1<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> 2<!-- Copyright (c) 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007 Josh Coalson --> 3<!-- Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document --> 4<!-- under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 --> 5<!-- or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; --> 6<!-- with no invariant sections. --> 7<!-- A copy of the license can be found at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html --> 8<html> 9<head> 10 <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> 11 <meta name="author" content="Josh Coalson" /> 12 <meta name="description" content="A free, open source codec for lossless audio compression and decompression" /> 13 <meta name="keywords" content="free,lossless,audio,codec,encoder,decoder,compression,compressor,archival,archive,archiving,backup,music" /> 14 <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="favicon.ico" /> 15 <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="flac.css" /> 16 <title>FLAC - documentation</title> 17</head> 18 19<body> 20 21<div class="logo"> 22 <a href="http://flac.sourceforge.net/"><img src="images/logo130.gif" alt="FLAC Logo" align="middle" border="0" hspace="0" /></a> 23</div> 24 25<div class="above_nav"></div> 26 27<div class="navbar"> 28 <a href="index.html">home</a> | 29 <a href="faq.html">faq</a> | 30 <a href="news.html">news</a> | 31 <a href="download.html">download</a> | 32 <a href="documentation.html">documentation</a> | 33 <a href="comparison.html">comparison</a> | 34 <a href="changelog.html">changelog</a> | 35 <a href="links.html">links</a> | 36 <a href="developers.html">developers</a> 37</div> 38 39<div class="langbar"> 40 english | 41 <a href="ru/documentation.html">russian</a> 42</div> 43 44<div class="below_nav"></div> 45 46<div class="box"> 47 <div class="box_title"> 48 using flac 49 </div> 50 <div class="box_header"></div> 51 <div class="box_body"> 52 Since FLAC is supported by so many different programs, it can be a daunting task for the new user to choose a suitable program. This page will walk you through the steps. First, choose your operating system: 53 <ul> 54 <li><a href="#windows">Windows</a></li> 55 <li><a href="#osx">Mac OS X</a></li> 56 <li><a href="#unix">Linux, *BSD, and other Unixes</a></li> 57 </ul> 58 </div> 59 <div class="box_footer"></div> 60</div> 61 62<br /> 63 64<div class="box"> 65 <div class="box_title"> 66 <a name="windows">windows</a> 67 </div> 68 <div class="box_header"></div> 69 <div class="box_body"> 70 <br /> 71 <b>Using iTunes</b>? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; <a href="itunes.html">ask Apple to support FLAC!</a><br /> 72 <br /> 73 <b>If you want to play FLAC files</b>, here is how with some popular players: 74 <ul> 75 <li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b> - Microsoft does not make it easy, but it is possible if you follow this guide: <a href="http://www.losslessaudioblog.com/wmpmce-lossless-guide/">How to add FLAC support to Windows Media Player</a></li> 76 <li><a href="http://winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp plays FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).</li> 77 <li><a href="http://dbpoweramp.com/dbpoweramp.htm"><b>dbPowerAMP Audio Player</b></a> - Install the <a href="http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-flac.htm">FLAC plugin</a>.</li> 78 <li><a href="http://www.jrmediacenter.com/"><b>Media Center</b></a>/<a href="http://www.mediajukebox.com/"><b>Media Jukebox</b></a> - Install the <a href="http://mcplugins.sourceforge.net/in_flac.html">in_FLAC plugin</a>.</li> 79 <li><a href="http://mediamonkey.com/"><b>MediaMonkey</b></a> - Plays FLAC out of the box.</li> 80 <li>(<a href="download.html#extras_players_windows">more</a>)</li> 81 </ul> 82 <b>If you want to rip CDs to FLAC</b>, here is a short list of the most popular programs. Experts generally prefer EAC for the most accurate ripping. dbPowerAMP also does a fine job and is easier to set up. 83 <ul> 84 <li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b> - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to rip to FLAC in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.</li> 85 <li><a href="http://winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp can rip to FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).</li> 86 <li><a href="http://dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm"><b>dbPowerAMP Music Converter</b></a> - Install the <a href="http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-flac.htm">FLAC plugin</a>.