mp3 problem

I think I may have some corrupt mp3 files. They will play on WMP without problem, but there is a problem for raduga to play them. If I convert them to wav, radua will play them fine, but when I convert them back to mp3, it is the same problem: only a few play right off the bat, and the rest, I have to fast forward and then rewind before they play. Can someone tell me what is wrong?

Re: mp3 problem

This effect occurs on some systems when you try to play MP3 files with a bitrate of 256 bps or more. Unfortunately I don't know the reason for that. On my machine the effect magically disappeared one day. (I think after installing the DivX codec)

Re: mp3 problem

My problematic files are 256kbps. So I installed the DivX codec and that did not fix the problem. Then I tried converting a few of my non-working files to 192kbps and that fixed the problem. But the conversion reduces the quality of the recording. Do you know any other solution to the problem without reducing the quality of my recordings?

Re: mp3 problem

Okay...maybe someone knows a program that I could use to convert 256kbps mp3s into 192kbps WITHOUT decoding to wavs and then encoding to mp3s. (To avoid such a loss of quality).

Thanks

Re: mp3 problem

So should I just assume this is a major flaw, a bug in Raduga that nobody knows how to correct?

Re: mp3 problem

Hmm?

Re: mp3 problem

Jeff,

I understand your frustration. Unfortunately I am not the programmer so I do not know the reason for the problem. What mp3 encoder are you using? I recommend the Xing MP3 encoder or the classic Franhofer. Also check and see if there is an ID Tag attached to your mp3 files. If so, try removing the tag on one of your files to see if the problem goes away.

Re: mp3 problem

Please try also to disable the "CRC check" feature of your MP3 encoder. For more tips about MP3 encoding, visit the "Tips and Tricks" page http://www.wolosoft.com/en/raduga/faq.html

Re: mp3 problem

The CRC was not enabled. Anyway, I already have the mp3's, I am not converting them from wav's. So: I have the mp3's already at 256 kbps, CRC is off, and the files are not corrupt. Do you have any other ideas or can you figure what raduga's problem is?

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: mp3 problem

Raduga does not have its own MP3 decoder. It uses any codecs that are available on your Windows system to play back audio and video files. It does not actual care about the format (wma, wav, mp2, mp3 etc.) of the files nor does it have any knlowledge about the internals of these formats.

Therefore the only solution to play MP3 files that currently don't work with Raduga would be to install a different decoder. But in our experience other MP3 decoders, such as XingMPEG and Intervideo, usually cause much more severe problems than the Fraunhofer Codec.

Re: mp3 problem

Thanks for the troubleshooting help...

I think I am using the Frunhofer Codec. When I play files in WMP, under properties, here is what it says for audio codec:

MPEG Audio Layer-3
256Kbps

That means I am using the right codec, correct? Or is it possible that Raduga is using a different one? How can I tell?

Thanks,

Jeff

Re: mp3 problem

Yes, that's the correct codec. You can use the DSPlay tool (http://www.wolosoft.com/files/DSPlay.zip)
to find out which codecs are used by Raduga.

I know that WMP7 can play back these files, but I think it uses some magic (undocumnented features). I suppose WMP6.x will also fail to play them.

You could try to install the XingMPEG codec, which is an optional component of the AudioCatalyst 2.1 package. This codec will replace the Fraunhofer codec. It may allow you to play back your existing MP3 files, but many Raduga users who had accidently installed this codec reported big problems during overlap beween 2 MP3 files. Note that it may be necessary to re-install Windows to get rid of the XingMPEG codec.

Re: mp3 problem

Well, it still doesn't work. If you ever figure something out, please pass it along, and I will do likewise. Thanks for the help.

Jeff

Re: mp3 problem

Just wondering if anyone has figured anyhting out???

Jeff

Re: mp3 problem

Jeff, maybe if you send me one of the trouble-making files I can explore what exactly makes the difference. This will help me in troubleshooting similar cases.
However, I'm afraid I won't be able to fix that problem within Raduga (see above for reasons). Therefore I can only recommend to stick to one particular encoding scheme once you found your best compromize beween file size and quality.

Re: mp3 problem

Do you have already heared about mp3Pro ??

Re: mp3 problem

I had the same problem. I fixed the problem by using Mp3Trim to trim a couple tenths of a second off of the begining of the files that wouldn't play right. That fixed the problem.

Re: MP3 problems

RE: the Xing MP3 DECODER, my advice is NEVER install the thing. When installing Audio Catalyst, choose the custom intall option and UNCHECK the Xing MP3 DECODER. DON'T INSTALL THE XING MP3 DECODER!!. I made the mistake of installing it several times and did I ever regret it. It totally screws up the the Raduga overlap function. Seems Xing's decoder wants to take over as the default decoder for Raduga whether you like it or not. It seems to leave you with no choice. What's even worse, I have found NO WAY of getting rid of the damned thing, EVEN if I totally uninstall Audio Catalyst. It seems to be there to stay, until you totally uninstall windows and reinstall. I am talking Windows 98SE. Other Windows OS's, I am not sure if this same problem exists. If anyone has found a way of getting rid of it, short of totally uninstalling Windows, and reinstalling it again, I'd love to hear from you.

Godrex, re MP3 trim, neat little program. It repairs most missing and damged MP3 frames and headers. Just load the problem MP3 file into MP3 trim and do a simple save. Don't even need to trim any. Just a simple save will usually fix the file right up. Damaged MP3 files in Raduga usually take the form of playing a second or two, then jumping to the next song. I have seen a lot of downloaded songs from the old Napster and present WinMX with damged headers and frames.

Re: mp3 problem

Here come some help. What I found out is Raduga using the same decoder as WMP 6.4 (mplayer2) which is not the same as WMP 9 or 10. If you use Fraunhofer decoder 1.9 in WMP 9 or 10 it’s not sure that WMP 6.4 use it, probably is it using 1.5. You can test the MP3 with high bitrate in WMP 6.4 and lock under view and adjustment which decoder it’s using. One way to solve the problem is to install K-Lite codec pack 2.34 and you will get the latest version of WMP 6.4.09.1128 and Fraounhofers decoder 1.9 even in WMP 6.4 and Raduga.

Re: mp3 problem

i have a codec, that play all mp3, all bitrartes etc etc etc. only run after instaled , and canceling the fraunhofer and the xing. my codec run more fine that the xing,and works perfectly in the overlaps. raduga is a comercial program, my codec is for sale or for change. this post is absoluty serious. i have more experience in codecs and tecnology directx directshow, etc, etc. sorry for my english.