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After much testing and reconfiguring, I finally got a 5.1 24/48 .flac file to play in the car! The trick is you need to set the .flac compression to '0' (zero). I tried a DVD-A converted to 24/48 .wav and then to 24/48 .flac with the compression set to ZERO and it works great. I tagged it with the song title and album name and DVD-A graphic and it all works perfectly!
ELS has been saying all along that 5.1 .flac worked but they never posted the specs required.
I used a free program called DVD AUDIO EXPLORER 2008, which will rip the DVD-Audio to 6 .wav files on your PC.
Then I used another free program called FOOBAR2000 which will convert the 5.1 .wav files to 6 5.1 .flac files. (Be sure to set the compression rate to '0')
This will give you 5.1 .flac file that will work in any 2019 RDX, 3D or not 3D. Just add the album info and graphics and you're rockin'!
(Just Google the two programs and you'll find many places to download them and user manuals or instructions. They're both very easy to use and learn.
Any suggestions for a CD drive, if using a PC to rip CDs? You guys sound pretty hard core about this stuff....i'd bet you are using better than the $30 drives that come with PCs.
Any suggestions for a CD drive, if using a PC to rip CDs? You guys sound pretty hard core about this stuff....i'd bet you are using better than the $30 drives that come with PCs.
Ripping CDs is a piece of cake. Any CD drive will do, makes little difference. You can go right from CD > Foobar2000 > stereo .flac file. Fast and easy.
I used a free program called DVD AUDIO EXPLORER 2008, which will rip the DVD-Audio to 6 .wav files on your PC.
Then I used another free program called FOOBAR2000 which will convert the 5.1 .wav files to 6 5.1 .flac files. (Be sure to set the compression rate to '0')
This will give you 5.1 .flac file that will work in any 2019 RDX, 3D or not 3D. Just add the album info and graphics and you're rockin'!
(Just Google the two programs and you'll find many places to download them and user manuals or instructions. They're both very easy to use and learn.
Are you converting the 6 indivual .WAV files into 6 .FLAC file versus 1 individual song files? I used DVD-Audio Extractor to create the 6 files from the disc
I used a free program called DVD AUDIO EXPLORER 2008, which will rip the DVD-Audio to 6 .wav files on your PC.
Then I used another free program called FOOBAR2000 which will convert the 5.1 .wav files to 6 5.1 .flac files. (Be sure to set the compression rate to '0')
So is this a two step process where Dvd Audio Explorer is first used to rip the Dvd-Audio (not Dvd Audio Extractor) to WAV. And the 2nd step is to use Foobar2000?
Since I already converted from FLAC to WAV using JRiver, I will try to convert those 50 or so 5.1 albums back to FLAC using Foobar2000 in a batch convert mode.. after doing a sample convert first. I get my car next Monday.
Are you converting the 6 indivual .WAV files into 6 .FLAC file versus 1 individual song files? I used DVD-Audio Extractor to create the 6 files from the disc
Stew,
My mistake. You will get a single 5.1 .wav file from DVD-Audio Explorer for each track/song. Put them in their own folder on your PC. You then open FooBar2000, select "Create New Playlist" which will create an empty playlist that you'll only need temporarily, then go File/Open Folder, and open the folder with the .wav files you ripped from your DVD-Audio. Your 5.1 songs will appear in the Foobar Playlist. Highlight all of the songs, then right click in the selected songs area and select "Convert" from the pop-up menu. Set your settings to "Convert to .flac", set the compression to ZERO. Indicate what folder you want the .flac files to be saved to, in most cases just save it to the same folder, then let it rip. Once you have the .flac files, you can tag them with Foobar or MP3TAG or any other tagging program. I would save the .wav files until you are sure your .flac's work.
Thanks oblio. I see an option in foodbar to convert to apple lossless. I assume that would allow the files to be saved in itunes for syncing with your phone. Could you then use the apple music apple music app and car play to play back?
Thanks oblio. I see an option in foodbar to convert to apple lossless. I assume that would allow the files to be saved in itunes for syncing with your phone. Could you then use the apple music apple music app and car play to play back?
Yes, but only stereo. Apple and Apple lossless do not currently support multichannel files.
Ahhh..So true surround...Otherwise will the sound quality be the same in apple lossless?
Apple Lossless is pretty good, but 24/48 .wav or .flac should generally be better. Although a lot has to do with the mastering of the material as well.
This thread is great and I have used the approach successfully. However, I am having occasional long beeps followed by the message ...cannot play this format... and skip to the next song. It is not consistent. I am wondering is there is a bit rate limit on playback. I have two examples which I have ripped. One is from a DVD and DTS source in it results in a 3-4K bit rate and theses play without issues. The second example is from a DVD-A and it was a 96/24 rate to begin with which I converted to a 48/24. These tracks ended up being 4-4.6K data rates. These give occasional issues. Anyone with similar experience?
