Ringtones

Ringtones come in many formats, among which there are such popular ones going around as MIDI, MMF, WAV, MP3, RTTTL, AMR, etc. Each format exists with different merits and demerits. MMF and MIDI are the tow most supported formats. AMR and WAV, in existence as supplements to the former two, make the note of ringtone a bit more melodious. IMY and RTTTL are two old senior members of this family.

MIDI, Musical Instrument Digital Interface , is a kind of language. Just as computer know well about 0 and 1, midi serves as a language commonly used for electrical instruments and related equipment. It is the multi-media format of smf (standard midi).

SPMIDI, almost the same with midi, came into being by adding some controlling message to midi, and applied as a special edition for mobile phone.

MMF/SMAF, are abbreviations of APP Mind Message File and Synthetic music Mobile Application Format respectively. SMAF is developed by Yamaha as a multi-media data format, and MMF is the relevant file. SMAF file, compared to congeneric files, has such advantages as small size and high expressive ability. SMAF is mainly for making ringtones of mobiles, and the extension format of SMAF can be also used for text and image. Thanks to these attributes, when it comes to make multi-media ringtones for handsets, SMAF can afford strong feasibility and performance.

RTTTL, Ring Tone Text Transfer Language, is a standard format for handset ringtone, and has been supported by many mobiles.

WAV, Wave form Audio, is also a standard audio file format, close to equal to CD quality, but takes up much more memory space when compared to other compressed files.

WMA, Windows Media Audio, is a audio format of Windows. It gets CD quality with a coding rate running as low as 64kps. For the same content, WMA digital music files eats up half memory of that for WAV.

AMR, Adaptive Multi-Rate, a name of AWB, gave by Nokia for commercial use ,has been ratified by 3GPP as the codec standard for broadband language of GSM and 3G WCDMA.

With technology of ringtone advancing by the day, imperfections of many classic formats began to come into people’s attention. MMF’s short play time of at best 10 plus seconds turns out to be unbearable .It is this dissatisfaction that gave birth to AMR , which enables long time play ,but came at the cost of relatively creepy quality. Meeting people’s ever demanding expectations has always been an impetus to technology innovation, and so more different formatted ringtones will come into being in the years to come.

With all these different formats to choose from, editing recoded sound or any other source of audio files or DIYing a string of notes to personalize ringtones has become ever more popular. There is a lot of compact software out there to help you compose like a musician.

How to convert video to MPEG4 using Xilisoft MP4 Converter

Xilisoft MPEG4 Converter can easily convert video to MPEG4, such as convert WMV to mpeg4. This article will guide you how to convert WMV to MPEG4, AVI to MPEG4 and VOB to MPEG4 with the MPEG4 converter. Xilisoft MP4 Converter can convert video files such as AVI, MPEG, DivX, MOV, RM, WMV, 3GP, VOB, VCD, DV to MP4 (MPEG4), Xvid, and convert audio files to MP3, AAC, M4A freely and fast, with excellent quality.

Step-by-step guide:

How to convert video to MPEG4, such as WMV to MPEG4, MPEG to MPEG4 and VOB to MPEG4 with this MPEG4 converter?(Take converting AVI to MPEG4 for example)

Step 1: Free download Xilisoft MP4 Converter and save it in your computer, and then run it.

Step 2: Launch Xilisoft MP4 Converter.

Step 3: Click "Add" button to load AVI file(s) to be converted to MPEG4:

Step 4: Click "Profile" combo-box to select MPEG4 as output file and the information about the output file is displayed in the right panel:

And you can also set the parameters of the video and audio codec, and then click "Save As" button to save the appropriate name:

Step 5: Click "Browse" button to select an output path:

Step 6: Click "Encode" button to start to convert AVI to MPEG4:

Tip:

The output file MPEG4 file supports many potable media player (MP4 player) such as Acrchos Archos AV500, Archos AV700, Archos Gmini402, iriver PMP-100, Creative Zen Vision, iPod, PSP, etc.

How to convert video files to FLV file?

Already have a FLV software, then how to use it?

This article will guide the user how to convert video files to FLV file using Allok Video to FLV Converter.

Step 1: Free download the Allok Video to FLV Converter and run it.

Step 2: Launch Allok Video to FLV Converter.

Step 3: Click "Add" button to load files you want to convert.

Step 4: Click "Change" button to choose output file for FLV file, and you can also use the default path.

Step 5: Click "Output Format" combo-box to choose FLV as output file.

Step 6: Click "Convert" button to start to convert files to FLV file.

Complete!

FLV software

Today, I'd like to introduce some powerful FLV software.

Allok Video to FLV Converter:

can convert many video files such as DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, M4V, FLV, 3GP, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, SVCD, VCD, VOB to FLASH Video (SWF, FLV) formats.

