From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux


Now I have my Linux PC up and running I want to install "acidrip". Doesn't appear in the Mint archive but I managed to find and download it manually.

However, I am at a loss as to how to install it. I managed to extract some files from it, some are also tgz or tar.gz so I extracted those but I
can't see anything that looks like an install file/script - and it's a bit like those Russian dolls, I wasn't sure how long to keep going!

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to install
the program please?
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff writes:

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can
just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to install the program please?

No. The project is at version 0.14: it isn't ready for use by the
general public. Also, it has not been worked on for five years. It's dead.
--
John Hasler
john@sugarbit.com
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI USA
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 03/04/2024 in message <871q7m1jfh.fsf@sugarbit.com> John Hasler wrote:

Jeff writes:

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can
just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to >>install the program please?

No. The project is at version 0.14: it isn't ready for use by the
general public. Also, it has not been worked on for five years. It's
dead.

I can't find something to rip DVDs, even with all the libraries it's
supposed to need HandBrake just produces a corrupt file. Any suggestions welcome!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists
or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Now I have my Linux PC up and running I want to install "acidrip". Doesn't appear in the Mint archive but I managed to find and download it manually.

However, I am at a loss as to how to install it. I managed to extract some files from it, some are also tgz or tar.gz so I extracted those but I
can't see anything that looks like an install file/script - and it's a bit like those Russian dolls, I wasn't sure how long to keep going!

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to install
the program please?

Not this one, no. I don't have all the prereqs installed so I don't know if
it actually works or not, but I found comments here-and-there that suggest it doesn't, specifically on Mint.

However. I recommend against even trying to use this. As John Hasler said, it hasn't been touched in 5 years, and the most recent version is dated 20 years ago (September 2004).

VLC can rip DVDs just fine. It's probably included in your distro, or else
can be found in its package manager. Search for "vlc rip dvd linux" and read to your heart's content.
--
I'm just saying that a plan where one of the two most likely outcomes is
the death of all people everywhere is not the best plan for the people!
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff Gaines wrote:

I can't find something to rip DVDs, even with all the libraries it's >supposed to need HandBrake just produces a corrupt file.

That's most likely the copy protection you are seeing. I I was on
Windows I'd use 20+ y/o DVDShrink to remove it, but I do not know a
similar programme for Linux. Using it, of course, may be illegal
depending where you are in the world.
Edit: I found this: https://www.videolan.org/developers/libdvdcss.html
It says it can remove the encryption and can be used with Handbrake.

-jw-
--
And now for something completely different...
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff writes:

I can't find something to rip DVDs

Brasero https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Brasero

Install your distribution's package, of course.
--
John Hasler
john@sugarbit.com
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI USA
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:05:19 -0400, Jeff Gaines <jgnewsid@outlook.com> wrote:

Now I have my Linux PC up and running I want to install "acidrip". Doesn't appear in the Mint archive but I managed to find and download it manually.

However, I am at a loss as to how to install it. I managed to extract some files from it, some are also tgz or tar.gz so I extracted those but I
can't see anything that looks like an install file/script - and it's a bit like those Russian dolls, I wasn't sure how long to keep going!

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to install
the program please?

While others have explained this is an application that's dead, I'll cover
how to install from a tar.gz (or tgz) file.

tar is used to create an archive file that contains directories and files.
gzip is a compression utility.

By combining the two, a compressed archive file can be created. The concept
is the same as with zip files.

First, like when using a zip file, the contents must be extracted.

"tar -xf filename.tar.gz" will extract the contents into the current directory.

From there, applications that are only intended to be run by the user will have
an executable file in the extracted directories and/or file that can be run directly.

If it's intended to be a system level application, it will need to be copied to a location such as /usr/local. Then it will be available to all users on that installation.

There are many options available to control the tar program. See "man tar" for details.

Regards, Dave Hodgins
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 4/3/2024 1:16 PM, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 03/04/2024 in message <871q7m1jfh.fsf@sugarbit.com> John Hasler wrote:

Jeff writes:

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can
just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to
install the program please?

No.  The project is at version 0.14: it isn't ready for use by the
general public.  Also, it has not been worked on for five years.  It's dead.

