6 Cool VLC Tips & Tricks You Might Not Know About

VLC media player is a real box of tricks. We’ve already established that it pretty much plays everything, requires little in the way of system resources and is just as effective on a Windows operating system as it is on Mac or Linux.
If you’ve not used VLC in the past (and are desperate for a decent media solution) then I’d urge you to download it and give it a go. Those of you who are already using VLC might be surprised to know there’s a few features that don’t really get the recognition they deserve.
Here are a few VLC tips and tricks that will hopefully help you get more use and enjoyment from VLC.

Streaming Capabilities

One use for VLC that not many users are too familiar with is its capacity as a network streaming workhorse. As you can see from the diagram below, using VLC as a streaming solution for your media gives you one of the best cross-compatible media sharing setups around, especially useful if you have a variety of PCs and operating systems in your household.

If you’re looking to stream video from your home PC whilst you’re away then you can also set VLC to stream to the Internet. Dont forget to sort out your DNS settings beforehand for a pain-free connection!
If you’re wondering how to get the most out of VLC’s streaming abilities, check out Angela’s detailed article.

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Rip & Transcode Videos

Whilst there are a number of good, free video converters, why download even more software when you can already do it with VLC? Not only can VLC be used to convert video from one format to another, but it can also be used to rip disc-based media (video or music), live streams (television, cable, satellite) or network streams to file.

To get started open VLC and click Media then Convert/Save. You’ll be presented with a dialogue which allows you to choose between converting, ripping and saving to file. Once you’ve added source media (to record from) click Convert/Save.

The next window allows you to choose encoding settings such as codecs and output location. Don’t forget to have patience, transcoding video is resource-intensive and can take a while (regardless of how much the software costs).

Internet Radio & Podcast Management

Reaffirming its role as a multi-use media player, VLC also contains in-built Internet radio listings and a podcast aid to boot. Simply open your Playlist and select Internet on the left. You should then see a number of services pop up including Icecast Radio and Jamendo Selections. It’s all free, and there’s full albums available if that’s your thing.

If you’d like VLC to keep a track of podcasts then hover Podcasts in the Playlist and click on the plus symbol “+” that appears. Enter the podcast’s URL to add it to your database.

Video Effects

Partly useful, partly there for fun; there’s plenty you can do to your video files with VLC to spice things up a bit. Whilst playing a video (this works in real time) click Tools and then Effects and Filters to open the adjustments window.

Choose Video Effects from the first tab, and have a play around. You can adjust useful settings like gamma, brightness and hue should you have a poor-quality (too dark, bad white balance) video file. The other tabs are mostly reserved for fun, with crazy psychedelic and water effects to choose from as well as video rotation, text and logo overlay options.

Snapshots

If you’ve ever wanted, needed or tried to take a still image of a video then you may have had issues using the usual “print screen” methods. Luckily VLC features the ability to take a snapshot and save to .PNG format in a location of your choice.

You can either pause, jog and find the exact scene you want or take your shot during playback. With a video open in VLC, choose Video then Snapshot (or right click on the video and use the context menu). VLC will then show a brief overlay of the snapshot in the top left, and the snapshot will be saved to the location defined in Preferences then Video under Snapshot.

Play Video as ASCII Output

Last on the list as it has absolutely no real use, but will probably bring a grin to your face nonetheless. In VLC choose Tools then Preferences and click on Video. Under Output choose ASCII -art video output and click Save.

Now play a video and enjoy the amazing spectacle that is moving ASCII art. Useless, but fun!

Interesting pictures

Top 10 IT Companies in India

In spite of the slowdown in the global economy, the Indian software industry is keeping up its growth rate with the top 10 IT Companies India leading the way for more software and services exports.  According to the latest National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) the top 10 IT companies India are as follows.

TCS – Tata Consultancy Services

TCS was founded in 1968 and is one among the top 10 IT Companies India and it has the highest staff strength of 111,000 employees.  It first started as the Tata Computer Center and acquired its present form after realizing the huge potential of the IT services.

