HD ===> MP3 via LAME -- need FASTER conversion

[1kyle]

Hi everone.

Trying to convert some HI-MD WAV files to MP3 using LAME XP converter on Windows XP.

This process seems REALLY slow (using top quality VBR @ 320 from WAV files) and I'm running this on a DUAL processor with 4GB RAM so it's not the computer causing the bottleneck.

Here's screenshot

http://www.1kyle.com/mp3conv.jpg

Any FASTER way of doing this - I'm not afraid of using a command line.

Using Linux is fine as well if it's better since I can read the WAV files on Linux as well.

Thanks

-K

Edited April 8, 2006 by 1kyle

[greenmachine]

As far as i know there's no such thing as VBR with an approximate target bitrate of 320 kbps, since this is the highest available 'regular' mp3 bitrate.

The highest available quality (320kbps CBR - often overkill for portable listening) would be "-b 320", whereas the highest quality VBR preset would be "-V 0" (~245 kbps target bitrate). I'd suggest to use something like "-V 2" only unless you know what you're doing. Adding "--vbr-new" can speed up encoding quite a bit when using VBR without significantly sacrificing quality.

You can find a list of recommended settings here:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=28124

And a detailed guide to command line options here:

http://lame.sourceforge.net/USAGE

Again, better stick to the presets unless you know what you're doing, otherwise you could do more damage than good.

Hope this helps.

[Qwakrz]

There is no easy way to increase the processing speed without loosing some quality.

BTW there is no dual core version of lame currently (there was a beta floating around but its not official) so single or dual core CPU's will have the same sort of speed when running one instance of the program.

Have you thought about running 2 copies of your encoder program to do twice the ammount of work at once, because you have dual core you will then use one instance of each program on each core and this should almost double the speed of compression (same time to encode a file but its doing 2 at once). Get one running on one group of files and set the other running on another group.

320K VBR is actually ABR (average bit rate) but because the upper limit is 320K anyway it will turn it into CBR.

[xatax]

Try using 320 CBR and up to four processing threads. It's faster.

[ZosoIV]

Use --vbr-new. From the LAME 3.97 alphas onward, it's been shown to be of higher quality on most samples and twice as fast as compared to the old VBR algorithm. I'd also recommend using -V2 --vbr new as opposed to --preset insane (i.e., -b320). There's very few cases where forcing LAME to use all 320kbps frames yields better quality than -V2. If it does, it's only on problem samples, not on normal music, and most of the time, the problem samples can't even be fixed with 320kbps because of the inherent limitations of a transform coder (i.e., pre-echo, poor transient response, etc.) Thus, 320kbps CBR is waste of space for over 99% of samples, especially considering that -V2 usually ends up between 185 and 225kbps.

There's more about this at that "Hydrogen Audio" website - somebody already linked to a relevant thread.

[1kyle]

Thanks Guys

I'm messing around with the NERO ripper now. This seems to be much faster (I'm using Nero 7.0) and also gives AAC options as well as MP3.

I'm trying out various bit rates and sounds but so far seems to be just as good as LAME (I don't know the internals of the NERO Ripper, might be using the same technique).

You get a whole slew of different bit rates and conversions amd it does AAC as well as MP3.

The read spead on the CD is 32X (4,800) kbs and track data is got from either freedb or a user settable one including cddb if you want.

I must admit I'd never thought of NERO for ripping but it seems to do the job really good.

I'm preparing all this stuff for my RH1 which I can't wait to get soon enough.

So far I've been disappointed with MP3 on the RH10 but apparently it will be fine on the RH1.

I think the NERO program seems to make use of the dual CPU or certainly it Multi-threads better.

For those who've got NERO but not sure how to start the ripping process go to NERO START SMART and select the AUDIO option (3rd Icon on the top)

The following screenshot shows.

http://www.1kyle.com/nero.jpg

Cheers

-K

[atrain]

have you had any problems with copyrighted cds kyle? i've avoided downloading any updates to my nero as i was under the impression it wont copy or rip some protected cds. not that i own any come to think of it, but i'm not a fan of usage restrictions on "masters"

[1kyle]

have you had any problems with copyrighted cds kyle? i've avoided downloading any updates to my nero as i was under the impression it wont copy or rip some protected cds. not that i own any come to think of it, but i'm not a fan of usage restrictions on "masters"

Hi there I can't answer your question really as I only have "Bog Standard" CD's which AFAIK aren't copy protected in any way.

Incidentally Before updating Nero back your computer OS up so you can restore if it doesn't work to your satisfaction.

You might also be able to find a way of installing the new version and keeping the old (have both versions) but you'll have to keep the dll's apart I think. Try Googling or getting help from a more I.T orientated guy on this one.

I haven't had any issues with NERO 7.

I think in any case you can download a free trial (again backup your Computer first) so you can test it on your CD's.

BTW I always have a separate partition for Windows (around 12 GB) where I install the OS and applications.

DATA I keep separate on other drives so on a re-install of Windows, restore etc etc I don't lose my data. Even Email (if you use outlook express change the settings to store your data on any drive other than 'C'.

Use something like Acronis true image for partition backup and restore - works a treat.

http://www.acronis.com

Cheers

-K

[atrain]

i'm fine with nero 6, i was just interested in some anecdotal evidence of a claim i'd read on another board somewhere.