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Topic: Another WMA question ... (Read 10959 times) previous topic - next topic
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Another WMA question ...

Hi folks,

I just got myself familiar with WMA9 and WMA9 Pro ... IMHO, the M$ frontend is a real pain so I 'd like to know if there is any simple and lean frontend available - I am currently thinking of something like e.g. Razorlame.

Unfortunately, I really don't like dB PowerAmp Music Converter that much so I do not install it ... maybe Foobar2000 is capable of WMA9 Pro Encoding ?

Any thoughts on this ?

Greeting
Sven

Edit ... just checked the foobar page ... no WMA9 there ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #1
There's something I'd like to know as well...

How do you get WMA9 to work with Windows 98SE?

Another WMA question ...

Reply #2
Jean Luc,

I know you were probably looking for a freeware solution, but this program is a pretty good front end for both WMA9 and WMA9 Pro. It will install the WMA9 codecs if they are not already on your computer:

http://www.mediatwins.com/products/wma_decoder.htm
you will make mp3's for compatibility reasons.

Another WMA question ...

Reply #3
Thanks, I just d/l'ed the trial version and will see if it suits my needs
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #4
Unfortunately, there is no WMA9 Pro support (not eben for registered users) ... but the tool itself has a nice interface ... just what I was looking for
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #5
Sorry Jean Luc,

My bad on the lack of WMA9 Pro support. When I see one pass VBR in WMA, I tend to think Pro, but I see this is not since it does not give you sampling and 5.1 encoding options. Still, I am glad it will be of some use to you.
you will make mp3's for compatibility reasons.

Another WMA question ...

Reply #6
If you're looking for lean, there is a tool in the Windows Media Encoder from MS (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/encoder/default.aspx).

It's a VB script called "WMCMD.VBS", and gives you full access to the codec capabilities, irrespective of the version of Windows you're running. 

Once the Encoder is installed, look for a file named "WMEncUtil.chm"; it contains the instructions for use.  It's not too difficult to build a batch file that calls the VBS file with your particular parameters, including a drag-and-drop usage.  If you're not familiar with how to do this, let me know and i will forward you a suitable batch file, which you can then drop your wav onto.

Another WMA question ...

Reply #7
In Foobar2000:

Go to the diskwriter settings for CLI and select in the dropdown box "WMA9" -> give the location of the WMcmd.vbs file -> type in the parameters that you want

parameters:

Code: [Select]
D:\Program Files\Windows Media Components\Encoder>cscript.exe wmcmd.vbs
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.6
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation 1996-2001. All rights reserved.

Encode from files or devices to Windows Media files or streams. Supported
source file formats are .wmv, .wma, .asf, .avi., .wav. .mpg, .mp3, .bmp,
and .jpg.


Usage for I/O and statistics.

[-wme] <Windows Media Encoder session file>
   Loads an existing Windows Media Encoder session file.
[-input] <file or directory name>
   The file or directory to be encoded.
   Specify a file or directory name. If you specify a directory, supported
   files in the directory will be encoded to the output directory, using
   the same encoding settings.
   Enclose file and directory names that have spaces in quotations.
   For example: -input "c:\my sample.wmv"
[-adevice] <audio device number>
   The audio capture device to encode from.
   Use -devices to list all available capture devices.
   When encoding from devices, you must specify a duration using -duration.
[-vdevice] <video device number>
   The video capture device to encode from.
   Use -devices to list all available capture devices.
   When capturing from devices, you must specify a duration using -duration.
[-output] <file or directory name>
   The name of the output file or directory.
   If the input is a file, -output corresponds to a file name. If the input
   is a directory, -output corresponds to a directory name.
   The output directory will be created if it doesn't already exist.
   An extension is automatically appended to output files.
   (.wma for audio-only Windows Media files, and .wmv for video-only or
   audio and video Windows Media files.)
[-outputstring] <string>
   The string to be attached to every output file name for directory mode.
[-broadcast] <port>
   Broadcasts via HTTP on the port specified. The default port is 8080.
[-time] <start time> <end time>
   Specify the time segment (in msec) to be encoded. Use 'end' for
   <end time> if you want to encode to the end of the file.
[-silent]
   Prevents statistics from being displayed after encoding is finished.
[-config] <input configuration file>
   Inputs arguments from a configuration file. The default extension is .weu.
   Parameters in the file can be overridden by later arguments.
[-s_config] <output configuration file>
   Creates a configuration file. The file name extension .weu is appended
   automatically.