Wipro

It was a hydrogenated cooking fat company basically and now has IT, BPO and R&D services which has its centers in about 50 countries.  Started by Premji Wipro not only ranks prominently among the top 10 IT companies India, but is also ranked highly among the top 10 global outsourcing providers.

Infosys

Infosys Technologies Ltd. started in the year 1981 and has today become a global brand.  In addition to being ranked among the top 10 IT Companies in India, Infosys was also named by Forbes magazine as one among the Global High Performers.

Satyam Computer Services

This IT Company was established in 1987 and is known among the top 10 IT companies India for its entrepreneurship and its extensive focus on the customer and keen pursuit of excellence.

HCL Technologies

It is among the top 10 IT companies India as it is an original IT garage start up founded in the year 1976.  It has professionals from diverse nationalities and has its presence in about 18 countries.

Tech Mahindra

This company was incorporated in the year 1986 and focused on the communication industry acting as a global systems integrator.  It has worked with international multilateral agencies, the government as well as the corporate sector.

Patni Computer Systems

It is ranked among the top 10 IT companies India as they are the leading providers of business solutions and information technology related services to clients from Europe, America and in the Asia-Pacific regions.

i-flex Solutions

This is a division of Citicorp (Citigroup) which provides overseas software solutions and posted a top-line growth from the year 2008.

MphasiS Limited

This was started in 2000 and is a merger of the MphasiS Corporation which is a US based IT consulting company and BFL Software Limited which is an Indian IT services company.

L&T Infotech

Last but not least, the L&T Infotech is ranked among the top 10 IT companies India and is a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro which is an engineering manufacturing company with a worldwide presence.

100 Ways to Save The Environment

In Your Home – Conserve Energy Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 . When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy. Unplug seldom used appliances. Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models. Only use electric appliances when you need them. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy. Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer. Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away Insulate your home as best as you can. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. Plant trees to shade your home. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer. Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity.

In Your Home – Reduce Toxicity Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers). Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals. Buy the right amount of paint for the job. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease. When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result. If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers. Have your home tested for radon. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs. In Your Yard Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment. Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one. Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil. Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion. Use only the required amount of fertilizer. Minimize pesticide use. Create a wildlife habitat in your yard. Water grass early in the morning. Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used. Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide). Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.

In Your Office Copy and print on both sides of paper. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips. Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope. Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee. Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence. Use recycled paper. Use discarded paper for scrap paper. Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic. Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup. Ways To Protect Our Air Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting. Recycle printer cartridges. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency. Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor. Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution. Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood. Use solar power for home and water heating. Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers. Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle. Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions. Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid. If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

Ways to Use Less Water Check and fix any water leaks. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets. Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes. Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines. Install a low-flow shower head. Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water. Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks. Ways to Protect Our Water Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible. Never dump anything down a storm drain. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly. Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil. Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway. Learn about your watershed. Create Less Trash Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted. Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging. Buy products that you can reuse. Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones. Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates. Reuse items like bags and containers when possible. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently. Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material. Compost your vegetable scraps. Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.

Expected Apple iPhone 5 Specifications and Features

Now Apple iPhone 5 rumors and leaks getting posted every day. People’s expectation towards Apple iPhone 5 is considerably high after the Super-Slim Apple release Apple iPad 2. Whether we are going to get a new design,Bigger Display or any low cost models(iPhone Mini),Camera improvements,3D Display, Processor etc. Here is the Expected Apple iPhone 5 Spec and Features based on the rumors and Leaks. Creative iPhone 5 Lovers released this iPhone 5 Rumor Roundup.

Top 4 Ways to Update Softwares in Windows

Updating softwares is necessary for a PC because these days the software developers are releasing their software updates quite frequently and when it comes to browsers it is even frequent, Google releases weekly updates for its browser, Chrome (in developer channel). If you have installed heaps of softwares on your PC then it will be hectic task to update them. Instead of updating each software manually, you can try Update checkers; An Update checker is a simple piece of software which checks updates for the softwares installed on your PC; it saves you a lot of time.

