Thanks for explaining this. One more question about settings: I've learned from you how to make variable bit rate settings. Now, if I wish to try the average bit rate approach described in the manual, I wonder if I've discovered the way to set it for that. There isn't any button or anything for doing this, so I poked around in the combo box list of various variable bit rate types. First you have Disabled, then you have the default one, I guess that's what you're expected to use normally.
Then you have a couple of variations whose names I don't understand. And then, last on the list, is an option written as "VBR -ABR!" could this be the choice that sets the encoder to use an average bit rate, as a sub-type of "variable bit rate?" Does anyone know? this program, though the price is right and the operation fairly simple to navigate with a screen reader, is pretty bad in terms of how things are named and how the documentation is written. I mean, it truly makes no sense at time. It doesn't say, for instance, how to set VBR or ABR despite discussing them, and I see it's given one reader the opposite idea of what it meant by cautioning against not using a floor setting. Same for the on the fly explanation. It starts by saying one thing, then reverses itself not out of intention but just because the writing is confused, and no one edited it for clarity. I believe your own explanation of the on the fly deal sounded right. I've noticed that ripping takes much longer when you uncheck it, so I assume this is because those operations I'm hearing tracked by the progress bar involve a first one that writes the track to an image, as you put it, and then it converts that to an .mp3. But honestly, this stuff wouldn't be so hard if the interface and documentation were a little better done. I know, beggars can't be choosers. So step on my pencil cup and smash my blues guitar. But still. Okay, so what about the ABR setting? Is that how you'd make it? and then do you still set a minimum and maximum for it to work with? thanks, guys. coencodr fr ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 11:27 AM Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats Hi. There was a full version of CDEX released after this beta but unfortunately version 1.51 didn't work on many peoples machines and so the beta lived on. Regards. Kevin E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 9:03 PM Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > Ah, so the Control A select all works, even though control homeand then > select to end didn't? Interesting. In other such situations, often control > A won't work, but if you go to the top or bottom of an area and select home > or select end, that will copy all. ah, I know what it is I'm thinking of. > The General or Details tabs of the properties display for an Outlook Express > message. > > Okay. I'll look again... > One more thing about the version of CdEx. How come it's a Beta version? > Isn't there going to be a final version released? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 12:27 PM > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > I use that version of CDEX as I think most people on the list do. There is > actually an updated version 1.6 available now but I'm not sure what the new > features are. > > It's true that when you hit enter on a help topic, JAWS will start reading > the page. You can't use your PC cursor to read the page back but you can > use the JAWS cursor to do so. Alternatively, use control + A to select and > control + C to copy and paste into a word document. This does work and > here's the CDEX introduction copied in exactly that way. > > Introduction > > > This document describes CDex, a utility for extracting sound files from CDs > in your CD-ROM drive, and for converting WAV files into several other > (compressed) formats, like the popular MP3 format. > > The latest version of CDex can be downloaded from: > http://www.cdex.n3.net > > System Requirements > Status of CDex > Acknowledgements > Change log > > > > Kevin > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 8:14 PM > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > One more thing: I just opened the copy of CdEx on my computer and > attempted > > to study the help file topics about things I need to learn. But even > though > > the topic list is set up like a tree view, and I can navigate it fine and > > open books or topics to arrow to their sub topics, when I hit Enter, I'm > > taken to a page that > > 1. starts reading audotmatically in Jaws if I don't touch the keyboard, > but > > can't be read deliberately with the arrow keys and Jaws reading > keystrokes. > > I thought maybe I could compensate by selecting and copying each topics's > > text to the clipboard and pasting into a text editor to read, but my > attempt > > to do this also failed, for some reason. > > > > Also, the text seems incomplete, from what I can figure out, like only > topic > > headings are given but then there's no actual writing beyond that. > > > > 2. I checked my version of CdEx, and I wonder if it's not really what I > > ought to be using if I want to have the latest configuration and more > usable > > or fully written help documentation. I have version 1.51 Beta. A friend > > put it on my system, saying it's what he uses. But is this out of date? > If > > so, where do I go to download the latest version of CdEx? > > > > thanks. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 10:53 AM > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > Hi Daniel. > > > > CDEX will allow you to use a number of encoders to rip your music and > allow > > you to use constant or variable bit rates. The WMA format is available > but > > not all bit rates are supported for the version of the encoder included. > > > > Saying that, the default Lame encoder is regarded as one of the best MP3 > > encoders around and in comparison tests I've done myself and read about, > it > > out performs WMA with most music genres. > > > > With regards to your question on burning the compressed MP3 or WMA files > to > > CD, well, you have the choice when burning to either create an audio CD > for > > play in a standard CD player which will convert the compressed file into > WAV > > and then CDDA or you can burn the files to a data CD which will burn them > > exactly as they are on your hard drive. That is, compressed. There are > > increasing numbers of players on the market now, both portable and genuine > > hi-fi, that will play these data CD's with your MP3 music. This means you > > could have 10 albums or more on a single disc. Kelly's point was exactly > > this that MP3 is still the most popular compressed format and most well > > supported. You wouldn't want to rip a collection of