I can't find something to rip DVDs, even with all the libraries it's supposed to need HandBrake just produces a corrupt file. Any suggestions welcome!

If you've been trying to access the DVD, without deCSS present,
then the disk might not be perfectly accessible

a@b:~$ sudo disktype /dev/sr0
[sudo] password for bullwinkle:

--- /dev/sr0
Block device, size 7.827 GiB (8403816448 bytes)
CD-ROM, 1 track, CDDB disk ID 023BFD01
Track 1: Data track, 2.197 GiB (2358986752 bytes)
disktype: Data read failed at position 2358472704: Input/output error <=== look in "dmesg" output for detail
UDF file system
Sector size 2048 bytes
Volume name "ANIMAL_HOUSE"
UDF version 1.02
ISO9660 file system
Volume name "ANIMAL_HOUSE"
Publisher "UNIVERSAL"
Preparer "DELUXE_DIGITAL_STUDIOS_V176_O2"
Data size 7.827 GiB (8403816448 bytes, 4103426 blocks of 2 KiB)
disktype: Data read failed at position 2358378496: Input/output error <===

If you use the "dmesg" command, you'll see some "Sense codes"
dumped at the end, where the attempts to read the encrypted DVD
are failing. Still not sure what it was trying to do.

"Sense: Read of scrambled sector without authentication

After brasero has had a shot at it, exit brasero and run the
command again, I see this. And brasero had a line of output about
"keys" and it is fiddling with keys, and that's likely why this
command is now cleaner than it was.

a@b:~$ sudo disktype /dev/sr0 # My run after the Brasero rip

--- /dev/sr0
Block device, size 7.827 GiB (8403816448 bytes)
CD-ROM, 1 track, CDDB disk ID 023BFD01
Track 1: Data track, 2.197 GiB (2358986752 bytes)
UDF file system
Sector size 2048 bytes
Volume name "ANIMAL_HOUSE"
UDF version 1.02
ISO9660 file system
Volume name "ANIMAL_HOUSE"
Publisher "UNIVERSAL"
Preparer "DELUXE_DIGITAL_STUDIOS_V176_O2"
Data size 7.827 GiB (8403816448 bytes, 4103426 blocks of 2 KiB)

*******

https://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-dvd-ripper-software.html

[They have a list of tools\

[Backends is the important part]

libdvdcss2 – foundation for reading DVDs (deCSS???)
libdvdnav4 – DVD navigation (menus)
libdvdread4 – library for reading DVDs (deCSS???)

Since I enabled "Extras" at Linux Mint install time, that could be why these are already installed on my Mint 21.3. I could skip this step.

libdvdcss2
libdvdnav4
libdvdread8

The advice at this point is to add:

"
sudo apt install libdvd-pkg # it is not installed, and it has the fetch script
sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg # Fetches deCSS source and compiles the .so file needed.
"

That should get the library off the foreign server.

Now try brasero.

sudo apt install brasero

and use the copy media function, with the destination as a "file" on the hard drive.

There will be a short delay, during the layer break. It reads from hub to outside
diameter on the first layer, and outside diameter to hub on the second layer. This
means the datarate drops down from 10MB/sec as it approaches the hub near the end
(almost like it was using CAV and not CLV).

You can mount the 8GB image after the 12 minute rip operation.

Drives which are "rip-locked" will read the DVD at 1X speed, which
is really slow. There may be a way to install optical drive firmware
to remove Rip-lock. Apparently my drive is not Rip-locked. I think
a certain brand of optical drive, they did shit like that. Drives
have Rip-lock and Region codes, as dis-incentives. With a firmware
mode, and a flashup, a drive can be made Region-Free. But for
someone with "local tastes" and nothing exotic, one Region code
may be enough.

sudo mount -t iso9660 -o loop ANIMAL_HOUSE.iso /mnt # Mounted read only, for some reason.
# [Was too lazy to make mount point...]
cd /mnt/video_ts
ls -al
...
sudo umount /mnt # clean up when done

I pointed VLC at the content, but the playback was a bit dark.

ffplay some.vob was a bit brighter.

DVDs have audio recorded at something like -15dB or so, and
you may notice that the levels aren't what you were expecting.
Mine seems to be audible, so whatever the software did, it
was loud enough this time.

