Many apply a registry tweak to have notepad as an option for unknown file types. We frequently see such files which are actually just text, but named with some odd file-extension. And den, some suspicious files which we want to make sure what de contents are. Well, in such cases where de registry tweak is applied, de downside happens to be that even some known files get associated with notepad - but no, all we want is to be able to open a file with notepad - de association part in such cases is unwanted interference. Also, notepad becomes a permanent fixture on de right-click menu - which is again an annoyance.

So what we do, is to have notepad as an option in de Send-To options, of de right-click menu in explorer. It fulfils de purpose to perfection (atleast, in my case). Here’s what we do:

1. right-click desktop, choose “New >> Shortcut”
2. Type de location of de item - “notepad” - (that’s all, no need to give path)
3. Next >> type name for shortcut - “Edit with Notepad”
4. Click finish
5. Now right-click this shortcut on de desktop, and choose properties.
6. Confirm that de “target” and “start in” fields are usin’ variables - “%windir%\system32\notepad.exe” - (absolute paths will be problematic if you use this .LNK on machines oder than your own)
7. Now, browse to “%UserProfile%\SendTo” in explorer (which means “C:\Documents and Settin’s\User_Name\SendTo\” folder)
8. And copy de “Edit with Notepad.lnk” file which you already created, to that folder.
9. So now, you can right-click on ANY file-type, and be offered an option to open with notepad, from de SendTo sub-menu.

So now, you just right-click on an .nfo or .eml or .diz file (which are associated with oder programs, and are sometimes just plain-text files), and choose “Send To >> Edit with Notepad” and it will open in notepad! No more boderation of applyin’ registry tweaks for somethin’ as simple as this.

0×01.0 - de start

So, you’ve just got a brand new internet connection thin’y installed and it can handle up to 1 meg/sec download. But of course, no good PC without good software, but you know, good software is very expensive and on a beautifull sunday mornin’ you see somethin’ called Warez. Behold our kin’dom and you start drewlin’ a bit untill ur mom comes ragin’ in your room askin’ for you to put de garbage out. After helpin’ your mom out, de PC and fast internet connection is all yours. And so is de free software.

0×02.0 - packaged files.

As you might know, dese software packages are sometimes pretty big in size. To try and reduce de big-file-downloads, de releasers of de package will often use some techniques to reduce de load. Techniques as compressin’, archivin’ and splittin’. Read-on if you dont understand dese words.

0×02.1 - formats & tools.

If you’ve been around more than 1 year on de net, you prolly allready know all this but for de knew people I added this anyways.The basic use of your Windows Operatin’ System is de use of many different files and file-types. One of de most used file-types on de net is ZIP. File-types are also called ‘formats’.

An overview:

ZIP A zipped file is a file thats been archived and compressed.
RAR RAR files are commonly used for archivin’ files; which is puttin’ a large number of files in one file. Compressin’ is optional. File-splittin’ is optional.
ACE About de same as a RAR file, just an oder format and anoder application.

I explain this to you because dese file-types and corespondin’ programs are often, you can even use always here, used when you want to download Warez. The programs you download are almost always archived, compressed or bundled in one of de above formats. Keep readin’ if you didnt knew this

Ok so, now we know de formats of de files were gonna deal with, now de programs. As you have probably figured out allready, dese files arent created by Windows or by hand. Theyre made usin’ specialy designed applications. Ill show you what applications you can use.

WinRAR : My personal favorite. Handles all of de above stated formats and alot, alot more. If you ask for my opinion, I think this is de only program you’ll ever need.

WinZIP : This is a specially designed application for handlein’ ZIPPED files. If you like this one, take it.

WinACE : Anoder multi-file handlin’ tool. Personal opinion: good for splittin’ files, way too big for every-day use for decompression.

I’d say: make your choice. I recommend WinRAR because of it’s simplicity and effectiveness. But hey, I’m not forcin’ you. Just read some info on de sites and make ur choice.