This thread is great and I have used the approach successfully. However, I am having occasional long beeps followed by the message ...cannot play this format... and skip to the next song. It is not consistent. I am wondering is there is a bit rate limit on playback. I have two examples which I have ripped. One is from a DVD and DTS source in it results in a 3-4K bit rate and theses play without issues. The second example is from a DVD-A and it was a 96/24 rate to begin with which I converted to a 48/24. These tracks ended up being 4-4.6K data rates. These give occasional issues. Anyone with similar experience?
-Stan
I have had this happen as well. It appears to be random, as if it happens to a song that is playing, I can skip back and play the exact same song again and this time it will play. I think it might just be a mis-read by the MOST bus, but I really don't know. It is a bit jarring if you're really into the tune and all of a sudden you get a loud beep that sounds like a weather alert from your phone!
As for bit-rate you might be right, but everything I've done for the car so far has either been from DVD-A's or BluRay Audio's that I have dropped from 192 or 96 to 48.
I have had this happen as well. It appears to be random, as if it happens to a song that is playing, I can skip back and play the exact same song again and this time it will play. I think it might just be a mis-read by the MOST bus, but I really don't know. It is a bit jarring if you're really into the tune and all of a sudden you get a loud beep that sounds like a weather alert from your phone!
As for bit-rate you might be right, but everything I've done for the car so far has either been from DVD-A's or BluRay Audio's that I have dropped from 192 or 96 to 48.
I have done 192 to 44 as 48 sometimes does not work for me
Ripping CDs is a piece of cake. Any CD drive will do, makes little difference. You can go right from CD > Foobar2000 > stereo .flac file. Fast and easy.
Thanks for this. There was a time when I was semi proficient with tech and now that I have aged I find that I am my father.
Your information and a helpful YouTube clip have made this much easier
I have had this happen as well. It appears to be random, as if it happens to a song that is playing, I can skip back and play the exact same song again and this time it will play. I think it might just be a mis-read by the MOST bus, but I really don't know. It is a bit jarring if you're really into the tune and all of a sudden you get a loud beep that sounds like a weather alert from your phone!
As for bit-rate you might be right, but everything I've done for the car so far has either been from DVD-A's or BluRay Audio's that I have dropped from 192 or 96 to 48.
Concur. I've also concluded that it's random and not a function of the track being played. I've heard this anomaly eight or ten times in the first couple of weeks, and with each occurrence I've been able to play the same track later without any such failure. And I've also ensured that my files were ripped at 24/48.
On a somewhat-related note, I've added a couple of reference-quality surround mixes to my arsenal this week. I picked up Blu-Ray audio editions of two mid-80s classics, "Once Upon a Time" by Simple Minds and "Songs From the Big Chair" by Tears For Fears. Both are Steven Wilson 5.1 mixes, and both are highly recommended.
Concur. I've also concluded that it's random and not a function of the track being played. I've heard this anomaly eight or ten times in the first couple of weeks, and with each occurrence I've been able to play the same track later without any such failure. And I've also ensured that my files were ripped at 24/48.
On a somewhat-related note, I've added a couple of reference-quality surround mixes to my arsenal this week. I picked up Blu-Ray audio editions of two mid-80s classics, "Once Upon a Time" by Simple Minds and "Songs From the Big Chair" by Tears For Fears. Both are Steven Wilson 5.1 mixes, and both are highly recommended.
Steven Wilson is excellent, both as an artist/performer, and as a 5.1 mixer. His preference of putting the lead vocals solo in the center channel make listening to his mixes in the Acura a real pleasure, as the lead vocals are clear and come booming out of the center speaker into the windshield which makes the clarity of the vocal stand out while the rest of the mix surrounds you. Great stuff.
Steven Wilson is excellent, both as an artist/performer, and as a 5.1 mixer. His preference of putting the lead vocals solo in the center channel make listening to his mixes in the Acura a real pleasure, as the lead vocals are clear and come booming out of the center speaker into the windshield which makes the clarity of the vocal stand out while the rest of the mix surrounds you. Great stuff.
I have all of Porcupine Tree's DVD-As, love them.
Agreed about Steven Wilson's attention to detail and center channel. I just listened to Jethro Tull's Heavy Horses that he remixed to 5.1! Amazing .. too bad Aqualung is out of print and cost a fortune to get used.
I listened to that America Homecoming 5.1 album yesterday. So well done!
I have done 192 to 44 as 48 sometimes does not work for me
OK - So does 44 work consistently? Its still kind of upsetting that this is not more straight forward. I will gladly use this as a standard IF it works reliably...
If you're looking for 5.1 files to download, you can find them here...https://www.youtube.com/@5.1MusicChannel/channels The files download in 5.1 format (.mp4). They can be converted to flac (5.1 uncompressed) with foobar2000. Notable available file is Hendrix's Voodoo Child Slight Return from Electric Ladyland (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), featured in the Acura Electric commercial.
If you're looking for 5.1 files to download, you can find them here...https://www.youtube.com/@5.1MusicChannel/channels The files download in 5.1 format (.mp4). They can be converted to flac (5.1 uncompressed) with foobar2000. Notable available file is Hendrix's Voodoo Child Slight Return from Electric Ladyland (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), featured in the Acura Electric commercial.