How it Works?
Update checkers generally have a database of latest softwares, so when you run an Update checker it checks the version of the software installed on your PC and the latest software version available in its database.
If your firewall blocks these Update checkers, then add them to the exceptions list because they need to access internet in order to update your softwares. Here are some of the best Update checkers –
FileHippo Update Checker
FileHippo is one the best software hosting websites. Its software detection rate makes it the best Update Checker. It is portable enough. When I scanned my system, it showed me 16 updates of which 3 were Beta updates. As FileHippo doesn’t host commercial/shareware softwares, you won’t be able to see updates for paid softwares installed on your system.
Download Link: FileHippo Update Checker

Updating softwares is necessary for a PC because these days the software developers are releasing their software updates quite frequently and when it comes to browsers it is even frequent, Google releases weekly updates for its browser, Chrome (in developer channel). If you have installed heaps of softwares on your PC then it will be hectic task to update them. Instead of updating each software manually, you can try Update checkers; An Update checker is a simple piece of software which checks updates for the softwares installed on your PC; it saves you a lot of time.

How it Works?
Update checkers generally have a database of latest softwares, so when you run an Update checker it checks the version of the software installed on your PC and the latest software version available in its database.
If your firewall blocks these Update checkers, then add them to the exceptions list because they need to access internet in order to update your softwares. Here are some of the best Update checkers –
FileHippo Update Checker
FileHippo is one the best software hosting websites. Its software detection rate makes it the best Update Checker. It is portable enough. When I scanned my system, it showed me 16 updates of which 3 were Beta updates. As FileHippo doesn’t host commercial/shareware softwares, you won’t be able to see updates for paid softwares installed on your system.
Download Link: FileHippo Update Checker

Early Core i9 benchmarks promising, make you wonder why you even bothered with Core i7

Immediate obsolescence is an age old problem in the computer industry, but it doesn't look like the upcoming Core i9 "Gulftown" processor is going to do anything to solve it. Word is from early benchmarks of the upcoming Intel processor is that it bests the current Core i7 at the top of the heap with speed gains as large as 50% -- directly in line with its addition of two cores on top of the Core i7's existing four. Of course, six 2.8GHz cores aren't quite as exponentially helpful when applied to non-optimized tasks, but with most major modern software development aimed at better utilizing multiple cores, the core overkill of Core i9 will likely prove increasingly useful over time. At the start, however, Core i9's improvements will come at a premium: 130W power consumption instead of 95W in Core i7, and of course a high-end only price tag to match. Word is we'll be seeing these chips hit the market in early 2010, possibly as soon as January.

iOS and iPhone 5: What to Expect

With the iPad 2 out and in short supply, the rumor mill's attention is now shifting to what we could expect to see in the new iPhone and iOS 5, the next iteration of Apple's mobile OS. And while the new iPhone 5 is set to arrive some time this summer, a TechCrunch report suggests exciting developments for iOS are coming this fall too.

"Two solid sources" told TechCrunch that Apple is likely to break its pattern of unveiling the latest features for iOS, which is set to move from a 4.X increment to version 5. This would mean that instead of getting a brand-new iPhone 5 this summer, along with a refreshed OS, "a major revamp" of iOS would be introduced separately later in the autumn (read delayed), possibly in September.
iOS 5 Moves To The Cloud

Assuming TechCrunch's sources are correct, what can be new in iOS 5? Apparently, it would be "heavily built around the cloud," with some new services added to iPhones and iPads. One of them is said to be a music locker service, basically a way of storing and accessing all your music (purchased from iTunes) wirelessly, without the need to sync with a primary computer (like it is the case now).

