Re: Recovering deleted files

[Ronda Brown]

Hi Peter and Alex,

Unblunder 'might' recover Alex's files but it is supposed to be installed on 
the Mac BEFORE you accidentally delete files you might find you want to recover.

NOTE: 
For optimal file recovery and peace of mind, Unblunder needs to be running 
before an accident happens (i.e. trashing the wrong file).

Cheers,
Ronni. 
Sent from Ronni's iPad

On 17/04/2012, at 7:21 AM, Peter Faulks  wrote:

>> Alex you could try
> 
> 
> Unblunder it is cheaper than Data Rescue but does recover trashed files
> 
> 
> http://www.yazsoft.com/products/unblunder/
> 
> 
> 
>> Hi Wamuggians
>> 
>> I would like your advice again with regards to recovering my iTunes 
>> music, photos & probably a few movies that I deleted.
>> 
>> Last August I bought an iMac to replace my previous (lampshade) iMac.  
>> The new one is not running Lion.  When I connected the old to the new 
>> to transfer data etc, I obviously was not paying attention & did not 
>> select all that I wanted to transfer.  I did think at the time that it 
>> all went a bit fast but thought nothing of it.  Thinking that I would 
>> like to sell the old one or something, I went through & deleted all my 
>> personal files & music etc.
>> 
>> I have not done any work/saving on the old iMac at all, so nothing 
>> should be overwritten, I guess.
>> 
>> What is the best Undelete product for me to use to recover the above 
>> mentioned files?  I presume whatever method I use should not include 
>> downloading the app to be used onto the old iMac, as that could 
>> potentially overwrite some of the files I want to recover?
>> 
>> Cheers & many thanks in advance from someone who should pay attention 
>> to what they are doing,
>> 
>> Alex
>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>> Archives - 
>> Guidelines - 
>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Peter & Irene Faulks
> Unit 1, 9 Newsam Close
> PARKWOOD  WA  6147
> 
> Phone:+618 9457 0747 (h)
> Fax:  +618 9457 0444
> Peter Mobile:   0416 187 937
> Irene Mobile:0439 933 404
> 
> Email:peterfau...@westnet.com.au
> 
> 
> 
> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and 
> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they 
> are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify 
> your system manager. This message contains confidential information 
> and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the 
> named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this 
> email. Please notify the sender immediately by email if you have 
> received the email from your system. If you are not the intended 
> recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or 
> taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is 
> strictly prohibited.
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: iTunes.app and incoming network connections.

[Adrian Skehan]

Thanks again Ronni.

Yes I was referring to the Home Library ~Library > Preferences.  Since 
reinstalling iTunes it has re-generated 6 .plist preference files 3 of which 
are .lockfile.  Thus far everything is in tact and is working OK. but I have 
stored the ones I removed from the preference folder just in case,  I have left 
the iApp files in place.

Thanks for the explanation it is most enlightening and eases the mind a bit 
knowing that the system is not just generating files for no particular reason.





Regards,


Adrian

adrianske...@me.com




On 17/04/2012, at 10:58 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> Hi Adrian,
> 
> You mention this;
>>> in the Library > Preferences folder there was 98 iTunes preference .plist 
>>> files, for example: 
> 
> Don’t you mean in your Home Library ~Library > Preferences NOT your Hard 
> Drive /Library > Preferences?
> I think a lot of the plist files are ‘left over’ plist files from when you 
> upgraded from Leopard to Snow Leopard and now upgraded to Lion.
> 
> The Lockfiles I would not worry about as I explain at the end of my email.
> 
> Firstly. Just be wary of what you are deleting. plist files simply store your 
> preferences. If you delete a plist file, the next time you start up that 
> application then it creates a new, default plist file. Deleting a plist can 
> fix problems when an application seems to be acting funny, but if an app is 
> running fine then there is no need to delete plist files. 
> Deleting plist files means you will lose all your saved settings for that 
> app, and in the case of Safari, deleting the Bookmarks.plist file will erase 
> all your bookmarks. 
> So just be aware of what you are deleting because some of those settings you 
> probably won't want to spend the time to redo. 
> 
> After giving the warning above I’ve copied some information explaining a bit 
> about  plist files and Lockfiles and why they are on the system.
> 
> Temporary plist files:
> 
> Part of the way the system manages preferences files is a protection method 
> for preventing corruption from happening if an error occurs when the system 
> is writing preference files. For instance, if you are saving settings for a 
> program and the system suddenly loses power, then the preferences file being 
> written to may get corrupted and won't open properly when the system is 
> restarted, which would result in all your settings being lost. 
> To combat this, the system creates a temporary file to save the new settings, 
> and when the file is properly saved, it then replaces the old file with the 
> new one.
> 
> In OS X 10.6 or earlier, if you look in the preferences folder you may see a 
> number of property list files with a string of eight characters after their 
> names, such as the following:
> com.apple.iTunes.plist
> 
> com.apple.iTunes.plist.3847EH45
> 
> com.apple.iTunes.plist.2GDH17DJ
> 
> com.apple.iTunes.plist.37D6JH25
> 
> …etc.
> 
> All of the files with eight-character strings appended to their names will be 
> 0KB in size, and are the temporary files that were used for a specific 
> preference saving instance. The temporary file should be deleted 
> automatically, but sometimes odd problems may result in them sticking around. 
> The accumulation of these temporary preference files seem to have been 
> corrected in Lion, but if you are running Snow Leopard or Leopard, then you 
> will likely see them appear after a while of using your system. 
> You can safely remove them from your system if they begin to accumulate over 
> time.
> 
> Lockfiles in OS X Lion:
> 
> This technique for securing preference file editing via parent programs is 
> still present in Lion, but in addition Apple has implemented a new feature to 
> limit preference file access by multiple parent programs, which is to use the 
> lockfile type to flag whether or not a particular preferences file is in use.
> 
> If you go to your user preferences folder you will see these lockfiles 
> showing up next to various preference files. 
> Notice that they are 0KB in size.
> 
> When a program opens a preferences file, it will usually read from it (or 
> write to it), and then close it right away since keeping it open will 
> maintain a file-system "lock" on the file--file-system locks limit any 
> further access to the file by other programs and system services while the 
> one program is accessing it.
> 
> This standard practice of only locking a file temporarily ensures that if 
> another program needs to access the file, then it can do so unless the first 
> program is explicitly reading from or writing to the file. 
> For example, you should be able to read or edit the iTunes preferences file 
> using TextEdit even when iTunes is running (iTunes does not persistently 
> hoard its preferences file).
> 
> While this preference file handling behaviour is desired in OS X and 
> maintained in Lion, Apple's new feature creates a "checkout" system by using 
> the "lockfiles" that you see in the preferences

Re: iTunes.app and incoming network connections.

