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help converting EAC files to FLAC

When I run 'Encode' in the FLAC window, it seems to be going ok, with the DOS window showing progress and all. But it runs very fast, and the compression ratio is .001! (1/1000) which I know is way low, supposed to be 50% or so.

When I try the file in Winamp it runs for a split second and stops.

What is the possible cause? I am evaluating this prior to buying a Squeezebox and would like to know that I can actually use the device efficiently before buying. Are there other compression programs that may work better?

Thanks.
kck
ketchup
698 posts
 
are you dragging wav files into the flac window? what options do you have selected in both eac and flac?
kck OP
184 posts
 
Yeah, there is something wrong here. First, FLAC settings show that the following are checked: Verify, Add Tags, Replaygain, Treat input files as 1 album, and Delete Input files. I think should be no prob here.

But I think the prob is in EAC. First, I extracted using PKZIP only the .exe file and pulled the icon to the desktop. But launching the icon pops up an error msg about "matching language"..? So I went back to pkzip and extracted all the stuff that came in on the download, then tried ripping the cd again. This time, I got "Timing Error" on each track and the rip ran really fast. When I look at the ripped files they seem to be of correct size (ie about 60-80 MB each) but even the wav files (actually they do not even have the .wav extension) do not play in Winamp. Further, and this is strange, EAC does not even show up in the "Add/Remove Programs" list in control panel.

I guess I need some serious troubleshooting on the EAC side. Alternately, any other ways to do this? I do have a (legal) copy of Nero Express and Nero Start Smart; can one of these be used instead of EAC?
Thanks for your help.
nikturner920
144 posts
 
"EAC does not even show up in the "Add/Remove Programs" list"
This is normal for EAC.

I would delete all EAC files from your computer, then download the EAC zip again and extract all files to a single folder. Also disable any items Nero runs at start up, look for things in the sys tray on the lower right of the screen. I have seen EAC conflict with cd writing software.

If that doesn't work delete EAC and try:

http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/

Good luck!
kck OP
184 posts
 
Nikturner, I have some success using your suggestions. Reinstalling EAC resulted in FLAC taking the appropriate amount of time and it gave me a file compressed to about 60%, which is about right. However, I could not play it in WinAmp, some strange stuff is happening there. I also converted the file back to .wav via FLAC and it gave me the full song, per the space/time taken by the song. This will play in WinAmp.

Strange thing is WinAmp does not seem to recognize the FLAC file type as it does not show in the list of supported files in that directory.

I say strange as I got the Winamp link from the FLAC website!

Thanks for your help so far. We have progress!
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