Another of these cloud services is expected to be a location-based service that would allow users to find friends and family members. On top of that, a revamp of Apple's MobileMe service is anticipated, potentially free (currently $99 per year), which would give every iDevice holder free access to Apple's cloud email, calendar, and storage service.
Next Up: iPhone 5

Details about the iPhone 5, expected either June or July, are just as sketchy as iOS 5 rumors. But if the iPad 2 is any indication, we can expect the new A5 dual-core processor powering the next iPhone, as well as an improved graphics engine. Repeat rumors say we can also expect an aluminum back too, again, like the iPad 2, including the tapered edges.

Also on the table for the iPhone 5, possibly a bigger screen (4-inch) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, allowing users to link payments through iTunes when waving the phone in front of a dedicated NFC reader. Now that Verizon is selling iPhones too, some say that the iPhone 5 could be a GSM/CDMA world phone, making it easier (and probably cheaper) to produce just one iPhone model that could handle almost any network.



he new iPod and iPad are said to be able to support a dual-core graphics chip unit which should provide users with higher resolution, according to a report by Apple Insider.

"More precisely, the chip in question should be a dual-core SGX543 GPU from Imagination Technologies," the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The new processing unit is set to support HD (108p) video playback as well.

Steve Jobs' firm is expected to unveil a second generation iPad with double the resolution and four times the pixels to process, the report added. The new chip is set to benefit the iPhone 4's video conferencing quality too.

In other IT industry news, Apple's iPhone 4 managed to top the list of mobile devices compiled by Zeta Interactive, a marketing agency in New York, for the second year in a row, according to a report by PC World.

There's so much focus on the iPad 2.0 right now, which we now know will likely be faster, slimmer, lighter, host cameras and boast better graphics with a better screen than the existing model, but what do we know about the iPhone 5? What features can we look forward to in the next-gen Apple smartphone when it ships in summer "at the earliest"?

Well, it seems the device may not appear in June. This will likely set the usual pundits off on a course of "but Apple always introduces new models in June" chatter, but Apple makes the rules. Pundits don't. And in any case, it may just be that Apple just can't hit that June date this time around.

Why Do I Think This?

[This story is from Computerworld's Apple Holic blog. Follow on Twitter or subscribe via RSS to make sure you don't miss a beat.]

The AAPL supply line gossip hounds over at Digitimes claim Apple has added Foxconn Electronics, Foxlink, Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) and Epistar as component suppliers for the iPhone 5 smartphone -- but also warn the iPhone 5 is "scheduled for launch during summer at the earliest" (emphasis is mine).

It is tough luck for Japan's Foster, which has lost the earphone supply contract to Foxconn because of the strengthening Yen. Foxlink will produce earphone jack sockets for the iPhone 5.

"With a shortage of HDI boards, Apple has also newly added GCE as a supplier, but will continue to source from Compeq Manufacturing and Unimicron Technology as well," the report informs, before letting us know to expect LED chips from Epistar through a tech sharing agreement with Japan's Toyoda.

Recently we learned Kinsus Interconnect Technology is to supply silicon for the iPhone 5's new Qualcomm baseband chip. This is likely to be a combined CDMA/GSM chip, meaning all those Verizon iPhone users should be able to use the next-gen Apple smartphone when traveling in 'smaller' countries, such as all those across Europe using GSM networks which aren't compatible with CDMA.

Faster, Faster, Pussycat Phone

The iPhone 5 is also expected to run on Apple's new A5 CPU, which is built on ARM's Cortex A9 architecture. This would be a multi-core processor, significantly boosting the speed the device runs at. And you can bet a dollar that Apple may use the new dual-core SGX543 graphics core. This potentially means you can look forward to 1,080p video recording and HDMI-quality output.

In a smartphone. Cast your mind back to the cellphone you used just five years ago and you can only go "wow".

Are we going to see a repeat of last year's big leak of an early iPhone 4 prototype with the iPhone 5? Absolutely not: the device is already in use and already being tested, but only by senior folk working within the confines of the Apple campus.

