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Topic: Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper (Read 15352 times) previous topic - next topic
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Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Good for portable flash players (tiny file size ~64kbps and sounds like CD quality to me).

To encode WMA v9 files using CDex...

0.  Download CDex from this link for free...
http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/

1.  Download and Install WMA Encoder 9 from this link for free...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...&DisplayLang=en

2.  In CDex go to  Options->Settings window

3.  set Encoder to  External Encoder

4.  set Encoder path to  C:\WINDOWS\system32\cscript.exe

5.  set Encoder string to  "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Components\Encoder\WMCmd.vbs" -input "%1" -output "%2" -a_codec WMA9STD -a_setting Q50_44_2

6.  set File Extension to  WMA

Enjoy,
-pc

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #1 –
Maybe if WMA9 was a superior format... I think I'd rather use mp3pro or vorbis for 64 kbps.

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #2 –
My portable flash player, like most, only supports mp3 and wma9std.

Quote
Maybe if WMA9 was a superior format... I think I'd rather use mp3pro or vorbis for 64 kbps.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=226053"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #3 –
and why would you choose WMA over MP3?

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #4 –
If someone is pleased with the quality of WMA@64 kbps, I don't think he could find the same one with any mp3 encoder at the same bitrate. The choice is understandable in my opinion (but I'm far to share it ).
Wavpack Hybrid -c4hx6

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #5 –
ups ... didn't see the 64 part ...

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #6 –
this is only my opinion, but i think wma v2 @ 64kbps sounds much better than v9 std @ 64kbps, and even comes close to mp3 @ 96kbps, like i said, this is only my opinion, feel free to try it. 


p.s. if you want, i can provide samples

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #7 –
Hi AudioFlex,
I have never tried wma v2; where may I find the encoder?  I really like my Jens MP-110 flash player, but 256mb isn't much space to work with. I'm all about good sound at low bitrates (<=75kbps).  I will keep the first post in this topic updated with best wma encoder settings for flash players as I continue to test different encoder versions and configurations.
Thank you,
-pc

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #8 –
wma2 is also known as DivX audio (you now, the crap sound heard on old DivX ). Long time ago, it was the "best" solution for divx movies at low audio bitrate. But now, there's vorbis and he-aac... I doubt that wma2 (a hack if I remember correctly) still has any advantage.
Wavpack Hybrid -c4hx6

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #9 –
there is a WMA v2 plugin (look at the bottom) for dbpoweramp

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #10 –
can anyone suggest wma encoding command line for foobar diskwriter.  Options for 64k, 96k, 128k cbr and vbr would be appreciated

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #11 –
I am more and more concidering to use Windows Media Player 9 and the 160kbps CBR quality setting to store my CD's on my PC. I've used the MPC format for quite a while now, and It's good. However it takes a while to make these mpc files, since you have to make .wav files first, then encode to mpc. A bit timeconsuming. And I became a bit tired of all the hysteria to achive the perfect sounding encodings. One almost forgot the essential - the music!. 

I have copied a few albums in wma now, and it sounds surprisingly good!. I don't know if this new media player 9 comes with an improved .wma encoder or not, but I'm very satisfied with how it performs. And It's super easy to copy your CD's for storing on computer. It's also great to get the album info (usually from AllMusic.com) presented at the same time. Very handy. I also use the option of crossfading between the tracks so that the silent gaps is reduced. Automatic volume levelling is another handy option if you play random tracks from different albums. It's like Replay Gain I guess.

As I'm only gonna listen to these files on my computer - the 160 kbps quality is perfect. I don't want to go lower than that, and absolutely not above.

I'm now a happy wma user ;-)
[SweMule]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #12 –
Quote
I became a bit tired of all the hysteria to achive the perfect sounding encodings.


Quote
I'm now a happy wma user ;-)


Oh dear, lemme guess: you have an X-box, you are a laywer and wear some black mask to help you breath too 

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #13 –
Quote
Oh dear, lemme guess: you have an X-box, you are a laywer and wear some black mask to help you breath too  
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234035"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


I don't know what you're talking about. I usually don't waste time on
childish comments like this. So I wont do that this time either.
[SweMule]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #14 –
Quote
I am more and more concidering to use Windows Media Player 9 and the 160kbps CBR quality setting to store my CD's on my PC.

you should at least use vbr. also wmp can't securely rip which will result in audible errors if you rip scratched cds.

Quote
I've used the MPC format for quite a while now, and It's good. However it takes a while to make these mpc files, since you have to make .wav files first, then encode to mpc. A bit timeconsuming.

depends on how you configure it. usually you won't be able to rip faster, than mpc encodes (if you do it securely)

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #15 –
Quote
you should at least use vbr. also wmp can't securely rip which will result in audible errors if you rip scratched cds.


Yes I have thought about using the 135 - 215 VBR quality, and I've encoded a couple of CD's that way. The sound is brilliant, but the downside is that it uses a bit too much file size (average around 180 - 200). And I hesitate to use the next lower step (85 - 145) cause it seems a bit too low in quality. But I have to try it and see first.
I don't own that many scratched CD's by the way. I treat them quite well. But I know what you mean.

