Hi, I seem to have a problem with Winamp when converting to mp3. No matter what format I'm converting from, it always seems to stop encoding exactly at the 2 minute mark. The program doesn't exactly freeze, it just stops encoding and then when I check the half-encoded file it's always no more than 2:00. Then when I click the stop button then is when the program sticks, no CPU usage or anything, just sticks. What am I doing wrong? I have Winamp v5.541. Thanks to those who help
Since out resident WinAmp pro has not answered your post I will try. Your problem may be a plug in conflict. I am clueless as to help you fix the problem other then remove all plug ins then add a plug in and convert until you see the problem. I can tell you how to aviod the problem. Use a good ripper/encoding engine! EAC is the best free ripper. I do not know of a good free converter. I use dbPowerAmp a professional ripper/converter that costs 25 USD/year. You can try it 30 days for free. I would caution you, do not convert variable quality to constant quality. MP3s are usually constant quality. Mp3s are a more serious format because most are constant quality. M4As, WMAs and all the formats that are used paid load loads are variable quality. It is like putting a square peg into a round hole. There is no good fit. Think of it like a jagged graph. The only way not to lose quality is to raise the quality as high or higher than the highest peak. For instance, convert a 128 BR M4A to an 160 cbr mp3. You may still lose some quality mut most on the tune is much less than 160 so it will not sound like a 160. That music is always tainted. The best is to use abr mp3s not cbr. A 128 m4a will make a passible 128 abr mp3. abr (average bit rate) is the only variable quality mp3 I know of. Their main use to convert variable qualities into mp3s.
