Shufflegazine - Apple Lifestyle Magazine

Convert video formats on your Mac for free

Ali Shabdar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:17:39 +0000

Earlier today I received a dinosaur JVC camera with a truck load of video clips. We are traveling to Lebanon to have our annual seminar on the beautiful mountains of Farya and somebody had to make a fun video intro for our office. Since I still did not learn to say “no” easily, it ended up on my desk.

After opening the files, I found out the files are MOD type, needing to be converted before importing into iMovie. A quick search revealed that I need to pay around $35 for a decent video converter, but I just remembered using HandBrake for DVD ripping long time ago. And the rest is history.

Let’s see how you can convert a host of different video formats to each other in few easy steps and more importantly for free.

Getting started

HandBrake is an Open Source video converter application with 21 vitamins and minerals (must be French humor). It works on major platforms but all we care is Mac OS 10.5 and above. It supports all major video formats (even MOD), which is great for a free package.

To get HandBrake, logon to their website at www.handbrake.fr or directly download the latest release (as of this writing) from here. It runs only in 32bit mode and is unlikely to leverage the 64bit features of Snow Leopard, but it is pretty responsive.

To install HandBrake, after downloading the DMG file, mount it and drag the application file and drop it in the Applications folder. You are ready to go.

Using HandBrake

The UI (user interface) looks a bit cluttered at first but it takes a minute to master (Figure 1). The main window contains all you need, so let’s start converting a video right away.

Figure1. Main Window

Click Source on the toolbar and choose a video file (e.g. a MOD file). HandBrake reads the file and creates a destination path in the Destination box.

Note: When you open HandBrake it automatically shows the Open dialog for you to choose a video file. One click less.

Click Browse if you want to change the default folder (Desktop) and choose a new destination folder for the converted file.
In the side bar (Figure 2), choose a settings template. Normal is pretty much the best choice. It will create a M4V file, readable by iTunes/iPod/iPhone with a good quality. You can however, change the settings manually (in the main window) for optimal results.
Figure 2. Sidebar
Click Start if you have only one video file to convert. It starts the conversion process immediately.
For converting multiple files, click Add to Queue for each file to add them in the queue (Figure 3). Once finished with the queue, click Start to begin the conversion process for all video files in the queue and go on a coffee break.
Figure 3. Queue

The bottom line

Video conversion is a time-consuming process but HandBrake does a fairly good job with an easy to use and responsive UI.

It also keeps the things simple and there is not much settings to be configured, but you can always click HandBrake > Preferences in the menu-bar to to tweak the available options.

Note: The latest version (0.9.3 as of this writing) is pretty stable and although it crashed on me once (kinda’ was my fault) it could reload the pending queue and resumed the job successfully.

This is a post made by a freelance blogger. The opinions stated are not necessarily those of Shufflegazine or CENTIMETERCUBE Publishing.

The story of how a simple blog post took off

Magnus Nystedt — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:42:21 +0000

When I posted the NVIDIA story the other day I had no idea it would take off like it did. After a while I saw some traffic coming in and they picked up on the interesting fact that the NVIDIA CEO said that it’s all Apple in his house.

A bit later someone saw that there was a tablet-like device laying on the table in one of the photos and speculation took off about it being the much-anticipated Apple tablet. I knew it wasn’t but didn’t think much of it until traffic went nuts.

Links from Gizmodo, Engadget and dozens of other sites meant rumors started flying around that this was Apple’s iTablet and that the NVIDIA CEO was not speaking about it. It’s true that he did not speak about Apple’s tablet but this wasn’t it.

I didn’t play with the tablet myself at the event but after checking with a few other people who were present we can tell you what it was. It was a Tegra-based tablet concept developed by NVIDIA to show other companies what can be done. This one was developed for T-Mobile.

So there’s the story about how something very innocent can spiral almost out of control without you even considering it a possibility beforehand. In one 24 hour period we got more traffic than we normally do in a month. And the really good news is that our site held up very well to the onslaught.

How to Create a US iTunes Store Account

Ali Dhanani — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:05:00 +0000

I am sure many readers must envy the catalogue of apps the US iTunes Store hosts while we, here in the UAE only have a handful in comparison. This ‘How to’ guide will help you create an account for the iTunes Store. It covers everything from acquiring a gift card to actually purchasing your first app. This guide is particularly useful for those who do not have a US based credit card but still want to reap the benefits of a wider variety of media at a lower cost.

