just prying

2005-01-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

The Satellite View of Tsunami

The best Freewares

2005-01-11T14:41:00.000-05:00

I just found out the best freewares list.
It's here.
Enjoy the best of the free.

If life was also as good as this............

Comin...soon. My Favorite Firefox extensions and various tweaks

2005-01-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

Headlines of Today

2005-01-07T14:41:00.000-05:00

1. Microsoft releases own (?) antivirus software.
History repeats.........
Let's wait n see what's gonna Happen.

2. Lepage (Canada) is being closed down by owner Henkel. They r opening 5 plants in USA.
I forgot the times hearing anything opening in Canada.
Does this country has a future?????
MAybe as a province of the Big Brother. Let's pray it not to happen....

2005-01-07T14:31:00.000-05:00

cochi

God"s Own Country becoming Internet's Own Hub???

2005-01-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

16th DEC 11:10 hrs IST
Dubai Internet City to set up its 'Smart City' in Kochi

Thiruvananthapuram (Capital of Kerala): The Dubai Internet City has selected Kakkanad, near Kochi (The Metro City of Kerala), as the site for setting up its 'Smart City' with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore, Kerala Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said on Wednesday.He told a news conference here that a communication in this regard had been received by the state government from Dubai Internet City.Kunhalikutty said the Smart City would be set up adjacent to the Infopark at Kakkanad for which 1,000 acres of land would be made available. Nearly one lakh people were expected to get direct and indirect employment from the project, he added.Kunhalikutty said 80 per cent of the space available at the Infopark had already been booked by various IT companies.He said Kerala was likely to get three more major projects including an automobile manufacturing unit by a foreign company and discussions were on in this regard.Detailing the projects implemented by his department during the 100-day-action plan of the Chief Minister, Kunhalikutty said work, to set up a Centre for Textile Infrastructure Development at Thaliparamba in Kannur district, had begun. The project, costing Rs 30.5 crore, was expected to be completed in 18 months.Replying to a question, he said a Cabinet Sub-Committee had been entrusted to look into restructuring of public sector undertakings.

MAKING OF A DVD

2005-01-05T15:50:00.000-05:00

It's a new effort. I've an avi (divx encoded) file of 750 mb size. The subtitles for the movie are in srt format. My aim is to make a dvd out of these two files.

I've two options, either attach the subtitle permanently to the resulting video file or make it detachable. I opt for the first one as it's easy and I don't mind viewing subs along with the film.

I'm gonna use these programs
VirtualDub, VirtualDub Subtitler Filter, SRT to SSA , Tmpgenc and Nero.
Download these from the above locations if you don't have. While first three are free, nero and tmpgenc can be downloaded as fully functional trial.

Step 1 : Convert srt to ssa format
Unzip the SRTtoSSA.zip to a folder and open "Conversor.exe". browse to the srt file folder and click convert. That's it. Done.

step 2: Attaching the subtitle file to avi and making it ready for TMPGenc

a) Unzip / extract the "VirtualDub-1.5.10.zip" to a folder, lets name it "virtualdub". Open "auxsetup.exe" from this folder, click on "install handler" -> ok. This step is very important to install the dll files. Exit the exe.
b) Unzip "subtitler-2_4.zip" to any folder, copy the "Subtitler.vdf" to the plugins folder where virtual dub was unzipped (inside the "virtualdub" folder).
c) Open "VirtualDub.exe" , goto FILE --> OPEN VIDEO FILE and select the avi. Again goto FILE --> FILE INFORMATION and note down the fps in the first line (Most probabily it will be 23.976 or 29.97 fps)
d) Go to video -> filters -> click on "add". Now scroll down and choose "subtitler" from the given options and press ok.
e) Open the the created .ssa subtitle file that we've made by clicking on the ... (browse) bar of the configuration pop up and Press OK.
f) Click OK to close the filters menu.
g) Select File-> Start Frame Server. A Frame Server Setup window appear with the name of avi file in it, click "Start" and now a save window appears, Save the file by giving any name. The file is saved as xxxxx.vdr where xxxxx stands for it's name.
h) Now a pop up will appear with the name "Frame server mode - virtual dub", and at the bottom, it should say Frameclients installed: Avifile only. Allow it to run, do not click on "stop serving" or close the window.

(Note: There is an option in the file menu to "save as avi". It's better not to choose this option as my output file within 6 mins reached a size of 6 gb making disc space running out. I checked the VIDEO--> COMPRESSION and found that the output file was in uncompressed rgb format. I have many options there to choose a compression, but the quality for my output file was found low, which I opened using VLC media player).

