Today's giveaway looks like a terrific product to me...

Of course, there are tons of FREE coverters out there like FORMAT FACTORY which can do more or less the same things as this GAOTD, but this program can AUTOMATICALLY convert any videos and music file you may run into to a format compatible with a wide range of devices, thanks to an awesome on-the-fly transcoding module which makes the search of formats and codecs a memory of the past. And it even lets you set your preferred audio language, as well as copy embedded subtitles

This tool is not just a multimedia server application but it's also an excellent Multimedia Organizer capable of creating superb and very professional hierarchical and metadata-based playlists, making finding your files as easy as pie.

Here is how it works:
http://www.kooraroo.com/howto.php

And here you can see some screenshots of the program:

http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/KooRaRoo-Media-Screenshot-219732.html

Of course, to make it work, you need DLNA-compatible devices.

Here there is a huge list of DLNA supported devices (see the list on the right hand side of the webpage):

http://www.kooraroo.com/features.php

So overall I give 2 huge THUMBS UP from me!!


BEST FREEWARE ALTERNATIVES (good for non DLNA supported devices as well)

* Plex Media Server

Superb multiplatform FREE software which does more or less the same things as this GAOTD without charging you a dime though (and of course it's always UPDATABLE, unlike this GAOTD)!!

In fact, with this magic FREE TOOL you can effortlessly organize & stream your favorite movies, pictures, music and TV shows in order to access them easily and fast with a couple of mouse clicks. Why is this tool FREE? Nobody knows that...LOL!!

http://www.plexapp.com/

Full tutorial:
http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/PlexNine_PMS_Overview#Overview


Of course, to convert any video/music files in whatever else format you like, you can also use other excellent free solutions...

http://www.dvdvideosoft.com
http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter
http://formatoz.com/index.html
http://www.easy-video-converter.com/
http://www.pazera-software.com/products/vcsuite/

or better yet, if you (like me) prefer PORTABLE programs...

* Portable XMedia Recode (==> my personal First Choice)
An all-in-one video and audio conversion tool: it can convert for FREE and at high speed any DVD and Blu-Ray movies into any format you like, giving you also the option to pick your iPhone model.
With this FREE cool app advanced users are also able to modify bitrate, keyframe interval, framerate and the rate control mode of both videos and audio chapters. Can't figure out why this awesome software is free!

http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Multimedia/Video/Portable-XMedia-Recode.shtml

* (Portable) VEMoDe
Cool free app which helps you encode almost any kind of multimedia files for almost any kind of portable devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, PlayStation Portable, Sony PSP, Windows Mobile devices etc...)

http://code.google.com/p/vemode/


As for standalone MULTIMEDIA CATALOGERS....well again you can take your pick dudes...LOL!!

* (Portable) Stuff Organizer
http://stufforganizer.sourceforge.net/

Screenshots:
http://www.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/Stuff-Organizer-Screenshot-195836.html

Demo Videos:
http://stufforganizer.sourceforge.net/index.php?pid=30

Full Review:
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/organize-files-apps-in-multi-level-categories-with-stuff-organizer/

* DataCrow
http://www.datacrow.net/

* myCollection
http://mycollections.codeplex.com/

Enjoy!!

Giovanni  –  12 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+140)

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Thanks for the feedback so far!

KooRaRoo is new on the market and there are many features planned and I'm glad to see that in many cases they're aligned with your feedback and suggestions here.

To address a few questions:

2. By default KRR uses a "Default Device" profile that transcodes to MPEG2 (video) and MP3 (audio) which is the most compatible and DLNA-compliant combination, so it will work with all DLNA-compatible devices just based on that. When a file is transcoded for a certain device and another device is compatible with it, that file is re-used, so transcoding is not per file, but rather per a destination format that may be shared among many devices. This saves disk space and transcoding time. FFmpeg command can be modified by editing the device profiles file, but your idea about providing direct input from within the GUI is noted - thanks!

3. Yes, KRR can be used in corporate, but actually the main purpose is home use. Imagine a scenario, where you take vacation videos, then come home and copy them to some folder on your disk. Then you've got family or friends over and you want to show them those videos. What do you do? Copy them to USB and plug into the TV? Yes, possible, but that means you have to spend time organizing those videos, copying, then plugging in and playing (and hopefully the format of your videos is supported by your TV). With KRR, just point it to the root of your home videos folder and you're done - the rest is automatic. Furthermore, if suddenly you want to show your guests (in the first scenario) another video, you have to go back and copy it, etc... To keep this short, I think that home application is actually greater than corporate for this class of software, but I appreciate your feedback :)

4. DLNA devices basically come in two flavors - some are certified by the official body (dlna.org) and they have a nice large sticker on the box and in the manual and then there are those that are not certified, but compatible - many new (released within the last 3-4 years) devices, such as, TVs, BDPs, AVRs, have DLNA in them, but it's not exactly advertised like that, instead you have an option on your device to access "network media" or you have a "media player" on the device or something similar. If you're not sure if your device has it or not, just let me know and I'll look it up.

Thanks!

Dennis  –  12 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+100)

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DLNA stands for Digital Living Network Alliance.

The DLNA sets standards and guidelines for home networking media devices. A device can receive a DLNA certification. This certification lets the consumer know that once connected to your home network, it will automatically communicate with other connected DLNA certified products.

DLNA certified devices can: find and play movies; send, display and/or upload photos, find, send, play and/or download music; and send and print photos.

DataPoint Systems  –  12 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+34)

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Can someone explain in simple terms what this software achieves?
I probably represent a large number of PC users who have never heard of a WHS2011 server and have only a fuzzy idea of what a NAS device is.

I have:
A desktop PC with wireless router on the 3rd floor of my house.
A wireless laptop bought last year.
A 2 year old Sony large screen TV situated downstairs.
A modern Blackberry phone
I have no desire to watch films on the Backberry's tiny screen, but maybe streamed mp3s would be interesting.

Currently I don't share files between the laptop and desktop as I haven't found the need, but I'm sure I could set that up if needed.

Now are we saying that there is some way to play videos from the desktop PC upstairs on the TV downstairs and this software would help with any compatibility problems?

Is this all controlled from the PC? So I have to run up 2 flights of stairs to pause the video? Or perhaps it could be controlled from the laptop? Even if the video is on the hard disk on my desktop?

Is a wire needed to link the PC and TV (not practical) or do you have to buy some sort of wireless device to plug into the TV? Can the wireless router be used to send data from the PC to TV?

It sounds great, but what do you need to set all this up (without the jargon) so that I can make use of this software?

Congratulations to Dennis on being one fo the most responsive developers ever on here.

Kevbirder  –  12 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+21)

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#26: KooRaRoo Media provides more features than Mezzmo, such as support for multiple audio languages in video files, online radio streaming, parental controls, more powerful dynamic (smart) lists and a few others. It's also faster to browse and deliver your files. There are many more things planned and they are being implemented at a fast pace.

For some reason my comments are not appearing immediately, so sorry for the delay, but it's out of my hands :(

Dennis  –  12 years ago  –  ¿Te ha parecido útil este comentario? si | no (+20)

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