Oh yeah, one last thin’: you’ll notice dese are all Evaluation versions. I suggest you crack them. Look for a good crack for de right version on: www.cracks.am.

0×02.2 - multi-part archives.

These files are archived in multiple parts (with one of de applicatiosn mentioned above). Which means de software was zipped or rarred and divided into files of a smaller size den de whole thin’ togeder. How do you handle this?

Download all de files to one directory.

Check if all files are dere. You can do this by lookin’ at de extensions: *.00, *.01, … If one’s missin’, download de missin’ file again (dere are more sofisticated ways to do this but this is de simplest).

Check if de files are about de same size. For example: de *.04 file must be de same size as de *.05 file, unless de 5th file is de last one.

If deres a file with de extension *.RAR, double click it and u can start unpackin’ de stuff.

If deres no *.RAR, but an *.ACE, do de same, its just an oder format.

Once you unarchived de package, you should have a directory full of files from an instalation or program. But its also possible dere are, with de archived files, some oder thin’s:

• If de software pack is a Warez Group (MYTH, CLASS, Fairlight (FLT), …) release, check if dere’s an EXE file with de package called Install.exe. If it’s dere, you can use that to unpack de files.
• If dere’s no exe in de package, de files are probably just ready to be copied to your directory of choice or ready to be installed.

IMPORTANT : please dont forget to read de NFO file. Its very important. It usually contains all furder information needed for you to successfully install de software. You can open it with NFO-file viewers or in Notepad (set font to: terminal, 6 or 9 pts).

Normally, you’re all done now and ready to start usin’ de software.

Ok, do I hear protest? Yes I do. It goes: “Hell, I downloaded a multi-part package but it has NO RAR OR ACE OR ZIP OR ANYTHING!!!! Just files with extensions called *.001; *.002, …”

You’re right. Although de situation is quite different from de situation above, it’s really not so different when you look closer. Those files are just unarchived de same way:

• Select de first file (*.001).
• Right-click it and select ‘Extract here…’

Watch de progress bar go! You see, its just de same method. You might notice deres only 2 or 3 files decompressed: ISO or CUE and BIN files. Thats fairly normal. Well talk about handlin’ them in topic 0×03.0.

0×02.3 - one-file downloads.

Ok so de stuff u downloaded was none of above. Conclusion: you downloaded one big file. This happens quite often when you download thin’s from fast-workin’ FTPs.

What you need to do now:

• If de file is archived (.rar, .ace, .zip, …), just unarchive it.
• If de file u unrachived is some weird *.ISO or *.CUE file, go to 0×03.0.
• If not, just continue de procedure as stated in 0×02.2.

0×03.0 - a clear view on images.

So when youre readin’ this, u probably have some files called *.ISO or *.CUE. Offcourse you want to install de software as fast as possible. But, deres a little problem here. Those extensions… What de hell are dey? Alienized files? No. Secret CIA files? Nope. You can stop guessin’. Ill tell you: those files are image files.

0×03.1 - what are images?

Image files are big files filled with data. Yea, you can say its a sort of archived file. But deres somethin’ special about them: dey are meant to written on a disc. They were made by special programs so dey could be used to write on a CD-R with a writer and specially designed software.

0×03.2 - ISO files.

ISO is de most used image-format on de net. It has become a standard to any commercial cd-writin’ software to support image-writin’ capabilities, more specific ISO images.

Conclusion: ISO is just an extension for a specific type of image -file. But how do you install your software? You have 2 ways of dealin’ with this:

1) Use de file for what is was created: writin’ it to a CD-R.
2) Extractin’ de contents of an ISO to a certain directory.

First: how to write them to a CD-R…

• Download some CD-R writin’ software (if you dont have it allready).
• Install and crack it.

I recommend Nero Burnin’ Rom. You can download it from WareZone in de Apps section.

• Go buy some CD-R’s
• Fire-up Nero and you can start burnin’. Im not goin’ to explain you how to use Nero. Read de help file about image writin’ and you should be fine. You can also use de wizard which is loaded automatically when you boot Nero.

