There is a ton of software available for both Windows and OS X that allow you to rip and encode DVD’s, but what about Linux? A few months back I did a segment on the Lab with Leo Laporte TV show on just that, DVD rippers for Linux. (Video after the break)

DVD::RIP is a full featured DVD backup program written in perl. It’s very intuiative and eay to use but also provides a feature rich control of almost all aspects of the ripping and transcoding process. Some of the key features are:

• Runs on Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD
• Rip to harddisk, on the fly or from an existent DVD image
• Select audio track(s), viewing angle(s), multitple titles
• Rip as much audio tracks as you like into one AVI/OGG/SVCD file
• Supports nearly all of transcode’s video codecs, e.g: divx4, divx5, xvid, xvidcvs, ffmpeg, fame, opendivx and mpeg2enc
• DivX/Xvid multipass encoding
• (S)VCD modes, with multiple audio tracks for SVCD
• Integrated video bitrate calculator based on target size resp. number of discs
• Automatic splitting of the target files for best fit on the specified number of discs

Probably the strongest feature of DVD::RIP is it’s cluster mode which let’s you use any Linux machine you might have in your network for parallel encoding. Your rips come out much faster if you use say 2, 3, or 4 machines. Let me see Windows do that.

[Link to DVD::RIP]

DVD::RIP – Rippin Linux Style originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/08/31. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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I used to be the resident hardware hacker on the Lab with Leo Laporte show that aired in Canada and Australia, and while combing through some of my segments I stumbled on something I did last year that just saved my MacBook. DasBoot allows you to take any external storage device, like an old iPod, and turn it into a bootable diagnostic toolkit. Best of all, it’s 100% free.

Do you have a shiny new flash drive, or multi use storage device in your pocket ? Now you can turn it into a Mac OS X diagnostic, repair, and maintenance tool. DasBoot allows you to take any third party boot CD (such as those shipped by SubRosaSoft.com Inc, Prosoft Engineering Inc, Alsoft Inc, or Micromat Inc) and quickly create a bootable diagnostic device that contains any of your own utilities you may wish to install.

Check out the attached video of me demoing the software on an episode of the Lab with Leo Laporte TV show.

DasBoot – Turn An Old iPod Into A Bootable Toolkit originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/08/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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Last month I was in Vancouver for a round of taping of the Lab with Leo Laporte TV show when this somewhat odd error window pop’s up on my screen.

“The wireless network appears to have been compromised and will be disabled for about a minute.”

I have never in my years seen this one, even had everyone on set stumped. Any ideas? I’d like to know if this has popped up on anyone else’s screen.

Mac Error Confusion originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2008/01/06. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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The range will consist of a mouse, headset, travel adapter, and a choice of 2 battery extension packs. There are multiple colour choices for the mouse and headset, but it seems that the travel adapter and battery pack will only be available in white which really sucks since my EEE PC is black. I know you can get mice and earphones from any old place, but will they match your super cool EEE PC?

Prices and shipping haven’t been announced yet, but expect to see these on your store shelves in early 08.

EEE PC Goodies originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2007/12/30. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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tech.nocr.at, founded on July 1, 2007, is a weblog dedicated to bringing you an unbiased clear cut view on all things related to technology. In addition, we bring you reviews of the hottest gadgets and gizmos. tech.nocr.at is edited by Frank Linhares and is currently seeking contributing editors. If your interested drop us a line with some sample work to jobs@tech.nocr.at

Frank Linhares (Founder, Managing Editor)

Frank Linhares, born and raised in the big smoke, Toronto, Ontario. ever since his younger years running around with a 300 baud modem he has always been at the bleeding edge of technology. be it the original newsgroups back in the day to bbs message networks. from good old school vax and unix hacking via war dialing, to being a 2600′er he’s been there doing what he can to advance the cause.

In 2005 Frank started the techPhile podcast and the simple reboot podcast. Since then he has moved on to co-host and produce a video show all about technology, Digital Underground.tv. Its a monthly tech based show covering news, view, and reviews in the world of tech. Frank has had the pleasure of interviewing many of the movers and shakers in the tech-world; Leo Laporte, Kevin Rose, Amber Macarthur, John C Dvorak, and Andy Walker just to name a few.

Frank has made guest appearances of the following programs talking about technology, new media and hacking: command-N, hak.5, This Week in Media, This Week in Tech, Lab Rats, and the Computer America radio show. Frank was also the regular hardware hacker on the Call for Help and Lab with Leo television shows which aired on TechTV in Canada and the US and on the How-To network in Australia.

Ethics

The tech.nocr.at editorial staff is bound by the following code of ethics:

• Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.

• Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.

• Always question source motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.

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About originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 2007/12/24. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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Where: The Alibi Room – 157 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC
When: Thursday Sept. 6th – 7pm – 10pm
RSVP here on Facebook

Lab with Leo: 100th Episode Party originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 1999/11/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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Lab With Leo 100th Episode Jam originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 1999/11/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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Xanga.com has provided Kane, from a Washington D.C. radio station called Hot 99.5, a back pack with a similar setup that Justin from Justin.tv has. Kane is going to broadcast his life for 30 days with a possibility to renew. What does his new wife think about it? Are we going to see this leaking to Hollywood? Maybe not tomorrow, but who wouldn’t watch Paris Hilton’s JailbirdTV

Life TV originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 1999/11/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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Today is the culmination of all the iPod rumours. Today is the day that Steve Jobs will put an end to all of the endless rumours on the internet about the big Apple press event. I’m a big believer that we will see a new line of iPods since they have been due for a new release for quite some time, but today, while chatting with Leo Laporte he mentioned that this coincides with the anniversary date of Strawberry Fields by the Beatles and that we would see Paul an Ringo on stage. I’m sticking with my own home grown rumour, Steve Jobs will step down and pass on the Apple empire, who knows, weirder things have come true.

WWSJD: What Will Steve Jobs Do originally appeared on tech.nocr.at on 1999/11/29. Reproduction of content not allowed without consent.

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