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Latest guides 

Topic

Does your phone rattle? Here's why it happens

When you shake your phone and hear a light rattle, clatter, or jingle, it's likely not broken. The culprit is probably the optical image stabilization (OIS) system in your phone's camera, meaning everything is functioning as it should.

Guide: Is Your Wi-Fi Sluggish or Slow? Here's How to Fix

Do you have problems with you Wi-Fi? Slow connection or is it cutting off constantly? This guide aims to remedy these problems.

What IP rating for dust and water resistance means

An IP classification (such as IP68) is given to mobile phones, Bluetooth speakers, and other devices, but what do these classifications mean?

GUIDE: Wi-Fi speeds are slow? Here are some tips

Having problems with Wi-Fi speed and stability at home? Here are some tips to follow to alleviate the issues.

Guide: Phone battery drains quickly - how to fix (iPhone / Android)

In this guide, we go through the most typical reasons for rapid battery drain with phones, and look at potential reasons or solutions.

What happens if you don't update Android?

Sometimes it can be tempting to avoid updating to a new Android version. What happens if you decide to delay major updates to the OS?

Windows 11: Check if TPM is enabled on your computer

In this short guide we will look at how you can check the status of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on your PC ahead of the coming launch of Windows 11.

HOWTO: Install Netflix App on rooted Android device

'This app is no longer compatible with your device. Contact the developers for more info.' If you are getting this message from Google Play when trying to install Netflix, then maybe this little guide can help you.

HOWTO: Boot Android device into Safe Mode

Are you having trouble with your Android device? If you find that your device has become sluggish, is freezing, takes too long to boot or any of a host of other performance concerns, you may want to boot into Safe Mode.

Guide: Create timelapse video with Android phone, using free open source app

Our guide details how to create a long - even a day-long - timelapse video with Android phone, using easy and free open source app.

Fix the error: "AMD: The system has detected a link failure"

Guide on how to fix the AMD error message System has detected a link failure and cannot set the requested resolution.

Fix it: Website wont load with first try on Android's Chrome?

Here's how to fix a problem with Android's Chrome browser when it wont load the page you entered - or doesn't bring up Google search results.

Here's how you can find downloaded files on Android

Android offers a wide range of features that many of the competing platforms, including most importantly of course Apple's iOS, do not have. ...

Google knows where you are at almost any given moment, here's how to block it

Google has over a billion users around the world every month, and their reach is increasing with every Android phone sold, every search made, ...

Here's how to transfer all the important data from an old Android phone to a new one

Switching to a new phone? Our guide details on how to transfer all your files and data from old Android to a new one.

Here's how to read WhatsApp messages without the sender knowing

The world's leading messaging platform, WhatsApp, became known for its simple to use interface and secure encrypted message transfer. Nowadays, ...

How do I know if I've been blocked on WhatsApp

Got the suspicion that you have been blocked by someone on WhatsApp? Here's how to find out whether that is true or not.

How to take a screenshot with iOS and Android

Screenshots are a versatile tool that have been a significant part of every operating system at least ever since the Print Screen (PrtScr) button ...

How to transfer all the important data from an old Android to a new one

The world is filled with Android devices. While Apple might be king of high-end smartphones, Google's operating system has conquered the world in numbers. ...

WhatsApp updated with Face ID, here's how to enable it

The world's leading messaging app, WhatsApp, has released an update to its iPhone version. The Facebook-owned messaging platform supports now ...

Guide: Here's how to block people on WhatsApp

People are moving away from SMS to internet based messaging systems on their phones. Whether it is iMessage, Skype, or the world's most popular ...

How to take screenshots in Windows 10

Short instructions on how to take screenshots with Windows 10.

iPhone Storage Almost Full? Here's how to free up some space

If you happen to own a 16 GB, or even a 32 GB, version of any iPhone or iPad, you are probably familiar with the Storage Almost Full notification. ...

These keyboard shortcuts every Windows 10 user should know

Using Windows is actually much faster if you know some of the shortcut key combinations - you should try to learn at least these ones.

How to change your ringtones on Android

One of the first things you could customize on a mobile phone was ringtones. Now that customizability includes wallpapers, apps, and widgets, ...

Here's how to record phone calls on Android and iPhone

In both your professinal as well as personal life you might come up with situations where recording a phone call is worth a fortune. Perhaps ...

Here's how to block calls on both Android and iPhone

If you are targeted by a WhatsApp spammer or get numerous calls and/or texts from specific numbers, you might want to block the number. Fortunately ...

YouTube's Dark Theme is on Android - How to Enable

The latest official YouTube app for Android has gotten a new Dark Theme and you can easily switch to it.

Guide: How to take a screenshot with OnePlus 6

Instructions on how to take a screenshot with OnePlus 6 phone.

Guide: Force apps to landscape mode in Android

When watching videos with your phone, the automatic screen rotation option isn't good enough - you want to force the app to landscape mode. And luckily there's a solution for that - a way to force apps to landscape mode in Android.

How to change Android default keyboard app

Guide on how to install a new keyboard app to Android phone and set that new keyboard as the default keyboard for Android.

Microsoft Windows 10 is using your bandwidth to help strangers update their systems - here's how to turn it off

Over the past few weeks we have been going over Windows 10's dark side, which includes some hidden features like a keylogger and Wi-Fi detail sharing with your Facebook buddies.

Reviewing Bitcasa, the infinite cloud storage solution

What is Bitcasa? Bitcasa is a start-up begun by former execs at Mastercard, VeriSign and Mozy and is the latest entrant to the cloud storage market. ...

Quick Guide: How to check if your smartphone is infected with Carrier IQ (requires root)

Quick Guide: How to check if your smartphone is infected with Carrier IQ For the past few weeks, there has been much ado about Carrier IQ, ...