• Video to FLV Converter- Convert almost all video formats, e.g.DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, M4V, FLV, 3GP, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, SVCD, VCD, VOB to FLASH Video (SWF, FLV) formats.
• FLV encoder.
• AVI to FLV Converter- Convert AVI to FLV.
• MPEG to FLV Converter- Convert MPEG to FLV.
• All video to FLV format.
• All video to SWF format.
• Convert movie files into Macromedia Flash.
• Inside FLV encoder.
• Batch files conversion.
• High-speed encoder ensures smooth conversion of video and audio data.
• Direct any video files to Flash Video with high quality.
• Customize the resulting file quality.
• Adjust framerate and bitrates in resulting Flash movie.
• Movie scene spot edit-able.
• Support various subtitle file .
• Keep the original aspect ratio or resize movie to fit resolution.
• Automatically create HTML file with embedded Flash movie file.
• Support Drag and Drop.
• Preview source clips Shutdown computer automatically when job is done.
• Simple GUI and very EASY to use.
• Lifetime FREE Technical Support and FREE upgrade.

Ultra Flash Video FLV Converter:

a professional Flash Video Encoder and SWF Converter software which helps you convert FLV and SWF video files like MPEG to FLV, AVI to FLV, WMV to FLV, AVI to SWF, MPEG to SWF, WMV to SWF etc. The FLV Converter can convert so many video formats including DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, M4V, FLV, 3GP, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, SVCD, VCD, VOB to FLV and SWF format.

• Video source supports DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, MP4, M4V, FLV, 3GP, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, SVCD, VCD, VOB any video format play-able.
• All video to FLV Converter.
• All video to SWF Converter.
• Flash Video Converter and Encoder for internet.
• Batch files conversion Inside flash video encoder.
• High-speed encoder ensures smooth conversion of video and audio data.
• Direct any video files to flash format without losing quality.
• Customize the resulting file quality.
• Adjust framerate and bitrates in resulting Flash video.
• Movie scene spot edit-able.
• Support various subtitle file Add Letterbox to keep aspect ratio.
• Automatically create HTML file with embedded Flash movie file
• Support Drag and Drop Preview source clips
• Shutdown computer automatically when job is done
• Simple GUI and very EASY to use Lifetime FREE Technical Support and FREE upgrade.

Moyea Flv to Video Converter:

is currently the best tool to convert FLV files to regular video and audio files. The supported FLV files include On2 vp6 video FLV, H263 video FLV, Nelly Moser audio FLV, MP3 audio FLV and audio-only FLV.

• Supports FLV files by various codecs. Moyea Flv to Video Converter is the first software program that can perfectly convert FLV files by ON2 VP6 codec and Nelly Moser codec. FLV files by H263 codec and audio-only FLV files are also very well supported.
• Supports an amazing amount of output file types. Moyea Flv to Video Converter supports AVI, MP4, MPEG, 3GP, MOV, and MP3 output files types along with very efficient codecs, which enables the smooth playback of the converted files on your DVD, PC, iPod, PSP, cell phones and other portable devices.
• Powerful yet easy watermark. Moyea Flv to Video Converter allows you to use a GIF picture as the watermark on your video and the animation effects of the GIF picture can be completely kept. You can set an transparent color and its tranparency degree and tolerance on your watermark and everything can be real-time previewed. Nine watermark origin positions are provided to customizie your watermark position and watermark size can also be easily customized. You can even batch add a watermark to mutiple FLV files at a time.
• Considerate video crop function. Moyea Flv to Video Converter has very a useful crop function that enables you to get rid of the black frames and logos on your video. Customizing standard 16:9, 4:3 and other video aspect ratios for different screens is very intuitive with this program. The constantly changed background image with the playback in the crop area makes it even more accurate to crop an appropriate size for the whole video file.
• Useful Profile function. This function saves your time and energy by providing several preset profiles of common settings. You can also save different settings as different profiles for later so avoid making the same settings.
• Rich FLV information for your settings. You can view both the simple information and the detailed information of your FLV file when you make settings for the output. The detailed information will be viewed in a transparent window so that it won't block the playback pane.
• Almost all the functions are based on batch process. We have fully considered the differences between processing a single file and multiple files on all the settings. We have invested in a lot of work in this, which has achieved the goal of providing users with the most convenience without any dilemma.

ImTOO FLV Converter:

can convert almost all popular video formats like DivX, Xvid, WMV, 3GP, 3G2, MPG, MPEG, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC, M4V, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, SVCD, VCD, VOB, and AVI to FLV streaming video and to SWF movie formats that are ready for the web publishing and streaming.

• Super fast speed and excellent output quality are provided;
• So easy-to-use with just several buttons and few clicks;
• Video Bitrate, Audio Bitrate, Frame rate, Video Size, Duration, and other parameters can be set before conversion;
• Two modes provided: the Wizard Mode guiding the whole conversion process for you and the Advanced Mode with variable settings that you can set at will;
• A shortcut of the software can be found directly on the desktop after the default installation.

