Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

[namegame]

I tried searching the forum to see if this question had been asked previously, but I wasn't able to find any other threads.

I am in the process of converting my FLAC files (ripped with EAC) into MP3 files for my iPod using the batch converter.

I have attempted two batch converts so far - one consisting of 1292 files and another consisting of 384 files. The files are located on a WD MyBook external drive attached to my media computer. During the first convert, I ran the process from my office computer which was also the destination for the converted files. Everything seemed to run fine (took a few hours). I received a couple of FLAC errors due to corrupted files. What was more alarming to me was that 6 of the files were not converted at all and I received no error messages for these files. It took me quite a while to go through and determine which files were not converted. There also seemed to be no rhyme or reason. Track 1 of one album wasn't converted... Track 5 of another... Track 2 and 3 of another... etc, etc.

I thought that maybe this was a result of running the conversion over the network. So for my second batch I ran the process directly from the media computer. Again the source was the WD MyBook and the destination for the converted files was the C: drive of the same computer. I converted 384 files. This time, 4 files were not converted. Again, randomly distributed throughout the albums. I received no error messages or indications that 4 of the file conversions were unsuccessful.

When I determine which files were missed, I have no problem individually converting them from Flac --> MP3.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this??? Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated since I have approximately 10,000 songs to convert in total and having to constantly check for these "missed files" is a real pain!

Thanks

[Spoon]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

If you try to convert 1 of the files which did not convert on its own, does it convert?

[namegame]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

Yes, in each case the "missed" files converted without a problem when I did them individually (corrupted Flac files do not seem to be the problem).

[Spoon]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

Try selecting the whole batch again and look at the list / rename button in the converter, are the missing files listed there ready for conversion? (no need to do the conversion).

[namegame]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

Just checked - Yes, all of the "missing" files are listed there properly.

[LtData]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

The "missing" files that you convert individually, are they targeted at the same place they are during the batch convert?

[namegame]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

Thanks for the suggestions - they caused me to think deeper about this problem and I think I've discovered what is happening.

All of my music is ripped using the following system: Artist Name\Album Title\Artist Name - Track Number - Song Title.flac

If I have multiple albums from the same artist (especially if it includes one or several greatest hits albums), a situation may arise where two files in separate folders have the same file name (because I did not include the album title in the file name when I originally ripped the collection).

So the converter must either be overwriting the first file when it converts the second file or just skipping the second file? Is there anyway I can stop it from doing this? When it converts the second file with the same name can it add a "2" to the end of the file name or something? Or at least is there some way I can generate a report that tells me which files it encountered with the same name and overwrote? That would allow me to quickly go back and convert those individually. I'm about to convert 10,000 files and renaming all of them to include album titles so this doesn't happen is not an option!

Thanks again for all of the help and brainstorming. dBpoweramp is a great product with great support!

[Spoon]

Re: Converter Misses Some Files in a Batch Convert

Not if using a fixed naming string, any file can overwrite another.