EAC Options: Difference between revisions

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#REDIRECT [[EAC Options (Legacy)]]
#REDIRECT [[EAC Options (Legacy)]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Options}}
{{EAC guides|sort=Options}}
[[Category:EAC Guides]]
{{panel|This article is intended for Exact Audio Copy v1.0 and newer. For information about EAC options in earlier versions of EAC, see [[EAC Options (Legacy)]].|color=green}}
The '''EAC options dialog''' (shortcut: {{key press|F9}}) offers several options for configuring [[EAC]] in general without focusing on drive or compression settings.
 
= Extraction =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Extraction.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Extraction''' tab]]
This tab includes settings for the extraction of audio CDs.
 
:; {{tooltip|Fill up missing offset samples with silence|When using offset correction without the drive being able to overread into lead-in/lead-out, this flag specifies if the missing samples should be filled with silence or just left out, resulting in a WAV file with some missing samples.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
{{panel|This option is hidden in '''[[#beginner mode|beginner mode]]'''.|color=yellow}}
 
This option controls whether EAC adds silence to either the beginning of the first track on the disc or the end of the last track on the disc to make it the correct length in the event that the drive is not configured as being able to overread.  Which track is affected depends on the direction of the read offset correction; a positive offset correction means the last track on the disc will be padded, a negative offset correction means the first track on the disc will be padded.
 
With this option enabled, all missing samples are replaced with silent samples so that the duration of the affected output file will be the same as on the original CD.
 
If this option is disabled and the drive is not configured as being able to overread, [[AccurateRip]] will not try to verify any tracks ripped. If the use of AccurateRip is desired, it is essential that this option is enabled.  Disabling this option can also affect whether a generated [[cue sheet]] is considered valid by some programs when it results in a track that is not the correct length.
 
:; {{tooltip|Synchronize between tracks|At track junctions EAC can synchronize between the two tracks, making sure that no pops/gaps will occur in these junctions. This works, of course, only if adjacent tracks are extracted.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
{{panel|This option is hidden in '''[[#beginner mode|beginner mode]]'''.|color=yellow}}
 
When ripping adjacent tracks of a CD and this option is enabled, EAC re-synchronizes between these tracks. On some drives, this is important to avoid pops or gaps between tracks, so there's no harm in leaving this enabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Delete leading and trailing silent blocks|EAC will cut off any digital silence before and after all tracks (and ranges) that are extracted, resulting in a file with length shorter than the original.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
If a track contains one or more complete (588-sample) blocks of digital silence at the beginning and/or the end, EAC deletes them when this option is enabled. If you're only interested in the non-silent audio data, this can be useful to enable, but this will produce WAV files which are not identical to the complete, original tracks.
{{panel|Enabling this option will prevent the use of [[AccurateRip]] to see if your rips match other people's. If your goal is to make exact copies of tracks or entire CDs, silence and all, then you should leave this option disabled.|color=yellow}}
 
This option only applies to entire blocks which are silent, so even when it's enabled, it may leave some silent samples on the ends of blocks which contain non-silence. The wave editor's silence trimming function will remove all leading and/or trailing silent samples, so it's more precise than this option.
 
:; {{tooltip|Skip track extraction on read or sync errors|If selected, EAC will, on the first occurrence of a read or sync error, skip the current track and proceed with the next one.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
With this option enabled, EAC will skip the extraction of the current track if a read or synchronisation error occurs. If there is a read/sync error during extraction, the rip can not be guaranteed to be accurate anymore. This way, you have to decide what is more important for you: If you think that a possibly inaccurate rip is better than no rip at all, then you can leave this option disabled.
 
On the other hand, if an accurate rip is most important, then this option may be enabled so that EAC skips the track when the first read/sync error occurs. When this happens, the first thing to try is to clean the CD and give it another try. When this does not work either, the only solution would be to get another (scratch free) copy of the CD and try the extraction with this one.
 
Because EAC reads every frame multiple times to find consistent data, it is still possible that a rip is accurate even though EAC reports read errors. This is because in ''Secure mode'' EAC rereads every frame 16 times and treats a frame as "correct" when 8 reads got the same data (for more details on this, see the ''Error recovery quality'' option further below). It is possible no 8 reads got the same data, so EAC will report a read error, although the most consistent data (e.g. only 6 rereads match) may be correct. Even if the data EAC keeps isn't correct, sometimes the errors will be so minor that they don't result in audible artifacts. If you leave this option disabled, then "suspicious" positions where errors occurred will be listed in the ripping summary and log file. You can listen to these positions in the ripped audio to see if you can hear any artifacts.
 
:; {{tooltip|Skip track extraction after duration longer than {{code|'' n ''}} times realtime|If selected, EAC will, after extracting a track for a given amount of time, skip the track and proceed with the next one. This is handy if error correction takes too long, making error-free extraction nearly unfeasible.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
Due to EAC's advanced reading features, the reading procedure can last very long, especially on scatched CDs (in extreme cases this can last several hours). When this option is enabled and the ripping process takes longer than {{code|'' n ''}} times realtime, the affected track is skipped. It is recommended to leave this option disabled because it is likely that EAC can rip such a track, even if this takes a long time.
 
{{code|'' n ''}} is a multiple of the track durations. For example, if you enable this option and set {{code|'' n ''}} to 4, it means you want EAC to abort the extraction of a track if the extraction has already taken more than 4 times the duration of that track. Thus, the extraction of a 2-minute track would be aborted after 8 minutes, and the extraction of a 5-minute track would be aborted after 20 minutes.
 
:; {{tooltip|After each {{code|'' nn ''}} mins of extraction, cool down the dive for {{code|'' nn ''}} mins|On difficult, error-filled extractions, it is often a good idea to pause the extraction after a specific time interval in order to prevent any damage to the CD-ROM drive.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
The extraction of scratched CDs/tracks can last very long. This could possibly stress the drive used for extraction because of a lot of movement of the laser unit. So the whole procedure could also heat up the drive. This may decrease the reading abilities of this drive temporarily. So when you notice that your ripping drive gets unusually hot during difficult and long extraction processes, then it may be a good idea to enable this option. Otherwise you should leave this option disabled, because this will possibly lead to longer extraction times.
 
:; {{tooltip|Lock drive tray during extraction|EAC will lock the CD-ROM drive tray to make sure that the user doesn't open it by accident during the extraction process. If not selected, the tray could open during an extraction, leaving EAC in an unknown state.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
With this option enabled, EAC makes sure that the CD tray is not opened accidentally while ripping. Otherwise this will always result in an aborted extraction process, so leave this option enabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Extraction and compression priory|This is the Windows priority used for extraction and compression. If you select a priority higher than Normal, EAC will work in the background without any speed sacrifices while the user works in another application.}}
:: ''(Default: Normal, '''Recommended: High''')''
 
This determines the process priority, which correlates with how much time your CPU will devote to extracting audio and (if so configured) running an external compressor during the extraction. Setting this option to ''high'' could result in slightly faster ripping, but if you are multitasking, your other applications won't get as much CPU time and might seem "choppy". So if you plan to use other programs during ripping, leave this option as it is (''normal''), or even set it to ''low'' if you find they still need more CPU. Otherwise you can set it to ''high''. What's right for you will depend on the capabilities of your computer and what other applications you're running.
 
:; {{tooltip|Error recovery quality|A higher error recovery quality will slow down extraction on read and sync errors.
There are three levels of error correction, also visible in the number of error-display rows in the extraction dialog. This only specifies how many rereads will be done before giving up.}}
:: ''(Default: Medium, '''Recommended: Low''')''
 
When an error is detected after reading a frame, [http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/en/index.php/overview/basic-technology/extraction-technology/ EAC re-reads the frame] 16 times in an attempt to get at least 8 identical results. The error recovery quality setting determines the maximum number of times EAC will do the 16 re-reads:
* Low = one batch of 16 re-reads
* Medium = up to three batches of 16 re-reads (16, 32, or 48, total)
* High = up to five batches of 16 re-reads (16, 32, 48, 64, or 80, total)
For each batch of 16 re-reads, there's a row of red error correction "lights" in the extraction status window. If no batch of 16 re-reads produced 8 identical results, EAC considers whatever data it got to be "suspicious" rather than correct. EAC continues reading the entire batch of 16, even if it has already obtained 8 identical reads.
 