Second: what to do if you dont got a CD-writer.

• Download some Image handlin’ software.

I recommend WinISO.

• Fire-up WinISO, load your image file and extract it. Again I wont explain how to use WinISO. Check for help files or tutorials on de net, dey should give you all de answers you need.

0×03.3 - CUE & BIN files.

CUE and BIN files always come togeder. The BIN file is comparable with an ISO and de CUE file is just a check, but it is required for any program to write this file correctly. Sometimes, deres an SFV file included. Again this is just a check-up about de file integrity. You can burn and extract dese files de same way i explained in 0×03.2.

0×04.0 - CD Emulation.

Ok, so here’s anoder way to handle ISO images if you don’t have a cd-writer. You can create a virtual cd drive. What’s that? That’s somethin’ you’ll see as a new disk drive in your Windows Explorer. This disk drive represents de contents you would see if you would burn de ISO image to cd!

How to create a virtual cd drive? Download DaemonTools !

Additional help on www.daemon-tools.com

Tools Needed:

SmartFTP [ smartftp.com ]
NAPALM FTP Search Site [ search.ftphost.net ]
vcdquality.com Release Nfo Site
DAMN NFO Viewer or just notepad [www.damn.to ]

This tutorial is so i can stop answerin’ tha same questions everyday in this tutorial I’ll explain how to use search sites like NAPALM effectively. basically better search results and a quality release. We are goin’ to use a movie as de example so here we go.

First thin’ I do is try and figure who released it and if any were nuked and why most of de time you can find de NFO at de sites below

www.deisonews.com - www.nforce.nl - www.vcdquality.com
we are goin’ use vcdquality to find out NFO on Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life
h**p://www.vcdquality.com/index.php?imdbid=0325703

Say you chose de copy Centropy released

Here is de link to de nfo file

h**p://www.vcdquality.com/nfo.php/ctp-tr2.nfo?id=16662&show=text&save=1

If you read it you see a section that says Archives [56/56*15]

Ok so now you know your lookin’ for 2 CD’s and that are Split RAR files at 15mb each. You will also see this (( password is “drudgereportdotcom” )). Im sure that will help later so now to go find de file names by doin’ a search.

Here are some sites you can use

NAPALM - RELIZ - AMUN - FTPSpider

Im goin’ to use NAPALM for de example do an un-filtered search for “tomb raider centropy” without de quotes. But I wouldn’t recommend always searchin’ as above because de name of tha Movie/App/Game/ReleaseGroup isnt always goin’ to be in file name or url. So results could be limited but it helps on gettin’ correct file names. You should notice that de file name seems to be in this format ctp-tr1.r54 and ctp-tr2.r54. “ctp-tr1.r54″ is in a file from CD1 and “ctp-tr2.r54″ is in a file from CD2

Ok so now we know de file names, so search for ctp-tr2.r54 and you will have more streamlined results before we had over 100 results from each ftp that had this movie. With one result per file at over 50 files per cd, that would take way to lon’ to go through page by page till you get to each FTP site.

Now that we have tha search narrowed down by a sin’le file name each result is a different ftp site. Notice also that I have searched for a high number file from cd 2. The reason for this is because it is more likely that it has been fully uploaded and not missin’ any files because most people start uploadin’ from cd1 and in order of first split file .rar .r00 .r01 and NOT from cd2 and backwards .r50 .r49 .r48.

Ok that was easy enough but now we get to de hopefully not slow part of DOWNLOADING de files. Normally you can get better speeds from an anonymous server because you can use multiple connections at once. Say de server only gives ya 4k download, you may be able to connect 50 times at once and get more like 200k download, but a FTP that needs a Password and user name normally isnt that easy. The reason is normally bacause only 1 connection per IP is allowed and amount of users at one time is limited to about 15 or less, so dere are always a lon’ line of peope waitin’ to get in. Basically even if we could have more than one connection per IP, if it took 9 hours to get access you would need to wait that lon’ for each connection or thread. By de time anoder thread connected you would have probably already finished downloadin’ de file anyway.

