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New (final) beta of Resco Audio Recorder out with BRAND NEW,high q. MP3 & AAC support

New (final) beta of Resco Audio Recorder out with BRAND NEW,high q. MP3 & AAC support
Anyone into serious (!) audio and/or automatic phone call recording on Windows Mobile (Pocket PC only – Smartphones are NOT supported, unfortunately) knows Resco Audio Recorder, probably the best recorder application, only - in MP3 recording - matched by VITO AudioNotes (see review HERE).
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The developer of this excellent application has been continuously releasing beta versions of his forthcoming version 4. I’ve published several articles on these versions; the last is HERE. The reader is strongly asked to check out these reviews to see how for example the brand new call recording functionality works. In the current review, I only elaborate the changes.
The official “what’s new” is as follows:
New codec pack with high quality MP3 and AAC recording for higher ARM processors
Optimized version for Intel XScale devices
Automatic display off
Bookmarks visible on track bar
Bookmarks with optional text note
Automatic phone call recording works after soft reset
Gain control fixed
Bugs fixed
Yes, as can be seen, the MP3 encoder quality (which has always been the most problematic aspect of Resco Audio Recorder) has been dramatically enhanced and a brand new AAC encoder plug-in has been added, allowing for using even lower encoding bit speeds with approximately the same quality (and, for that matter, somewhat lower CPU usage, meaning better battery life).
This means using this recorder is, from now on, recommended when you want to record into MP3 - unlike with previous versions.
Installing, configuring
As opposed to the previous betas (and, of course, the old, 3.x series), you will need to download and install two files: Audio Recorder itself, and an additional codec pack. It’s the latter that has the two brand new, high-quality codecs. Both are availbale on the beta page of the 4.x series.
Note that you should ONLY install the new codec pack on XScale or TI OMAP CPU’s. It CANNOT be installed on (old; in general, pre-2003) StrongARM devices. Furthermore, it’s fully incompatible with the Samsung CPU. This means Samsung-based Pocket PC’s (for example, the HTC Trinity / P3600, the HTC TyTN / Hermes etc) won’t work at all and it’s absolutely useless to try to install the codec pack on them. They CAN be installed: the installer only stops the install process when it notices the current Pocket PC only having a StrongARM CPU. However, there are no install-time (or, for that matter, runtime) warnings upon trying to install codecpack on Samsung CPU’s. You will only see something has gone absolutely wrong when you try to switch to using the two new codecs (the old ones work without problems): then, the application will quit at once. This also means you won’t be able to restart it at all. You will need to completely uninstall the entire suite (not just the codec pack: uninstalling it will also result in the other codecs becoming totally inaccessible).
Note that you can install the two files in any order.
After the installation, select either the new AACv4I or MP3v4I encoders in the encoder drop-down list:
Note that, as far as MP3’s are concerned, it’s MP3v4I that is the new; “MP3” is still the old (and in no way recommended – not even on incompatible – StrongARM / Samsung-based – models) encoder.
Problems
Upon AAC playback, depending on the CPU speed, it starts to stutter after a while (almost instantaneously on 195 MHz TI OMAP's, in about 1.5 minutes on 520 MHz XScale and after about 4.5 minutes on 624 MHz XScale devices). This needs to be fixed as the CPU usage is linearly increasing during this time - must be a simple program bug. The developer has promised to look into the problem.
Recording stops after five minutes, unlike with previous beta versions, which allowed for unlimited recordings (and, it seems, don’t have timebombs either).
Benchmarks
As usual, I’ve made SEVERAL benchmarks and tests to see the CPU usage with the two new codecs to see their battery friendlyness, incompatibilities, usability on non-overclocked TI OMAP Pocket PC’s etc.
As can be seen, the new MP3 encoder is only a tad – about 4% - more CPU intensive than the old one. In addition, the AAC encoder takes about 14% less CPU time than the MP3 encoder and is, therefore, probably the best choice for long-time, quality recording where battery life is of extreme importance.
All in all, excellent results - kudos to Resco!
The future – Smartphone
The developer also promises an MS Smartphone version. Until then, your best choice is VITO AudioNotes (see review HERE) for quality MP3 / call recording.
Verdict
The most problematic part of Resco Audio Recorder is now fixed, making the application THE most recommended generic recorder application for the Pocket PC (unless you need the special call recording features – for example, the auto speakerphone mode – of VITO AudioNotes). Kudos to Resco!

[Tutorial]Audiophile Sound Quality in your PDA Phone MUST READ FOR MUSIC LOVER!!!