Setting this option to ''medium'' or ''high'' may or may not result in a reduction of errant data in the event that re-read sets are required.  Unfortunately, errors can occur with consistency and as such, more aggressive settings can result in errant data going unreported as being suspicious.  While ''medium'' may be of some benefit to lightly damaged discs, ''high'' generally leads to diminishing returns.  A section of audio that can't be ripped correctly through three sets of re-reads is likely not going to be ripped correctly after two additional sets. It is also unlikely  that the two additional re-read sets offered by the high setting will deliver an audibly superior result. Furthermore, ignoring the additional ripping time required before EAC finishes, forcing the drive to perform additional re-read sets increases wear.  However, because EAC chooses the most consistent data over all the re-reads performed in the event that 8 identical results aren't found in any given re-read set, increasing the total number of re-reads might be of some benefit (provided that the most consistent data also happens to be error-free).  It is recommended that ''high'' be reserved for use in the event that an accurate result can't be obtained otherwise.  Correction through the CUETools database is a far more effective way to handle ripping errors than EAC's archaic method of using re-read sets which has never really worked that well on the whole.
 
= General =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_General.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''General''' tab]]
In this tab, general EAC options are included. These do not affect the quality or the accuracy of the results produced by EAC. So on most options there is no clear recommendation possible. Just adjust these options as you need them.
 
:; {{tooltip|Use alternate CD play routines|When this is selected, all CD play routines will work by extracting and digitally sending the audio data to the sound card. This has the advantage that no cable has to be installed between the drive and the soundcard.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
This option is only important for playing an audio CD using EAC. If enabled, EAC sends the audio data to the soundcard digitally. Otherwise, when this option is disabled, EAC expects an audio cable connected between drive and soundcard. Therefore, if such a cable is not installed and this option gets disabled, you will not be able to play a CD using EAC at all.
 
:; {{tooltip|Disable 'CD Autostart' for audio and data CDs while EAC running|EAC will disable the Windows CD Autostart feature so that when a new CD is inserted, Windows will not launch the Windows CD Player or start the setup program of the CD.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
{{panel|This option is hidden in '''[[#beginner mode|beginner mode]]'''.|color=yellow}}
 
When this option is enabled, the autostart for all drives is disabled while EAC is running. That means that no popups or media players are started automatically which could disturb EAC while ripping.
 
:; {{tooltip|On unknown CDs,|If a CD is inserted for which EAC has no information stored, EAC can automatically take the following actions.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
When a CD unknown to EAC is inserted in the drive and this setting is enabled, EAC can take the following actions:
 
:: {{tooltip|◯  automatically access online metadata database|The Internet CD database will be queried automatically if an unknown CD is inserted. Of course, the EAC Internet options must be set correctly beforehand.}}
EAC tries to find CD information in the online metadata database automatically as specified in the [[EAC Metadata Options|Metadata Options]] {{key press|F12}}.
 
:: {{tooltip|◯  open CD information dialog|On an unknown CD, EAC will pop up its CD information dialog, wherein the user can easily enter all necessary CD information.}}
With this option enabled, a pop up is presented to the user where the CD information can be inserted manually.
It doesn't matter what setting you use; it's your choice. If you leave it disabled, you can always enter data manually right in the main window, or get disc info from an online metadata database via a menu selection or keyboard shortcut {{key press|Alt|G}}.
 
:; {{tooltip|Display times using frames|It is possible to display the time information in the main window in two different formats: either as hundredths of seconds or as 1/75 seconds (frames), which are more native to the CD. The frame display is always exact, whereas hundredths of seconds will be rounded.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
{{panel|This option is hidden in '''[[#beginner mode|beginner mode]]'''.|color=yellow}}
This option just affects how times are displayed in the main window. A track's start or length will use the format H:MM:SS.##, where ## depends on how this option is set. If you use frames, then the last two digits are an exact number of frames, in a range of 00 to 74, because there are 75 frames per second. Otherwise, the last two digits are an approximate number of hundredths of seconds, in a range of 00 to 99. Time information in frames is generally more native to CDs, whereas the display of hundredths of seconds is likely to be rounded and not really exact. Therefore, it's recommended to enable this setting so that the times are displayed in frames.
 
:; {{tooltip|Ask before overwriting files|If a file already exists with the same filename as the track to be extracted from the CD, EAC can ask if the file should be overwritten or just overwrite it without asking.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
When enabled, EAC will always ask if existing files should be overwritten. To be sure that no important files are overwritten, this option should be left enabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Correct bug of wrong filename order in Windows multiple file dialog|The Windows file selection box has a strange behavior that occurs when selecting multiple files, in which the first and last selected tracks are exchanged. This function will correct this by exchanging both files again.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
The Windows file selection box sometimes has a strange behavior to exchange the first and last track when multiple files are selected. Leave this option enabled to make sure EAC automatically corrects the file order.
 
:; <span id="show_status" />{{tooltip|Show status dialog after extraction|Here you can select if, after extraction, EAC should show the Extraction Status dialog with information on read errors and quality.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
Enabling this setting lets EAC show a status dialog after extraction. Because this dialog can give you some important information and the opportunity to hear & attempt repairs of glitches in tracks that didn't rip cleanly, you should leave this option enabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Beep after extraction finished|After extraction is finished EAC can perform a Windows beep.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
When enabled, EAC will beep (PC speaker) when extraction is finished. When you do not want to sit in front of your PC while ripping, this option may come in handy.
 
:; {{tooltip|Eject CD after extraction finished|It is possible to eject the CD automatically after extraction is finished.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
When enabled, EAC will eject the CD automatically when the extraction finished. When you move away from your PC while ripping, it may be a good idea to leave this option disabled.
 
:; On extraction offer the possibility to
:: {{tooltip|◯  shut down computer|If selected, EAC will shut down the computer after an extraction has finished.}}
When selected, EAC will shut down the computer after an extraction has finished.
 
:: {{tooltip|◯  restart computer|If selected, EAC will reset the computer in order to start up anew with a clean environment.}}
When selected, EAC will restart the computer after an extraction has finished.
 
:: {{tooltip|◯  hibernate computer|If selected, EAC will let the computer hibernate (Hibernation - S4 Sleep State), so that it can be started up again very fast.}}
When selected, EAC will let the computer hibernate (S4 Hibernation Power State) after an extraction has finished.
 
:; wait for external compressors
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
This option specifies if the shutdown, restart, or hibernate process should wait for any active external compressors when the power down feature in the extraction dialog is ticked. You should always leave this option enabled, because otherwise any external compressor can not finish its work before the shutdown/restart process.
 
:; {{tooltip|EAC language selection|It is possible to have EAC localized in your own language. All texts within EAC are translated for easier access to most functions for persons unfamiliar with the English language. If your language is not listed here, perhaps the translation is in progress. Look on the EAC page for recent translations.}}
:: Use language
 
This option controls the language settings of EAC. If there is a language setting available which equals the language of the operating system, this language is automatically selected at the first start of EAC.
 
:: {{tooltip|'''Create log files always in engish language'''|For exchanging extraction log files with people from various countries, it would be helpful if these log files are always written in english language independently of the chosen language for the rest of the EAC application.}}
 
If you plan to share your extraction log files with others, it would be helpful if log files are always written in the same language. When enabled, this setting create extraction log files in the English language independently of the chosen language for the rest of the EAC application.
 
= Tools =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Tools.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Tools''' tab]]
Here the generation of [[Cue_sheet|CUE sheets]], playlists and log files is configured. There are also settings available affecting the behavior of an external compressor.
 
