Fantastic!!! Thanks Pat. That is the best explanation and source of
information on the subject that I have ever seen.
KG6YAA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pat Tice" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: mp3
> This topic is generating quite a lot of discussion. Since I do quite a =
> lot of work with MP3 audio for Handihams, maybe I can share some of what =
> I found out.
>
> Audacity is an open-source software audio recorder that is reasonably =
> accessible, but requires a bit of work with initial setup, as you have =
> to either locate the MP3 encoder on your hard drive or download it to a =
> known directory before it is possible to export to MP3 format. The =
> encoder is called the "LAME encoder". Audacity, which is entirely free, =
> is available at Source Forge:
> http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
>
> The LAME encoder is also free and there are links to it on the website =
> above. All of these recorders are somewhat graphic in nature, and it is =
> not necessarily obvious to a sighted user like me how one would operate =
> the player from a pulldown menu. Fortunately, blind users can access =
> and use these functions anyway through keyboard shortcuts! There is a =
> helpful article here:
> http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php?title=3DAudacity_for_blind_users
>
> Once Audacity knows where to find the Lame encoder, it will not ask =
> again, so this is a one-time setup deal. After that, you can do your =
> recording and then export to MP3.
>
> Another open source project that I really like is called CDex. This =
> program is handy for extracting audio from a compact disc and turning it =
> into some other digital audio format. You can find information here:
> http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/features.html
>
> Like Audacity, CDex is totally free. I have used it for several years =
> and find it to be very useful to make a conversion to MP3 when one of =
> our volunteer readers submits a book to us in compact disc audio format.
>
> Virtually any audio format can be turned into any other audio format by =
> recording from one device into another. For example, many portable MP3 =
> players have a line input function, which means you can record audio =
> using a patch cord from the output of your computer's sound card into =
> the MP3 device. You can also record audio as it is being played by the =
> computer's sound card using Audacity. Using the Windows Mixer, you have =
> to set up the correct settings in the recording mixer, which can be a =
> bit confusing. However, anything playing audio on the computer can then =
> be recorded in real time into a digital file which you can save in =
> whatever format you deem useful. You can also reverse the process and =
> record from the MP3 player into the sound card of the computer. The =
> patch cord system is useful for turning those old cassette tapes into =
> digital audio.
>
> Textaloud MP3 is a program that will convert text, such as this e-mail, =
> into an MP3 audio file using a synthesized voice. It can come in handy =
> for a variety of applications, as you can well imagine.
>
> Overall, my experience with WMA has not been a good one. This is the =
> format used by a digital audio library service available to me through =
> my local City Library. The service is called "Net Library". Anyway, =
> using this service you can read digital books online and also download =
> audio books with a license to use them for three weeks. You can renew =
> the books after that one time for two weeks. These are the same books =
> that you would buy in audio format at a commercial bookstore. It is =
> available to all library patrons. The format is WMA, and this will work =
> only with selected off-the-shelf MP3 players. I use an IRiver player, =
> and have been able to listen to several books in this format. However, =
> problems with the license restrictions sometimes keep the file from =
> playing as it should and I spent quite a bit of time fiddling with tech =
> support before eventually figuring that this system was "not ready for =
> prime time". I figure if I, a relatively geeky ham radio operator, =
> can't make this thing work right, John Q. Public doesn't have much of a =
> chance!
>
> I never record anything in WMA at home because MP3 is the more universal =
> format. The file size with either format depends on the sampling rate =
> which can be relatively low for spoken word audio and quite high for =
> something like classical music. So you can't really say WMA is smaller =
> or larger than MP3.
>
> Each week, I record the Handiham World Weekly E-Letter and save it in =
> 24kbs MP3 audio, which is perfectly adequate for spoken word streaming =
> from the Handiham website and for the weekly podcast. The sample rate =
> you choose will depend on the application you ultimately plan for your =
> audio. The file size is smaller at 24kbs, so if someone wants to =
> download it on a dial-up connection they can manage.
>
> I hope this adds something to the discussion.
>
> 73,
> Pat
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, Manager
> Courage Handiham System
> 3915 Golden Valley Road
> Golden Valley, MN 55422
> Voice Toll-Free: 1-866-426-3442
> FAX: 763-520-0577
> TTY: 763-520-0245
> [log in to unmask]
> www.handiham.org
>
> Visit Handi-Hams on the web at http://handiham.org for our online audio =
> news, information about our program, and much more. While you're there, =
> link to www.courage.org and learn how abilities and disabilities can =
> become possibilities.
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message is for sole use of intended =
> recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. =
> Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, distribution or copying is =
> prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the =
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>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jeff Kenyon
> Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 11:28 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: mp3
>
>
> Well, the recorder I had that did MP3 files was a Murrance, and it is =
> very
> advanced, and some things you have to have sight to do with regard to
> settings, but it was one great recorder. I'm just wondering if anyone
> knows of a fully accessible digital recorder that will allow one to =
> record
> in MP3? The major drawback to the one I had to return to the state here =
> a
> while ago was the fact that for settings you needed to get sighted help.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 1 May 2007, John Miller wrote:
>
>> Actually, I haven't done a lot with wma files, but the little I have =
> done,
>> they can be the same or smaller size as compared to mp3. I don't think
>> they're too bad just finding something to play them can be. I like =
> mp3's
>> because my ipod, and my MP3 disk man will play them.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jeff Kenyon" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 12:20 PM
>> Subject: Re: mp3
>>
>>
>> > Hi Howard, what do you all think of .wma files? I just had to give =
> up a
>> > digital recorder that did MP3 for my part time job, but still have =
> my
>> > Olympia with wma, and I don't think that wma is that bad. I wonder =
> though
>> > does .wma take up more space or MP3? I can set up my recordings =
> with the
>> > Olympia for different sound fields, but I don't think wma is that =
> bad
>> > either.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Tue, 1 May 2007, Howard Kaufman wrote:
>> >
>> >> They probably will, but might need to be made at a higher bit
>> >> rate. Some players need 80 kbps or higher to recognize them. That
>> >> makes for better sound but bigger file size.
>> >>
>>
>
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