Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec. It's a free, open source standard for compressing audio files. It's popular because it's lossless: Storing your tunes as FLAC files preserves their quality better than more "lossy" standards, including MP3s. While many media players handle FLAC files, plenty of portable devices don't. If you store digital music as FLAC files but your portable player doesn't play them, you'll need to convert them to MP3s first. For that job, you'll need a tool like PolySoft's Free FLAC to MP3 Converter. It's totally simple to use.
Free FLAC to MP3 Converter's user interface is small and simple, with no other controls, options, or settings beyond those immediately accessible. We could drag and drop files into the main window or click Add and browse to our FLAC files, or click Remove to delete them from the list. We tried both methods. The next step after adding our files was to select an output folder by changing the selection from Same, which saves converted files to the same folder as the source file, to Other, and then browsing to a new destination folder. Then it was a simple matter of pressing Convert to MP3 to process our batch. That's about all there is to the program's interface and functionality.
Free FLAC to MP3 Converter did the job quickly enough, though of course your system's resources will bear on the conversion speed. Our converted MP3s played normally in our usual media player. Did we notice a difference in the sound quality? Not really; at least, not an obvious or dramatic one. But then, going from FLAC to MP3 isn't a huge step: both are high-compression formats, not high-fidelity, and are designed to maximize storage space, not sound quality. But it's hard to imagine a simpler solution to the task at hand than Free FLAC to MP3 Converter. Stripped-down? Maybe, but we like simple software for simple tasks: Too many tools take longer to set up than to do their jobs. With Free FLAC to MP3 Converter, you're in and out while the other guy is still reading the signs.
Publisher's Description
From PolySoft Solutions:
Free FLAC to MP3 Converter offers an easy way to convert all your FLAC audio files to MP3. The program's interface is very simple. Just add the files you want to convert to the list (you can drag and drop them directly from Windows Explorer), select the output folder, and then click the convert button.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 61 votes
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Current version:
3.1 starsout of 61 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"DON'T INSTALL, FULL OF SPYWARE"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
Shame on you
Cons
Spent an hour trying to pluck this garbage out.
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"Elegantly simple. Direct interface, no distractions."
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
This is single purpose software and it does an excellent job. The gui is very direct, uncluttered and to the point.
Cons
I can't come up with any negatives.
Summary
If every piece of software did exactly what it claimed it could do then this would be a better world.(did I say that?) This is an excellent piece of software that does what it claims it can do! How unique. Oh, and it's free.
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"Spyware, do not download"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
None, it includes malware.
Cons
It installed three different forms of spyware on my computer without my permission. I have uninstalled it.
Summary
I'm surprised cnet let this through. I thought they were better about having malware free software.
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"It works as advertised."
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
Does the job simply.
Cons
None - here are the xtra characters
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"Good files !!"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
fast and easy to use
Doesn't seem to have given me any virus!Cons
mp3 files don't show in WMP library, du do play well if selected via explorer!!
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"Virus and Malware"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
nothing good here
Cons
This product installs malware and virus on whatever browsers you have installed. I tried to get rid of the malware that took over my browsers and was not able to do it, it DOES NOT allow you to remove it. I actually had to uninstall the browsers after doing a system RESTORE. Only this got rid of the malware. It is UNBELIEVABLE to me that cnet allows such as virus to be downloaded while claiming the software is safe. Consider yourself warned!
Summary
Do not download this unless you want a virus that you cannot get rid of!
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"No 320kbps MP3!!"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
Quick converting
Cons
No option to change bitrate for mp3. Default is stuck around 200kbps variable bit rate.
Summary
They need options for 320kbps.
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"Works great! Stop complaining!"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
Installs quickly but you have to READ what you are downloading. It only intalls tool bars and malware if you don't pay attention and decline and uncheck them.
Cons
None. Its free!
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"Does the job"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
Converts as advertised
Cons
Likes to pop-up mp3 website once it finishes it's job
Summary
Been using this for over a year now. Never had any problems with it. It converts just like I want. Had to reformat my harddrive and lost it. So now I downloaded it again. Yes there are some add-ons it trys to get you to take. BUT, like was stated by another poster here, select DECLINE twice when it prompts you to decide on a add-on. After that you'll be fine. The crap-wares on all free downloads have become like this. Unchecking the boxes rarely works if it's accompanied with a 'Decline' button. Always, always, ALWAYS use the 'Decline' button.
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"Installs Malware"
Version: Free FLAC to MP3 Converter 1.0
Pros
It converts flac to mp3.
Cons
It's installs ALL kinds of malware. It tries to install the IncrediBar, which is another annoying toolbar that sits at the top of your web browser. Spybot Search and Destroy can remove IncrediBar.
Summary
Don't download this pile of crap.