Part 1- Getting the iTunes Gift Card

In order to create an account, you must first get your hands on an iTunes gift card. These come in denominations of $10, $15, $25 and $50. The easiest way to do this would be via asking a friend or family member in the US to stroll by a store and pick it up for you. They are usually sold at most major retailers like BestBuy, Walmart and of course Apple retail stores. For those of you (probably most) an easier alternative might be via souq.com or ebay.com. After doing some quick research on souq I found that the best deal available was AED 125 for a $25 card. Souq is quite obviously a more expensive option. My preferred method is to quickly set up an eBay and Paypal account and use them to purchase a code online. Please note that most people will opt to e-mail you the code as shipping costs too high. eBay buyers should make sure they are buying from reputable seller, who are willing to send scanned copies with the code. I personally use a fairly reputable seller for $100 cards (The maximum official amount is $50 so for $100 you will get two codes). You can normally grab a card for about 5-10 percent above its face value. I can personally vouch for the eBay seller recommended as i have had no issues with him as he is more than willing to provide scanned copies of the card and has extremely fast delivery time (usually 1-3 hours on a working day).

Now that you have your iTunes code, read on to create your account.

Part 2- Creating Your Account

Before you begin this part of the guide please ensure you have already purchased an iTunes gift card

This is how the home page of iTunes Store should look. Click on 'Redeem' which is under Quick Links on the top right.

Following the previous instruction should lead you to a screen that looks like this screen shot

On this screen, enter you iTunes gift card code and click on 'Continue'

When prompted to enter your Apple ID, select 'Create Account'. You do not need a me.com address for iTunes. Even a Gmail or Yahoo! will work.

Once prompted with this screen, click on 'Continue'

Check the 'I have read... Terms and Conditions' and click on 'Continue'

Fill out your details into this page. Once you are done click on 'Continue'

Select 'None' as your credit card. It is the last option after 'PayPal'

Now fill out this form. As for the address you may use any US based address. I normally use a famous hotels address such as The Palace. It doesnt really matter as long as it is in the US. Once you finish filling out your details, scroll down and click on continue.

You have now successfully registered your iTunes Store account. You should be prompted with a screen like this:

Success! You are now ready to buy anything you want from the US iTunes Store including Music, Music Videos, Movies, TV Shows, Audio Books and of course, applications for your iPod Touch or iPhone.

Problems? Please post in the comments section below.

This is a post made by a freelance blogger. The opinions stated are not necessarily those of Shufflegazine or CENTIMETERCUBE Publishing.

Sorting out the power plugs for your Apple gear

Alexander Sviridoff — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:57:20 +0000

Today, I spent the better half of the afternoon rearranging my Apple gear around on my desk. I do it every other month, as the amount of new gear generally translates to more clutter and more clutter equals to reduced productivity. If I wanted to knowingly handicap my productivity I’d use a Dell with Vista, but I am not that type of a guy. My list of Apple gear and gadgets connected to it is pretty long. I use two newer Apple Cinema monitors connected to my Mac Pro with a Macbook Pro by its side. Add the rest of the peripherals, and you get a wire spaghetti clutter that is very hard to manage. It is a genuine nightmare. Try to unplug and remove something from this mess and you will understand where I am coming from. Especially those bulky 3-pin electrical plugs we all learned to deal with. But what do you know about these plugs and electrical system of the UAE in general as well as your Mac’s electrical system requirements.

First lets talk about the electrical plug. UAE got this plug as a part of a bigger “package” the British brought and left here. As big and awkward looking these Type-G plugs are, they are actually pretty well engineered gadgets on their own. First of all, they are grounded, hence the 3-pin design. The ground pin is longer. It grounds the device that you are trying plug in before the live and neutral leads become connected. Besides that special duty, the ground pin, or on some appliances simply a plastic dud, opens up the shutters that prevent children and any other curious creatures from sticking something into the electrical socket. An awesome safety feature, if you ask me. The ground pin also enforces the correct orientation of the live and neutral pins, or polarization, which is fairly important. Improper orientation of live and neutral wires can not only cause damage to the device, but also present a shock hazard to anyone operating that it.

The Type-G plug is fused. That means that there is a fuse inside of the plug assembly. This feature is there because British wiring standards allow for very high-current ring main circuits to the socket. Wait a minute, ring circuit? Without going too technical and getting cross-eyed in all this electrical madness, I will tell you what it means. If you have ever changed a wall socket or wired in a light switch here in the UAE, you might have noticed that there are usually more than two wires and a ground. Those additional wires carry the extra current. This wiring system has its advantages, but they don’t really translate into any type of a benefit to a typical end user. In general, having an extra fuse is a good thing, as it provides one more barrier of protection between your gadget and some wacky electrical mishap. All in all, Type-G uber plug is awesome if it was not for one simple downfall. It is just very bulky and generally very un-Apple. Few attempts have been made to reduce the profile size of the Type-G plug, most notably one designed by Art Lebedev that created some buzz over the summer. However, this remnant of the post World War II Britain will be around for a bit longer.

If you are asking yourself why did I make you read all this, read on. I feel that the info I have compiled could be of some use to some of you as we can sometimes find ourselves doing some minor electrical work around your home. Consequently, this info can and must be used to insure proper wiring of your Apple gear to the power grid.

