Looking for simple software that will convert mp2 mpa to mp3

[jimdagys]

I used Pgcdemux on a DVD to extract out the audio. The file I got was mp2/mpa (see screenshot) I loaded this file into 2 different mp3 players and it will not play. The file plays fine on the computer. So I am looking for a simple software that will convert the file to mp3. EDIT. I changed the file extension (.mp2 to .mp3) and the mp3 players would still not play these files.

[jagabo]

Audacity is free, can open MP2 files, and export as MP3.

[manono]

As can BeSweet.

[guns1inger]

ffmpeggui

[olyteddy]

WinAmp

[jimdagys]

Thanks for all the choices.

[jimdagys]

It is a good thing a lot of choices were given. Of all the free software (Winamp Pro is not free), I could only get Audacity to work (convert the mp2 to mp3). I am curious why Be Sweet did not work. I downloaded the BeSweetGUI rar and extracted to a folder and then started BeSweetGUI.exe wizard and inputed the mp2 file, selected mp3 on the output type, selected 128 on the bit rate, then hit "GO", but all that happened was an empty Be Sweet Notepad popped up. (See screenshot). I am curious why Be Sweet doesn't work.

[AlanHK]

I am curious why Be Sweet doesn't work.

Works for me

BeSweet v1.5b31 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using hip.dll v1.19 by Myers Carpenter <myers@users.sf.net>
Using lame_enc.dll v1.32 (8/8/2003), Engine 3.90 <http://www.mp3dev.org/>.

Logging start : 05/18/08 , 16:57:14.

P:\BeSweet\BeSweet\BeSweet.exe -core( -input S:\00000\Test\windowsrap_nerds.mp2 -output S:\00000\Test\windowsrap_nerds - New - [18.05.2008] - [16.57.14].mp3 -logfilea P:\BeSweet\BeSweet.log ) -ota( -hybridgain ) -lame( --alt-preset 128 -p ) 

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----                          
[00:00:00:000] |  Input : S:\00000\Test\windowsrap_nerds.mp2
[00:00:00:000] |  Output: S:\00000\Test\windowsrap_nerds - New - [18.05.2008] - [16.57.14].mp3
[00:00:00:000] |  Floating-Point Process: Yes
[00:00:00:000] |  PostGain normalize to : 0.97
[00:00:00:000] |  Source Sample-Rate: 44.1KHz
[00:00:00:000] +-------- LAME -------
[00:00:00:000] | 'abr 128' preset is used
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[00:04:34:069] Conversion Completed !
[00:04:34:069] Actual Avg. Bitrate  : 66kbps
[00:00:20:000] <-- Transcoding Duration

Logging ends : 05/18/08 , 16:57:34.

Can you make any MP3s with BeSweet?

I can't recall if you need to install Lame separately.
Do you have lame_enc.dll in the same folder as BeSweet.exe?

[jimdagys]

Yes, lame is in the program folder.

[SanderMan]

I use all2lame to do this. (http://members.home.nl/w.speek/all2lame.htm)

[jman98]

Some have claimed here that if you simply rename *.mp2 files to have a *.mp3 extension that MP3 players will play them. I have never tried this, but if that's true it would certainly be the easiest way to get them to play.

[jimdagys]

After several hours of trying, I managed to get it to work. The Wizard does not work. You must choose the "Be Sweet GUI" after you click the BeSweetGUI.exe. To convert from mp2 to mp3, click the "Mp2 to Mp3" button. (See red circle on screenshot). I looked several hours for "Start "button or something similar and so was barking up the wrong tree.

[AlanHK]

After several hours of trying, I managed to get it to work. The Wizard does not work.

Well, I don't know what's happening to you, but I used the Wizard interface and it just worked, as my above post.
I suspect some config problem.
What happens if you now change back to the Wizard interface?

[Midzuki]

jimdagys wrote:

Of all the free software (Winamp Pro is not free),

If you have WinAmp Free, Lame ACM, and the DiskWriter plugin,
you don't need to buy WinAmp "Pro".

lame --decode input.mp2 intermed.wav

lame -h intermed.wav output.mp3

jman98 wrote:

Some have claimed here that if you simply rename *.mp2 files to have a
*.mp3 extension that MP3 players will play them.

