Unoffical empeg BBS

Quick Links: Empeg FAQ | RioCar.Org | Hijack | BigDisk Builder | jEmplode | emphatic
Repairs: Repairs

Topic Options
#190980 - 26/11/2003 14:16 Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format?
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
My friend Tod has discovered (as mentioned and confirmed in the Bug Reports section) that the empeg 2.0 player software has some decoder bugs when dealing with certain WMA files.

The reason he was encoding as WMA was because he uses Windows Media Player 9 on his PC and it's brain-dead easy to insert a disc and have WMP9 do all the work of encoding the file, tagging it, and putting it into his library. Basically he just sticks in the disc and WMP9 does everything else.

However, it seems that this file format is disliked by the empeg's WMA decoder.

Now, Tod hates dealing with new pieces of software and really doesn't feel like setting up and dealing with EAC. He'd rather use the "stick it in and forget it" WMP9 software that he's already using. Besides, he uses the WMP9 library features and wants to continue using them.

So, is there any way to make WMP9 use an MP3 encoder by default, perhaps some build of LAME that's easy to insert and install? When I look at the WMP9 options, it only offers WMA and WMA Variable Bitrate.

Note: His operating system is Windows 2000.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190981 - 26/11/2003 14:19 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: tfabris]
RobotCaleb
pooh-bah

Registered: 15/01/2002
Posts: 1866
Loc: Austin
i was confused by that too, especially because of the link 'learn more about mp3 formats' next to the two codecs you mentioned. i wasnt confused enough and dint care enough to figure out if i could change it though.
i will admit ive never clicked that link. again, not caring.

Top
#190982 - 26/11/2003 14:31 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: RobotCaleb]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
I forgot to clarify... Microsoft links plugins from that screen, but they're all retail. Anyone know of a LAME plugin for that?
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190983 - 26/11/2003 14:46 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
You're supposed to be able to install a LAME acm file and make it happen, but I've not tried it and I've seen a lot of problem reports. Regardless, google for "lame acm" and see what pops up.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

Top
#190984 - 26/11/2003 14:53 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: tfabris]
Skunk
Master Boot Logo(er)

Registered: 26/08/2003
Posts: 525
Loc: California
Doesn't WMP9 encode in 5.1?
Could this be the problem?
_________________________
aka: [color:"blue"]Boot Logo Master[/color]
PayPal Contributions for Custom Boot Logos are gladly accepted. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
itirado[@]adobe[.]com

Top
#190985 - 26/11/2003 14:53 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: wfaulk]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Oooh, thanks, working on that now.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190986 - 26/11/2003 15:02 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Surprisingly hard to find the necessary ACM+XML+INF binary package all by itself for the latest LAME...
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190987 - 26/11/2003 15:07 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
In fact, I can't find a compiled binary of either LAME 3.93 or 3.93.1 in the ACM format at all. Anyone?

The XML and INF files are in the source code distro, but I don't have the DDK to compile the necessary ACM file. Anyone?
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190988 - 26/11/2003 15:25 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
http://rarewares.hydrogenaudio.org/mp3.html

Wait, no, ACM isn't in there... try this.


Edited by ricin (26/11/2003 15:28)
_________________________
Donato
MkII/080000565
MkIIa/010101253
ricin.us

Top
#190989 - 26/11/2003 15:30 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: ricin]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Grabbing now! THANK YOU!!!
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190990 - 26/11/2003 15:31 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: ricin]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
The first link, there is a working link to the ACM version 3.92 which should be fine for our purposes.

The Doom9 link gives me an "illegal leech access" page, so I can't get the 3.93.1 version from that site.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190991 - 26/11/2003 15:31 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
Oh, and FYI, from the ACM readme:

In order to build this codec, you need the Windows98 DDK from Microsoft. It can also work
with the Windows2000/ME DDK :

http://www.microsoft.com/ddk/
http://www.microsoft.com/ddk/ddk98.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/ddk/W2kDDK.asp

Alternatively, the required headers are also available in CYGWIN+w32api, MINGW32 or Wine :

http://www.cygwin.com/
http://www.mingw.org/
http://www.winehq.com/

---------------

Define ENABLE_DECODING if you want to use the decoding (alpha state, doesn't decode at the
moment, so use it only if you plan to develop)

---------------

To release this codec you will need :
- lameACM.acm (result of the build process)
- lameACM.inf
- lame_acm.xml (where the initial configuration is stored)
_________________________
Donato
MkII/080000565
MkIIa/010101253
ricin.us

Top
#190992 - 26/11/2003 15:33 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
Well, hell. Here.
_________________________
Donato
MkII/080000565
MkIIa/010101253
ricin.us

Top
#190993 - 26/11/2003 15:34 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Hm. Right-clicked on the INF file and hit "install", that seemed to work.

