DVD Encoding, Burning Linux

To encode to 16×9 ratio (change the aspect= value to be 4/3 to encode in 4/3), please note you’ll need to adjust -ofps value based on the frame rate of the source

mencoder -of mpeg -mpegopts format=dvd -srate 48000 -ofps 24000/1001 -ovc lavc -oac lavc -lavcopts  vcodec=mpeg2video:vrc_buf_size=1835:keyint=18:vrc_maxrate=9800:vbitrate=4900:aspect=16/9:acodec=ac3:abitrate=192 transformers.dvdrip.avi -o Transformers.dvdrip.mpg

< Relax and go get a scotch or cigar as this can take some time >

if you need to merge files:
mencoder -oac copy -ovc copy -o “transformers.dvdrip.avi” “Transformers.disk1” “Transformers.disk2”

so lets say you have encoded Transformers.dvdrip.mpg and you want to write it to DVD, create a folder in the same directory as that file called ‘DVD’ or really whatever you want

then:

dvdauthor –title -f Transformers.dvdrip.mpg -o DVD
dvdauthor -T -o DVD

Now within that ‘DVD’ directory you have a AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS folder just like a DVD

Ugh exercise sucks until you get in shape

Started a new (*cough*) exercise routine this weekend, and man does it make me realize just how fuckin’ out of shape I am.   The plan goes like this.. I work my ass off until I almost fall over and then hop in the shower and have a good breakfast.  So far this is what I’ve been doin’:

Bike 12-14 miles a day

50 sit ups

100+ bicep curls on each arm (I’ve only got 40lb weights at the moment, need to get bigger ones)

50 bench reps (I’ve only got 150lbs in bench weights… need to get more)

followed up by running a few miles in the evening.

The nice thing about it all is I pretty much sleep like a damn log after all that 😉

After typing this I realize…I need to go shopping and get some more weights!

-S

Beating Comcast / Sandvine

If you are tired of Sandvine screwing with your BitTorrent and a user of GNU/Linux, then this is for you. I will tell you how to take your bandwidth back.

If you are using a Red Hat Linux derivative, such as Fedora Core or CentOS, then you will want to edit /etc/sysconfig/iptables. First, make a backup of this file. Next, open this file in your favorite text editor. Replace the current contents with this, substituting 6883 with your BitTorrent port number:

*filter
:INPUT ACCEPT [0:0]
:FORWARD ACCEPT [0:0]
:OUTPUT ACCEPT [0:0]
-A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT
#Comcast BitTorrent seeding block workaround
-A INPUT -p tcp –dport 6883 –tcp-flags RST RST -j DROP
-A INPUT -m state –state ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT
#BitTorrent
-A INPUT -m state –state NEW -m tcp -p tcp –dport 6883 -j ACCEPT
-A INPUT -m state –state NEW -m udp -p udp –dport 6883 -j ACCEPT
-A INPUT -j REJECT –reject-with icmp-host-prohibited
COMMIT

Reload your iptables firewall with service iptables restart. You should now see a great improvement in your seeding.

If you are using Ubuntu or another non-Red Hat Linux derivative, then place the following in a file and execute that file as root.

#!/bin/sh
#Replace 6883 with you BT port
BT_PORT=6883

#Flush the filters
iptables -F

#Apply new filters
iptables -A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT
#Comcast BitTorrent seeding block workaround
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp –dport $BT_PORT –tcp-flags RST RST -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -m state –state ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT
#BitTorrent
iptables -A INPUT -m state –state NEW -m tcp -p tcp –dport $BT_PORT -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -m state –state NEW -m udp -p udp –dport $BT_PORT -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -j REJECT –reject-with icmp-host-prohibited

Your firewall is now configured and you should have great upload speed now. You will have to run this script every boot, by the way. One easy way is to call the script at the end of /etc/rc.local.

Credit for this write up goes to Cat in the Red Hat

Well done sir 🙂

-Scott

New Streetlight Manifesto due out next month

I haven’t heard some good new Ska in a while, and thank god Streetlight’s new album doesn’t suck.  I was concerned after the last few releases from Catch 22 and the likes.  I got a chance to listen to the new album in it’s entirety today and… I have a preorder in for the retail copy when it comes out.  It’s worth purchasing..

Music companies and artists bitch about piracy and stealing when there is a simple solution to the whole problem.. Charge a fair price and put out a full CD of good music then, you’ll get your money and the consumer will be happy with the product.. plain and simple.  The new streetlight CD is around 50 minutes of quality music and only costs $12 on Amazon.  Needsless to say; I purchased a copy.

=S

Data Center or liquid nitrogen storage space?

So I realized that I really needed to remove some temporary UPS units that were placed under the datacenter floor some time ago… I haven’t had to do any real long term under the floor work since we turned all 3 CRAC units online… freakin’ cold.  I found a IR thermometer we had lying around, it read “35.6F” and considering the airflow is moving at ~30mph or more the windchill is insane.  I could only work for a few minutes before coming back into the NOC to warm up… it’s amazing how efficient and how high powered those CRAC units are. 🙂

-Scott