Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with windows and mp3

How do I convert flac to mp3 in Windows?

Pope Guilty — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:24:41 -0800

How can I convert flac files to mp3 in Windows? I'm open to going through some of the more arcane procedures that I've seen around the web that involve multiple programs, but is there a single-step solution for converting from flac to mp3 under Windows?

Is it possible to edit the iTunes "Date Added" field without resetting the system clock?

anthropomorphic — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:41:28 -0800

Is it possible to edit the iTunes "Date Added" field? I am trying to relocate all of the music in my iTunes library from one computer to another and have had no luck keeping the "date added" field in tact. I am willing to manually edit the date added field for every album to match my old database. Is there an easier way to do this other than to constantly reset my system clock? I have over 1100 albums!

Can I save, in mp3 form, the songs recommended to me by Pandora, on a Windows PC?

newfers — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:33:06 -0800

Is there anything approximating a Windows-based version of the OSX application PandoraJam, allowing me to record tracks suggested by the Pandora website? I purchased an amazing shareware program for my Mac, called PandoraJam... It records and downloads all music recommended by the wonderful music recommendation site Pandora.

I would love to have a similar program on my Windows-based PC, but other than some very clunky solutions, I can't seem to find a piece of shareware/freeware that would do the trick easily, and preferably legally, though that isn't a prerequisite :)

Help? Anyone? Please?

I feel like the Flash at a disco.

Shepherd — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:05:07 -0800

Why is MP3 playback sssuuudddeennllyy gggrriiinnddiinngg doowwnnnn? Until about six months ago, give or take, I could listen to MP3s on my computer pretty much regardless of whatever else I was doing. I did a pretty routine wipe everything/reinstall everything (XP Pro, upgrading from SP2 to 3 after the reinstall) back in May.

Recently, the MP3 player has started to grrriiinnnddd when I do pretty much anything on the computer. I've gone from WinAmp to QCD to Billy to try to minimize the program's CPU "footprint," but it persists. The songs start to stretch out, like HAL at the end of 2001 but with more digital artifacting. The MP3 players never crash, but stutter and grind to a halt, then slowly get up to speed, then start staggering again.

This happens when I open a program, or a document, or save something, or copy a file from one folder to another, or check my e-mail, or load a Web site like MetaFilter, etc. etc. Pretty much everything other than typing or moving the mouse -- and sometimes it just starts to spontaneously stutter as well.

I have an up-to-date Avast!, Ad-Aware and ZoneAlarm (free versions of all) showing no viruses, malware, etc. on my computer.

I've used the Ctrl-Alt-Del resource manager to see what's hogging resources, but the open programs like Firefox, Celtx, Thunderbird, etc. all clock in about 25K for CPU resources, and this "grinding" often happens when I'm running at about 50% of CPU in use.

Nothing on my computer has changed in terms of hardware since before and after this big reinstall and the consequent MP3 grind. No major software changes, either. It's really danged irritating. Is it SP3? General resource creep making all the programs that used to not kill my system resources suck up all my system resources? The difference between six months ago and now is extraordinary: I used to be able to just listen to music while doing whatever, and now everything makes playback stutter and stall.

I've reached the limits of my knowledge. Insight, folks?

Limiting Filetypes in Foldershare

schleppo — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:10:06 -0800

Any one know if you can limit MS's Foldershare app to only sync certain filetypes (say .mp3 only). I am trying to sync my music collection between 2 PC's but I've hit the 10000 file limit. These folders include the .jpg album covers that media player downloads when updating an album. I would rather sync just the .mp3 files and have each PC download the album art so I can stay under the 10000 file limit. Thanks.

musicus interruptus

wfc123 — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:35:42 -0800

Why does every mp3 track on my laptop "break-up" for 3 seconds at the same point (with about 20 left in the track)? Does anyone else have this problem? It's Windows Media PLayer on a Dell Insp E1505 w/Win Vista Home Prem.

thanks

Editing MP3 tags with Explorer

danb — Sun, 27 May 2007 07:44:50 -0800

For a friend: How do I get the option to edit the mp3 tag in Windows Explorer with right clicking and going to Properties? In Windows, when I right click on an mp3 and go to Properties > Summary > Advanced, the option is greyed out. In the Properties > Summary > Simple I am given the option to give the title and leave a comment. But that is all. I am the computer owner and I have given myself full administrative rights for the account I am using.

