mp3repack
version 0.9.2 (25.5.2004)
--

introduction.
This tool is a Tracker add-on that lets you re-encode mp3 files with a another bitrate (or even other properties). The default setting will create stereo audio files with 160 kbit - this is useful if you have lots of files with higher bitrates you don't need just to listen to them.
You might think of using a tool like this when your hard drive is full :-)

requirements.
To make use of this Tracker add-on, you need BeOS R5 or up, and mp3 encoder "lame" in your path (i.e. ~/config/bin); tested with version 3.93-3.96, previous releases might also work, though. One version for BeOS can be found here:
http://www.bebits.com/app/2473

installation.
You should move the file "mp3repack" in your ~/config/add-ons/Tracker directory. The link in the folder containing this file points to that directory.

usage.
Just select the files you want to repack in the Tracker, and select the "mp3repack" add-on from the add-on list, and a status window pops up where you can follow the progress being made.

The default "lame" invocation is the following string:
	lame -b160 -h -ms %i %o
Where everything besides "%i" and "%o" (both lower-case) are standard "lame" options telling it to encode the output with good quality, 160 kbit, and stereo.
"%i" stands for the input file name, "%o" for the output file name.
If you want to change those settings, you can place a file named "pinc.mp3repack settings" in your ~/config/settings directory, which contains the whole line - have a look in the "Sample Setting" directory which contains an example which creates 128 kbit mp3 audio files.

As with other Tracker add-ons, you can select a menu short-cut by adding the "-X" suffix to the file name where X is to be replaced with the short-cut you want to use.

You can also use the tool from the command line, with a list of mp3 files to convert. Note, all files must be located on a single volume, or it won't work correctly.

history.
version 0.9.2 (5.9.2003)
	- no longer copies the BEOS:TYPE attribute from the source file, but
	  uses update_mime_info() on the new file; this allows you to use
	  other input files than mp3s, as long as lame can handle them.

version 0.9.1 (5.9.2003)
	- now doesn't rely on the parent directory Tracker supplies anymore; 
	  it does now work in query windows as well.

version 0.9.0ß (24.6.2003)
	- initial release.

author.
"mp3repack" is written by Axel Dörfler <axeld@pinc-software.de>.
visit: www.pinc-software.de

Have fun.
