Converting a Windows Media Center (WMC) Recording (.wtv, .dvr-ms) For My iPhone (.mp4, .m4v)

I recorded my first TV show on my computer with Windows Media Center (WMC) on Windows 7. I have to say it’s pretty cool having DVR functionality back again after dropping DISH and going with ‘Over the Air’ HD TV. But then I wanted to put it on my iPhone, but how…

The easiest (free) way I’ve found so far is to navigate to the folder where WMC stores the file (C:\Users\Public\Public Recorded TV). Right-click on the file and on the chose the option to ‘convert to DVRMS’ (found this by accident). It’s a really fast conversion. Then I used HandBrake (currently version 9.5) with the iPhone preset to get it into my desired format. Then import that file into iTunes. Easy-peasy. The biggest plus is the file size went from 5.86GB (1hr HD) an episode to 1.03GB (iPh 3GS 480x272). I’ll be looking for an easy way to edit out the commercials. I’ll be testing out Live Movie Maker, but I bet someone has already found an easier more automated way.

Update: So, Microsoft's free Live Movie maker had no trouble importing the 5.86GB DVRMS file. You'll want to have knitting or some other form of mind numbing activity to do while you wait for the long preparing video phase. However when it was ready you can easily use the split video as you scroll through the video in the right pane by dragging the time bar around. I like getting the commercial segment to take up about two or three rows using the zoom in zoom out buttons. Then, after it is all split at the start and finish of each commercial segment, its a simple matter to delete them out. This cut out approximately 15 minutes. I saved the video with the 'Save Video - For Computer' setting (640x480) and it spit out a .wmv (1.44GB). I need to mess around and figure out the output dimensions which were obviously looking a bit more square. This time however I used a lower data rate (about 700kbps from the last time encode of 2150kbps) on handbrake to get the file size down to 232MB. The resulting video was visibly different from the first larger output and the colors look a bit more washed out, all the extra converting probably didn't help, but it was still plenty good enough to watch on my iPhone on the go. I think next time I'll go with the target output size in the video quality setting in Handbrake instead and shoot for around 350MB.

e-Absolution - Paying For Your Traffic Sins Online

I recently received a traffic violation for failure to stop at a stop sign. I’m pretty sure I stopped, so I don’t think I was guilty, but like everyone else I didn’t want to be bothered fighting it. So I proceeded to go online to look up the fine. I was blown away to find out it was 90 bucks! I saw that I also had the option of going to “traffic school” to keep it off my record. This is nothing new. I think it was like 85 bucks in addition to the 90 dollar fine. But what shocked me was they now are offering an online version for a mere 100 bucks you can wipe away your traffic transgression from the comfort and convenience of your own home. $190 bucks, for a stop sign violation! And they don’t even have to provide an instructor for this money making machine. This was an injustice and I opted to have my day in court more to make a statement that they were going to have to work to steal 90 bucks out of my pocket. I ended up getting it reduced to $50 by taking a deal and pleading no contest. To conclude, I believe the system is broken for the following reasons. One, the poor police shouldn’t have a ticket quota which encourages ticky-tacky tickets. Two, it shouldn’t pay for their salaries this also encourages ticky-tacky tickets. Three fines should be proportional to the offence. I don’t think I damaged society $190 bucks for my alleged rolling stop. Four, I think that I should be “innocent until proven guilty” just like a normal criminal case. I would’ve like to see some evidence beyond the cop saying I did wrong when the result goes to pay his salary and meet a quota. Five, “traffic school” is a joke, and they should call it was it really is… Extortion. Just another way to get money by threatening put the ticket on our record which would increase our insurance premiums unless we pay up.