</li> 87 <li><a href="http://www.jrmediacenter.com/"><b>Media Center</b></a>/<a href="http://www.mediajukebox.com/"><b>Media Jukebox</b></a> - Install the <a href="http://mcplugins.sourceforge.net/enc_flac.html">Enc_FLAC plugin</a>.</li> 88 <li><a href="http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/"><b>Exact Audio Copy (EAC)</b></a> - First <a href="http://cyberial.com/flacinstaller.asp">install the official FLAC tools</a>, then follow <a href="http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=EAC_and_Flac">this guide</a>. EAC is notoriously complex so here are some other guides: <a href="http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=30959">guide</a> <a href="http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?EACBeginners">guide</a> <a href="http://www.saunalahti.fi/cse/EAC/index.html">guide</a> <a href="http://www.teqnilogik.com/tutorials/eac.htm">guide</a>. EAC can also be set up with <a href="http://www.legroom.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Open_Source&file=index&page=software&app=autoflac">AutoFLAC</a>, <a href="http://omniencoder.autobotcity.net/">Omni Encoder</a>, or <a href="http://mareo.netfirms.com/">MAREO</a> to rip to FLAC or multiple formats at once.</li> 89 <li><a href="http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/"><b>CDex</b></a> - First <a href="http://cyberial.com/flacinstaller.asp">install the official FLAC tools</a>, then follow <a href="http://www.pfarrell.com/music/slimserver/cdextip.html">this guide</a>.</li> 90 <li>(<a href="download.html#extras_gui_windows">more</a>)</li> 91 </ul> 92 <b>If you want to burn FLAC files to CD</b>, here is a short list of the most popular programs: 93 <ul> 94 <li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b> - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to burn FLAC to CD in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.</li> 95 <!-- works? 96 <li><a href="http://winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp can rip to FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).</li> 97 --> 98 <li><a href="http://dbpoweramp.com/cdwriter.htm"><b>dbPowerAMP CD Writer</b></a> - Install the <a href="http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-flac.htm">FLAC plugin</a>.</li> 99 <li><a href="http://www.burrrn.net/?page_id=4"><b>Burrrn</b></a> - Supports burning from FLAC out of the box.</li> 100 <li>(<a href="download.html#extras_burning_windows">more</a>)</li> 101 </ul> 102 <b>If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC</b>, there are quite a few programs: 103 <ul> 104 <!-- 105 <li><b>Windows Media Player (WMP)</b> - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to burn FLAC to CD in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.</li> 106 --> 107 <li><a href="http://winamp.com/"><b>Winamp</b></a> - Winamp can convert to/from FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).</li> 108 <li><a href="http://dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm"><b>dbPowerAMP Music Converter</b></a> - Install the <a href="http://www.dbpoweramp.com/codec-central-flac.htm">FLAC plugin</a>.</li> 109 <li>FLAC Frontend - A simple GUI that comes in our <a href="http://cyberial.com/flacinstaller.asp">FLAC Installer</a> for Windows. Also includes our <a href="documentation_tools.html">command-line programs</a> for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.</li> 110 <li><a href="http://foobar2000.org/"><b>foobar2000</b></a> - A swiss army knife that supports FLAC out of the box.</li> 111 <li><a href="http://mediamonkey.com/"><b>MediaMonkey</b></a></li> 112 <li>(<a href="download.html#extras_gui_windows">more</a>)</li> 113 </ul> 114 <b>If you want to edit the tags in FLAC files</b>: 115 <ul> 116 <li><a href="http://www.mp3tag.de/en/index.html"><b>mp3tag</b></a> - A free tag editor which supports editing tags, autotagging from online databases, cover art, and more.</li> 117 </ul> 118 </div> 119 <div class="box_footer"></div> 120</div> 121 122<br /> 123 124<div class="box"> 125 <div class="box_title"> 126 <a name="osx">mac os x</a> 127 </div> 128 <div class="box_header"></div> 129 <div class="box_body"> 130 <br /> 131 <b>Using iTunes</b>? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; <a href="itunes.html">ask Apple to support FLAC!