Step 3: Re-encoding the subtitle attached avi file to mpg (vcd) format using TMPGenc.

a) Now it's time to Encode the frameserved video to MPG. Launch TMPGEnc. Close the "project wizard" by pressing "cancel". Now click the browse button of video source, Open the .vdr file by selecting Files of types: All files by browsing to the folder where the .vdr file was. Automatically audio source and output source will be selected. We have to ensure that there is sufficient disc space where the output file is and also for the temp folder.
b) Goto OPTION --> TASK PRIORITY AND select "when active-high priority" and when not active-high priority" (Both options).
c) Goto "OPTION --> ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING". Select the temp file location in a disc having sufficient disc space. In the second page "cpu" select all (ie, enable all options). In the last page "VFAPI Plugin" also, select all options (most probabily this is default). Click ok.
d) Now we have to configure the settings. This can be done either manually or by "load"ing a preconfigured option.

e) Preconfigured option: First click on "save and save the default options in the template folder. After saving, Press load and load the appropriate file which in the Template directory of TMPGenc.
If the video source fps is 29,970 load VideoCD (NTSC).mcf
If the video source fps is 23,970 load VideoCD (NTSCFilm).mcf
If the video source fps is 25,000 load VideoCD (PAL).mcf
If the video source fps is anything else else just load NTSC if you live in US or Japan and PAL if you live anywhere else.
Now goto FILE--> PREVIEW and check for the quality, appearance of subtitles etc. If u are not satisfied, then manual settting is needed for achieving optimal quality.

(Note: If you live in US or Japan and get problem playing PAL, often causing black and white TV playback problems, then first check if you can change to PAL on your TV or DVD Player if not then instead convert it to NTSC by loading the VideoCD(NTSC) template.

Note if you live Europe and the rest of the world and get problem playing NTSC or NTSCFilm, often causing black and white TV playback problems, then first check if you can change to PAL on your TV or DVD Player if not convert it to PAL by loading the VideoCD(Pal) template.

f) The Manual Option: Click on load and reload the previously saved default options from the template folder. Now click on settings, play around. but leave some settings as follows 1) Motion Search Precision: For MPEG-2 DVD files, MOTION ESTIMATE provides excellent results without needlessly adding time to the encode. For MPEG-1 VCD files, HIGH provides the level of search required for excellent results. Again, without adding unneeded time. 2) Frame rate same as source. 3) Enable custom color correction 4) GOP Structure. This is the structure of the MPEG, and will make it DVD compatible if followed properly. "Max no of frames in a gop"--> What is shown is standard NTSC GOP length. It can go to 18, but 15 is best since tv sets operate off a 60hz, 30fps drop-frame setup. PAL can be up to 15fps too, so this setting is fine for PAL users.

Enable "Output bitstream for edit (CLOSED GOP)" because quite a few authoring packages (notably DVDit! PE) will reject open-GOP files. It is also easier to splice Closed GOP files. Also enable "Scene change" to improve quality (will prevent P or B from appearing at a bad time). 5) Move on to the ADVANCED tab. Be sure your source is setup properly. 6) Audio. Go to the AUDIO tab and select either MPEG (MP2) audio or PCM (WAV) format. DVD is 48Hz and VCD is 44.1Hz. Stereo is best, and I use 256k on DVD (provides slightly richer sound than 192 or 224) and VCD is forced to use 224k. 7) MPEG-1 Encoding Guide

The settings for MPEG-1 are not much different than the settings for MPEG-2. When making VCD, the main differences are in the resolution and bit-rate found on the VIDEO tab.

Video settings. VCD has strict standards on MPEG-1 files. They are 352x240 at 1150k bit-rate. Changing this creates and out-of-spec XVCD that may or may not play or your player.

Note: Most players do support the 1856k DVD MPEG-1 format on CD as well. Using up to 1856 bit-rate results in superior quality at that resolution in this format. This will prevent motion problems and macroblocking as is common of the 1150k VCD video.

Note: Other settings. Beyond the video, you only have a few other things that can be changed. Pretty much just like for dvd / mpeg-2 and follow its settings.

- The GOP structure of DVD works fine on VCD. Feel free to lengthen or lower numbers to match other VCD templates that exist. Keep DVD spec is convenient because you may then convert VCD to DVD at a later date.

- Audio must be 44.1hz 224k to be true CD audio. Using anything else creates a XVCD. Most player reject overly-low or overly-high audio bit-rates and HZ.

