Computer Hope

Software => Computer software => Topic started by: Zylstra on April 05, 2008, 07:52:38 PM

Title: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Zylstra on April 05, 2008, 07:52:38 PM
Goeden Dag,
(good day)

I am wondering if there is any mass media conversation software for music files that could change every .wma 192KBPS file in my library to .mp3 192KBPS.

Why do I want to do this?
.MP3 is a open source format that seems to work just about everywhere now... I never much liked having to wait for Media Player to convert files for my phone/mp3 player.

I have Windows Vista, plenty of varying disk space, and can handle something resource intensive.

I need something that can convert not only file formats, but, also the bitrates, and also handle filters that would possibly exclude certain files. 

I searched Google, but, there were too many adware ridden results.

Anyone know of anything?

Thanks,
Zylstra
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Deerpark on April 06, 2008, 03:34:00 AM
http://www.mediamonkey.com/
I use it myself to play and manage my music, it can even sync music to my Creative Zen so I can do all my music related tasks in this app.
But you may need the paid version if you want to convert a large number of songs, but IMO it is worth it.

.MP3 is a open source format that seems to work just about everywhere now...
I get what you're saying here, but just so you know, MP3 is not open source. It is in fact a proprietary and patented format and commercial MP3 players have to pay a licensing fee to use it.
OGG is a true open source format, but it is a lot harder to find portable music players that supports it.
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: patio on April 06, 2008, 06:33:01 AM
Deerpark how do you like the Zen ? ?
I was thinking of grabbing one.
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Deerpark on April 06, 2008, 02:36:13 PM
I've got the (by now slightly old) Zen Micro and I just love it.
Sound quality is excellent as it usually is on Creative products. Just do you self a favor and buy a quality pair of earphones, the included ones are not great. But that seems to be a common problem with MP3 players.
Can't really think of anything negative to say about it...
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Zylstra on April 06, 2008, 03:01:33 PM
Thanks, Deerpark

The actual main reason I wanted a program like this was because my brother gave a bunch of music to my sister, who gave that same music to me, that had VBR (Variable Bit Rate) formats for encoding... anyways, this resulted in a bunch of media files with 800+KBPS (a few 1MBPS as well) bitrate files... (and even more that were in the 500-700 range)

This is a bit too big for me, and I will soon be running out of disk space.

Once again, thanks, Deerpark.
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Deerpark on April 06, 2008, 03:25:53 PM
You're welcome Zylstra, I hope MM will suit you.
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Zylstra on April 06, 2008, 03:40:13 PM
You're welcome Zylstra, I hope MM will suit you.
So far it is :)

I am leaving everything at the VBR format, but, also changing it to MP3. (I decreased the VBR levels though, it should be ~256KBPS now)

I am only converting things over 367KBPS, (I am great at manipulating programs like that,) so, all should go well. (Its sure taking a while though)
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: pcsourcepoint on April 06, 2008, 05:46:50 PM
Media Monkey, formerly DB-songs is a good organizer which I have used, and perhaps dbpoweramp (http://www.dbpoweramp.com/) which has been around a while...

Here's a real interesting article -  behind the mask (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may00/articles/mp3.htm) about the theory of MP3, and some tips to improve your mp3's...
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: patio on April 06, 2008, 05:59:54 PM
Great stuff Deerpark and thanx !
Zen 4G on sale today only 75 bucks...goin for it !
Title: Re: Mass Media Conversation Software
Post by: Zylstra on April 14, 2008, 10:26:00 PM
Sorry for my latefulness (note: "latefulness" is not a real word)...
It all worked out alright. Thanks, everyone