\nSo, why is it different from similar scripts? It offers support for all audio filetypes supported by iTunes and Quicktime due to the use of “mov123” by the slimserver<\/a> project. This includes Apple Lossless, AAC, Audio-CDs and standard MP3! Even audio tracks in video files can be re-encoded to Ogg Vorbis\/MP3.<\/p>\n
It also adds support for structured and flat storage. The “flat” mode writes the output files directly to the destination directory, whereas the “structured” mode writes those encoded files ordered in subdirectories similar to the way iTunes does when it is managing music files. All this can be customized by means of editing some simple options in the scripts.
\nSince version 1.2 compilations are correctly handled too.
\nVersion 1.4 introduced a feature to split up the encoding process into simultaneously running parts, which essentially is a form of multithreading. This means you can take advantage of your dual-core \/ quad-core \/ multi-CPU system when encoding large amounts of files. Read below how to configure this.<\/p>\n
Screenshots<\/h4>\n
iTunesAlternativeEncoders1.5.zip (OS X Universal)<\/a><\/p>\n This file includes statically compiled Universal binaries of the aoTuV (beta 5) enhanced version<\/a> of oggenc and mov123. Both are optimized for G4 and Intel Core. The sourcecodes are available here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>. Unzip the zip file via the Finder. Open the extracted folder. Copy the “Utilities” directory along with both scripts to your \/Users\/{YOU}\/Library\/iTunes\/Scripts<\/strong> directory, where {YOU} is your account name. You may have to create the “Scripts” folder if you don’t have any other iTunes scripts installed. Both scripts are without frills. There isn’t any UI to configure the various options (and there probably will never be). property (lame|oggenc)Options = “…”<\/strong><\/p>\n This property contains the command line options for the encoder. … Change this to whereever you want to save your encoded files by default. The thread count is set to 1 by default, which will spawn only one encoding process. While this is optimal on single-core single-CPU systems, this doesn’t make perfect use of that multi-core\/multi-CPU beast on or under your desk. ;) Once you’ve changed the properties, save the script.<\/p>\n Version 1.5 (2007-09-22)<\/strong>: Version 1.4 (2007-03-08)<\/strong>: Version 1.3 (2006-11-30)<\/strong>: Version 1.2 (2006-10-21)<\/strong>: Version 1.1 (2006-05-15)<\/strong>:![\"{iTunesAlternativeEncoders}](\"http:\/\/katastrophos.net\/andre\/blog\/wp-content\/photos\/iTunesAlternativeEncoders\/thumb_iTunesEncoders-iTunesScriptMenu.png\")
<\/a>![\"{iTunesAlternativeEncoders}](\"http:\/\/katastrophos.net\/andre\/blog\/wp-content\/photos\/iTunesAlternativeEncoders\/thumb_iTunesEncoders-Dialog.png\")
<\/a>![\"{iTunesAlternativeEncoders}](\"http:\/\/katastrophos.net\/andre\/blog\/wp-content\/photos\/iTunesAlternativeEncoders\/thumb_iTunesEncoders-TermOutput1.png\")
<\/a>![\"{iTunesAlternativeEncoders}](\"http:\/\/katastrophos.net\/andre\/blog\/wp-content\/photos\/iTunesAlternativeEncoders\/thumb_iTunesEncoders-TermOutput2.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDownload<\/h4>\n
\nDue to legal and patent restrictions I can’t supply a compiled universal binary of LAME.
\nYou’ll need to get it from the usual sources: RareWares<\/a> or Fink<\/a><\/p>\nInstallation<\/h4>\n
\nThe universal binaries are located in the subdirectory “Utilities”. By default the scripts will automatically use the binaries in that directory.
\nIf you want to use your own binaries in a different location, make sure to delete the files in the Utilities directory. Alternative you may want to edit the scripts and change the properties oggencCheck<\/em>, lameCheck<\/em>, mov123Check<\/em> to false<\/em> and specify the real locations of the binaries by setting the properties oggencBase<\/em>, lameBase<\/em>, mov123Base<\/em>.<\/p>\nConfiguration & customization<\/h4>\n
\nIn order to customize the settings you’ll need to use the AppleScript editor included with OS X. Normally, if you double-click one of the scripts, the system will open it in the script editor.
\nYou should see various properties. Most of them are self-explanatory or carry a short description.
\nProbably the most important properties are:<\/p>\n
\nThe following links will show some possible settings:
\noggencOptions<\/em> : oggenc manpage<\/strong><\/a> (recommended setting: use -q n ; don’t force a bitrate as this will probably degrade quality.)
\nlameOptions<\/em> : LAME manpage<\/strong><\/a> | List of recommended LAME settings<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\nproperty baseDestination : “Volumes:Data:Music:sorted:MobileMP3:”<\/strong> — Encoding Destination<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFor instance if you wanted to save the encoded files somewhere in your home directory, you may use something like this: “Users:{YOU}:Music:Encoded Files:”, where {YOU} is your account name.
\n…
\nproperty threadCount : 1<\/strong> — number of “threads” to split the encoding into, use this to take advantage of multiple CPUs \/ cores<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFor instance change this to 2 if you want to stress your dual-core or dual-CPU system.
\nRule of thumb is threadCount = number of CPUs \/ cores<\/strong>.<\/p>\nChanges<\/h4>\n
\n+ Fixed some tag encoding issues in the Ogg Vorbis script:
\n All tags will now be encoded in UTF-8, so Umlauts and other special characters will work okay.
\niTunesAlternativeEncoders1.5.zip (OS X Universal)<\/a><\/p>\n
\n+ support for splitting encoding up into multiple “threads” to take advantage of multiple CPUs \/ cores
\n Adjust property threadCount to a value higher than 1 to enable support. Ideally set this to the number of CPUs or cores in your system.
\n+ faster startup
\niTunesAlternativeEncoders1.4.zip (OS X Universal)<\/a><\/p>\n
\n+ Universal binary of Ogg Vorbis Encoder updated to aoTuV beta 5
\niTunesAlternativeEncoders1.3.zip (OS X Universal)<\/a><\/p>\n
\n+ made compatible with iTunes 7
\n+ support for compilations added
\n+ modified LAME script included
\n+ optimized universal binaries of mov123 and aoTuV (beta 4.51 \/ Release 1) enhanced Ogg Vorbis Encoder bundled
\niTunesAlternativeEncoders1.2.zip (OS X Universal)<\/a><\/p>\n
\n+ merged several changes from the original iTunes-LAME script 1.0.4b
\n+ automatically determines location of oggenc and mov123 (at least it tries to)
\n+ supports reencoding every media type supported by Quicktime and iTunes
\n (even audio in video files, Apple Lossless Files and direct ripping from Audio CD)
\n+ supports flat and structured storage modes:
\n * flat structure is enabled by default for all playlists except “Library” and “Bibliothek” (Library in german version of iTunes)
\n – flat structure will directly write encoded output files into the destination directory
\n * structured storage will write encoded output files into a directory structure defined by the “outdirTemplate” property below.<\/p>\n