:; {{tooltip|Retrieve UPC/ISRC codes in CUE sheet generation|On automatically generating a CUE sheet for a CD, it is possible to add also its UPC and ISRCs. On the other hand, this could be quite time-consuming on some CDs.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
When generating CUE sheets for a CD and this option is enabled, [[wikipedia:Universal_Product_Code|UPC]] (Universal Product Code = barcode) and [[wikipedia:Isrc|ISRC]] (International Standard Recording Code) codes are extracted from the CD and added to the CUE file. It can be quite time-consuming extracting this information from a CD, and some CDs do not contain such information at all. But to collect as much information as possible from the CD, such as for archiving, this option should be enabled.
 
Note that this feature of EAC is reported not to work correctly with some drives. If you plan to let EAC create CUE sheets with UPC/ISRC, you should test this feature with your drive. Just open a generated CUE sheet with a text reader (e.g. Notepad) and check the information stated.
 
:; {{tooltip|Use CD-Text information in CUE sheet generation|Add PERFORMER and TITLE to CUE sheets that are created. If the program and writer support CD-Text, these data will be written automatically to the CD. These data are taken from the main window and from the CD Information dialog.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
This will add TITLE and PERFORMER tags to the generated CUE sheet as displayed in EAC's main window. Although EAC will attempt to extract CD-Text when a disc is loaded (provided your drive is capable and is configured as such), the information in EAC's main window can also be edited or entered manually or can come from an online database.  As a consequence, this information won't necessarily reflect what is found on the CD.  Considering that many CDs don't actually contain CD-Text, purists might consider configuring this setting on a per-disc basis.
 
:; {{tooltip|Create '.m3u' playlist on extraction|If selected, EAC will automatically write an '.m3u' playlist to the chosen directory, with its filename generated from the CD name. Only tracks selected for extraction will be listed in this file.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
When enabled, EAC will automatically create an .m3u playlist file which contains all selected tracks for this extraction. This comes in handy if you use your PC as primary source where most media players can use these playlist files.
 
:: {{tooltip|Write m3u playlist with extended information|A few players will read extended information from the .m3u file, including length, title, and more. These additional data are inserted as comments; nevertheless, some players do not like comments in the playlist, so you can disable this feature for compatibility reasons.}}
::: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
{{panel|This option is greyed out until you enable the option ''Create '.m3u' playlist on extraction'' (see above).}}
If enabled, EAC adds extended information (length, title and more) to the playlist file. All additional information are added as comments. If your media player can not handle these comments correctly, you should disable this option, otherwise leave it enabled.
:: {{tooltip|Write m3u playlist as UTF8 file (compatible e.g. with Winamp)|This will enable EAC to write the m3u playlist as UTF8 encoded file. That way, all Unicode characters can be used for the included filenames and titles - otherwise Multichar will still be used. The disadvantage of  UTF8 m3u files is that some players will not accept them, so test beforehand whether your player supports UTF8 encoded m3u files.}}
 
{{panel|This option is greyed out until you enable the option ''Create '.m3u' playlist on extraction'' (see above).}}
 
:; {{tooltip|Automatically write status report after extraction|After extraction has finished, it is possible to automatically save the status information to a file, with the filename generated from the CD title.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
When enabled, EAC automatically writes a log file after extraction in the same directory as the extracted files. To be able to comprehend the extraction process of a certain CD, it may be a good idea to save these log files. However, even if this option is disabled, it is still possible to save a log file from the status dialog after extraction. This requires the corresponding option ''[[#show status|Show status dialog after extraction]]'') to be enabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Append checksum to status report|Sometimes it might be necessary or wanted to be able to check the integrity of the log files, to make sure that all values and CRC checksums are unmodified (e.g. by bad media). If this flag is set, EAC will write a checksum over the log information at the end of each log. With the help of a tool that comes with EAC it is possible to verity the log information within a given log file.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
With this setting enabled, EAC will write a checksum at the end of each extraction log. There is a tool that comes with EAC (CheckLog.exe) that allows you to verity the integrity of the extraction log file.
If a CRC checksum or other value is modifided, the integrity check will fail.
 
:; {{tooltip|Convert BMP image files automatically to JPG|If a cover image of the BMP format (which is uncompressed, thus usually very large) is loaded (or drag'n'dropped], EAC will compress it with a high quality JPG compression. This flag allows EAC to use and store the JPG instead of the BMP image file, but only if the JPG is 20% smaller than the original file. If the file is not BMP, always the original file is stored by EAC, independent of its size.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
With this setting enabled, EAC will automatically convert BMP (uncompressed, so usually very large) cover image files to high quality compressed JPG but only if the JPG is 20% smaller than the original BMP file. This setting applies to BMP cover image files only.
 
:; {{tooltip|On extraction, start external compressors queued in the background|Using this flag will let EAC do all compression during extraction using external command-line encoders in a queue at the same time as the extraction. As compression will work beside extraction, this could result in some problems. First of all, on slow computers, extraction could be more problematic, as errors could occur more often or be more severe. second, when using external command-line encoders, in the worst case the whole CD is extracted as WAV, so up to 700 MB free space could be needed, unlike compression without this option, in which case the next track is extracted when the previous track has finished compression (and can be deleted}.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled)''
 
With this setting enabled, EAC starts an external compressor as soon as the first track was extracted and therefore the extraction and compressing processes are running simultaneously.
 
:: Use {{code|'' n ''}} simultaneous external compressor thread(s)
::: ''(Default: 1)''
 
{{panel|This option is greyed out until the option above (''On extraction, start external compressors queued in the background'') is enabled.}}
This option controls the number of simultaneous external compressors used by EAC.
 
The more compressors are used simultaneously, the more likely are the problems mentioned above with parallel extraction and compressing. Again, if you have a dual/multi-core CPU, it is fine to use this option.
 
:; {{tooltip|Do not open external compressor window|For an external command-line encoder, EAC will usually open a new window showing the progress of the encoder. Using this option, no new window is opened for status messages, and thus no conflicts with other applications occur. On the other hand, you won't know how much of a file still needs to be encoded.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
With this option enabled, EAC does not open an external compressor window. Because this way you are not able to see the status of the external compressor (and maybe error messages), this option should be left disabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Submit drive features after detection (but ask for permission)|To help other users who lack matching offset CDs or have other problems in determining their drive features, EAC can submit drive feature data to a central database. If this flag is selected, EAC will ask if it is allowed to submit these data. If this flag is not selected, EAC will not ask nor send any data.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled, '''Recommended: enabled''')''
 
Leaving this option enabled, EAC will ask if it should submit to the AccurateRip database info about your drive's features (like read offset values) after these were detected, e.g. by the wizard. In order to help other people who are not able to determine their drive's features, it is recommended to enable this setting. You can cancel the transfer of any data anyway, because EAC will always ask you before sending any data.
 
:; <span id="beginner_mode" />{{tooltip|Activate beginner mode, disable all advanced features|EAC is a very complex tool that requires knowledge of the structure of audio CDs in order to exploit all its feature. As beginners often worry which options are really necessary to be set in order to get good results, EAC can hide options that should only be used by experts and are not necessary for good copies of audio CDs.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: enabled''', unless offset correction needs to be manually entered)''
 
This option is not about whether you are a beginner; rather, it is about whether you have ''very'' unusual ripping needs.
 