Guide spotlight: Converting DVD subtitles for Blu-ray authoring

In this week's guide spotlight, we will look at the process for converting subtitles ripped from a DVD in SUB/IDX format to the BDN XML format ...

Guide to managing your e-books with Calibre

According to new figures from Pew Internet Research, e-reader ownership is moving at a blistering pace. E-reader ownership among U.S. adults ...

Quick Guide: Adding AfterDawn feed to Pulse app on Android (or iOS)

In this very quick guide we will teach our users how to keep updated with the latest AfterDawn news via the excellent (and FREE) Pulse news ...

Guide: How to use Amazon’s Cloud Drive on your desktop as a folder

Late last month, Amazon launched their much anticipated Cloud Drive, offering anyone with an Amazon account 5GB of free cloud storage. As ...

Guide: How to install PlayStation 3 custom firmware, run homebrew

Guide: How to install PlayStation 3 custom firmware 3.55, run homebrew In this guide we will teach you how to install custom firmware (v3.55) ...

Playback guides 

Topic

How to play MKV files

Instructions for playing back MKV files.

AC3Filter Installation and Configuration

AC3Filter is a free Surround Sound processor for Windows which includes the ability to not only decode digital surround formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS, but also perform realtime processing to adjust the output level (volume)...

How to play TS files

This article talks about playing .TS files

How to play WebM files

This area shows you how to play WebM content in a variety of ways, and how to perform other tasks such as finding WebM videos online and ripping them from YouTube.com

Quick Guide: Adding AfterDawn feed to Pulse app on Android (and iOS)

In this very quick guide we will teach our users how to keep updated with the latest AfterDawn news via the excellent (and FREE) Pulse news reader app for Android (and iOS)

How to repair corrupt MKV files

If you have gotten an MKV file that gives problems playing back, such as sync or video related issues, then this short article might be able to help you to deal with the problems.

How to fix AVI sync problems

This guide shows how to fix AVI sync problems (audio doesn't match with video). It works for constantly sync problems, or sync problems that gradually get worse throughout a video.

How to play MKV content on PlayStation 3 (PS3) (M2TS)

This article shows how to play H264 video and AC3 audio from an MKV file on a PlayStation 3 (PS3) console

How to play AVI

Instructions for playing back AVI files.

How to play FLV files

Instructions for playing back FLV files.

How to play MP4 files

Instructions for playing back MP4 files.

RAR playback and extraction guide

This extraction and playback guide will help you to learn how to extract files from .rar archives and playback what you have extracted.

Stream multimedia to Xbox 360 with TVersity

This article will show you how to stream video (DivX, XviD etc.) to an Xbox 360 console without having to manually encode first. You do NOT need a Windows Media Center PC for this guide.

How to play .TS content on Xbox 360

This article explains how to play streams from .TS files on the Xbox 360. While Xbox 360 doesn't support it directly, it can be achieved without video re-encoding.

How to play MKV files on the PlayStation 3 (MP4)

Currently the PlayStation 3 does not have native playback support for HD files such as MKV (Matroska) and therefore in this guide we will teach you how to store that MKV file in a supported container such as MP4 or AVI.

How to play MKV content on Xbox 360

This article explains how to play content stored in the MKV container on the Xbox 360 by remuxing to the AVI or MP4 container. No video re-encoding.

Convert MKV to MP4 for Xbox 360 (Easiest Method)

This article covers the easiest (so far) method of converting MKV files to MP4 for the Xbox 360 console, with no video re-encoding in most cases.

Convert MKV to MP4 for PS3 (Easiest Method)

This article shows how to easily convert an MKV file to an MP4 file (or VOB) usually without needing to re-encode video, to playback on the PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Introduction to Haali Media Splitter

An tutorial on using Haali Media Splitter to add support for MP4 and MKV files to the Windows DirectShow framework.

How to play H.264 / AVC files

This guide shows how to play H.264/AVC video content on a Windows-based PC.

How to play XviD files

This article shows how to play XviD video content on a Windows computer.

How to play DTS-WAV files

In this guide we will teach you how to playback DTS-WAV files that could have come from DTS CDs or enhanced audio CDs. Many softwares have issues playing these files back, but luckily there are a few that make it very easy.

Stream multimedia to Nintendo Wii with TVersity

This article shows how to use the Nintendo Wii browser with TVersity to stream videos (DivX, XviD, AVI, MKV etc.) across a wireless network.

How to play ISO or IMG files

In this guide we will teach you how to play back those full videos you have saved as ISO or image files on your computer using all freeware methods.

How to play x264 files

x264 is an open source, free, h.264 / AVC video encoder. It is one of the most advanced publicly available tools for encoding h.264 video. Learn how to play files encoded with this encoder.

How to play WMA files

In this guide we will go through the options to play WMA audio files. WMA is one of the most popular audio codecs, only behind MP3 and possibly now AAC.

How to play SHN files

This article shows how to play SHN lossless audio files.

How To: Enabling HD DVD playback in PowerDVD 8

This easy guide will teach you how to enable HD DVD playback on the retail version of PowerDVD 8 Ultra

How to play MPC files

This guide shows how to play MPC files on your computer

How to play AC3 files

This article shows how to play AC3 audio in a variety of players, including how to setup DirectShow filters for wider support

How to play .M2TS files

This article shows methods to play .M2TS files on your computer using several software options.

How to play .divx files

This article shows how to play back .divx files on your computer using several players. It also covers DivX Ultra features.

How to play OGG files

This article shows how to play OGG multimedia files.

How to play AAC files

This article shows you how to play AAC files in a variety of players.