[Ronda Brown]

Hi Adrian,

You mention this;
>>  in the Library > Preferences folder there was 98 iTunes preference .plist 
>> files, for example: 

Don’t you mean in your Home Library ~Library > Preferences NOT your Hard Drive 
/Library > Preferences?
I think a lot of the plist files are ‘left over’ plist files from when you 
upgraded from Leopard to Snow Leopard and now upgraded to Lion.

The Lockfiles I would not worry about as I explain at the end of my email.

Firstly. Just be wary of what you are deleting. plist files simply store your 
preferences. If you delete a plist file, the next time you start up that 
application then it creates a new, default plist file. Deleting a plist can fix 
problems when an application seems to be acting funny, but if an app is running 
fine then there is no need to delete plist files. 
Deleting plist files means you will lose all your saved settings for that app, 
and in the case of Safari, deleting the Bookmarks.plist file will erase all 
your bookmarks. 
So just be aware of what you are deleting because some of those settings you 
probably won't want to spend the time to redo. 

After giving the warning above I’ve copied some information explaining a bit 
about  plist files and Lockfiles and why they are on the system.

Temporary plist files:

Part of the way the system manages preferences files is a protection method for 
preventing corruption from happening if an error occurs when the system is 
writing preference files. For instance, if you are saving settings for a 
program and the system suddenly loses power, then the preferences file being 
written to may get corrupted and won't open properly when the system is 
restarted, which would result in all your settings being lost. 
To combat this, the system creates a temporary file to save the new settings, 
and when the file is properly saved, it then replaces the old file with the new 
one.

In OS X 10.6 or earlier, if you look in the preferences folder you may see a 
number of property list files with a string of eight characters after their 
names, such as the following:
com.apple.iTunes.plist

com.apple.iTunes.plist.3847EH45

com.apple.iTunes.plist.2GDH17DJ

com.apple.iTunes.plist.37D6JH25

…etc.

All of the files with eight-character strings appended to their names will be 
0KB in size, and are the temporary files that were used for a specific 
preference saving instance. The temporary file should be deleted automatically, 
but sometimes odd problems may result in them sticking around. 
The accumulation of these temporary preference files seem to have been 
corrected in Lion, but if you are running Snow Leopard or Leopard, then you 
will likely see them appear after a while of using your system. 
You can safely remove them from your system if they begin to accumulate over 
time.

Lockfiles in OS X Lion:

This technique for securing preference file editing via parent programs is 
still present in Lion, but in addition Apple has implemented a new feature to 
limit preference file access by multiple parent programs, which is to use the 
lockfile type to flag whether or not a particular preferences file is in use.

If you go to your user preferences folder you will see these lockfiles showing 
up next to various preference files. 
Notice that they are 0KB in size.

When a program opens a preferences file, it will usually read from it (or write 
to it), and then close it right away since keeping it open will maintain a 
file-system "lock" on the file--file-system locks limit any further access to 
the file by other programs and system services while the one program is 
accessing it.

This standard practice of only locking a file temporarily ensures that if 
another program needs to access the file, then it can do so unless the first 
program is explicitly reading from or writing to the file. 
For example, you should be able to read or edit the iTunes preferences file 
using TextEdit even when iTunes is running (iTunes does not persistently hoard 
its preferences file).

While this preference file handling behaviour is desired in OS X and maintained 
in Lion, Apple's new feature creates a "checkout" system by using the 
"lockfiles" that you see in the preferences folder. These files are generally 
used as semaphore (flagging) files to indicate whether or not the file they 
represent is in use by a program. For example, if you have a file called 
"test.txt" and open it, one way to indicate you have it open without keeping a 
filesystem lock on it is to make a file next to it and call it "test.checkout," 
and then delete the "checkout" file when you are no longer using the "test.txt" 
file. 

If the checkout file is present, then you know the file "test.txt" is in use, 
even though technically you could direct another editor to open test.txt if you 
wanted to (after all, the file itself is not locked).

Apple has done a similar thing with the lockfiles in OS X Lion, but instead of 
merely creating an indicator file that shows up whe

Re: iTunes.app and incoming network connections.

[Adrian Skehan]

Many thanks again Ronni, solution #3 seems to have done the trick--but what a 
saga, I would have thought that apple could have done better than that.  
Ultimately I found that it had nothing to do with the iPad or iPhone as the 
problem persisted with them both turned off.

A couple of thing I noticed while floundering about trying to resolve the issue 
was that in the Library > Preferences folder there was 98 iTunes preference 
.plist files, for example: 

com.apple.iTunes.plist.0rpktLs, com.apple.iTunes.plist.6XcWbiS, 
com.apple.iTunes.plist.cSAG1qC, com.apple.iTunes.Gracenote.plist.lockfile 

and so on which I trashed along with the iTunes app. None of them have 
reappeared (so far) with the reinstalled iTunes app.  There is also 50 of the 
se files for iApps for example:

com.apple.iApps.plist.0zaDLOW, com.apple.iApps.plist.lockfile, 
com.apple.iApps.plist.tZAHPC4 etc.

Do you know if these serve any particular purpose? and can or should they be 
trashed?

Again many thanks.








