Hi,

I've recently discovered FLAC and I think it's a great idea. It always
amazed me how a file compressor back in the DOS era (UC2,
UltraCompressor-2) from some obscure company in the Netherlands had
the ability that no other file compressor had, and that is to identify
audio files and if those were 8-bit or 16-bit audio files, and
compress up to 30-40% on average (8 bit audio files were compressed
ever more).

So, to make a long story short, it's good to see a free, open codec
that is able to give users lossless audio compression.

When I installed Real's new Real Player 10 for linux (based on open
source Helix code) I thought both OGG Vorbis and FLAC support would be
included. It turns out that Vorbis is supported, but FLAC is not.

When I asked in the Helix mailing lists, I was told they'd be VERY
interested in seeing anyone develop a FLAC codec for helix player /
rp.

Here are the messages:

====================================
From: Ryan Gammon <rgammon@real...>
To: Fernando Cassia <fcassia@gmai...>
Cc: player-users@heli...
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 17:06:43 -0800
Subject: Re: [Player-users] FLAC support?

Nothing available to my knowledge -- help wanted, if you're interested.
====================================

From: Rob Lanphier <robla@real...>
Reply-To: robla@real...
To: Fernando Cassia <fcassia@gmai...>
Cc: player-users@heli...
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:59:38 -0800
Subject: Re: [Player-users] FLAC support?

> 1. Any reasons why FLAC format playback is still not included in Helix Player / RP10 for Linux?

Hi Fernando,

No one has written a Helix plugin that we're aware of.  If someone
were to contribute a plugin, we'd most likely include it (barring any
funky legal complications, which I wouldn't anticipate).

> 2. Is anyone aware of any plug-in available for RP10 allowing such playback ?

Nope.

Rob
--
Rob Lanphier, Development Support Manager - RealNetworks
Helix Community: http://helixcommunity.org

====================================

So, here's my "public service announcement" to the FLAC community. The
Helix / RP folks seem interested, and would include flac support, if
anyone develops such a plug-in.

I'd personally do it, but:
1. I have a mental block when it comes to the C language.
2. I'm busy with my daily work

So, consider this a friendly pointer. If anyone wants to do something
to spread FLAC and don't know what it is... well, there's some of us
who would love to see Helix Player / RP10 being able to play FLAC
content as well. :)

Thanks for the time, and I hope nobody considers this message an annoyance.

Fernando Cassia
--
"Hay dos caminos claros para mí: la creatividad
o el ridículo"
Adolfo Castelo (1940-2004)


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