FLACs in iTunes

I have been very surprised by the fact that iTunes is unable to recognize the music files of the type FLAC. This type of file appears to be the one favored by most music lovers due to the superior music quality. Although, the files are typically larger than the standard MP3 file type, I would expect the FLAC files gaining substantially in popularity in the immediate future as disc storage space is less of an obstacle today. I would hence strongly advise Apple to incorporate the recognition of these files with the capability of perhaps reformatting them to standard MP3s.

ed2345 wrote:
Strabonator wrote:
I have been very surprised by the fact that iTunes is unable to recognize the music files of the type FLAC.
It is a well-known shortcoming of iTunes.
There are also 3rd party "plug-ins" that allow iTunes to play FLAC, but since you still can't sync them to an iPod, they kind of miss the fundamental purpose of iTunes.
I (a long time ago) came up with a way to let WMP and Microsoft Media Center play Apple Lossless files, as hardware streamers like Sonos, Squeezebox, SoundBridge all support Apple Lossless this meant I could use Apple Lossless pretty much anywhere.
Unfortunately, with WMP12, Microsoft have sabotaged my efforts somewhat. WMP12 can now play AAC (.m4a) files directly and can read MPEG4 meta-tags from .m4a files. It can read the same tags in Apple Lossless files as they use exactly the same format and file extension. However even if you do (and you still can) install a codec to let WMP12 play Apple Lossless files as well as AAC files, WMP12 explicitly blocks added them to the music section of the WMP12 library, they instead end up in the 'Other' section.
This is despite them being the same file extension, the same MPEG4 tag format, and despite the fact WMP12 (with the codec) will play them. The files themselves are fine as they work in WMP11 and earlier with the same codec, and renaming the file extension from .m4a to .mp4 gets round the problem but upsets iTunes.
So far I have not found a fix for this which is clearly down to WMP12 - as an experiment I forced the installation of WMP11 on to Windows7 and everything worked fine with the same files.
However, a new possibility occurs to me. iTunes now has the ability to automatically transcode music files down to 256Kbps AAC format when syncing to iPod/iPhone/iPad devices, I actually currently do this (from Apple Lossless). So if iTunes for Windows could be made to fully accept FLAC files, and (hopefully) still will be able to automatically transcode to AAC format when syncing, then I could still have all my tracks stored in lossless format for use at home, but still be syncable to an iPhone etc.
Could you therefore detail what plugins for iTunes for Windows you are referring to?
The one I have seen in the past could not cope with the standard FLAC file format but could play FLAC compressed files in an OGG wrapper.

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(How) can I use my Airport Extreme to send FLAC files/iTunes to my stereo?

(New to this topic.) Is it possible to use my Airport Extreme Base Station to send FLAC and iTunes music files to my (ParaSound P3/A23) stereo system wirelessly?
If so, how?
(Not interested in iOS devices doing this - just, effectively, in using my 'mid-2011' 2.7 iMac (10.7.3) as a music server
TIA!

Yes, add an AirPort Express and convert FLAC to Apple Lossless and iTunes will be able to play them. VLC will not help since you need iTunes to connect to the AirPort Express and VLC will not work with iTunes.
There may be an exception to this but I've never tried it. You could try using AirFoil to connect to the AirPort Express and play your FLAC files that way but I have no guarantee it will work. AirFoil seems very flexible so it may prove to be a solution for you.
I'm not familiar with the Sonos Bridge/Connect system so I cannot comment on the quality. I understand that it is comparable to using the AirPort Express but locking at the price it seems a more expensive solution for your needs.