CD's into WMA and > find > > that you couldn't play them on anything else but your computer. Maybe you > > might now but chances are you'll want to take them with you at some point > > and want to invest in a portable player. Having them ripped into MP3 will > > give you a much greater choice of player when that day comes. > > > > Regards. > > > > Kevin > > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 2:17 AM > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > > Hi Kelly, > > > thanks for responding. I have a copy of CdEx, though I forget the > > version. > > > But it doesn't offer any .wma possibilities at all, only .mp3 and .wav. > > > Does this mean I have an old version of it? Someone else loaded it onto > > my > > > system for me. If I can update and see a more comprehensive array of > > > compression options, that'd be reassuring. > > > > > > Also, I confess I don't understand about wither a compressed file can > play > > > on a CD player: From what I've learned so far, I have the impression > that > > > if you burn an .mp3 or other compressed music file to a CD, it will be > > > converted, either manually or, in some programs, automatically, to a > .wav > > > file to be burned. Isn't this so? If it is, then what does it matter > > > whether the file on your hard drive is .mp3 or .wma? > > > > > > Please explain further. I'm educating myself with your help. > > > thanks, > > > Daniel > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Kelly Pierce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 3:28 PM > > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > > > > the options you mentioned with Windows media ripping are also available > in > > > ripping MP3s with CDEX. remember it is in Microsoft's interest to make > > > windows Media appear to be a much more attractive experience than the > > > infinitely portable and compatible MP3 format. With MP3 encoding, files > > can > > > be encoded on various levels of quality, with fixed or variable bit > rates > > in > > > full stereo. > > > > > > One thing to consider is the likelihood that the files you rip can be > > played > > > on other people's computers with different kinds and versions of > software > > > and on portable devices in the present and future. many CD players can > > play > > > MP3 files but only a fraction of these can also play Windows Media > files. > > > to verify this, just go to bestbuy.com and review the portable CD > players > > > available for sale. Most play MP3 files but only one can also play > > windows > > > Media files as well. > > > > > > I encode most of the music I rip in MP3 at 256 bit in full stereo at the > > > very highest quality. > > > > > > Kelly > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > To: "PC-Audio" <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 12:39 AM > > > Subject: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > > > > > I've just been learning how to rip music from CDs to my hard drive > using > > > > several different programs, and the one that interests me most at > > present > > > > is > > > > Windows Media Player because of the variety of formats it offers. > > > > > > > > As I explore and test these formats, one thing confuses me: You can > rip > > > > Windows Media Audio files about six different ways, not counting the > > > > lossless option. Now, I'm aware that .mp3 ripping can be adjusted to > > use > > > > bit rates higher than the default 128 in order to restore a little of > > the > > > > information that a lower bit rate strips out. > > > > > > > > but understanding that is simple compared to the range of .wma > options. > > > > Here's the main thing that puzzles me. In the WMP menu for setting > your > > > > rip > > > > options, there are *two* sets of .wma options, each with its own range > > of > > > > sound quality level. > > > > > > > > First is the .wma choice that uses a slider to provide you with,as I > > > > recall, > > > > three levels of sound quality. I've ripped the same track with all > > three, > > > > and not only listened to them-- the differences are audible to me, > > > > although > > > > pretty subtle compared to the difference between any of them and a > less > > > > compressed lossless or uncompress .wav version. Still, for saving > > space, > > > > I > > > > appreciate the compression, so I remain interested. > > > > > > > > Okay. So the smallest .wma sound quality level creates a really small > > > > file, > > > > much smaller than the same tune ripped to .mp3. And it doesn't sound > > any > > > > worse than the .mp3, was my impression. The next higher levels create > > > > larger files, with the highest quality level creating a file for any > > given > > > > track that's about the same size as a 192 bit rate .mp3. If I go this > > > > way, > > > > I'd suppose that's the method I'd use, so you get a little better > sound > > > > quality than an .mp3 for the same file size. > > > > > > > > But then, right beneath this on that menu, there's a variable bit rate > > > > .wma > > > > option, again set by a slider, but this time starting at 0 per cent > and > > > > going up. Zero per cent of what? And, more to the point, if this has > > to > > > > do > > > > with changing bit rates (doesn't the other method, I wonder? How else > > > > would > > > > you change quality except by varying the bit rate?) where are the > > > > indications for *what* bit rate this slider takes you through? > > > > > > > > So that's it. I'm really wondering about this stuff as I try to > settle > > on > > > > a > > > > preferred rip method to set for my usual use. Does anyone understand > > > > whatever it is I'm not getting about these two adjustable .ma formats? > > Is > > > > there anywhere to read a simple primer about them? I don't feel the > > need > > > > to > > > > do research if someone can just explain what it is I'm not > > understanding. > > > > But just in case there's some online information about this that would > > > > clarify it all, that would be fine, too. > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Daniel > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.5 - Release Date: 5/4/2005 > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > _______________________________________________ > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > _______________________________________________ > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... http://www.pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.8 - Release Date: 5/10/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.8 - Release Date: 5/10/2005 _______________________________________________ PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... http://www.pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