Some PSP tools

Today when I googled PSP tools for my little cousin, I found that there are so many PSP tools which can convert/rip different files to PSP file. They all have powerful functions.

PSP Video Manager: a freeware which can transfer PSP files between PSP and PC.

• The simple and easy-to-use user interface;
• Two beatiful skins are offered in the program to select;
• The program supports two lauguages- English and Chinese;
• The size of the selected file will be displayed;
• Both veterans and beginners will love it, and you can know what function is available from the status of the buttons;

PSP Movie Creator: can convert movie files to PSP files, and rip DVD to PSP files.

• The converter converts DVD movies and various video formats *for optimized playback* on Sony PSP.
• Incorporates the world's fastest DVD conversion technique (300% faster with better video quality) plus advanced video editing features which cannot be found elsewhere.
• It's the only software which supports capturing video thumbnail during preview/recording (what you see is what you get).
• Its built-in explorer window shows you the filename, video title together side by side. Pie chart of memory card usage, free spaces are also displayed for the best of your convenience.
• Best DVD to PSP ripper- rip DVD to PSP MPEG4(MP4).
• Powerful PSP MPEG4(MP4) converter- convert movie to PSP MPEG4(MP4).
• Enables you to watch movie on PSP.
• The software supports most comprehensive video formats: DVD, DivX/XviD, avi, wmv, mpg, mpeg, dat(VCD), rm, rmvb, Tivo2Go, etc. DVD subtitles supported.
• Converter supports 320x240, 368x208 or 400x192 resolutions for optimized video playback on Sony PSP. (PSP Movie Creator software has an intelligent resolution auto-select algorithm built-in).
• Freeware PSP Video Transfer is built in PSP Movie Creator.(After converting movie to PSP MPEG4(MP4) or ripping DVD to PSP MPEG4(MP4), you can easily transfer/put those PSP MPEG4(MP4) files to your PSP.).

Xilisoft DVD to PSP Suite: includes Xilisoft DVD to PSP Converter which can rip DVD to PSP file and Xilisoft PSP Video Converter which can convert different video files to PSP files.

• Includes two products, Xilisoft DVD Ripper and Xilisoft PSP Video Converter;
• Convert DVD to VCD, DivX, MPEG, AVI, etc.;
• Convert various formats including AVI, MPEG, WMV, MPEG1/2/4,dvd to Sony PSP MP4;
• Convert all popular audio formats to Sony PSP MP3;
• Adjustable video size for Sony PSP: 160x112, 324x248 and 368x208;
• Supports 15 and 29.97 frame rate;
• Support multithreading,you can convert multiple files at the same time;
• Converts any clip or segment of DVD movie or video files. The software allows users to choose start point and duration at will;

Wondershare PSP Video Suite 1.3.2.5: an all-in-one PSP video software can convert DVD and video formats to Sony PlayStation Portable MP4.

• Convert various video formats including AVI, MPG, MPEG, DAT, WMV, MOV, RM, RMVB, ASF to iPod video (MP4 format).
• Fast copy your DVDs to PSP and go.
• Supports xVid and H.264 compression.
• Support batch conversion to process several video files at once.
• Preview video while converting.
• Get the movie formats you want with excellent image and sound quality.
• Trim your videos to cut unwanted parts before conversion.
• Simple and Friendly Interface.

ImTOO PSP Music Suite:

• Convert Audio CDs to PSP music file MP3: You can use ImTOO CD Ripper to convert audio CDs to PSP MP3 files. A lot of settings you can tweak to achieve best audio quality.
• Convert video files to PSP video file MP4: ImTOO PSP Video Converter is a MP4 converter. It can convert popular video files to MP4. The software supports a lot of video and audio codec, such as MPEG4, WMV, WMA, WAV and MP3.
• Convert various audio formats to MP3: ImTOO PSP Video Converter can also convert most audio file such as converting wav to mp3, converting m4a to mp3 and converting aac to mp3 and so on.

Five Audio and Video tools

HDX4 Player 1.5.1.818

The "HDX4 Player" consists of the powerful HDX4 decoder and a video player which can not only playback MPEG4 videos but also a great number of common audio and video files. After having installed the player you will not only be able to play MPEG4 files but also be able to play and open other container formats like MP4 as well as audio tracks encoded in MPEG-1 Layer 2, Ogg, AAC or AMR.

VividLyrics 2.1.1

The powerful song lyric tool to show song lyric can also display music lyric and edit song lyric with perfect quality The song lyric tool is a karaoke plug-in designed for the media players, which displays the lyrics synchronizing with the music, and accurately highlights every word during playback. VividLyrics also provide a visual lyrics editor, with this powerful tool, you can easily create the high quality karaoke lyrics files for your favorite songs.