Regards,


Adrian

adrianske...@me.com




On 16/04/2012, at 9:37 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> Hi Adrian,
> 
> Three ways that you can accomplish this: 
> NOTE: I have not tried any of these solutions, so I take no responsibility.
> 
> 1.
> "Do you want the application "iTunes.app" to accept incoming network 
> connections?"
> 
> 
> 
> —
> OR 2:
> Trash Security Preference File
> launch Terminal (Applications>Utilities>Terminal) and copy + paste the 
> following exactly as it appears: sudo chmod 640 /private/var/log/secure.log. 
> You're going to be prompted to enter a password - type in your password (you 
> won't actually see it being typed, however). Once you do that, quit Terminal. 
>  
> Next, launch Finder and navigate to the following path: /Library/Preferences. 
> Find the file that is named com.apple.alf.plist and drag it to the Trash. If 
> there is a file named com.apple.alf.plist~orig, drag that file to the Trash 
> as well. Empty the Trash and restart the computer. 
> Once the computer restarts, open iTunes and check if the error still pops up.
> 
> ——
> OR 3:
> You can Delete iTunes and Install new iTunes:
> 
> 
>   1.  Drag the iTunes app in the Applications folder to the Trash.
>   2.  Download the standalone iTunes Installer. 
> 
>   3.  Open (mount) the iTunes 10.x.x.dmg (disk image).
>   4.  Click on the Install iTunes.pkg and reinstall iTunes
> 
>iTunes libraries and playlists survived the 
> uninstall/reinstall.
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> 17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
> 2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD
> 
> OS X 10.7.3 Lion
> Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance)
> 
> 
> 
> On 16/04/2012, at 9:18 AM, Adrian Skehan wrote:
> 
>> Good morning all!
>> 
>> When I connect my iPad 3 to my iMac (OSX 10.7.3) I get a message that says 
>> "Do you want the application "iTunes.app" to accept incoming network 
>> connections? Clicking Deny may limit the application's behaviour.  This 
>> setting can be changed in the Firewall panel of Security preferences.
>> 
>> System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Advanced iTunes.app is set to 
>> Allow incoming connections and the Automatically allow signed software to 
>> receive incoming connections.
>> 
>> Is there something else I can do to eliminate the annoying prompt every time 
>> I connect the iPad?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> 
>> Adrian
>> 
>> adrianske...@me.com
>> 
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 

-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Another eBook deal from Peachpit Press

[Peter Hinchliffe]

In the latest weekly deal from Peachpit Press, you can pick up a copy of their 
Visual QuickStart Guide to iCloud for $9.99. 

http://www.peachpit.com/deals/?WT.mc_id=2012_Apr_16_PP_PBM_iCloud_EDOW

Their previous offering, developing your own iPhone app, has proven to be 
excellent value, and being an eBook, it goes wherever my iPad goes. Although 
these deals say they are eBook deals, you also get a PDF version thrown in for 
good measure.


Peter HinchliffeApwin Computer Services
FileMaker Pro Solutions Developer
Perth, Western Australia
Phone (618) 9332 6482Mob 0403 046 948

Mac because I prefer it -- Windows because I have to.

-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Recovering deleted files

[Peter Faulks]

>Alex you could try


Unblunder it is cheaper than Data Rescue but does recover trashed files


http://www.yazsoft.com/products/unblunder/



>Hi Wamuggians
>
>I would like your advice again with regards to recovering my iTunes 
>music, photos & probably a few movies that I deleted.
>
>Last August I bought an iMac to replace my previous (lampshade) iMac.  
>The new one is not running Lion.  When I connected the old to the new 
>to transfer data etc, I obviously was not paying attention & did not 
>select all that I wanted to transfer.  I did think at the time that it 
>all went a bit fast but thought nothing of it.  Thinking that I would 
>like to sell the old one or something, I went through & deleted all my 
>personal files & music etc.
>
>I have not done any work/saving on the old iMac at all, so nothing 
>should be overwritten, I guess.
>
>What is the best Undelete product for me to use to recover the above 
>mentioned files?  I presume whatever method I use should not include 
>downloading the app to be used onto the old iMac, as that could 
>potentially overwrite some of the files I want to recover?
>
>Cheers & many thanks in advance from someone who should pay attention 
>to what they are doing,
>
>Alex
>-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>Archives - 
>Guidelines - 
>Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>


-- 
Peter & Irene Faulks
Unit 1, 9 Newsam Close
PARKWOOD  WA  6147

Phone:  +618 9457 0747 (h)
Fax:+618 9457 0444
Peter Mobile:   0416 187 937
Irene Mobile:   0439 933 404

Email:  peterfau...@westnet.com.au



This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and 
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they 
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify 
your system manager. This message contains confidential information 
and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the 
named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this 
email. Please notify the sender immediately by email if you have 
received the email from your system. If you are not the intended 
recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or 
taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is 
strictly prohibited.
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Recovering deleted files

[Ronda Brown]

Hi Alex,

I agree with Philippe, Data Rescue 3 is the Recovery Software I use for 
recovering deleted data on Macs. I take it you don't still have a backup of the 
old Mac?

Data Rescue 3 is not free, $99 but worth every cent if it recovers your data.



You can use an unregistered copy (demo mode) of Data Rescue 3 to scan for 
files. The demo works exactly as the fully licensed version would, which will 
allow you to see all the files that are available for recovery. However, the 
demo mode only allows you to recover one single file, no larger than 10MB, and 
limits the number of file previews to 10.

Once you have confirmed that Data Rescue can indeed see the files that you wish 
to recover, you can simply purchase a copy of Data Rescue 3 from 
 and a serial number will be immediately sent to you 
via email.
-
As you still have the old Mac and if it has a FireWire port you are best to use 
Target Disk Mode for the Scan and Recovery of the deleted files.
Target Disk Mode
If you have another Mac available to you, this is a fast way to boot up and get 
your recovery scan going. This method also provides the ability to verify the 
files immediately after they are recovered with the programs normally used to 
access the files. To boot from a second Mac, you will be using what is referred 
to as FireWire Target Disk Mode. Additionally you can use the secondary Mac as 
your workspace and to recover your files.


