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Anonymous
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I guess this will sound pretty daft to all the experts but here goes.
A couple of weeks ago, I took some good advice here and bought Wisecroft Ripper to convert Real Audio files. It seems to be working fine and I've converted a lot of stuff to WAV.
However, when I try to burn these to CD they APPEAR to have copied OK but when I try to play them back, either on my computer or stereo, I get no sound. The files look alright and when I check their Properties, they each show about 3 Mb which is just about right ,but I still can't get any sound.
My sound card is OK, so I'm pretty stumped!
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putasolutions
regular
Reg'd: Tue
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Loc: Infinity and beyond
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Did you finalise the disk?
Of all the Things I've lost, I miss my mind the most
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Puta,
I'm even dozier than you might think. I simply followed the wizard which asked me at an early stage if I wanted to "complete" the process. I answered yes and at (what appeared to be the end of the writing process) the disc ejected.
So, obviously I've missed something but don't know how to correct it.
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putasolutions
regular
Reg'd: Tue
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Loc: Infinity and beyond
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Which CD burning software are you using?
Of all the Things I've lost, I miss my mind the most
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e_me_andy
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 153
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If the files are 3mb I doubt they are in cda format. Click on a file right click choose properties. This should tell you what they are
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nirvana
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Loc: Milton Keynes
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I agreee with Hello_there, 3mb is far too small for a wav. file.
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e_me_andy
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Are you trying to give me a sex change?? I am very male!!!
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bricat
HijackThis Helper
Reg'd: Wed
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Loc: belfast
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LOL
Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm using the software that came with the CD writer (an HP 8200). It's Adaptec Easy CD Writer. I also have Ashampoo Media Player which has a burn function but whenever I try to use that, I auto default to Adaptec.
Oh, I should have said that those files are 30 Mb not 3Mb. They contain speeches instead of music, if that makes any difference.
Thank you all for your response so far.
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Barney_Rubble
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 2699
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Being the most likely suspect for having recommended Wisecroft Ripper, I don't have any problems burning to CD, and I'm using Adaptec (Roxio) software.
First of all, and in the hope of clarifying things a bit, I believe the 3MB (even though it's just been upgraded to 30MB) refers to an MP3 music file after conversion. Mine are typically about 3MB, but that's the size on my HD - not the final size on CD after burning.
In case you're doing something wrong, the process is, or should be, roughly as follows.
1 Insert a blank CD-R (NOT CD-RW) into the drive and wait.
2 Click on Audio.
3 Click (again) on Audio CD.
4 Drag and drop the tracks you want.
5 Click on the Create CD button at the top.
6 Make sure there's a tick next to the message that says close CD or something similar.
7 When the disc is first ejected, don't touch it. It will be taken back in for finishing, after which it will often open Windows Media Player and start playing.
You don't have to follow this sequence of events. You can get into Easy CD Creator in a number of ways, but this is my preferred method for an audio CD to be made in a single session.
Trouble shooting. Could it be that you've mistakenly formatted the disc as a data CD or copied the MP3 tracks as data files? If you're not sure, try following the instructions above. Also, your burn speed. Could it be that you've set it too high? I don't have much choice, being limited to 4x maximum, but perhaps your drive's newer than mine. If you think that could be the problem, try selecting something less than the maximum speed. Some people recommend that you shouldn't go over about 8x.
I don't think there's as much risk of a buffer under run as there once was, but when I'm burning a CD I don't try to do anything else on the computer. I just leave it and go and do something else.
Another point worth mentioning, especially as I had this problem only yesterday. Make sure the lens in your CD drive is clean. Cleaning discs are cheap enough, and if money's tight you can usually find them in the various £1 shops. That's where mine came from.
Hope that lot helps. If not, come back and we'll try again.
There is intelligent life on Earth, but I'm only visiting.
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Barney_Rubble
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Me again. Re-reading this thread, it seems to me that the MP3 tracks have been copied to CD as MP3s.
This suggests that they've been copied to the CD from Windows Explorer, which in turn means they're data files. Try double clicking on one and find out whether it plays.
You can't create a music CD from Widows Explorer. You have to use the "right part" of the Adaptec software. Follow the numbered instructions in my previous post (above) and you should be ok.