Usage for profiles.
   You can override parameters in a profile by appending arguments to a
   command.

[-profile] <profile code>
   Specifies a predefined profile to use in the session.

Codes and basic descriptions for the predefined profiles:
Audio/Video:
       av20: Profile_AudioVideo_Modem_28K (actual rate: 20Kbps)
       av32: Profile_AudioVideo_Modem_56K (32 Kbps)
       av100: Profile_AudioVideo_LAN_100K (100 Kbps)
       av225: Profile_AudioVideo_LAN_256K (225 Kbps)
       av350: Profile_AudioVideo_LANDSL_384K (350 Kbps)
       av450: Profile_AudioVideo_LANDSL_768K (450 Kbps)
       av700: Profile_AudioVideo_NearBroadcast_700K (700 Kbps)
       av1400: Profile_AudioVideo_NearBroadcast_1400K (1400 Kbps)
       av350pal: Profile_AudioVideo_Broadband_PAL_384K (350 Kbps)
       av700pal: Profile_AudioVideo_NearBroadcast_PAL_700K (700 Kbps)
       av100_2p: Profile_AudioVideo_LAN_100K_2Pass (100 Kbps)
       av350_2p: Profile_AudioVideo_LANDSL_384K_2Pass (350 Kbps)
       av600vbr: Profile_AudioVideo_FilmVBR_600K (600 Kbps)
       avq97vbr: Profile_AudioVideo_FilmVBR_Quality97 (Quality 97)

Audio-only:
       a20_1: Profile_AudioOnly_FMRadioMono_28K (20 Kbps)
       a20_2: Profile_AudioOnly_FMRadioStereo_28K (20 Kbps)
       a32: Profile_AudioOnly_Modem_56K (32 Kbps)
       a48: Profile_AudioOnly_NearCDQuality_48K (48 Kbps)
       a64: Profile_AudioOnly_CDQuality_64K (64 Kbps)
       a96: Profile_AudioOnly_CDAudiophileQuality_96K (96 Kbps)
       a128: Profile_AudioOnly_CDAudiophileQuality_128K (128 Kbps)

Video-only:
       v20: Profile_VideoOnly_Modem_28K (20 Kbps)
       v32: Profile_VideoOnly_Modem_56K (32 Kbps)

[-loadprofile] <profile file name>
   Specifies a Windows Media Encoder or custom profile to use.


Usage for audio settings.