Setting up Target Disk Mode
Turn off the machine with the corrupted hard drive.
Connect both machines using a firewire cable.
Boot the secondary Mac as you do normally.
Boot the machine with the corrupted hard drive, while holding the "T" key.
Hold the "T" key until you see a FireWire icon floating across the screen.
On your secondary Mac install and launch Data Rescue 3.
In Step one of Data Rescue 3, select the Target FireWire connected Hard Drive 
as the drive to scan and click next.
In Step two choose the proper scan method to start scanning for your files.


Cheers,
Ronni
Sent from Ronni's iPad

On 16/04/2012, at 11:40 PM, Philippe Chaperon  wrote:

> HI Alex,
> 
> Have you considered perhaps connecting the lampshade iMac as 'target mode' to 
> your new iMac? You could then use a data recovery application like Data 
> Rescue 3.
> 
> I am not very good at these delicate situation and therefore cannot recommend 
> the above method, however I know that Data Rescue 3 works a treat for me and 
> has recovered important files in the past. 
> 
> You are doing the correct thing in not using the lampshade until you find the 
> right solution. 
> 
> Hope someone with experience will come up with a workable retrieval system. 
> 
> All the best & good night,
> 
> Philippe 
> On 16/04/2012, at 11:31 PM, Alex wrote:
> 
>> Hi Wamuggians
>> 
>> I would like your advice again with regards to recovering my iTunes  
>> music, photos & probably a few movies that I deleted.
>> 
>> Last August I bought an iMac to replace my previous (lampshade) iMac.   
>> The new one is not running Lion.  When I connected the old to the new  
>> to transfer data etc, I obviously was not paying attention & did not  
>> select all that I wanted to transfer.  I did think at the time that it  
>> all went a bit fast but thought nothing of it.  Thinking that I would  
>> like to sell the old one or something, I went through & deleted all my  
>> personal files & music etc.
>> 
>> I have not done any work/saving on the old iMac at all, so nothing  
>> should be overwritten, I guess.
>> 
>> What is the best Undelete product for me to use to recover the above  
>> mentioned files?  I presume whatever method I use should not include  
>> downloading the app to be used onto the old iMac, as that could  
>> potentially overwrite some of the files I want to recover?
>> 
>> Cheers & many thanks in advance from someone who should pay attention  
>> to what they are doing,
>> 
>> Alex
>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>> Archives - 
>> Guidelines - 
>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>> 
> 
> Philippe Chaperon
> laut...@westnet.com.au
> 
> 
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Recovering deleted files

[Philippe Chaperon]

HI Alex,

Have you considered perhaps connecting the lampshade iMac as 'target mode' to 
your new iMac? You could then use a data recovery application like Data Rescue 
3.

I am not very good at these delicate situation and therefore cannot recommend 
the above method, however I know that Data Rescue 3 works a treat for me and 
has recovered important files in the past. 

You are doing the correct thing in not using the lampshade until you find the 
right solution. 

Hope someone with experience will come up with a workable retrieval system. 

All the best & good night,

Philippe 
On 16/04/2012, at 11:31 PM, Alex wrote:

> Hi Wamuggians
> 
> I would like your advice again with regards to recovering my iTunes  
> music, photos & probably a few movies that I deleted.
> 
> Last August I bought an iMac to replace my previous (lampshade) iMac.   
> The new one is not running Lion.  When I connected the old to the new  
> to transfer data etc, I obviously was not paying attention & did not  
> select all that I wanted to transfer.  I did think at the time that it  
> all went a bit fast but thought nothing of it.  Thinking that I would  
> like to sell the old one or something, I went through & deleted all my  
> personal files & music etc.
> 
> I have not done any work/saving on the old iMac at all, so nothing  
> should be overwritten, I guess.
> 
> What is the best Undelete product for me to use to recover the above  
> mentioned files?  I presume whatever method I use should not include  
> downloading the app to be used onto the old iMac, as that could  
> potentially overwrite some of the files I want to recover?
> 
> Cheers & many thanks in advance from someone who should pay attention  
> to what they are doing,
> 
> Alex
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 

Philippe Chaperon
laut...@westnet.com.au



-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Recovering deleted files

[Alex]

Hi Wamuggians

I would like your advice again with regards to recovering my iTunes  
music, photos & probably a few movies that I deleted.

Last August I bought an iMac to replace my previous (lampshade) iMac.   
The new one is not running Lion.  When I connected the old to the new  
to transfer data etc, I obviously was not paying attention & did not  
select all that I wanted to transfer.  I did think at the time that it  
all went a bit fast but thought nothing of it.  Thinking that I would  
like to sell the old one or something, I went through & deleted all my  
personal files & music etc.

I have not done any work/saving on the old iMac at all, so nothing  
should be overwritten, I guess.

What is the best Undelete product for me to use to recover the above  
mentioned files?  I presume whatever method I use should not include  
downloading the app to be used onto the old iMac, as that could  
potentially overwrite some of the files I want to recover?

Cheers & many thanks in advance from someone who should pay attention  
to what they are doing,

Alex
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Ronda Brown]

Hi Stephen,

If the 30 seconds are important to you, ask the person who created the DVD to 
send you another copy. 

And hey Stephen, your comment:
/quote
Sorry but I tried so many different things that I forgot about the above (it's 
a bugger once you turn 65 !)
/end quote

Remember "Age is not an excuse - Age is a privilege"!
You are younger than I, and I cherish and put as much as I can into every day I 
have on this earth.
As Maurice Chevalier said  "Old age isn't so bad when you consider the 
alternative."