Finally, your problem doesn't seem stupid (or whichever word you used) to me, and probably not to anyone else here. We all know some things and not others, so never be put off asking just because you think you might seem ignorant. We all have to learn, and there's a lot I don't know. In this case I just happen to be familiar with the relevant Adaptec software, and I know how difficult things can be when you're new to them, so I try to take the trouble to explain things in a way I hope people will understand.
Hope that's got things sorted out for you.
Now it must be time for a 
There is intelligent life on Earth, but I'm only visiting.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi Barney,
Thanks for both your posts.
Well, the good news first. I did as you suggested and altered the write-rate down to x2. I then followed your steps and successfully copied a music CD. The tracks played back perfectly
However, I’m still having no joy with the files I converted from Real Audio to WAV. I checked the Properties of each file both on my hard disc and after burning with Easy CD and they still show up as WAV but NO sound when I try to play them – whether on Ashampoo Media Player (with which they automatically open), or with WMP9 or on Easy CD.
With these files I followed all your steps and after the process had completed, the disc ejected. I did as you suggested and left it (for about 10 minutes!!) but it still did not return into the drive to “finish”. All I got was a window telling me the process had completed satisfactorily. So, I pushed the disc back in, clicked the OK button on the message window and then tried to play the tracks back. Nothing.
I just can’t figure where I’m going wrong. I don’t suppose it could be because the files are of speeches, rather than music, could it?
I've gone back to the tracks on my hard disc since seeing your second post and the files say they are WAV (with about 25 minutes of dialogue on each). Is there any way other than using Properties that I can use to determine whether they might actaully be MP3 - or anything else?
I do appreciate all the time youv'e spent on this so far....but.....
HELP !!
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putasolutions
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 12472
Loc: Infinity and beyond
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The files need to be converted to cda files in order to be read by a standard cd player which would happen if you burn the cd you should burn it as an Audio CD NOT as a DATA cd
Of all the Things I've lost, I miss my mind the most
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Barney_Rubble
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 2699
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Yes. Puta's right. If you've followed my instructions the software should have converted them to .cda files, and it shouldn't matter whether the originals are .wav or .mp3.
The fact that you're getting .wav rather than mp3 though suggests that you've got Wisecroft Ripper set to convert to .wav. If you prefer MP3, just click on the appropriate button, but if you're putting them on a CD anyway, it doesn't matter. I'd stick with .wav.
In Wisecroft Ripper, have a look at the top. You've got the lightning symbol on the "convert" button, followed (left to right) by "RA to MP3", "RA to WAV" and "WAV to MP3". Next comes "MP3 Setup", which can be a bit confusing, but stick with it and you'll work it out. I'm not too good on bitrates. Obviously the higher the better, but there's no point going too high if the original isn't up to it, as a speech recording probably won't be. Probably a bit of trial and error needed here, by me as well as you, but if you convert to .wav you don't need to worry about MP3 settings anyway.
The files you've converted. I assume you're talking about the original CD, by which I mean the one you made before you asked the question. If so, you won't be able to make the disc playable in a music player.
If I'm right, they'll have been copied as data files on a data CD. If you double click on one, it will probably play, but the CD generally won't behave as an audio CD should.
We all make a few "coasters" (wasted CDs) while we're getting the hang of it. What you need to do now is make a new CD from the original .wav or .mp3 files on your HD. If they've already been deleted, you should be able to copy them back from the CD, using either "drag and drop" or "copy and paste" in Windows Explorer.
Alternatively, you could convert the original "Real Audio" files again. Wisecroft Ripper doesn't delete them (though perhaps you have?).
Either way, with the .wav or .mp3 files somewhere on your HD, follow my numbered instructions again, selecting the appropriate folder once you're in "Easy CD Creator" (as distinct from "Direct CD") and then dragging the files into the lower pane, click on "Create CD" and then on Ok, and you should be ok.
You said it didn't take the CD back in after ejecting. Mine does, but if yours doesn't, don't worry about it. Give it a few seconds, and if it hasn't taken it back, it's not going to. If it says it's finished, it is.
The tracks are about 25 minutes each. A CD holds about 74 minutes maximum (or 80 in some cases). That means you'll get two on a CD, and possibly a third if you're lucky and one of them's a bit shorter. While you're adding them to the lower pane in "Easy CD Creator", keep an eye on the bar at the bottom and the text message below it that tells you how much time (in minutes and seconds) remains unused. Don't go over the limit. It's better to have two tracks that work than three that don't.