Among the Apple gadgets that require AC electrical power are the following: Mac Pros, Macbooks, iMacs, Cinema displays, Apple TVs, Time Capsules, Airports, iPod and iPhone chargers. Note that all of their devices are 100-240V 50-60Hz and can be used worldwide. Things are very easy with the last 5 gadgets in this list. They all use 2-pin non-grounded non-polarized connections so you can pretty much plug them any way you like using any type of an adapter. Always make sure, however, that the connection is secure and not loose. I recommend using high quality adapters and extension cords. Avoid using the all-in-one adaptors. They are generally very flimsy and do not provide a solid connection. Apple TV, Airport Extreme and Time Capsule use a common power supply cord, so you can just source one with a plug that suits your particular needs. For Airport Extreme and iPod and iPhone charger, I recommend using a Type-G adapter that comes with Apple’s World Travel Adapter Kit. Unfortunately you cannot buy the adapters individually, so you will have to buy a whole kit. You can use other type of adapters, but then you loose the ergonomics and small size factor.

With the computer systems and monitors things are a bit different, but still pretty simple. We all have heard people complaining about being shocked via the aluminum bodies of their Macbooks or Cinema Displays. My Mac Pro would hum when touched, prior to me wiring it properly. These devices must be properly grounded and the live/neural wire orientation must be properly followed. That means that you cannot just get a cheap US to European 2-pin plug adapter and use it. You could cause potential damage to your devices and zap yourself. Mac Pros, iMacs and Cinema display use standard computer power supply cables. You can get them with a Type-G plug on the end at most computer stores. Or, if you are like me and like Apple cables and want to preserve the stylishness of your white power cords, you can have your power cord rewired with a good Type-G socket. I don’t advise you do it if you have never done it, so consult a good electrician and please don’t sue me if you attempt to do it yourself using a butter knife. I warned you.

With MacBooks it is slightly more complicated, as you have to use the original power cord it came with if you want to have a long cord. That is because most people fail to realize that the Macbook power cord actually has a ground wire within it. If you look at the adapter, you will notice a metal mushroom that also acts a clip for the adapter. What this means is that you have to either rewire your cord to use a Type-G plug, use a stubby Type-G grounded adapter from the Apple’s World Travel Adapter Kit and give up the length of the cord or use a proper 3-pin adapter. You decide for yourself.

As I am finishing this article, I am starting to think why countries and companies cannot just standardize everything. It is slowly happening, as can be seen in Europe with its 2010 microUSB charger standard for all mobile phones sold in europe. I just wish it happened much faster. I personally nominate the North American Type-B electrical plug to serve the universal role. Those switchblade type Apple adapters are just too darn cool to be collecting dust in my desk.

This is a post made by a freelance blogger. The opinions stated are not necessarily those of Shufflegazine or CENTIMETERCUBE Publishing.

Growing and supporting the community

Magnus Nystedt — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:33:24 +0000

I love communities. Sure, I’m very much the lonely geek sitting by himself in front of a computer but I also, like most other people, like the feeling of belonging to something, something bigger than themselves.

I’ve been fortunately enough to start and still run EmiratesMac.com, a fantastic and growing online community focused on Apple stuff. Interacting with other fans, people who have become good friends, through the site and our monthly meetings is great.

I’m also very happy that Shufflegazine is becoming a community in its own right with increased participation from bloggers, more discussions, etc. We’re hoping that these two communities together can form a bond between Apple fans in the UAE and across the Middle East.

You’ve been without a voice for far too long. We want to help you come together and be stronger. By and large, commercial interests here still don’t understand or take advantage of the potential power of communities but hope to make them take notice.

So keep supporting Shufflegazine and EmiratesMac and we’ll do our very best to support you. Remember we’re just like you, passionate Apple fans, and we are definitely a very committed part of the community.

Watch out for the Rickrolling iPhone worm!

Grace Fujimaki — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:54:36 +0000

Hear, hear, iPhone users! I’ve heard in the radio today that an Australian student just created a worm which infects Apple’s iconic iPhone with pictures of 1980’s pop star Rick Astley.

According to security firm Sophos, this is the first worm detected that targets the iPhone.

Ashley Towns, 21, who lives with his family near Sydney, said he was trying to raise security awareness with his cheeky but harmless “Ikee” worm, which spreads from phone to phone along wireless networks.

The virus swaps the iPhone’s wallpaper with an image of Astley and the words “Ikee is never gonna give you up”, a reference to Rick Astley’s 1987 hit: “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

On the lighter side, it only affects phones that have been modified, or jail-broken to install applications not approved by manufacturer Apple, and can easily be deleted. But still, it should raise awareness of viruses because it’s only a matter of time before the bad guys imitate Towns by hacking the iPhone.