And.. I never say the word "old" I only say "older" ;-)

Cheers,
Ronni
Sent from Ronni's iPad

On 16/04/2012, at 9:38 PM, Stephen Chape  wrote:

> Thank you for your valuable assistance Ronni.
> I will have to live without the last 30 seconds of this video !
> 
> On 16/04/2012, at 8:00 PM, Ronda Brown wrote:
> 
>> Hi Stephen,
>> 
>> There sounds like there is some corruption or fault with that 'problem clip'.
>> If the rest of the DVD files convert fine, there has to be something wrong 
>> with that clip.
>> 
>> Toast does not have any problem converting non-protected DVDs. 
>> Toast can not convert Commercial protected DVDs.
>> 
>> Every application you have tried has faulted on the 'problem clip'.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Ronni
>> 
>> Sent from Ronni's iPad
>> 
>> On 16/04/2012, at 7:30 PM, Stephen Chape  wrote:
>> 
>>> Thanks for the DV advice Ronni .. I will use that process in future.
>>> I can actually see the resulting difference.
>>> However I just did the convert to DV and the problem clip converted 16 
>>> seconds of 46 seconds,
>>> then Toast did an unexpected quit. This is what happened with the first 
>>> convert I did to MP4.
>>> 
>>> I am beginning to think this is a deliberate fault to prevent copying.
>>> But strange that the major video clip is not effected in this way.
>>> 
>>> This was not a commercial DVD, simply one of me doing a "bucket list" event.
>>> But the gut that did it does them for all customers.
>>> 
>>> On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:
>>> 
 On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
 
> Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
> 
> I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into 
> iMovie.
> They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
> 
> One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
> The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like 
> a tall 4:3 video.
> 
> I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
> VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
> will not save the resulting video.
> 
> Any ideas please ?
 
 Hi Stephen,
 
 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
 What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
 
 Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to 
 MP4 format.
 I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
 If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and 
 I’ll send instructions
 
 Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
 
 Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
 The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD 
 Video’s .vob, etc. 
 The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and 
 best of all, free-of-charge.
 
 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
 File menu.
 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your 
 Desktop.
 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
 
 Cheers,
 Ronni
 
 -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
 Archives - 
 Guidelines - 
 Settings & Unsubscribe - 
 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> Stephen Chape
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>>> Archives - 
>>> Guidelines - 
>>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>>> 
>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>> Archives - 
>> Guidelines - 
>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>> 

Re: Waking my MacBook Pro from sleep

[Ronda Brown]

Hi Ian,

I think what you are seeing is happening because you have dragged the cursor 
before the computer is fully awake, therefore you see a grey square.
Give it a little more time for the system to fully wake before you drag the 
cursor.

Cheers,
Ronni

Sent from Ronni's iPad

On 16/04/2012, at 9:21 PM, Ian Reid  wrote:

> Good evening All
> 
> When I wake my MacBook Pro from sleep and move the cursor, it leaves a trail 
> of small grey 7 mm squares, separate, if quick movement, overlapping, if 
> slow. It is no big deal, I just "scribble" enough to expose the admin icon 
> and place for the password, enter the latter and the screen returns as it 
> was. I have not read anything of this happening with Lion.
> 
> Until recently it only happened if I was lazy enough to allow the computer to 
> put itself to sleep (15 minutes) but now it happens every time after sleep. 
> As I have said, no big deal, just interesting.
> 
> Ian Reid
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Stephen Chape]

Thank you for your valuable assistance Ronni.
I will have to live without the last 30 seconds of this video !

On 16/04/2012, at 8:00 PM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> Hi Stephen,
> 
> There sounds like there is some corruption or fault with that 'problem clip'.
> If the rest of the DVD files convert fine, there has to be something wrong 
> with that clip.
> 
> Toast does not have any problem converting non-protected DVDs. 
> Toast can not convert Commercial protected DVDs.
> 
> Every application you have tried has faulted on the 'problem clip'.
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> Sent from Ronni's iPad
> 
> On 16/04/2012, at 7:30 PM, Stephen Chape  wrote:
> 
>> Thanks for the DV advice Ronni .. I will use that process in future.
>> I can actually see the resulting difference.
>> However I just did the convert to DV and the problem clip converted 16 
>> seconds of 46 seconds,
>> then Toast did an unexpected quit. This is what happened with the first 
>> convert I did to MP4.
>> 
>> I am beginning to think this is a deliberate fault to prevent copying.
>> But strange that the major video clip is not effected in this way.
>> 
>> This was not a commercial DVD, simply one of me doing a "bucket list" event.
>> But the gut that did it does them for all customers.
>> 
>> On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:
>> 
>>> On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
>>> 
 Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
 
 I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into 
 iMovie.
 They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
 
 One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
 The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like a 
 tall 4:3 video.
 
 I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
 VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
 will not save the resulting video.
 
 Any ideas please ?
>>> 
>>> Hi Stephen,
>>> 
>>> 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
>>> What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
>>> 
>>> Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to 
>>> MP4 format.
>>> I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
>>> If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and 
>>> I’ll send instructions
>>> 
>>> Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
>>> 
>>> Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
>>> The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD Video’s 
>>> .vob, etc. 
>>> The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and best 
>>> of all, free-of-charge.
>>> 
>>> 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
>>> File menu.
>>> 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
>>> 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
>>> 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
>>> 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
>>> 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
>>> 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your Desktop.
>>> 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
>>> 
>>> Cheers,
>>> Ronni
>>> 
>>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>>> Archives - 
>>> Guidelines - 
>>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Stephen Chape
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>> Archives - 
>> Guidelines - 
>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 


Regards,
Stephen Chape




-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Waking my MacBook Pro from sleep

[Ian Reid]

Good evening All

When I wake my MacBook Pro from sleep and move the cursor, it leaves a trail of 
small grey 7 mm squares, separate, if quick movement, overlapping, if slow. It 
is no big deal, I just "scribble" enough to expose the admin icon and place for 
the password, enter the latter and the screen returns as it was. I have not 
read anything of this happening with Lion.

Until recently it only happened if I was lazy enough to allow the computer to 
put itself to sleep (15 minutes) but now it happens every time after sleep. As 
I have said, no big deal, just interesting.

Ian Reid
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Secure your Mac/iPhone/iPad on Public Wireless Networks

[S Beach]

Hi Ronnie et al.

This is another viewpoint rather than a criticism:

I note your comment "Also another reason why I don’t use Firefox as my
Internet Browser..."