When DVD navigation software is broken, the "DVD menu" plays
in a loop, and attempts to click the "PLAY" button arranged
on the screen, does not work. Playing a named VOB directly,
allows you to get on with it and play the first chapter.
On official DVDs, a meaty chapter is 1GB in size, and the last
chapter may be a fraction of 1GB. Menus are nothing but a
pain in the ass really. You think it's going to play and
it loops again. It gets worse on BluRay (apparently).

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 03/04/2024 in message <xn0ok4zhl36gstq004@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

[snipped]

Many thanks for all the help and ideas :-)

Linux Mint xfce has a 2D desktop manager (is that the right term?) so
works brilliantly with RDP from a Windows machine once xrdp is installed.
I just have to remember to log out of the physical machine before trying
to log in from the remote machine. My main computers are in the study and
I tend to run then from a laptop while sitting on the settee in the lounge.

I was able to rip an mp4 using VLC but, as suggested, I need to research
that. True the picture was nearer Postit Note size than postage stamp size
but I haven't spoken French since I sat my my O level GCE 60 years ago!
Will work on that.

Brasero (with the needed support libraries) seems to do the trick. It
produces an unprotected iso that HandBrake can use to make an mkv file. I
will experiment to see if my QNAP can stream an iso directly, I know Plex can't. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks again!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day.
Tomorrow, isn't looking good either.
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 2024-04-04 11:28, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 03/04/2024 in message <xn0ok4zhl36gstq004@news.individual.net> Jeff Gaines wrote:

[snipped]

Many thanks for all the help and ideas :-)

Linux Mint xfce has a 2D desktop manager (is that the right term?) so
works brilliantly with RDP from a Windows machine once xrdp is
installed. I just have to remember to log out of the physical machine
before trying to log in from the remote machine. My main computers are
in the study and I tend to run then from a laptop while sitting on the settee in the lounge.

I was able to rip an mp4 using VLC but, as suggested, I need to research that. True the picture was nearer Postit Note size than postage stamp
size but I haven't spoken French since I sat my my O level GCE 60 years
ago! Will work on that.

Why French? VLC displays in any language, like English.

'F' for full screen.



Instead of rdp you can run a single application remotely. In Windows,
install putty. In Linux, make sure the sshd daemon is running, and the
port open in the firewall.

Then run putty and point it to the IP of your linux machine. That will
give you a linux terminal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PuTTY

If you intend to run a graphical application, then instead of putty use "MobaXterm".

I don't know if a multimedia intensive tool like VLC will run gracefully
when used remotely like that. I would prefer to run vlc locally and
share the media directory on the server.
--
Cheers, Carlos.

--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 04/04/2024 in message <ddh2ekxtcd.ln2@Telcontar.valinor> Carlos E.R.
wrote:

On 2024-04-04 11:28, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 03/04/2024 in message <xn0ok4zhl36gstq004@news.individual.net> Jeff >>Gaines wrote:

[snipped]

Many thanks for all the help and ideas :-)

Linux Mint xfce has a 2D desktop manager (is that the right term?) so >>works brilliantly with RDP from a Windows machine once xrdp is installed. >>I just have to remember to log out of the physical machine before trying >>to log in from the remote machine. My main computers are in the study and >>I tend to run then from a laptop while sitting on the settee in the >>lounge.

I was able to rip an mp4 using VLC but, as suggested, I need to research >>that. True the picture was nearer Postit Note size than postage stamp >>size but I haven't spoken French since I sat my my O level GCE 60 years >>ago! Will work on that.

Why French? VLC displays in any language, like English.

'F' for full screen.

I was playing the mp4 via my Roku box and apparently had managed to record
it in French!

Instead of rdp you can run a single application remotely. In Windows, >install putty. In Linux, make sure the sshd daemon is running, and the
port open in the firewall.

Then run putty and point it to the IP of your linux machine. That will
give you a linux terminal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PuTTY

If you intend to run a graphical application, then instead of putty use >"MobaXterm".

I don't know if a multimedia intensive tool like VLC will run gracefully >when used remotely like that. I would prefer to run vlc locally and share >the media directory on the server.