</a><br /> 132 <br /> 133 <b>If you want to play FLAC files</b>, here is how with some popular players: 134 <ul> 135 <li><a href="http://cogosx.sourceforge.net/">Cog</a></li> 136 <li><a href="http://arcticlounge.com/maltx/">MacAmp Lite X</a></li> 137 <li><a href="http://www.songbirdnest.com/">Songbird</a></li> 138 <li><a href="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html">VLC</a></li> 139 <li>(<a href="download.html#extras_players_osx">more</a>)</li> 140 </ul> 141 <b>If you want to rip CDs to FLAC</b>, there are a few options: 142 <ul> 143 <li>Roxio's <a href="http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml">Toast 7 Titanium</a>.</li> 144 <li><a href="http://sbooth.org/Max/">Max</a>.</li> 145 </ul> 146 <b>If you want to burn FLAC files to CD</b>: 147 <ul> 148 <li>Roxio's <a href="http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml">Toast 7 Titanium</a>.</li> 149 </ul> 150 <b>If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC</b>: 151 <ul> 152 <li>Roxio's <a href="http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml">Toast 7 Titanium</a>.</li> 153 <li><a href="http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Audio/MacFLAC.shtml">MacFLAC</a>. Also includes our <a href="documentation_tools.html">command-line programs</a> for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.</li> 154 <li><a href="http://www.chaoticsoftware.com/ProductPages/MediaRage.html">MediaRage</a> can edit FLAC tags.</li> 155 </ul> 156 </div> 157 <div class="box_footer"></div> 158</div> 159 160<br /> 161 162<div class="box"> 163 <div class="box_title"> 164 <a name="unix">*nix</a> 165 </div> 166 <div class="box_header"></div> 167 <div class="box_body"> 168 In the Unix world, FLAC support is quite widespread and it's usually only a matter of installing packages, so here are a few pointers. See the <a href="links.html#software">software links section</a> for many more.<br /> 169 <br /> 170 <b>To play FLAC files</b>: 171 <ul> 172 <li><a href="http://alsaplayer.org/">AlsaPlayer</a></li> 173 <li><a href="http://www.giantdisc.org/">GiantDisc</a>: Linux jukebox + Palm remote</li> 174 <li><a href="http://www.mplayerhq.hu/">MPlayer</a></li> 175 <li><a href="http://muine.gooeylinux.org/">Muine</a>: a music player for GNOME</li> 176 <li><a href="http://musik.berlios.de/">Musik</a>: an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player and library</li> 177 <li><a href="http://www.videolan.org/">VideoLAN</a> client</li> 178 <li><a href="http://xine.sourceforge.net/">Xine</a> multimedia player</li> 179 <li><a href="http://www.amb.org/xmcd/">xmcd</a>: X CD player</li> 180 <li><a href="http://www.xmms.org/">XMMS</a>: X MultiMedia System</li> 181 <li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li> 182 </ul> 183 <b>To rip CDs to FLAC</b>: 184 <ul> 185 <li><a href="http://www.nostatic.org/grip/">Grip</a> is a great ripping and encoding front end and can be easily configured to use flac. See <a href="http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=45939">this thread</a> on how to configure Grip for FLAC.</li> 186 <li><a href="http://www.amb.org/xmcd/">xmcd</a> is a CD ripper with CDDB support as well as a player.</li> 187 <li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li> 188 </ul> 189 <b>To burn FLAC files to CD</b>, here is a short list of the most popular programs: 190 <ul> 191 <li><a href="http://arson.sourceforge.net/">Arson</a>: KDE ripper/burner</li> 192 <li><a href="http://www.k3b.org/">K3B</a>: CD/DVD creator for Linux</li> 193 <li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li> 194 </ul> 195 <b>To convert audio files to/from FLAC</b>, there are quite a few programs: 196 <ul> 197 <li>Official <a href="download.html">FLAC tools</a> have the command-line programs.</li> 198 <li>(<a href="links.html#software">more</a>)</li> 199 </ul> 200 </div> 201 <div class="box_footer"></div> 202</div> 203 204 205<div class="copyright"> 206 <!-- @@@ oh so hacky --> 207 <table> 208 <tr> 209 <td align="left"> 210 Copyright (c) 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007 Josh Coalson 211 </td> 212 <td width="1%" align="right"> 213 <a href="http://sourceforge.net"><img src="http://sflogo.sourceforge.net/sflogo.php?group_id=13478&type=1" width="88" height="31" border="0" alt="SourceForge.net Logo" /></a> 214 </td> 215 <td width="1%" align="right"> 216 <a href="http://www.eff.org/cafe/"><img src="images/cafebug.gif" alt="CAFE Logo" border="0" /></a><br /> 217 </td> 218 <td width="1%" align="right"> 219 <a href="http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=referer"><img src="http://www.w3.org/Icons/valid-xhtml10" alt="Valid XHTML 1.0!" height="31" width="88" border="0" hspace="0" /></a> 220 </td> 221 </tr> 222 </table> 223</div> 224 225</body> 226</html> 227