[-a_codec] <codec index>
   Audio codec to be used. Use -a_codecs to list available codecs.
   Specify codec index:
   WMA9STD: Windows Media Audio 9 (default).
   WMA9PRO: Windows Media Audio 9 Professional
   WMSP9:   Windows Media Audio 9 Voice
   WMA9LSL:  Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless; -a_mode 2 required
   PCM: No compression
[-a_codecs]
   Lists all audio codecs.
[-a_content] <mode>
   Audio content mode for the Windows Media Audio v9 Voice codec.
   0 = No special mode for the audio content (default)
   1 = Speech mode
   2 = Mixed (speech and music) mode (also requires -a_contentedl)
   You must also specify the Windows Media Audio v9 Voice codec.
[-a_contentedl] <file name>
   Specifies the places in audio content where music starts and ends. To do
   this, you must first create an optimization definition file. You
   must specify the Windows Media Audio Voice codec and -a_content 2 when
   when you use the -a_contentedl option.
[-a_folddown6to2] <surround mix> <center mix> <LFE>
   Fold-down coefficients for multichannel audio. Use whole numbers only.
   Values will be converted to negative numbers. Valid numbers are 0 to 144.
   For example, -a_folddown6to2 10 3 3
[-a_formats]
   Lists all audio formats for each codec.
[-a_mode] <mode_number>
   Audio encoding to be used.
   0: 1-pass CBR (default).
   1: 2-pass CBR.
   2: Quality-based VBR.
   3: Bit rate-based VBR (two-pass).
   4: Bit rate-based peak VBR (two-pass).
[-a_peakbitrate] <peak bit rate>
   Specifies the peak bit rate in bits per second for peak bit rate-based
   VBR for audio. If not specified, the peak bit rate is 1.5 times the
   audio bit rate.
[-a_peakbuffer] <peak buffer>
   Buffer in msec for audio with peak bit rate-based VBR. If not specified,
   the default of 3000 msec is used.
[-a_setting] <setting>
   Specifies the formats for audio setting.
   Use -a_formats to list supported audio formats for each codec.

   -a_setting Bitrate_SamplingRate_Channels. For example, -a_setting 48_44_2
   specifies 48 Kbps, 44 kHz, and two channels. The default is 64_44_2.

   If you use quality-based VBR: -a_setting Qxx_SamplingRate_Channels.
   For example, -a_setting Q90_44_2 specifies a quality level of 90, 44 kHz,
   and 2 channels.

   If you use the Windows Media Audio Professional 9:
   -a_setting Bitrate_SamplingRate_Channels_BitDepth.
   For example, -a_setting 250_44_2_24 specifies 250 Kbps, 44 kHz,
   two channels, and 24-bit encoding. Use either 16- or 24-bit encoding.
   24-bit is the default.

   If you use the Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless codec:
   -a_setting Qxx_SamplingRate_Channels_BitDepth. For example,
   -a_setting Q100_44_2_24 specifies VBR Quality 100, 44 kHz, two channel,
   24-bit encoding. (Quality-based VBR and a quality level of 100 is
   required with this codec.)
[-audioonly]
   Encodes the audio portion of the stream only.




Usage for video settings.