I am toying with the idea of a home media server as it would be more
flexible than my NAS, e.g. VCL can mount an iso of a DVD and play it.
Question is how would I control it? RDP is no good as it puts the picture
on the controlling PC (although it does remote sound). Is there such a
thing as a remote control for a computer (as in the days of Windows Media
PC) or is it just wireless mouse and keyboard?
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
It may be that your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others. --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 04/04/2024 13:49, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 04/04/2024 in message <ddh2ekxtcd.ln2@Telcontar.valinor> Carlos E.R. wrote:

I don't know if a multimedia intensive tool like VLC will run
gracefully when used remotely like that. I would prefer to run vlc
locally and share the media directory on the server.

+1

I am toying with the idea of a home media server as it would be more flexible than my NAS, e.g. VCL can mount an iso of a DVD and play it. Question is how would I control it? RDP is no good as it puts the
picture on the controlling PC (although it does remote sound). Is there
such a thing as a remote control for a computer (as in the days of
Windows Media PC) or is it just wireless mouse and keyboard?

My principle NASs are QNAP 251+s ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QNAP-TS-251-8G-Network-attached-multimedia/dp/B015CDDQS2/ref=sr_1_1

... expensive but very good, and they come with an HDMI outlet and a
remote control, although I've never tried to use either. However,
although the above presumably means that you could use one directly as a
media centre in its own right instead of - as Carlos has suggested
would be better and I agree - sharing the media from one to be played
by other devices over the network, you'd need to consider very carefully
what drives to use and what surface to place it upon. I have, WD in one
and Seagate in the other, desktop drives in mine, and they are quite
noisy, particularly the Seagates. Further, many surfaces such as
shelves act as sounding boards amplifying the sound. Probably this is
not a problem where a NAS is tucked away in a cupboard under the stairs
or wherever, but probably it would be if you used it as a media centre
next to the TV, though then you might be able to improve things by, for example, placing a jiffy bag or other form of padding beneath it, being careful not to obstruct any air vents. However, depending on the model
of NAS, probably there would still a fan, which might be perfectly quiet
to begin with, but after a year or so become quite noisy. Hence I agree
with Carlos that it's better to have the NAS tucked away somewhere where
noise is not so important, and have other devices play content from it
over the network.
--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website: www.macfh.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Is there such a
thing as a remote control for a computer (as in the days of Windows Media >PC) or is it just wireless mouse and keyboard?

I use a Raspberry Pi with Libreelec for media playback from my NAS, you
can actually use any Windows Media IR remote control with it, works
straight out of the box. Remotes can be bought used on eBay.

-jw-
--
And now for something completely different...
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 04/04/2024 in message <uum9a3$ls1e$1@dont-email.me> Java Jive wrote:

On 04/04/2024 13:49, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 04/04/2024 in message <ddh2ekxtcd.ln2@Telcontar.valinor> Carlos E.R. >>wrote:

I don't know if a multimedia intensive tool like VLC will run gracefully >>>when used remotely like that. I would prefer to run vlc locally and share >>>the media directory on the server.

+1

I am toying with the idea of a home media server as it would be more >>flexible than my NAS, e.g. VCL can mount an iso of a DVD and play it. >>Question is how would I control it? RDP is no good as it puts the picture >>on the controlling PC (although it does remote sound). Is there such a >>thing as a remote control for a computer (as in the days of Windows Media >>PC) or is it just wireless mouse and keyboard?

My principle NASs are QNAP 251+s ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QNAP-TS-251-8G-Network-attached-multimedia/dp/B015CDDQS2/ref=sr_1_1

... expensive but very good, and they come with an HDMI outlet and a
remote control, although I've never tried to use either. However,
although the above presumably means that you could use one directly as a >media centre in its own right instead of - as Carlos has suggested would >be better and I agree - sharing the media from one to be played by other >devices over the network, you'd need to consider very carefully what
drives to use and what surface to place it upon. I have, WD in one and >Seagate in the other, desktop drives in mine, and they are quite noisy, >particularly the Seagates. Further, many surfaces such as shelves act as >sounding boards amplifying the sound. Probably this is not a problem
where a NAS is tucked away in a cupboard under the stairs or wherever, but >probably it would be if you used it as a media centre next to the TV,
though then you might be able to improve things by, for example, placing a >jiffy bag or other form of padding beneath it, being careful not to
obstruct any air vents. However, depending on the model of NAS, probably >there would still a fan, which might be perfectly quiet to begin with, but >after a year or so become quite noisy. Hence I agree with Carlos that
it's better to have the NAS tucked away somewhere where noise is not so >important, and have other devices play content from it over the network.

