The "PX" Device on Ghost Adventures

[Rock-Star]

I was watching a recent episode of Ghost Adventures and they brought out what they said was their newest piece of equipment called the PX. They introduced it with a clip of a vaguely "scientist" looking guy who is supposedly the device's inventor explaining it to Zak. He stated that he created this electronic device with a 2,000 word vocabulary that enables the "spirits" to speak through it in complete sentences. This was all just proclaimed very matter-of-factly, with no explanation as to why or how the heck this would work, or how this idea would have been inspired. Has anyone heard anything about this device? It was cracking me up on the show...they had this thing sitting in a room, and now and then it would spit out these random robotic sounding words "will....kill!", "hi", "Elizabeth", and so on. The team reacted in their usual melodramatic manner and it was really quite humorous.

In general, I love how they talk about things on this show in absolutes, like all this technology is matter-of-fact, and no explanation is required as to how things work. This very same episode also featured "The worlds foremost experts in capturing EVP's!". How exactly does one become an expert at these things? Can one person be better than another at holding a digital recorder and asking stupid questions? I did honestly enjoy this show for a time in the past, purely for entertainment value, but it is simply becoming too ludicrous even for fleeting entertainment. I guess in general this topic isn't so much a question, but more a commentary on the dubious "technology" featured on this show and the like.

[Grape Soda]

ugh.....i don't see how anything on those shows can be entertaining outside of laughing at the absurdity of the false claims or the over the top melodramatic acting of the hosts.

this PX device sounds like the "ghost radar" application i have on my phone. for those that are not aware of this smartphone app: what it does is display a radar-esque screen that will show random blips and randomly it will display a random word, along with audio texting app, will "say" the word aloud in a robotic voice. obviously this app is just for laughs and has no ACTUAL scientific basis........much like what this PX device sounds like.

a part of me is appalled that these kind of shows just pull out random devices as "proof" of the paranormal, and the excuse of: "HEY, LOOK! WE HAVE A SCIENTIFIC LOOKING GUY THAT SAYS THIS WORKS!" for a device that no one has heard of nor has any weight or bearing on any sort of paranormal research (like the GH K2 meter......sigh) outside of someone says that if it does "X" that means it is a "ghost" without any sort of explanation as to WHY or HOW the device actually does what they say it does.

Edited February 4, 2011 by Grape Soda

[Magster]

ugh.....i don't see how anything on those shows can be entertaining outside of laughing at the absurdity of the false claims or the over the top melodramatic acting of the hosts.

I think that's exactly what the OP was saying.

My question: Did the "scientist" looking guy have normal hair? We all know that the best scientists have crazy hair.

[Rock-Star]

a part of me is appalled that these kind of shows just pull out random devices as "proof" of the paranormal, and the excuse of: "HEY, LOOK! WE HAVE A SCIENTIFIC LOOKING GUY THAT SAYS THIS WORKS!" for a device that no one has heard of nor has any weight or bearing on any sort of paranormal research (like the GH K2 meter......sigh) outside of someone says that if it does "X" that means it is a "ghost" without any sort of explanation as to WHY or HOW the device actually does what they say it does.

Yep, EXACTLY!!

I think that's exactly what the OP was saying.

My question: Did the "scientist" looking guy have normal hair? We all know that the best scientists have crazy hair.

No, unfortunately the hair was pretty normal

[Ghostfinder]

I don't understand how you can argue with a machine that ghosts can talk through. Especially one created by a scientist. I think it's about time that ghosts are given the same rights to communicating as those if us that have enjoyed this privilege for years.

[Bendy Demon]

I don't understand how you can argue with a machine that ghosts can talk through. Especially one created by a scientist. I think it's about time that ghosts are given the same rights to communicating as those if us that have enjoyed this privilege for years.

Are..are you serious?

This device is total bull beans just like everything else on their stupid show. If ghosts can do all sorts of stuff such as making objects fly across the room or re-arrange furniture then would it kill them to pick up a bleedin' piece of paper and a pen and actually write something?

