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[kiwi]

Hello,

I'm sorry if this has been asked before.  I searched, but couldn't find the answers that I needed.  I have ripped quite a few CDs to APE format, with the intension of transcoding them to MP3s for my iPod.  I have tried using the "Library Tools-->Convert Format" and have a couple of problems with it.

1st, there is an option to "skip duplicates."  The help says the following:

When checked, Media Center will not convert a file if that file already exists in your database. For example, if you are converting Blowin’ in the Wind.wav to Blowin’ in the Wind.mp3, but the latter already exists, Media Center will not convert this file if Skip Duplicates is selected.

So, I need to create a library with all of my APE and MP3 files in it, so that duplicates are found and then skipped?  

2nd, when I don't select the "update database" option, it attempts to over write my original file with the new one... with its name converted.  So, Foo.ape is converted to foo.mp3, and then for some reason MC tries to copy Foo.mp3 back to Foo.ape.  

3rd, when creating "artist/Album" directories, the behavior is not how I'd like it to be.  Everything works fine, as long as you are not using an album with multiple artists.  However, if you use one with mulitple artists, it attempts to put the songs into directories based on the artist, and not into the assorted directory.


Lastly, I wish that there was an option to copy the existing path, with a new root.

Oh, and I'm using 9.1.195, in case that is causing the problems.

Thanks,
kiwi

[JimH]

If you have a lot to do, set up a new library, import all the ape files and conver them to mp3, being careful to tell MC not to delete the original file.

The new library should be in a new location.  C:\music2 for example.

Try a few before you do a lot.

[kiwi]

Thanks Jim,

That's exactly what I did.  I just created a new library w/ both APEs and MP3s.  And used file type in a custom view to easily select all of the APE files.

I have it just dumping all the new MP3 files into one directory, and then I will have it "rename from properties" afterwards.  I figured that was the easiest way to do it.

How does it find duplicates?  Is it based on name? or Tags? Or a mix of both?  i.e. if I have some mp3s where the date tags are different, will that cause a problem?

Is there some documentation that says what all of the different presets are for the MP3 VBR settings?  

Thanks,
kiwi

[NoCodeUK]

If the files are for your ipod can't you just send the apes to the ipod and let it automatically transcode them...afaik MC can do this on the fly although I do not have an iPod so cannot confirm this

Adam

[kiwi]

I could do that, but the beauty of the iPod is its syncing speed.  And if it has to transcode on the fly, that will not be nearly as quick.  Does MC make a copy of the files to your HD as well as to the iPod?  (is this at least an option?)

Also, having all my files as MP3s would like me have a copy of my library on my laptop.  Plus, if I have 80gigs of APEs, what's another 10-15 of MP3s.

Just in the process of getting another drive to back everything up.  

kiwi

[SteveG]

kiwi,

If you get the latest build of MC 9.1, you can connect your iPod and select the transcode on the fly option. MC deletes the temporary files from your PC to save space, but then when you resynch, MC will recognize that the files are already on your iPod and not re transcode them.  Synching will still be very fast.

Steve