I have the QNAP TS451 (tucked away in the study) which streams to a Roku
box and it is very good. I was hoping to come up with a solution that
could mount and play an iso image, lots of apps play them on a Windows or Linux machine but the Roku won't stream them (perhaps DRM?). I might risk
a tenner on a PC remote control - the box would need to connect to the TV
via HDMI so I could play an iso on VLC and watch it on TV.
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
The first five days after the weekend are the hardest.
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 04/04/2024 14.49, Jeff Gaines wrote:

I am toying with the idea of a home media server as it would be more flexible than my NAS, e.g. VCL can mount an iso of a DVD and play it.

I used to use Kodi for a long time, sure my media player computer was
hocked directly to my TV, it do support to play from DVD image files.
For controlling you can either use keyboard or at least for android
there is a "remote control app" that you can use. You can turn on the
UPnP server too that is built in and you can stream things on devices
that supports this protocol.

Of course you can still share files over NFS/samba.

Other option could be a dlna server as minidlna...

for myself I run a plex server on my NAS and then have ShieldTV
connected to each TV, some of plex features you have to pay for and it
don't play DVD image files (as far as I'm aware of).

Is there
such a thing as a remote control for a computer (as in the days of
Windows Media PC) or is it just wireless mouse and keyboard?

If you want a new one, you can look what is for offer for Raspberry Pi,
those should in most cases work as long as they have a USB dongle for
the IR or Radio.

example: https://thepihut.com/collections/raspberry-pi-remote-controls

although it does remote sound

You should be able to use pulseaudio-dlna.

There is also the option of using mkchromecast to cast your audio to a
sonos speaker, but be prepared for some latency.

Maybe UPnP maybe better option than the listed ones here...
--
//Aho
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff writes:

Is there such a thing as a remote control for a computer

The X Window System will work seamlessly over a LAN via ssh. You could
also just log in via ssh if a text UI will do.
--
John Hasler
john@sugarbit.com
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI USA
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:08:52 -0500, John Hasler wrote:

Jeff writes:

Is there such a thing as a remote control for a computer

The X Window System will work seamlessly over a LAN via ssh.

The X Window system will work seamlessly (but without encryption)
over a LAN, so long as you
a) enable the X server network support (disable the "-nolisten tcp" option), and
b) use the proper X authentication service ( xauth(1) or xhost(1) )

You could
also just log in via ssh if a text UI will do.

--
Lew Pitcher
"In Skills We Trust"
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 4/4/2024 10:08 AM, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 04/04/2024 in message <uum9a3$ls1e$1@dont-email.me> Java Jive wrote:

On 04/04/2024 13:49, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 04/04/2024 in message <ddh2ekxtcd.ln2@Telcontar.valinor> Carlos E.R.  wrote:

I don't know if a multimedia intensive tool like VLC will run  gracefully when used remotely like that. I would prefer to run vlc  locally and share the media directory on the server.

+1

I am toying with the idea of a home media server as it would be more  flexible than my NAS, e.g. VCL can mount an iso of a DVD and play it.  Question is how would I control it? RDP is no good as it puts the  picture on the controlling PC (although it does remote sound). Is there  such a thing as a remote control for a computer (as in the days of  Windows Media PC) or is it just wireless mouse and keyboard?

My principle NASs are QNAP 251+s ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QNAP-TS-251-8G-Network-attached-multimedia/dp/B015CDDQS2/ref=sr_1_1

... expensive but very good, and they come with an HDMI outlet and a remote control, although I've never tried to use either.  However, although the above presumably means that you could use one directly as a media centre in its own right instead of  -  as Carlos has suggested would be better and I agree  -  sharing the media from one to be played by other devices over the network, you'd need to consider very carefully what drives to use and what surface to place it upon.  I have, WD in one and Seagate in the other, desktop drives in mine, and they are quite noisy, particularly the Seagates.  Further, many surfaces such as shelves act as sounding boards amplifying the sound.  Probably this is not a problem where a NAS is tucked away in a cupboard under the stairs or wherever, but probably it would be if you used it as a media centre next to the TV, though then you might be able to improve things by, for example, placing a jiffy bag or other form of padding beneath it, being
careful not to obstruct any air vents.  However, depending on the model of NAS, probably there would still a fan, which might be perfectly quiet to begin with, but after a year or so become quite noisy.  Hence I agree with Carlos that it's better to have the NAS tucked away somewhere where noise is not so important, and have other devices play content from it over the network.