Decent windows CD-labelling software?

whir — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:01:15 -0800

Is there any windows software for designing labels for my mix CD's which doesn't completely suck? I'm hoping someone can give me a recommendation for some software that I can run on windows to generate labels for (audio) mix CD's that I burn. For the most part, I'm interested in stuff that I can use to print to those adhesive CD labels packs that one can buy at office supply stores (eg, the ones that stick on the top of the CD itself - I know this is not great for the CD's longevity, but that doesn't worry me much since these are mostly audio CD's coming from mp3 sources, and the mp3's are backed up elsewhere).

I don't need anything incredibly fancy, but I do have some requirements for the software:

* It should be able to import a playlist (probably m3u) and I should then be able to print a track list on the CD itself. I'm OK with writing a script to generate a .txt file from a playlist to feed into the program of need be, but I don't don't don't want to need to copy and paste from Windows Explorer into a track list in the labelling application.

* It should be able to bend text around the axis/center of the CD, so I can write the album title in letters around the diameter of the disc if I want to.

* It should be able to print on most of the CD labels I am able to buy around here (from office supply stores). I don't mind a small offset, but I'd like for there to be no white arcs showing on the CD after I'm done. I'm OK with buying only one specific type of CD label brand to go with the software if need be.

* It should be able to use a jpg/gif/png/etc file as a background to the image.

* It would be nice if it could handle jewel-box type labels as well.

* Open-source would be nice, just on principle.

*The ability to print labels for data CD/DVD's would be a bonus, too.

* It should not be as buggy as bejesus.

Up until now I've mostly been using the CD-label application which comes with Nero to make my labels (I mostly use Nero to burn the CD's themselves). It actually meets most of my requirements, but sadly, it is far buggier than bejesus and I can never get it to match its output to the labels I buy.

I am by no means a Photoshop or Illustrator expert, but I do own both of those programs. I've tried to print some labels based on manufacturer's illustrator templates before, but found it pretty difficult to actually get Illustrator to do what I wanted it to, so I'm hoping for something a little more accessible.

Windows iTunes accessing MP3s on Mac

bkdelong — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:47:25 -0800

(MacWinFilter) - How do I access a Mac OS/X Server share from Windows XP using AFP (iTunes)? A few years ago, I setup a server to host a series of MP3 files on a Mac OS/X machine. I've since left the organization where the machine still sits. My access options are SFTP or AFP. I just want to be able to stream these into iTunes like any normal Mac user....not download these huge files just to listen to them.

I have Bonjour for Windows but I can't tell if I need to install some sort of AppleTalk or AFP binary/plugin. Do I just create a WebDAV-like Web folder? I already tried afp:// in Windows / Explorer. Am I missing something very simple?

Help!

N.B. Please no "switch to Mac" arguments. I would have a long time ago if that were an option. ;)

Command-line MP3 Players, cross-platform.

Ogre Lawless — Mon, 01 May 2006 17:17:23 -0800

Programmer seeks command-line, cross-platorm MP3/Other format Player for Win32, Linux, for scripting, cuddling. I'm trying to develop a larger application suite that needs MP3 support and while the rest of my apps are cross-platform, I'm having a devil of a time finding a command-line player that will work on both Linux AND Windows. Closest I ever came was the mostly defunct mpg123 which doesn't seem to be actively developing against Win32 and had a fair number of Windows issues when I last used it.

I'd like to keep the overhead at a minimum -- optimally the device is headless, networkless and plugs into speakers and thats it.

Barring a cross-platform approach, I'd be willing to bend to just a GUI-less win32 command-line platform.