It doesn't matter what size the files are on the HD. MP3s are smaller than .wavs, but it's the time that matters, so I'd leave them as .wavs. You won't pack more onto an audio CD by starting off with smaller files. I know that doesn't seem to make sense, but "Easy CD Creator" has to convert them to another format to put them on the CD, so it comes back to playing time.
Hope that helps. I won't be here over the weekend, but if you're still having problems, I'm sure someone will be able to help. If not, I'll have another go next week. We WILL sort this one out.
There is intelligent life on Earth, but I'm only visiting.
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pelouk
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 8
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Barney and Puta,
Hello, an here we go again.
I’ve taken careful note of what both of you guys have said and here’s the result of my most recent effort.
I went back into my hard disc, took some of the files which I originally downloaded from a radio station’s audio library ( the same source as all the others I’ve been struggling with ).
Now, I believe these are Real Audio Clips because apart from the library saying Real Player was required to download, they show up in Properties as Real Audio Clips.
Some of the files have an iq_ suffix and some show as ad_
I went into Ripper, converted them to MP3 at 64 kbps (my lowest setting), went through your step-by-step guide, Barney, and burned a couple to CD.
Process went OK, but when I then try to play the tracks back in my CD ROM, whether in Easy CD, WMP, Ashampoo or Real Alternative, they appear to be playing but I get no sound in any of the players.
I’ve checked the sound by playing a music CD in these programs and it plays alright. So, still stumped.
I’m off tomorrow into hospital for a minor op, so hopefully I’ll catch up with you later in the week.
Meantime, let me say again that it’s great to have such support from folks like you. Where would we beginners be without you.
Cheers,
P.
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Barney_Rubble
regular
Reg'd: Tue
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Alway happy to help, Pelouk, and I'm sure I'm not the only one to hope your op went well and you're on the road to recovery.
You do seem to have us stumped on this one though.
I don't quite understand the iq_ and ad_ suffixes. Perhaps there's someone else "out there" who could enlighten us both.
Real Player files usually have .ra .rm or .ram extensions, or could the iq_ and ad_ suffix be part of the filename, before the extension? I remember from ye olde Win 3x that extensions ending in _ were setup files, but that's probably just ancient history and nothing to do with your problem.
One thing you could try is double clicking on your newly-converted MP3s (on the HD) to check that they still play. In my experience some files won't convert properly, so that could be your problem.
... a radio station’s audio library ...
You've got my tongue hanging out now. Two things. First, that could be a useful resource that I'd probably like to tap into if they'll let me. Second, if I were to download a clip or ten, I could have a play and see whether I can come up with anything. Any chance of posting the URL? If you haven't got the hang of posting links, just the URL copied from IE's address bar will do.
Where would we beginners be without you
In a lot of ways I'm still a beginner. I just happen to have had a fair bit of experience with CDs, but only 2½ years ago I knew nothing at all about them, about the internet or about most of the other things I'm doing every day now, so I've still got a long way to go before I'd call myself an expert, and I'm sure you know things I don't, so perhaps next week or next month it will be you helping me. That's how this site works. We all know some of it, and we come here to learn and to share what we know.
As I've been known to say from time to time, individually we all know something, together we (probably) know everything.
There is intelligent life on Earth, but I'm only visiting.
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pelouk
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 8
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Hey Barney,
Back again and thanks for your good wishes. I'm not exactly fighting fit yet but I AM determined to crack this thing.
As to your last post, I have a feeling that the iq_ and ad_ suffixes I referred to are red herrings because all such files definitely are described in Properties as Real Audio clips.
I've pondered whether I've been using data - only blank CDs instead of audio (are there any such?) but even if I was using the wrong type of blank - and I have to admit these are 'cheapies' - I get the same results, i.e. no sound, when I burn to a CD RW and try to play back on my CD drive.
If you would like to have a go at the source I can point you at the audio library. I have to say that the content may be not to your taste since it is a Christian radio station but here is the URL I'm not sure how to how to post it as a link ).
http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/intro.asp
Just go in and choose 'All Series' and pick any file to download to Real Player (or Real Alternative which I've been using).
If you'd care to download a file or two and have a go via Ripper and Easy CD Creator, I'd sure appreciate hearing how it went. (You may even enjoy the content!).
