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[Stream]

I installed XMPlay and want use Lame encoder to create mp3. First, where I can get right Lame version: I have downloaded lame3.97.zip file, it contains a lot of files: html, exe, dll.. As far I understand, I need only lame_enc.dll. If so, should I just extract this lame_enc.dll and copy it to XMPlay folder?
I used Screamer Radio player before, it comes with preinstalled lame_enc.dll, it size is just 161KB, whereas the lame_enc.dll in this archive is 452KB
I have read the article about external encoders:
http://support.xmplay.com/article.php?id=31
but not clear anyway: could someone show exact samples of command line for encoding with Lame to get
-  256kbps bit rate, CBR
- 192kbps bit rate, CBR

What means "Resolution" dropdown selector - 24bit, etc?

It would be much more handy if Lame encoder was already included, and desired encoding quality specified in selector.

[SANDEX]

update, I mean
-  256kbps bit rate, VBR
- 192kbps bit rate, VBR

[Dotpitch]

It would be much more handy if Lame encoder was already included, and desired encoding quality specified in selector.

You can't just include LAME, I think that does not comply with LAMEs license.

it comes with preinstalled lame_enc.dll, it size is just 161KB, whereas the lame_enc.dll in this archive is 452KB

That need not be the same version, LAME is actually always under development .

You need lame.exe only. You can copy the rest as well, but XMPlay won't use them. Go to Options and Stuff > Output > Encoders, type a name (LAME Encoder my preset, whatever you like) click Add. Set the file extension to mp3, resolution to 24 bit (the number of bits used to describe a sample; more bits means moreprecision, 16 bit is CD quality). The commandline contains your configuration for LAME, like:

lame - %o --vbr-new -V3 -q0 --tt %1 --ta%2 --tl %3 --tn %5

Note that the input should be stdin (that's what the - is for), otherwise use %i and XMPlay will make an intermediate wav file. You can get further options for LAMEs commandline by using the helpfile or running 'lame --help' or 'lame --longhelp'. In your case, try 'lame - %o --preset 256' to get 256 kbps ABR. VBR isn't fixed around a bitrate, it focuses on constant quality.

[SANDEX]

Can no add LAME encoder: I placed exe in XMPlay folder, but button "Add" in 'Options and stuff' is grayed.
I tried remove LAME text and write anew, this enable button, but anyway stream saved  in ogg format, not mp3.(file extension already set to mp3).
I must tell that this isn't handy to record streaming audio with XMPlay. Screamer Radio do this in much more handy way.
My command line contains configuration:
lame --alt-preset standard --ignore-tag-errors --tt %1 --ta %2 --tl %3 --ty %4 --tn %5 --tg %6 --tc %7 - %o

Note that the input should be stdin (that's what the - is for), otherwise use %i and XMPlay will make an intermediate wav file.

I don't uderstand this. Where goes this 'stdin' parameter? And I do not need intermediate wav file. How should look correct command?? What means '-q0' ?
I wish use preset Lame VBR mode with 'extreme' key.

lame --alt-preset extreme --ignore-tag-errors --tt %1 --ta %2 --tl %3 --ty %4 --tn %5

And where goes '-h '   high quality  parameter? Have not find real example in Lame help files.

How to add radiostation to Favorites, do not paste link every time?

[Pike84]

I haven't done much mp3 encoding myself, but here you should find all you need to get the settings and file versions right.

[Dotpitch]

• You have to type a new name before you can use the Add button
• You should read the LAME help if you have command line questions. Standard Input means you do not need an intermediate wav file; both programs recognize the '-' denoting standard input, so the data can be encoded directly.
• -q0 is highest encoder quality. This has nothing to do with bitrate, just with algorithms to do the compression. -h is the same as -q2. You won't notice the difference between -q0 and -q2.
• Favorites: use the dropdown box, the playlist or the library.
• It is no longer --alt-preset, it's just --preset.

You do realize that right clicking a track and click 'Write to disk', does NOT use the encoder? Write to disk means write the actual streamed data to disk (which is OGG Vorbis in your case), which is the only option I'd advise when you're trying to save a live stream. If you're trying to convert the stream to mp3, you should set the output device to Encoder: LAME (which means you won't hear the music anymore).

[SANDEX]

Its clear now: when I play OGG stream I can write streamed data to disk only as OGG file, and when play MP3 stream, I can write streamed data only as MP3. I typed new name for Lame, but now I have two Lame in Encoder window, Lame (default) and 'Lame Encoder', with different settings. Which setting use program when write mp3 to disk?

Is this two commands equal for Lame VBR preset mode with 'extreme' quality?

lame - %o --vbr-new -V0 -q0 --tt %1 --ta%2 --tl %3 --tn %5
lame - %o --preset extreme -q0 --tt %1 --ta%2 --tl %3 --tn %5

I have read Lame help, but its too vague. Exact commands samples is needed.

[Pike84]

Its clear now: when I play OGG stream I can write streamed data to disk only as OGG file, and when play MP3 stream, I can write streamed data only as MP3.

That's correct, but note that these kind of streams are already compressed in OGG Vorbis or one of the MP3 encoders, and it's not advised to re-encode them with any lossy codec, such as LAME (it degrades the sound quality of the file). When encoding with a lossy codec, the source should be uncompressed (like CD audio or WAV), or compressed with a lossless codec (like FLAC, APE, etc.) - you won't find many internet streams like this, since they take a lot of space and thus bandwidth.

[Dotpitch]

Which setting use program when write mp3 to disk?

The stream you're listening to is already mp3 (or ogg). When you use 'Write to disk', XMPlay saves the stream data it recieves from the server, so without any recoding. The encoders are only used if you force the output device to them, XMPlay will then decode the audio to wav and pass it to the encoder. You should not use the encoders when saving a stream. And yes, --preset extreme is indeed the same as -V0 (check Hydrongenaudio Wiki).

[SANDEX]

So those encoders only used when use XMplay as CD ripper, to rip tracks from a CD, on convert recorded files to another format? So there is no necessity to install Lame at all?

[Pike84]

If we're only talking about common internet streams, then no, they are already compressed (with a good chance having used a recent version of LAME too).

[SANDEX]

yes, we are talking about streaming internet radio.

[Jace]

Is there a reason why you don't just right-click on the playlist entry and use 'Write to disk'?

[SANDEX]

I do. But after using Screamer Radio player which is very easy to use, some adaptation still required.