Other forum?

A good hardware forum owner said to ask here about "streaming" issues. I don't know if he meant I would get answers here of if he meant someone here could tell me where to find a good forum for such things.

An example of my questions is about DivX.

I've seen at least a dozen sites that say you must install DivX in order to view their streams. I've downloaded and installed two instances of DivX systems and _still_ I get notices that say I need to install DivX.

Incidentally I tried to buy one powerful streaming program (suite, actually) called Jaksta via their _onscreen link_ and their computer just told me there was no such product available. I later learned that they would be all to happy to sell me a "professional" version of it.

Are these sites just scams?

It looks to me like in this arena software goes obsolete faster than hardware.

JimLL

 

I went to the Jaksta site (never heard of it before) I could view the video on the main page. It seems it's a video download and converter. Are you using firefox? To view streaming Divx use this: http://majorgeeks.com/DivX_for_Windows_d4297.html I would say just pick the web player out of the options. If you are using firefox and want to download videos use this: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006/ Then if you need to convert them there are many options for that, the simpliest to use is Format Factory: http://majorgeeks.com/Format_Factory_d6559.html If this isn't your goal maybe explain a little more about what you need. As far as paying for software to do that, I wouldn't as there are many free options out there. Now this won't download videos from all sites but there is still ways to do it.

 

I already have that.

I have three or four players.

I have been too far (too many decades) down the road to go back to gathering up bits and pieces. The likes of DivX or Jaksta come in a complete interlocking system with codecs, converters, players, splitters, etc. The DivX system, if I could license it, includes integrated converters and a whole pile of stuff. The converter has a 15 day limit if I don't buy the suite (which is priced cheap enough.) I have a decent converter that works well, but I have to shuffle around to set it up, etc.

Also I have noticed a _HUGE_ difference in ease of use between different packages or parts of packages. The most free utility on Earth is useless to me if I can't use it easily.

What am I doing? I'm downloading TV show episodes I can't get on my $12 a month cable package - low fixed income and all that. I get them in whatever actual form I can download them in and convert them to .AVI for playing or re-playing.

My question about DivX relates to the fact that bazillions of sites with the kinds of programming I want require DivX.

There again, I quit the OS/2 operating system some years ago because, while it was once _far_ ahead of Windows, it required everything to be put together from bits and pieces - something that is probably second nature to folks here. I just can't wrap my mind around it any more. (Never could do it well.)

PS I have the FireFox DivX addon and it helps very little with what I've been trying to do. With both that and a DivX system in the system as well, as I said, I still get lots of sites that shout for me to install DivX. (I need a DivX expert to explain that.) That sort of thing really gets in the way when you're looking for specific episodes. One site lists up to 15 or so links for each episode and even then I can't always get what I'm looking for.

 

I'm still asking the same question. Are these sites legitimate or not?

Just minutes ago I clicked on a note that said I needed the latest DivX. It started to download Xvid. Now I know there is a history between DivX and Xvid, but to say DivX and feed you Xvid... Are they identical? If so, why do I need to install _anything_ more??

So again I ask, are these outfits just a bunch of crooks? If no one knows, _please_ recommend a forum where this stuff is everyday fare. I really need to get some clear answers.

 

Are you asking if the sites to download and watch those shows is legit? Theres quite a bit of sites out there that have shows and all sorts of things to watch. But not all are legal and we sure in heck don't know if safe. I know people that have gotten infected by going to links/downloading these things from different sites. Some sites are put up by just normal people so you click there link and it could be a virus of some sort. I don't think you will stop since like many out in the world are broke and watch online. I suggest you learn and read some about certain sites. And don't forget if you could get caught and get introuble.

 

As I posted one example of, they say one thing and do another. A DivX click did not get me DivX, rather Xvid. (Experts feel free to explain that one.) Many are putting several "DOWNLOAD" icons on the viewing page. That used to mean you could actually download the thing as well as watch it online. Now on many sites "DOWNLOAD" means simply "This way to a commercial."

I asked if they are crooks. Let me put it the other way. Can you trust them? I suppose it varies. But even a trusted site may have crook sites in their links.

Right here I have asked both for details and for forums where this kind of thing is the purpose for being. The best way to get this kind of information is to ask someone who has already got a handle on it. Of course there are always the few who take great offense at questions asked VS detail articles read. Since I can't remember a quarter of the details I used to remember I look for folks who know the bottom line - much to the dismay of some.

And there are those who invariably assume you don't really need to know what you asked for and tell you something only obliquely related.

But I still ask where the experts on this subject are.

JimL