HandBrake Media Converter Gets Even Better

From Lifehacker.com

=======
All platforms: A new version of the most popular media converter for Lifehacker readers, Handbrake, adds several useful features like universal input (it's not just for DVDs any more), better video quality, and now integration with VLC to do DVD decryption. Download version 0.9.3 and see the full release notes here. [via]
=======

A Ton of new updates

InfraRecorder - CD/DVD Burner

InfraRecorder is free CD/DVD Burning Software. It won't play media....It won't let you author discs. It just burns! Wow! Check out the video below for a demo.



For anyone curious. Here is all the crap you get with Nero

ZScreen - Screen Capture Utility

ZScreen is a screen capture utility to replace Windows default print screen function. As you know, with the Windows default utility, you get the full screen to the clipboard only. ZScreen gives you a ton of more flexibility and the option to only run when needed. Check out the video for a demo.

Copy Handler

Great little tool. It replaces the standard "Microsoft" copy and move functionality with a ton of enhanced features. Check out the video for more.

Copy Handler Demo

Prepare MP3 With MP3Gain and Tag Scanner

Couple nice free utilities. MP3Gain we have discussed in the past to adjust the DB level of all your Mp3s. Below is a demonstration of how to use the tool.

In addition I have found a great application to not only mass rename your MP3s but will allow you to easily adjust all attributes. Below is a demo as well.

MP3Gain Demo

TagScanner

Handbrake Convert DVD5/DVD9 to AVI

I have created a demonstration of how to convert a DVD5/DVD9 video to a 1500mb AVI (xvid) file. This will help to significantly reduce the size of the file with little to no degradation of quality. Let me know if you have any questions.

Prepare Video With DVDFAB

Convert With Handbrake

Launchy

This application rocks! It is a quick launch dialog that let's you type in program names, directories, websites, etc and it will launch the corresponding action. Here is a demo of how to use it.

Additional information

PDF Writer

This open source application does nothing more than install a print driver so that you can "print" to PDF. It is great if you want to convert any document or picture to a standard PDF format. This app doesn't allow you to edit, crop, etc. the PDF. The only purpose is to create a PDF. Click here for more info.

MP3Gain

This application is amazing. It analyzes your MP3s (single or entire library) and sets a standard for the DB level. This is great if your music is like mine. Song 1 is way to loud and Song 2 is way to soft. With a 1.7mb footprint you will enjoy using this. Click here for more details.

Handbrake For Up-Converting

I just heard from Scott today that he uses Handbrake to up-convert from a DVD5/DVD9 to High Def quality. Thanks for the tip. I didn't know that it could do that.

Welcome To My Page!

I have decided to start a Blog to discuss some of the Open Source/Free Applications that I use. I thought it might be easier to keep all of the information in one place.