How to play ASF / WMV files

This guide talks about playing back ASF and WMV files

How to play 3GP files

This is a guide explaining how to play 3GP files

How to Play MPG and MPEG files

Instructions for playing back MPG and MPEG files.

How to play OGM files

Instructions for playing back OGM files.

How to play FLAC files

This article shows how to play FLAC audio files.

How to play APE files

This article shows how to play APE (Monkey's Audio) on your computer, covering several players and tools.

How to play RAR files

This article shows how to use RAR files, including playing multimedia content directly from a RAR file, extracting content and covers the main files you will encounter

ffdshow Installation and Configuration

If you don't want to keep installing "just one more" codec, or worse yet an assortment of codec packs, you should consider using ffdshow instead.

Convert MKV to AVCHD for PS3 and Blu-ray

This is a guide to converting an MKV file, without re-encoding video or audio, to AVCHD for playback on a PlayStation 3 (PS3) console or Blu-ray Disc player.

Running SageTV on Windows XP Media Center Edition

A step by step guide for installing SageTV on Windows XP, with a particular focus on computers running Windows XP MCE or using the MCE remote.

SageTV Reviewied - Replacing Windows Media Center

A review of SageTV based on my experience using it as a replacement for Windows Media Center. SageTV turns your computer into a DVR and media center (HTPC) capable of rivaling any other software or hardware (set-top box).

How to play .TS content on PlayStation 3 (PS3) (M2TS)

This article shows how to play H264 video and AC3 audio from a TS file on a PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Installing Windows Media Player 11 on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004

If you have a computer running Windows XP Media Center Edition (including earlier versions upgraded through Service Pack 2) and you're a Netflix customer, you may have found that you can't use their Watch Instantly streaming video service...

Xbox 360's video playback capabilities tested - DivX, XviD, subtitles and more

This article covers video files that work or don't work directly with the Xbox 360 games console

Find what video and audio codecs you need by using GSpot

GSpot is a very useful software for finding out why your video files (e.g. AVI files) won't play. This guide explains how to use GSpot to help you solving your playback problems.

How to play OGM content on Xbox 360

This article shows how to mux streams from the OGM container into the AVI container, enabling playback with the Xbox 360 console, which doesn't support OGM.

How to play .ratDVD files

How to play ratDVD files

How to play RMVB (RealMedia Variable Bitrate) files

How to playback RMVB (RealMedia Variable Bitrate) files using free alternatives (VLC, Real Alternative and codec packs)

How to play BIN & CUE files

Guide on how to play back BIN and CUE files (VCD and SVCD images) and also how to extract MPEG files from them

How to play VOB / IFO / BUP files

How to play VOB / IFO / BUP files from a DVD-Video

What codecs to use? The AVIcodec guide

AVIcodec is another software for finding out why your video files (e.g. AVI files) won't play. This guide explains how to use AVIcodec to help you solving your playback problems

How to play MOV files

Instructions for playing back MOV files.

DVDR authoring and burning 

Topic

Create a photo slideshow on DVD with VSO PhotoDVD

The PhotoDVD interface is very easy to understand. The first screen you will see has only a few items on it. Firstly we have room for our list of Photos. If you right click in this space you have several options including Add files, Add folders and Remove

How to burn a DVD Folder with ImgBurn

This guide shows how to burn a DVD folder, or any folder or files, to a blank DVD disc using the free ImgBurn software.

Edit and Delete DVD Menu buttons with PGCEdit

This guide uses PGCEdit to Delete and/or copy and paste commands of DVD Menu buttons on pre-authored DVD video.

How to remove copyright ads, logos, warnings etc. from DVDs

This guide shows you how to remove anti-piracy commercials, copyright warnings, studio logos, unwanted audio, unwanted subtitles, unwanted extras and more from a DVD for a better backup. Jump straight to menu.

Basic DVD Authoring Project Part 1 - Introduction

Part 1 of a project to walk you through the basic steps of using video from a variety of sources to create a DVD

Don't Be Stumped By DVD Standards

This article has been published with permission from InterVideo, Inc. It may not be published in any form outside AfterDawn.com without exclusive permisson from InterVideo, Inc.

How to set Booktype for blank DVD+R(W) media

This article explains how to use ImgBurn, Nero CD/DVD Speed or Nero Burning ROM to change the Booktype of blank DVDR media to DVD-ROM to improve performance and compatibility.

Using SecurDisc to protect important data on recordable media

This article walks through using SecurDisc to add layers of data protection while burning to blank CD and DVD media.

Basic DVD Project Part 6b - Encode Video Assets With CCE Basic

The sixth guide in a the Basic DVD Authoring Project. It covers encoding MPEG-2 video with CCE Basic to prepare it to be a DVD asset

Basic DVD Authoring Project Part 3 - Prepare Audio Assets

The third guide in a the Basic DVD Authoring Project. It covers encoding audio to get it ready to be a DVD asset

Basic DVD Authoring Project Part 4b - Prepare PAL Video

Part 4 of a project to walk you through the basic steps of using video from a variety of sources to create a DVD

Basic DVD Authoring Project Part 4a - Prepare NTSC Video

Part 4 of a project to walk you through the basic steps of using video from a variety of sources to create a DVD

Basic DVD Authoring Project Part 5 - Calculate Video Bitrates

Part 5 of a project to walk you through the basic steps of using video from a variety of sources to create a DVD

Basic DVD Authoring Project Part 2 - Analysis

Part 2 of a project to walk you through the basic steps of using video from a variety of sources to create a DVD

Basic TMPGEnc DVD Author Guide

This is a guide to using TMPGEnc DVD Author. TMPGEnc DVD Author is not an encoder, you have to supply it with encoded video and audio files for it to create DVD files for you. TMPGEnc DVD Author can then burn the files for you, but you can use any burning

