Recent Posts

2501

General Software Discussion / Re: Video Editors

« Last post by 4wd on March 06, 2014, 06:38 PM »

Something that I've used previously with good results, (analog input via TV card), is VirtualVCR - hasn't been updated for ages but then it doesn't really need to be.

Capturing to either in a MPJG (Motion JPEG) or Huffyuv codec, or RAW video.

One program for capturing where I've never had a problem with AV sync loss is iuVCR/iuVCS - paid program and hasn't been updated for a while and the interface is rather strange to get your head around.  I honestly wouldn't recommend buying it now purely because of the lack of development, (I bought it over 10 years ago and still use it occasionally).

I would consider investing in a copy of Sony's Vegas Video if you can - if only for the reason that if you do get AV sync loss it makes it so easy to correct it, (relatively speaking).  I've never bothered tweaking or fiddling with any capture that suffered AV sync loss, just loaded it into Vegas and corrected it - it was faster for me to do that, (minutes), than spend hours redoing a capture.
You can still get the older Vegas 11 Platinum Edition on Amazon for $36 which gives you DVD Architect as well.

It also does video capture but I haven't used it.

2502

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox Extensions: Your favorite or most useful

« Last post by 4wd on March 05, 2014, 06:11 PM »

To my surprise this works:
Simple Google Ads Remover

-Curt (March 05, 2014, 12:29 PM)

There's ads on Google?

I haven't seen ads on Google pages since I started using AdBlock Plus or Edge years ago.

ABE off:


ABE on:


And while we're mentioning search engines and UserScripts: Google Hit Hider by Domain

Script Summary: Block unwanted sites from your searches (Google, Startpage.com, DuckDuckGo).

2503

General Software Discussion / Re: Video Editors

« Last post by 4wd on March 05, 2014, 05:47 PM »

For AVISynth there's MSU TV Commercial Detector which will make using AVISynth (reasonably) easy.

Besides the normal black frame detection it can also analyse for the station logo, which tends to disappear during commercials so as not to annoy the sponsors.

The resulting .avs file, (which contains sections to keep/discard), can be used by any program that can make use of AVISynth or understand it's files, eg. VirtualDub, AVIDemux.

NOTE: VirtualDub is geared towards AVI media not using MPEG2, (due to licensing), but AVIDemux can handle most media codecs - there's also the offshoot VirtualDubMod which can handle MPEG2.

Don't know how accurate it's going to be, (I use VideoRedo, as Vurbal mentioned).

2504

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by 4wd on March 04, 2014, 07:08 PM »

Still giant. :/

-Tuxman (March 04, 2014, 11:47 AM)

Move further away from the monitor or get a 4k monitor, on that a toolbar of only 28 pixels height, (~1.2%), will look quite small.

I'm sure that squinting at the the monitor from a distance of 300mm using 5x bifocals, the toolbars will look giant.

Honestly, saying they're "giant" is rather pointless because you've given no reference, it's in the same league as "It doesn't work."

2505

General Software Discussion / Re: XP to Windows 7 advice

« Last post by 4wd on March 04, 2014, 12:07 AM »

Otherwise I don't want to create any kind of Microsoft account if I don't have to (don't twitter, use facebook, gmail, etc either because I don't have to.)

-AndyM (March 03, 2014, 06:46 PM)

You don't, you can use any account you like.

I like and use Firefox, so I figure I'd probably be ok with Thunderbird.  Are there things about Windows Live Mail that are better?

I can't tell you, I use Thunderbird v10

2506

General Software Discussion / Re: XP to Windows 7 advice

« Last post by 4wd on March 03, 2014, 05:54 PM »

Windows Live Mail is web-based, no?  I really like having all my email on my machine.

-AndyM (March 03, 2014, 11:05 AM)

As Vurbal said above, Live Mail, (from the Live Essentials pack), is a standalone program as was Outlook Express, you use it the same way, eg. download your emails via POP3 to be stored locally.  It's just a largely updated version of OE.

