Converting Videos With Any Video Converter
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 June 2010 09:52 Written by Alan Friday, 25 June 2010 08:00
If you have video files that need to be converted to a different format – for instance, if you download a video in .mkv format, but want to play it in Windows Media Center, you’ll need to convert it. Well, you can install codecs, but that can be a future post. For now let’s make things easy and just convert the file.
Let’s make it simple, and best of all, free. I have been using Any Video Converter which comes in a free version and paid “Pro” version. The Pro version does some extra things that you may decide you need later. For instance, it converts to iPod, Zune and PSP formats. And for $29.95 it is a good deal. But if you are looking to convert to/from any of the standard formats then the free version will work just fine.
It converts between MPEG-4, .flv, .swf, .mpg, .avi, .wmv, .mkv, .mp3, .ogg, .wav, .aac, .m4a, and .wma.
Once installed and opened you have a simple interface.
The left pane gives you some pre-populated sources,but most people will need to click File => Add Video Files and locate the file that needs to be converted.
Now, on the right-hand side, next to Profile, click the drop-down menu and choose what format you would like to convert your file to.
Click Convert at the top of the window and you’re off and running.
There are other options you can play around with. You can change video and audio output levels (the defaults work best for me), enter in your You Tube sign-in and password for easy upload, change the output folder, and other things. But these simple steps we have just run through are enough to get done most of what the average user needs done.
Tethering Windows Mobile With PdaNet
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 June 2010 08:36 Written by Alan Tuesday, 22 June 2010 08:00
First the disclaimer: This isn’t necessarily something your mobile service wants you doing…and it may actually violate their terms of service. So, of course, I am speaking hypothetically about what I have heard…from a friend…
If you aren’t familiar with the term “tethering” then let me give a brief explanation. Tethering is simply plugging your cell phone into your laptop and using the cellular data network to access the internet on the laptop.
So let’s get started with PdaNet.
1. First, make sure you have ActiveSync installed on your laptop. If you don’t, then you can download it HERE.
2. Download PdaNet to your laptop (PdaNet works, not just with Windows Mobile, but also with Android, PalmOS, Blackberry and iPhone)
3. At the end of the installation you will be prompted to plug your phone into the laptop.
4. Once installed, there is not ore setup necessary (although you can make changes if you want). Now just plug in your phone wherever you are and right-click on PdaNet tray icon and choose Connect.
Fix For Recent Media Center Studio Problem
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 June 2010 08:22 Written by Alan Saturday, 19 June 2010 08:00
If you use Windows Media Center and you use Media Center Studio to customize the menus then chances are you have been bit by the recent problem. Specifically, all of your customization has disappeared and no amount of opening Media Center Studio and “fixing” it works. Thankfully a simple fix has been found and here it is:
1. Make sure you have enabled viewing of hidden files (if you don’t know how, then click HERE)
2. Close Media Center.
3. Navigate to Computer => C Drive => ProgramData => Microsoft => eHome => Packages => MCEClientUX => dSM
4. Locate the file startresources.dll and rename it to startresources.old.
5. Now reopen Media Center and all of your customization work should be back.
