight 3000 winamp software visualization
Available to the public: No
Pros: Syncs exactly with the sounds of the speaker output
Cons: Overly complicated software written in visual basic. Static background doesn't move, instead its a picture of the background. Not compatible with most computers. No actual Orb hardware used, just software.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVn7ACf5ngs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fun facts: This was the very first software built to resemble the Knight 3000's speaking Orb console. When Nutz95 made this program everyone was clamoring trying to get a copy. (Including me at the time.) His refusal to let anyone buy his program was the direct reason I built my Interactive Voice Orb for the KR community.
KITT Dome Interpretation
Who made this: sportly2 on youtube
Available to the public: No
Pros: Pretty lights
Cons: Doesn't sink up with any audio output
Fun Facts: He doesn't allow any comments on his channel from other users.
Knight Rider Voice orb interpretation
Who made this: glynknight2000 on youtube
Available to the public: No
Pros: An all L.E.D. solution to a CGI effect.
Cons: Not screen accurate
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICYS03eRMGo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fun Facts: He used two hollow dummy security camera "domes" and inserted 3mm blue led Christmas lights with multiple patterns. The 3 bars were leftovers from his knight 2000 voicebox. He just hardwired them and added a 1cm red led for the eye.
2008 Knight Rider dash orb
Who made this: An electronics friend of Mikehundley on youtube
Available to the public: No
Pros: An interesting take on what the Orb would have looked like had NBC gone the non CGI route. Audio is synced up through use of the sound sensitive feature of the plasma disc.
Cons: Not screen accurate
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUKs5wsaa0k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fun Facts: No software, no hardware....just a plasma disc, a hollow candy mold and some LEDS. All battery operated.
Knight 3000 Interactive Voice Orb
Who made this: Taoworm2323 on youtube
Available to the public: Yes
Pros: Graphics are the exact same graphics used by Master Key Films (Screen accurate) Can really respond to drivers commands and prompts in the voice of Val Kilmer.
Cons: Needs a CarPC to run the software on KITT's hardware
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-e3LpNEZ0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (English version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udNwqohrt6E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (German version)
Fun Facts: The original mockup hardware version was built by me out of vinyl 'metal' stickers on cardbboard and the clever use of a talkback bot program. The problem with the first version of the voice orb software was it would go black for 2 seconds before it talked backed. The second version (pictured above) was newly designed from the ground up using screen accurate measurements from the show, a solid state optical display used for making hard contact lenses and a software application specifically designed for the hardware. (No more black pause before KI3T talked) KI3T's software upgrade courtesy of my very good friend and Knight 3000 Project partner Lasse Kathke.
Mustang Knight Rider Style Light
Who made this: 1999TransAmWS6 on youtube
Available to the public: Yes
Pros: Very smooth trailing effect, cheaper than the one I sell
Cons: Not as nearly as bright as the scanner used in KR08
Make up: 2 rows of normal 5mm red LEDs
Knight 3000 Scanner Light
Who made this: Taoworm2323 on youtube
Available to the public: Yes
Pros: Just as bright as the one used on the show (Same high flux LEDs)
Cons: Not as smooth of a trailing effect (Unless you pull it back some)
Make up: 3 rows of super high brightness High Flux Piranha LEDs
(Note the two pictures above are the same car on the same day with both scanners installed in each to show the brightness difference.)
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.Ill still try for the festival but minus my KI3T...
I can't wait to get it in the car and be on the road to Vegas. The tires are on the way, one last rim to buy (Shelby's out of stock for two weeks). Also is there any way to make this a stickey or have a section for the people that are making KITT so we don't have to hunt down this subject.