We also recently learned the iPhone 5 may support a new iOS feature that's popped up within iOS 4.3 beta 2, a feature called "Media Stream." While this is being talked up as Apple's move into social networking, it seems to be little more than a photo gallery feature, similar to the existing facility of subscribing to other people's iPhoto collections from within iPhoto. Despite which I do hope MobileMe becomes an engaging social network eventually -- I'd value any improvement in the service.

Perhaps a bigger hint at that kind of activity is within the other code secret -- 'iGroups'. Could this suggest some interesting location-based features for iPhone 5?

iPhone 5 a Wallet

I've written before about NFC support in the device. Benjamin Vigier, Apple's new Mobile Commerce Manager has huge experience in the NFC field, including stints at Starbucks and PayPal. Apple has the patents, and in iPhone 5 you will see a smartphone that is also your wallet.

Also look forward to better video and image capture CCDs, flash, and improvements in the external antenna design are all extremely likely in the next generation Apple smartphone.

I'd also anticipate some interesting connections between an iPhone 5 and a user's Mac, should they have one, with Mac OS X Lion doubtless set to offer some deeply compelling features to iPhone users, partially to stimulate Mac sales to non Mac-using iPhone owners, and partially just to show what the company can do in terms of leveraging functionality across all its platforms.

So What Will iPhone 5 Be?

It will be:

* a phone,
* a compass,
* a map,
* your mail, texts and social networks,
* an Internet appliance,
* a games machine,
* a wallet,
* capable of running all manner of Apps
* your thin client Mac,
* your video and still camera,
* pocket calculator,
* pedometer,
* car keys
* and airplane boarding pass.

Which, when you think about it, isn't such a bad achievement for a product which only landed inside an already veteran industry in 2007.

There's possibilities the iPhone 5 may support 3D games, a la Nintendo 3DS, and also that it will be made available on a third US carrier, Sprint.

I've not yet touched upon the chance Apple may introduce its own mapping and location-based service offerings. Nor (yet) have we considered just how the company intends implementing wider VoiceOver support in the next-gen of the device.
The teardown kings at iFixit have discovered that Apple's new Verizon CDMA iPhone has a Qualcomm dual-mode GSM/CDMA chip under the hood. That means, as iFixit notes, "Apple could have supported GSM" networks such as AT&T or T-Mobile with the Verizon iPhone. But for whatever reason Apple decided against this strategy and went CDMA-only with its new version of the iPhone 4. But what about the rumored iPhone 5 expected to debut this summer? Could Apple make the iPhone a GSM-CDMA world phone then?

What iFixit Found

If the Verizon iPhone has a dual-mode chip inside, there must be a way to modify it into a world phone for your trip to Europe this summer right? Sorry to burst your bubble, but no. The first stumbling block for the Verizon iPhone is that it doesn't have a SIM card slot. Without a SIM card there's no way to get access to a GSM network.

The Qualcomm MDM6600 GSM/CDMA chip. (Courtesy of iFixit.)But more importantly, the Verizon iPhone's antenna is designed specifically for CDMA networks supporting only two frequency bands -- 800 and 1900MHz. The AT&T/international version of the iPhone, by comparison, supports five frequency bands. Verizon's iPhone is incapable of recognizing most GSM frequencies.

So the Verizon iPhone is not a world phone or even world-phone ready, but what about iPhone 5? Apple clearly has the experience with designing the hardware that can do it, albeit in two different phones.

A world phone would also make it easier (and probably cheaper) to produce just one iPhone model that could handle almost any network.

The one drawback is that a dual-mode GSM/CDMA device would be operating in an increasingly 4G world. In other words, 3G is yesterday's news and the faster so-called 4G networks such as LTE, HSPA+ and WiMax are the future. Verizon is pushing its faster 4G LTE network with new Android phones, and Sprint is pushing forward with its 4G WiMax network. AT&T is also moving forward with plans for an LTE network this year and hopes to be fully operational by 2013. So perhaps what Apple needs isn't a dual-mode 3G phone, but -- as PC World's Mark Sullivan suggested in January -- a triple-mode GSM/CDMA/LTE phone. Now that would truly be a world iPhone.