Hi, I've recently discovered FLAC and I think it's a great idea. It always amazed me how a file compressor back in the DOS era (UC2, UltraCompressor-2) from some obscure company in the Netherlands had the ability that no other file compressor had, and that is to identify audio files and if those were 8-bit or 16-bit audio files, and compress up to 30-40% on average (8 bit audio files were compressed ever more).
So, to make a long story short, it's good to see a free, open codec that is able to give users lossless audio compression. When I installed Real's new Real Player 10 for linux (based on open source Helix code) I thought both OGG Vorbis and FLAC support would be included. It turns out that Vorbis is supported, but FLAC is not. When I asked in the Helix mailing lists, I was told they'd be VERY interested in seeing anyone develop a FLAC codec for helix player / rp. Here are the messages: ==================================== From: Ryan Gammon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Fernando Cassia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 17:06:43 -0800 Subject: Re: [Player-users] FLAC support? Nothing available to my knowledge -- help wanted, if you're interested. ==================================== From: Rob Lanphier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Fernando Cassia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:59:38 -0800 Subject: Re: [Player-users] FLAC support? > 1. Any reasons why FLAC format playback is still not included in Helix Player > / RP10 for Linux? Hi Fernando, No one has written a Helix plugin that we're aware of. If someone were to contribute a plugin, we'd most likely include it (barring any funky legal complications, which I wouldn't anticipate). > 2. Is anyone aware of any plug-in available for RP10 allowing such playback ? Nope. Rob -- Rob Lanphier, Development Support Manager - RealNetworks Helix Community: http://helixcommunity.org ==================================== So, here's my "public service announcement" to the FLAC community. The Helix / RP folks seem interested, and would include flac support, if anyone develops such a plug-in. I'd personally do it, but: 1. I have a mental block when it comes to the C language. 2. I'm busy with my daily work So, consider this a friendly pointer. If anyone wants to do something to spread FLAC and don't know what it is... well, there's some of us who would love to see Helix Player / RP10 being able to play FLAC content as well. :) Thanks for the time, and I hope nobody considers this message an annoyance. Fernando Cassia -- "Hay dos caminos claros para m�: la creatividad o el rid�culo" Adolfo Castelo (1940-2004) ------------------------------------------------------- SF email is sponsored by - The IT Product Guide Read honest & candid reviews on hundreds of IT Products from real users. Discover which products truly live up to the hype. Start reading now. http://productguide.itmanagersjournal.com/ _______________________________________________ Flac-dev mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/flac-dev
