LG Vortex Tips: Video Conversion and Transfer

Cellular Country's LG Vortex has a great screen that just begs for some quality video to show off. But what is the best way for you to convert your favorite videos and transfer them to your cheap cell phones?

In this guide, we show you what software you need to convert videos for viewing on the Vortex, and we also show you how to get your newly converted videos onto your handset.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Installed copy of Handbrake software
2. Video files and or DVD of your choice
3. LG Vortex with microUSB cable

STEPS:

1. Launch the Handbrake application on your computer and select the video source

a. Launch Handbrake (figure 1)
b. In the menu on the right-hand side, select the iPod Legacy preset (figure 1)
c. Select your video source by clicking on the Source dropdown menu (we used a DVD for our testing purposes)
d. Select the destination and name for the file once it has been converted (both the .mp4 and .m4v extension work for the Vortex)
e. Confirm that the container is set to MP4 File and that Large file size, Web optimized, and iPod 5G support are unchecked

2. Adjust Handbrake's Video Settings

        Picture Tab:

             a. Uncheck Keep Aspect Ratio
             b. Set the Vortex Width and Height (the Vortex supports a maximum of 320 x 240 pixels)

           Video Tab:

a. Set Handbrake's encoding settings by clicking on the Video tab (figure 2)
b. Confirm the Video Codec is set as H.264 (x264)
c. Framerate (FPS) should be set to Same as source
d. Under Quality, select the Avg Bitrate (kbps) and change it to 1500

3. Adjust audio settings

a. Set Handbrake's audio settings by clicking on the Audio tab (figure 3)
b. Confirm the Audio Codec is AAC (faac)
c. Mixdown should be set to Stereo
d.  Change the Samplerate to 48
e. Change the Bitrate to 160

4. Save as a preset for future use

a. Click on the Presets menu and select New Preset
b. Enter Vortex in the dialog box and click Add
c.  "Vortex" will now be saved as a preset and listed on the right hand side in Handbrake to be used in the future

5. Convert the video and copy to your Vortex

a. Click on the Start button in Handbrake
b. A command line/DOS window will open and start to process the video conversion
c. Once the conversion is done, mount your Vortex on to your computer via USB
d. Once mounted, create a folder named Video in the root folder on the Vortex
e. Copy converted file into the Video folder



That's it! The converted video can now be played on your Vortex using the Gallery app. It should look fantastic on the Vortex's screen as long as the original source was of good quality.
A few things to keep in mind when converting video:

1. The Vortex does not like video file sizes over 2GB (the settings in Step II should help insure that the file size is kept under 2GB)
2. Your converted video will only be as good as the source video
3. If your source is over 320 x 240, you must be sure to set the width and height to a maximum of 320 x 240 as noted in Step II

LG VN250 Cosmo Apps: the Dropboxify WebOS apps

Dropbox, is just another LG VN250 Cosmo app which aids in synchronizing and sharing your files online and across computers. Dropboxify brings the Dropbox experience to your webOS device, browse your entire Dropbox on the go, view your stored documents, spreadsheets, presentations, videos and photos, and listen to your music and register for free 2GB of storage or login using your existing Dropbox account. Dropbox specializes in usable software and pay meticulous attention to details.

Dropbox works just like any other folder on your computer, but with a few differences. Any files or folders inside Dropbox will get synchronized to Dropbox's servers and any other computer linked to your account. Green checkmarks will appear on top of your files to let you know that they're synced and up to date. All data is transferred over SSL and encrypted with AES-256 before storage. Dropbox keeps track of every change made to any of its contents.

LG VN250 Cosmo Tips: Pair with a Bluetooth

The LG VN250 Cosmo from Cellular Country features a full slide-out keyboard, a 1.3-megapixel camera and a Bluetooth 2.1 technology, allowing you to make wireless connections with other cheap cell phones. Most Bluetooth accessories, such as a headset or wireless speaker, are compatible with the LG Cosmos, and allow for hands-free conversations. You'll need to place the device within range and place it in pairing mode in order to set it up with your phone. Maximum range for Bluetooth communication is about 33 feet.

Below are the instructions on how to pair your Bluetooth with the LG VN250 Cosmo.

1. Place the Bluetooth device in pairing or discoverable mode. This process will vary, depending on your specific model. You can activate pairing mode on many devices by pressing and holding the "Power" button for five to ten seconds. See your user guide for details.

2. Press the center "OK" button to open your main menu.

3. Select "Settings and Tools," then select "Bluetooth Menu."

4. Select "Add New Device." Your phone will search for nearby devices. If you are prompted to turn on Bluetooth power, select "Yes."