[-v_codec] <codec index>
   Video codec to be used. Use -v_codecs to list available video codecs.
   Specify codec index:
      WMV7: Windows Media Video 7.
      WMV8: Windows Media Video 8.1.
      WMV9: Windows Media Video 9 (default).
      WMS9: Windows Media Video Screen 9.
      MP41: ISO MPEG-4 Video v1
      UNCOMP: Full frames (uncompressed)
[-v_width] <width>
   Video frame width in pixels to be encoded. Default: Source video width.
[-v_height] <height>
   Video frame height in pixels to be encoded. Default: Source video height.
[-v_framerate] <rate>
   Video frame rate in floating point to be encoded. Default: 30 fps.
[-v_keydist] <time>
   Key frame distance in seconds for video. Default: 10 seconds.
[-v_preproc] <filter number>
   Video preprocessing for certain input sources.
   0: None (for progressive video input).
   1: Deinterlace but preserve the size.
      For example, 640x480x30 interlace to 640x480x30 progressive.
   2: Deinterlace but halve the size.
      For example, 640x480x30 interlace to 320x240x30 progressive.
   3: Deinterlace, halve the size, and double the frame rate.
      For example, 640x480x30 interlace to 320x240x60 progressive.
   4: Deinterlace, halve vertical size, and double frame rate.
      For example, 320x480x30 interlace to 320x240x60 progressive.
   5: Inverse telecine from 30fps to 24fps.
   6: Inverse telecine - First field is top field with AA telecine pattern.
   7: Inverse telecine - First field is top field with BB telecine pattern.
   8: Inverse telecine - First field is top field with BC telecine pattern.
   9: Inverse telecine - First field is top field with CD telecine pattern.
   10:Inverse telecine - First field is top field with DD telecine pattern.
   11:Inverse telecine - First field is bottom field with AA telecine
      pattern.
   12:Inverse telecine - First field is bottom field with BB telecine
      pattern.
   13:Inverse telecine - First field is bottom field with BC telecine
      pattern.
   14:Inverse telecine - First field is bottom field with CD telecine
     pattern.
   15:Inverse telecine - First field is bottom field with DD telecine
      pattern.
   16:Interlaced encoding.
   17:Interlaced encoding - First field is top field.
   18:Interlaced encoding - First field is bottom field.
   Default: 0: None.
[-v_clip] <left> <top> <right> <bottom>
   The region of the image (with respect to source) to be clipped/encoded.
   If the right is 0 or greater than width, it is ignored and re-assigned
   to width. If the bottom is 0 or greater than height, it is ignored and
   re-assigned to height.
[-v_mode] <mode number>
   Video encoding to be used.
   0: 1-pass CBR (default).
   1: 2-pass CBR.
   2: Quality-based VBR.
   3: Bit rate-based VBR (two-pass).
   4: Peak bit rate-based VBR (two-pass).
[-v_bitrate] <bit rate>
   Video bit rate in bits per second to be encoded. Default: 250000 bps.
   Set this to 0 for audio-only coding.
[-v_buffer] <buffer>
   Delay buffer in milliseconds for video. Default: 5000 msec.
[-v_quality] <quality>
   CBR: Quality/smoothness tradeoff. 0 to 100, 0 being the smoothest.
   Default: 75.
   Quality-based VBR: Image quality for the video. Encode video to the
   specified quality, regardless of bit rate. Default: 95
[-v_peakbitrate] <peak bit rate>
   Peak bit rate in bits per second for peak bit rate-based VBR for video.
   If not specified, the peak bit rate is 1.5 times the video bit rate.
[-v_peakbuffer] <peak buffer>
   Buffer in msec for video, with peak bit rate-based VBR. If not specified,
   the default of 5000 msec is used.
[-v_performance] <performance>
   Use to adjust hardware performance settings. Possible values: 0, 20, 40,
   60, 80, and 100, with 100 representing the highest quality. If you do not
   specify a value, codec defaults are used.
[-v_profile] <device conformance>
   Specifies the category of complexity of the encoded content. Use if you
   are targeting your content for playback on a hardware device other than
   a computer. Some hardware devices only support certain categories. (Refer
   to the documentation for your device for more information.) If you do not
   add the -v_profile option to a command, the correct complexity setting is
   selected automatically during encoding. Possible values are SP (Simple),
   MP (main), or CP (complex).
[-duration] <seconds>
   Amount of time in seconds to encode. Use when sourcing from devices.
[-saveprofile] <file name>
   Saves current settings to a file for later reuse. Default file name
   extension is .prx.
[-devices]
   Lists audio and video capture devices.
[-v_codecs]
   Lists all video codecs.
[-videoonly]
   Encodes video stream only.
[-pixelratio] <x y>
   Specifies the video pixel aspect ratio.
[-pixelformat] <format>
   Specifies the video pixel format. Possible values:
   I420
   IYUV
   RGB24
   RGB32
   RGB555
   RGB565
   RGB8
   UYVY
   YUY2
   YV12
   YVU9
   YVYU
[-maxpacket] <packet size>
   Specifies the maximum packet size in bytes.
[-minpacket] <packet size>
   Specifies the minimum packet size in bytes.

[-title] <string>
   Title of the content. Enclose strings with spaces in quotations. For
   example: -title "Windows Media Sample"
[-author] <string>
[-copyright] <string>
[-description] <string>
[-rating] <string>
NOTE: The maximum string length for each one is 255.


