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User reviews
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
4 stars
Version: MPEG Suite 2001 1.5.5
"Possibly The Best Of The Free Encoders"
Pros: I'm very fussy about my music. I want the highest frequency response, etc. I don't mind using multiple programs to rip CDs and then convert them to .mp3 if it will result in a high-quality end product.
I tried most of the free .mp3 encoders here and found MPEG Suite to be the best for several reasons:
* Choice of encoders (although I would have liked to see Fraunhofer, too)
* One of the better user interfaces
* Highest frequency response
I used a spectrum analyzer on all the encoders I tried and Plugger will consistently deliver in excess of 20 KHz, which approaches true CD frequency and fidelity. (Yes, I know there's more to music than just raw frequency, but that added response enhances an already good signal.)
All in all, an excellent software package, and possibly the best of the free encoders. There are features I don't need and will probably never use, since all I was looking for was a simple encoder that's better than the other freeware.
Cons: The user interface, although intuitive and straight-forward, could be better. For example, it maintains a fixed column width that sometimes makes seeing the whole song title more difficult. It would also be helpful to separate configuration options from the music selection options. And, once the directory is called up and you have decided what you want to encode, there is no good reason to put the user through a second step to select them and move them to another column.
Since there is more than one encoder to choose from, this is obviously a 'front end' program to execute command line functions, and it would be great to be able to choose external codecs not included in this program.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
4 stars
Version: MPEG Suite 2001 1.5.5
"Straight Forward Program. Works as It Should"
Pros: This program can convert a five minute WAV file to MP3 in under five seconds. It does require that you CONFIGURE IT BEFORE USING! I think this is why it gets bad reviews from others. I've used this program in different versions for several years now. It even works under WinXP x64 where other freeware programs tend to crash or simply not load at all. If you REALLY know how to use a computer, this program works. If you are an appliance operator, find another program.
Cons: The program does what it needs to do perfectly. But it lacks the CODEC for Fraunhofer, my preferred encoding method.
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1 stars
Version: MPEG Suite 2001 1.5.5
"WRNING THIS PROGRAM HAVE A MALWARE!!!!!!"
Cons: I was instaling this program and I founded a malware called: Win 32:CIH-C (trj) VPS version: 000758-0 on the file: c:/MPEGSUIT/mp3.dll/(ASPACK)
Please dont install!!!!
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4 stars
Version: MPEG Suite 2001 1.5.5
"Converts- no more, no less, but does it fast and right"
Pros: This program will decompress mp3s to .wavs and compress .wavs to mp3s. It will also decompress and recompress, converting bit rates. Though it does not convert to VBR, it can convert existing VBR mp3s to .wav. It supports bit rates from crappy 48 all the way to unholy 320 kb/s. It includes three choices of codecs; the default one sounds crisp, CD-like, and not watery or distorted at a bit rate of 128.
Available as both a Windows 2000 and a 98 version in the same install--be sure to choose the correct version. (For XP it is the Win2K. See also cons.) Be sure after installing to click the Configure tab.
And, I'm making it sound a lot harder than it is. It's really very point-and-shoot once you get past the Configure tab.
Cons: If running XP SP2, be sure to use the Win2K version, or else you'll end up like some of the one star reviewers.
I've run it successfully on four seperate computers, but on all four systems, the program has crashed when trying to drag and drop some mp3s from some folders. (You can always safely drag and drop from the desktop, so this glitch can be worked around with the extra step.)
Another reason why some of the one-star reviewers got nothing was that when the program is first installed, one must select an output directory for both encoder and decoder in the Configure tab. If you try to run it without choosing these first, the program will sit and twiddle its thumbs indefinitely.
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5 stars
Version: MPEG Suite 2001 1.5.5
Pros: it?s very good
Cons: it?s very good
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