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[fex]

What happened? Installed build 9.0.145, ripped a CD and my player went like a rocket.

Tested it with a few albums.
Got:
- 14.1x top speed quality 128,
- 7.7x top speed VBR (normal/low, quality normal) and
- 17x CBR 192.

No joke.

Is there any explanation (besides a wonder)?

Media Center Registered 9.0.145 -- C:\Programme\Media Center\

Microsoft Windows XP  Workstation 5.1 Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)
Intel Pentium 4 1998 MHz MMX / Memory: Total - 523 MB, Free - 225 MB

Internet Explorer: 6.0.2800.1106 / ComCtl32.dll: 5.82 (xpsp1.020828-1920) / Shlwapi.dll: 6.00.2800.1106 (xpsp1.020828-1920)
Shell32.dll: 6.00.2800.1145 (xpsp2.021108-1929) / wnaspi32.dll: Internal ASPI Layer

Ripping /   Drive F:   Copy mode:ModeBurstBigBuffer   CD Type:Auto   Read speed:Max
 Drive G:   Copy mode:ModeBurstBigBuffer   CD Type:IDE   Read speed:Max
 Digital playback: Yes /  Use YADB: Yes /  Get cover art: Yes /  Calc replay gain: No /  Copy volume: 32767
 Eject after ripping: Yes /  Play sound after ripping: Yes  Soundfile:   chord.wav

Burning /  Drive G: YAMAHA   CRW-F1E            Addr: 1:0:0  Speed:10  MaxSpeed:44  Use MJ Engine:Yes
 Test mode: No /  Eject after writing: Yes /  Direct decoding: Yes /  Write CD-Text: No
 Use playback settings: No /  Normalization: None

[xen-uno]

What model of the Yam CRW-F1E do you have? I've got the external USB model and am unable to rip/playback on W2k SP3. Burns are fine, though.

10^-27

edit: posting mine for easy comparison

Media Center Registered 9.0.145 -- d:\MediaCenter\

Microsoft Windows 2000  Workstation 5.0 Service Pack 3 (Build 2195)
Intel Pentium III 698 MHz MMX / Memory: Total - 392 MB, Free - 239 MB

Internet Explorer: 6.0.2800.1106 / ComCtl32.dll: 5.81 / Shlwapi.dll: 6.00.2800.1106
Shell32.dll: 5.00.3502.6144 / wnaspi32.dll: Internal ASPI Layer

Ripping /   Drive Y:   Copy mode:ModeBurstBigBuffer   CD Type:Auto   Read speed:Max
 Drive Z:   Copy mode:ModeBurstBigBuffer   CD Type:Auto   Read speed:Max
 Digital playback: Yes /  Use YADB: Yes /  Get cover art: No /  Calc replay gain: No /  Copy volume: 32767
 Eject after ripping: No /  Play sound after ripping: Yes  Soundfile:   S:\mp3\RaceRun.wav

Burning /  Drive Z: YAMAHA   CRW-F1E            Addr: 1:0:0  Speed:40  MaxSpeed:4  Use MJ Engine:Yes
 Test mode: No /  Eject after writing: Yes /  Direct decoding: No /  Write CD-Text: Yes
 Use playback settings: No /  Normalization: None

[fex]

It's the internal version (CD-R/RW Drive CRW-F1 E-IDE/ATAPI). Rip and burn without any problem (besides speed...) since build 9.0.107 (end of January). No special drivers.

[fex]

... Burning /  Drive Z: YAMAHA   CRW-F1E            Addr: 1:0:0  Speed:40  MaxSpeed:4

Speed:40  MaxSpeed:4  ? A little bit funky...

[Matt]

We updated the version of LAME we're using to the latest.  It got a bunch faster.

(kudos to the LAME folks)

[nila]

Cool,
What version of LAME u using now?
And what settings??

I'm still finding it pretty slow when I do VBR but I guess that's cause I use settings optomised for amazing quality at tiny file sizes.

[fex]

"a bunch faster" is good. Very good. MC rippes now more than six x (6 x !) faster than MusicMatch at 192 CBR. Just tested it. Congratulations.

[aussie1]

How do I verify that I have the latest version?

[fex]

"Help" > "System Info". In the first line you'll find your version. Should be 9.0.145. Otherwise: First thread in this board to download.

[ZRocker]

To get the Lame.exe version:

1. start DOS session
2. Goto the MC Plugins directory (CD)
3. run Lame and see what version it displays

[xen-uno]

...and it displays 3.92 MMX here (which is considered one of the best versions). Actually MJ uses that ver too and has for a while AFAIK. I believe 3.94 is latest. Is this what other folks are showing?

10^-27

[fex]

DOS: It will tell you, that it is LAME 3.92 MMX.

... 1. start DOS session...

Do you really think, today somebody knows how to change a directory within a DOS SESSION?

[Matt]

Check for updates.  There's a newer version.

[nekura]

Hm, are we talking about the 3.93/3.94 versions here?

The --alt-presets got messy in those...

[ZRocker]

Check the Lame website...it was fixed really quick...v3.93.1 is ok and what JRiver went to now.

[xen-uno]

> Do you really think, today somebody knows how to change a directory within a DOS SESSION?

s:
cd Windows\Has\Made\Some\Basic\Skills
md Unnecessary
cd Unnecessary
copy a:\*.*
dir

Volume in drive S is music
Volume Serial Number is 5C7E-D35D

Directory of S:\Windows\Has\Made\Some\Basic\Skills\Unnecessary

04/09/03  12:34p        <DIR>          .
04/09/03  12:34p        <DIR>          ..
04/04/03  04:47p                     544 Why.txt              
              1 File(s)                      544 bytes
              2 Dir(s)  45,286,985,728 bytes free

type Why.txt

Because only some people get off on the POWER that the command line prompt gives you!

del *.*

*.*, Are you sure (Y/N)?

y

cd..
rd Unnecessary
cd\
rd /s Windows

Windows, Are you sure (Y/N)?

y

Echo That's enough already!

That's enough already!

c:

10^-27

[fex]

...  

[crash_buka]

I'm getting 8.3X with Normal Quality OGGs

[TimB]

OK I'm confused.

I got .145.  My LAME reports as 3.92 MMX.

My ripping alt-preset-insane is better than 6x which is faster than before.

Should I get the latest, latest LAME and stick that in my plugins dir?

-=Tim=-

[JimH]

You could do that, but it would void your warranty.  

[Matt]

Try Ctrl+J inside Media Center.  It should find a new MP3 Encoder / LAME (it's 3.93.1)

[TimB]

Try Ctrl+J inside Media Center.  It should find a new MP3 Encoder / LAME (it's 3.93.1)

Ctrl-J gets me "No updates available at this time"..::sniffle::

(Double-checked lame.exe in plugins dir and its def. 3.92.)

-=Tim=-

[JimH]

http://www.musicex.com/cgi-bin/downloads/mcplugins.pl?type=7&start=0&end=10&page=1

What are gits and sniggles?  It's been bugging me all day.  I need to sleep tonight.

[TimB]

http://www.musicex.com/cgi-bin/downloads/mcplugins.pl?type=7&start=0&end=10&page=1

What are gits and sniggles?  It's been bugging me all day.  I need to sleep tonight.

I think/hope it was gits and shiggles.  Take the "g" from gits and the "sh" from shiggles and switch 'em.  I wasn't sure of INTERACT's policy on bad words so I changed it somewhat.  If the result is not a commonly used American English phrase then blame my Brit roots.  

-=Tim=-

[JimH]

Funny.  No, it hasn't entered our daily vocabulary.  I like your version.

How about Cockney Rhyming Slang?  

As in, Let's go for a Ruby, mate.

[TimB]

Funny.  No, it hasn't entered our daily vocabulary.  I like your version.

How about Cockney Rhyming Slang?  

As in, Let's go for a Ruby, mate.

I be labelled a phony if I used it, my Brit accent is too posh.  

Listening to: 'Somedays' from 'Flaming Pie' by 'Paul McCartney' on Media Center 9.0

-=Tim=-

[cct1]

Are you guys sure the presets are ok on LAME versions past 3.90.2?  A post from April third over at hydrogen audio from one of the LAME gurus suggests that the presets have not been properly tuned to versions of LAME following the 3.90.2 version.  Here's the thread in it's entirety, go to the last page:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/show.php/act/ST/f/15/t/478


I could be wrong on this, but it's my understanding that most of the LAME gurus consider the 3.90.2 version as the "best", and the only one that the presets have been properly tested with.  I believe in the later builds  (past 3.90.2) , different people were involved, and there has been a grumbling about a drop in quality.  It may not be appreciable to the majority of users, and the disadvantages may be offset by the speed for many or even most....Set me straight if I'm off target here.

It doesn't really matter--I can use 3.90.2 as an external encoder through MC9--without putting it in the plugins--works just fine  (and shouldn't kill my warranty).
..

[zevele10]

Yes look like  it is MUCH faster now.
Anyway ,if you can rip/convert as EAC does ,how long Lame takes is not an issue.
I think that MC not having this feature is a big minus

[nila]

*coughs* my vote for more ripping/encoding options too */end cough*

[Omni]

I could be wrong on this, but it's my understanding that most of the LAME gurus consider the 3.90.2 version as the "best", and the only one that the presets have been properly tested with.

No, you are absolutely right, cct1.

Dibrom, the founder of Hydrogen Audio and, more importantly, the designer of the infamous --alt-presets only recommends using 3.90.2 if you plan on using his presets and want something that has been "fully tested."