Furthermore if this "EVP" (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) was true (which it isn't) then what would they need a pathetic "PX" device for?

Anyways with all of its predictability, I am surprised the show is still on the air.

[Ghostfinder]

Are..are you serious?

This device is total bull beans just like everything else on their stupid show. If ghosts can do all sorts of stuff such as making objects fly across the room or re-arrange furniture then would it kill them to pick up a bleedin' piece of paper and a pen and actually write something?

Furthermore if this "EVP" (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) was true (which it isn't) then what would they need a pathetic "PX" device for?

Anyways with all of its predictability, I am surprised the show is still on the air.

Oh...so now you thing that ghosts should be expected to write on pen and paper and not actually be allowed to talk. Why do you see them as second class citizens?

Yeah...Ryu, I was just kidding. Sometimes my sarcasm doesn't come across like I think it would.

I do believe in EVP's. However, I think this machine is ridiculous. There's a few like it. Some of them actually go back quite a few years or even decades. Radio waves supposed to pick up Ghost talk and play them on a radio. I've been on a website that sells them. Like Rock-Star wrote, it is funny how matter of fact they say they work.

[Nadia B.]

The only thing I wondered was if this was just a modded dog translation device. Yes, I know that sort of has nothing to do with any of this at all... just saying.

[scepticalbeliever]

I was watching a recent episode of Ghost Adventures and they brought out what they said was their newest piece of equipment called the PX. They introduced it with a clip of a vaguely "scientist" looking guy who is supposedly the device's inventor explaining it to Zak. He stated that he created this electronic device with a 2,000 word vocabulary that enables the "spirits" to speak through it in complete sentences. This was all just proclaimed very matter-of-factly, with no explanation as to why or how the heck this would work, or how this idea would have been inspired. Has anyone heard anything about this device? It was cracking me up on the show...they had this thing sitting in a room, and now and then it would spit out these random robotic sounding words "will....kill!", "hi", "Elizabeth", and so on. The team reacted in their usual melodramatic manner and it was really quite humorous.

In general, I love how they talk about things on this show in absolutes, like all this technology is matter-of-fact, and no explanation is required as to how things work. This very same episode also featured "The worlds foremost experts in capturing EVP's!". How exactly does one become an expert at these things? Can one person be better than another at holding a digital recorder and asking stupid questions? I did honestly enjoy this show for a time in the past, purely for entertainment value, but it is simply becoming too ludicrous even for fleeting entertainment. I guess in general this topic isn't so much a question, but more a commentary on the dubious "technology" featured on this show and the like.

They're probably trying to get one up on the other shows as the PX is just another name for GHOST BOX which some other paranormal show already had. Its not new.

[FlyingAngel]

funny how many people used the word "science" and "scientist" to backup their scam/fake show. It's not like it's going to work.

[Funky Poacher]

I don't understand how you can argue with a machine that ghosts can talk through. Especially one created by a "scientist".

I fixed that for you.

[Ghostfinder]

I fixed that for you.

Thanks.

[CEPA Paranormal]

The question is: where has this forum gone to. Everyone's a non-believer. Listen, the "scientist" dude was Bill Chaplan. You could test out the equipment for yourself, if you want to be so objective to the device. Look up digital dowsing LLC. The px is no longer in production, however newer version is the Ovulius X and The Talker. Now, The Talker is still under research in regards with my team. I'm not the type of person and neither is my team to jump to any conclusion.

Something you should know before judging Bill Chaplann. He was a aero-engineer and robotic engineer. I believe he's quite capable and competent of knowing what he's actually doing. Now, that's all I gotta say.

In regards of Ghost Adventures, it's a show - it's entertainment. Producers need tv ratings for the show to even stay on the air. So, you're going to blame it on the crew members, try blaming on the producers. The crew actually locked into a agreement for a full season. So, in a way sometimes they have to conform to what the producers actually need; if that's of course the crew need money. I'm sure a million dollars or even hundreds of thousands would make you want to do the same.

[Mark is Back]

Actually I believe the PX is a variant of the Ovilus...