Future support flac in iTunes

Hi,
Since April 2004 I'm a very satisfied user of the iPod Photo 60GB and iTunes and ripped all my 1200 cd's into 320kbps AAC-files. Because I loved the way iTunes works with the iPod I was planning to buy a Macbook for next year!
Some weeks ago I bought myself an Onkyo AV-receiver with Phonar P5.5 speakers though... And now I need a lossless audio codec that is supported by iTunes, the AVR and Synology DS410, but unfortunately only WAV is supported by all 3. But the lack of an ID3-tag makes it no option for me and ALAC or FLAC got my attention.
ALAC, however, is not supported by the Onkyo-receiver and Synology-nas and I emailed them both if this will happen in the near future. Onkyo responded that they are working on it but don't know when this will be solved.
Now my questions:
1. When will FLAC be supported in iTunes?
2. And will an update for my iPod add support for FLAC (or will future iPods have it...)?
FLAC in iTunes or ALAC in receiver and nas will solve my problem and I would hate the idea of uninstalling iTunes when none of these 2 solutions will possible.
PS: It goes without saying that I'll lose the interest I have in buying a Macbook if my future lossless audiofiles are not widely supported.
PPS: I also filled in the Apple feedback form about this, but hopefully somebody here can help/inform me sooner :-)(http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html).

I'm just saying I'm just ONE user who is enough satisfied with iTunes/iPod that I'm considering buy a Macbook in stead of computer with Windows like I always did. By coincidence I received a popup on the Apple-site to fill in a survey, so if Apple is not interested in my view (or of others) then why bother asking people to fill in surveys.
Besides, I don't think I'm alone in this: With the increased bandwiths, cpu-power, almost unlimited datacapacities and increase of the popularity of DLNA I think it's time Apple start seeing that (even MS does with their support in W7)!
To say it just plain and simple: If Apple doesn't give a rat's *** about it's potential customers and their demands from a marketing point of view then they aren't worth me and others having as a customer. But I hope it never ends up like that and I can keep on using iTunes (with FlAC-support or ALAC-support from other makers).
The following reasons keep me from ripping my music into FLAC are (hopefully the marketing people of Apple take notice ):
1. Within short notice Apple implements support for FLAC in iTunes (and their iPods);
2. Within short notice Onkyo and Synology implements support for ALAC in their products.
3. I lose hope 1 or 2 will ever happen and when my 6 year old iPod dies I have no reason anymore to not start ripping my music into FLAC. The consequence though, is that the only (forget WMA-lossless!!!) lossless codec that works with DLNA doesn't work in iTunes so this program becomes unuseful. But I still want a notebook but why buy a Macbook if the audiofilesystem isn't widely supported???
PS: Again, I know I'm just ONE person, but I hope somebody important will read my comments here and starts thinking about the consequence if more people agree with me....

How can I import files FLAC in iTunes?

Hello to everybody.
I would like to import files .FLAC in iTunes and then in my iPod. How can I do it? I see that iTunes doesn't support this kind of files.
Can you help me?
Thank you very much
Stéfano - Firenze - Italy

Stefano,
No. That is frequently asked, but in fact, iTunes has never supported FLAC.
Over the years, there have been a few attempts to enable iTunes to play FLAC by means of plug-ins, such as those from Xiph. However, they (1) are not reliable or well-supported, and (2) allow iTunes playback but do not allow iPod syncing. So don't waste your time.
If you have FLAC files, you need to convert them to an audio format that iTunes can play, such as Apple Lossless or MP3. Add the converted files to your iTunes library, but keep the FLAC originals on hand for when you are using a more capable player.

FLAC for iTunes?

Is there ever going to be a day when iTunes supports FLAC without any other third party software?

StellarDust wrote:
Is there ever going to be a day when iTunes supports FLAC without any other third party software?
There have been no announcements, and we as users cannot speculate. However, don't hold your breath.

How to insert Flac to itunes on mountain lion

Hi
can someone pls. help me out? I want to insert my FLAC audiofiles into iTunes 11 on Macbook Pro running on Mountain Lion.
Thanks in Advance for good sugestions
Speedy

Try opening Audirvana and in the "Audirvana Plus" menu uncheck "iTunes Integrated Mode".