Examples:

-input %s -output %d -a_codec WMA9STD -a_mode 3 -a_setting 192_44_2
This gives a file of 192kb/s ABR (2 pass VBR)

-input %s -output %d -a_codec WMA9STD -a_mode 2 -a_setting Q90_44_2
VBR file with quality 90 (~170kb/s), Qxx is the quality

Another WMA question ...

Reply #8
Now that was some extremely helpful information ... I knew about the integrated CLI encoder but didn't know anything about the vbs thing ...

Thanks a lot ... I really get into liking fb2k
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #9
For some reason, I have never succeeded in encoding to WMA...
Window Media Encoder 9 series always crashes on me, both
on my old P3 and my new P4. And I've never been able to encode
through foobar2000 either, although I have the runtimes installed...
I press "convert", but nothing happens. I even tried a special frontend
but it didn't do shit...
I guess Windows Media doesn't like me...
Wanna buy a monkey?

Another WMA question ...

Reply #10
Have you tried dBPowerAmp? It's not my favorite encoding tool, but I had to admit that for wma and wmapro, it's very useful and easy to use (there's even a tag reporting feature!).
Wavpack Hybrid: one encoder for all scenarios
WavPack -c4.5hx6 (44100Hz & 48000Hz) ≈ 390 kbps + correction file
WavPack -c4hx6 (96000Hz) ≈ 768 kbps + correction file
WavPack -h (SACD & DSD) ≈ 2400 kbps at 2.8224 MHz

Another WMA question ...

Reply #11
Quote
Have you tried dBPowerAmp? It's not my favorite encoding tool, but I had to admit that for wma and wmapro, it's very useful and easy to use (there's even a tag reporting feature!).

Yeah, it also has a 2 pass feature which may or may not improve quality.

Another WMA question ...

Reply #12
Quote
Have you tried dBPowerAmp? It's not my favorite encoding tool, but I had to admit that for wma and wmapro, it's very useful and easy to use (there's even a tag reporting feature!).

It's not my favourite either so I do not install it unless it gets an interface I really like.

I definitely like its variety of available codecs and really think that spoon does some great work but I just don't like the way files are encoded ... this might sound dumb but I just love to stick to some RazorLame-Like frontend ... and foobar2000 just gives me that.
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #13
Quote
I just don't like the way files are encoded


You mean direct from audio format >> new audio format without a wave go between?

Another WMA question ...

Reply #14
Quote
You mean direct from audio format >> new audio format without a wave go between?

No .. this is quite all right.

I am referring to my personal taste of preferring a window where source files can be added/dropped (displaying the filesizes etc.) with a button to adjust the options and a button to start the actual encoding ... that's why I like the RazorLame or MPC interfaces so much ... but in the end, this really is nothing more than my personal taste.

dBMC does file conversion on right-klick context menu if being installed with that option  (I don't use mouse-activated context menues too often anyway) and with the unavoidable "open file dialog" before being able to select the codec and without showing the files in a clearly-arranged list before encoding ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #15
Thanks, not trying to convert you  just after your opinion.

Another WMA question ...

Reply #16
You simply cannot fulfil everybody's wishes  ... but nevertheless, I highly appreciate your work
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Another WMA question ...

Reply #17
Quote
There's something I'd like to know as well...

How do you get WMA9 to work with Windows 98SE?

Install WMP9 or the WM9 codec pack.

Another WMA question ...

Reply #18
You could also use EAC with Tools -> Compress WAVs (ALT-V) action. EAC has WMA9 compression built-in (actually it calls the VBS script ).

This does mean you will lose any tag info plus it adds .compressed. to the filename, so it's not the most practical solution.

Last thing could be asking for a WMADropXp to be written .
No inspiration

 

Another WMA question ...

Reply #19
a96: Profile_AudioOnly_CDAudiophileQuality_96K (96 Kbps)

anyone else had to chuckle there?  yeah its old news but still...