Why does Windows Media Player hork up all my CPU?

sidereal — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:18:49 -0800

Why does Windows Media Player hork up all my CPU these days? When it didn't used to? Windows Media Player, Version 9.00.00.3075 on XP home box horks up all my CPU now. Every time I try and play more than one MP3 it goes through this big laggy session and plays the music files, but wow, it eats CPU like Bobbi Bliss. I don't remember it ever being so bad. In fact, a while back, I gave up trying to wrangle other MP3 players and moderate their operating system fights, and just gave in and let WMP handle all sound files, because I just got tired of all the stupid OS fights. It went well for a long time, but lately, this crazy app, well, I said, it horks up all my CPU now when I use it.

I'm surprised, because I sorta assumed it's tightly integrated with my XP Home OS. I'm using the term "tightly integrated" regarding Windows without irony for once.

So I Guess My Question Is, how can I find out why this integrated Windows app is acting like some 3rd-party app that billg hates? I don't get it. What sort of analysis can I do to find out what the hell is so CPU-intensive now? When it didn't used to before?

How to use iTunes library?

jkaczor — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 17:26:08 -0800

iTunes help - Windows version, am confused as to how the library works. Ok, sigh - I have been using mp3's myself for years, but this was a gift for my mother-in-law. She wants it for audiobooks, and we have ripped about 30GB to date.

However, few audiobooks are recognized by our ripping software, and therefore no MP3 tags are added. This is no issue for my crappy Lexar player, I simply drag'n'drop the folders to the player and boom - no issues.

However, am I correct in assuming that iTunes ONLY indexes/accesses the library by tags, and not filenames?

MP3 player that lets you pause live content?

smackfu — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 12:22:12 -0800

Are there any other Windows MP3 players that have something like RealPlayer's LivePause feature, which "enables pausing and seeking within live Internet clips"?

Convenient Windows mp3 splitter

Moistener — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 19:31:26 -0800

Desperately Wanted: a Windows mp3 file splitter designed for usability, not mere functionality. I'm looking for particular features: --) a "Just Do it, Dammit"-style shell extension (right-click on the mp3 file, splits created immediately according to previously-set options)

--) file naming options

--) ID3 preserve/alter option

--) drag-drop UI

--) works with VBR files

The following applets have already been weighed in the scales and found wanting: mp3split, Mp3 Splitter, Mp3 TrackMaker, Mp3Cutter

Why can't I edit file information in iTunes anymore?

TayBridge — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 04:28:11 -0800

Irritating iTunes problem. I've been using iTunes to edit information on my music files for a long time without any problems. Recently, however, I'll edit a file (Get Info> Info) and as soon as I actually click on the file to play it, it reverts to its old information, erasing all my careful edits. What's going on? How do I fix it?

(I'd rather not use another program for editing file information.)

please help a mac user format a hard drive using windows.

Silky Slim — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 03:43:53 -0800

please help a mac user format a hard drive using windows. i'll try to keep this as short as possible.
i have an 80gb hard drive i want to use in an mp3 player (xclef hd-500).
i bought the mp3 player used, with a 40gb drive in it, and it works great. i had the 80gb drive formatted as fat32 ahead of time, but when i placed it in the player, the screen said "no partition". i e-mailed digmind tech support and their reply was that fat32 by itself isn't enough; i'm also to make it a primary partition and assign it a drive letter. so i copied all the files off the 80gb drive to reformat.
i have access to a pc right now, so i thought i'd format the drive using an external usb2 enclosure, but i can't get this pc to recognize the drive.
so my options as i see them are:
1. somehow install a driver on the pc so it can see the drive and format it using partition magic or something;
2. format the drive on my mac using a mac program;
3. format the drive on my mac using my virtual pc.
4. give in and have a pc tech do this for me.
help me find the right path! thanks.

Stereo to mono?

LordSludge — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 12:47:57 -0800

Seeking a freeware MS Windows Media Player plug-in to play stereo mp3s as mono. I very often listen to mp3s using only one ear-bud headphone, but I only get one channel, left or right. Is there a free plug-in that will play my stereo mp3s as mono? If I can't find a software solution, I'll just get hardware 1/8" plug adapter, just curious...

