codec support / analysis?

[MrSinatra]

i have a lot of mpeg 1, layer 3 files, almost entirely LAME and at 44.1

however, i do have a bunch of wild files: different layers, different mpeg X, differing khz rates, etc...

some of these i'm sure really are that way. but i have a few which i think might be encoded with some weird ass encoder winamp doesn't support, like mp3pro, mp3HD, etc...

this is obviously a problem, b/c on playback you can for instance, only get half the sample rate replayed. it KILLS the sound.

so...

any utilities or methods out there for me to ferret out obsoletely encoded files so i can expand them properly via their codec, and then re-encode as LAME?

thx!

[MrSinatra]

any ideas?

[ujay]

Hi MrS, there used to be a program that would give info on Mp3s and have a stab at guessing the encoder. It had some sort of codec grading system that showed up as red, yellow and green. Can't for the life of me remember what it was called now. I'll probably get it later, or someone else may remember.

It's not GSpot, though that may be some help.

[edit] Try EncSpot - http://www.afterdawn.com/software/au...cspot.cfm/v2_0 or http://www.afterdawn.com/software/au...ls/encspot.cfm.
Not sure how this will run on Win7.

UJ

[MrSinatra]

thx ujay, got it going using this:

http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=1103

problem now is that i can't figure out how to get it to scan sub folders! grrr!!

already found one mp3pro file, so the Q is how do i expand/decode properly using the files native codec to wav, so i can re-encode to lame?

i use audacity, but don't know how to do the first part [decoding with the proper codec] in audacity?

[ujay]

Just had a look at EncSpot for the first time in years myself, quite nostalgic
Can't see anyway to do sub folders either. There is a lot of stuff under right click, in case you haven't looked too close yet. Scope to add/customize columns and some distribution graphs etc on files.

There used to be a Winamp input plugin for mp3pro, so you could do a direct transcode. Don't know if it still works, probably not, it was damned to hell by everyone who ever installed it.

As you probably(hopefully) won't find too many of these I think I'd install Thomson's player http://www.mp3prozone.com/download.htm and record the output to WAV(I think Audacity can do that), then re-encode. The decode will be in real time unfortunately.

UJ

[MrSinatra]

good idea, but the main issue is without sub folder support, which is insane to not be there, i don't have much need.

in other words, i need something better to find my files that are mp3pro. and i wonder if this old app even knows other such freaky codecs, like mp3HD.

[Batter Pudding]

Part of the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is something called "MediaInfo".

This application is available on a Right Click of any audio or video file. This gives LOTS of details on all kinds of parts of that audio file. Type, encoding, bit rates, the lot. I use it to spot when a file has the incorrect extension.

Looking at how simple the program is, and the fact there is a quick "export to text" button, I would not be surprised if this can be run standalone from a command prompt using a script.

Check http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net and see if it is of any help.

Also in the software's about details, there is a note about support at: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=96516

Edit: Just checked that support link and it does mention command line.

[MrSinatra]

command line isn't my strong suit... i basically need something that will recursively go thru my files and sort by codec, such that i can see what all is mp3pro or mp3hd.

[Batter Pudding]

If you can get your head around the complexities of MP3 tags, then a command line should not scare you.

That sourceforge link points at a GUI version. So no messy command lines if you don't want to. I just slung it onto my PC and it lets you pick a folder which it will then pop up on screen for you as a summary of the codecs in use by all the files. Well worth a look.

[Batter Pudding]

MrSinatra - have you tried MP3diag?

http://forums.winamp.com/showthread....light=mp3diags

Scroll to the bottom of that thread. Two little programs for checking the state of your MP3 files. Both a little technical. MP3Diags looks the more usable of the two. (I have been trying to play with them myself)


I think both of these will make more sense to you than me as you are used to the language of MP3s. I am pretty sure that with a bit of brain matter you could get MP3diag to do the job you need. It looks like it can hunt out certain patterns, and then apply "fixes" that you can control.

[MrSinatra]

yes, i did in fact install both. i had tried mp3diags some time ago and i had tried the one you suggested first before my last post.

i did load a folder, but i didn't see where it aggregates the results? i'm looking around but i just don't see it?

mp3diags is very detailed, but i don't think it does what i need either.

[Batter Pudding]

I don't use any of these tools, have only just started to play with them due to this forum.

MediaInfo I DO use a lot to test a single file. Very good for checking what something actually is as the Explorer Integration works well.

The GUI version of it may be able to create the list you need. It is just very weird program.

Try...

Open program.
Use the FOLDER button to point at a folder of tracks.
Use the VIEW button to swap to SHEET view.
Use the EXPORT option (on the left) to export to a CSV file. (Note you set the location to save this file).
Open the CSV file in a spreadsheet application like Excel.

There is TONS of info exported in that sheet. The SORT routines of the spreadsheet should help sort out what is what.

I am not sure if I have any mp3pro\mp3HD files so not sure if it is recognising them.


I still have a few headaches from reading the settings pages of MP3diags. There are clearly filters in there for weeding out the low quality stuff. As well as finding badly ripped tracks. Trouble is it seems buried in the technical details. And I am lost by those details for now. Currently trying to make sense of those different columns of filters. There is almost TOO much detail for me in there at the moment. "Can't see the wood for the trees"

[Aminifu]

Hi MrSinatra,

I noticed a couple of tools that may help. MP3PRO Detect and MP3 Surround Detect.

http://www.all4mp3.com/tools/tech-and-tools.php

[MrSinatra]

interesting, but how do i use them? no exe file:

CONTENTS:

readme.txt -- this file
versions.txt -- version history

lib/

libmp3PROdetect.a -- the mp3PRO detection library file
for Linux OS

mp3PROdetect.lib -- the mp3PRO detection library file
for Win32

mp3PROdetect.h -- the mp3PRO detection library interface
header files

mp3fileinfo.h


sampleCode/

mp3PROfile.cpp -- sample commandline application
demonstrating the C++ Interface

mp3PROfile_C.cpp -- sample commandline application
demonstrating the C Interface

mp3PROdetectSamples.dsp -- corresponding MS DevStudio project
file

Makefile -- corresponding UNIX makefile


doc/

mp3PROdetect-Interface.pdf
-- library interface description

[Aminifu]

Hi,

Sorry, the descriptions are misleading. Turns out to be software development kits
and a license is required to use them.