TextAloud 2.055

TextAloud reads text from email, web pages, reports and more, aloud on your PC. TextAloud can also save your daily reading to MP3 or Windows Media files ready for playback on your iPod, PocketPC, or even on your TV with Tivo's Home Media Option. Be more productive or just be entertained wherever you go with our text reader.

Easy Karaoke Player 3.0

Easy Karaoke Player plays karaoke, records karaoke song to wav file.
Easy Karaoke Player can play all kinds of multimedia files with a build-in powerful multimedia player. Easy Karaoke Player plays many audio formats such as MP3, MIDI, KAR, WAV, WMA, AC3, OGG, MPA, MP2, AU, AIF, SND, etc., and video formats VCD, MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, OGM, DIVX, DAT, SVCD etc. You can sing your favorite song and record it to high quality WAV file. You can download the trial version of Easy Karaoke Player freely.

DVD X Player Standard 3.0

DVD X Player is the first region free/code free software DVD player in the world. DVD X Player have no region lock protection, allowing you to view ALL movies from ALL regions, 1 thru 6. Through this player you can play all region DVD on all DVD drives even if you have changed the region code 5 times.

DVD X Player supports macro vision-free feature through which you can view DVDs through your TV-out device without obstruction or distortion.It also supports operation-free through which you can skip the FBI warning easily. DVD X Player is also a full-featured and easy to use DVD, Video CD, Audio-CD and media file player. It can provide superior quality video and audio (Dolby&DTS) also other enhanced functions: e.g. optional skins, playback image and DV, image capture and bookmark, etc. Furthermore, it supports DIVX, MPEG4, RM, QuickTime, WMV, WMV-HD, and MacroMedia Flash and so on popular media formats of Internet.

Windows Vista

Are you get ready for a new day, as Microsoft will launch Windows Vista OS on January 30th, 2007.

Features of the new OS - Windows Vista:

Ease of use

When you start using Windows Vista, you will recognize familiar elements such as the Start menu, which is now faster, more streamlined, and more helpful than in previous versions of Windows. The Start menu features integrated desktop search through a new feature called Instant Search which can help you find and launch almost anything on your PC. Just type in a word, a name, or a phrase, and Instant Search can find the right file for you. But more than that, the new start menu makes it very easy for you to navigate across all of the installed applications on your PC. Eliminating the slow performing, cascading "All Programs" view, the new start menu can help you get something started more quickly than ever.

Explorers

The new Explorers are powerful yet easy-to-use tools for working with files consistently across Windows Vista. Explorers give you more information and control while simplifying how you work with your files. The experience is easy and consistent, whether you're browsing photos or documents or even using the new Control Panel.

The new Document Explorer makes working with your files a snap. Find your files more quickly with the new Live Icon feature, and see what they contain without having to open them.

Key elements of the Explorers in Windows Vista are designed to help you get to the information you need, when you need it. Instant Search is always available to help you find files instantly. The navigation pane contains the new Search Folders found in Windows Vista, as well as traditional folders that you have created on your computer. Command Bars display only the tasks that are most appropriate for the files being displayed. With new Live Icons (scalable thumbnails) used throughout Windows Vista, you can see the first page of documents, the actual image of a photo, or the album art for individual songs in your music collection, making it easier to find exactly what you are looking for.

Type keywords into the Instant Search box in the new Control Panel to find the right system setting quickly.

Windows Aero

Windows Vista is the first Windows operating system that has a user experience that can gracefully scale to the hardware capabilities of the computer it is installed on. All computers that meet minimal hardware requirements will see the Windows Vista Basic user experience, which provides the benefits of the refined interface features already mentioned. Windows Vista Aero provides spectacular visual effects such as glass-like interface elements that you can see through.

Windows Aero is an environment with an additional level of visual sophistication, one that is even more responsive and manageable, providing a further level of clarity and confidence to Windows users.

Live taskbar thumbnails

Resting the mouse pointer over a taskbar item displays a live thumbnail of the window, showing the content of that window. The live thumbnail is displayed whether the window is minimized or not, and whether the content of the window is a document, photo, or even a running video or process.


See thumbnail views of the items in your taskbar by resting your mouse pointer on them.

Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D

Windows Vista provides two entirely new features to manage windows: Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D. Flip allows you to flip through open windows (by using Alt+Tab), providing a live thumbnail of each window, rather than just a generic icon and file name. Live thumbnails make it easier to quickly identify the window you want, particularly when multiple windows of the same kind are open. With Flip 3D, you can use the scroll wheel on your mouse to flip through open windows in a stack, and quickly locate and select the one you want to work with.

Use Flip to view and navigate more easily through open windows.



Use Flip 3D to navigate through open windows using the scroll wheel on your mouse.


From: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx