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Windows => Third Party Plug-ins, Programs, and Skins => Topic started by: trio_jeepy on February 01, 2004, 03:26:41 pm

Title: MP3 Codec?
Post by: trio_jeepy on February 01, 2004, 03:26:41 pm
I'm sure this is old territory, but I can't seem to find anything in search about this -

Which mp3 codec is supposed to offer the most quality, in the 128-192kbps area.  I'd like to keep around 1-1.25 MB per minute ripping, and I'm just curious which is supposed to be the best now.

I've been using WMA, but I hear that ogg vorbis is well-regarded, as are others.

Just curious
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: KingSparta on February 01, 2004, 03:29:29 pm
As Far As I Know Lame Is Still The Best, And That Is What MJ And MC Uses.

I Prefer Using The VBR Mode Over CBR, You Get More Bang For Your Buck.
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: trio_jeepy on February 01, 2004, 03:32:09 pm
Thanks for the reply - I guess the problem is that in MC I have the option of like 7 different encoders, and a simple google search gets me results that say Fraunhofer is good, LAME is good, as well as Ogg Vorbis.

I have a feeling that the answer may be any of them.

But your VBR comment is well taken.
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: KingSparta on February 01, 2004, 03:35:14 pm
I think the Fraunhofer encoder starts to drop out at about 16,000k

Lame goes a bit more
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: roognation on February 09, 2004, 08:07:38 pm
As Far As I Know Lame Is Still The Best, And That Is What MJ And MC Uses.

I Prefer Using The VBR Mode Over CBR, You Get More Bang For Your Buck.

Two Things.

1    I was wondering how one can find out the version of the LAME encoder (the information on the plugin manager shows 2.0.57 by J River?).

2    Is it possible; how to upgrade the LAME encoder?  Download locations for LAME files, etc.

Thanks!!!

Mike
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: EpF on February 09, 2004, 09:14:00 pm
Roognation - for more mp3 and lame info than you could ever want, check out Hydrogenaudio (.org, I think).  You'll find lots of good stuff on the basic intro boards, as well as links for downloads.  

To encode with newer versions of lame, just use the external encoder option, with the path to 'lame.exe' on your machine.  (While you're at Hydrogenaudio, you should check out their advice on which compile of lame to use - some are not so good, for whatever reason...)

As for bitrates: most of what I know is from message boards and articles from around the net, and what I have now decided to do, when converting my mp3 collection for use on my handheld, is to use an external lame compression 'preset', which is "--alt-preset 128".  Basically this is an encoding mode to give you around 128kbps, at a variable bit rate (VBR).  It's specially tailored to give good quality at that bitrate.  That gives me more or less 1MB per minute; if you push the bitrate up much more than this, you'll be getting files bigger than you said you wanted...

Just checked that address:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org

 ;)
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: roognation on March 08, 2004, 03:22:22 am
That is a great website.  Thanks for the info.

Anyone got some info on how to correlate the LAME CODECS in MC ?  The versions in MC don't jive with the current released versions.  Is there a way to update the LAME encoder in MC ?

THANKS!
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: jolo on March 12, 2004, 01:50:31 am
L.A.M.E. with VBR I stink is number one. But, there are several compiles of LAME out there, some more stable than others.

I like to use a custom setting which gives a great balance of quality and size.

--lowpass 19.7 -V3 --vbr-new -q0 -b96 --scale 0.99

Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: roognation on September 18, 2004, 02:20:47 am
<- Bump ->

1   How does one find the version of a LAME encoder file in any of the MC builds?  I assume there is some .dll file with some info in/on it...

2   How does one upgrade/replace the LAME encoder in MC?  Just replace a file?

Thanks much!
Title: Re:MP3 Codec?
Post by: jolo on September 18, 2004, 02:52:19 am
Somehow Mr. Woodchuck, I do not think it is that easy. I think that there are some additional  techniques to get the .dll files to be one of the choices.

Hey Wibndows explorer version 10 is out .... all I can say is ... I am not going to use it !!

jon