It should be clarified that that *the article you referred to is in no way
suggesting that Firefox is any less secure for the user than other browsers*,
but simply that it can be used as a platform for some people who choose to
use a dodgy add-on for firefox called fire sheep. This then becomes a
security issue for those around that person who are unwittingly browsing
via an unsecured wifi connection.
Avoiding firefox as a matter of principle because it can be used this way
may be a valid choice. However on those grounds we may also choose to avoid
using cars because they can be used by bank robbers and drunk drivers.

A quick web search of browser security ratings may show any browser being
touted as the most secure on any given week... which then usually changes
in a week or two. An interesting statement was given in this article:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/test-center-guide-browser-security-250?page=0,4
(which is a little older again than the one you referenced)

*The most secure browser*

*Which of the browsers tested can claim to be the most secure? Here's the
big shocker: None of the fully patched browsers allowed silent infections
or exploitation beyond simple DoS attacks. All of the browsers stopped the
latest malicious attacks available on the Internet. Occasional zero-day
attacks could silently infect a particular browser during a particular
period of time, but all of the browsers have this same risk, and all of the
browser vendors in this review are fairly consistent in patching
significant problems in a timely manner.*

*Hence, the overall conclusion of this review is that any fully patched
browser can be used relatively safely. You can change browsers, but your
risk is the same with all of them -- nearly zero -- if your browser, OS,
and all add-ons and plug-ins are fully patched*.

(And, yes, it goes on to give an example of user activated trojans on
Windows Vista which doesn't mean Macs are immune, as we are clearly seeing
now.)

 The fact that Safari is still only used by less than 5% of desktop/laptop
users (despite Mac having around 12% market share in Q4 2011) may enable it
to "fly under the radar" a little from both security analysts and, perhaps
hackers to some extent, but that does not necessarily mean that it is more
secure.

Anyway I love my mac but I don't like Safari much as don't, apparently,
many other mac users. I develop websites and service windows & mac
computers and use the internet widely, every day.
I use Firefox mostly, Chrome quite a bit and Safari occasionally (& IE on
work computers & via vmware occasionally) and have not had any security
issues with any of them.

Then again, I've still not had a security issue with firefox or chrome on
my windows pc's in 15 years either fortunately. (Let he who thinks he
stands take heed lest he falls).
Being careful and keeping software up to date are certainly key factors. In
the last few years using opendns.com has helped too.

*Anyway as I said, that is not a criticism or an argument… just an
alternative point of view.*

And Cloak does look like it could be useful :-)

Thanks Ronnie & all WAMUG contributors. Keep up the good advice and helpful
dialog.

Regards

Shayne


On Fri, Mar 23, 2012 at 10:12 AM, Ronda Brown  wrote:

> Hello WAMUGers,
>
> Especially people who occasionally use Public Wi-Fi Networks (Hotspots);
> Unsecured Wireless Networks; found in coffee shops, hotels, airports and
> conferences.
> Yesterday as I was waiting for a Logic Board replacement being done at
> MacWorx Joondalup, I popped over to a coffee shop to rush off a couple of
> emails and enjoy a latte. I really needed a 'Caffeine kick’ and did need to
> send these emails.
>
> I sent the emails as quickly as possible, and took more time enjoying the
> wonderful ‘life saving’ latte ;-)
> While enjoying my coffee I started to think about the risks of using my
> computer, iPhone or iPad on this type of public Wi-Fi network.
>
> It goes without saying… I of course would never access a Financial Site
>  (Bank etc) or any site that required me to type in my login details!
> I do have a reputation as being very security conscious... (& of course
> I’m always on about having current Back Ups ;-)
>
> So when I arrived home with new Logic Board replaced in MBP I did a bit of
> reading and searching about an easy way to quickly setup a Virtual Private
> Network (VPN) for this type of situation.
>
> I found “Cloak” which I will try out next time. So thought I would post a
> bit about this problem and one way to hopefully protect WAMUG members who
> use Public Wi-Fi Networks sometimes.
>
> 
>
> 
>
> "WHY CLOAK?
> Cloak is a service for your Mac, iPhone, and iPad that keeps you safe when
> you’re connected to publ

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Ronda Brown]

Hi Stephen,

There sounds like there is some corruption or fault with that 'problem clip'.
If the rest of the DVD files convert fine, there has to be something wrong with 
that clip.

Toast does not have any problem converting non-protected DVDs. 
Toast can not convert Commercial protected DVDs.

Every application you have tried has faulted on the 'problem clip'.

Cheers,
Ronni

Sent from Ronni's iPad

On 16/04/2012, at 7:30 PM, Stephen Chape  wrote:

> Thanks for the DV advice Ronni .. I will use that process in future.
> I can actually see the resulting difference.
> However I just did the convert to DV and the problem clip converted 16 
> seconds of 46 seconds,
> then Toast did an unexpected quit. This is what happened with the first 
> convert I did to MP4.
> 
> I am beginning to think this is a deliberate fault to prevent copying.
> But strange that the major video clip is not effected in this way.
> 
> This was not a commercial DVD, simply one of me doing a "bucket list" event.
> But the gut that did it does them for all customers.
> 
> On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:
> 
>> On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
>>> 
>>> I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into 
>>> iMovie.
>>> They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
>>> 
>>> One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
>>> The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like a 
>>> tall 4:3 video.
>>> 
>>> I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
>>> VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
>>> will not save the resulting video.
>>> 
>>> Any ideas please ?
>> 
>> Hi Stephen,
>> 
>> 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
>> What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
>> 
>> Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to MP4 
>> format.
>> I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
>> If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and 
>> I’ll send instructions
>> 
>> Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
>> 
>> Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
>> The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD Video’s 
>> .vob, etc. 
>> The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and best 
>> of all, free-of-charge.
>> 
>> 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
>> File menu.
>> 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
>> 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
>> 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
>> 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
>> 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
>> 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your Desktop.
>> 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Ronni
>> 
>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
>> Archives - 
>> Guidelines - 
>> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
>> 
> 
> 
> Regards,
> Stephen Chape
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Stephen Chape]

Thanks for the DV advice Ronni .. I will use that process in future.
I can actually see the resulting difference.
However I just did the convert to DV and the problem clip converted 16 seconds 
of 46 seconds,
then Toast did an unexpected quit. This is what happened with the first convert 
I did to MP4.