Advanced TMPGEnc DVD Author Guide

This is an advanced guide to using TMPGEnc DVD Author. This program is capable of creating DVD files from input standard MPEG files. This includes MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video with a resolution of either, 352x288 or 704x576 (PAL) or 352x240 or 704x480 (NTSC). T

TSUNAMI MPEG DVD Author Pro Guide

This is a guide to using the TSUNAMI MPEG DVD Author Pro software title from TMPG Inc. This guide will show you everything from the beginning, inputting your files, to outputting them. We will take a close look at the supported input files for movie strea

Advanced TMPGEnc DVD Author Guide

This is an advanced guide to using TMPGEnc DVD Author. This program is capable of creating DVD files from input standard MPEG files. This includes MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video with a resolution of either, 352x288 or 704x576 (PAL) or 352x240 or 704x480 (NTSC). T

Other video formats to DVDR 

Topic

Digital Video Fundamentals - MPEG-2 Encoding

A guide covering basic aspects of MPEG-2 encoding.

Convert MKV to DVD with freeware

Convert MKV files to DVD and watch on any DVD player, using only freeware software, nothing at all has to be bought.

Complete Nero Vision 5 AVCHD Authoring Guide

In this guide we will cover how to use Nero Vision 5 to author a custom AVCHD disc including chapters, menus, and other features. These discs can then be burnt to a DVD-R and played back on standalone Blu-ray players including the PlayStation 3.

Deciphering CCE Basic

A guide to opening and encoding files using CCE Basic

HC Encoder Settings

A guide to the various settings available in HC

TMPGEnc 4 - MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 Video Settings

Settings for MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 encoding with TMPGEnc Xpress 4

Convert YouTube, Google Video etc. to DVD

This guide shows you how to rip videos from sites like YouTube, MySpace, Google Video, iFilm and Metacafe and convert them to DVD.

SVCD to DVD±R with DVD-Lab (From CD's)

If you have just gotten a DVD Burner and still have SVCD's lying around, you probably thought already of putting those SVCD's on DVD but the thought of re-encoding might put you off. Well, thanks to DVD-Lab, you can now put SVCD on DVD without re-encoding

VCD and SVCD 

Topic

Advanced TMPGEnc XPress Guide

This is a guide to using TMPGEnc XPress 3.0 to quickly encode to MPEG files. TMPGEnc XPress makes it easy to encode to VCD/SVCD/DVD compliant files. It uses a very simple but powerful wizard to complete these tasks. In this guide we will use the example o

Advanced TMPGEnc Guide

This is an Advanced guide to using TMPGEnc. With this guide you will learn how to use the main area's of the program and useful features that have been added to it that can come in handy sometimes. Along with just being able to encode to MPEG files (VCD/S

DivX and XviD 

Topic

How to convert MKV files to Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) using mkv2vob

This quick guide will teach you how to take high definition MKV files with x264 video and AC3 audio and play them on the Sony PlayStation 3.

Convert video files to play on the Nintendo Wii

n this guide we will teach you how to convert your video files to a Wii-supported video file that can be placed on an SD card and then played back through your Nintendo Wii.

VirtualDub: Joining AVI files

If you have multiple AVI files that you would like to join together (like if you made a DVDRip before and ended up with two 700MB AVI files, then you might want to join them together) then this guide will show you how to do just that with VirtualDUB.

How to split files using HJSplit

In the following guide you will learn how to use the free, fast and easy program HJSplit to split your files into "parts" at any size you want.

Convert DVD to XviD with meGUI

MeGUI is a front end for encoding MPEG-4 video and audio. Unlike older programs that tend to use VFW (Video For Windows) codecs, MeGUI and other modern programs use command line encoders. MeGUI can encode XviD or x264 video and MP3 or AAC audio. It can gi

Convert .avi or .mkv to DVD-R using The FilmMachine

Convert AVI to DVD-R using The FilmMachine

How to use Jubler and Avidemux to create and add subtitles to your videos

This quick guide will show you how to use Jubler and Avidemux to create or add subtitles to your videos. Each software is freeware and very easy to use.

Finding and adding subtitles through Media Player Classic

In this guide we will teach you how to use the excellent freeware program Media Player Classic to find and add subtitles to your video files that may need them.

Join AVI files with VBR MP3 audio using VirtualDUBMOD

This article shows how to merge two half AVI files with VBR MP3 audio into one full AVI file without having to worry about sampling rate errors

Resizing DVD-Video To Square Pixels

How to resize video from DVD sources for display on either a computer or standalone (NTSC) DVD player with MPEG-4 support

Convert MKV files for iPhone, iPod Touch using SUPER

Convert MKV files for iPhone, iPod Touch using SUPER to re-encode

How to convert a PAL video file into an NTSC DVD-R or vice versa

How to convert a PAL avi into an NTSC DVD-R

How to join split files (.001,.002,.003 etc.) from Usenet and P2P

How to easily join files using HJSplit

VirtualDub: Splitting AVI files

Ok, it happens often that you need to split AVI into smaller files -- maybe you want to fit your DVD rip into 2 CDs or something. Anyway, this process is extremely easy to do.

CD burning 

Topic

Burn audio CDs from music files with ImgBurn

This guide walks through the process of using the popular free burning software, ImgBurn, to burn audio files to a CD (CD-Audio).

Burn MPC files as audio CD with freeware

This guide shows how to burn Musepack/MPC files to a blank CD with free software.

Burn OGG files as audio CD with freeware

This guide shows how to burn OGG files to a blank CD with free software.

Burn AAC/M4A files as audio CD with freeware

This guide shows how to burn AAC/M4A files to a blank CD with free software.

Burn MP3 files as audio CD with freeware

This guide shows how to burn MP3 files to a blank CD with free software.

