Anybody use iTunes-LAME?

[CrackedButter]

If you do, what is the point of this software, it looks like it does the same thing as iTunes anyway, anyone care to clarify?

 

[MacDawg]

If you do, what is the point of this software, it looks like it does the same thing as iTunes anyway, anyone care to clarify?

Never heard of it...
Is there a link to info?

EDIT: Check here for info on Version Tracker

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Blue Velvet]

I downloaded it once but couldn't get it to work which I suspect had more to do with me... or possibly my version of iTunes.

It is supposed to offer higher-quality encoding of mp3s than the vanilla iTunes encoder. Some people swear by it, others remain unconvinced...

I would like to hear WinterMute's opinion on this...

 

[Daveway]

Can it convert protected aac?

 

[MacDawg]

It is supposed to offer higher-quality encoding of mp3s than the vanilla iTunes encoder. Some people swear by it, others remain unconvinced....

Apparently uses LAME open source technology
lame.sourceforge.net

From the info on the web site...

Following the great history of GNU naming, LAME originally stood for LAME Ain't an Mp3 Encoder. ** LAME started life as a GPL'd patch against the dist10 ISO demonstration source, and thus was incapable of producing an mp3 stream or even being compiled by itself.** But in May 2000, the last remnants of the ISO source code were replaced, and now LAME is the source code for a fully LGPL'd MP3 encoder, with speed and quality to rival all commercial competitors.

LAME is an educational tool to be used for learning about MP3 encoding.* The goal of the LAME project is to use the open source model to improve the psycho acoustics, noise shaping and speed of MP3. LAME is not for everyone - it is distributed as source code only and requires the ability to use a C compiler.* However, many popular ripping and encoding programs include the LAME encoding engine

From one of the "reviews" of iTunes-LAME

The problem with using this is that it makes me want to once again rerip all 7700 songs using it. I like -b 224 -m s setting. Hands down sounds better than the iTunes MP3 encoder at that rate. LAME @ 224 in stereo is just the optimum setting for me. The LAME process definately takes much longer than iTunes MP3 encoding unfortunately. But this program is quite great esp. with it being free and all. Worth a donation

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[MacDawg]

Can it convert protected aac?

I know it said it would convert the "unprotected" but didn't find info on protected.

Here is the link to the forums on the developer's web site (Blacktree.com).

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[mkrishnan]

Wikipedia gives background on the quality argument for LAME -- not that I use it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAME

Edit: oops, for some reason I didn't get all the replies on the page. Sorry!