I'm not a believer in its capabilities, it's a randomized word listing (2,000 - whoopdie doo) which is a fraction of a vocabulary in which it's supposed to allow something with no prior knowledge of the list, or which level of EM (.02mg is one word .04 is another etc.) will trigger which word, and some even randomize after every word (insures less "constant" readings, or repeated words)

Total load in my opinion.. but we've yet to break one down, in discussions with the company making them - may be testing one of the new models.

The franks box thing though (ghost box to some) is totally different, and normally I'd refute it and throw it out entirely but after using one with Zaffis Sunday - the results were rather interesting... It's back on the test table now because of that..

[A rather obscure Bassoon]

it

Actually I believe the PX is a variant of the Ovilus...

I'm not a believer in its capabilities, it's a randomized word listing (2,000 - whoopdie doo) which is a fraction of a vocabulary in which it's supposed to allow something with no prior knowledge of the list, or which level of EM (.02mg is one word .04 is another etc.) will trigger which word, and some even randomize after every word (insures less "constant" readings, or repeated words)

Total load in my opinion.. but we've yet to break one down, in discussions with the company making them - may be testing one of the new models.

The franks box thing though (ghost box to some) is totally different, and normally I'd refute it and throw it out entirely but after using one with Zaffis Sunday - the results were rather interesting... It's back on the test table now because of that..

I think that maybe the problem is more to do with total amateurs(Ghost Adventures) running around with some form of unproven technology and taking everything on face value with the asumption that everything is paranormal.Unfotunately T.V. programs such as this add fuel to the skeptical fire i think.

[jaguarsky]

A good friend of mine passed last spring and one evening while the family were all still gathered at the house his grandaughter powered up the ghost talkie thingy on her smart phone. Now we all know they are pretty much BS, but, the words that were produced were very specific to the deceased. It made me wonder if the program hears and stores conversations within a period of time. As an example, if I had been talking about "John at the farm", whether actually using the phone or not, just prior to turning on the device, might it not, if had been saving info, just randomly repeat parts of that conversation? Just a thought. I am a believer and investigator. I just don't trust electronics, thingamajiggies, and whosywhatsits.

[ValkyrieVoice]

I was watching a recent episode of Ghost Adventures and they brought out what they said was their newest piece of equipment called the PX. They introduced it with a clip of a vaguely "scientist" looking guy who is supposedly the device's inventor explaining it to Zak. He stated that he created this electronic device with a 2,000 word vocabulary that enables the "spirits" to speak through it in complete sentences. This was all just proclaimed very matter-of-factly, with no explanation as to why or how the heck this would work, or how this idea would have been inspired. Has anyone heard anything about this device? It was cracking me up on the show...they had this thing sitting in a room, and now and then it would spit out these random robotic sounding words "will....kill!", "hi", "Elizabeth", and so on. The team reacted in their usual melodramatic manner and it was really quite humorous.

In general, I love how they talk about things on this show in absolutes, like all this technology is matter-of-fact, and no explanation is required as to how things work. This very same episode also featured "The worlds foremost experts in capturing EVP's!". How exactly does one become an expert at these things? Can one person be better than another at holding a digital recorder and asking stupid questions? I did honestly enjoy this show for a time in the past, purely for entertainment value, but it is simply becoming too ludicrous even for fleeting entertainment. I guess in general this topic isn't so much a question, but more a commentary on the dubious "technology" featured on this show and the like.

Zak and his team are girly men.

[A rather obscure Bassoon]

Zak and his team are girly men.

That i cannot argue with.....Drama Queens would be more appropiate i feel.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Something you should know before judging Bill Chaplann. He was a aero-engineer and robotic engineer. I believe he's quite capable and competent of knowing what he's actually doing. Now, that's all I gotta say.

So ... not an audio engineer/specialist then.

You see I have a Masters in Primary Education, but that doesn't mean I can teach Secondary School. Yes they're both "teaching", they both fall under the same field, but they require vastly different compentencies and mindsets. The same holds true for the field of engineering. Because a bloke can build a plane doesn't mean they can build a boat. Or a machine for making ghosts talk.

