AAC Encoding

[norque83]

What programs out there (if any) allow a windows user to encode into AAC format?

[Ignodium]

Well, it doesnt matter too much yet (as AAC transferring is a pain in the ###), but there is a long thread about it in the old forum. Sorry I dont have the address, but at least I can point you int he right direction.

[norque83]

Thanks, ignodium, thats good enough...I can do a search:D
I'm interested to know why AAC is such a pain in the ###

***EDIT is this (http://www.xsorbit1.com/users/dennx/index.cgi?board=windowssoftware&action=display&num=1052190654&start=10) the thread you speak of? I see what you mean about it being a pain. Maybe I'll just wait for the windows version of iTunes.

[redmstche]

I read in a posting on the Apple discussion forums that xPlay is working on AAC for us Windows users. They seem pretty good about getting stuff out soon and I have not had any trouble with their beta products either. I was using the then new iPod for Windows and loved xPlay. I'm getting my new 30gig on Monday and I hope it works as well.
later---

[pierugg]

Hi,

Encoding in aac isn't a "a pain in the ###" really, several programs for windows do it. The thing is then getting the aac files uploaded and playing on your iPod and it ain't easy....
To encode the best is to use aacenc_mpeg4 and them make an mp4 file from the aac with mp4creator60 v 0.9.7 (NOT 0.9.8). or u can use quicktime pro 6.1 for PC.
Then to upload the mp4s well....3 choices:
1) upload the same song in mp3, replace it with the mp4 file, and change the name in the itunes database with a hexadecimal editor(works fine for me) or,
2)use Sveta (www.dbpoweramp.com), doesn't work for me..
3)wait for ephpod, MMJ and xplay releases supporting aac



Check www.hydrogenaudio.org forums and www.audiocoding.com for more info

Hope this helps

Pierugg

PS don't forget: u gotta have 1.3 firmware in order to play aac files

[2000NB18T]

CDex (http://www.cdex.n3.net/) has both AAC Astrid/Quartex encoder and Psytel AAC encoder.

both up to 320kbps

i have no idea about these and i dont own an iPod yet..

[lazyn00b]

Please do not use the Astrid AAC encoder - it is not standards compliant at all! Use Nero, Psytel or Quicktime 6 Pro. Psytel is no longer in development because the programmer went to work for Nero. I have done many listening tests recently comparing Nero's encoder to Quicktime's, and Nero is better by far on troublesome samples like "fatboy.wav". The Nero AAC at VBR "Normal" setting is as good as LAME "alt-preset standard" in my opinion but with 25% smaller file size and over twice(!) the encoding speed. I have been using Sveta Portable Audio with the beta iPod plug-in to transfer MP4 to my new 10GB iPod - it's okay but it doesn't really help you much with the MP4 tagging issues.

[Ignodium]

I had said that AAC transferring was a pain in the ###, but that is no longer the case. In the old forum, under the "new ipods" forum, there is a thread (currently on the second page) about a program called sveta that transfers AAC to the ipod.

[norque83]

Originally posted by Ignodium
I had said that AAC transferring was a pain in the ###, but that is no longer the case. In the old forum, under the "new ipods" forum, there is a thread (currently on the second page) about a program called sveta that transfers AAC to the ipod.

Here Ya Go (http://www.xsorbit1.com/users/dennx/index.cgi?board=ipodnew&action=display&num=1052580347&start=2)

[Ignodium]

Yeah, thanks.

Well, I downloaded the updated version of the software that thread talks about, and it no longer encodes, so I decided to try cdex. I tell it to use psytel and on the field where it asked to specify the encoder path, I specified the aac encoder that dbpoweramp used (the thread I was talking about earlier).

All of the files came out to be 1kb, so I just trashed them. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?


edit: by switching cd drives, I think I have fixed the problem. It may or may not have had something to do with the digital audio cable going from one of the cd drives to the sound card. I dont know if its fixed yet, but it no longer takes 5 seconds to go through the whole song.

[homicat]

I've used CDex and the Psytel encoder, but its SOOO slow. I'd rather have quick, great quality at MP3 192 than super-slow great quality with AAC.
Plus, the ephpod beta doesn't support aac, just mp4 and something else.
Also, i compared the filesize of an acc 192 and an mp3 192 and there was little difference. Acc was, like, 10 kbs smaller and thats it.

[Ignodium]

Well, as 192kbps would indicate, both formats are 192 kilobytes per second. The difference is in the quality.

And mp4 is AAC.

[Ignodium]

Hmmm. The files seemed to encode this time, they had varying file sizes that seemed realistic enough with their lengths, but the ipod just showed them as 0 seconds and when trying to open them, quicktime said they were not valid mpeg4 files.

[SandMan]

try getting the aac encoder here: PsyTEL AACEnc
http://faac.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php?page=AAC

or here
http://www.rarewares.tk/

you can encode your own CDs at various bit rates for yourself.


The new Ephpod (ie 2.70a) supports AAC files. Here is a link http://www.builderadius.com/ephpod/ephpod270a.exe


__________________

[SouthsideIrish]

The only way I've been able to get mp4's to work on my iPod is with Sveta from dppoweramp. Nothing, not even one encoded in iTunes 4, was playable on my iPod. I'm not using ephpod to transfer, but it sure is a pain it the butt to tag the files.

Bill McNair

[Ignodium]

I recently read on hydrogenaudio.org forums that only the dbpoweramp encoder can play aac on the ipod. The problem, however, is that when I encode using the dbpoweramp gui, I get codec errors, and without the gui (using a .bat file I created to run the aaenc_mpeg4.exe with my parameters), I get a little more success (it sees the wrong length, but at least it doesnt see 0:00, but it still wont play the file).

[twanj]

the AAC encoding thread has been updated w/ new software. it seems to be working well now, ripping directly from CD.

[mdnightmarauder]

I think I'll wait for iTunes or a better app to be introduced. Plus I can't get the mp4/aac files to be recognized by ephpod 2.70a.