Windows-based media player with limited interface?

aberrant — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:03:05 -0800

Recommendations on a free, lightweight media player (video, audio) that can run on a very slow PC running WinXP attached to a TV? The PC has a VIA chipset and TV-out @ 640x480; there's no monitor or keyboard (I'm controlling it via remote). WMP is too complicated at such a low resolution; so is iTunes.

What I'm really looking for is something with an interface as simple as Windows Media Center that will allow me to select and play songs and videos (from a server in another room, across a wireless network) with as few remote actions as possible.

The solutions I've found are either too graphics-intensive (no DX9 here; it's a 4 MB video chip) or not simple enough. Tivo-like functionality is not needed; I just need to play mp3s and videos that are stored on a server and shared to this box across a network.

Oh, and it should be free. :)

remote control for my XP-based mp3/video player?

aberrant — Sun, 13 Feb 2005 16:15:00 -0800

HTPC owners: need recommendations, based on your direct experience, on a remote control for my XP-based mp3/video player. More requirements inside. I need a remote and receiver that are 1) cheap, 2) able to be used with iTunes and WMP without much tweaking, 3) additionally customizable, 4) preferably have not too many buttons, and 5) be able to be programmed into a universal remote (traditional stereo). I'm thinking it has to be IR for #5, but please enlighten me if I'm wrong.

Thanks!

Is there a wireless media center that will work with Linux rather than Windows?

beowulf573 — Sun, 19 Dec 2004 08:32:05 -0800

Wireless Media Centers. I've ripped all my CDs to mp3 files and am looking at 802.11b or g unit to connect to my stereo/tv to browse and play music. However, all that I've seen (netgear, linksys, creative) all require a Windows based server to drive the device. Are there any out there that will work with a simple shared volume off a linux server? Currently I'm using a small formfactor pc running linux/netjuke/xmms with a tv out card and it works well enough, however it's a bit too loud compared to the other stereo components and the ease of use isn't quite there. Worst case I can use another windows system to feed such a device from a share mounted from the linux server, however I'd like to cut out that requirement if I can find something that works directly with linux.

Thanks.

In iTunes, why do songs I uncheck not play during shuffled playback?

riffola — Sun, 12 Sep 2004 01:09:21 -0800

In iTunes, why do songs I uncheck not play during shuffled playback? I just want to uncheck songs I don't want on the iPod and let 'em play normally in the library. It's easier than making a playlist for the iPod each time I add new albums. Alternatively, how do you manage your library when it exceeds the size of your iPod?

Shared drives between PC and Mac

pieoverdone — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 22:15:30 -0800

I have a PC with WinXP Pro. She has an iBook with Mac OS X. Together they ~~fight crime~~ share a router. e:\ is where I shove all my ~~porn~~ music. How can I make this available to her to copy what she wants to her machine or her ipod?

What is the best Windows application for creating reports of digital music collections?

agregoli — Sun, 04 Apr 2004 19:40:57 -0800

What is the best Windows application for creating reports of digital music collections? I need it to support both MP3 and AAC. I would prefer customizable HTML output but would settle for Text. I have tried several popular applications but none have supported AAC and their reporting capabilites have been minimal. I am looking for something that can create reports with just artist and album titles as well as the more typical every file/song reports.

Why does this computer start burning CDs late into the first song and get the numbering wrong?

Mayor Curley — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 12:37:48 -0800

My girlfriend's computer is from the late Jurassic period-- Gateway with an AMD 500-something mhz processor and 64 megs of RAM running 98 SE. It used to burn cd's from her mp3 collection generally flawlessly, but lately any cd made starts late in the first song and the track numbering is off (e.g. the player dosen't change from "2" to "3" until the middle of track 3.)

We switched from Roxio to Nero, tried converting to .wav with Winamp beforehand, but it's still off.

Any idea what the problem might be?

Programs that can rip from multiple CD-ROM drives at once?

Argyle — Mon, 26 Jan 2004 13:58:42 -0800

What are good Windows programs that can rip CDs into MP3 on multiple CD-ROM drives in a computer simultaneously?