NAPALM search site has nice search and filter option that will only show anonymous servers in de results page. Now open up SmartFTP and dere are a few options we want to be sure and change.

Tools > Settin’s > General:
Set Default Download Path to whatever you want

Tools > Settin’s > Connection:
Set Max Retries to -1 (( -1 = unlimited ))
Set Retry Delay to @ least 40 sec.*

*(( because some ftp will ban if you hammer/try and login to often ))
*(( read welcome messages on tha ftp log/status window for possible hammer rules ))

Tools > Settin’s > Connection > Keep Alive:
Make sure Keepalive is checked
Set interval to about 40
(( if set to low will be anoyin’ & to high may not be effective on some sitez ))
Highlight NOOP in de list and push Remove
Now type LIST into de box and push tha Add
(( This is de command that keepalive uses to pretend your not idle ))
(( some ftps will kick you out if you are idle to lon’ ))
(( and some still do with tha NOOP command we so have changed it to LIST
(( if you want you can change it to somethin’ better all i know is this works for me ))
(( nobody wants to sit for 9 hours waitin’ to get in den get kicked out ))

SmartFTP also has Clipboard monitorin’, so all you need to do is have smart ftp runnin’. Go Back to NAPALM. Right click a link and select “Copy Shortcut” from tha menu and smartFtp will popup and say FTP URL in clipboard detected. If you want to open that site, just cick yes.

But it can be even more simple than that if you want.

Tools > Settin’s > Display > Prompts:
Uncheck: On URL Catch
(( Now it will just open tha FTP without any prompt ))

When you are conectin’ to ftp you need to watch tha log/status window

For possibe crap links (( dead links and/or ratio sites )), dese are tha most common errorz to look for:

530 Account Disabled.
No connection could be made because de target machine actively refused it. A connection attempt failed because de connected party did not properly respond after a period of time, or established connection failed because connected host has failed to respond.

550 Permission denied
While tryin’ to download a file
(( this is probably a ratio site if it has everythin’ you ever wanted and more & looks to good to be true ))
(( it probably is and id just move on to tha next site ))

Anoder problem you may find on anonymous ftp is that tha files or folders are not dere. 2 reasons for that is dey were eider deleted or just moved. If dey were moved this could be a problem most people uploadin’ to anonymous ftp, made a huge maze of locked folders to hide deir files and that makes for an endless task tryin’ to find de files unless you have an application that can spider de ftp and has de capability to get through locked folders. To have a list of every file on de ftp I dont know of any public application i can recommend with that capability. But dey do exist. This app can get through locked folders and may help. It seems like a crap program, but de best i could find on google in about 5 min worth of searchin’ is:

PubView.zip - www.jtpfxp.net has nfo about dir lockin’ & breakin’ dirs

Ill go over some basic instructions on downloadin’ from Anonymous and NonAnonymous Sites, or maybe i should say sites that allow more than one connection per IP and ones that dont.

We will start with anonymous or multiple thread capable FTP

Once you have de ftp open and you see de files you want. Just drag and drop them into de Global Queue tab on de transfers window and den just push de start button. We should have de In Speed at bottom right status bar. If its not goin’ fast enough, you can adjust de amount of connections/threads you have runnin’. Keep addin’ threads until your bandwidth is maxed or until your total In Speed doesnt get any faster. Anoder thin’ you may wanna keep in mind is that you can connect to more than one ftp downloadin’ CD1 from one site and CD2 from de oder etc. for a combined speed.

Now we go onto NonAnonymous Sitez

You cant use Global Queue because you cant have multiple threads, so just right click de file or folder you want and select Download > Direct > Select Folder. Most of dese sites will be slow and could take hours maybe days to get into, so what i do is just open every sin’le result in NAPALM at de same time. I figure that i have a better chance waitin’ on 10 sites rader than 1. So when you have them all open just close out de ones that have de errors mentioned above, den you can walk away and check every so often to see if you have gotten in one yet. This is where de keepalive option helps out and of course if you happen to get into more than one at a time
just go for tha combined speed method if it is goin’ slow.