I am beginning to think this is a deliberate fault to prevent copying.
But strange that the major video clip is not effected in this way.

This was not a commercial DVD, simply one of me doing a "bucket list" event.
But the gut that did it does them for all customers.

On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
> 
>> Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
>> 
>> I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into iMovie.
>> They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
>> 
>> One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
>> The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like a 
>> tall 4:3 video.
>> 
>> I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
>> VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
>> will not save the resulting video.
>> 
>> Any ideas please ?
> 
> Hi Stephen,
> 
> 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
> What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
> 
> Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to MP4 
> format.
> I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
> If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and I’ll 
> send instructions
> 
> Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
> 
> Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
> The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD Video’s 
> .vob, etc. 
> The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and best 
> of all, free-of-charge.
> 
> 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
> File menu.
> 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
> 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
> 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
> 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
> 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
> 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your Desktop.
> 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 


Regards,
Stephen Chape




-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Stephen Chape]

Actually I just recalled that when Toast tried to convert this file, it stopped 
about 85% of the way through
and then Toast quit. That was why I used FLV Crunch which converted the file 
but in 4:3 AR.
I will give Toast another go with your instructions and let you know what 
happens.

I also tried ripping the file with Mac The Ripper and got a message regarding 
"deliberate bad sectors" with no final result.

Sorry but I tried so many different things that I forgot about the above (it's 
a bugger once you turn 65 !)

On 16/04/2012, at 3:04 PM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> 
> On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:
> 
>> On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
>>> 
>>> I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into 
>>> iMovie.
>>> They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
>>> 
>>> One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
>>> The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like a 
>>> tall 4:3 video.
>>> 
>>> I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
>>> VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
>>> will not save the resulting video.
>>> 
>>> Any ideas please ?
>> 
>> Hi Stephen,
>> 
>> 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
>> What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
>> 
>> Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to MP4 
>> format.
>> I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
>> If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and 
>> I’ll send instructions
>> 
>> Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
>> 
>> Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
>> The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD Video’s 
>> .vob, etc. 
>> The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and best 
>> of all, free-of-charge.
>> 
>> 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
>> File menu.
>> 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
>> 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
>> 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
>> 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
>> 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
>> 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your Desktop.
>> 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Ronni
> 
> Hi again Stephen,
> 
> I just found time to read your email more thoroughly and give it more thought.
> 
> If you intend on editing later on, you want to avoid compressed codecs like 
> MPEG-4, H.264, etc. 
> These are delivery codecs and don't edit well due to their aggressive 
> compression.
> 
> I prefer to archive my Video, and Edit in iMovie in DV format. DV codec 
> material will import fine into iMovie without any conversion.
> 
> I would convert the .vob files to .dv with Roxio Toast 10 or 11:
> 
> Step 1. Open Toast
> Step 2. Select Convert
> Step 3. Select the DVD VOB files … Drag them into the project window
> Step 4. Click the Convert button at bottom right
> Step 5. In the resulting window: If you select Digital Video (DV) your 
> conversion will retain the correct DVD Ratio & sizes
> Select Digital Video (DV)
> Quality: 16:9
>  Save To: Select where you want the conversion saved to.
> Step 6. Click Convert and you conversion will commence.
> The result will be a .dv file, that iMovie lets you import and edit. 
> 
> NOTE:
> If You select MPEG-4 Player your conversion will NOT retain DVD Ratio & Sizes
> If you select H.264 Player your conversion will NOT retain DVD Ratio & Sizes
> 
> UNLESS you choose Quality Custom for both MPEG-4 or H.264 where you can 
> custom select Video & Audio
> 
> I have created a tutorial with screenshots showing the above process if you 
> wish I could email it to you offlist.
> 
> If your primary workflow is editing DV clips and making DVDs, iMovie'06 
> (iMovieHD) is better suited. 
> Your movie will arrive at iDVD in DV format, which is an ideal match for 
> making a DVD: same resolution, same pixels aspect ratio, and original 
> quality. 
> 
> If you share your movie from iMovie '09/'11, it gets re-rendered at 640x480 
> or less, and then iDVD upscales it back to 720x480. 
> The end result is obviously not as good.
> 
> iMovie'06 (iMovieHD v 6.0.4) and iDVD'09/'11 is a "lossless" combination. 
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> 17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
> 2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD
> 
> OS X 10.7.3 Lion
> Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> 17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
> 2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD
> 
> OS X 10.7.3 Lion
> Windows 7 Ultimate (under suffera

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Stephen Chape]

Thank you Ronni,
I used FLV Crunch which strangely converted both files but only one in 16:9 and 
the other in 4:3.
However as I do have Toast 11 I will follow your instructions and see what 
happens.