Burn FLAC files as audio CD with freeware

This guide shows how to burn Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) files to a blank CD with free software.

Burn CD/DVD Images (ISO, BIN etc.) with ImgBurn

In this quick guide you will learn how to use the excellent freeware program ImgBurn to burn image files to a blank CD or DVD.

Burning image files to CD using CloneCD

How to burn image files to CD using CloneCD

Burning BIN/CUE Images with Nero Burning Rom

BIN/CUE image format is quite common on the Internet. It might seem that finding an appropriate software for burning these images is quite hard. Luckily, it's not.

Burn .DVD/.ISO to DVD+R DL with ImgBurn

This article shows how to burn a DVD Image (.DVD/.ISO) to dual layer media. It includes changing Booktype to DVD-ROM for best compatibility

Burn AVCHD with ImgBurn

This article shows how to use the freeware software ImgBurn to burn AVCHD content for Blu-ray Disc players or a PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Burn SHN files to Audio CD with Nero

This article shows how to burn the lossless audio format Shorten (SHN) to Audio CD using Nero Burning ROM.

Burn FLAC to Audio CD with Nero

This article shows how to burn an Audio CD from FLAC files using Nero Burning ROM

Burn APE files to Audio CD with Nero

This guide shows how to burn an Audio CD from files containing Monkey's Audio content (.APE)

Burn OGG to Audio CD with Nero

This guide shows how to burn OGG Vorbis audio as Audio CDs using Nero Burning ROM.

Burn AAC to Audio CD with Nero

This guide shows how to burn AAC and M4A files as Audio CDs using Nero Burning ROM.

Complete guide for using VSO CopyToDVD

In this guide we will teach you how to use the excellent shareware program CopyToDVD to manage all your backup needs including backing up your music library, burning DVD-Video folders and data discs.

Installing a working ASPI layer

For years people have had various problems with the so called ASPI layer, which is required by many Windows CD-R software’s. This article aims to successfully install a good and working ASPI setup.

Video capturing 

Topic

Digital Video Fundamentals - IVTC

An explanation of what Pulldown, Telecine, and Inverse Telecine (IVTC) are, as well as how to analyze and IVTC film based video.

Convert MPEG-2 Captures to AVC with AutoMKV

How to encode MPEG-2 TV captures to AVC (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) using AutoMKV and the x264 command line encoder

Convert MPEG-2 Captures to AVC with Super

Converting MPEG-2 video to MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) using the simple and free Super. Super is a frontend for a variety of free and open source video and audio tools.

Processing TS captures with free tools

Step by step instructions for repairing errors in MPEG-2 TS captures and demuxing to elementary streams.

VideoReDo Plus - Loading, Analyzing, and Repairing

VideoReDo's usefulness isn't limited to simple MPEG editing. As a product that's grown up to be the premiere DVR editing software, many tools have been added to analyze and repair MPEG files. Before you read this guide you should be familiar with the p

Removing Commercials from MPEG-2 captures with Cuttermaran

Instructions for editing out commercials using the free Cuttermaran MPEG-2 editor. Combined QuEnc, a free MPEG-2 encoder, Cuttermaran is a frame accurate MPEG editor.

VideoReDoPlus - Removing Commercials

With the popularity of DVRs and Digital broadcast stream captures, many people have a need for a frame accurate MPEG editor to remove commercials from their captures without losing quality through re-encoding. VideoReDo Plus is one of the most popular sol

VideoReDo Plus Installation and Configuration

Before you start configuring VideoReDo Plus you should consider what you're going to be using it for. It's a frame accurate MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 editor, meaning it can do a small amount of re-encoding if you decide to make a cut somewhere other than an I fra

Ripping DVD video files into MP3 for playback on media devices

Ripping DVD video files into MP3 for playback on media devices

General articles, reviews, opinions, etc 

Topic

Convert Subtitles from SRT to SUB / IDX

Step by step instructions for converting SRT subtitles to VobSub format

Rip Subtitles with VobSub

Instructions for ripping subtitle streams from DVDs to VobSub's IDX/SUB format.

Convert Subtitles from SUB / IDX to SSA

Convert subtitles in IDX and SUB files ripped with VobSub to the text based SRT format. Useful for adding subtitle streams to AVI files.

Convert Subtitles from SUB / IDX to SRT

Convert subtitles in IDX and SUB files ripped with VobSub to the text based SRT format. Useful for adding subtitle streams to AVI files.

Digital Video Fundamentals - Resolution and Aspect Ratio

A basic explanation of resolution and aspect ratio

Digital Video Fundamentals - Frames & Framerates

This guide introduces progressive and interlaced frames, as well as framerates and a little about framerate conversions.

Digital Video Fundamentals - Color Formats

This guide introduces color encoding and compression.

Digital Video Fundamentals - Lossy Compression

An overview of how video is compressed, and what compression is appropriate for certain applications

Reviewing Chrome OS 21; Google gives the operating system a face lift

For this review, we will take a look at what's new in version 20 and 21 of Google's Chrome OS operating system and seeing whether the search giant has a legitimate competitor on their hands.

Quick Guide to installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview in dual-boot

Guide to installing the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview in dual-boot

Review: The T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G

Today, we are reviewing the Galaxy S Blaze 4G, T-Mobile's follow-up to the now discontinued Galaxy S 4G Android device.

Unlock files in Windows

If you are having trouble altering or deleting a file on Windows, then this short Guide shows how you can eliminate that problem forever.

Review: Does Google Music have what it takes to be a hit?

A review of Google Music, including the Android Market Music Store, the Music Library features, and both the desktop and Android clients, as well as a video overview of the entire service.