Omni

[CautionESPN]

It seems that it's just me but I'm finding Media Center to be *very* slow for ripping and encoding.  I recently switched from MusicMatch to Media Center (so much more configurable! and I'm a Tivo HMO user).  I typically encode using MP3 VBR and I'm finding that MM was about twice as fast as MC.  What am I doing wrong?  What settings should I be using for VBR (I'm thinking about switching to Monkey Audio for higher quality encoding but I don't as now have the disk space to re-encode 450 cds).  Can someone suggest some settings optimized for both high quality audio and for speed of encoding?  Maybe there is another thread somewhere related to this?  
Thanks!
Chris M.

[zevele10]

First , not all the encoders have the same speed

The faster is Xing  [Real] very bad at 128 and CBR - not that bad if you use VRB.
To give you an idea i rip to Xing 192 VRB at X28 up toX35

The MusicMatch encoder is not as fast - quality is ok

The best encoder ,LAME is VERY slooow. Nothing to do with MC,it is the encoder who is in cause.
There is some setting making it faster or ,better to say a little less slow...

You may use programs like EAC or CDex. You can rip and convert at the same time: you rip a cd to WAV and the convertion to mp3 starts ,but when the first cd is rip to WAV ,you can rip the next one ,and so on.
Convertion to mp3 is working in the back and you can go to bed. In the morning you will find the 50 cds you ripped to WAV converted to MP3 ,waiting for you.
If not ,stay with MM to rip ,the quality is good

[nila]

If you want good quality and faster encoding then encode to CBR at 192 instead of VBR.

VBR takes a lot of calculation to do properly and so is much slower than CBR.

Stick to LAME however as it's worth it taking a little bit longer on one day to leave you with better quality sounding rips for the rest of your life (or at least the next few years).

As was suggested though, EAC is a good way to go so that the encoding can be done more slowly in the background after the ripping of all the albums is done.

[zevele10]

I agree with Nila ,it is worth to use Lame - even if i said that MM is good.
If you use EAC ,how long it takes to convert to Lame is  really not an issue , and in this case keep VRB.
We are millions and millions here waiting for a EAC look alike way of rip in MC

[nila]

These are the ripping options I'd like to see:

- Rip all tracks and encode in the background
- Rip tracks one by one then encode
- Directly Rip and Encode

As well as cue sheet support for those rare albums I want to keep whole

And dont forget the option to let me also create a .m3u playlist in the naming format I want of the ripped album
Then MJ would be complete for me as a ripper

(take this one step further and introduce the feature of Helium2 to be able to read the cue sheet in, then let you treat each part of the file as a seperate file and tag etc it independantly while keeping the file whole).

[zevele10]

As well as cue sheet -=-=

Nila ,can you tell me the use of it?
I never used it , maybe something to do with the fact i rip only full albums

[MighTiVo]

I was using MMJB highes quality VBR and was getting 14x, using what seems to be same options with MC I only get 3x

[sertua]

Just the ability to encode in the background while ripping would give a big overall speed jump by getting rid of those times the drive is waiting for the CPU and the CPU for the drive (especially on slower machines).
This has been discussed quite a few times since MJ 8 came out.

[rocketsauce]

I was using MMJB highes quality VBR and was getting 14x, using what seems to be same options with MC I only get 3x

This is because MMJB and MC use different encoders. The encoder that MMJB uses (FastEnc) was designed to be fast and produces good sound quality at lower bitrates...especially around 128kbps or lower. The encoder that MC uses (LAME) is slow, but generally creates better sounding files, especially at higher bitrates...say 160kbps and above.

Of course, depending on what type of equipment you're listening with, it might not make much difference which encoder you use.

This site explains some of the differences between the different encoders:

http://www.modatic.net/audio/mp3_encoder_comparison.php

Rob

[nila]

Z,
Some albums dont really have individual songs as such, the songs are different but are all mixed together a lot. Especially on types of music like Drum & Base, Garage, Techno, Jungle etc the songs are usually mixed in together. As such, listening to any one song and then starting another random song on the album usually means that the start and end of the tracks sounds awful and sounds like it's entering half way through the song which infact it is due to the beginning of the song being mixed into the end of the last song.

Ripping it with a cue sheet means you can rip the whole album as a single file and then the cue sheet just tells the program where each track starts and ends. As such you just have one file so all the mixes are done correctly. The cue sheet however also provides you with the additional information to be able to tell each track from each other.

Helium2 will read this cue sheet and then let you treat each track on the cd as a seperate file as if it had been ripped into seperate files while at the same time still keeping it as one whole file.

Depending on the type of music you listen to this type of feature effects you to varying amounts.

[zevele10]

Nila-Thanks

I do not need it with my punk,metal,rock music.
But ,i can see that it is the kind of small feature who make life sooo nice and do think that MJ/MC needs to have it

[rocketsauce]

Or you can encode with a format (like MPC, OGG, APE) that doesn't have the gapless playback problem that MP3 has.

Rob