CNET Editors' review
BonkEnc Portable Extracts and converts audio files. It offers users a lot of versatility. It converts audio to and from MP3, Ogg Vorbis, MP4/AAC, and FLAC formats. It will convert large audio files to smaller formats to play on your portable audio player, post online, or burn to disk. You can also use it to rip tracks from CDs to your computer and convert them to your chosen format.
BonkEnc Portable is easy to understand and navigate, and it supports many different languages. It contains a User's Guide and an FAQ, and there's a Help file you can access from the interface instead of a Web site, which we appreciate. However, there's more information about using the program, installing optional plug-ins, and other useful instructions on the manufacturer's Web site. BonkEnc Portable is handy for converting large audio files like WAVs into MP3s so that they take up less space on your hard drive or portable audio player. When you import audio files into this program, it will extract and display the artist, title, and genre information associated with the file, which will help you catalog your music collection. You can also use it to rip your CD collection to store and play your tunes on your computer, iPod, or other portable device.
BonkEnc Portable is free and installs and uninstalls with no problems. It's easy to use, and it converts audio files of most any format into MP3s. It's a good choice for getting more out of your music.
Publisher's Description
From PortableApps:
BonkEnc Portable is the popular BonkEnc packaged as a portable app, so you extract, convert, and encode your audio files just about anywhere you go. You can place it on your USB flash drive, iPod, portable hard drive or a CD and use it on any computer, without leaving any personal information behind.
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All versions:
1.8 starsout of 5 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"A no-frills, easy downloadable conversion program."
Version: BonkEnc Portable 1.0.18
Pros
It does what you ask of it. It's not cute; not supposed to be. The conversion takes minutes, not the entire day, which is awesome.
Cons
It looks like a DOS throwback.
Summary
I was skeptical at first, that this program wouldn't work. Once I downloaded it to my desktop, clicked on the icon, and it immediately popped open, my reaction was "That's it?", which was kinda refreshing. There was a small learning curve(getting used the program language), but other than that, it worked flawlessly.
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"Works - Needs a little configuring"
Version: BonkEnc Portable 1.0.14
Pros
I can use it with other Portable Apps, and it converts a whole CD to mp3. It kept all the artist/album info, as far as I can tell.
Cons
A plug-in is needed. You can download directly from portableapps.com. I don't know what to compare it to for speed - it took maybe 10 minutes+ to do a CD with 20 songs.
Summary
I had to spend a few minutes on "Configure General Settings." I downloaded BonkEnc portable from portableapps.com, then downloaded the mp3 plug-in (not on CNET). However, when I chose the BONK Audio Encoder as the converter the resulting files were .bonk. To get mp3 files, I used the LAME MP3 encoder from the drop-down menu. That's not an editortial - that's the name of the encoder. I had installed it earlier as part of Audacity, so I'm not sure if it is always part of BonkEnc.
It worked great with a small amount of effort. Read about it before using at portableapps website. -
"Does not do the job it claims to do"
Version: BonkEnc Portable 1.0.14
Pros
Nothing favourable to comment on.
Cons
What it did offer could be done more quickly and effectively with a simple spreadsheet or note taking program.
Summary
Disappointing to have such a low quality program offered or promoted by CNet.
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"Waste of time"
Version: BonkEnc Portable 1.0.14
Pros
Apparently the editor never tried it. This doesn't even convert to mp3 format like he/she said it does.
Cons
Oddly enough it doesn't even do mp3 format. Uses only the free stuff like ogg vorbis, flac, mp4
Summary
Don't waste your time. CNET really is going downhill.
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"Check It Out?"
Version: BonkEnc Portable 1.0.14
Pros
I have not installed. See Cons.
Cons
After download I check the file at Virus Total. Trend Micro virus scanner found 'PAK- Generic 001' .
Maybe Download.com can comment on this in view of the fact that they state that this is spyware and virus free.?Summary
See cons.
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