Something I’ve Found Helpful Is …

Well, several somethings, actually …

Particularly in view of the recent series of “Torchwood: Children Of Earth.”

Hmm …

Now there’s a thing …

I do know — and believe you me, I’ve been having a nose around — I’ve not seen anything that indicates whether they’ll be a fourth series.

Something I’d dearly love to see, even given the seemingly final nature of “Children of Earth”. I’m a fan, after all, and found it to be the best series, to date. But I also believe there’s a few loose end’s there, that could well be exploited.

After all, this is a series spin off from “Doctor Who”; a complete change in cast, every-so-often, shouldn’t be that hard to imagine. Or do.

After all, we saw Susie Costello killed in the very first episode, Tosh and Owen in the second season, and Ianto on Day Four.

We also see Captain Jack kill his own grandson, on Day Five.

That caused some controversy. After all, we expect our heroes to behave heroically. That definitely caused Jack’s stock to drop, even though we see he suffers greatly with the guilt of his actions.

We know the why of his actions.

And can sympathise.

But …

Well …

Oy … !

•••••

At any rate I thought I should give a few software pointers, in case it’s helpful.

I’ll happily admit to having recorded “Torchwood: Children of Earth” on a DVD recorder with a built in freebox and hard-drive recorder. That allow you to transfer from the hard drive to a blank DVD.

And hence to the Mac Mini, as a back-up; something I’m told is a legal grey area, so I’m not necessarily recommending it, unless, like me, you’re intending to replace these with the BBC’s own DVD release of the series.

(And, yes, Tony, if you’re reading this, the one with the remote control; something they’ve come with since the Performa range. My Performa is thirteen years old …)

Whoah, but I’m losing the thread, here, aren’t I?

What I meant to do is recommend to you — if needed — are some cross-platform, open source apps that I’ve relied on for some time, now.

First off is the newly updated vlc; the vlc Media player has been around for some time, now, and is quite capable of handling almost any kind of video or audio file you throw at it. But in addition to that, vlc also has an exporting wizard that can handily re-encode a given file, into any other format it can read.

Mpeg Streamclip, by Squared 5, has similar functions but in addition, also double’s up as a very basic video editor. Handy for slicing out adverts, if nothing else … (Let’s just forget I said that, shall I? Ah-hem … !)

And. last but not least, is everybody’s favourite DVD ripper, HandBrake. Which literally does what it says on the tin, copies a DVD from the optical media it’s on, and into whatever media file format happens to get you through the night.

I do know an old friend, Dan, has also recommended Mac The Ripper; something I’ve tried, but personally found a touch fiddly, but I’d urge to experiment with it, to see how you feel about it.

Anyway, that’s where I’ll leave it, I think. I hope those help!!