WinFF no longer converts Videos[solved pending Repo Update]

[Tony]

Heck, thanks johnmart.
I hear what you're saying, about waiting for the fix to appear in the Repos, I actually need a bit of practice at navigating the file system, and doing stuff like this, kinda similar to updating the sources.list.
Just want to have a look see how it all looks.

Much appreciate your reply 

[Just17]

I've had no luck.

1.) johnmart:

I then checked out http://winff.org/html_new/downloads.html

and followed their instructions to use an updated presets.xml. Success!

I downloaded what seemed after much looking the only file suitable, winff-1.3.2-source.tar.gz
2.) Extracted the Archive, found a file "presets.xml"
3.) Renamed presets.xml in /usr/share/winff to 'old presets.xml'. The 'presets.xml' file remained, after I'd renamed as 'old'.
4.) Tried copying "presets.xml" from downloaded 'winff-1.3.2-source.tar.gz'. Denied. ( Properties are root)
Just opened the new "presets.xml" in KWrite, selected all, copied.
"Edit as root" /usr/share/winff/'presets.xml' - it opened in KWrite, pasted new "presets.xml", saved it.
5.) Deleted  /<user>home/.winff
Didn't work when I tried running WinFF 

I maybe downloaded wrong file, i.e. - winff-1.3.2-source.tar.gz, or made mistake with replacing, or, actually, had to re-write, /usr/share/winff/'presets.xml.
Dunno ... beyond me 
 

Do the work on the file you edited previously  .....

/home/<YourUserName>/.winff/presets.xml.

This will change the file only for the user and not system-wide, so you will not meet with any file permission problems.

There  should be no need to delete anything .....  rename the existing presets file .....  copy the new on into the same location and name it 'presets.xml' then launch WinFF and test.

All of the above being done  in  /home/<YourUserName>/.winff/


regards.

[Tony]

Thanks Just18 for checking back here and your reply.
I must admit I did encounter problem at "/usr/share/winff", impossible to replace with the new 'presets.xml' file, it is locked by as you say, "file permission problems."
I do greatly appreciate people's help here at PCLinuxOS Forum as I work all day with advanced procedures in Windows systems, and then in a tired state tackle what I need to learn in PCLOS.
Perceptions of just a single word can be very confusing between the two environments.
(I apologise about the emotional stuff, it's just me ... finding being an idiot very difficult  )
Anyhoo;

Do the work on the file you edited previously  .....

/home/<YourUserName>/.winff/presets.xml.

This will change the file only for the user and not system-wide, so you will not meet with any file permission problems.

There  should be no need to delete anything .....  rename the existing presets file .....  copy the new on into the same location and name it 'presets.xml' then launch WinFF and test.

All of the above being done  in  /home/<YourUserName>/.winff/


regards.

Much appreciated Just18, and johnmart,

francis


 

[johnmart]

I must admit I did encounter problem at "/usr/share/winff", impossible to replace with the new 'presets.xml' file, it is locked by as you say, "file permission problems."

On a final note. You got that error because /usr/share/winff is a location that requires root privileges. Sounds complicated but it's not.
If you'd like to try;
Hit Alt-f2
type kdesu dolphin   (the kdesu is a command that starts a program as root) - in this case dolphin

now you can navigate to /usr/share/winff & simply use right click & rename your file as a backup
you can copy the presets file there & rename
**except of course that you already got up & running, but next time you need to do something as admin or root, you can give it a try.
a word of caution: do root operations carefully as there are no safety warnings if you are doing something damaging. Key word is careful.  

[Tony]

Thanks for that info johnmart, it's all very useful, I actually copy and paste all this stuff into Documents and catalogue the info.

I'm pretty sick of WinFF.
It's a little tempting to use the "Edit as root" right click context Menu.
I've done some pretty funny (stupid) things during this whole procedure, copying and pasting contents of one file into another, at "/usr/share/winff " just cos that was all that could be done.
I just ended up with a lot of 'old presets1.xml',... and 2,... and 3. Yikes, and an imovable 'presets.xml'

"...because /usr/share/winff is a location that requires root privileges."

Exactly !!
All is o.k, it converts a .Wav file to .Mp3 very quickly.
Videos not so quick, and my T.V. doesn't like .Avi's at all anymore, only .mp4's,  whatever. 
I've learnt a bit, and I remember in windows it took ages till I found an excellent Vid Converter (Format Factory).

Thanks for the Tips, and Happy Surfing  perserverance furthers.

[Tony]

johnmart:

Hit Alt-f2
type kdesu dolphin   (the kdesu is a command that starts a program as root) - in this case dolphin

I tried running "kdesu dolphin" out of interest. The 'Home' Directories were not my Home Folders.
What I'm trying to say is it showed up like on the Live CD, as the default set of Folders. 

The root directories displayed as they would normally.

I wonder why this is so ?

[Just17]

johnmart:

Hit Alt-f2
type kdesu dolphin   (the kdesu is a command that starts a program as root) - in this case dolphin

I tried running "kdesu dolphin" out of interest. The 'Home' Directories were not my Home Folders.
What I'm trying to say is it showed up like on the Live CD, as the default set of Folders. 

The root directories displayed as they would normally.

I wonder why this is so ?

When you run Dolphin as root -- which is what you did -- then its "home" is the root user's home.

[Agent Smith]

I must admit I did encounter problem at "/usr/share/winff", impossible to replace with the new 'presets.xml' file, it is locked by as you say, "file permission problems."