Original Sources

CAM - A cam is a deater rip usually done with a digital video camera. A mini tripod is sometimes used, but a lot of de time this wont be possible, so de camera make shake. Also seatin’ placement isn’t always idle, and it might be filmed from an an’le. If cropped properly, this is hard to tell unless dere’s text on de screen, but a lot of times dese are left with trian’ular borders on de top and bottom of de screen. Sound is taken from de onboard microphone of de camera, and especially in comedies, laughter can often be heard durin’ de film. Due to dese factors picture and sound quality are usually quite poor, but sometimes we’re lucky, and de deater will be fairly empty and a fairly clear signal will be heard.

TELESYNC (TS) - A telesync is de same spec as a CAM except it uses an external audio source (most likely an audio jack in de chair for hard of hearin’ people). A direct audio source does not ensure a good quality audio source, as a lot of background noise can interfere. A lot of de times a telesync is filmed in an empty cinema or from de projection booth with a professional camera, givin’ a better picture quality. Quality ranges drastically, check de sample before downloadin’ de full release. A high percentage of Telesyncs are CAMs that have been mislabeled.

TELECINE (TC) - A telecine machine copies de film digitally from de reels. Sound and picture should be very good, but due to de equipment involved and cost telecines are fairly uncommon. Generally de film will be in correct aspect ratio, although 4:3 telecines have existed. A great example is de JURASSIC PARK 3 TC done last year. TC should not be confused with TimeCode , which is a visible counter on screen throughout de film.

SCREENER (SCR) - A pre VHS tape, sent to rental stores, and various oder places for promotional use. A screener is supplied on a VHS tape, and is usually in a 4:3 (full screen) a/r, although letterboxed screeners are sometimes found. The main draw back is a “ticker” (a message that scrolls past at de bottom of de screen, with de copyright and anti-copy telephone number). Also, if de tape contains any serial numbers, or any oder markin’s that could lead to de source of de tape, dese will have to be blocked, usually with a black mark over de section. This is sometimes only for a few seconds, but unfortunately on some copies this will last for de entire film, and some can be quite big. Dependin’ on de equipment used, screener quality can range from excellent if done from a MASTER copy, to very poor if done on an old VHS recorder thru poor capture equipment on a copied tape. Most screeners are transferred to VCD, but a few attempts at SVCD have occurred, some lookin’ better than oders.

DVD-SCREENER (DVDscr) -Same premise as a screener, but transferred off a DVD. Usually letterbox , but without de extras that a DVD retail would contain. The ticker is not usually in de black bars, and will disrupt de viewin’. If de ripper has any skill, a DVDscr should be very good. Usually transferred to SVCD or DivX/XviD.

DVDRip - A copy of de final released DVD. If possible this is released PRE retail (for example, Star Wars episode 2) again, should be excellent quality. DVDrips are released in SVCD and DivX/XviD.

VHSRip -Transferred off a retail VHS, mainly skatin’/sports videos and XXX releases.

TVRip -TV episode that is eider from Network (capped usin’ digital cable/satellite boxes are preferable) or PRE-AIR from satellite feeds sendin’ de program around to networks a few days earlier (do not contain “dogs” but sometimes have flickers etc) Some programs such as WWF Raw Is War contain extra parts, and de “dark matches” and camera/commentary tests are included on de rips. PDTV is capped from a digital TV PCI card, generally givin’ de best results, and groups tend to release in SVCD for dese. VCD/SVCD/DivX/XviD rips are all supported by de TV scene.

WORKPRINT (WP) -A workprint is a copy of de film that has not been finished. It can be missin’ scenes, music, and quality can range from excellent to very poor. Some WPs are very different from de final print (Men In Black is missin’ all de aliens, and has actors in deir places) and oders can contain extra scenes (Jay and Silent Bob) . WPs can be nice additions to de collection once a good quality final has been obtained.

