NZ police using linux in DVD recorders?

[Nick Rout]

I routinely get dvd's from the police with interviews of
clients/witnesses (yes they have finally moved from VHS thank god).

I noticed today that the root directory of one of the DVD's has a
"DVDAuthor.xml" file, so I assume these custom boxes are using a linux
system to record and write the DVD.

The custom recording boxes they have in the interview rooms area black
box with a lens, three standard looking computer dvd writers (they
make 3 copies of the dvd), plus some buttons for recording, copying
etc, a keyboard for entering the name, date, purpose of interview etc.

Anyway, just interesting to note that the systems are likely using
open software. No doubt cheaper and more reliable...

_______________________________________________
NZLUG mailing list ***@linux.net.nz
http://www.linux.net.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nzlug

[yuri]

Post by Nick Rout
I noticed today that the root directory of one of the DVD's has a
"DVDAuthor.xml" file, so I assume these custom boxes are using a linux
system to record and write the DVD.

Is the creation of DVDAuthor.xml unique to some linux-only DVD
recording app? Are is this a premature conclusion?

All the same, as a tax payer I would be pleased to find the police
saving money on these systems.

Yuri

_______________________________________________
NZLUG mailing list ***@linux.net.nz
http://www.linux.net.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nzlug

[Zarek Jenkinson]

http://nfs.shawnfumo.com/wiki/DVDAuthor/Overview and
http://nfs.shawnfumo.com/wiki/DVDAuthor/XML.

Care to post the contents of the file?
--
Zarek Jenkinson
([phone]
http://akiwiguy.tk/

Disclaimer:
By sending an email to any of my addresses you are agreeing that:
1. I am by definition, "the intended recipient"
2. All information in the email is mine to do with as I see fit and make
such
financial profit, political mileage, or good joke as it lends itself to.
3. I may take the contents as representing the views of your company.
4. This overrides any disclaimer or statement of confidentiality that may
be included on your message.
_______________________________________________
NZLUG mailing list ***@linux.net.nz
http://www.linux.net.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nzlug

[Bruce Clement]

Post by Nick Rout
I noticed today that the root directory of one of the DVD's has a
"DVDAuthor.xml" file, so I assume these custom boxes are using a linux
system to record and write the DVD.

Not necessarily Linux. DVDAuthor http://dvdauthor.sourceforge.net/ is
available in the freeBSD ports collection and has frontends tagged as
Windows compatible suggesting that the command line tool can be compiled for
Windows as well

Post by Nick Rout
Anyway, just interesting to note that the systems are likely using
open software. No doubt cheaper and more reliable...

Given how secretive companies making hardware for law enforcement are about
their technology (e.g. breathalyser manuals not being available to defense
lawyers) I'll hazard a guess that we'll never know for sure.
--
Bruce Clement

Home: http://www.clement.co.nz/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Bruce_Clement
Directory: http://www.searchme.co.nz/

"Before attempting to create something new, it is vital to have a good
appreciation of everything that already exists in this field." Mikhail
Kalashnikov
_______________________________________________
NZLUG mailing list ***@linux.net.nz
http://www.linux.net.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nzlug