Metadata options? MP3 encoding with 'reference'?

[turnstyle]

Hi all,

I gather db comes with a "one month trial" for AMG lookups (including db's 'reference' version) and that, beyond the first month, it then costs $5/year for AMG access, is that right?

Just wondering where this all is described on the db site, and what the other metadata service options there are within db.

Also, as I read it, MP3 ecoding also only works for one month with the regular db, is that right? If so, what about for the 'reference' version?

Thanks, -Scott

[Spoon]

Reference tial is 3 weeks.

Any Power Pack or Reference comes with 1 years access to AMG included.

[turnstyle]

To be sure I understand -- are you saying that the reference trial is 3 weeks for AMG and MP3? And if I purchase it, it's AMG for 1 year, and MP3 forever?

[LtData]

The reference trial is 3 weeks, but the PowerPack and AMG trials are 30-days each. If you purchase PowerPack, you get a lifetime license to any future PowerPack versions and 1 year of AMG. If you purchase Reference, you get free minor-version updates (buy r12, get r12.x free) but major version updates cost a minor fee (no number yet, but definately less than the full Reference cost) and also, AMG for 1 year.

[turnstyle]

But if the reference trial lasts 3 weeks, then the AMG trial is effectively 3 weeks, no?

In any case, ther reference purchase includes unlimited/non-expiring MP3 encoding, right? The only limited feature is that AMG works for one year, and $5 thereafter?

Does db work with other/free metadata sources?

thanks, -Scott

[LtData]

dMC currently uses FreeDB as an alternative or when AMG expires. dMC r13 is planning on implementing addition meta-data sources.

After the 3-week Reference trial expires, you do lose all Reference features but the AMG access continues until the 30-days is up.

[turnstyle]

Sorry if I seem to be asking the same question, but I'm not sure that it has been answered -- if I get reference, do I get unlimited/non-expiring MP3 encoding?

thanks, -Scott

[Spoon]

yes

[turnstyle]

Thanks -- if I get reference now, does that qualify me for dMC r13 when it becomes available?

[LtData]

Yes, but you have to pay a small upgrade fee if you want to stay at Reference, but you can upgrade to the r13 Powerpack at no cost.

[turnstyle]

I'm sorry, I find this a bit confusing!

Isn't 'powerpack' the lower priced version and 'reference' the higher priced version?

If so, what does it mean if I get r12 reference and upgrade it to r13 powerpack? Isn't that then both an upgrade (from r12 to r13) and a downgrade (from reference to powerpack) at the same time?

(I humbly suggest that you consider just offering one paid version -- the prices are so similar anyway, and it is somewhat confusing. I think you'd be better off with a single base platform, perhaps with some add-on/s as an upsell/s.)

[Spoon]

If you have R12 reference, you choices are (to R13):

install R13 and drop to power pack (reference features would go),
or upgrade reference R12 to R13, for a small fee.

[turnstyle]

Sorry, one more question (last, I hope!)...

I read on the forum that if I need to reinstall, I lose AMG support, is that right? Do you have a page up that explains this?

thanks, -Scott

[Spoon]

See:

http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?p=72552#post72552

[turnstyle]

Thanks -- let me see if I understand...

If I download your reference trial today, use it for a week, and decide to purchase a copy...

I then have 3 months to activate AMG, or I have to change my clock and then activate it -- and, either way, I would be activating the AMG service for one year as of the reference purchase date?

(sorry to be asking so many questions, but I want to be sure I understand!)

[Spoon]

3 months from purchase.

[turnstyle]

3 months from purchase to activate AMG, and then one year from purchase that AMG will work, yes?

If that's right, one more (my apologies, as I thought that was the last)...

I'll be ripping to FLAC, and just discovered this FAQ:
http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?t=12591

You mention a new version of the codecs, will I get those automatically when I download "Reference Codec Pack Release 2"?

Does that mean the FLAC ripper uses the Vorbis style tag names when ripping to FLAC, or the MP3 style tag names?

[LtData]

FLAC can use Vorbis comments or ID3v2. Change the option in dBpoweramp Configuration on the "Codecs" tab under the "Advanced Options" buton.

[turnstyle]

FLAC can use Vorbis comments or ID3v2

Is one type "more compatible" than the other? For example, will player apps look for both kinds of tags for FLAC files?

Likewise, if I want to later transcode the FLACs to MP3s, will that work with both tag types?

(now that I'm about to rip everything, I want to make sure to have the right settings from the start)

Thanks for all your answers!

[LtData]

It depends on the software/hardware you will use to play your FLAC files? I believe some hardware players want ID3v2, but it depends. Regarding transcoding, as long as dMC can read the FLAC tags, which it can if it makes it obviously, then it will encode to the tagging standards you set for mp3.

[turnstyle]

Thanks -- I mostly expect to play FLACs via player apps (most likely VLC, with Foobar2000 coming in second) -- do you happen to know which tags those apps prefer with FLAC?

When you say that some hardware players prefer ID3v2, do you happen to know of any hardware/software that prefers the Vorbis tags? (If not, then it seems best to just use ID3, no?)

-s

[LtData]

Vorbis comments would be preferable for software players, I believe.

As for players, again, I have no experience with this, so I can't answer either way. Additionally, if you put your comments in one type and you get a player that wants the other, you can just transcode your FLAC files to the other tag type. While this does involve some effort, it does mean that if you choose wrong, you won't have to re-rip.