From Wikipedia^w:

Windows Live Mail (formerly named Windows Live Mail Desktop, code-named Elroy) is a freeware email client from Microsoft. It is the successor to Outlook Express on Windows XP and Windows Mail on Windows Vista. The application is available for download via the Windows Essentials suite.

Windows Live Essentials:

Programs include Windows Live Messenger, Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, Family Safety, Toolbar, and Movie Maker, plus Outlook Connector, Office Live Add-in, and Microsoft Silverlight.

Download the web installer and then just select Live Mail, it'll be downloaded and installed.  It'll prompt you to create a Microsoft Live email account when first run, (IIRC), if it doesn't find a program to import from but you can safely cancel those requesters and just import your old emails, accounts, and contacts from wherever you've exported them from OE.

If you used and liked OE, you'll have no problems with Live Mail.

2507

General Software Discussion / Re: unattended large file copies that will not prompt for msg

« Last post by 4wd on March 03, 2014, 06:21 AM »

Directory Opus 10:

2508

General Software Discussion / Re: XP to Windows 7 advice

« Last post by 4wd on March 02, 2014, 10:48 PM »

I just did a data migrate for someone whose computer had died, from XP to Windows 8 - they wanted their emails from OE6 migrated across as well as reinstall of Office 2010 Student Edition (no Outlook).

So I just installed Windows Live Mail (only) from Windows Live Essentials and imported the account and emails, painless.

Person was happy because it was like OE - I'd uninstalled the default Windows 8 email thing so they never had to look at it.

2509

Living Room / Re: My pop/imap Android experience

« Last post by 4wd on February 27, 2014, 12:49 AM »

I use K9 on my phone to access an account via IMAP and Thunderbird POP3 to the same account via my computer.

No problems at all and have done for about 4 years.

Some emails might be marked as Junk in Thunderbird but that's a result of Thunderbirds Bayesian filtering - nothing to do with whether K9 has read it first or not.

Mind you, I'm still using Thunderbird 10.0.2, (the one before they @%^$#%^ the interface).

2510

General Software Discussion / Re: getting empty video files via Firefox > DownloadHelper?

« Last post by 4wd on February 27, 2014, 12:14 AM »

Thanks for the clarification. However, there was no "enable all", to finish the job!

-Curt (February 26, 2014, 08:44 AM)

Not really required, as you're usually enabling them 1by1 or a few at a time since you're in that mode to do fault finding.

2511

General Software Discussion / Re: getting empty video files via Firefox > DownloadHelper?

« Last post by 4wd on February 26, 2014, 04:08 AM »

^sounds easy, but you cannot enable extensions when in safe mode...
 (see attachment in previous post)

-Curt (February 26, 2014, 12:53 AM)

OK, clarification:

Hold down SHIFT when starting, check box marked Disable all add-ons, then hit the (rather large) button that says Make Changes and Restart.



PS. Yes, Vevo videos fail here too, (but that's a bonus )

2512

General Software Discussion / Re: getting empty video files via Firefox > DownloadHelper?

« Last post by 4wd on February 25, 2014, 10:48 PM »

Works fine here:

Pale Moon 24.3.2
DownloadHelper 4.9.21
DownThemAll 2.0.16

I use the DownloadHelper dropdown to choose dTa! OneClick.

If you've got lots of addons in Pale Moon, I'd make the suggestion of starting it in Safe Mode with addons disabled, (hold down SHIFT while starting).  Then just re-enable DownloadHelper and see if it's OK.

Also, are you talking just Download or Download & Convert?

2513

Post New Requests Here / Re: REQ: HTPC Util - Move tv shows older than 24 hours to external HD

« Last post by 4wd on February 23, 2014, 05:49 PM »

The key to understanding regex is realizing they are 20% knowledge, 70% experience (including, but not limited to your own), and 10% voodoo - except when they are 100% impossible. Unfortunately determining which formula applies is, in many cases, pure guess work.