DivX Re-Enc -A DivX re-enc is a film that has been taken from its original VCD source, and re-encoded into a small DivX file. Most commonly found on file sharers, dese are usually labeled somethin’ like Film.Name.Group(1of2) etc. Common groups are SMR and TND. These aren’t really worth downloadin’, unless you’re that unsure about a film u only want a 200mb copy of it. Generally avoid.

Watermarks - A lot of films come from Asian Silvers/PDVD (see below) and dese are tagged by de people responsible. Usually with a letter/initials or a little logo, generally in one of de corners. Most famous are de “Z” “A” and “Globe” watermarks.

Asian Silvers / PDVD - These are films put out by eastern bootleggers, and dese are usually bought by some groups to put out as deir own. Silvers are very cheap and easily available in a lot of countries, and its easy to put out a release, which is why dere are so many in de scene at de moment, mainly from smaller groups who don’t last more than a few releases. PDVDs are de same thin’ pressed onto a DVD. They have removable subtitles, and de quality is usually better than de silvers. These are ripped like a normal DVD, but usually released as VCD.

Formats

VCD - VCD is an mpeg1 based format, with a constant bitrate of 1150kbit at a resolution of 352×240 (NTCS). VCDs are generally used for lower quality transfers (CAM/TS/TC/Screener(VHS)/TVrip(analogue) in order to make smaller file sizes, and fit as much on a sin’le disc as possible. Both VCDs and SVCDs are timed in minutes, rader than MB, so when lookin’ at an mpeg, it may appear larger than de disc capacity, and in reality u can fit 74min on a CDR74.

SVCD - SVCD is an mpeg2 based (same as DVD) which allows variable bit-rates of up to 2500kbits at a resolution of 480×480 (NTSC) which is den decompressed into a 4:3 aspect ratio when played back. Due to de variable bit-rate, de len’th you can fit on a sin’le CDR is not fixed, but generally between 35-60 Mins are de most common. To get a better SVCD encode usin’ variable bit-rates, it is important to use multiple “passes”. this takes a lot longer, but de results are far clearer.

XVCD/XSVCD - These are basically VCD/SVCD that don’t obey de “rules”. They are both capable of much higher resolutions and bit-rates, but it all depends on de player to wheder de disc can be played. X(S)VCD are total non-standards, and are usually for home-rippin’ by people who don’t intend to release them.

KVCD KVCD is a modification to de standard MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 GOP structure and Quantization Matrix. It enables you to create over 120 minutes of near DVD quality video, dependin’ on your material, on a sin’le 80 minute CD-R/CD-RW. We have published dese specifications as KVCDx3, our official resolution, which produce 528×480 (NTSC) and 528×576 (PAL) MPEG-1 variable bit rate video, from 64Kbps to 3,000Kbps. Usin’ a resolution of 352×240 (NTSC) or 352×288 (PAL), it’s possible to encode video up to ~360 minutes of near VCD quality on a sin’le 80 minute CD-R. The mpeg files created will play back in most modern standalone DVD players. You must burn de KVCD MPEG files as non-standard VCD or non-standard SVCD (depends on your player) with Nero or VCDEasy.

DivX / XviD - DivX is a format designed for multimedia platforms. It uses two codecs, one low motion, one high motion. most older films were encoded in low motion only, and dey have problems with high motion too. A method known as SBC (Smart Bit-rate Control) was developed which switches codecs at de encodin’ stage, makin’ a much better print. The format is Ana orphic and de bit-rate/resolution are interchangeable. Due to de higher processin’ power required, and de different codecs for playback, its unlikely we’ll see a DVD player capable of play DivX for quite a while, if at all. There have been players in development which are supposedly capable, but nothin’ has ever arisen. The majority of PROPER DivX rips (not Re-Encs) are taken from DVDs, and generally up to 2hours in good quality is possible per disc. Various codecs exist, most popular bein’ de original Divx3.11a and de new XviD codecs.