Using DGIndex

DGIndex is used to open MPEG-2 files for reading with programs like AviSynth and TMPGEnc XPress. This guide explains the basics of using it to create D2V projects and demux video and audio.

How to remove a Bootkit

This quick guide shows how you can use TDSSKiller to detect and remove a bootkit - a type of malware that infects the Master Boot Record (MBR)

How to remove a TDSS (Alureon, TDL) rootkit

This quick guide shows how to remove a rootkit infection from the TDSS family of malware (including Alureon, Tidserv, TDL) using a tool called TDSSKiller.

Review: Spotify Free for U.S.

A quick review of the new Spotify Free for U.S. service

Introduction To Next-Generation Multimedia - High Definition Video and Audio

A description of what a high definition video or audio signal is.

Use Smart Defrag to improve HDD performance

This article looks at IObit's Smart Defrag utility, which goes beyond the basics to truly improve the performance of your drives.

Encoding From DVD to AVC with AutoMKV

Step by step instructions for encoding a movie from DVD to MPEG-4 AVC using AutoMKV and an assortment of other free tools.

Analyze all Autorun / Auto-start programs in Windows

This guide shows how to use Autoruns to identify programs that launch automatically on your system through a variety of different methods. Very useful for malware hunting.

Defragment pagefile and registry hives in Windows

This guide shows you how to defragment the virtual memory page file, registry hives and hibernation files in Windows. These files fragmented can hurt performance.

Create multiple, switchable desktops in Windows

This short guide shows how to run four Desktops that you can switch between on a single screen. This can have a dramatic effect on efficiency, allowing you to run a lot more applications comfortably.

Some options for corrupt RAR files

If you have problematic RAR files then this short article can help you to get the content extracted and maybe even fully fix the broken RAR file.

Split CD Images To Individual Tracks

Step by step instructions for using Medieval Cue Splitter to extract individual tracks from a CD image. This process works for uncompressed images, as well as MP3, FLAC, APE, OGG, and WMA

Access Xbox 360 HDD in Windows & Backup

This guide shows how to disassemble an Xbox 360 HDD adapter and access the filesystem in Windows with Xplorer360. It also shows how to make a HDD backup.

Catalog Your Movie Collection

Step by step instructions for creating a list of your DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and other home video using popular software

Publish Your Movie Collection On The Internet

How to use Movie Collector Pro to create a website listing your movie collection. The resulting files can be used to create a standalone website or as additional pages for an existing site.

Unboxing the Zune HD media player and Zune software 4.0

Today we will unbox the new launched Microsoft Zune HD media player as well as review the brand new Zune software, version 4. We will go through all the aspects of the player and the software and its tight integration.

Use Keyboard and Mouse with multiple Screens/Computer with Synergy

This article shows how to use Synergy to emulate a multi-screen setup by allowing you to use a keyboard and mouse for multiple systems. It uses a spare laptop as a second screen for an example.

Run potentially dangerous software safely

This guide shows how to run potentially dangerous files safely. If you suspect a file might contain a virus or other malware, you can open it without your computer being infected easily.

Catalog Your Music With Music Collector

An introduction to cataloguing your music using CD Collector, as well as how to use the data to print reports, share with other people, or even view it on your iPhone.

Team Xecuter RROD Repair Guide

This guide shows how to use the RROD repair method put forth by Team Xecuter, using heatpads to stop the board being warped due to excess heat.

Using AviSynth 2.5

An introduction to video editing using AviSynth's scripting interface. Includes a filter reference covering basic operations like cutting and joining, as well as providing information on processes used in other guides.

Extract MP3 audio from YouTube

This guide shows how you can extract MP3 audio from videos found on YouTube.

Stream TVUPlayer video to Xbox 360

This article shows how to stream live TV from the P2P-based TVUPlayer program to the Xbox 360 console so you can view the programming on a proper television.

Stream SopCast video to Xbox 360

This article shows how to stream live TV from the P2P-based SopCast program to the Xbox 360 console so you can view the programming on a proper television.

MeGUI Installation and Configuration

A step by step guide for installing MeGUI and the additional supporting software required. MeGUI is a free GUI for encoding MPEG-4 video (XviD and x264) and a number of audio formats. MeGUI can create MKV, MP4,and AVI files.

How to Edit MP3 Audio

A guide to simple MP3 editing. Includes step-by-step instructions for extracting MP3 audio from video files and joining or trimming multiple MP3 files using a variety of free tools

How to Recover Deleted Files

This article shows how to use free software to recover previously deleted files.

How to Securely Delete Files

This article shows how to delete private files so they cannot be recovered later. It also covers destroyed previously deleted data to prevent recovery.

Clear Private and Temp Data Quickly and Safely

This article shows how to delete temporary and private data from web browsers a list of applications quickly and securely if needed.

DVD to AVC with MeGUI Part 3

This is the third in a series of 3 guides for converting video from DVD to MPEG-4 AVC using MeGUI, x264, and a number of other free tools. In this guide you'll learn how to encode audio and video, as well as combining them into a MP4 or MKV file.

Convert .FLV files to MP4 for iPod

Convert .Flv to MP4 for iPod

Convert any video file to 3GP for mobile phones using freeware

In this guide you will learn how convert any video file to 3GP for mobile phones using freeware, namely SUPER.

Get MP3 album info and art from Amazon easily

This article shows how to use freeware to scan for album information that can be added as ID3 tags in MP3 files, including album info and artwork

Adjust & Normalize volume of multiple MP3 files

This article shows how to adjust the volume level of many MP3 files so that they match each other. It is suitable for files that will be on the same disc or MP3 player.

Convert MP3 tags to filenames

This guide shows how to quickly and easily use freeware software to make filenames for MP3 files out of their ID3 tags, simply for the sake of keeping your files clean looking.

