Beta: Apple Lossless Encoder (native, does not require iTunes)

[Spoon]

Now included in the mp4 Release 4 codec pack beta:

http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?p=52571#post52571

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After many months of wrangling with issues with the ALAC format (iTunes would read the files fine, but not iPods), Illustrate can proudly announce a worlds first, the first non-Apple dependant Apple Lossless Encoder.

This codec does not require iTunes, or Quicktime and has the advantage of being faster than Apples encoder! (x50 encoding speed on my AMD 64).

Follow these instructions carefully to install:

Install dMC R11.5
Install the m4a decoder (required for tag writing):

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codecs/dBpowerAMP-codec-mp4.exe

and save this file to \Program Files\Illustrate\dBpowerAMP\Compression\Apple Lossless.dll:

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/beta/Apple%20Lossless.dll

65KB

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Update 12th May 2006:

Codec updated, tagging issue fixed (any existing dbpoweramp created alac files, simply reconvert to alac and it is fixed).

[emilles]

I understand that the source for this encoder is closed at this time. In the meantime, is there an external interface available so that I could call the encoding functionality from an application of my own? I am assuming there would be a license agreement to abide by...

[Spoon]

It is possible to control dbpoweramp through COM object scripting.

[lucky]

I would love this to use with my foobar converter anytime soon. Do you plan to open it up?

[Spoon]

We are not allowed by license to open it, or sub-license.

[Jon Fenton]

I have tried converting a few FLAC files using the new encoder. I like the speed and look forward to using it but have found the tags are not read by iTunes. They are read by dbpowerAMP. There are also dropouts when playing. Thanks for the work you have put in.

System specs:
Pentium 4 3Ghz HT
Windows XP SP2
iTunes 6.0.4.2

[Spoon]

When you hold the mouse over the converted .m4a file it shows the tags?

[Jon Fenton]

All tags are shown when holding the mouse over the file.

[Spoon]

It is the first time I have heard of a m4a tagging problem (for aac they seem to be read by iTunes). As a test try encoding an m4a (aac) file and see if iTunes likes the tag.

[Spoon]

Oh yes, is this for all files or just one?

[Jon Fenton]

I used the FAAC encoder to create some m4a files and these play fine and the tags are displayed in iTunes.

The problems with the tags occurs with all the files I have tried. The problem with playback appears to be a couple of corrupt FLAC files I initially used.

[Spoon]

Using the latest version of iTunes?

[Jon Fenton]

Yes.

[volvoguy]

Oh yes, is this for all files or just one?

I'm experiencing the same problem with all the FLAC files I try to convert.

iTunes 6.0.4.2
dMC R11.5
m4a decoder
Latest FLAC

The FLAC files were created with dMC and have proper tags. m4a files encoded with this new encoder show tags when hovering in Windows Explorer, but nothing in iTunes. I've attached a few screenshots in case they're of interest to you.

http://www.volvoguy.net/temp/win-explorer-tags.png

http://www.volvoguy.net/temp/itunes-summary.png

http://www.volvoguy.net/temp/itunes-info.png

Otherwise it seems to work great. :)

Aaron

[Reardon]

Small issue: you should change your build env so that this is not marked as "Monkey's Audio" encoder.

[Spoon]

>marked as "Monkey's Audio" encoder.

Now that is funny ;)

I will look into the ID Tagging, it looks like Apple Lossless in a m4a file has slightly different tags to aac in m4a (which is quite sad).

[gameplaya15143]

I have absolutely no use for this codec...
but still.. thanks Spoon! you rule :thumbup:

:D happily downloaded

[Spoon]

Codec updated, tagging issue fixed (any existing dbpoweramp created alac files, simply reconvert to alac and it is fixed).

The download is still just a dll, will form part of a new mp4 codec.

[Spoon]

Included in the mp4 codec pack beta here:

http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?p=52571#post52571