INTERACT FORUM
More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: The Muffin Man on October 03, 2006, 08:34:14 am
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I've been in Linux and OS X land for quite sometime and using the other cd rippers there. Recently I got a Creative Muvo and then found that
some of the mp3 files were corrupted, so this time I re-ripped them with MediaCenter.... I used vbr/high (and unchecked fast).
The quality is fantastic (it even produced smaller files). I know it's tough to compare apples to apples with different encoders/platforms but whatever
you guys are doing, keep doing it. The quality sounds great on the Muvo....
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MC holds it's own with one or two other things as well. ;)
So you know, I haven't tried it myself yet but it is apparently possible to get MC running under Wine. Check out this page: http://www.wand.net.nz/~smr26/wordpress/?page_id=42
And this thread here: http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=32250.0
I've also been using MC on my Macbook Pro under Bootcamp (well, my work's Macbook and I was running it until the boss took it home to use while she's out on Maternity leave :'( ) and others have been running it quite well under the Parallel's Desktop VM.
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Actually, it is fine to use the "Fast" VBR option with the current encoder version (in MC11.1 and later). It is usually about 1.3x - 1.5x faster without any quality problems. More info is available here: http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=LAME (MC uses LAME 3.97).
However, perhaps you should sacrifice some speed for even more robust error detection and correction. MC has a ripping mode called "Secure". In my opinion, it should be always used when making permanently archived files. More info: http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=29157.0
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In my opinion, it should be always used when making permanently archived files.
So Secure When Using Ape And Flac?
I Have found normally it is not needed
Normally only when the Cd's have been used as spacers for the wobbly table, Or left on the dash board of your car thru the summer.
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You don't get reports about how well things went if you don't use secure mode.
If I remember it correctly.
So to be sure I always use secure mode even if CD doesn't seem to have any scratches.
Just to make it clear to everybody:
Secure mode in MC doesn't have anything to do with the selected compression format
it only means that the CD reading process is secure.
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Also, it is not much slower. My LG DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive rips at about 15x speed in secure mode if the CD is in good condition. (This may depend on the used drive model, my newer Samsung DVD writer is a bit slower for some reason.)
Media Center Registered 11.1.200 -- C:\Soft\MC\
Microsoft Windows XP 5.1 Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)
Intel Pentium 4 2780 MHz MMX / Memory: Total - 1048 MB, Free - 597 MB
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2800.1106 / ComCtl32.dll: 5.82.2800 / Shlwapi.dll: 6.0.2800 / Shell32.dll: 6.0.2800 / wnaspi32.dll: 4.71 (0002) , ASPI for Win32 DLL, Copyright © 1989-2002 Adaptec, Inc. / Aspi32.sys: 4.71 (0002)
Ripping / Drive F: TSSTcorpCD/DVDW SH-W162C Mode:ModeSecure Type:Auto Speed:Max
Drive G: HL-DT-STRW/DVD GCC-4480B Mode:ModeSecure Type:Auto 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: No
Burning / Drive F: TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-W162C Addr: 0:1:0 Speed:4 MaxSpeed:4 BurnProof:Yes
Drive G: HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4480B Addr: 1:1:0 Speed:48 MaxSpeed:48 BurnProof:Yes
Test mode: No / Eject after writing: Yes / Direct decoding: Yes / Write CD-Text: Yes
Use playback settings: No /
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Also, it is not much slower. My LG DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive rips at about 15x speed in secure mode if the CD is in good condition. (This may depend on the used drive model, my newer Samsung DVD writer is a bit slower for some reason.)
I think it does depend on the drive because I noticed that "Secure" is noticeably slower than using "Max" on my Plextor 52x CDRW drive. That said, I ALWAYS use secure just to ensure that I'm getting the best possible rips, and I like getting the report. I've also found that whether a disc will need multiple re-reads or not can NOT be determined by looking at the CD. It's not common, but I've seen brand new CDs that appear to be PERFECT require extra reads.
The quality is fantastic (it even produced smaller files). I know it's tough to compare apples to apples with different encoders/platforms but whatever
you guys are doing, keep doing it. The quality sounds great on the Muvo....
I agree -- MC is an excellent ripping program. I've had people specifically comment on the quality of my rips compared to their own (they use other programs.) One person was convinced that I was using a MUCH higher bitrate.
I use the "high" VBR setting WITHOUT the "fast" switch. I'm willing to give up a bit of ripping speed even if it means getting only slightly better quality.
Larry
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I am running EAC in secure mode to rip my CDs with the respective read/write offset for the drive.
Read speed in secure mode lies in the range of 3-4. Slow speed giving high quality I'd guess.
On the other hand at 12times speed I could not find any differences yet when comparing files.
BTW - Has anybody compared EAC and MC? Are there any differences?
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A read offset error does not usually cause any audible differences. EAC's read+write offset correction is only useful if you need to create identical duplicates of the discs. For that I have used also the disc image file + cue sheet mode in EAC.
MC had a read offset correction feature in the past, but it had some problems and JRiver disabled the function. It was supposed to come back later, but no one has missed it. I suppose it is not on the list anymore.
In my opinion, MC's secure mode is as good as EAC's for ripping standard individual track files. Some comparisons have been published in this forum. You could try the forum search.
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For Linux, I'd have to wait for 64-bit wine.... That's why I have been away from MC (and XP)....
I'll keep up and try the new settings....