Unfortunately too many MPEG-audio decoders have been written by
"developers" whose laziness is too big to be measured.

P.S.:

The less-complicated way:

lame --mp2input input.mp2 output.mp3

[jimdagys]

AlanHK,
If I go back to the Wizard (BeSweetv1.5b31BeSweetGUIv0.7b4), even after I have confirmed that the software works perfectly using the GUI, and I haven't changed any settings, the software doesn't work. I press "GO" and the Notepad pops up and nothing happens. (See screenshot) I tried downloading another version of Be Sweet (BeSweetGUIv0.7b4) and have the same problem. I suspect this software is developed by a large company that sells software, and if some unsuspecting person uses Be Sweet, and has the same experience I have had, they will never use free software again. It is a method to make people use only software that costs money. One odd thing I noted is I can't seem to change the output (circled in red) file name. All that garbage (-New-[19.05.2008]-[11.09.29]) in the output file name seems to be created by some entity and I can't get rid of it. Also I notice that Step 3/5 is missing from the Wizard. Maybe the software developer doesn't like the number 3.

[AlanHK]

AlanHK,
If I go back to the Wizard (BeSweetv1.5b31BeSweetGUIv0.7b4), even after I have confirmed that the software works perfectly using the GUI, and I haven't changed any settings, the software doesn't work. I press "GO" and the Notepad pops up and nothing happens. (See screenshot) I tried downloading another version of Be Sweet (BeSweetGUIv0.7b4) and have the same problem. I suspect this software is developed by a large company that sells software, and if some unsuspecting person uses Be Sweet, and has the same experience I have had, they will never use free software again. It is a method to make people use only software that costs money. One odd thing I noted is I can't seem to change the output (circled in red) file name. All that garbage (-New-[19.05.2008]-[11.09.29]) in the output file name seems to be created by some entity and I can't get rid of it. Also I notice that Step 3/5 is missing from the Wizard. Maybe the software developer doesn't like the number 3.

Odd. Anyway, These are just two different GUIS for the command line, written by different people.
All freeware, no conspiracy.

Looking at the readmes, I see:

BeSweet Wizard v0.2 b1 (09.12.2003)
----------------------
Requirements:
-------------
***** All BeSweet Files Must Be in a "\BeSweet" Sub Directory of the Wizard *****
***** All Azidts Files Must Be in a "\Azidts" Sub Directory of the Wizard *****

From the command line I see in your screenshot, you haven't got BeSweet in the folder the Wizard expects.

In installed it a few years ago, so this wasn't fresh in my mind.

The GUI interface has a section where you tell it where these files are, but the Wizard is not flexible.

Actually once it's working, the Wizard is easier to use, as it guides you through the settings you need.

It is a bit silly the long name it gives output files, with a timestamp in the name, but that's a way to be sure that they are unique, and don't overwrite other versions. I just rename them afterwards.

It's very useful to see the command line the guis create. By copying and modifying that you can create a batch file for common conversions. (You can edit out the timestamp in the output then too.)

Eg, this converts MP3 (input, %1) to a wave stream:

"P:\BeSweet\BeSweet\BeSweet.exe" -core( -input "%1" -output - -2ch ) -ssrc( --rate 48000 )

It's a lot easier to do that way than try to work out all the switches from scratch.

[jimdagys]

You said,"From the command line I see in your screenshot, you haven't got BeSweet in the folder the Wizard expects."
Then how can I change this to make the Wizard work? And why is step 3 missing? Do you have that problem when you use the Wizard?

[SatStorm]

I use an older version of dbpowerAmp for this (www.dbpoweramp.com).
Works great the last 8 years. It's freeware

[AlanHK]

You said,"From the command line I see in your screenshot, you haven't got BeSweet in the folder the Wizard expects."
Then how can I change this to make the Wizard work? And why is step 3 missing? Do you have that problem when you use the Wizard?

Your command line shows Besweet.exe is in a folder called
c:\Documents and Settings..... etc

That's a strange place to put a program.
I suspect when you expanded the zip file you lost the folder structure.