Convert MP3 filenames to tags

This guide shows how to use MP3Tag to automatically add ID3 tags to MP3 files from the filenames themselves. This method uses freeware, saves a lot of time.

Creating MKV files with mkvtoolnix

Step by instructions for creating MKV files from sources including AVI, MP4, MPEG-2 Transport and Program Streams, and even elementary video and audio files.

How to Edit AAC (MP4) Audio

A guide to simple AAC editing. Includes step-by-step instructions for extracting AAC audio from video files and joining or trimming AAC files in the MP4 container using free tools.

Convert DVD to AVC with StaxRip

A basic guide for using Nero's Recode 3 to create AVC files from DVD sources.

How to burn AVCHD with Nero Burning ROM

This article shows how to use Nero Burning ROM to burn an AVCHD compilation to a blank DVD disc.

Stream TVUPlayer video to Nintendo Wii

This article shows how to stream video from the P2P TV sharing program TVUPlayer to the Nintendo Wii console.

Stream SopCast video to Nintendo Wii

This article shows how to stream video from the P2P TV sharing program SopCast to the Nintendo Wii console.

Convert MKV to VOB for PS3 (Easiest Method)

This article shows how to convert an MKV file to a VOB file to play it back on a PlayStation 3 console.

Convert MKV to AVCHD for PS3/Blu-Ray (Easiest Method)

This guide shows how to quickly and easily convert MKV files to AVCHD to be played back on a PlayStation 3 (PS3) or a Blu-ray player.

Convert AVI files to Executable (EXE) files

This guide shows how to convert AVI files (and other media files) to Executable (EXE) files that will run on most Windows machines without the need for codec installations.

A Conversation with Tim Westergren from Pandora Internet Radio

An interview with Tim Westergren, the founder of Pandora internet radio and the Music Genome Project. This interview was conducted at an appearance Mr. Westergren made in Des Moines, IA on October 13, 2008

How to convert FLAC files to MP3

This article will show you how to successfully convert FLAC files to standard, high-quality MP3 files using Foobar 2000 and the Lame MP3 Encoder.

How to convert OGM files to AVI

This guide covers how to convert OGM files to AVI using free software

How to copy music/movies/podcasts off your iPod Touch or iPhone and back to your PC/Mac

This easy guide will teach you how to copy all your content from your iPod Touch or iPhone and back to your PC or Mac. Includes videos, podcasts and playlist cloning as well.

How to upgrade your PlayStation 3 Hard Drive

In this in-depth guide we will teach you how to upgrade your stock PlayStation 3 hard drive (HDD) for a higher capacity one that will allow you to have more movies, demos, trailers, etc available very quickly to you off the hard drive.

Convert SHN to MP3

This article shows how to convert the Shorten (SHN) audio content to MP3 audio.

Convert OGG to MP3

This guide show show to convert OGG Vorbis audio to MP3 audio

Convert AAC / M4A to MP3

This article shows how to convert AAC/M4A audio to MP3 audio

Convert APE to MP3

This guide shows how to convert the lossless Monkey's Audio (APE) format into MP3 audio

How to sync your iPod Touch or iPhone without using iTunes

In this simple to follow guide we will teach you how to sync your new iPod Touch or iPhone without using Apple's iTunes platform. For this guide we will use the lightweight and very flexible audio/video player Winamp.

Subtitle Formats Explained

An introduction to 3 common subtitle formats, VobSub (IDX / SUB), SubRip (SRT), and SubStation Alpha (SSA), including a list of related Afterdawn guides

How to Sync Subtitles

Instructions for adjusting subtitle timing to match a video file. It covers both adjusting the delay and changing the speed for NTSC to PAL or PAL to NTSC conversions.

How to Join Subtitles

Step by step instructions for joining subtitle files together into a single stream

Convert Subtitles from SSA to SRT

Convert subtitles in from SubRip SRT format to SSA

Convert Subtitles from SRT to SSA

Convert subtitles in from SubRip SRT format to SSA.

How to play DivX files on Xbox 360

This article shows how to play DivX files (in AVI and DMF) on an Xbox 360 console.

How to play AVI files on Xbox 360

This article shows methods to play AVI files on an Xbox 360 console

How to play MP3 files on Xbox 360

This article discusses playing and sharing MP3 with the Xbox 360 console across a home network or from direct sources.

How to play FLAC files on Xbox 360

This article shows how to play audio from FLAC files on Xbox 360 console

Convert DVD to AVC with TMPGEnc 4 Xpress

A basic guide for using TMPGEnc 4 Xpress to create AVC files from DVD sources.

Convert DVD to AVC with Nero Recode 3

A basic guide for using Nero's Recode 3 to create AVC files from DVD sources.

Videos on Moonshell for Nintendo DS

In this guide you will learn how to convert videos to the .DPG format using the freeware program BatchDPG. The videos can then be played back on any Nintendo DS that has Moonshell installed.

DVD to AVC with MeGUI Part 1

This is the first in a series of 3 guides for converting video from DVD to MPEG-4 AVC using MeGUI, x264, and a number of other free tools. In this guide indexing your video, demuxing audio, and creating a chapter file for later use are covered.

Customize x264 Profiles with MeGUI

Help for creating your own custom x264 profile using MeGUI.

Convert DTS to AC3

This article shows how to convert a DTS audio file into AC3, producing a much smaller file useful for AVCHD compilations after a conversion from MKV or similar.

Extract AC3 or DTS audio from MKV files

This article shows how to use SmartLabs tsMuxer to extract DTS, AC3 or H.264 streams from MKV files for processing.

