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Author Topic: FLAC encoding options  (Read 1863 times)

NickM

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FLAC encoding options
« on: December 22, 2007, 07:37:21 am »
I understood that FLAC was a lossless codec.  Why then in the encoder settings is there a "Quality" option?

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AoXoMoXoA

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Re: FLAC encoding options
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2007, 07:56:54 am »
FLAC is lossless and that setting actually varies the compression level, not the quality
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Alex B

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Re: FLAC encoding options
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2007, 08:10:47 am »
It's a slight mishap from Scot Thompson, who originally designed the encoding options interface. A better name for the setting would be "Compression Level" like in the Monkey's Audio encoding options.

The setting 0 produces least compression, but it is also the fastest setting. It's a good option when the FLAC files are meant only for temporal storage and the fastest possible encoding and decoding speeds are preferred. Sometimes I use FLAC -0 for intermediate storage when I work with audio editing projects and want to use something smaller than wav.

For general use the settings 4, 5 and 6 are good. These have a nice balance between speed and compression ratio.

8 produces best compression, but it is also the slowest setting. The resulting file size difference between e.g. 6 and 8 is quite small.

Naturally, all settings produce perfectly lossless files.
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glynor

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Re: FLAC encoding options
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2007, 09:21:16 am »
If you search, I posted a complete run-down on all of the FLAC options a few weeks back.

Edit: Here it is: http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=43580.msg297977#msg297977
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NickM

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Re: FLAC encoding options
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2007, 06:48:58 pm »
Thank you all.  12.0.401, FLAC dialogue box labels please....
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benn600

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Re: FLAC encoding options
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2007, 07:43:03 pm »
I think I calculated 6 vs 8 a while back.  My library is currently just over 14,000 FLAC tracks, all encoded at quality 8.  I decided on this because even though the space difference is not that impressive, it will help a little bit.  Besides: I went into my library rip this time thinking: "This will be the library I will use for the REST of my life."

Yes, that's an interesting way to put it but I really think that is true.  I could not have ripped the songs any better: FLAC 8, secure rip, all 100% rips and hand scanned large cover art.

I'm sure new technology may change things but its a big leap from 128Kb MP3s and no cover art that I had before this round of ripping!
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