MP3Pro Technology Released!!!! FREE DOWNLOAD AT RCA.COM! - MAY AFFECT YOUR CURRENT PORTABLE

sharpie00

Member
Nov 21, 2000
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I just noticed that the new MP3Pro technology tools have been released. And the awesome part is that it's only one program that encodes / decodes the files. No more need for Winamp and an encoder....This is all in one :D

It's avalable at RCA.com.

Linky Winky

A little bleb from PCWORLD.com

MP3pro "dramatically improves sound quality in terms of bit rates," he says. An MP3pro file carries near-CD-quality sound recorded at 64 kilobits per second, about equal to that of the Windows Audio version and about half the file size required for the same song in the standard MP3 format. An MP3 music file recorded at 128 kbps will take up about 1 megabyte per minute of sound. The new codec allows recordings of two minutes per megabyte without losing fidelity.

The original MP3 codec discarded some high-pitch sounds in order to prevent encoding errors in low-bit-rate recordings, Arland says. The result sounded more like a tape recording than a CD, he says. An MP3pro recording uses two tracks, one like the old MP3 and another just for high-frequency sounds. The MP3pro "improves the high-end frequency response ... the higher pitches are more distinct," he says.

The new codec is backward-compatible with MP3 players--an MP3pro player will be able to play MP3 files. However, existing MP3 players will have some trouble with high-pitch sounds on MP3pro files because the old readers won't play the secondary high-frequency track.

Enjoy :D

sharpie00

Let's try to make this the only thread for questions and comments for MP3Pro :)
 

amdmaxx

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
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Great, thanks!
Let's hope mp3 players with firmware upgrades can play them!
Horray to smaller mp3 files..
 

ss284

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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me wants a firware update for my nomad II!
I gotta say wma isnt that bad.

-Steve
 

RayZor

Senior member
Oct 29, 1999
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Check this out though



<< The demo version of this software only allows encoding of PCM .wav data sampled at 44.1 kHz into the new mp3PRO format at a data rate of 64 kbps, but is unlimited with respect to number of files or period of time. The encoder does not include CD audio ripping capabilities, so CD audio data must first be stored as the .wav format and then converted to the new mp3PRO format. >>





 

sharpie00

Member
Nov 21, 2000
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<< Check this out though



<< The demo version of this software only allows encoding of PCM .wav data sampled at 44.1 kHz into the new mp3PRO format at a data rate of 64 kbps, but is unlimited with respect to number of files or period of time. The encoder does not include CD audio ripping capabilities, so CD audio data must first be stored as the .wav format and then converted to the new mp3PRO format. >>

>>



True. You do have to use programs like Windac to rip audio cds, but you don't need a separate mp3 encoder to convert from .wav to .mp3. And as far as the 64kbps issue goes, MP3Pro technology says it's the equivalent as 128kbps.
 

ResearchEverything

Senior member
May 3, 2000
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Is this a demo or the full software package? Are you guys saying that we need new firmware for our players to play'em? Does it change the file extention? Thanks for the info.
 

sharpie00

Member
Nov 21, 2000
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I was under the impression this is a full-fledge freeware program. It doesn't mention anything about it being shareware.
 

SenorBiggles

Senior member
Dec 5, 2000
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&quot;It is supposed to have better or equal quality as the Windows Audio 8 format which Microsoft is developing.&quot; -From Thursday ISONEWS

I installed it yesterday and it seems to work fine. Then I tested encoding the same WAV with MusicMatch at the same bitrate, and it sounded identical. I couldn't find any new CODECs installed on my system. I guess I'll test different WAV's next.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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it sounds pretty good. now if someone would release a codec with unresrtricted bitrate.
 

sterito

Junior Member
Dec 8, 2000
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<< Is this a demo or the full software package? Are you guys saying that we need new firmware for our players to play'em? Does it change the file extention? Thanks for the info. >>



From what I've heard, current mp3 players won't be able to support the new format right now because MP3Pro uses two music streams while normal MP3 uses one stream. I heard that if you did try to play MP3Pro on current mp3 players, it would only play one of the streams, which means you'd only hear half of the music.
 

csiro

Golden Member
May 31, 2001
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anyone know if the rio 500 player can support the new format. It'll save me from having to buy more expansion memory cards.
 

amdmaxx

Senior member
Jan 6, 2001
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rio 500 wont support it. Diamond is no longer developing for rio 500. Try getting rio 600, rio 800...
 

ss284

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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IIm guessing any of the firmware upgradable players will. but the problem is how long until they do so?

-Steve
 

NICKel

Golden Member
May 7, 2000
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Why wouldn't RIO 500 support it?

Here's another question.... Will all those CD players Portable/CAR and the like, be able to play CD's burned with the new format?

Inquiring minds want to know?
 

designgirl

Senior member
Oct 7, 2000
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just in case FYI.....the licemsing for mp3pro is a lot more than the standard mp3. so u might have to wait a while before the manufacturers decide if it's worth it.

i think it was about $8 per item, program, or whatever.
 

FriedToast

Golden Member
Apr 4, 2001
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So how does this program compare against MusicMatch ? So far, it's treated me very well. The MP3s that I've ripped off of it sound just fine. And I send ev'thing through my Herc GTXP and then into my Sony STR-DE635 which spit out into 2 Advent Baby IIIs, 2 Bose 301s &amp; 2 Boston Acoustics whatever-they-ares (they're up on the ceiling, so I'm not going to pull them down to get a model).
My point being- I can't tell much, if any, difference between my ripped MP3s from MusicMatch and the actually CDs themselves (played through the same system using a Sony CDP-C445). So where's the added incentive for grabbing this new doowhammer? I plan on buying an Aiwa or Sony head unit for my truck and I'm sure that they probably don't support this new technology.
Although it sounds cool, I'm really wondering if it's worth fiddling with. Or are we going to have to throw away all of our fun gadgets because now the newest, funnest toy tech is out?
 

FerretOne

Member
Mar 14, 2001
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It does sound totally better at the same bitrate. 64k at 128k MP3 quality, at least 110k. Hopefully someone will develop a PocketPC mp3pro player.

 

cheesewhiz

Senior member
Jun 12, 2001
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now i know my rio volt has an upgradable bios.. the second it supports mp3pro i'll convert my whole collection :)
 

TK-421

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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If Winamp supports this, it might go somewhere.. the licensing fees might keep
this from being really popular..