Difference between pages "Security software" and "Vlcstreamer debugging"

Revision as of 21:14, 29 April 2015

VLC Streamer Debugging

VLC can't convert all movies to the required file format for streaming.

There are a couple of things you can do to get info on what is going wrong. Hopefully this will help you figure out how to avoid the problem or work round it.

(if you figure out something that is generally useful - then please let me know)

Try a known movie

Try downloading the mp4 Building on the Past movie

(Right click on the link and click 'save content as...')

I have tested this movie on Windows and Mac to check that VLC Streamer can handle it.

(movie is hosted by the internet archive )

Try running the command manually

Windows

Click on the 'open working directory' button in the helper
You'll see a series of directories corresponding to converted movies
Open the directory that corresponds to the problematic file
Open the cmd.txt file and copy the text
Open a command window (Start menu, run program, type 'cmd' )
Paste the command from cmd.txt (use right click to paste)

this will run the command that VLC streamer is using to convert the movie. You should see output from VLC in a new window. Hopefully this will give additional information on what is not working.

Mac

Click on the 'open working directory' button in the helper
You'll see a series of directories corresponding to converted movies
Open the directory that corresponds to the problematic file
Open the errLog.txt file

this contains the output which VLC produced. Hopefully it is helpful.

You can also run the command from the cmd.txt file (copy it into a terminal window) if you want to re-run the command or modify it

Try custom encoding options

This is one for VLC experts! If you are willing to mess in the arcane details of VLC, then try

Custom encoding

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==Security Software==
+==VLC Streamer Debugging ==
-NB: all recommendations here apply to Windows
+VLC can't convert all movies to the required file format for streaming.
-One of the most frequent problems that people have with our software relates to their security software being overzealous and blocking either network connections, or the ability for our apps to save data in their settings.
+There are a couple of things you can do to get info on what is going wrong. Hopefully this will help you figure out how to avoid the problem or work round it.
-There are a bunch of security apps out there with dizzying arrays of functionality. The thing they all seem to have in common is a complex set of settings and options. If you are a super-techie user, then you may want to monitor and tweak settings for each app you run. Of course, if you are a super-techie user, then you probably won't have problems configuring your security software to make sure that it doesn't interfere with our apps.
+(if you figure out something that is generally useful - then please [http://hobbyistsoftware.com/contact-us let me know])
-For everyone else, (including people who want their security apps to 'just work') the I recommend the apps listed below.
+==Try a known movie==
-This why I recommend them:
+Try downloading the [http://www.archive.org/download/Justin_Cone_-_Building_On_The_Past_-_640x480/Justin_Cone_-_Building_On_The_Past_-_640x480_512kb.mp4 mp4 Building on the Past movie]
-* They're free
+(Right click on the link and click 'save content as...')
-* They're well respected
-* They won't get in the way of applications running normally
-* They won't slow your computer down unreasonably
-* We test all our apps to make sure they work with these options (as will most other developers)
-These are the apps I install on my computers and all my family's computers.
+I have tested this movie on Windows and Mac to check that VLC Streamer can handle it.
-===Firewall===
+(movie is hosted by [http://www.archive.org/details/Justin_Cone_-_Building_On_The_Past_-_640x480 the internet archive] )
-Use Microsoft's built in firewall.
+==Try running the command manually==
-Get rid of whatever other firewall you are using. The chances are that it is complex and doesn't give you anything useful that Microsoft doesn't give you for free.
+===Windows ===
-Once you turn off your old firewall (I'd suggest fully uninstalling it), Windows will ask you if you want to turn on the default firewall. Do that and you're set.
+#Click on the 'open working directory' button in the helper
+#You'll see a series of directories corresponding to converted movies
+#Open the directory that corresponds to the problematic file
+#Open the cmd.txt file and copy the text
+#Open a command window (Start menu, run program, type 'cmd' )
+#Paste the command from cmd.txt (use right click to paste)
-===Anti Virus===
+this will run the command that VLC streamer is using to convert the movie. You should see output from VLC in a new window. Hopefully this will give additional information on what is not working.
-Use [http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx Microsoft Security Essentialls]
+===Mac===
-It's free, it does a good job, and it won't slow your computer down.
+#Click on the 'open working directory' button in the helper
-Better still, it won't try to get you to pay every few months by releasing a new version and trying to hide the free download link!
+#You'll see a series of directories corresponding to converted movies
+#Open the directory that corresponds to the problematic file
+#Open the errLog.txt file
-===Auto Updates===
+this contains the output which VLC produced. Hopefully it is helpful.
-Make sure you turn on Windows' 'Automatic Updates' (you can find it in the control centre).
+You can also run the command from the cmd.txt file (copy it into a terminal window) if you want to re-run the command or modify it
-This will make sure you stay up to date with the latest security fixes.
+==Try custom encoding options==
-===Optional additional scanner===
+This is one for VLC experts! If you are willing to mess in the arcane details of VLC, then try
-If you want to run an occasional scan for other malware, spyware, or other bad things, then
+[[Custom_encoding | Custom encoding]]
-[http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Free-Internet-Security/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?tag=mncol;1 Lavasoft Ad Aware]
-[http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php their main site is here]
-You may have to hunt around to find the real free download link - but it will be there somewhere!
-===Caveat===
-I'm not a security expert, these are just my recommendations based on my experience and the feedback from various tech groups that I use. No security software will stop you from infesting your computer with spyware and viruses if you try hard enough! The main protection is just to be sensible about what applications you download and run.