-Vurbal (February 23, 2014, 01:14 PM)

I currently work on the ratios of: 60% Search, 40% Voodoo = 100% WTF 

2514

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by 4wd on February 20, 2014, 07:14 PM »

Right on top, with masking tape and a Sharpie, of course!  

-app103 (February 20, 2014, 03:36 AM)

And why the masking tape  ?  Sounds temporary  .

-barney (February 20, 2014, 03:40 AM)

Because I am the frugal type. Once the contents hit the expiration date, you dump it, remove the tape, wash it out and reuse it.  

But if you are the wasteful type that considers these kind of containers to be disposable, by all means, write directly on the lid and toss the whole thing when it hits that date.  

-app103 (February 20, 2014, 03:53 AM)

Be more frugal, save tape and ink - just lift the lid occasionally.

If it smells, it's passed it's use by date.
If it doesn't, then it isn't or it's so far passed it that it looks dessicated.

2515

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: AHK script to insert date and time to file name

« Last post by 4wd on February 18, 2014, 07:18 PM »

Don't know if you're familiar with AutoIt but I just added a few lines to a script I modified here.

Only for Explorer.  (Most decent file managers would do this type of thing already, ie. insert file dates, meta data into a rename function.)

Shift+Alt+V - copies the file path/name of the first selected item in an Explorer window, (file or folder), or if nothing is selected then it copies the current Explorer path to the clipboard.

Shift+Alt+D - copies the MODIFIED date of the selected item, (or Explorer path if nothing selected), into the clipboard in Universal format: YYYYMMDD HHMMSS  (NOTE: Won't capture the date of root directories.)

The hotkeys, type of date retrieved, and it's output format could all be changed in the source.

Code: AutoIt [Select]