5. Highlight the name of your device from the "Add New Device" menu. Press "OK."

6. Use the keypad to type in the device pairing passkey when prompted. Most devices use "0000," see your user guide for details. Press "OK." Select "Always Ask" or "Always Connect," then press "OK." Selecting "Always Connect" means your phone will automatically connect with the device when they are on and within range.


Note: The Bluetooth accessory should be charged fully before you begin.

LG Vortex Tips: How to Download YouTube Videos

Online videos are great. You can view them from just about anywhere, and much of the time, they're absolutely free through cheap cell phones.

But at times, especially while on the go, connectivity can be a barrier between you and the video you want to see.

When coverage-related issues arise, it's just handier to have the videos you want to watch stored right there on your memory card. If you purchase an LG Vortex from http://www.cellularcountry.com, achieving this couldn't be easier with YouTube videos.

In this guide, we show you how to locate the video you want and download it directly to you handset.

    1. Navigate your phone's browser to the YouTube video you want to download

    2. Click on the video's URL and use the Android Web browser to open it rather than the YouTube application

    3. While in the browser, hit Menu and then Go To URL

Here's where the magic happens.

    4. The video's URL should be in the URL field. Place your cursor directly after the "www." and type in the word "pwn" before "youtube.com"

    The resulting link should look something like "http://www.pwnyoutube.com/videocode"

    5. Hit Enter

    6. Simply tapping the Download High Quality MP4 Video option on this page will download the MP4 file directly to your SD card




Now you have the video you wanted stored on your used cell phones for viewing whenever you want, whether or not you have wireless coverage.

How to retrieve lost apps for free on your LG Optimus S

Have you ever experienced buying some used cell phones at Cellular Country and you accidentally removed an application from your LG Optimus S? There are many ways it can happen and it's always a mini-panic-attack-inducing moment when you realize you've lost something -- especially if it's an app you've paid for.

However, if you do find yourself in this predicament, please try to avoid a shock-inspired repurchase. Instead, follow these quick and easy steps to re-download your lost applications for free.

1. Navigate to the Android Market application and launch the Market
2. Press the Menu button and select Downloads
3. Scroll through your list of downloaded applications until you find the one that you are looking for (any paid applications should show "Purchased" next to them)
4. Once you've found your lost application, just re-download it as you did the first time

That's it! This also works for free applications as well, of course. Your download history is saved in the market to provide easy access to all your applications if needed.

Another handy use for this is freeing up device memory on your cheap cell phones. If there's an application that you use occasionally, but you don't want it taking up your device's on-board memory when you aren't using it, simply remove it and re-download when you need it through this process.

Featuring Verizon's LG VX5200

Cheap cell phones such as verizon's LG VX5200 cell phone was first introduced in late-2005, but discontinued the following year. It offered a few special features that today are considered standard, such as voice dialing, a speakerphone and polyphonic ringtones. This phone was one of the most infamous phones featured at CellularCountry.com.

This device is flip-style, has a clam-shell design where you can see incoming calls and alerts from the main screen or flip it open to use the cheap cell phones' features. It uses CDMA technology so you don't need a SIM card to make or receive calls.

Dimensions

The VX5200 measures 1.85 inches wide and 0.94 inches deep. When closed, it measures 3.46 inches high, although its size is nearly double when it's flipped open. With its battery fitted, it weighs 4.16 oz. The battery life covers 3.3 hours of talk time and more than six days on standby.

Screens

The VX5200 features an external LCD screen on the front face of the handset that alerts the user to any missed calls or messages, the identity of the person calling and other basic information such as the time, date and battery level. This screen has a resolution of 96 pixels by 64 pixels. The handset's primary LCD screen measures 2 inches diagonally and has a resolution of 128 pixels by 160 pixels. Both screens have a good color depth of 65,000 colors.

Camera

The VX5200 contains a VGA camera that can take still photos up to a resolution of 640 pixels by 480 pixels. The camera is located next to the hinge on the front face of the closed handset, just above the external display. The camera has a 2X digital zoom, a flash and a self-shot timer.

Connectivity

The VX5200 is a dual-band handset that runs on Verizon's CDMA network. It offers SMS text messaging, as well as multimedia messaging (MMS) for sending pictures and sounds to other devices both new and used cell phones. It can also connect to Verizon's WAP network, Mobile Web 2.0, to retrieve emails and browse the Web.

Storage

The VX5200 contains 32MB of flash storage, but it does not support additional memory cards. The handset's storage has a maximum capacity of 200 photos taken using the camera, 100 voice memos recorded on the phone and 500 contacts in the phone book.