When in beginner mode, EAC disables & hides the following "advanced" features:
* In the Action menu:
** Catalog Selected Tracks (Alt+F / Alt+Shift+F) [rip previews instead of full tracks]
** Copy Selected Tracks Index-Based (Alt+X / Alt+Shift+X) [rip to separate files for each track index]
** Detect Gaps (F4) [find the 00-index portion, if any, of each track, for display in the main window and inclusion in .log]
** Test Gaps On Silence (F3) [estimate how much of a track's 00-index portion is null bytes] [disabled until gaps are detected]
** In Create CUE Sheet:
*** Current Gap Settings
*** Multiple WAV Files With Leftout Gaps (Alt+M)
*** Multiple WAV Files With Corrected Gaps (Alt+O)
** Leave Out Gaps [disabled until gaps are detected]
** Append Gaps To Previous Track (default) [disabled until gaps are detected]
** Append Gaps To Next Track [disabled until gaps are detected]
* In the EAC Options:
** On the Extraction tab:
*** Fill up missing offset samples with silence
*** Synchronize between tracks
** On the General tab:
*** Disable 'CD Autostart' for audio and data CDs while EAC running
*** Display times using frames
** The entire Additional Filename tab (filename options used for Additional External Compression)
** The entire Catalog tab (options affecting the Catalog Selected Tracks action)
* In the Drive Options:
** On the Offset / Speed tab:
*** Use read sample offset correction
*** Use combined read/write sample offset correction
*** Overread into Lead-In and Lead-Out [to get the very first or last sector(s) of audio when using offset correction]
** On the Writer tab:
*** Write samples offset
*** Create Offset Test CD
* In the Compression Options:
** The entire Additional External Compression tab
 
Most of these features generally aren't needed, because:
* "Catalog" generation exists just to support an uncommon archiving strategy;
* Index-based rips are only useful for ripping the 00-index portions of tracks to separate files - e.g. for a CD with a hidden track you have to rewind from the beginning of the disc to hear, or for a CD with non-silent interludes during the "countdown to zero" time before certain tracks;
* Gaps will already be detected when that info is required, i.e. when generating a cue sheet;
* Gap info needn't appear in the main window unless you're actively checking it, such as when testing different detection methods;
* Gap removal isn't recommended because 00-index portions of tracks aren't always silent, and it can interfere with AccurateRip usage;
* The default CUE sheet formats work with EAC's CD burning features.
 
The offset correction options are useful, but will be automatically set for you and greyed out if AccurateRip is enabled and a "Key Disc" has been used for configuration of the offset. If you need to set offset correction without an AccurateRip "Key Disc", then you should temporarily disable this option in order to manually enter the correction value.
 
= Normalize =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Normalize.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Normalize''' tab]]
This tab contains all settings regarding normalization of extracted music files.
 
:; {{tooltip|Normalize|Normalizing a track means to change its volume to a given maximum loudness. 100% means that the song (in the file) will be as loud as possible without clipping (0 dB), and 25% means that the volume will be only a fourth of the maximum possible loudness (-12 dB]. This can be handy to bring all songs of a sampler to the same maximum loudness, but could also destroy the dynamic effects intended by a composer or producer.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
{{panel|When this option is disabled, all of the options below this option are greyed out.}}
 
Normalizing is the process to change the volume of a track to a given maximum loudness, and is usually used to try to get all tracks of a CD or compilation to approximately the same loudness level. EAC's normalizer determines loudness based on peak amplitude, which can be close, but doesn't precisely correlate with perceived loudness. See [[ReplayGain]] (a technology used outside of EAC) for a more sophisticated and accurate way of normalizing volume.
 
Of course, normalization results in the ripped track data not matching the original on the CD. If your goal is to make an exact copy, make sure that this option stays disabled.
 
:; Normalize to
:: {{code|'' n ''}}%
::: ''(Default: 98%)''
 
This option represents the level of normalization. 100% would be maximum loudness, but to avoid clipping, you should set it a few percents lower (e.g. 98%).
 
:; But only if peak level is
:: ''(Default: 85%/99%)''
 
::: smaller than {{code|'' n<sub>1</sub> ''}}%
:::: or
::: greater than {{code|'' n<sub>2</sub> ''}}%
 
With this option you can select which tracks will be normalized. All tracks which are out of the range (smaller than {{code|'' n<sub>1</sub> ''}}, or greater than {{code|'' n<sub>2</sub> ''}}) are normalized, all others will not be changed.
 
= Filename =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Filename.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Filename''' tab]]
When copying (extracting) ''Tracks'' (uncompressed or [[EAC_Compression_Options#External_Compression|compressed]]), the resulting file names and directory structures can be configured in this tab.
:; {{tooltip|Naming scheme|In this field you can specify how the filename of an extracted track is constructed. By choosing placeholders for properties of the CD you can create any filename you want. Of course you can also use additional text, and you can specify a '\' to tell that it should be in a subdirectory. If the subdirectory does not exist, it will be created. There is a limitation that you can't specify an absolute position (e.g. 'C:\directory\%title%' or '\%title%').
Please note that for normal extractions either 'Track title' OR 'Track number' is mandatory, for index-based extractions 'Track  number' is mandatory.}}
:: ''(Default value: %tracknr2% - %title%)''
A naming scheme for the resulting files can be specified here. There are many placeholders stated by the option dialog which can be used to build up a naming/directory scheme.
 
For normal extractions, a [[EAC_placeholders|filename placeholder]] for either 'Track title' or 'track number' is mandatory; for index-based extractions, a filename placeholder for 'Track number' is mandatory.
 
When naming the output files, you can also create a directory structure (or place them in an existing one): just use the backslash \ to separate the names of folders. The only limitation to this is that no absolute file paths (e.g. "C:\Music\%title%" or "\%title%") can be constructed. The reason for this is that, when starting the extraction of a disc, EAC will either ask by a dialog box where the resulting files will be stored, or will use the predefined directory (this depends on what option is enabled as ''Standard directory for extraction'' in the [[#Directories|''Directories'']] tab). The directory stated by either method will serve as the top-level folder, into which your files and any additional folders chosen will be placed according to your preferred naming structure.
 
For example, choosing or specifying as standard the folder ''C:\Music\EAC\'' and using the file-naming scheme of ''%albumartist%\%albumtitle%\%tracknr2%. %title%'' will create files such as ''C:\Music\EAC\My Favourite Band\Eponymous Debut Album\01. Intro.mp3''
 
{{panel|title=Editor's Note:|Sample text.|color=blue}}
 
:; {{tooltip|Use various artist naming scheme|It is possible to use an alternative naming scheme on CDs with various artists. When selected, the naming scheme will be used on these CDs instead. Of course the appropriate option in the CD information has to be set.}}
:: ''(Default: disabled)''
:: ''(Default value: %tracknr2% - %title% (greyed out if disabled))''
 
When this option is enabled and the ''Artist'' value is not the same for all tracks (in the EAC main window), the naming scheme stated below is used. If you want different naming schemes for one/various artist CDs, then you should enable this setting. The placeholders are the same as stated above (''Naming scheme'').
 
:; {{tooltip|Replace spaces by underscores|If selected, all spaces in filenames that are created will be replaced by underscores ('_').}}
:: ''(Default: disabled, '''Recommended: disabled''')''
 
Enabling this option, all spaces in filenames will be replaced by underscores.
 
= Additional Filename =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Additional_Filename.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Additional Filename''' tab]]
{{panel|This entire tab is hidden in '''[[#beginner mode|beginner mode]]'''.|color=yellow}}
The Additional Filename tab was introduced in EAC v1.4 to correspond to the defined encoder on the [[EAC_Compression_Options#Additional_External_Compression|Additional External Compression]] tab in Compression Options.
All options for the '''''Additional Filename tab''''' are similar to (yet independent of) the '''''Filename tab''''' options.
 
''see the [[#Filename|Filename]] tab instructions for additional information.''
<br clear="all" />
= Character Replacements =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Character_Replacements.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Character Replacements''' tab]]
:; {{tooltip|Replace the following characters in filenames by the given replacement strings|The Windows filesystem does not allow filename to contain all possible characters, some characters are used for special purposes (e.g. : and \ are used for specifing drives and directories). So if EAC creates a filename (e.g. from artist and track information) automatically, it might contain such characters. Here it is possible to specify replacements for each forbidden character (where the replacement may be several characters). Further some
more slots are available for user defined replacements.}}
In Windows, certain characters are reserved and cannot be used in file or folder names. If EAC creates a filename (e.g. from artist and track information) automatically, the fields may contain such characters. In this tab it is possible to specify replacements for each reserved character (the replacement may be one or several characters).
There are a few extra slots available for user defined replacements.
 