Converting FLAC to itunes

Folks,
I've purchased a Grateful Dead album, one of Dick's Picks, and downloaded them as FLAC files. I've converted the FLAC files to AIFF files using a program called XACT. Now I want to import these AIFF files into itunes and burn the tunes onto a CD.
Here's the question. How do I keep the TAGS from the original FLAC files when I burn the CD? I don't want to have to retype all the tags, but I can't figure out how to retain the tags. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bond

actually there's a shell script that will convert FLAC directly to MP3 using LAME. It will preserve the FLAC metadata and put them in the MP3 tags if there is metadata.
It does depend on having certain libraries installed, so it can be kind of advanced. But it works well once you get it working.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20040323004759816
Another version of this idea is here (haven't tried this one):
http://www.gurulabs.com/goodies/downloads.php
You definitely need LAME installed. once you get it working and in your path, you just cd to the directory of the flac files and then type:
flacmp3 *.flac
(I am using a modificaiton of the Chris R's FLACMP3 script to use LAME preset standard encoding. Here is what I'm using.)
#!/bin/sh
# flacmp3 - convert a flac file and its tag data to mp3/id3 format
# Thisscript takes in FLAC files and spits out MP3 files. If youÕve assigned
# metadata to a FLAC file (usingvctool, for example), it carries that information over to the MP3:
# % flacmp3 *.flac
# ThatÕs all it takes to do the job.
# other settings for the lame line:
#      lame -h -m s -b 192 \
# this also has the lame command deliberately put on one line
if [ "$1" ]
then
for file
    do
    if [ -e "$file" ]
    then
      flac -c -d "$file" |
      lame --preset standard --tt "$(metaflac --show-tag=TITLE "$file" | sed 's/^TITLE=$.*$/\1/')" --ta "$(metaflac --show-tag=ARTIST "$file" | sed 's/^ARTIST=$.*$/\1/')" --tl "$(metaflac --show-tag=ALBUM "$file" | sed 's/^ALBUM=$.*$/\1/')" --ty "$(metaflac --show-tag=DATE "$file" | sed 's/^DATE=$.*$/\1/')" --tn "$(metaflac --show-tag=TRACKNUMBER "$file" | sed 's/^TRACKNUMBER=$.*$/\1/')" --tg "$(metaflac --show-tag=GENRE "$file" | sed 's/^GENRE=$.*$/\1/')" - "$(basename "$file" .flac).mp3"
      mv "$file" /.Trashes/501/
    else
      echo >&2 "No such file: "$file" -- skipping."
    fi
done
else
echo >&2 "Usage: "$(basename "$0")" FLACFILE [...]"
exit 1
fi

FLAC to iTunes--best software?

There are so many versions of software that claim to convert FLAC files to ALAC for iTunes. Which do you like the best? I know that many applications are free, but I've had problems with shareware in the past.
What about the Bigasoft FLAC converter for $19.95? Do you like this one?
Any direction you can give would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

I currently use XLD most. The confusing part is most of the configuration options are in preferences rather than right in front of you, but I like it mostly becuse it will convert ot multiple formats at once. I use it for archiving my CD collection with one copy in FLAC for backup and one in mp3 for the computer and my mp3 player. It is also updated very regularly.

Converting flac for iTunes.

Is there a way to convert a flac file so I can get iTunes and my 'puter both to play it?

Have you tried searching the web for "FLAC converter for Windows"?

Convert .mp3 to tones or flac by itunes 11

i don't unsing itunes 11, i want convert .mp3 onl list music to tones or flac. thank

i don't unsing itunes 11, i want convert .mp3 onl list music to tones or flac. thank

Playing FLAC files in iTunes with Windows 7 OS.....is it possible?

