• Fixed a problem with output directory selection causing crashes
• Begun transition to making Ogg Drop encoder only, and a Mac OS X player app is on its way!
• Fixed up dialogs and their missing stuff - menus, etc.
• At the request of many, the Genre menu now operates as it should and allows custom Genres (located in the tag editor)
• Appearance changes
• RC3 quality (VBR) and managed (static) bit rates supported - quality recommended, managed is ugly right now
• Lists now sort from top to bottom when items are dragged to them
• New about box
• Added button for tag editor on encode window
• Added status to encoder window
• Fixed a bug where Oggs were cut off by the player
• Now shipped as two distributable versions - OS 9 and OS X (the only difference are some appearance things and the player)
Requirements
This app is optimized to run on Mac OS X, but will run on any Mac OS 8.5 or higher machine that has Carbon Lib installed.
What is Ogg Drop?
Ogg Drop is a freeware application that will encode AIFF and AIFC (.aif) sound files as well as Audio CD Tracks, uncompressed QuickTime soundtracks, and System Sound files into an Ogg Vorbis (.ogg) file. Ogg Vorbis is an alternative to many other encoding formats such as MP3. It provides higher quality output, and is entirely free!
Why would I want to use the Ogg format?
Ogg Vorbis supports VBR (variable bit rate) - allowing you to encode something with a changing bit rate. If a sound is complex, Vorbis knows to encode at a higher bit rate to achieve more quality. If it is simple (such as a pause), it will encode at a lower bit rate, saving HD space without sacrificing quality.
Vorbis is free – the authors of the Vorbis codec, Xiphophorus, decided to make Vorbis entirely free to the developers/users. No ‘fines’ have to be paid in order to use the codec.
Higher quality than MP3 – see for yourself. Ogg Vorbis will provide higher quality than MP3, and supports the higher bit rates like MP3.
How do I use Ogg Drop?
Drag and drop sound files/tracks/movies onto Ogg Drop's window/icon. Make sure the sound is 16 bit, Vorbis doesn’t like 8 bit. They should be 44.1KHz, but you can use other rates. ALL CD TRACKS are 16 bit and 44.1KHz :) Choose an encoding bit rate on the Ogg Drop window. This will be the ‘average’ encoding rate, and Vorbis will encode usually within 10% of this (higher or lower as necessary). Every file you drag will appear in the Encode List window. You can remove them by highlighting them and pressing the trash can icon, or dragging the file from the Encode List window to the trash can in the Finder. Once you have all the files you wish to encode in the window, press the 'Start' button and Ogg Drop will begin.
All encoded Oggs will appear in 'The Ogg Files' folder. You can select other folders by choosing one via the button on the Encode List window. If you choose 'Reset Folder', Ogg Drop will place 'The Ogg Files' folder in the same folder as the application.
Ogg Drop now offers a basic player for Mac OS X users. To use, simply drag any .ogg file (including RC2) into the player or playlist window. Press the play button and all of the Oggs in the list will be played. Please note the player is very basic, and does not offer seeking or volume control at the moment.
IMPORTANT Changes in RC3!
This version of Ogg Drop uses RC3 libs. These libs change the encoding process. In order to get the best quality oggs, be sure to use one of the VBR options under Rate/Qlty. The managed bit rates are still there, but they do not provide as good of sound/compression in this build.
I suggest using VBR Quality 0... this offers great sound and great compression.
The Comment (Tag) Editor
You can now drop Oggs you create (or other Oggs) onto the comment (Tag) editor window. Using this window, you can either view, change or specify the details of the track/encoding. Now whenever you play tagged Oggs, most players will display the details within its window. To view the Tag Editor, just choose the appropriate item from the 'Window' menu.
Wow this is Great! Will you ever update it?
This depends on the amount of feedback I get. If you like this software and would like me to further develop it, please send me a note. Also, while Ogg Drop is free, please consider purchasing a No U-Turn product. This will help me afford to continue working on the Ogg Drop project. Feel free to let me know you purchased a product to aid in the development of Ogg Drop.
Known Bugs/Limitations
• Encoding Audio CD Tracks on OS 9 will cause a QuickTime conversion window to appear first. This is normal. I don't have the information to communicate with the CD drive directly. The solution? Either use OS X, or get a large pot of coffee...
• Currently doesn't use CDDB, but will very soon!
• Player is VERY basic and doesn't work on OS 9
Distribution
You may distribute this software free of charge. Please include this read me if you do so. If you modify it, please do not redistribute it. You may freely include this on CD-ROMs, magazines, etc. Please give credit where credit is due.
Special Thanks to Peter Joison @ www.fuzzybone.com for the cool icon!
Enjoy!
Nick D’Amato
No U-Turn Software
http://www.nouturn.com/
nick@nouturn.com
Ogg Vorbis Project
The Xiphophorus Corporation
http://www.vorbis.com/
A word from No U-Turn Software:
This software is disributed as freeware. We cannot claim responsibility for any damages caused by this application. At the time of its release, we have tested it on many machines without problems. Your results may vary. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOUR MICROWAVE SETS ON FIRE WHILE USING THIS SOFTWARE, BUY A NEW MICROWAVE, and don't use this software!
A word from Xiphophorus:
Copyright (c) 2002, Xiphophorus
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
are met:
- Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
- Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
- Neither the name of the Xiphophorus nor the names of its contributors
may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR
CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