I have the QNAP TS451 (tucked away in the study) which streams to a Roku box and it is very good. I was hoping to come up with a solution that could mount and play an iso image, lots of apps play them on a Windows or Linux machine but the Roku won't stream them (perhaps DRM?). I might risk a tenner on a PC remote control - the box would need to connect to the TV via HDMI so I could play an iso on VLC and watch it on TV.

The TV remotes they make, may work with an IR Blaster.

Hauppauge makes their own version, for their TV tuner cards, for changing channels.

https://www.hauppauge.com/pages/webstore2/webstore_remote-mckit-hvr2250.html

The IR Blaster is a photodiode that listens for IR transmissions
with a certain basic pattern. The IR Blaster has a USB cable, and
presumably registers as some kind of simple data device. Then,
you need software on the PC where the Blaster is plugged in, to
get the codes from the TV Remote thing.

the IR Blaster has to be mounted, such that it sees the light.
Sometimes there is enough light from the TV remote, the Blaster
can pick up a signal as it bounces off a shiny wall. But otherwise
the Blaster should be pointed at your TV couch.

The TV remote might work at 850nm or 950nm, that sort of thing.
The Blaster might see all the way out to (far infrared) 1500nm.
The camera in a cellphone, could also see the light from the
TV remote "nozzle" if you need to confirm the TV remote
battery is good. When you hold down the button on a TV remote,
as far as I know, the remote sends beep...beep...beep and
sends the command again and again. A quick press of the remote
sends one packet. But it's also possible more than one instance
of the command can be sent. Presumably the destination device
does not "look" for the next packet, until the previous
command has completed execution.

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 04/04/2024 15:08, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 04/04/2024 in message <uum9a3$ls1e$1@dont-email.me> Java Jive wrote:

My principle NASs are QNAP 251+s ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QNAP-TS-251-8G-Network-attached-multimedia/dp/B015CDDQS2/ref=sr_1_1

[snip stuff about noise of above]

I have the QNAP TS451 (tucked away in the study) which streams to a Roku
box and it is very good. I was hoping to come up with a solution that
could mount and play an iso image, lots of apps play them on a Windows
or Linux machine but the Roku won't stream them (perhaps DRM?). I might
risk a tenner on a PC remote control - the box would need to connect to
the TV via HDMI so I could play an iso on VLC and watch it on TV.

I would say that the answer is not to rip to *.iso images, but if
possible individual files. All my DVDs are backed up onto my NASs as
files in this manner, so I never have to play one directly now. I can't comment on exactly what is possible in Linux, because I used DVD-Shrink
under Windows, but the below is what you should aim for:

(Folder named after the DVD)
AUDIO_TS
(usually empty)
VIDEO_TS
VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_0.VOB
VTS_01_1.VOB
(etc, where IIRC the *.BUP files are backups of the *.IFO files)

You should be able to play these directly using something like VLC,
probably just by clicking or double-clicking the first *.IFO file,
and/or you should be able to convert them into a single *.mp4 using
something like Handbrake.
--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website: www.macfh.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 05/04/2024 in message <uuopn6$1c3jv$1@dont-email.me> Java Jive wrote:

On 04/04/2024 15:08, Jeff Gaines wrote:

On 04/04/2024 in message <uum9a3$ls1e$1@dont-email.me> Java Jive wrote:

My principle NASs are QNAP 251+s ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QNAP-TS-251-8G-Network-attached-multimedia/dp/B015CDDQS2/ref=sr_1_1

[snip stuff about noise of above]

I have the QNAP TS451 (tucked away in the study) which streams to a Roku >>box and it is very good. I was hoping to come up with a solution that >>could mount and play an iso image, lots of apps play them on a Windows or >>Linux machine but the Roku won't stream them (perhaps DRM?). I might risk >>a tenner on a PC remote control - the box would need to connect to the TV >>via HDMI so I could play an iso on VLC and watch it on TV.