So, people do not jail-break your iPhones (or at least change the default password after you install SSH) or you’ll have to gonna give it up!

Note: If you’re an 80’s baby like me, you could always see Rick Astley in YouTube if you missed him.

This is a post made by a freelance blogger. The opinions stated are not necessarily those of Shufflegazine or CENTIMETERCUBE Publishing.

DaddyBird is back… sort of

Paul Castle — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:20:37 +0000

OK, I never really left, I just haven’t posted anything on Shufflegazine.com in a while. I’ve been busy on the print side though, both writing and proofreading, along with helping out where I can elsewhere. Although putting together a magazine can be a lot of hard work, it is, very fortunately, also a lot of fun. (Most of the time!)

I’ve been a Macintosh user for over 20 years, and a computer user for 30 or so, therefore my affinity for computers and technology isn’t limited to Apple products, but my knowledge and experience in the wider tech world does make me appreciate Macs, iPods & etc. even more than I might otherwise. I’ve had the great fortune to be employed at places where Macs were used on the job, learned and used Linux in mission critical environments and, of course, been in jobs where I was stuck having to use Windows.

When it comes right down to it, my favorite technology could be defined as “stuff that works”, regardless of where it originates from. It just so happens that, despite occasional shortcomings and errors, the “stuff” produced by our favorite Cupertino-based computer company tends to fill that bill nicely.

But that won’t stop me from installing Linux on my MacBook, putting Mac OS X on some non-approved device or jailbreaking my iPod touch!

Let me especially encourage you and all of our readers to continue to give us feedback on the magazine and the website, whether it be by email, blog comments, on Twitter or elsewhere. We really enjoy hearing from you, and your opinions and suggestions are very helpful to us. And one of the main things that makes this job a lot of fun is getting to know and talk with our fellow tech lovers!

Feel free to follow me on Twitter: @DaddyBird

October issue online FREE

Magnus Nystedt — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:51:40 +0000

As we always do, when a new issue comes out in print we put the previous month’s issue online for anyone to read for free. You can read October’s issue now together with all our old issues at www.shufflegazineonline.com. November’s issue is starting to be distributed today and should be with subscribers and in the usual outlets in the next few days.

Suggestion to improve iTunes-iPhone management

Waleed Jameel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:17:47 +0000

iTunes is the famous home of good ol’iPhone. They pair very well together – almost as if they were made for each other. Strange.

When iTunes 9.0 was released, it came with a powerful new feature to help manage the masses of apps that iPhone users owned: Application Management. Located in the second (2nd) tab of iTunes’ iPhone section, this allows the user to arrange (and re-arrange) the layout of apps on their multiple iPhone screens as many times as they wish to. You could also organize all apps via Name, Category or Date (added) – all useful little filters.

With free apps, there is absolutely no cost, resource or otherwise, to install. Many paid apps are only $0.99 and after a few months of usage, a typical iPhone is filled with apps upon apps. No worries, App Management to the rescue!

Still, there is one feature which in my opinion is absent: Organizing Apps by Usage. This would allow users to see how frequently they access their apps, and organise their systems even more intelligently. Additionally, this would enable users to select which apps to keep, to rate, to give more attention to, to share with their friends.

After all, if you can measure it, you can manage it. And if you can manage it, you can improve it.

This is a post made by a freelance blogger. The opinions stated are not necessarily those of Shufflegazine or CENTIMETERCUBE Publishing.

Review: Shure E3c earphones

Magnus Nystedt — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:06:10 +0000

This is a guest review by Mohammad Alhuraiz of the Lochal Archade Gaming podcast. Since unfortunately the Shure e3c earphones are no longer in the market we decided to put this review online instead with this note attached.

In-ear earphones have always been a step up for the regular portable earphones; the sound quality is crisp, isolates you from the noisy surroundings and can be more comfortable for long periods of time. The Shure E3c is definitely a different breed, it surpasses many things regular in-ear earphones struggle with, it produces a very crisp sound. I tested the Shures on several music genres, it gave some really impressive results where it was needed. Shure E3c however falls short is comfort. These earphones have a weird way of wearing since you put in the buds in your ears then have the wires over them. A sacrifice for the absolute sound quality, that it isn’t very flexible. Your iPod’s equalizer needs to be taken seriously when using the E3c otherwise your music and podcasts will sound less audible than on a phone speaker. Another issue is that these earphones are quite an investment. You can find other earphones or headsets with slightly less sound quality with considerably cheaper prices. So if you’re an audiophile that can sacrifice comfort and money for superb sound, this can be the best head set for you. If you’re a casual listener, there are many other earphones out there for you.

Shure E3c earphones
4/5
Info: www.shure.com
Price: AED799
Pros: Extremely crisp sound quality; superb noise isolation; good build quality; good selection of sleeves
Cons: Steep price; very inconvenient and uncomfortable to wear