Ovilus
Encyclopedia
The Ovilus, or Puck, is an electronic speech-synthesis
device which utters words depending on electromagnetic waves in the air, by using an EMF Meter
. The device was created by Bill Chappell, a retired electronics engineer interested in the paranormal
who creates devices for the field.
. These readings are combined to create a number, and this number is used to reference the database of words. The Ovilus then "speaks" that word. An Ovilus can also operate in a phonetic mode that reacts to EMF variations to create words that are not in the database. There are other types of the Ovilus device, including the Paranormal Puck, Video Ovilus, Ovilus I, Ovilus II, Ovilus FX, Ovilus X (pictured above right), Talker, and The PX.
(Season 2 Episode 6, "Hells Gate"). During this episode, the device is explained and given a few minutes of air time. A variation of the Ovilus, Video Ovilus, one with a built-in night-vision
video camera
, can be seen on Ghost Adventures
in several episodes.
Paranormal aficionados claim the device is a conduit to allow communication with spirits.
The manufacturer does not claim that the device allows communication with the dead. Reviews have been mixed.
or Ouija Board
.
There is also a mode called "Phonetic mode". Within this mode, words can be put together that are not in the list of words listed above. According to the owner, complete sentences are possible, but not a feature of the device. In Phonetic mode, the odds of a related response are 1:71, the phonetic generator carries those same 1:71 odds no matter what model of Ovilus is used.
in the room. The manufacturer states that this meter is not an average sampling but a real time sample. This meter should not replace a device that is a dedicated EMF Meter
. There is no evidence that EMF meters have any efficacy in detecting ghosts or other supernatural entities.
, Paranormal Challenge
, Paranormal State
, The Haunted, and Celebrity Ghost Hunt.
Speech synthesis
Speech synthesis is the artificial production of human speech. A computer system used for this purpose is called a speech synthesizer, and can be implemented in software or hardware...
device which utters words depending on electromagnetic waves in the air, by using an EMF Meter
EMF Meter
An EMF meter is a scientific instrument for measuring electromagnetic fields . Most meters measure the electromagnetic radiation flux density or the change in an electromagnetic field over time , essentially the same as a radio antenna, but with quite different detection...
. The device was created by Bill Chappell, a retired electronics engineer interested in the paranormal
Paranormal
Paranormal is a general term that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure...
who creates devices for the field.
Overview
The Ovilus has an embedded database of words. It contains an EMF MeterEMF Meter
An EMF meter is a scientific instrument for measuring electromagnetic fields . Most meters measure the electromagnetic radiation flux density or the change in an electromagnetic field over time , essentially the same as a radio antenna, but with quite different detection...
. These readings are combined to create a number, and this number is used to reference the database of words. The Ovilus then "speaks" that word. An Ovilus can also operate in a phonetic mode that reacts to EMF variations to create words that are not in the database. There are other types of the Ovilus device, including the Paranormal Puck, Video Ovilus, Ovilus I, Ovilus II, Ovilus FX, Ovilus X (pictured above right), Talker, and The PX.
Claims
Ovilus is marketed as an entertainment device. It is used by many paranormal groups and has been used on Paranormal StateParanormal State
Paranormal State is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on the A&E Network on December 10, 2007. The program follows and stars the Pennsylvania State University Paranormal Research Society, a student-led college club...
(Season 2 Episode 6, "Hells Gate"). During this episode, the device is explained and given a few minutes of air time. A variation of the Ovilus, Video Ovilus, one with a built-in night-vision
Night vision
Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...
video camera
Video camera
A video camera is a camera used for electronic motion picture acquisition, initially developed by the television industry but now common in other applications as well. The earliest video cameras were those of John Logie Baird, based on the electromechanical Nipkow disk and used by the BBC in...
, can be seen on Ghost Adventures
Ghost Adventures
Ghost Adventures is a weekly American paranormal television series that premiered on October 17, 2008 on the Travel Channel. Currently produced by MY-Tupelo Entertainment , the program follows and stars ghost hunters Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin, as they investigate locations that are...
in several episodes.
Paranormal aficionados claim the device is a conduit to allow communication with spirits.
The manufacturer does not claim that the device allows communication with the dead. Reviews have been mixed.
Negative reviews
Due to the random nature of the replies, many paranormal research groups have stopped using the Ovilus because too much is left to chance. It is posited that a person could pull random words out of a hat and get the same response as what comes out of the Ovilus. Many liken it to an electronic 8 BallMagic 8-ball
The Magic 8 Ball is a toy used for fortune-telling or seeking advice, manufactured by Mattel.-Origin:While Magic 8-Ball did not exist in its current form until 1950, the functional component was invented by Albert C. Carter, who was inspired by a "spirit writing" device used by his mother, Mary, a...
or Ouija Board
Ouija Board
Ouija Board is a Thoroughbred mare racehorse owned by Edward Stanley, 19th Earl of Derby and trained by Ed Dunlop. In a career spanning four seasons, she won 10 of her 22 races, 7 of them Group 1s, including the Epsom Oaks in 2004 and the Hong Kong Vase in 2005...
.
Positive reviews
Despite the label that says, "For Entertainment Purpose Only", the device is still used today in paranormal research. Groups claim that it has replied with very accurate words relating directly to the case they were investigating.Odds
From the maker's website, the odds of actually getting a response that is related to the question a person asked are one of the following: 1:512 (Ovilus I), 1:1024 (Ovilus FX/Video Ovilus), 1:2048 (PX), or 1:2048+,- (Ovilus II/Ovilus X, due to their user-changeable dictionaries). There are anywhere from 512 words to over 2048 in the database, depending on the type of Ovilus that is used, so basically you have an even shot to get a response that fits in a contextually accurate fashion.There is also a mode called "Phonetic mode". Within this mode, words can be put together that are not in the list of words listed above. According to the owner, complete sentences are possible, but not a feature of the device. In Phonetic mode, the odds of a related response are 1:71, the phonetic generator carries those same 1:71 odds no matter what model of Ovilus is used.
As an EMF meter
The devices contain several LED lights that correspond to the level of EMFElectromagnetic field
An electromagnetic field is a physical field produced by moving electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. The electromagnetic field extends indefinitely throughout space and describes the electromagnetic interaction...
in the room. The manufacturer states that this meter is not an average sampling but a real time sample. This meter should not replace a device that is a dedicated EMF Meter
EMF Meter
An EMF meter is a scientific instrument for measuring electromagnetic fields . Most meters measure the electromagnetic radiation flux density or the change in an electromagnetic field over time , essentially the same as a radio antenna, but with quite different detection...
. There is no evidence that EMF meters have any efficacy in detecting ghosts or other supernatural entities.
Television
The Ovilus is mentioned by name on several television series including; Ghost AdventuresGhost Adventures
Ghost Adventures is a weekly American paranormal television series that premiered on October 17, 2008 on the Travel Channel. Currently produced by MY-Tupelo Entertainment , the program follows and stars ghost hunters Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin, as they investigate locations that are...
, Paranormal Challenge
Paranormal Challenge
Paranormal Challenge is an American paranormal competitive reality spinoff television series that premiered on June 17, 2011 on the Travel Channel...
, Paranormal State
Paranormal State
Paranormal State is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on the A&E Network on December 10, 2007. The program follows and stars the Pennsylvania State University Paranormal Research Society, a student-led college club...
, The Haunted, and Celebrity Ghost Hunt.