- Consider enabling the SOFTEN BLOCK NOISE filter under Quantize Matrix to prevent macroblocks from becoming visible if making true VCD or low bit-rate XVCD.
Step 4: Using Nero.
Start Nero Vision Express, select "to make a dvd", choose the mpg file , make chapters and menu and burn it to a dvd.
*****Compiled from various sources for my own knowledge.*****

Overburning with Nero..........Some useful tips

2005-01-05T06:06:00.000-05:00

Initial checks:
1. Check the cd's rated capacity and compare it to the file size. The file size should not be more than 20 to 30 mb of the cd's capacity. Sometimes you can burn higher, but it depends on the cd quality and luck. There are exceptions such as files of type cue/bin and vcd, where the file size can be upto 800 mb for a 700 mb cdr.
2. Some versions of nero have a overburn bug, either update to the latest version or try a earlier version.
3. check overburn option is enabled (file->preferences->expert features) and "disc at once" is selected as the write method (In Burn page).
4. Confirm the cd writer actually supports overburn function. This can be done by going to the "recorder" menu and clicking on choose recorder option. If you have more than one recorders, select the one.

IF ALL THE ABOVE ARE OK AND STILL NERO EJECTS THE DISC ........, THEN TRY THESE TRICKS:
1. Try disabling overburn, close nero. Check system tray and close nero, if visible. Now go to program files -> nero and open nero burning rom (do not use nero startsmart / wizard). Now re-enable overburn from FILES -> PREFERENCES -> EXPERT FEATURES and checking "enable disc at once cd overburning" option.
2. Increase maximum cd length to 84 or 85 minutes (like 84 min 00 sec 00 frm) from the default 82 mins for a 80 min cdr.
3. Also uncheck the option "Check for correct disc format". click ok

3. Now again try to burn the file, be sure to select the "write", 'finalize cd" and the "disc at once" options. Also try to burn at lower speeds of 8x or 12x. It's always good first to "simulate" and check whether the burn is success rather than actually writing to the disc and wasting it, if it's a failure. (For simulation, check the "simulation" option and uncheck the "write" and finalize cd" options. If it's success, then actually burn the cd as described earlier).
4. If the above one fails, we can try editing the registry as a last resort. Make sure you backup the registry before making any changes. Go to START MENU-> RUN AND TYPE "regedit" without the quotes. For this you must be logged in with administrator powers.
5.Oonce regedit opens, go to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ahead\Nero - Burning ROM\General\OverSizeDefaultValue". change the value to 1 (default is 0). Reboot your pc for the new setting to take effect. Now once again try to burn. Most of the time this should do the trick, ie, now nero will ask you for permission to overburn the disc. The success of actual burning will depend on factors such as file size and cdr quality.

FINALLY:
If nero now asks you for permission to overburn but the simulation / actual overburn fails, try with a different manufacturer media or reduce file size using compression or video editing tools (if it's a video file). If everything else fails, then go for a higher capacity cdr (like 90 min) or think about buying a dvd writer.
****Newer versions of nero has another option too "
Enable generation of short lead out" which when enabled will allow you to write
an additional 12 mb of data to the disk. That's a really good
option.***********

The followin info is from Nero's website.

http://www.nero.com/en/FAQs_Data_CD.html

5. How can I burn CDs that are larger than the standard 74 min CDs? Such as 80 min and 90 min CDs?

Your CD recorder must support the overburning feature and this type of media. Some recorders support 80 min media but will not support 90 min or 99 min media.

Please check the points below:

This feature is only supported by at least Nero 5.0. Please update to our latest Nero release from our website.
Update to Nero 5.5: Nero Burning ROM
Update to Nero 6 Reloaded: Updates Nero 6 Reloaded
Important notes
Upgrades to the latest versions of Nero 5.5 are free of charge.
The Nero 5 serial number does not work for Nero 6/Nero 6 Reloaded.
To upgrade to Nero 6 Reloaded from a previous version, please purchase a Nero 6 Reloaded serial number in our Onlineshop.
You need to have the latest firmware for your recorder model, as it will contain information to enable overburning. Most importantly, it will contain read/write strategies for new brands of CD-R and CD-RW media and can resolve many issues you may otherwise run into.
To overburn, you have to burn in either ´Disc-At-Once´ or ´Disc-At-Once 96´ write mode. The multisession mode is not possible.
Enable overburning in Nero's ´File --> Preferences --> Expert Features´ (if you use Nero Express, do so from ´More --> Configure --> Expert Features´) and deactivate/disable ´Check for correct disc format´ from within Nero´s ´Files --> Preferences --> General´ (or from within Nero Expresss ´More --> Configure --> General settings´).

If you enable overburning in ´Expert Features´, you should use the settings below, based on the size of media you are working with:

For 80 min media set to 82:00
For 90 min media set to 89:30
For 99 min media set to 99:54:74

Important Note
Keep 99:54:74 min entered and it will always enable burning to the max.

copyright myths and file sharing

2005-01-04T23:50:00.000-05:00

six copyright myths

cases against file sharing sites - how strong are they?

are you a pirate?

P2P - solution?

hello

2005-01-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

just having a feel of digital diary.
AND A BIG HELLO TO ALL.
with luv
cp