Thanks
SweMule
[SweMule]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #16 –
Quote
Yes I have thought about using the 135 - 215 VBR quality, and I've encoded a couple of CD's that way. The sound is brilliant, but the downside is that it uses a bit too much file size (average around 180 - 200). And I hesitate to use the next lower step (85 - 145) cause it seems a bit too low in quality. But I have to try it and see first.
I don't own that many scratched CD's by the way. I treat them quite well. But I know what you mean.

If you plan to listen to the wma files on your PC and ONLY on your pc-you could consider using wma9 pro codec. Its VBR mode was tested as being very good in an
RJ Amorim listening test done last year. The downside of wma pro is that no known portable device supports it-they are setup for wma9 standard.
you will make mp3's for compatibility reasons.

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #17 –
Quote
Quote
Yes I have thought about using the 135 - 215 VBR quality, and I've encoded a couple of CD's that way. The sound is brilliant, but the downside is that it uses a bit too much file size (average around 180 - 200). And I hesitate to use the next lower step (85 - 145) cause it seems a bit too low in quality. But I have to try it and see first.
I don't own that many scratched CD's by the way. I treat them quite well. But I know what you mean.

If you plan to listen to the wma files on your PC and ONLY on your pc-you could consider using wma9 pro codec. Its VBR mode was tested as being very good in an
RJ Amorim listening test done last year. The downside of wma pro is that no known portable device supports it-they are setup for wma9 standard.

WMA Pro can't be encoded through WMP

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #18 –
Quote
If you plan to listen to the wma files on your PC and ONLY on your pc-you could consider using wma9 pro codec. Its VBR mode was tested as being very good in an
RJ Amorim listening test done last year. The downside of wma pro is that no known portable device supports it-they are setup for wma9 standard.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234110"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Yes my intensions are to listen to my ripped CD's on my computer - only. My idea is to store all the best one's I have on my hd, ready to play with only a push on the button.

This vma9 pro codec sounds very interesting. Is it freeware?, where can I find it?.

I've also done some more testing using the vma 85 - 145 vbr setting, but it wasn't as good as vma 160 cbr. I've also tested to encode 'on-the-fly' to ogg vorbis at 160kb (normal) vbr using CDex. It sounded very satisfying when played on my computer. So I will have this option in mind too!.
[SweMule]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #19 –
Quote
WMA Pro can't be encoded through WMP
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234113"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Oh Ok. So I guess one has to make wav files first, then using some program to encode it to wma9 pro?. That's pretty much what I'm trying to avoid here.
Rip 'n store. That's the idea, cause I have a few CD's to store. But I'm open to see what this wma9 pro is.
[SweMule]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #20 –
(after doing the one-time setup procedure)
how is:
- inserting a cd into the drive
- starting EAC
- clicking a button
- getting mpc-files some minutes later

faster than:
- inserting a cd into the drive
- starting WMP
- clicking a button (or multiple buttons, menus? dunno)
- getting WMA-files some minutes later

????

Sounds more like the reason why you did choose to encode with WMP was not the ease and speed of ripping/encoding..... but instead the one-time setup-process which is more difficult with EAC (however, there are good step-by-step guides out there).

- Lyx
I am arrogant and I can afford it because I deliver.

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #21 –
CdEx can even rip on-thy-fly mpc using the 1.15r encoder.

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #22 –
Quote
Quote
WMA Pro can't be encoded through WMP
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234113"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Oh Ok. So I guess one has to make wav files first, then using some program to encode it to wma9 pro?. That's pretty much what I'm trying to avoid here.
Rip 'n store. That's the idea, cause I have a few CD's to store. But I'm open to see what this wma9 pro is.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234119"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


WMA Pro provides much better quality than WMA standard. For PC only usage i'd still recommenc MPC or Vorbis though. There isn't really that much of a difference between direct encoding and wav file creation once you have a configured ripper like EAC. It's just one click - as easy as WMP

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #23 –
Quote
(after doing the one-time setup procedure)
how is:
- inserting a cd into the drive
- starting EAC
- clicking a button
- getting mpc-files some minutes later

faster than:
- inserting a cd into the drive
- starting WMP
- clicking a button (or multiple buttons, menus? dunno)
- getting WMA-files some minutes later

????

Sounds more like the reason why you did choose to encode with WMP was not the ease and speed of ripping/encoding..... but instead the one-time setup-process which is more difficult with EAC (however, there are good step-by-step guides out there).

- Lyx
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234127"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Hi Lyx
Yes, I've been encoding my mpc files the xact way you've described above. It takes a bit longer though since EAC first has to make the wav files from the CD, then the mppenc codec gets to work on them and makes the finished mpc files. I've done that many times.

I don't know, maybe I was growing a little tired of the mpc format, and now I'm looking for something new. However ripping directly from CD's is high priority.
I'm at the moment testing the wma 9 format out. Ogg Vorbis is another strong contender.

SweMule
[SweMule]

Encode WMA v9 with CDex free ripper

Reply #24 –
Quote
CdEx can even rip on-thy-fly mpc using the 1.15r encoder.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=234141"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Thanks for the info.
It's not working with the 1.14 encoder?.

SweMule
[SweMule]