On a final note. You got that error because /usr/share/winff is a location that requires root privileges. Sounds complicated but it's not.
If you'd like to try;
Hit Alt-f2
type kdesu dolphin   (the kdesu is a command that starts a program as root) - in this case dolphin

now you can navigate to /usr/share/winff & simply use right click & rename your file as a backup
you can copy the presets file there & rename
**except of course that you already got up & running, but next time you need to do something as admin or root, you can give it a try.
a word of caution: do root operations carefully as there are no safety warnings if you are doing something damaging. Key word is careful.  

Actually, the two other preset files worked better for me. Still, they don't convert 3GP mobile videos well (not at all, actually)

http://code.google.com/p/winff/downloads/detail?name=presets-libavcodec52-v7.xml.gz

http://code.google.com/p/winff/downloads/detail?name=presets-libavcodec53-v1.xml.gz

Let's hope the folks fix the syntax for 3gp mobile video in the future.

[Tony]

I dumped WinFF. Became too crazy. No one needs that kinda trouble.
Avidemux 2.5.5 does the Job I want done, quick, easy, and great results.
Heck, sounds like I'm selling the thing. Anyway, after starting this thread, this solution after all this time works for me.  

[mrwaistcoat]

I dumped WinFF. Became too crazy. No one needs that kinda trouble.
Avidemux 2.5.5 does the Job I want done, quick, easy, and great results.
Heck, sounds like I'm selling the thing. Anyway, after starting this thread, this solution after all this time works for me.  

I'm having the same trouble with winFF so installed Avidemux.   I can't find how to launch the thing - is it command line only ?  I want to use something user friendly for my kids to use (want to make DVD's from mobile phone mp4 clips)

Thanks

[Tony]

Hi mrwaistcoat. Are you using KDE, or LXDE ? Actually what form of PCLinuxOS are you using ?
Like 'The Full Monty', MiniMe, and so on.

Sorry I didn't explain my method. I have a specific aim, just to convert '.flv' , or Mp4's, to .Avi's to watch on a USB, or Flash drive on my T.V., for Educational purposes.

I can't find how to launch the thing - is it command line only ?

Seems basically you have to find the 'Launcher'.

You should find the launcher in your Menu, in the "Video" Sub Menu.
I start it:
1.) File > Open.
2.) Select the Video you want to convert, by 'Browse'.
3.) This I stumbled onto, after trying so long with the commandline for ffmpeg:
4.) Go to 'Auto' in the Avidemux 2.5.5 Toolbar, > Optical Disc > Video CD, Super Video CD, or DVD can be selected as a preset. I do nothing more, but then...
5.) Save, to were I'd like the converted Video to go, with the file name, and extension.

I'll check if it can be ran from the commandline, but hoping you find the launcher in the Menu, under Video.
What works for one doesn't always work for everyone, but I see no reason why there should be any probs mrwaistcoat.



francis

[mrwaistcoat]

Many thanks Francis

I'm new to this distro and installed it from a magazine DVD a few months back. I'm using KDE but I'm unable to tell you which flavour of pclinuxos I'm using as I don't know!  How can I tell?
All I know is my system reads "OS Linux 2.6.38.8 pclinuxos1.bfs" and KDE is 4.6.5

Had another look at Synaptic - although I'd installed Avidemux I hadn't installed the GUI, all fine now !! With Linux, I realise we live and we learn !

Looks like this will be perfect - many thanks!  I hadn't wanted a command line program - I want something easy for my son to use.  He has made a load of silly clips of arsing about with his brother on his mobile phone, and now wants them onto DVD.  He will be petitioning for windows if I cant sort this, so thanks for your help !!!

Thanks
Mr W

[Agent Smith]

I dumped WinFF. Became too crazy. No one needs that kinda trouble.
Avidemux 2.5.5 does the Job I want done, quick, easy, and great results.
Heck, sounds like I'm selling the thing. Anyway, after starting this thread, this solution after all this time works for me.  

I'm having the same trouble with winFF so installed Avidemux.   I can't find how to launch the thing - is it command line only ?  I want to use something user friendly for my kids to use (want to make DVD's from mobile phone mp4 clips)

Thanks

Dear Mr. Waistcoat,

AVIdemux is divided in two: the command line program and the GUI. The command line program: Avidemux, avidemux-cli. And the GUI interface is either avidemux-gtk or avidemux-qt. Ok
Install the GUI components and you'll be fine.

Regards

[Tony]

mrwaistcoat:

Had another look at Synaptic - although I'd installed Avidemux I hadn't installed the GUI, all fine now !! With Linux, I realise we live and we learn !

That's the way, any problems I'll leave this thread open, you can post them here.
Sounds like you're up and running.

All I know is my system reads "OS Linux 2.6.38.8 pclinuxos1.bfs" and KDE is 4.6.5

Right, you would be using the Full edition of PCLinuxOS 2011.x , latest Kernel, and version of KDE.

For some info on what version you're using: Click on the 'PC' button,(far left of Panel)  to open the Menu. Go > Documentation > KinfoCenter -info center. Off the top of my head.

Not sure if you are aware how to keap your Install up to date, and healthy.
PCmenu -> Software Center -> Synaptic and enter your root-password.Then in the Synaptic menu click Reload, then Mark All Upgrades, and finally on Apply.
Any updates to your System will Automatically be installed.
Enjoy,

francis