Hi. There was a full version of CDEX released after this beta but unfortunately version 1.51 didn't work on many peoples machines and so the beta lived on.
Regards. Kevin E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 9:03 PM Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > Ah, so the Control A select all works, even though control homeand then > select to end didn't? Interesting. In other such situations, often control > A won't work, but if you go to the top or bottom of an area and select home > or select end, that will copy all. ah, I know what it is I'm thinking of. > The General or Details tabs of the properties display for an Outlook Express > message. > > Okay. I'll look again... > One more thing about the version of CdEx. How come it's a Beta version? > Isn't there going to be a final version released? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 12:27 PM > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > I use that version of CDEX as I think most people on the list do. There is > actually an updated version 1.6 available now but I'm not sure what the new > features are. > > It's true that when you hit enter on a help topic, JAWS will start reading > the page. You can't use your PC cursor to read the page back but you can > use the JAWS cursor to do so. Alternatively, use control + A to select and > control + C to copy and paste into a word document. This does work and > here's the CDEX introduction copied in exactly that way. > > Introduction > > > This document describes CDex, a utility for extracting sound files from CDs > in your CD-ROM drive, and for converting WAV files into several other > (compressed) formats, like the popular MP3 format. > > The latest version of CDex can be downloaded from: > http://www.cdex.n3.net > > System Requirements > Status of CDex > Acknowledgements > Change log > > > > Kevin > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 8:14 PM > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > One more thing: I just opened the copy of CdEx on my computer and > attempted > > to study the help file topics about things I need to learn. But even > though > > the topic list is set up like a tree view, and I can navigate it fine and > > open books or topics to arrow to their sub topics, when I hit Enter, I'm > > taken to a page that > > 1. starts reading audotmatically in Jaws if I don't touch the keyboard, > but > > can't be read deliberately with the arrow keys and Jaws reading > keystrokes. > > I thought maybe I could compensate by selecting and copying each topics's > > text to the clipboard and pasting into a text editor to read, but my > attempt > > to do this also failed, for some reason. > > > > Also, the text seems incomplete, from what I can figure out, like only > topic > > headings are given but then there's no actual writing beyond that. > > > > 2. I checked my version of CdEx, and I wonder if it's not really what I > > ought to be using if I want to have the latest configuration and more > usable > > or fully written help documentation. I have version 1.51 Beta. A friend > > put it on my system, saying it's what he uses. But is this out of date? > If > > so, where do I go to download the latest version of CdEx? > > > > thanks. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 10:53 AM > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > Hi Daniel. > > > > CDEX will allow you to use a number of encoders to rip your music and > allow > > you to use constant or variable bit rates. The WMA format is available > but > > not all bit rates are supported for the version of the encoder included. > > > > Saying that, the default Lame encoder is regarded as one of the best MP3 > > encoders around and in comparison tests I've done myself and read about, > it > > out performs WMA with most music genres. > > > > With regards to your question on burning the compressed MP3 or WMA files > to > > CD, well, you have the choice when burning to either create an audio CD > for > > play in a standard CD player which will convert the compressed file into > WAV > > and then CDDA or you can burn the files to a data CD which will burn them > > exactly as they are on your hard drive. That is, compressed. There are > > increasing numbers of players on the market now, both portable and genuine > > hi-fi, that will play these data CD's with your MP3 music. This means you > > could have 10 albums or more on a single disc. Kelly's point was exactly > > this that MP3 is still the most popular compressed format and most well > > supported. You wouldn't want to rip a collection of CD's into WMA and > find > > that you couldn't play them on anything else but your computer. Maybe you > > might now but chances are you'll want to take them with you at some point > > and want to invest in a portable player. Having them ripped into MP3 will > > give you a much greater choice of player when that day comes. > > > > Regards. > > > > Kevin > > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 2:17 AM > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > > Hi Kelly, > > > thanks for responding. I have a copy of CdEx, though I forget the > > version. > > > But it doesn't offer any .wma possibilities at all, only .mp3 and .wav. > > > Does this mean I have an old version of it? Someone else loaded it onto > > my > > > system for me. If I can update and see a more comprehensive array of > > > compression options, that'd be reassuring. > > > > > > Also, I confess I don't understand about wither a compressed file can > play > > > on a CD player: From what I've learned so far, I have the impression > that > > > if you burn an .mp3 or other compressed music file to a CD, it will be > > > converted, either manually or, in some programs, automatically, to a > .wav > > > file to be burned. Isn't this so? If it is, then what does it matter > > > whether the file on your hard drive is .mp3 or .wma? > > > > > > Please explain further. I'm educating myself with your help. > > > thanks, > > > Daniel > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Kelly Pierce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 3:28 PM > > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > > > > the options you mentioned with Windows media ripping are also available > in > > > ripping MP3s with CDEX. remember it is in Microsoft's interest to make > > > windows Media appear to be a much more attractive experience than the > > > infinitely portable and compatible MP3 format. With MP3 encoding, files > > can > > > be encoded on various levels of quality, with fixed or variable bit > rates > > in > > > full stereo. > > > > > > One thing to consider is the likelihood that the files you rip can be > > played > > > on other people's computers with different kinds and versions of > software > > > and on portable devices in the present and future. many CD players can > > play > > > MP3 files but only a fraction of these can also play Windows Media > files. > > > to verify this, just go to bestbuy.com and review the portable CD > players > > > available for sale. Most play MP3 files but only one can also play > > windows > > > Media files as well. > > > > > > I encode most of the music I rip in MP3 at 256 bit in full stereo at the > > > very highest quality. > > > > > > Kelly > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > To: "PC-Audio" <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > > > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 12:39 AM > > > Subject: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > > > > > > > > I've just been learning how to rip music from CDs to my hard drive > using > > > > several different programs, and the one that interests me most at > > present > > > > is > > > > Windows Media Player because of the variety of formats it offers. > > > > > > > > As I explore and test these formats, one thing confuses me: You can > rip > > > > Windows Media Audio files about six different ways, not counting the > > > > lossless option. Now, I'm aware that .mp3 ripping can be adjusted to > > use > > > > bit rates higher than the default 128 in order to restore a little of > > the > > > > information that a lower bit rate strips out. > > > > > > > > but understanding that is simple compared to the range of .wma > options. > > > > Here's the main thing that puzzles me. In the WMP menu for setting > your > > > > rip > > > > options, there are *two* sets of .wma options, each with its own range > > of > > > > sound quality level. > > > > > > > > First is the .wma choice that uses a slider to provide you with,as I > > > > recall, > > > > three levels of sound quality. I've ripped the same track with all > > three, > > > > and not only listened to them-- the differences are audible to me, > > > > although > > > > pretty subtle compared to the difference between any of them and a > less > > > > compressed lossless or uncompress .wav version. Still, for saving > > space, > > > > I > > > > appreciate the compression, so I remain interested. > > > > > > > > Okay. So the smallest .wma sound quality level creates a really small > > > > file, > > > > much smaller than the same tune ripped to .mp3. And it doesn't sound > > any > > > > worse than the .mp3, was my impression. The next higher levels create > > > > larger files, with the highest quality level creating a file for any > > given > > > > track that's about the same size as a 192 bit rate .mp3. If I go this > > > > way, > > > > I'd suppose that's the method I'd use, so you get a little better > sound > > > > quality than an .mp3 for the same file size. > > > > > > > > But then, right beneath this on that menu, there's a variable bit rate > > > > .wma > > > > option, again set by a slider, but this time starting at 0 per cent > and > > > > going up. Zero per cent of what? And, more to the point, if this has > > to > > > > do > > > > with changing bit rates (doesn't the other method, I wonder? How else > > > > would > > > > you change quality except by varying the bit rate?) where are the > > > > indications for *what* bit rate this slider takes you through? > > > > > > > > So that's it. I'm really wondering about this stuff as I try to > settle > > on > > > > a > > > > preferred rip method to set for my usual use. Does anyone understand > > > > whatever it is I'm not getting about these two adjustable .ma formats? > > Is > > > > there anywhere to read a simple primer about them? I don't feel the > > need > > > > to > > > > do research if someone can just explain what it is I'm not > > understanding. > > > > But just in case there's some online information about this that would > > > > clarify it all, that would be fine, too. > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Daniel > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.5 - Release Date: 5/4/2005 > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > > http://www.pc-audio.org > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > _______________________________________________ > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 > > > _______________________________________________ > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... http://www.pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
