[woodsyi]

Does anybody else notice increasing down time?  What are my other choices if I don't want to type each of my CD?

[Scott F.]

Hiya Woodsyi,

I bailed on the online version of Freedb about three days into ripping CD's. I downloaded the current DB and redirected EAC to use the DB on my hardrive rather than the net. On brand new releases I have to type in the song list but it isn't too bad.

But you're right. When I was using the online version months ago, I'd be lucky to get 70% to come through. That was way more frustrating than what I'm doing now.

[Nick B]

The concept of Freedb is nice, but the reality is otherwise. I do admit to having many obscure CD's that aren't in the database, but those that are shown tend to be mislabeled and often useless. I'm also trying to find an alternative. I use Easy CD/DA and Media Monkey and those products do work well.

[Grumpy_Git]

Personally I'd Like to find a way to use the database that WMP uses, it hasnt had many problems with my CDs so far and is a hell of a lot more accurate than freedb, I actually use its info to correct my Flacs (wmp is only used to generate all my mp3s)

Nick.

[Gordy]

I have a software program for cataloging my CD's which uses Freedb as well as four or five Amazon databases (USA, Japan, Euro etc.)...  Amazon makes a successful match nearly 100%, even with one or two day old releases!  Is it possible for you to tap into those databases?

[Thump553]

Check to see if the program you are using can rescan for Freedb servers.  Every once in a while (using EAC) I have to do this, but it seems to clear up the problem.

MediaMonkey uses Amazon databases.  Surprisingly, I don't think their information is as reliable as Freedb.  And its not uncommon for MediaMonkey to be unable to find an album that I can easily manually find on Amazon.

[woodsyi]

I am using this program per DoubleUgly's recommendation.  http://www.poikosoft.com/  It's faster and easier to encode to Flac.  The default setting is quarrying Freedb. I can manually quarry as well but the site is down.  I sure hope someone buys Freedb and revive it.  How can I set this program to use other databases? (I don't have it here)  How do you download Freedb's database when it's on-line?

[Scott F.]

Woodsyi,

Heres the link to download the Freedb database. Be prepared, its a biggun at almost 350meg. You have to download the db through one of the mirrored sites. They use 7zip as the compression program so you'll have to install the extractor too.

Freedb link
http://www.freedb.org/modules.php?name=Sections&sop=viewarticle&artid=12

Mirror site link
http://ftp.plig.net/pub/freedb/

The file I downloaded (as I remember)
freedb-win-20060801.7z

[ehart]

1. There is a commercial version of freedb -- gracenote.  it no longer uses the same db format, and devices/programs that use gracenote are supposedly contractually prohibited from also supporting the original freedb format.

2. it's no secret thaat the freedb project is in disarray right now - see their website.

3. I use the olive musica, which combines the best of both worlds.  it ships w/ the database preloaded, and also checks online for newer info.  in about 100 CD'S only one was unrecognized' and it worked a day later.  some of this stuff was quite obscure.  so I have had good luck.

4. accuracy has also been v good, w/ only 1 obvious error.

5.  freedb does have a process for submitting additions/corrections.  that's the idea - a community effort.  if you find things it doesn't have, add them!

 

[kfr01]

2. it's no secret thaat the freedb project is in disarray right now - see their website.

Wow. Yeah, a shame.  I can't believe freedb wasn't more of an open and collaborative effort.

[woodsyi]

Scott,

Thanks for the link.  42 minutes to download! With more and more down time on the server, I think it is a very good idea to have the database on your own HD.  I down loaded the extractor too.  I will work on setting all that up this weekend.  Thanks again.