1. #region ;**** Directives created by AutoIt3Wrapper_GUI ****
2. #AutoIt3Wrapper_UseUpx=n
3. #endregion ;**** Directives created by AutoIt3Wrapper_GUI ****
4. ; http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/topic/89833-windows-explorer-current-folder/page__st__40#entry973904
5. #include <Array.au3>
6.  
7. HotKeySet('+!v', '_HK_Path') ; Shift+Alt+V
8. HotKeySet('+!d', '_HK_Date') ; Shift+Alt+D
9.  
10. Local $oErrorHandler = ObjEvent("AutoIt.Error", "_ComErrFunc")
11.  
12. While 1
13.         Sleep(100)
14. WEnd
15.  
16. Func _HK_Path()
17.         _ExClip(False)
18. EndFunc   ;==>_HK_Path
19.  
20. Func _HK_Date()
21.         _ExClip(True)
22. EndFunc   ;==>_HK_Date
23.  
24. Func _ExClip($temp)
25.         $hExplr = WinActive("[REGEXPCLASS:(Explore|Cabinet)WClass]")
26.         If $hExplr <> '' Then
27.                 $aSelection = _ExplorerWinGetSelectedItems($hExplr)
28. ;~              _ArrayDisplay($aSelection)
29.                 If $aSelection[0] = 0 Then
30.                         If StringLeft($aSelection[1], 2) <> '::' Then
31.                                 If Not $temp Then
32.                                         ClipPut($aSelection[1])
33.                                 Else
34.                                         $sDate = FileGetTime($aSelection[1], 0, 1) ; Get MODIFIED date (0), change 0 to 1 for CREATED, 2 for ACCESSED
35.                                         ClipPut(StringLeft($sDate, 8) & " " & StringMid($sDate, 9))
36.                                 EndIf
37.                         EndIf
38.                 Else
39.                         If Not $temp Then
40.                                 ClipPut($aSelection[2])
41.                         Else
42.                                 $sDate = FileGetTime($aSelection[2], 0, 1) ; Get MODIFIED date (0) (0), change 0 to 1 for CREATED, 2 for ACCESSED
43.                                 ClipPut(StringLeft($sDate, 8) & " " & StringMid($sDate, 9))
44.                         EndIf
45.                 EndIf
46.         EndIf
47. EndFunc   ;==>_ExClip
48.  
49.  
50.  
51. ; ==========================================================================================================================
52.  
53. ; Func _ObjectSHFolderViewFromWin($hWnd)
54. ;
55. ; Returns an 'ShellFolderView' Object for the given Window handle
56. ;
57. ; Author: Ascend4nt, based on code by KaFu, klaus.s
58. ; ==========================================================================================================================
59.  
60. Func _ObjectSHFolderViewFromWin($hWnd)
61.         If Not IsHWnd($hWnd) Then Return SetError(1, 0, 0)
62.         Local $oShell, $oShellWindows, $oIEObject, $oSHFolderView
63.  
64.         ; Shell Object
65.         $oShell = ObjCreate("Shell.Application")
66.         If Not IsObj($oShell) Then Return SetError(2, 0, 0)
67.  
68.         ;   Get a 'ShellWindows Collection' object
69.         $oShellWindows = $oShell.Windows()
70.         If Not IsObj($oShellWindows) Then Return SetError(3, 0, 0)
71.  
72.         ;   Iterate through the collection - each of type 'InternetExplorer' Object
73.  
74.         For $oIEObject In $oShellWindows
75.                 If $oIEObject.HWND = $hWnd Then
76.                         ; InternetExplorer->Document = ShellFolderView object
77.                         $oSHFolderView = $oIEObject.Document
78.                         If IsObj($oSHFolderView) Then Return $oSHFolderView
79.                         Return SetError(4, 0, 0)
80.                 EndIf
81.         Next
82.  
83.         Return SetError(-1, 0, 0)
84. EndFunc   ;==>_ObjectSHFolderViewFromWin
85.  
86. ; ==========================================================================================================================
87. ; Func _ExplorerWinGetSelectedItems($hWnd)
88. ;
89. ;
90. ; Author: klaus.s, KaFu, Ascend4nt (consolidation & cleanup, Path name simplification)
91. ; ==========================================================================================================================
92.  
93. Func _ExplorerWinGetSelectedItems($hWnd)
94.         If Not IsHWnd($hWnd) Then Return SetError(1, 0, '')
95.         Local $oSHFolderView
96.         Local $iSelectedItems, $iCounter = 2, $aSelectedItems[2] = [0, ""]
97.  
98.         $oSHFolderView = _ObjectSHFolderViewFromWin($hWnd)
99.         If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, '')
100.  
101.         ;   SelectedItems = FolderItems Collection object->Count
102.         $iSelectedItems = $oSHFolderView.SelectedItems.Count
103.  
104.         Dim $aSelectedItems[$iSelectedItems + 2] ; 2 extra -> 1 for count [0], 1 for Folder Path [1]
105.  
106.         $aSelectedItems[0] = $iSelectedItems
107.         ;   ShellFolderView->Folder->Self as 'FolderItem'->Path
108.         $aSelectedItems[1] = $oSHFolderView.Folder.Self.Path
109.  
110.         ;   ShellFolderView->SelectedItems = FolderItems Collection object
111.         $oSelectedFolderItems = $oSHFolderView.SelectedItems
112.  
113.         #cs
114.                 ; For ALL items in an Explorer Window (not just the selected ones):
115.                 $oSelectedFolderItems = $oSHFolderView.Folder.Items
116.                 ReDim $aSelectedItems[$oSelectedFolderItems.Count+2]
117.         #ce
118.  
119.         For $oFolderItem In $oSelectedFolderItems
120.                 $aSelectedItems[$iCounter] = $oFolderItem.Path
121.                 $iCounter += 1
122.         Next
123.  
124.         Return SetExtended($iCounter - 2, $aSelectedItems)
125. EndFunc   ;==>_ExplorerWinGetSelectedItems
126.  
127. Func _ComErrFunc($oError)
128.         ConsoleWrite("COM Error occurred:" & @CRLF & _
129.                         "Number: " & @TAB & $oError.number & @CRLF & _
130.                         "Windescription:" & @TAB & $oError.windescription & @CRLF & _
131.                         "Description is: " & @TAB & $oError.description & @CRLF & _
132.                         "Source is: " & @TAB & $oError.source & @CRLF & _
133.                         "Helpfile is: " & @TAB & $oError.helpfile & @CRLF & _
134.                         "Helpcontext is: " & @TAB & $oError.helpcontext & @CRLF & _
135.                         "Lastdllerror is: " & @TAB & $oError.lastdllerror & @CRLF & _
136.                         "Scriptline is: " & @TAB & $oError.scriptline & @CRLF & _
137.                         "Retcode is: " & @TAB & $oError.retcode & @CRLF & @CRLF)
138. EndFunc   ;==>_ComErrFunc