Hi, i just wanna share a little for all of you in this community especially those who use Atom Life. This trick can be applied for other phone too. Feedback are always needed. So here's the Tips & Trick :
Music & PDA Let's mix it!
There's two audio output component in your PDA, headset jack and speaker. Most of all time to reach a good SQ (Sound Quality) many of PDA user apply different setting for each output. Example : if you use the earphone then u change the EQ, SRSWow setting even the player setting itself to reach the quality you want. But after u switch to speaker (in case your friend want to know what are you hear), the sound is disaster and you have to switch it again to match the quality for the speaker.
So how about if i can give you a little trick to set the optimum setting for both speaker and earphone? It would be great...
I have do some research and of course testing to find the perfect optimum set for both.
1st Rule in music : A good music need a good player to show it's potential sound. And what player do you use? WMP is bad and suck we all know that, so what the other choice that good? I recommended you to use Nitrogen check it here. Why? Coz it's deliver a superd audio quality and better than core player. It's only use minimum ram than core player (tested on mine running Nitrogen on standby use only bout 65% while Core suck 75%). There's plugin for FLAC playback (audio lover like it ). Also it's support skin too. Make your phone more music friendly. For qvga device you view here.
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2nd Rule : You have a good music, and a good player. What's next? An optimized setting for your audio output both speaker/earphone. Where it can be done? Check out your equalizer panel (Atom life O2 Software). Disable the build in equalizer, turn it off. Now move to the WOW HD Settings (enable this). Set this :
SRS 3D Effect : 50%
SRS Center Effect : 80% (on earphone if you feel that it's not balanced you can adjust it. set it as you like 50% or more, coz everyone ear is different and unique)
SRS Focus Level : 80%
SRS Definition Level : 20%
SRS TruBass : 80%
On nitrogen set EQ to flat (or don't turn on).
This setting combined with nitrogen will give you a great audio quality gain. With large frequency range to hear more through speaker/earphone. And also a superb bass quality deep but not overpress other sound channel. Making your music more great (feel the difference test it with your favorite song).
3rd Rule and the important once if you use earphone : Buy yourself a good quality jack converter from 2,5 to 3,5mm.
So you can use a good quality earphone to listen your music.
Here's what i use MD E945 BY MDISK
Impedance : 32ohm
Speaker : 13,5mm
Sensitivity : 106db @ 1Khz
Frequency range : 10 - 25.000Hz
WHAT YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHEN SELECTING A EARPHONE IS THE CAPABILITY OF THIS PHONE TO DRIVE THE SIGNAL. (Example : you bought a high end set or earphone but it have a high impedance and therefor your phone cannot drive it signal coz there's not enought power. So it's useless.)
Another way to increase is to buy an small earphone amplifier for your phone (but it's not practical, so don't suggest it).
Also when you have a nice set of earphone, don't forget to burn in before to optimize the quality of the speaker. All About Burn in view here. And if you want to burn in your earphone download burn in wave here and view my burn in playlist.
That's all i can share, waiting for your feedback. Perhaps you can share your setting too here or audio player you use. Thanks.

[Q] anyway to boost volume ?

So I downloaded moboplayer and qq player and both can play movies fine from sd card however with ear buds and volume the sound is very weak (soft). I suspect (though not sure) some of it might be my encoding (it was ripped from a dvd on a linux box - I own the dvd so I can re-encode if that is the issue).
I've played these on my netbook and the sound is ok; a bit weak but not nearly as weak on the transformer.
-
The video plays fine from the ssd card so that aspect is working great. Some of the videos are mp4 others are h.264; the h.264 are a bit louder.

h.264 isn't a container.

The container (I believe) is avi for all of them and the encoding is mepg4 and h.264. However my issue is with the max volume and not the container or encoding (unless that impacts max volume).

ok linux is great; linux tools are great; the tool was using to rip the dvd (acidrp - which is a wrapper around mencode) allows you to set the gain. I had it set to 0 which actually decrease volume; boosting it to 2 did wonders.

There is an app in the market called volume boost. I havent tried it and am not sure if it's compatible with HC but worth a shot maybe?

Another option may be to find a media player that allows you to boost the volume. One of the reasons I like the VLC player on my PC is the ability to easily double the volume (200%) beyond the default levels of the media file.
I know there are a few variations of the VLC player on the Android Market but they don't appear to be official ports and some getting a few bad reviews. Still, if they perform a specific piece of functionality that you need, they may be worth a try. There may be other android apps out there with this same option.

