qaac encode block with large files

[jacobacci]

I am encoding my library to m4a for the car using qaac and dbpoweramp music converter.
I have five files that report "error writing audio data to StdIn Pipe [dEncoder::Encode Block]"
The files concerned are very large 24/352.8kHz flacs with a duration >16 minutes. The conversion breaks off at exactly 15:44 (there is an m4a file in the target directory of that duration).
One file is 24/192 and that one stalls at around 26 min.

This problem occurs in batch file converter and when I convert only a single file.

This problem does NOT occur when I use qaac from a windows batch file. The files convert fine and show the correct length after conversion.

Is this a known issue?

[Spoon]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

Try replacing qaac64.exe with the version you are using.

in C:\Program Files\dBpoweramp\encoder\m4a QAAC (iTunes)

[jacobacci]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

I replaced the qaac program files in C:\Program Files\dBpoweramp\encoder\m4a QAAC (iTunes) with the current 64bit files (2.69 from June 21st). Unfortunately I am still getting the same error:

Error converting to m4a QAAC (iTunes), 'F:\music\4d DSFHD_PCM\Ansermet, Ernest\Stravinsky - Le Sacre Du Printemps (HDTT) (DSF256_352.8)\01-01-The Adoration Of The Earth Part I.flac' to 'F:\music\4d DSFHD_PCM\Ansermet, Ernest\Stravinsky - Le Sacre Du Printemps (HDTT) (DSF256_352.8)\01-01-The Adoration Of The Earth Part I.m4a'
Error writing audio data to StdIn Pipe [clEncoder::EncodeBlock]

[Spoon]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

This is because to stream it to the encoder we have to decode to a PCM format and pass the size through a wave header which is limited to 4GB.

You are best to downsample the files to 48KHz or 44KHz before encoding as qaac, or use the FDK aac encoder.

[jacobacci]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

Adding a resample to 44.1kHz DSP to the Conversion settings did indeed solve the issue.
What does seem strange to me is that if I convert the original FLAC to WAV, the resulting WAV is around 2GB in size, which would be far from the 4GB limit you mentioned.

[jacobacci]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

The plot thickens somewhat. Using dbpoweramp music converter on a single file
- Conversion of the FLAC to WAV works without issue. The size of the resulting WAV is just under 2 GB
- Conversion of the WAV to qaac shows the Error writing audio data to StdIn Pipe [clEncoder::EncodeBlock]
- Conversion of the WAV using command line qaac works without issues

[Spoon]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

Some programs read wave files with a 2GB limit. dBpoweramp sends audio through pipes, which is a different read routine than reading a file directly.

[someguy925]

Re: qaac encode block with large files

Apple Application Support could be missing on your computer.

1. Download iTunes but don't install it https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64
2. (7-Zip or WinRAR is required) Right click iTunes64Setup.exe and open with 7-Zip or WinRAR.
3. In 7-Zip/WinRAR, double click AppleApplicationSupport64.exe.
4. Install it and then try converting again.