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.