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I Love This Free Collection of Audio and Video Converters
Rather than using a VCR or PVR to record television programmes, I use a PC running Windows 7 Media Centre. I much prefer it to using a dedicated unit. Partly because I find Media Centre much easier to use than the interface on any other similar device. Partly because I can access recordings via my LAN, and thus watch stuff in my office which has been recording in the living room. And partly because of the wonderful Remote Potato utility, which allows me to schedule recordings remotely, via the web, from wherever I happen to be.
My TV tuner is a DVB-T device. Also known as digital terrestrial television or, in the UK where I live, by the friendlier name of Freeview. And not only do I have access to scores of TV channels, but there's also lots of radio stations too. So with my setup, I can record not only TV programmes but also radio.
The only problem with Windows Media Centre is that it records in a non-standard, proprietary format. Whether you record TV or radio, everything ends up as a .WTV file. There are very few applications that can handle these files, except for Windows's own media player. Thankfully, right-clicking a .WTV file in Windows 7 offers the opportunity to convert it to .DVR-MS format instead, as used by Media Centre under XP and Vista.
Which brings me to the specific problem that I recently encountered. Having recorded some radio programmes on my Media Centre kit, I wanted to convert them to standard MP3 files so that I could listen to them on my audio player during an upcoming train journey. And I found just the tool I needed.
There's a superb collection of audio and video conversion tools at www.dvdvideosoft.com. There are tools to convert just about everything you could possibly want. Including DVR-MS to MP3. So I was happy. In just a minute or so, the program converted 138 MB of DVR-MS into 25 MB of MP3. I can now schedule radio recordings on my Media Centre machine, and then copy them as MP3 files to my phone so that I can listen to them on the train.
I'm at a loss to explain how, and why, dvdvideosoft can afford to give away so much software for free. Note, though, that the installer wants you to install their internet toolbar (you can say no if you wish). Which, I guess, answers my question.
Give www.dvdvideosoft.com a try. You can download each utility individually (they're about 10 MB each), or a 40 MB download gives you the entire set, known as Free Studio.
Editor's Advisory Note: In addition to the toolbar, DVDVideoSoft products are now bundled with OpenCandy. See this article for more information.
Do you have a Hot Find that you want to tell me about? If so, see http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/submit-product-review.htm.
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Comments
DVDvideosoft is outright BOSS!
The YouTube to mp3 tool will also download the original video if you tell it to in the options
I like this software. however there is this toolbar offer, it never installs if you unselect appropricate boxes during the installation.
I have nothing against this options feature, anyway, that's how they can get profit and maintain a small group of developers.
I really recommend it.
I can say that mce by default does miss some commercials
or at the very least it has been known to mistake part of the program for a commercial block ending.
the perfect as well as accessible solution is
dvredit
you can google its download link as it's free or you can email me and I'll be happy to get it to you.
it's not an installable you just run it.
I missed the comments by Syntax-error & D Gautier bellow.
MCE Buddy seems the way to go if it works...
I have not tried it yet, can not understand how it will automaticly cut out the commercials though.
Errol
Hi r.schifreen
Good Article,thanks...
I just now downloaded Freestudio and can't comment on that yet.
What cought my eye was your comment of converting WTV to DVR-MS...
I've looked far for a conversion of WTV to other formats but never noticed that right clicking was the simple solution!
I am new to this converting formats thing...
Assumably DVR-MS is then possible to convert to AVI ???
Or have you found anything inbetween that converts WTV to a more common video format ?
Thanks again
Errol
I am disturbed by the comments above that suggest disabling your AV to install this software when two different AV packages are reporting it as, at least, "suspicious". Unless you know the software author very well, this is never good advice!!
And "toolbars" are just another word for "spyware"...and keep in mind that it is possible for a toolbar to install without providing a user-visible interface...
Maybe r.schifreen hit it on the head when he says "I'm at a loss to explain how, and why, dvdvideosoft can afford to give away so much software for free." Maybe this deal really *is* too good to be true...
The antivirus might be reporting suspicious because of the presence of toolbar. I have several programs from the site on my computer, and never had problems with them. I am using Avast, and it does not raise any alerts for any of the programs. I am not using the whole suite, but I download individual programs from the site, which I need. The toolbar is present in the program installers too, but it can be easily avoided by unchecking the check-box. I don't know about the toolbar for the whole suite, but I think it can be avoided easily too, at install time. The programs are safe to use in my opinion.
Like Jake Maverick, I prefer Pazera. It's not as pretty, but it is small, compact, portable and quick.
Some download sites (like Snapfiles) have serious warnings about the DVDVideoSoft toolbar - which installs even if you opt not to do so, and which presumably is responsible for triggering some of the malware alerts mentioned in other posts.
.... freeware audio and video converters.... wunnerful ~ !! :)
I use the free mcebuddy (http://mcebuddy.com/) to convert from DVR-MS, WTV, TS. Simple to use.
The software works great but Kaspersky reports that two of the .exe files have virus's.
You can upload those exe files to virustotal and check the results.
I've registered with their support desk and mailed them about this issue. If they respond I'll post it here.
This was the response from the developers:
"Hi,
We really faced this problem and had some letters from our worried users. This problem occurred due to some changes which have been introduced by antivirus software developers. Now it is solved. It is necessary to update antivirus software, the latest versions do not detect any threats".
They also suggested uploading the file to Virus Total if anyone still has concerns.
Anyone using Avast? Avast stops the install right at the end, then removes it? false positive probably but have to turn off Avast when I want to use any of those programs
I have Avast. I have used some of the tools from the site, but never got such a response from Avast. Although, I did not download the whole installer. I just download setup for the software which I need.
I find that Pazera is much better! not such a nice interface but works best with most files and generally a lot quicker whilst producing smaller output files....
I prefer formatfactory & handbrake.
I have been using this software for a few years now and have recommended it to many people, its easy use and has alot of features. Some features I dont even need but have fun playing with. They have added a couple of new features like "Free Screen Video Recorder" which is great for Power points and teaching. I highly recommend.
If you download the entire set of programs (single download/all programs) can you still choose not to install their internet toolbar or must you download the programs individually to allow you to not install the toolbar?
Thanks.
You can still opt out, no problem.
Good find, r.schifreen. Thanks!
Thanks for the review and link.
In case it helps, MCE Buddy will convert .WTV files and remove the adds at the same time.
Sorry Syntax
I should have read through the responses more carefully...
If MCE Buddy works, it is just what I have been looking for.
I just downloaded it and shall give it a shot in the next days !
Is it a freeware programm..??
If so, how do these things come about and where do the creators get their satisfaction? Hat off to them whatever the motivation is.
You will obviously have tried MCEbuddy....
anything to be carefull of?
After a lot of useless hours on the net this has been a satisfying thread
(hope I don't speak too soon..not tried it yet ..Smile )
Errol
I have several of the DvdVideSoft programs on my PC, and there are really a lot of useful programs on the site. Recommended :).
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