<br clear="all" />
= Catalog =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Catalog.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Catalog''' tab]]
{{panel|This entire tab is hidden in '''[[#beginner mode|beginner mode]]'''.|color=yellow}}
Catalog options which are applied when creating catalog samples (''Action'' -> ''Catalog Selected Tracks'') can be configured here. With this function, EAC can produce short samples of each track of a disc.
:; {{tooltip|Catalog file length [in seconds)|If creating catalog sample pieces, this will specify the total length in seconds of each sample piece.}}
Defines the length of each catalog sample track in seconds.
 
:; {{tooltip|Catalog start position in a track (in seconds)|This is the position in seconds in the track where the catalog sample piece should start.}}
Specifies the start position of the catalog sample in a track in seconds. As many music titles are not very significant from the beginning of a track, it may be a good idea to let the catalog samples start somewhere in the middle of a track.
 
:; {{tooltip|Fade in length (in seconds)|The catalog sample piece will be faded in for this length in seconds.}}
If you want that the catalog sample tracks are faded in, enter a value greater than 0.
 
:; {{tooltip|Fade out length (in seconds)|A fade out will be done to the catalog sample pieces for this length in seconds.}}
The same as stated above (''Fade in length (in seconds)''), but concerning fade out.
 
= Directories =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Directories.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Directories''' tab]]
The directory where the extracted music files will be placed can be configured here.
 
'''Standard directory for extraction'''
:; {{tooltip|◯  Ask every time (default showing last used directory)|If this is selected, EAC will ask for the destination directory of all extractions.}}
:: ''(Default: enabled)''
Any time an extraction starts, a dialog box appears asking for the directory to be used. This directory will be saved and used as default the next time this dialog box appears.
 
:; {{tooltip|◯  Use this directory|You can specify a directory to where all extractions are targeted.}}
If you intend to always extract to the same base directory, a predefined directory can be specified here.
{{panel|title=Caution:|You should avoid using a 'protected' location as a base directory. (e.g. {{code|C:\}} is protected in modern Windows. EAC cannot save files to this directory.)|color=yellow}}
<br clear="all" />
 
= Write =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Write.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Write''' tab]]
Contains settings for writing audio CDs with EAC.
 
:; {{tooltip|Upper all characters (on writing)|If selected, all characters of the title and artist of the CD-Text information are made upper case.}}
 
If this option is enabled, all characters contained in the CD-text are transformed to upper case. On some CD players, this may look a little better than text in upper-/lower case.
 
:; {{tooltip|Include artist in the CD-Text track title entry (on writing)|The artist will be included in the title of the CD-Text information, as some standalone CD players will display only the title and not the artist field.}}
 
Some CD players will only show the track information of the CD-text. In such a case, the artist information will not be shown. If your CD player acts this way, you should enable this option so that the artist is swapped over into the track information. As an example "Bohemian Rhapsody" will become "Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody".
 
:; {{tooltip|Disable copy protection flag on adding audio files to the layout editor by default|This flag will disable the copy protection flag by default for all added tracks in the write layout editor. But you may still change the settings in the layout editor.}}
 
When enabled, the copy protection flag will be disabled by default for all added tracks in the write layout editor. Because you can still disable the copy protection flag in the write layout editor when needed (''Layout'' -> ''Edit selected indices...'' -> untick the ''Copy protected'' checkbox), it is recommended to leave this option disabled.
 
:; {{tooltip|Use CDRDAO for writing in the EAC layout editor|EAC can use its internal writing routines for burning, or it can call an external application called CDRDAO. The advantage of CDRDAO lies in the better support of older and newer CD-R drives. On the other hand, EAC's routines are internal, making them basically a little bit more stable. In both cases write offset correction will be performed.}}
 
When writing CDs with EAC, there are two possibilities: On the one hand, EAC can start an external application called [[cdrdao|CDRDAO]] to write the CD. The general advantage of CDRDAO is the compatibility with many (and even older) CD-R drives. On the other hand, EAC can use its internal writing routines. These are said to be a bit more stable (as they are internal), but also do not support that many drives.
 
Since version 0.99 prebeta 4, EAC comes with an installer which lets the user choose if CDRDAO should be installed or not. When it is not installed, this setting will be greyed out and EAC's internal writing routines will be used in any case. But even if CDRDAO support was installed, you should try to disable this option first and use EAC's internal writing routines. In most cases this will work properly. Only if you encounter problems with this setting, try to use CDRDAO.
 
For more information on CDRDAO, see the [https://cdrdao.sourceforge.net/ CDRDAO homepage].
 
= Interface =
 
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Interface.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Interface''' tab]]
In this tab, the interface used for the communication between EAC and the CD drive can be configured.
 
:; Use of SCSI interface
:: ''('''Recommended: Native Win32 interface for XP/Vista/Win7''')''
 
:: {{tooltip|◯  Installed external ASPI interface|An external SCSI/IDE interface, called ASPI, will be used. For best compatibility you should use the one from Adaptec.}}
 
:: ◯  Installed external ASAPI interface (from VOB software)
 
:: {{tooltip|◯  Native Win32 interface for XP/Vista/Win7|The SCSI/IDE interface used will be the one provided by EAC. This works only for Windows XP and newer, this is the recommended setting.}}
 
= Audio Plugins =
[[File:EAC_v1.x_EAC_options_Audio_Plugins.png|thumb|right|'''EAC options''', '''Audio Plugins''' tab]]
 
It is possible to extend the functionality of EAC by adding plugins.
 
A plugin could perform a lot a tasks, e.g. calculate checksums, analyze the audio data, bind metadata with audio data for compression or to send information to an internet database.
 
:; {{tooltip|Available audio processing plugins|It is possible to extend the functionality of EAC by using plugins. These plugins could perform a lot a tasks, e.g. calculate checksums, analyze the audio data, bind metadata with audio data for compression or to send information to internet database. Every single plugin can be activated (or deactivated) in this form by setting or removing the checkmark. At the moment, EAC is coming without any plugins, but this could change in the future.}}
 
This area shows the available audio processing plugins. The plugins listed can be activated (or deactivated) by adding (or removing) the check-mark.
 
:; {{tooltip|Show the options of the selected audio processing plugin|Every plugin possesses, depending on its needs, an individual option screen. This button will call the options screen of the selected plugin, this screen does not belong to EAC itself.}}
 
This button will open the option window of the selected audio processing plugin. Options vary by plugin.
 
= External links =
* [http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/en/index.php/overview/basic-technology/extraction-technology/ Exact Audio Copy: Extraction Technology]
* [[wikipedia:Universal_Product_Code|Wikipedia: Universal Product Code]]
* [[wikipedia:Isrc|Wikipedia: International Standard Recording Code]]
* [http://cdrdao.sourceforge.net/ CDRDAO homepage]
* [[wikipedia:Aspi|Wikipedia: ASPI]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 4 April 2025

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Exact Audio Copy guides
Configuration
Compression
Other

This article is intended for Exact Audio Copy v1.0 and newer. For information about EAC options in earlier versions of EAC, see EAC Options (Legacy).

The EAC options dialog (shortcut: F9) offers several options for configuring EAC in general without focusing on drive or compression settings.

Extraction

EAC options, Extraction tab

This tab includes settings for the extraction of audio CDs.

Fill up missing offset samples with silence
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option is hidden in beginner mode.

This option controls whether EAC adds silence to either the beginning of the first track on the disc or the end of the last track on the disc to make it the correct length in the event that the drive is not configured as being able to overread. Which track is affected depends on the direction of the read offset correction; a positive offset correction means the last track on the disc will be padded, a negative offset correction means the first track on the disc will be padded.

With this option enabled, all missing samples are replaced with silent samples so that the duration of the affected output file will be the same as on the original CD.

If this option is disabled and the drive is not configured as being able to overread, AccurateRip will not try to verify any tracks ripped. If the use of AccurateRip is desired, it is essential that this option is enabled. Disabling this option can also affect whether a generated cue sheet is considered valid by some programs when it results in a track that is not the correct length.