On 16/04/2012, at 3:04 PM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> 
> On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:
> 
>> On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
>>> 
>>> I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into 
>>> iMovie.
>>> They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
>>> 
>>> One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
>>> The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like a 
>>> tall 4:3 video.
>>> 
>>> I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
>>> VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
>>> will not save the resulting video.
>>> 
>>> Any ideas please ?
>> 
>> Hi Stephen,
>> 
>> 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
>> What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
>> 
>> Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to MP4 
>> format.
>> I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
>> If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and 
>> I’ll send instructions
>> 
>> Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
>> 
>> Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
>> The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD Video’s 
>> .vob, etc. 
>> The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and best 
>> of all, free-of-charge.
>> 
>> 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
>> File menu.
>> 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
>> 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
>> 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
>> 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
>> 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
>> 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your Desktop.
>> 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Ronni
> 
> Hi again Stephen,
> 
> I just found time to read your email more thoroughly and give it more thought.
> 
> If you intend on editing later on, you want to avoid compressed codecs like 
> MPEG-4, H.264, etc. 
> These are delivery codecs and don't edit well due to their aggressive 
> compression.
> 
> I prefer to archive my Video, and Edit in iMovie in DV format. DV codec 
> material will import fine into iMovie without any conversion.
> 
> I would convert the .vob files to .dv with Roxio Toast 10 or 11:
> 
> Step 1. Open Toast
> Step 2. Select Convert
> Step 3. Select the DVD VOB files … Drag them into the project window
> Step 4. Click the Convert button at bottom right
> Step 5. In the resulting window: If you select Digital Video (DV) your 
> conversion will retain the correct DVD Ratio & sizes
> Select Digital Video (DV)
> Quality: 16:9
>  Save To: Select where you want the conversion saved to.
> Step 6. Click Convert and you conversion will commence.
> The result will be a .dv file, that iMovie lets you import and edit. 
> 
> NOTE:
> If You select MPEG-4 Player your conversion will NOT retain DVD Ratio & Sizes
> If you select H.264 Player your conversion will NOT retain DVD Ratio & Sizes
> 
> UNLESS you choose Quality Custom for both MPEG-4 or H.264 where you can 
> custom select Video & Audio
> 
> I have created a tutorial with screenshots showing the above process if you 
> wish I could email it to you offlist.
> 
> If your primary workflow is editing DV clips and making DVDs, iMovie'06 
> (iMovieHD) is better suited. 
> Your movie will arrive at iDVD in DV format, which is an ideal match for 
> making a DVD: same resolution, same pixels aspect ratio, and original 
> quality. 
> 
> If you share your movie from iMovie '09/'11, it gets re-rendered at 640x480 
> or less, and then iDVD upscales it back to 720x480. 
> The end result is obviously not as good.
> 
> iMovie'06 (iMovieHD v 6.0.4) and iDVD'09/'11 is a "lossless" combination. 
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> 17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
> 2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD
> 
> OS X 10.7.3 Lion
> Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> 
> 17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
> 2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD
> 
> OS X 10.7.3 Lion
> Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 

Re: Changing video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 ?

[Ronda Brown]

On 16/04/2012, at 11:12 AM, Ronda Brown wrote:

> On 15/04/2012, at 9:11 PM, Stephen Chape wrote:
> 
>> Hi folks .. this one has me stumped !
>> 
>> I have converted two VOB files from a DVD to MP4 files to import into iMovie.
>> They were both videoed today on a camcorder then the DVD was made for me.
>> 
>> One has converted fine retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.
>> The other has converted with both sides squashed in to make it look like a 
>> tall 4:3 video.
>> 
>> I have tried numerous applications to change the ratio but no success.
>> VLC Player will change the AR of the VOB file to 16:9 while playing, but 
>> will not save the resulting video.
>> 
>> Any ideas please ?
> 
> Hi Stephen,
> 
> 16:9 Widescreen is Aspect Ratio: 16:9 − 720x576 PAL
> What application did you use to convert the VOB files?
> 
> Toast Titanium 10 or 11 can convert ‘unprotected’ DVD VIDEO_TS folder to MP4 
> format.
> I’ve edited and then converted ‘unprotected’ DVDs using Toast.
> If you have Toast and require instructions how to do this, post back and I’ll 
> send instructions
> 
> Quicktime Pro I’m sure can convert VOB to MP4 also.
> 
> Also, any video files that the VLC Player can play it can convert to .mp4.
> The list includes popular video format such as VCD’s .dat/.mpg, DVD Video’s 
> .vob, etc. 
> The process is technically call Transcoding, and it’s simple, fast and best 
> of all, free-of-charge.
> 
> 1. Launch VLC Player and select the “Streaming/Exporting Wizard…” from its 
> File menu.
> 2. Select the “Transcode/Save to file” option.
> 3. Click the “Choose…” button and select your .vob file.
> 4. Tick “Transcode video” and select the “H.264″ codec and 1024 kb/s.
> 5. Tick “Transcode audio” and select the “MPEG 4 Audio” codec and 192 kb/s.
> 6. Select “MPEG 4/ MP4″ as the Encapsulation format.
> 7. Click the “Choose…” button and Save As “NewFileName.mp4″ to your Desktop.
> 8. Click “Finish” to begin transcoding.
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni

Hi again Stephen,

I just found time to read your email more thoroughly and give it more thought.

If you intend on editing later on, you want to avoid compressed codecs like 
MPEG-4, H.264, etc. 
These are delivery codecs and don't edit well due to their aggressive 
compression.

I prefer to archive my Video, and Edit in iMovie in DV format. DV codec 
material will import fine into iMovie without any conversion.

I would convert the .vob files to .dv with Roxio Toast 10 or 11:

Step 1. Open Toast
Step 2. Select Convert
Step 3. Select the DVD VOB files … Drag them into the project window
Step 4. Click the Convert button at bottom right
Step 5. In the resulting window: If you select Digital Video (DV) your 
conversion will retain the correct DVD Ratio & sizes
 Select Digital Video (DV)
 Quality: 16:9
 Save To: Select where you want the conversion saved to.
Step 6. Click Convert and you conversion will commence.
The result will be a .dv file, that iMovie lets you import and edit. 

NOTE:
If You select MPEG-4 Player your conversion will NOT retain DVD Ratio & Sizes
If you select H.264 Player your conversion will NOT retain DVD Ratio & Sizes

UNLESS you choose Quality Custom for both MPEG-4 or H.264 where you can custom 
select Video & Audio

I have created a tutorial with screenshots showing the above process if you 
wish I could email it to you offlist.

If your primary workflow is editing DV clips and making DVDs, iMovie'06 
(iMovieHD) is better suited. 
Your movie will arrive at iDVD in DV format, which is an ideal match for making 
a DVD: same resolution, same pixels aspect ratio, and original quality. 

If you share your movie from iMovie '09/'11, it gets re-rendered at 640x480 or 
less, and then iDVD upscales it back to 720x480. 
The end result is obviously not as good.

iMovie'06 (iMovieHD v 6.0.4) and iDVD'09/'11 is a "lossless" combination. 


Cheers,
Ronni

17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD

OS X 10.7.3 Lion
Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance)
















Cheers,
Ronni

17" MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 “Thunderbolt"
2.3GHz / 8GB / 750GB @ 7200rpm HD

OS X 10.7.3 Lion
Windows 7 Ultimate (under sufferance)
















-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe -