What's the secret to faster encoding?

[jeby]

I'm batch transcoding from WAV to various formats/bitrates (typically WMA/MP3 VBR 192k ish). Is it processor speed, number of processors, memory, disk type/speed, etc? What can I do to increase the overall transcoding speed?

Thanks,

jeby

[xoas]

Re: What's the secret to faster encoding?

Conversion speed depends upon the factors you mention and more. You should have little problem and minimal delay encoding from wave files assuming that they are standard, 16 bit, 44.1 kHz, 2 channel, PCM wave files. If
Format makes a difference. Standard Ogg and Musepack tend to convert slowly (although the Ogg aoTuV codecs offer significant improvement). Greater compression tends to slow down conversion. Sometimes higher quality conversion might take longer.

2 things you can control to speed up conversion are to reduce to a minimum any programs running in the background (no net surfing, game playing etc if you want highest conversion speed); and
Assuming you have the Power Pack, set your conversion priority to "below normal", Conversion priority is set in the same window that shows the progress for the conversion of the individual files (not the window that shows the overall progress for the batch).

Other users may have some advice as well. Keep in mind that the fastest conversions may not always be the best (here I am especially thinking about ripping from cd as opposed to converting from a digital audio format). One of the advantages of batch converting is the ability to arrange for the converting to take place while you are off doing something else. Also, be sure to try working with a few tracks before trying big batches (to help identify any minor problems before they become major ones) and don't over-write or destroy your source files until you are sure your conversions have turned out ok (see this thread for a cautionary tale: http://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?t=8835 ).

Best wishes,
Bill

[jeby]

Re: What's the secret to faster encoding?

Thanks, Bill. Your insight is certainly helpful. Let's say I'm transcoding on a single P4 processor machine with 512 mb RAM and an IDE 5400k drive. Can I expect transcoding to be significantly faster using the same codec on, say, a dual P4 box with 2 Gig RAM and a SATA or SCSI drive? Apart from open programs/processes consuming system resources, what are the primary (hardware/os) factors that will affect the speed of the conversion? Would conversion be inherently faster on a Linux box with similar specs?

[xoas]

Re: What's the secret to faster encoding?

I couldn't say as my knowledge base is chiefly confined to the user side of the interface (as opposed to a programming or developing side of the interface). I am not sure about what type of demands you have for transcoding that warrant trying to squeeze a few extra milliseconds per conversion from a faster, more powerful machine. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with the question.

Spoon has indicated that the primary factor is processor speed. I'm sure that extra ram, faster drives and more efficient throughput might also help some. I doubt Linux would be any help and might be a hindrance since dMC is basically built around a Windows framework.
Of course, if you would like to send me those two systems, I'd be glad to tinker around and compare them . As it is, I don't think I could convince my wife that we need to uprade from our 1.3 gHz Celeron machine with 384 Mb ram for your dual P4 box with 2 gig ram on the basis that we could do conversions faster.

Spoon is the programmer responsible for dBpowerAMP Music Converter and the other dB programs. He would certainly be authoritative on this subject. I'm sure that higher-tech users than myself might also want to share their insights. Spoon does have plans along the lines of a professional version of dMC for commercial users (click on the Professional tab above to see what he has on hand and in mind).

Best wishes,
Bill

[LtData]

Re: What's the secret to faster encoding?

Actually, since dMC isn't multithreaded, you wouldn't gain much performance by doing it on a dual-CPU box. The amount of RAM might help some, but your IDE 5400RPM drive will hurt your performance big time. And remember, dMC is Windows only. It does work in Wine but its quirky.

[Spoon]

Re: What's the secret to faster encoding?

A multi-processor encoder is being written as I speak, could be 3-4 weeks away from completion.

With all the dual core processors these days, there is no real need to have 2 actual processors (just twice the cost / noise / heat), there are dual core P4s and AMD 64s.

Al things equal - faster GHz = faster encoding. Hard disk speed will not play any part, memory as long as Windows has free memory then will not play a part (but saying that the previously mentioned multi processor encoder uses system ram as temp so will need about 1GB).