Tag: dvds

Ten Great Mac Multimedia Programs

January 12, 2009 by Jason

Most of Connected Internet’s readers are PC users. PC users don’t have too much of a problem finding an application for a specific task. Usually a quick Google will turn up a solution to a pressing problem. The only drawback to Windows’ prevalence is that there is an exponentially greater amount of commercial software, so PC users may have to dig a little to find a freeware solution to the task at hand.

Mac users enjoy a healthy commercial software community, but also free software is quite prevalent. Maybe it’s the unix influence, you know, free software and all that. I’m not complaining. As a Mac user I have a choice between a commercial solution, scouring the vast freeware available, or falling back to a unix solution when all else fails.

Following are ten applications for working with video, graphics and audio files that I have found to be indispensable. I see enough posts of the variety “What Mac app should I use for…” on various Mac web forums that I hope someone will find these recommendations useful. Read More»

How to Use ISO Files in Windows XP

July 24, 2008 by Jason

If you are running Windows XP, there is no standard support for ISO files. These files however are quite common as an alternative to installation CDs or DVDs. An ISO file is basically an image of a CD or DVD. You can use CD Burning software to create a CD from the ISO file.

But in many cases you might not want to write a CD-ROM or DVD from the ISO file, you simply want to access the contents while the ISO file resides on your hard disk. There are software solutions available for this, which create a virtual CD or DVD drive. You can then mount the ISO file as a drive and access the contents of the ISO file.

Most of these software solutions however are commercial software, which means you need to pay for them. If you do not need the fancy user interface, you can also use a virtual cd-rom tool created by Microsoft. Read More»

How to Create a Windows Vista DVD Installer from CDs

July 31, 2007 by Jason

I’ve recently had a bout of paranoia so I decided to back things up. And since one of the essential backup tools is having a dependable set of installers, I decided to assembly my backup DVD case – a DVD bag full the essential installers. That’s when it struck me that the copy of Windows Vista I had was in CD format, meaning I have 5 discs for the installer.

I hate having multiple disc installers. For one, it demands that you stay during the process to be able to swap discs. Tedious and time consuming. And, if one of the discs go bad, you’re screwed. So I decided to make me a DVD installer instead, consolidating all of the stuff in those 5 CDs. And with some Googling and experimentation, here’s how I made mine. Read More»

Disc Longevity

May 20, 2007 by Jason

How often do you use CDs and DVDs? Maybe you use them to burn music CDs or perhaps you use DVDs to copy your favorite movies. I’m sure some of you use them to back up all the data on your computer too, right? No matter what you use them for, have you ever thought about how long they’ll actually last? I mean, they can’t last forever, can they? Well, keep reading to find out!
Over the years, there has been a lot of discussion on just how long CDs and DVDs actually last. It’s gone from 100 years to 40 years and so on, all from the time they were first invented to when they became more popular to consumers, etc. This also varied once new uses for them came about (burning and back ups, for example). So, in this day and age, with all the new technology that keeps coming out, what do you think the final say is on the longevity of these discs? Read More»

Clean Install Windows Vista With Upgrade DVDs

February 17, 2007 by Jason

Traditionally, you are required to have a previous installation of Windows before you can upgrade, e.g. have Windows XP on your system before using Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs.
What if you have ALREADY upgraded to Windows Vista but are having system issues that require formating and re-installing Windows? Paul Thurrot proposed this hack that lets you install a Windows Vista Upgrade, without needing to re-install Windows XP first:
Read More»

Windows Vista: An FAQ for Nonprofits

February 10, 2007 by Jason

Windows Vista, Microsoft’s first new major operating system (OS) since the launch of the Windows XP line in 2001, is due to hit stores on January 30. Vista’s launch has already generated some questions about upgrading, new features, tech support, and whether now is a good time to migrate your computers to this new OS.

To help you make an informed decision about Vista, we’ve answered a handful of questions that we think nonprofits will be most concerned with. You may even want to use our answers to assess the potential pros and cons of upgrading to Vista at your nonprofit. Read More»

Playing DVDs in Windows XP

February 03, 2007 by Jason

Microsoft raves about how Media Player plays DVDs. But that’s a lie. Windows XP can’t play DVDs right out of the box. See, even though you’ve bought a Windows XP computer, a DVD drive, and a DVD, you need something else: special software called a decoder. This bit of software, called a codec because it converts one format to another, enables your computer to translate numbers on a disc into videos of galloping horses on the screen.

Unfortunately, Windows XP doesn’t come with a DVD codec, so you must pick up one somewhere else. Where? Well, most computers with DVD drives come with DVD-playing software — a little box with its own little controls. That software installs its own DVD codec in Windows, and Media Player simply borrows that. But if you don’t have DVD-playing software, there’s nothing to borrow, and Media Player ignores your DVDs.
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