Is there a cheap way of making mp3 files from CD's

[Martin I Pettinger]

Hi

Anyone got any good recommendations on how I can create mp3 files for my iPAQ 3850. I have a Windows 2000 OS.

Ideally I like some freeware that can write mp3's from my CD's. I'd also like some advice on what sampling frequency is appropriate.

Finally I have WMP 8.5 - What are the latest thougts on mp3 players out there.

Martin

[spursdude]

You could use RealOne, at real.com although I hate that software. It will get the job done for free, though.

Or MusicMatch Jukebox - a free download for the basic version, which I believe will also rip MP3s. You can find that one here (http://download.com.com/3000-2167-10165653.html?tag=lst-0-1).

[Janak Parekh]

If you don't mind WMA, then just use WMP 8.5/9 - works fine.

Otherwise, consider CDex (http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/). Has a ton of features, including MP3, Ogg, etc. support. Download the latest beta, it's pretty stable in my experience.

--janak

[Kati Compton]

Another vote for CDex. It's what I use.

[Janak Parekh]

Heheh. 3 answers in one minute - what more do you need in life? :D

Regarding MP3 players: if you mean desktop, WMP 8/9 is actually pretty good. I personally really like Quintessential Player (www.quinnware.com); although the default skin is a bit too busy, it's easy to switch to another. On the Pocket PC good players include Pocket MVP (www.pocketmvp.com) and WithMP3 (http://www.citsoft.net/).

--janak

[szamot]

cdEX is what i use as well, I rip everything at no less than 128 but you could get away with 96 for the iPAQ. Try it out I find it really fast.

[seanturner]

I havent' checked this myself, but from what i've heard make sure that don't rip in variable bit rate because apparantly VBR won't play...

[Kati Compton]

I play VBRs on my Axim. I have VBR with avg. 96.

[seanturner]

Hmmmn....

Do you get a significantly better quality/size ration with VBR? I might just have to rerip all of my MP3's....

[Janak Parekh]

I havent' checked this myself, but from what i've heard make sure that don't rip in variable bit rate because apparantly VBR won't play...
VBR's do play in most WMP versions, although a few of the WMP's (versions 7.0-8.0) were very buggy in handling them. v4 of WMP (that was bundled with PPC2000) was the best, ironically; however, 8.5 is decent, in that it'll play the entire song reliably, although the times are messed up.

You'd think Microsoft could fix this by now, eh?

PocketMVP plays VBR files flawlessly, btw. When I used MP3, I ripped 160kbps VBR. VBR can be noticeably better than non-VBR for music that varies. FWIW, both WMA and Ogg use VBR technologies by default. (I now rip Ogg exclusively, myself.)

--janak

[Adam]

Try MediaJukebox. It's available on trial, and the full thing costs (though not lots). The thing is you also get a lot for your money. It can rip CDs, write Cds as well as organise the stuff and can see handheld devices, etc.

Don't have a URL to hand (I'm at work and it's at home), but it should be easily findable.

[RussHart]

Although CDex is free, I'd reccomend you spend a little money and get AudioCatalyst 2.1, as it uses the Xing MP3 encoder, which is much better and also produces good quality files. Audiograbber is another great bit of software, but you'd really need a commercial encoder and the full version to make the best of it.

[Sven Johannsen]

I know everyone wants everything for free, but in case there is anyone who doesn't mind spending 10 bucks, you can add MP3 ripping capability to Windows Media Player very easily. I have the one from Intervideo, http://www.intervideo.com/media_pack/jsp/Product_Profile.jsp?p=MP3XPack , but the WMP web site points out a couple. What does this do for you? It leaves you with one interface to mess with that is already on your PC. Tha't worth a few bucks to me. It also gives you aconsistant library structure.

[Mike Temporale]

Personally I use AudioCatalyst. Really nice peice of software.

However, if you're looking for free and easy to use, I would get WinAmp and the CDRipper plugin. Both are available from www.winamp.com

[vlado]

I think the best free program is http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm

[RussHart]

you can add MP3 ripping capability to Windows Media Player very easily. I have the one from Intervideo, http://www.intervideo.com/media_pack/jsp/Product_Profile.jsp?p=MP3XPack

Should point out that this is only applicable for those on Windows XP, hence not the guy who origanlly posted the Question.