2516

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by 4wd on February 18, 2014, 06:23 PM »

Nooo I like Vikings - Rape, Pillage and Burn, what's not to love? At least they were honest about their intentions. Unlike so called civilized societies where they smile kind words while knifing you in the back.

-Stoic Joker (February 18, 2014, 02:53 PM)

You forgot 'Explore' ... I'm with you, bring back the age of the Vikings!

2517

General Software Discussion / Re: Waterfox has now been accepted as a Mozilla project

« Last post by 4wd on February 18, 2014, 06:20 PM »

2518

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Perfect Effects 8 Premium Edition *FREE* (again) for a limited time

« Last post by 4wd on February 18, 2014, 06:15 PM »

Revo reports that I now have 178 programs installed. No, there is not a digit missing... 

-Curt (February 18, 2014, 09:35 AM)

Yes, but that's only the number of file manager programs you have installed 

2519

General Software Discussion / Re: trying to combine antiviruses and firewalls

« Last post by 4wd on February 18, 2014, 06:13 PM »

Just get a firewall, eg. the free version of Windows 8 Firewall Control.

-4wd (February 17, 2014, 11:03 PM)

I have windows 7 only . And xp in virtual machines, but don't use antivirus in the virtual machines.

-Contro (February 18, 2014, 04:32 AM)

Did you even look at the website?

2520

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Perfect Effects 8 Premium Edition *FREE* (again) for a limited time

« Last post by 4wd on February 17, 2014, 11:20 PM »

But the effect(s) won't be perfect if you want to just save it as a jpg, then have to go into another tool to crop/resize...cause it will lose more pixel data in a 2nd wave of compression.

-hamradio (February 17, 2014, 10:14 PM)

Normally you'd save it in a non-lossy format if you're switching between programs, eg. TIFF.

2521

General Software Discussion / Re: trying to combine antiviruses and firewalls

« Last post by 4wd on February 17, 2014, 11:03 PM »

So I would like antivirus compatible with Avast, and even with the firewall in team.

-Contro (February 17, 2014, 05:48 PM)

You already have an anti-virus program, how many do you actually want?

Just get a firewall, eg. the free version of Windows 8 Firewall Control.

2522

General Software Discussion / Re: Waterfox has now been accepted as a Mozilla project

« Last post by 4wd on February 17, 2014, 10:56 PM »

2523

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Perfect Effects 8 Premium Edition *FREE* (again) for a limited time

« Last post by 4wd on February 17, 2014, 10:01 PM »

Well, it does say Perfect Effects - I would have put cropping/resizing under basic editing not an effect as such. 

*Updated image in OP to show Limited Time Offer.

2524

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Perfect Effects 8 Premium Edition for *FREE* until 28-Jan-2014

« Last post by 4wd on February 17, 2014, 12:54 AM »

For those that missed it the first time, it's FREE again for a limited time, (don't know how limited).

See OP for the link.

2525

General Software Discussion / Re: Command Line special needs for Batch file - Replace/rename/remove in filenames

« Last post by 4wd on February 17, 2014, 12:30 AM »

Also  DUH  I will NOT screw up my next code post, ...

-questorfla (February 17, 2014, 12:13 AM)

Yeah sure, I believe you ...