DizRotus Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 After successfully downloading and playing the free sampler in FLAC format, I purchased Time Out, but accidentally downloaded the AIFF version. It will not play on my computer or phone. Is it possible to convert the AIFF file to FLAC? If so, how? I notice the AIFF files are larger than FLAC counterparts. What are the advantages of one format over the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Check dbpoweramp. Very nice application! You can change your default file type in hdtracks. Just login before selecting music. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted November 15, 2014 Author Share Posted November 15, 2014 I downloaded Foobar200 player on my Windows 7 computer. It will now play the AIFF file. Is it possible to play AIFF files on an Android phone with the right player? Can Foobar be used on Android? I'm still curious about converting the AIFF files to FLAC. Can someone suggest a reliable "free" conversion program that doesn't come with spyware and/or a bunch of annoying baggage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted November 15, 2014 Author Share Posted November 15, 2014 Check dbpoweramp. Very nice application! You can change your default file type in hdtracks. Just login before selecting music. What is the cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 There is a free trial. See here: http://www.dbpoweramp.com/purchase.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJIann Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I do all my conversions in Foobar2000. If it plays the AIFF files, it seems like it should be able to convert them. It will tell you to download the free FLAC frontend software it needs to do conversion to FLAC files. I convert dsp files to FLAC a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet_Hollow Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 (edited) What are the advantages of one format over the other? Yes, the FLAC file will be smaller. AIFF is the raw redbook data, which you can burn direct to an audio CD-R and play. AIFF< > FLAC is a very basic encode / decode. Any good FLAC encoder program will make short work of getting your file from one to the other. I use xACT for OSX. There are many others. Edited November 15, 2014 by Quiet_Hollow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattSER Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 You would think you should be able to download any file format any number of times after having purchased the license for that music. Makes no sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 You only get one chance with Hdtracks. Better get a backup quick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 When I first joined HD Tracks, I did the same thing as the OP and downloaded an AIFF. I notified HD Tracks and the let me download a second copy in FLAC. There are lots of free software converters also, which work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinsweber Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Not to start a WAR... but AIFFs are BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FLAC uses an algorithm to pull the used bit out and place them back. An algorithm is a computer modeled guess... it is not bit for bit accurate. Additionally, AIFFs do not need to be decoded (Processed ) in the same manner. OK... I’m really not trying to piss anyone off.. but from my exp. AIFFs have proven a higher quality source. I have yet to wade into DSD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 http://download.cnet.com/Free-AIFF-to-FLAC-Converter/3000-2140_4-76115414.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 (edited) OK... I’m really not trying to piss anyone off.. but from my exp. AIFFs have proven a higher quality source. I have yet to wade into DSD. Justin, with the higher bit rate and sampling available today, I doubt that things are audibly different with AIFF and FLAC. While DSD (Direct Stream Digital) originally was intended to make things sound better at home with 16 bit CD quality data.. It was largely replaced by 192 kHz 24 bit players that render DSD a death blow In my digital collection I have even converted some of my FLAC collection to 320 bit mp3 which are 1/10 the size and makes it nice to put on a flash drive in the car. They also leave more room on the main frame HD. I keep the FlAC files on the WD Mybook HTC pc HD for permanent storage and playback. Edited November 19, 2014 by derrickdj1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet_Hollow Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 (edited) FLAC uses an algorithm to pull the used bit out and place them back. An algorithm is a computer modeled guess... it is not bit for bit accurate. No, the compression process is like any other plain-jane lossless encoding. It is bit-for-bit because the location of every bit is never lost (hence loss-less). Divide the PCM into registers, count the zeros (or ones if you prefer) in each register, keep tabs in a global list up front and then dump the data once it's accounted for. The list (which becomes discrete) and any truncated data are smaller than the original data. So long as the list remains intact, the truncated data can be re-populated at anytime. Just like a reservation list at a big event. The larger or more exotic the list, the higher the compression with the trade-off being processor consumption on the bookends. The "algorithm" that is referred to, is the instruction set that looks at the original file and determines the most space effective way to construct the registers. Remind me again...this is 2014, right? Not 1989? Edited November 19, 2014 by Quiet_Hollow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinsweber Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Really great feedback. I still prefer the AIFFS to FLAC... no compression is ok with me. WAV are same thing... AIFFs just allow for meta data. Ive ripped all my 800+ CDs to it. I have a much much larger low res version but more often turn to my main library to maintain the SQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tromprof Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 I believe the HD Tracks website recommends FLAC for the best sound. Look under "which file format"' on their site. Wouldn't surprise me if most of their files started as FLAC files and were then converted to AIFF for those customers wedded to Apple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 You would think you should be able to download any file format any number of times after having purchased the license for that music. Makes no sense!I don't think your purchasing the license to that music, just buying a copy. That's a whole other topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.