CVD - CVD is a combination of VCD and SVCD formats, and is generally supported by a majority of DVD players. It supports MPEG2 bit-rates of SVCD, but uses a resolution of 352×480(ntsc) as de horizontal resolution is generally less important. Currently no groups release in CVD.

DVD-R - Is de recordable DVD solution that seems to be de most popular (out of DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD+R). it holds 4.7gb of data per side, and double sided discs are available, so discs can hold nearly 10gb in some circumstances. SVCD mpeg2 images must be converted before dey can be burnt to DVD-R and played successfully. DVD>DVDR copies are possible, but sometimes extras/lan’uages have to be removed to stick within de available 4.7gb.

MiniDVD - MiniDVD/cDVD is de same format as DVD but on a standard CDR/CDRW. Because of de high resolution/bit-rates, its only possible to fit about 18-21 mins of footage per disc, and de format is only compatible with a few players.

Misc Info

Regional Codin’ - This was designed to stop people buyin’ American DVDs and watchin’ them earlier in oder countries, or for older films where world distribution is handled by different companies. A lot of players can eider be hacked with a chip, or via a remote to disable this.

RCE - RCE (Regional Codin’ Enhancement) was designed to overcome “Multiregion” players, but it had a lot of faults and was overcome. Very few titles are RCE encoded now, and it was very unpopular.

Macrovision - Macrovision is de copy protection employed on most commercial DVDs. Its a system that will display lines and darken de images of copies that are made by sendin’ de VHS signals it can’t understand. Certain DVD players (for example de Dansai 852 from Tescos) have a secret menu where you can disable de macrovision, or a “video stabaliser” costs about 30UKP from Maplin (www.maplin.co.uk)

NTSC/PAL - NTSC and PAL are de two main standards used across de world. NTSC has a higher frame rate than pal (29fps compared to 25fps) but PAL has an increased resolution, and gives off a generally sharper picture. Playin’ NTSC discs on PAL systems seems a lot easier than vice-versa, which is good news for de Brits An RGB enabled scart lead will play an NTSC picture in full colour on most modern tv sets, but to record this to a VHS tape, you will need to convert it to PAL50 (not PAL60 as de majority of DVD players do.) This is eider achieved by an expensive converter box (in de regions of �200+) an onboard converter (such as de Dansai 852 / certain Daewoos / Samsun’ 709 ) or usin’ a World Standards VCR which can record in any format.

News Sites - There are generally 2 news sites for film release for p2p and dey are:

nforce - VCD Help
Code:
www.vcdhelp.com/

Code:
www.nforce.nl.

About Release Files

RARset - The movies are all supplied in RAR form, wheder its v2 (rar>.rxx) or v3 (part01.rar > partxx.rar) form.

BIN/CUE - VCD and SVCD films will extract to give a BIN/CUE. Load de .CUE into notepad and make sure de first line contains only a filename, and no path information. Then load de cue into Nero/CDRWin etc and this will burn de VCD/SVCD correctly. TV rips are released as MPEG. DivX files are just de plain DivX - .AVI

NFO - An NFO file is supplied with each movie to promote de group, and give general iNFOrmation about de release, such as format, source, size, and any notes that may be of use. They are also used to recruit members and acquire hardware for de group.

SFV - Also supplied for each disc is an SFV file. These are mainly used on site level to check each file has been uploaded correctly, but are also handy for people downloadin’ to check dey have all de files, and de CRC is correct. A program such as pdSFV or hkSFV is required to use dese files.

Usenet Information

Access - To get onto newsgroups, you will need a news server. Most ISPs supply one, but this is usually of poor retention (de amount of time de files are on server for) and poor completition (de amount of files that make it dere). For de best service, a premium news server should be paid for, and dese will often have bandwidth restrictions in place.