I would say that the answer is not to rip to *.iso images, but if possible >individual files. All my DVDs are backed up onto my NASs as files in this >manner, so I never have to play one directly now. I can't comment on >exactly what is possible in Linux, because I used DVD-Shrink under
Windows, but the below is what you should aim for:

(Folder named after the DVD)
AUDIO_TS
(usually empty)
VIDEO_TS
VIDEO_TS.BUP
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_0.VOB
VTS_01_1.VOB
(etc, where IIRC the *.BUP files are backups of the *.IFO files)

You should be able to play these directly using something like VLC,
probably just by clicking or double-clicking the first *.IFO file, and/or >you should be able to convert them into a single *.mp4 using something
like Handbrake.

Many thanks!

I now have a Win10 box, a Linux box and the QNAP TS451 streaming
everything they can lay their hands on, it has been an interesting
exercise even if I can't remember the objective.

What I have found is that VLC will play a streamed DVD iso file from
pretty well any source. Using the Plex server is a bit iffy but Kodi, Jellyfin, Universal Media Server and the TS451 deliver it and VLC plays it.

I now think the issue is not with the streaming but that the player on the Roku box will not play a DVD iso, even though it plays everything else.
Same with Kodi player and Plex player on the Roku box, just won't play an
iso. I have looked for other players but there is a limit to what is
available and VLC isn't sadly.

I am now in so deep I am seriously considering whether to put Windows XP
Media Center Edition on a spare box, I still have my unused MSDN version.
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
By the time you can make ends meet they move the ends
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 2024-04-04 17:08, John Hasler wrote:

Jeff writes:

Is there such a thing as a remote control for a computer

The X Window System will work seamlessly over a LAN via ssh. You could
also just log in via ssh if a text UI will do.

MobaXterm gives you both, text and graphic, for a single app. I don't
have a Windows machine right now to try, but it can probably start vlc.

It is similar to using "ssh -X user@machine" on linux.
--
Cheers, Carlos.

--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can
just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs to install the program please?

Personally, I avoid 'this kind of stuff', but I like to learn about it;
then I still avoid it.

From my perspective, when I started looking for a .ppa for acidrip,
what I discovered was 'ancient' for old Ubs. When I looked at the
actual 'current' acidrip, what I found was a 2004 (!?) tar.gz which is a
perl package.

That's when my personal interest fell way off; that is, if I were
looking for something to rip w/ I would choose something more modern and
more 'practical'.

But, in the interest of the 'project' I started looking for how to
install a tar.gz perl package and found some old recipes. The recipe is
12 y/o; the package is 20 y/o. That might match.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7541019/manual-installation-of-a-perl-module
Manual installation of a Perl Module

Then I went looking for alternatives to acidrip:

https://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-dvd-ripper-software.html
Top 5 Linux DVD RIP Software

I decided that I would read that first before I decided to deal w/
acidrip. Most of the people I read using acidrip also used handbrake.
--
Mike Easter
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux

On 4/3/2024 11:05 AM, Jeff Gaines wrote:

Is there an easy to use program with a graphical interface that I can
just point to the top level tar.gz file and it will do all it needs
to install the program please?

A .tgz can have an INSTALL and a README or README.md file in it.
These are text files, with instructions. They can range from
terse and unhelpful, to moderately helpful instructions.

A certain level of knowledge is assumed.

On a CMAKE, for example, the instructions will tell
you to "cd to build, before issuing our magic command".
And the build folder is where the staging will happen.
It "builds into" the build folder. Maybe no one tells you
that you need to install cmake first, to do a cmake build.
That would be a missing detail.

For a:

./configure
make
sudo make install

type of build from source, the INSTALL file will
list those three commands for you. Some early packages
would tell you of the dependencies and build options
to expect (just a few lines of highlights like that
is really helpful). Whereas modern files only list the three
commands, and leave every other detail... to your imagination.

Occasionally, a distro did not install "make" and/or "build-essential",
which is a criminal act. (That's because some of your software
updates need a certain amount of materials for their installation
procedures. They really should not be missing, or bad things happen.)

A .tgz is like Christmas. Open and enjoy.

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114