Synchronize between tracks
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option is hidden in beginner mode.

When ripping adjacent tracks of a CD and this option is enabled, EAC re-synchronizes between these tracks. On some drives, this is important to avoid pops or gaps between tracks, so there's no harm in leaving this enabled.

Delete leading and trailing silent blocks
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

If a track contains one or more complete (588-sample) blocks of digital silence at the beginning and/or the end, EAC deletes them when this option is enabled. If you're only interested in the non-silent audio data, this can be useful to enable, but this will produce WAV files which are not identical to the complete, original tracks.

Enabling this option will prevent the use of AccurateRip to see if your rips match other people's. If your goal is to make exact copies of tracks or entire CDs, silence and all, then you should leave this option disabled.

This option only applies to entire blocks which are silent, so even when it's enabled, it may leave some silent samples on the ends of blocks which contain non-silence. The wave editor's silence trimming function will remove all leading and/or trailing silent samples, so it's more precise than this option.

Skip track extraction on read or sync errors
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

With this option enabled, EAC will skip the extraction of the current track if a read or synchronisation error occurs. If there is a read/sync error during extraction, the rip can not be guaranteed to be accurate anymore. This way, you have to decide what is more important for you: If you think that a possibly inaccurate rip is better than no rip at all, then you can leave this option disabled.

On the other hand, if an accurate rip is most important, then this option may be enabled so that EAC skips the track when the first read/sync error occurs. When this happens, the first thing to try is to clean the CD and give it another try. When this does not work either, the only solution would be to get another (scratch free) copy of the CD and try the extraction with this one.

Because EAC reads every frame multiple times to find consistent data, it is still possible that a rip is accurate even though EAC reports read errors. This is because in Secure mode EAC rereads every frame 16 times and treats a frame as "correct" when 8 reads got the same data (for more details on this, see the Error recovery quality option further below). It is possible no 8 reads got the same data, so EAC will report a read error, although the most consistent data (e.g. only 6 rereads match) may be correct. Even if the data EAC keeps isn't correct, sometimes the errors will be so minor that they don't result in audible artifacts. If you leave this option disabled, then "suspicious" positions where errors occurred will be listed in the ripping summary and log file. You can listen to these positions in the ripped audio to see if you can hear any artifacts.

Skip track extraction after duration longer than n times realtime
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

Due to EAC's advanced reading features, the reading procedure can last very long, especially on scatched CDs (in extreme cases this can last several hours). When this option is enabled and the ripping process takes longer than n times realtime, the affected track is skipped. It is recommended to leave this option disabled because it is likely that EAC can rip such a track, even if this takes a long time.

n is a multiple of the track durations. For example, if you enable this option and set n to 4, it means you want EAC to abort the extraction of a track if the extraction has already taken more than 4 times the duration of that track. Thus, the extraction of a 2-minute track would be aborted after 8 minutes, and the extraction of a 5-minute track would be aborted after 20 minutes.

After each nn mins of extraction, cool down the dive for nn mins
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

The extraction of scratched CDs/tracks can last very long. This could possibly stress the drive used for extraction because of a lot of movement of the laser unit. So the whole procedure could also heat up the drive. This may decrease the reading abilities of this drive temporarily. So when you notice that your ripping drive gets unusually hot during difficult and long extraction processes, then it may be a good idea to enable this option. Otherwise you should leave this option disabled, because this will possibly lead to longer extraction times.

Lock drive tray during extraction
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

With this option enabled, EAC makes sure that the CD tray is not opened accidentally while ripping. Otherwise this will always result in an aborted extraction process, so leave this option enabled.

Extraction and compression priory
(Default: Normal, Recommended: High)

This determines the process priority, which correlates with how much time your CPU will devote to extracting audio and (if so configured) running an external compressor during the extraction. Setting this option to high could result in slightly faster ripping, but if you are multitasking, your other applications won't get as much CPU time and might seem "choppy". So if you plan to use other programs during ripping, leave this option as it is (normal), or even set it to low if you find they still need more CPU. Otherwise you can set it to high. What's right for you will depend on the capabilities of your computer and what other applications you're running.

Error recovery quality
(Default: Medium, Recommended: Low)

When an error is detected after reading a frame, EAC re-reads the frame 16 times in an attempt to get at least 8 identical results. The error recovery quality setting determines the maximum number of times EAC will do the 16 re-reads:

  • Low = one batch of 16 re-reads
  • Medium = up to three batches of 16 re-reads (16, 32, or 48, total)
  • High = up to five batches of 16 re-reads (16, 32, 48, 64, or 80, total)

For each batch of 16 re-reads, there's a row of red error correction "lights" in the extraction status window. If no batch of 16 re-reads produced 8 identical results, EAC considers whatever data it got to be "suspicious" rather than correct. EAC continues reading the entire batch of 16, even if it has already obtained 8 identical reads.

Setting this option to medium or high may or may not result in a reduction of errant data in the event that re-read sets are required. Unfortunately, errors can occur with consistency and as such, more aggressive settings can result in errant data going unreported as being suspicious. While medium may be of some benefit to lightly damaged discs, high generally leads to diminishing returns. A section of audio that can't be ripped correctly through three sets of re-reads is likely not going to be ripped correctly after two additional sets. It is also unlikely that the two additional re-read sets offered by the high setting will deliver an audibly superior result. Furthermore, ignoring the additional ripping time required before EAC finishes, forcing the drive to perform additional re-read sets increases wear. However, because EAC chooses the most consistent data over all the re-reads performed in the event that 8 identical results aren't found in any given re-read set, increasing the total number of re-reads might be of some benefit (provided that the most consistent data also happens to be error-free). It is recommended that high be reserved for use in the event that an accurate result can't be obtained otherwise. Correction through the CUETools database is a far more effective way to handle ripping errors than EAC's archaic method of using re-read sets which has never really worked that well on the whole.

General

EAC options, General tab

In this tab, general EAC options are included. These do not affect the quality or the accuracy of the results produced by EAC. So on most options there is no clear recommendation possible. Just adjust these options as you need them.

Use alternate CD play routines
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option is only important for playing an audio CD using EAC. If enabled, EAC sends the audio data to the soundcard digitally. Otherwise, when this option is disabled, EAC expects an audio cable connected between drive and soundcard. Therefore, if such a cable is not installed and this option gets disabled, you will not be able to play a CD using EAC at all.

Disable 'CD Autostart' for audio and data CDs while EAC running
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option is hidden in beginner mode.

When this option is enabled, the autostart for all drives is disabled while EAC is running. That means that no popups or media players are started automatically which could disturb EAC while ripping.

On unknown CDs,
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

When a CD unknown to EAC is inserted in the drive and this setting is enabled, EAC can take the following actions:

◯ automatically access online metadata database

EAC tries to find CD information in the online metadata database automatically as specified in the Metadata Options F12.

◯ open CD information dialog

With this option enabled, a pop up is presented to the user where the CD information can be inserted manually. It doesn't matter what setting you use; it's your choice. If you leave it disabled, you can always enter data manually right in the main window, or get disc info from an online metadata database via a menu selection or keyboard shortcut Alt+G.

Display times using frames
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option is hidden in beginner mode.

This option just affects how times are displayed in the main window. A track's start or length will use the format H:MM:SS.##, where ## depends on how this option is set. If you use frames, then the last two digits are an exact number of frames, in a range of 00 to 74, because there are 75 frames per second. Otherwise, the last two digits are an approximate number of hundredths of seconds, in a range of 00 to 99. Time information in frames is generally more native to CDs, whereas the display of hundredths of seconds is likely to be rounded and not really exact. Therefore, it's recommended to enable this setting so that the times are displayed in frames.

Ask before overwriting files
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

When enabled, EAC will always ask if existing files should be overwritten. To be sure that no important files are overwritten, this option should be left enabled.