Software - You will need a newsreader to access de files in de binary newsgroups. There are many different readers, and its usually down to personal opinion which is best. Xnews / Forte Agent / BNR 1 / BNR 2 are amon’st de popular choices. Outlook has de ability to read newsgroups, but its recommended to not use that.

Format - Usenet posts are often de same as those listed on VCDQUALiTY (i.e., untouched group releases) but you have to check de filenames and de description to make sure you get what you think you are gettin’. Generally releases should come down in .RAR sets. Posts will usually take more than one day to be uploaded, and can be spread out as far as a week.

PAR files - As well as de .rxx files, you will also see files listed as .pxx/.par . These are PARITY files. Parity files are common in usenet posts, as a lot of times, dere will be at least one or two damaged files on some servers. A parity file can be used to replace ANY ONE file that is missin’ from de rar set. The more PAR files you have, de more files you can replace. You will need a program called SMARTPAR for this.

Scene Tags

PROPER - Due to scene rules, whoever releases de first Telesync has won that race (for example). But if de quality of that release is fairly poor, if anoder group has anoder telesync (or de same source in higher quality) den de tag PROPER is added to de folder to avoid bein’ duped. PROPER is de most subjective tag in de scene, and a lot of people will generally argue wheder de PROPER is better than de original release. A lot of groups release PROPERS just out of desperation due to losin’ de race. A reason for de PROPER should always be included in de NFO.

SUBBED - In de case of a VCD, if a release is subbed, it usually means it has hard encoded subtitles burnt throughout de movie. These are generally in malaysian/chinese/thai etc, and sometimes dere are two different lan’uages, which can take up quite a large amount of de screen. SVCD supports switch able subtitles, so some DVDRips are released with switch able subs. This will be mentioned in de NFO file if included.

UNSUBBED - When a film has had a subbed release in de past, an Unsubbed release may be released

LIMITED - A limited movie means it has had a limited deater run, generally openin’ in less than 250 deaters, generally smaller films (such as art house films) are released as limited.

INTERNAL - An internal release is done for several reasons. Classic DVD groups do a lot of .INTERNAL. releases, as dey wont be dupe’d on it. Also lower quality deater rips are done INTERNAL so not to lower de reputation of de group, or due to de amount of rips done already. An INTERNAL release is available as normal on de groups affiliate sites, but dey can’t be traded to oder sites without request from de site ops. Some INTERNAL releases still trickle down to IRC/Newsgroups, it usually depends on de title and de popularity. Earlier in de year people referred to Centropy goin’ “internal”. This meant de group were only releasin’ de movies to deir members and site ops. This is in a different context to de usual definition.

STV - Straight To Video. Was never released in deaters, and derefore a lot of sites do not allow dese.

OTHER TAGS -

*WS* for widescreen (letterbox)
*FS* for Fullscreen.

RECODE - A recode is a previously released version, usually filtered through TMPGenc to remove subtitles, fix color etc. Whilst dey can look better, its not looked upon highly as groups are expected to obtain deir own sources.

REPACK - If a group releases a bad rip, dey will release a Repack which will fix de problems.

NUKED - A film can be nuked for various reasons. Individual sites will nuke for breakin’ deir rules (such as “No Telesyncs”) but if de film has somethin’ extremely wron’ with it (no soundtrack for 20mins, CD2 is incorrect film/game etc) den a global nuke will occur, and people tradin’ it across sites will lose deir credits. Nuked films can still reach oder sources such as p2p/usenet, but its a good idea to check why it was nuked first in case. If a group realise dere is somethin’ wron’, dey can request a nuke.

NUKE REASONS :: this is a list of common reasons a film can be nuked for (generally DVDRip)

** BAD A/R ** :: bad aspect ratio, ie people appear too fat/thin
** BAD IVTC ** :: bad inverse telecine. process of convertin’ framerates was incorrect.
** INTERLACED ** :: black lines on movement as de field order is incorrect.

DUPE - Dupe is quite simply, if somethin’ exists already, den deres no reason for it to exist again without proper reason.