In my Add/Remove programs panel I now have a "LAME ACM MP3 Codec" entry, so everything seems to be in order.

However, none of the options in Windows Media Player 9 have changed, I don't see it in the plug ins or anything.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190994 - 26/11/2003 15:38 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: ricin]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Thanks for the download, Donato. I now have ACM versions of 3.92 and 3.93.1. Both seem to install/uninstall fine. The only trick is getting Windows Media Player to offer them to me as an option after they've been installed. Anyone have any tips on that last step?
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190995 - 26/11/2003 15:41 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
XP? Or, no?

Edit:
Oh, 2k. I really should read posts completely. Probably pretty much the same steps; worth a shot at least.


Edited by ricin (26/11/2003 15:47)
_________________________
Donato
MkII/080000565
MkIIa/010101253
ricin.us

Top
#190996 - 26/11/2003 15:51 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: ricin]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
He and I are both running Windows 2000, I'll look at that article and see if it applies.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190997 - 26/11/2003 16:21 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Seems to be working with those registry settings. Haven't listened to any encoded results yet, but WMP9 is churning away happily at an audio CD right now, saving to MP3 format using the LAME encoder.

Wow, what a pain to put together, but now I've set it up into something relatively painless for Tod.

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#190998 - 27/11/2003 01:02 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
drakino
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
I know this dosen't really solve the problem of his existing collection, but in the future for new users, toss them towards iTunes instead. A quick visit to the encoding preferences will allow them to change from the default AAC to MP3, without having to install a seperate MP3 encoder.

Top
#190999 - 28/11/2003 06:42 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: tfabris]
edsmiata
addict

Registered: 18/08/2002
Posts: 544
Loc: New Jersey
I have rippede all of my CD's using WMP via XP. The only problem I have had with the empeg decoding this was when i set the bit rate above 190ish. I was getting many artifacts (skipping, pops) and thought there was something wrong with the HU, but when I played this bit reate on my portable player (Compaq) there was no problem. I re-ripped the cd at 128 and there was absolutely no problem with the playback. As your friend, its just too easy to encode as a WMA file to need to change to MP3. Plus, on your hard drive, WMP places as the Icon the cd cover!

Ed
_________________________
...One man gathers what another man spills

Top
#191000 - 29/11/2003 02:26 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: edsmiata]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Thanks, Ed, that was important information. I will relay this to Tod.

The LAME plug-ins for Windows Media player failed utterly. They seemed to work but produced files which only marginally resembled MP3s. Mostly noise with only a few frames of actua music.

So it seems as though he only needs to reduce his bit rate. Sounds like a plan. Thanks!
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#191001 - 29/11/2003 11:28 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
avatarTX
member

Registered: 23/08/2000
Posts: 193
Loc: Dallas Texas USA
Hi Tony-

I am trying to accomplish the same things with the media player. I have downloaded LAME and have what I believe are all the files. I am familiar with RegEdit but am hesitant at this point to actually edit the registry, the article with the changes is a little cryptic to me. I am not sure what to add.

Can you give me a quick once over of the changes you made before I try mine and dork something up?

_________________________
Carl Aydelotte Dallas Texas USA empeg MKII 080000506 40gb-green

Top
#191002 - 29/11/2003 21:13 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: avatarTX]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Don't bother.

At one time, I had an actual constructed ".reg" file that I could have sent you. However the results were so poor that I completely deleted the work I'd done. There was no point.

The compiled LAME ACM binaries do not in any way function correctly with media player. They flat out do not work. They create files that are mostly garbage, full of noise frames.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top
#191003 - 30/11/2003 09:45 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encodin [Re: tfabris]
avatarTX
member

Registered: 23/08/2000
Posts: 193
Loc: Dallas Texas USA
Thanks. I guess I will not waste my time.
_________________________
Carl Aydelotte Dallas Texas USA empeg MKII 080000506 40gb-green

Top
#191004 - 30/11/2003 16:44 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: tfabris]
_hardcore_
member

Registered: 22/09/2000
Posts: 195
Loc: Copenhagen, Denmark
Hi,

I've allways used AudioCatalyst - Works like a cham, saves into regular mp3 files sorted ang tagged like you want it to. No hassles.

Just wanted to share.

\\Kaare

Top
#191005 - 30/11/2003 17:05 Re: Windows Media Player 9: Change default encoding format? [Re: _hardcore_]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
He's used other MP3 rippers in the past, and I could easily have set him up with anything (Audiocatalyst, Audiograbber, EAC, whatever). He just had his reasons for wanting to keep using Windows Media Player. And it looks like, as long as he keeps the bitrate down to 160, he'll be fine with it.
_________________________
Tony Fabris

Top