Correct bug of wrong filename order in Windows multiple file dialog
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

The Windows file selection box sometimes has a strange behavior to exchange the first and last track when multiple files are selected. Leave this option enabled to make sure EAC automatically corrects the file order.

Show status dialog after extraction
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

Enabling this setting lets EAC show a status dialog after extraction. Because this dialog can give you some important information and the opportunity to hear & attempt repairs of glitches in tracks that didn't rip cleanly, you should leave this option enabled.

Beep after extraction finished
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

When enabled, EAC will beep (PC speaker) when extraction is finished. When you do not want to sit in front of your PC while ripping, this option may come in handy.

Eject CD after extraction finished
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

When enabled, EAC will eject the CD automatically when the extraction finished. When you move away from your PC while ripping, it may be a good idea to leave this option disabled.

On extraction offer the possibility to
◯ shut down computer

When selected, EAC will shut down the computer after an extraction has finished.

◯ restart computer

When selected, EAC will restart the computer after an extraction has finished.

◯ hibernate computer

When selected, EAC will let the computer hibernate (S4 Hibernation Power State) after an extraction has finished.

wait for external compressors
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option specifies if the shutdown, restart, or hibernate process should wait for any active external compressors when the power down feature in the extraction dialog is ticked. You should always leave this option enabled, because otherwise any external compressor can not finish its work before the shutdown/restart process.

EAC language selection
Use language

This option controls the language settings of EAC. If there is a language setting available which equals the language of the operating system, this language is automatically selected at the first start of EAC.

Create log files always in engish language

If you plan to share your extraction log files with others, it would be helpful if log files are always written in the same language. When enabled, this setting create extraction log files in the English language independently of the chosen language for the rest of the EAC application.

Tools

EAC options, Tools tab

Here the generation of CUE sheets, playlists and log files is configured. There are also settings available affecting the behavior of an external compressor.

Retrieve UPC/ISRC codes in CUE sheet generation
(Default: disabled, Recommended: enabled)

When generating CUE sheets for a CD and this option is enabled, UPC (Universal Product Code = barcode) and ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) codes are extracted from the CD and added to the CUE file. It can be quite time-consuming extracting this information from a CD, and some CDs do not contain such information at all. But to collect as much information as possible from the CD, such as for archiving, this option should be enabled.

Note that this feature of EAC is reported not to work correctly with some drives. If you plan to let EAC create CUE sheets with UPC/ISRC, you should test this feature with your drive. Just open a generated CUE sheet with a text reader (e.g. Notepad) and check the information stated.

Use CD-Text information in CUE sheet generation
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This will add TITLE and PERFORMER tags to the generated CUE sheet as displayed in EAC's main window. Although EAC will attempt to extract CD-Text when a disc is loaded (provided your drive is capable and is configured as such), the information in EAC's main window can also be edited or entered manually or can come from an online database. As a consequence, this information won't necessarily reflect what is found on the CD. Considering that many CDs don't actually contain CD-Text, purists might consider configuring this setting on a per-disc basis.

Create '.m3u' playlist on extraction
(Default: disabled, Recommended: enabled)

When enabled, EAC will automatically create an .m3u playlist file which contains all selected tracks for this extraction. This comes in handy if you use your PC as primary source where most media players can use these playlist files.

Write m3u playlist with extended information
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

This option is greyed out until you enable the option Create '.m3u' playlist on extraction (see above).

If enabled, EAC adds extended information (length, title and more) to the playlist file. All additional information are added as comments. If your media player can not handle these comments correctly, you should disable this option, otherwise leave it enabled.

Write m3u playlist as UTF8 file (compatible e.g. with Winamp)

This option is greyed out until you enable the option Create '.m3u' playlist on extraction (see above).

Automatically write status report after extraction
(Default: disabled, Recommended: enabled)

When enabled, EAC automatically writes a log file after extraction in the same directory as the extracted files. To be able to comprehend the extraction process of a certain CD, it may be a good idea to save these log files. However, even if this option is disabled, it is still possible to save a log file from the status dialog after extraction. This requires the corresponding option Show status dialog after extraction) to be enabled.

Append checksum to status report
(Default: disabled, Recommended: enabled)

With this setting enabled, EAC will write a checksum at the end of each extraction log. There is a tool that comes with EAC (CheckLog.exe) that allows you to verity the integrity of the extraction log file. If a CRC checksum or other value is modifided, the integrity check will fail.

Convert BMP image files automatically to JPG
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

With this setting enabled, EAC will automatically convert BMP (uncompressed, so usually very large) cover image files to high quality compressed JPG but only if the JPG is 20% smaller than the original BMP file. This setting applies to BMP cover image files only.

On extraction, start external compressors queued in the background
(Default: disabled)

With this setting enabled, EAC starts an external compressor as soon as the first track was extracted and therefore the extraction and compressing processes are running simultaneously.

Use n simultaneous external compressor thread(s)
(Default: 1)

This option is greyed out until the option above (On extraction, start external compressors queued in the background) is enabled.

This option controls the number of simultaneous external compressors used by EAC.

The more compressors are used simultaneously, the more likely are the problems mentioned above with parallel extraction and compressing. Again, if you have a dual/multi-core CPU, it is fine to use this option.

Do not open external compressor window
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

With this option enabled, EAC does not open an external compressor window. Because this way you are not able to see the status of the external compressor (and maybe error messages), this option should be left disabled.

Submit drive features after detection (but ask for permission)
(Default: enabled, Recommended: enabled)

Leaving this option enabled, EAC will ask if it should submit to the AccurateRip database info about your drive's features (like read offset values) after these were detected, e.g. by the wizard. In order to help other people who are not able to determine their drive's features, it is recommended to enable this setting. You can cancel the transfer of any data anyway, because EAC will always ask you before sending any data.

Activate beginner mode, disable all advanced features
(Default: disabled, Recommended: enabled, unless offset correction needs to be manually entered)

This option is not about whether you are a beginner; rather, it is about whether you have very unusual ripping needs.

When in beginner mode, EAC disables & hides the following "advanced" features:

  • In the Action menu:
    • Catalog Selected Tracks (Alt+F / Alt+Shift+F) [rip previews instead of full tracks]
    • Copy Selected Tracks Index-Based (Alt+X / Alt+Shift+X) [rip to separate files for each track index]
    • Detect Gaps (F4) [find the 00-index portion, if any, of each track, for display in the main window and inclusion in .log]
    • Test Gaps On Silence (F3) [estimate how much of a track's 00-index portion is null bytes] [disabled until gaps are detected]
    • In Create CUE Sheet:
      • Current Gap Settings
      • Multiple WAV Files With Leftout Gaps (Alt+M)
      • Multiple WAV Files With Corrected Gaps (Alt+O)
    • Leave Out Gaps [disabled until gaps are detected]
    • Append Gaps To Previous Track (default) [disabled until gaps are detected]
    • Append Gaps To Next Track [disabled until gaps are detected]
  • In the EAC Options:
    • On the Extraction tab:
      • Fill up missing offset samples with silence
      • Synchronize between tracks
    • On the General tab:
      • Disable 'CD Autostart' for audio and data CDs while EAC running
      • Display times using frames
    • The entire Additional Filename tab (filename options used for Additional External Compression)
    • The entire Catalog tab (options affecting the Catalog Selected Tracks action)
  • In the Drive Options:
    • On the Offset / Speed tab:
      • Use read sample offset correction
      • Use combined read/write sample offset correction
      • Overread into Lead-In and Lead-Out [to get the very first or last sector(s) of audio when using offset correction]
    • On the Writer tab:
      • Write samples offset
      • Create Offset Test CD
  • In the Compression Options:
    • The entire Additional External Compression tab

Most of these features generally aren't needed, because:

  • "Catalog" generation exists just to support an uncommon archiving strategy;
  • Index-based rips are only useful for ripping the 00-index portions of tracks to separate files - e.g. for a CD with a hidden track you have to rewind from the beginning of the disc to hear, or for a CD with non-silent interludes during the "countdown to zero" time before certain tracks;
  • Gaps will already be detected when that info is required, i.e. when generating a cue sheet;
  • Gap info needn't appear in the main window unless you're actively checking it, such as when testing different detection methods;
  • Gap removal isn't recommended because 00-index portions of tracks aren't always silent, and it can interfere with AccurateRip usage;
  • The default CUE sheet formats work with EAC's CD burning features.