Yea I use mplayer and vlc on linux; neither are available yet for HC. vlc is rumored to be out soon. Anyways I think this did the trick; will encode a couple of dvds tonight and test them tomorrow.
Xenoterran said:
Another option may be to find a media player that allows you to boost the volume. One of the reasons I like the VLC player on my PC is the ability to easily double the volume (200%) beyond the default levels of the media file.
I know there are a few variations of the VLC player on the Android Market but they don't appear to be official ports and some getting a few bad reviews. Still, if they perform a specific piece of functionality that you need, they may be worth a try. There may be other android apps out there with this same option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jake21 said:
So I downloaded moboplayer and qq player and both can play movies fine from sd card however with ear buds and volume the sound is very weak (soft). I suspect (though not sure) some of it might be my encoding (it was ripped from a dvd on a linux box - I own the dvd so I can re-encode if that is the issue).
I've played these on my netbook and the sound is ok; a bit weak but not nearly as weak on the transformer.
-
The video plays fine from the ssd card so that aspect is working great. Some of the videos are mp4 others are h.264; the h.264 are a bit louder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch...lack/9382232.p?id=1218095770265&skuId=9382232
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I hit the same issue myself, and so have already been down the same road as the OP. Obviously the best solution is to reencode your videos at a higher volme. However, I also went the other route.
I tried the Volume Boost app, but it did absolutely nothing on the Transformer. However, another app called Volume+ works well. The boost isn't huge, but it's definitely quite noticeable. You can download the app for free from the developer's website if you enable installing apps from outside the market, or you can just buy it in the market. The version I downloaded for free works for volume, but note that most of the graphic equalizer settings do nothing or have an adverse effect with the Transformer.
Hope this info's of help to someone!

Volume+ seems to work fairly well; wonder if it has a negative.
[QOTE=knoxploration;13553639]I hit the same issue myself, and so have already been down the same road as the OP. Obviously the best solution is to reencode your videos at a higher volme. However, I also went the other route.
I tried the Volume Boost app, but it did absolutely nothing on the Transformer. However, another app called Volume+ works well. The boost isn't huge, but it's definitely quite noticeable. You can download the app for free from the developer's website if you enable installing apps from outside the market, or you can just buy it in the market. The version I downloaded for free works for volume, but note that most of the graphic equalizer settings do nothing or have an adverse effect with the Transformer.
Hope this info's of help to someone![/QUOTE]

jake21 said:
Volume+ seems to work fairly well; wonder if it has a negative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just guessing, but I doubt it has much impact on speed or battery life -- it's likely just tweaking a setting under the hood. Hence probably the only negative impact is reducing audio quality if you dial it up too far (although for the Transformer, it seems even the maximum setting is conservative enough.)

volume+ kinda works...
i absolutely love moboplayer and hopefully it will implement its own volume boost

yeah using volume+ works on mine too!
what volume boost did you guys put it at?
+6 ? +7?
+8 sounds really bad lol

[HOW-TO]Convert HD/Full HD Videos Into A Compatible Format

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As you may be aware that our beloved Galaxy R is not among the best cellphones out there in terms of video playback. The native video player cannot play a Full HD (1080p) video without some form of conversion/down scaling in terms of resolution and bit-rate to a format compatible with the Galaxy R. Even 3rd party video players like MX video player use s/w decoding for such unsupported videos which leads to stuttering and skipping
Galaxy R is a WVGA device ie. it has a screen resolution of 800 x 480. So a video which has been down scaled to this resolution looks best on our device. Though it can natively play some(Not all) 720p (1280 x 720) videos, such videos are a waste of free space in my opinion because Galaxy R does not support video out(MHL) nor does it have a HD screen resolution, as such that extra resolution is wasted.
Rather what I have noticed is, down scaling a video to the native device resolution (800 x 480) with a higher bit-rate gives a much more smoother video playback (equal to or even better than a 720p video). The in-built video converter that pops-up on your computer when transferring a non-compatible video does not produce videos of the best quality because of lower quality codecs used. After researching with a few video converters I have concluded that Handbrake is the best and optimum video converter for our device with superior quality codecs plus it is a freeware:good:
How to use Handbrake for converting videos?
OR
What are the optimum settings for our Galaxy R?
1. Download the Handbrake video converter from this link.
2. Install it and open it.
3. Load the video to be converted using the Source >>> Video File button. Once loaded, Click on iPod Legacy in presets and then change the settings to resemble this: (Picture Tab)
Note: Don't forget to set the destination file name. For those of you who still want 720p videos remember to change the width and height to 1280 & 720 resp.
4. Head over to the Video Tab, change the settings to resemble this:
Note: Higher the avg bit-rate better the quality of the video. You can increase the bit-rate as per your quality choice.
5. Head over to the Audio Tab, change the settings to resemble this:
Note: Keep the bit-rate maximum for better sound quality.
6. That's it. Hit the Start button and wait for your video to be converted.
7. Transfer the converted video to your device and enjoy!!!
Note: The above settings are known to work and give optimum results.
If you are feeling more adventurous you can play with a few advanced settings like audio gain, different sound codecs, frame rates, bit-rates etc until something breaks...
If you have any queries, do post them below!
Thnx!!