[Mark is Back]

So ... not an audio engineer/specialist then.

You see I have a Masters in Primary Education, but that doesn't mean I can teach Secondary School. Yes they're both "teaching", they both fall under the same field, but they require vastly different compentencies and mindsets. The same holds true for the field of engineering. Because a bloke can build a plane doesn't mean they can build a boat. Or a machine for making ghosts talk.

Aye - totally agreed.

Bill Chaplann may be brilliant, but he built a device - intending it to be a JOKE - and when he tested it got some funny results - now the device is considered to be the 'holy grail' among some teams out there.

It was a good idea, to a point. It'd be like me handing you a hat with 2000 words in it, having you pick one, and then say it. You may know how to speak English just fine - but you don't know what order the words are in.

I will admit - I have heard of (cannot verify, but some of the sources are trusted) this thing having its 2000 English words and speaking Latin and French, and even saying words that were not in the original vocabulary.

So - in the effort to create a mock of the Franks Box, was it possible that something was stumbled upon? I don't really think so, but I could be wrong. - Hence the testing. These things need to be tested before people scream "These things are the walkie talkie to the dead!!!"

Edited November 25, 2011 by Mark of R.I.P.

[Rhincewind]

I like ghost adventures. its great to watch and I really enjoy it

[ImagineSolace]

As a sensitive this show is not funny nor do I find it entertaining. Zak is a wanna be but never will be. Although Ghost Hunters do the same thing at least they are compassionate in their manor and don't go in tormenting the spirits like Zak and his boys do.

All of their equipment can be questionable and if they truly were sensitives they wouldn't need it. All they're doing is going in and disturbing already troubled spirits. If you want to watch something more true to life, watch The Dead Files. At least Amy understands what these spirits are going through and she opens merely to ask if they'd like to communicate something to the living. She doesn't go in forcing them to speak or tormenting them, she merely asks if they'd like to communicate. The spirits know the difference between a true sensitive and just some weird guys with bad haircuts who are more drama queens than anything else.

Just my opinion and I am entitled to it.

[BlueBomber]

I don't understand how you can argue with a machine that ghosts can talk through. Especially one created by a scientist. I think it's about time that ghosts are given the same rights to communicating as those if us that have enjoyed this privilege for years.

Oh...so now you thing that ghosts should be expected to write on pen and paper and not actually be allowed to talk. Why do you see them as second class citizens?

Yeah...Ryu, I was just kidding. Sometimes my sarcasm doesn't come across like I think it would.

I do believe in EVP's. However, I think this machine is ridiculous. There's a few like it. Some of them actually go back quite a few years or even decades. Radio waves supposed to pick up Ghost talk and play them on a radio. I've been on a website that sells them. Like Rock-Star wrote, it is funny how matter of fact they say they work.

[BlueBomber]

I like ghost adventures. its great to watch and I really enjoy it

Agreed, it's very entertaining. I'ev always enjoyed paranormal shows and movies, so real or not, I think they can be a lot of fun to watch.

[Kahn]

ugh.....i don't see how anything on those shows can be entertaining outside of laughing at the absurdity of the false claims or the over the top melodramatic acting of the hosts.

this PX device sounds like the "ghost radar" application i have on my phone. for those that are not aware of this smartphone app: what it does is display a radar-esque screen that will show random blips and randomly it will display a random word, along with audio texting app, will "say" the word aloud in a robotic voice. obviously this app is just for laughs and has no ACTUAL scientific basis........much like what this PX device sounds like.

a part of me is appalled that these kind of shows just pull out random devices as "proof" of the paranormal, and the excuse of: "HEY, LOOK! WE HAVE A SCIENTIFIC LOOKING GUY THAT SAYS THIS WORKS!" for a device that no one has heard of nor has any weight or bearing on any sort of paranormal research (like the GH K2 meter......sigh) outside of someone says that if it does "X" that means it is a "ghost" without any sort of explanation as to WHY or HOW the device actually does what they say it does.

RFOL! I love you man!