The offset correction options are useful, but will be automatically set for you and greyed out if AccurateRip is enabled and a "Key Disc" has been used for configuration of the offset. If you need to set offset correction without an AccurateRip "Key Disc", then you should temporarily disable this option in order to manually enter the correction value.

Normalize

EAC options, Normalize tab

This tab contains all settings regarding normalization of extracted music files.

Normalize
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

When this option is disabled, all of the options below this option are greyed out.

Normalizing is the process to change the volume of a track to a given maximum loudness, and is usually used to try to get all tracks of a CD or compilation to approximately the same loudness level. EAC's normalizer determines loudness based on peak amplitude, which can be close, but doesn't precisely correlate with perceived loudness. See ReplayGain (a technology used outside of EAC) for a more sophisticated and accurate way of normalizing volume.

Of course, normalization results in the ripped track data not matching the original on the CD. If your goal is to make an exact copy, make sure that this option stays disabled.

Normalize to
n %
(Default: 98%)

This option represents the level of normalization. 100% would be maximum loudness, but to avoid clipping, you should set it a few percents lower (e.g. 98%).

But only if peak level is
(Default: 85%/99%)
smaller than n1 %
or
greater than n2 %

With this option you can select which tracks will be normalized. All tracks which are out of the range (smaller than n1 , or greater than n2 ) are normalized, all others will not be changed.

Filename

EAC options, Filename tab

When copying (extracting) Tracks (uncompressed or compressed), the resulting file names and directory structures can be configured in this tab.

Naming scheme
(Default value: %tracknr2% - %title%)

A naming scheme for the resulting files can be specified here. There are many placeholders stated by the option dialog which can be used to build up a naming/directory scheme.

For normal extractions, a filename placeholder for either 'Track title' or 'track number' is mandatory; for index-based extractions, a filename placeholder for 'Track number' is mandatory.

When naming the output files, you can also create a directory structure (or place them in an existing one): just use the backslash \ to separate the names of folders. The only limitation to this is that no absolute file paths (e.g. "C:\Music\%title%" or "\%title%") can be constructed. The reason for this is that, when starting the extraction of a disc, EAC will either ask by a dialog box where the resulting files will be stored, or will use the predefined directory (this depends on what option is enabled as Standard directory for extraction in the Directories tab). The directory stated by either method will serve as the top-level folder, into which your files and any additional folders chosen will be placed according to your preferred naming structure.

For example, choosing or specifying as standard the folder C:\Music\EAC\ and using the file-naming scheme of %albumartist%\%albumtitle%\%tracknr2%. %title% will create files such as C:\Music\EAC\My Favourite Band\Eponymous Debut Album\01. Intro.mp3

Editor's Note:

Sample text.

Use various artist naming scheme
(Default: disabled)
(Default value: %tracknr2% - %title% (greyed out if disabled))

When this option is enabled and the Artist value is not the same for all tracks (in the EAC main window), the naming scheme stated below is used. If you want different naming schemes for one/various artist CDs, then you should enable this setting. The placeholders are the same as stated above (Naming scheme).

Replace spaces by underscores
(Default: disabled, Recommended: disabled)

Enabling this option, all spaces in filenames will be replaced by underscores.

Additional Filename

EAC options, Additional Filename tab

This entire tab is hidden in beginner mode.

The Additional Filename tab was introduced in EAC v1.4 to correspond to the defined encoder on the Additional External Compression tab in Compression Options. All options for the Additional Filename tab are similar to (yet independent of) the Filename tab options.

see the Filename tab instructions for additional information.

Character Replacements

EAC options, Character Replacements tab
Replace the following characters in filenames by the given replacement strings

In Windows, certain characters are reserved and cannot be used in file or folder names. If EAC creates a filename (e.g. from artist and track information) automatically, the fields may contain such characters. In this tab it is possible to specify replacements for each reserved character (the replacement may be one or several characters). There are a few extra slots available for user defined replacements.


Catalog

EAC options, Catalog tab

This entire tab is hidden in beginner mode.

Catalog options which are applied when creating catalog samples (Action -> Catalog Selected Tracks) can be configured here. With this function, EAC can produce short samples of each track of a disc.

Catalog file length [in seconds)

Defines the length of each catalog sample track in seconds.

Catalog start position in a track (in seconds)

Specifies the start position of the catalog sample in a track in seconds. As many music titles are not very significant from the beginning of a track, it may be a good idea to let the catalog samples start somewhere in the middle of a track.

Fade in length (in seconds)

If you want that the catalog sample tracks are faded in, enter a value greater than 0.

Fade out length (in seconds)

The same as stated above (Fade in length (in seconds)), but concerning fade out.

Directories

EAC options, Directories tab

The directory where the extracted music files will be placed can be configured here.

Standard directory for extraction

◯ Ask every time (default showing last used directory)
(Default: enabled)

Any time an extraction starts, a dialog box appears asking for the directory to be used. This directory will be saved and used as default the next time this dialog box appears.

◯ Use this directory

If you intend to always extract to the same base directory, a predefined directory can be specified here.

Caution:

You should avoid using a 'protected' location as a base directory. (e.g. C:\ is protected in modern Windows. EAC cannot save files to this directory.)


Write

EAC options, Write tab

Contains settings for writing audio CDs with EAC.

Upper all characters (on writing)

If this option is enabled, all characters contained in the CD-text are transformed to upper case. On some CD players, this may look a little better than text in upper-/lower case.

Include artist in the CD-Text track title entry (on writing)

Some CD players will only show the track information of the CD-text. In such a case, the artist information will not be shown. If your CD player acts this way, you should enable this option so that the artist is swapped over into the track information. As an example "Bohemian Rhapsody" will become "Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody".

Disable copy protection flag on adding audio files to the layout editor by default

When enabled, the copy protection flag will be disabled by default for all added tracks in the write layout editor. Because you can still disable the copy protection flag in the write layout editor when needed (Layout -> Edit selected indices... -> untick the Copy protected checkbox), it is recommended to leave this option disabled.

Use CDRDAO for writing in the EAC layout editor

When writing CDs with EAC, there are two possibilities: On the one hand, EAC can start an external application called CDRDAO to write the CD. The general advantage of CDRDAO is the compatibility with many (and even older) CD-R drives. On the other hand, EAC can use its internal writing routines. These are said to be a bit more stable (as they are internal), but also do not support that many drives.

Since version 0.99 prebeta 4, EAC comes with an installer which lets the user choose if CDRDAO should be installed or not. When it is not installed, this setting will be greyed out and EAC's internal writing routines will be used in any case. But even if CDRDAO support was installed, you should try to disable this option first and use EAC's internal writing routines. In most cases this will work properly. Only if you encounter problems with this setting, try to use CDRDAO.

For more information on CDRDAO, see the CDRDAO homepage.

Interface

EAC options, Interface tab

In this tab, the interface used for the communication between EAC and the CD drive can be configured.

Use of SCSI interface
(Recommended: Native Win32 interface for XP/Vista/Win7)
◯ Installed external ASPI interface
◯ Installed external ASAPI interface (from VOB software)
◯ Native Win32 interface for XP/Vista/Win7

Audio Plugins

EAC options, Audio Plugins tab

It is possible to extend the functionality of EAC by adding plugins.

A plugin could perform a lot a tasks, e.g. calculate checksums, analyze the audio data, bind metadata with audio data for compression or to send information to an internet database.

Available audio processing plugins

This area shows the available audio processing plugins. The plugins listed can be activated (or deactivated) by adding (or removing) the check-mark.

Show the options of the selected audio processing plugin

This button will open the option window of the selected audio processing plugin. Options vary by plugin.

External links

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