DVD to AVC with MeGUI Part 2

This is the second in a series of 3 guides for converting video from DVD to MPEG-4 AVC using MeGUI, x264, and a number of other free tools. In this guide we walk through proper setup of MeGUI's AviSynth script creator.

How to connect to the AfterDawn IRC Channel

What is IRC?? IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a virtual meeting place where people from all over the world can meet and talk; by joining the Afterdawn IRC channel, you'll find the whole diversity of human interests, ideas, and issues here, and you'll be able

AutoMKV Installation and Configuration

Instructions for setting up AutoMKV, used to automate encoding XviD, x264, and even Windows Media Video (including VC-1), as well as a variety of audio formats. AutoMKV can be used to create MKV, MP4, AVI, or WMV files.

x264 Encoder Settings

Learn about important options for encoding with the free x264 CLI encoder so you can get the most out of your encoded video.

Using RSS feeds

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Using RSS feeds properly, a user is able to simply scan through a list of all the content that is new or updated at his/her favorite websites without having to visit them individually. This is great when a site ke

SpiralFrog: A Free Music Service and the Company Behind It

My review of SpiralFrog's ad-supported music download service, as well as my impressions of a talk with Vice President of Marketing Matthew Stern

Introduction to Super

An introduction to Super, a user friendly GUI for a variety of free video and audio encoders, as well as offering playback of a number of formats.

Hulu Reviewed - TV Viewing On Your Computer

A review of the Hulu online video service, which offers episodes of current and past TV shows

Cuttermaran Installation and Configuration

Step-by-step installation and configuration instructions for Cuttermaran, a free MPEG-2 editor. Use Cuttermaran to edit commercials from MPEG-2 TV captures (analog or digital) or editing miniDVD camcorder files.

Getting Started With HDTV

A beginner's guide to understanding HDTV technology and how to make an educated purchase of a HDTV.

AfterDawn HDTV Buyer's Guide

A beginner's guide to understanding buying a HDTV.

AvsP - AviSynth Made Easy

An overview of the AvsP editor for AviSynth. AvsP is an advanced script editor that includes features which make it easy for even beginners to use AviSynth.

AfterDawn How To: The Hardware Section

The following guide will help to explain the latest feature of your AfterDawn experience, the Hardware section. The idea behind the hardware section is to provide a database of specific consumer electronics categories related to AfterDawn.com.

How to create your own ringtones using Audacity

This quick and simple guide will teach you how to use the excellent freeware program Audacity to create your own ringtones and export them as MP3 files. You can then move these files to your mobile phone using a USB cable or Bluetooth or any other method.

How to rip songs from Myspace using Audacity

This quick and simple guide will teach you how to use the excellent freeware program Audacity to rip songs from the artist's pages on Myspace

Introduction To Next-Generation Multimedia - HDTV Technology

A basic overview of HDTV technology, including discussion of display types and signal standards

Convert DVD video for iPhone, iPod (Classic, Touch, Nano), Zen, PSP and more

This guide details using CloneDVD Mobile to convert video from DVD video for many portable media devices including Apple's iPod (Nano, Classic, Touch), iPhone, PSP etc.

Comprehensive AfterDawn usage guide: Part 2

In Part 2 of this guide, you will learn how to search for what you are looking for before posting, how to start a new thread in the forums, post in other user's threads, editing your posts, UBB formatting tags, and sending private messages.

Comprehensive AfterDawn usage guide: Part 1

In the following three-part guide, users will learn the basics and more advanced aspects of the Afterdawn website including how to edit your post, find what you are looking for, forum etiquette and how to download the software of your choice. In

Convert video for Apple TV (Freeware, Easy)

This guide shows show to convert video files to be compatible with an Apple TV box. It uses freeware and the method used is easy and suitable for newer users.

Convert video for iPhone (Freeware, Easy)

This guide shows how to convert video to format for Apple's iPhone using freeware software. The method is easy and suitable for new users.

Installing new Harddrive with Evolution X dashboard boot-CD

This guide explains how to 'manually' install/upgrade harddrives in the xbox.

Downgrade PSP v2.00 firmware to v1.50

It has finally come! A PSP 2.00 downgrader by MPH. So many PSP users who wished to run homebrew on their device were stuck with newer firmware such as 1.52 or 2.00. This made running of homebrew code impossible. I believe that everyone should have the rig

TSUNAMI MPEG DVD Author Pro Review

The TSUNAMI MPEG DVD Author Pro software title is the latest offering from TMPG Inc. to DVD creation enthusiasts and new users alike. Building on the past success of the infamous TMPGEnc family of products, DVD Author Pro adds improvements over past versi

AfterDawn Guides & Finnish Copyright Law

You are here for an explanation for why AfterDawn.com no longer offers software capable of circumventing copy protection mechanisms on DVDs and other retail media and why guides no longer have detailed instructions on using these specific tools. New users

HDMI - High-Definition Multimedia Interface

This article takes a thorough look at HDMI - High Definition Multimedia Interface - and explores its advantages over its predecessors as well as giving some technical details about the interface. This article focuses on the HDMI 1.3 specification. Before

Stream multimedia files to PSP without encoding

Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handy little video player. However, having to encode all of your video files first and store them on the Memory Stick can be pain. Wouldn't it be nice if you could play files directly from your computer over a wirele

Nero Digital Encoding

A guide for converting video to Nero Digital format using Nero Vision 4

How to encode files for the PSP with Nero Recode

Nero, leaders in digital media technology and creators of Nero Digital, now have software that allows users to play back personal video on the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) via converted video files transferred to a memory stick. The guide is pretty s

Unofficial manual for Streambox VCR v1.0 beta 3.1

Ever notice that most streaming media content, such as .asx, .asf, .wmf, .rm and .ram files, can be played, but not saved? Would you like to save streaming media to your Hard Disk for future ...