So try this: create the folder c:\Program Files\BeSweetGUI
Move your files from their Documents and Settings folder, like this:

Top level should have these files:
BeSweet GUI v0.7b4.txt
BeSweet Wiz v0.2b1.txt
DD-Profiles.ini
BeSweetGUI.exe
DD-WizColors.ini
BeSweet.log
aacenc32.dll
Aac.dll
BeLight.ini
BeSweet Commandline Reference 2006-03-21.pdf



In that a subfolder called "BeSweet" with these files:

ac3enc.dll
bsn.dll
changes.txt
DD-Profiles.ini
hip.dll
lame_enc.dll
mp2enc.dll
readme.txt
shibatch.dll
soundtouch.dll
help
azid.dll
BeSweet.exe
VOBInput.dll
aacenc32.dll
Aac.dll
BeLight.exe
BeLight.ini


And in the Besweet folder, a folder called "help" with these files:

ac3enc.txt
azid.txt
boost.txt
core.html
example1.lst
example2.lst
lame.html
mp2enc.txt
ogg.txt
ota.html
plug-in.txt
shibatch.txt
soundtouch.html
SPLIT.TXT


A second folder in Besweet called "Settings" with one file:
MySettings.ini


~~~~~~~~~~
Don't worry if you don't have all these files, I may have put them there later.
Any files left over, put in the top level.

But the basic exe, dll and ini files are the most important.

Create or change the icons for Besweet GUI to point to the new locations, and in the file settings for BeSweetGUI.

[jimdagys]

After 3 days, I got it (the Wizard) to work with your directions. I am amazed that the program doesn't work "out of the box". In the
BeSweet Wiz v0.2b1.txt, there is the statement, "All BeSweet Files Must Be in a "\BeSweet" Sub Directory of the Wizard". Try as I might, I just couldn't understand what that means. This software is truly only for computer geeks.
Your clear explanation of sorting the files into certain folders solved the problem.
However, I do have another question. When I use the BeSweet GUI to convert a 5 minute file, it takes 45 seconds to convert the file. See screenshot 1 for the Gspot of that file. However, when I use the Wizard, it takes 1 minute 10 seconds to convert the same file. (See screenshot 2.) Both converted files have the same bit rate. Also see red circle that shows difference between the 2 files. I would like to know why when using the Wizard, it takes significantly longer to convert the file. Is there something I can change so that the Wizard will take the same time to convert as using the BeSweet GUI?

[manono]

To take nothing away from AlanHK's wonderful tutorial on how to use the wizard, I've never used it in my life. When I plan on doing the same thing with the same settings a whole lot of times, I'll just create a Profile to add to the already existing ones. Then I load the audio file, click on the profile, and it's ready to go.

Also, for people having trouble with the BeSweet GUI it's often recommended to switch to the BeLight GUI instead. Perhaps you'll find it more intuitive and easier to use.

[AlanHK]

After 3 days, I got it (the Wizard) to work with your directions. I am amazed that the program doesn't work "out of the box".

Well, it's freeware.

Is there something I can change so that the Wizard will take the same time to convert as using the BeSweet GUI?

There are many different options when making an MP3 file. Even with the same bitrate, you can opt for higher quality at the expense of deeper analysis (more time). That's probably what is happening.

Both Wizard and GUI will display the command line they are using. And by default this will be written into the log file (shown in the Notepad text window which pops up on completion).

Look at these and see if they are different.

Paste the command line text here if you can't work it out.

[jimdagys]

On the Wizard, I originally had cbr as "Mp3 Presets". I changed that to "None" (see screenshot) and it halved the encoding time (from 1 min 10 sec to 35 sec) with the same bit rate. Not sure what that does but it made a big difference.

[AlanHK]

On the Wizard, I originally had cbr as "Mp3 Presets". I changed that to "None" (see screenshot) and it halved the encoding time (from 1 min 10 sec to 35 sec) with the same bit rate. Not sure what that does but it made a big difference.

If you look at the command line displayed, this changes with every choice you make in the GUI.
The "MP3 presets" are lame options, which makes sense as that's the MP3 encoder.

If you look in the Besweet/help folder, you should have a file "lame.htm" which explains what these do.
Anyway, as I said, some require more analysis so so take longer. Eg, normalising.

If you can't hear any difference, and the file works, don't worry about them.