The-Droidster said:
If you have any queries, do post them below!
Thnx!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great one buddy. let me try & let you know after.:good:

Nice..one.......research.....
Bt if v cld do all these steps with the help of mobile device nly...it wld b grt...
Sent from my GT-I9103 using Tapatalk 2

Hey Droidster.. Great post.. :good:
Can you post some stats.. about size reduction in the resulting video files? i mean.. if we have a 1280x720 50 mb file, how much will it reduce in size when we use your optimum settings on handbrake with 800x480 resolution?

chandanbs said:
Hey Droidster.. Great post.. :good:
Can you post some stats.. about size reduction in the resulting video files? i mean.. if we have a 1280x720 50 mb file, how much will it reduce in size when we use your optimum settings on handbrake with 800x480 resolution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It actually depends on the bit-rate that you are using. If the bit-rate is not high, then there will be a considerable size reduction. A 50 MB file would come down to 30-35 MB. But if you want higher quality...you need to up the bit-rate a bit...which leads to size increase of around 5MB per 5000Kbps.

Superb buddy..Now I felt the real HD in R

I found it interesting. ..but want some more details
Actually I got fitted a mega audio system in my car which supports 800×480 resolution and when I used handbrake for descaling some videos for the same..videos get converted but are not played on the system...win ce is the operating system and 6.2 inc is the display

Android music player review - 1. general comparison

I used many Android music players as a music lover and tested them as a member of the team that made a music player app. So I decided to write detailed reviews about pros and cons of some music players in a serial form for one who is looking for a great app. This is the first part for introduction and I will handle the sound review in the next one. I tried to be as objective as I can, but a review is a subjective one after all and my thought could not be same with your opinion.
1. Poweramp
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Poweramp is the most popular music player app. I bought it because it's highly recommended online. It provides lots of useful features and skins. You can hear the characteristic sound based on rich bass and use the sound effects like 10 band equalizer, tone, and limit. Reverb effect was also added in the recently released alpha version of Poweramp v3. I prefer its new UI of to the previous one. Although it doesn't leave nothing to be desired in the sound quality but is still a nice player for common music listeners.
*link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer
2. Neutron
Neutron is an audiophiles' favorite among the Android music players. It supports most audio formats and offers a huge number of sound features. It allows users to adjust the sound in great detail but it's too complicated to use though its UI is much better that in the past. If you refer others' settings on the internet and adjust well you can enjoy good sound but it's so tough for me to make Neutron my main player. Anyway, it's ideal for one who need various sound options and 32, 64 audio processing.
*link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neutroncode.mpeval
3. JetAudio
I often used its PC version so I also tried JetAudio app with anticipation. It provides a free basic version without a time limit while Poweramp and Neutron only provide time-limited trial versions. If you buy its pro version you can use 20 band equalizer instead 10 band and unlock the sound effects like AM3D and Bongiovi via in-app purchases. I heard its sound effects would enhance the sound quality and I bought the pro version and in-app products, but sadly, the result didn't satisfy me. I think its sound is worse than other players in this writing.
*link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jetappfactory.jetaudio
4. Rocket Player
Rocket Player is another popular Android music player and provides a free version without a time limit like JetAudio. Paid version provides preamp, 10 band equalizer, replay gain, and etc. Its volume level is quite loud and sound is decent. But it has less extremely low frequency and too much mid. Another issue is that use of 5 band equalizer causes lower volume and worse sound quality. I'm not sure whether 10 band in paid version has the same problem or not because I hesitated to buy it. If you use paid app, please let me know how it is. Rocket Player is a good choice for one who wants a free and decent player yet.
*link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrtstudio.AnotherMusicPlayer
5. PlankTone Music Player
PlankTone Music Player is a newborn app made by our team. It's not as famous as other players but I think it's worth trying, especially in the sound quality. It provides a trial version and in-app purchase is needed after the trial period. You can hear a high quality and balanced sound without complicated settings. It also let you individually customize sound effects for each song. But it is at an early stage so it does not have features like tag editing or downloading album art and doesn’t support themes and skins, and doesn’t offer various widgets now.
*link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chapter3.planktone
It’s a general review of music players and I will write a more detailed sound review next time. I will handle the sound characteristic, sound effects setting, test result with DAC, etc.