[Janak Parekh]

Although CDex is free, I'd reccomend you spend a little money and get AudioCatalyst 2.1, as it uses the Xing MP3 encoder, which is much better and also produces good quality files.
The only problem with AudioCatalyst is that its ripper is a bit outdated, and tends to be very finicky if the last track is data. Other than that, agreed - the Xing encoder is very fast and, once they fixed the frequency response problems, rather decent. Mind you, the latest LAME encoders in CDex are not too shabby...

--janak

[Martin I Pettinger]

Hi

Just like to say thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I have downloaded dbpoweramp. I'll post back to let everyone know whether I successfully produced some mp3's.

Martin

[Pony99CA]

I use the Music Match Jukebox (6.1 something, I think) that came with my iPAQ 3650. However, when I upgraded it, the files it produced would not play on my iPAQ, so I had to revert to the older version. It seems that Windows Media Player 8.5 can now play those, though. Has anybody else noticed that?

As for ripping rates, I use 128 kbps, which is supposedly near-CD quality. That and 192 kbps seem to be the most common ripping rates you see on file swapping services.

Steve

[Kati Compton]

Hmmmn....

Do you get a significantly better quality/size ration with VBR? I might just have to rerip all of my MP3's....

96 VBR is definitely better than 96 flat.

[Wiggin]

I currently use the latest version (7.5) of Musicmatch Jukebox (subscribed, not the free one...rips MP3s much faster). Due to the limited mp3 playback hardware I have (basically medium level PC speakers/woofers stuff or an iPaq), 128K is fine for my ears. Free stuff is fine, but I can't find one that has a UI I like.

Question!
... it uses the Xing MP3 encoder, which is much better and also produces good quality files...

What are the differences between, and benefits of, the various MP3 encoders? I haven't had the time to research the topic, but know that many exist. Can anyone enlighten? :?:

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

PocketMVP plays VBR files flawlessly, btw. When I used MP3, I ripped 160kbps VBR. VBR can be noticeably better than non-VBR for music that varies. FWIW, both WMA and Ogg use VBR technologies by default. (I now rip Ogg exclusively, myself.)

Ogg ROCKS!! That's one of the greatest discoveries I've made this past year. I only have a 256MB SD card for my iPaq... so 64kbps of VBR ogg goes a long way for me and it plays nearly identically to WMA at 96kbps.

I only wish CE Playlist would recognize ogg files! The PocketMVP playlist capabilities are a lot better than they used to be, but nothing compared to CEPlaylist. I missed that app a lot!!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I think the best free program is http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm
Gets my vote as well. Admittedly I haven't tried CDex, my search stopped after dBPowerAMP. Nice clean program and it supports OGG which is sweet!

I have a fully registered version of MusicMatch Jukebox too that never sees the light of day anymore b/c of dBPowerAMP!!

[Martin I Pettinger]

Hi

Out of interest how do you play an OGG file. I installed dbpoweramp and tonight I converted some Travis singles to mp3 using 96kpbs and they sound just fine on my iPAQ 3850. What is the file size difference - a 5 minute track seemed to take up about 4 mB at 96kpbs.

Martin

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Hi

Out of interest how do you play an OGG file. I installed dbpoweramp and tonight I converted some Travis singles to mp3 using 96kpbs and they sound just fine on my iPAQ 3850. What is the file size difference - a 5 minute track seemed to take up about 4 mB at 96kpbs.

Martin

Well, understand first that 64kbps ogg file (VBR) sounds FAR better than 96kbps MP3 file (CBR) IMO. As for storage, I don't have exact numbers, but a 5 minute ogg track averaging 64kbps could probably be stored in a file of around 2.5MB.

Ogg files can only be played via the PocketMVP player. Do a search for that if you don't know where to find it (can't remember off the top of my head).

[Pony99CA]

Ogg files can only be played via the PocketMVP player. Do a search for that if you don't know where to find it (can't remember off the top of my head).

It was fairly easy to find on Google. Check out PocketMVP (http://home.adelphia.net/~mdukette/).

Steve