Are there any apps or hacks that anyone is aware of that will allow me to play FLAC files in iTunes?
I do not want to convert my FLAC files to another format to use - it would be too difficult to synchronise the tags and song ratings from the mp3 files (or whatever formats itunes supports) back to my ''archived' FLAC files.
Yet I really enjoy iTunes' playlist functions - no other players compare. I am hoping to have the best of both worlds: FLAC and iTunes cataloguing features. A search through the web and these forums makes me think it is not possible.
Any links or suggestions? Or do I need to choose between FLAC and ITunes for realsies?

Firstly, playing Flac in iTunes is an altogether different animal than playing them on your iOS device and is something you never asked about. For that you'll need to Google "Fluke FLAC" if you're still running Lion or older. If you're running a newer Mac OS I haven't yet heard of a solution for playing FLAC in iTunes and you'll have to resort to a third party app like Vox.
For most FLAC playing iOS apps you'll add your music files via the "file sharing" section at the bottom of your Apps tab in iTunes when your iPod touch is plugged in.
As for Flac Player specifically the high price coupled with some reported problems I heard when looking into it had me steering clear so I can't offer first hand reports on THAT program.
Since it sounds like you've been longing to play FLAC on your iPod touch for quite some time I was simply offering a bevvy of options to do just that I know of, including some free ones.
Hopefully someone will stumble across this thread and chime in with feedback about THAT app specifically for you.

I have legally purchased and downloaded FLAC music files online, but iTunes will not recognise them. What can I do?

I have legally purchased and downloaded FLAC music files online, but iTunes will not recognise them. I'm working on a PC. Can anybody help, please?

Hi anniepat,
FLAC files do not run on iTunes. See this article for how to convert your FLAC files to iTunes compatible format:
http://www.bigasoft.com/articles/how-to-import-flac-to-itunes.html
Cheers,
GB

Playing Flac Converted Files via Network in iTunes

I searched the internet for quite some time, but I couldn't find anyone with the same problem: I cannot play files which I converted from .flac to Apple Lossless .m4a (with dBpoweramp) via network on a diffrent PC with iTunes. Files which iTunes ripped directly from CD to m4a work perfectly fine so I know that the issue must have its origin in the flac converted files. The iTunes which I copied the files into plays all files them fine and streams them to my Airport without errors.
Please tell me if you experienced the same or know of any solution.
Thanks!

Firstly, playing Flac in iTunes is an altogether different animal than playing them on your iOS device and is something you never asked about. For that you'll need to Google "Fluke FLAC" if you're still running Lion or older. If you're running a newer Mac OS I haven't yet heard of a solution for playing FLAC in iTunes and you'll have to resort to a third party app like Vox.
For most FLAC playing iOS apps you'll add your music files via the "file sharing" section at the bottom of your Apps tab in iTunes when your iPod touch is plugged in.
As for Flac Player specifically the high price coupled with some reported problems I heard when looking into it had me steering clear so I can't offer first hand reports on THAT program.
Since it sounds like you've been longing to play FLAC on your iPod touch for quite some time I was simply offering a bevvy of options to do just that I know of, including some free ones.
Hopefully someone will stumble across this thread and chime in with feedback about THAT app specifically for you.

Since upgrading my OS to 10.9.2 I can't play any of my existing FLAC files in iTunes. What can I do?

Since upgrading my OS to 10.9.2 I can't play any of my FLAC files in iTunes. What can I do?

iTunes has never been able to play FLAC. You may have been using a third party plugin which enabled this and you will have to check if they have updated. Alternatively the closest to FLAC in iTunes is Apple Lossless. You will have to use a third party tool such as XLD to convert from FLAC to ALE.

Flac files to iTunes

A friend recently sent me a DVD with some audio files in Flac format.
iTunes won't import these files so I downloaded a programme called Switch.
Switch won't convert the Flac files to apple lossless files. What is the best alternative that won't lead to a massive loss of sound quality?
17" Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I know a few people who have used this to convert flac files
http://www.dbpoweramp.com/
Maybe it will work better for you then Switch did.
Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7) iPod Video 5th Gen (30Gb), iPod w/Color Display

FLACs in iTunes

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