Cheers,
P.
Edited by TheFatControlleR on 20/10/2003 23:23 (server time).
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Barney_Rubble
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 2699
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Thanks for the link, Pelouk, and I hope you'll soon be running round like a two year old again.
You ask whether there are such things as data CDs and music CDs. The simple answer is that all blank CD-Rs are the same, and in my experience it doesn't really matter whether they're cheap ones or "top of the range". You shouldn't have too many problems, and you're going to create a few coasters until you get the hang of it, so there's no point paying too much.
I wouldn't call myself a Christian, but I'm not opposed to it either, and if you really want a friend who would do just about anything for you, you could do a lot worse than meet up with a Jehovah's Witness. They get a bad press, but they genuinely believe in what they're talking about and they live according to their beliefs. There can't be many other religious organisations that actually practice what they preach.
Now you've got me going. Thou shalt not, but then they add their own exclusion clauses. Bush and Blair (er ... sorry ... I mean B-Liar) both went to "church" to ask for "His" blessing before ordering the murder of hundreds, possibly thousands, of innocent Iraqis. They'd have been annihilated if I'd been the one sitting on the cloud, which is probably why I don't have that kind of power.
Thou shalt not kill - unless they're a bunch of foreigners or they follow a different re£igion, but true followers of any religion would realise it's wrong to kill anyone.
Give me Jehovah's Witnesses any time. I don't share their beliefs, but at least they're not lying, murderous hypocrites.
Rant over. Back on topic. I'll find something to download for a test of my own (from the link you supplied), but while you're waiting, you could try double clicking on one of your converted files (on your HD) just to check whether or not the conversion to .wav or .mp3 was successful. I find conversion to .mp3 often doesn't work with low bitrate music .wavs, so perhaps the low bitrate of speech files could cause a problem.
We will get this one sorted out.
There is intelligent life on Earth, but I'm only visiting.
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pelouk
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 8
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Hi again Barney,
I tried double clicking on each file from the hard disk but still no joy.
Still can’t understand what’s gone wrong. The converted files are showing as .wav or .mp3 and are associated with my Ashampoo Player as audio files of around 33.5 MB. The Real Audio clips before conversion were around 3MB in size. I’ll wait and see what results you get.
By the way (and off topic) you’ll get no argument from me on “Thou shalt not kill.” This forum is not an appropriate venue for further discussion on religion (actually it is but I’m mindful of other people’s beliefs) though I’d be glad to pursue it off-post.
P.
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Barney_Rubble
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 2699
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Me again, Pelouk.
I think we could be getting somewhere, but if I'm right it's not the answer you wanted.
I downloaded a couple of files, but real player 8 says it " ... can't play this type of document" (???). I clicked on the "more info" button, but couldn't find anything there that helped, and that was when it crashed the computer. No cursor. No Ctrl+Alt+Del. I had to switch off.
The iq_ and ad_ suffixes you mention are actually prefixes, but that's just splitting hairs, except that it makes them part of the filename and therefore not part of the problem.
Unlike you though, I couldn't get Wisecroft Ripper to recognise them. I tried something else called "ra to wav converter", and that didn't recognise them either.
I'm a long way from knowing everything about this sort of thing, so it could be that I'm doing something wrong, but it seems to me that this type of file probably can't be converted to a usable format by any software I know, in which case you're stuck with playing them on your computer.
It could be that someone reading this will be able to advise us both, but if not, there's no raeson why you shouldn't store them on data CDs to free your HD up. It just means you can't play them in a CD player or share them with anyone who doesn't have a computer.
If you decide to do it that way, put a new CD in the drive, wait for it to be recognised and then choose "Data CD" followed by "Direct CD" (think that's right, but you should be able to work it out).
Once it's done, you'll be able to use "copy and paste" or "drag and drop" to copy the original (unconverted) Real Media files to the CD using Windows Explorer.
It's not the result you were hoping for, and there's still a chance someone will come up with a solution, but at least now we know (or do we?).
One other thing that might help. You could try asking the people whose site the files are downloaded from. Perhaps they know something we don't, or it could be that they'd be willing to supply them in a different format.
Whatever the outcome though, come back if you need any more help. That's what we're all here for, and if I don't know the answer, as I often don't, someone else will, so don't give up.
There is intelligent life on Earth, but I'm only visiting.
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