.ogg Files: Need Help

[Videoskooter]

Today I was contacted by our fellow member White Raven. In his posts about Russian music, he usually includes samples. He uses .ogg-files and has had remarks from other members that they can not play those samples.

Personally, I'm not that familiar with .ogg-files. Can somebody (Bernie, Graham, other Wizz-kids) check out what the problem is with his files and explain what people need to install in order to play 'em!

THX

Here's an example link from White Raven:

http://discomuzica.narod.ru/VESJOLYE_REBJATA_-_Why.ogg

[canadiantire]

** Last minute warning:

As I have finished installing the xiph plugin software (listed below) on my VISTA Windows Media Player 11, I have noticed that an error is reported when playing the file you have posted. I don't know at this point where the problem comes from. If you decide to install this CODEC, make sure you create a restore point in the event it causes a problem. Note that I have successfully tested the plugin with other OGG encoded files.


What is Ogg Vorbis?
Ogg Vorbis is a new audio compression format. It is roughly comparable to other formats used to store and play digital music, such as MP3, VQF, AAC, and other digital audio formats. It is different from these other formats because it is completely free, open, and unpatented.

The REAL question is: How can I play/convert OGG files?

OGG files can be read by Windows Media Player, provided that the proper CODEC (encoder/decoder) are installed. There is a free CODEC package that attaches to Windows Media Player as a plugin. You can find it here:

http://www.xiph.org/dshow/

The file is here: http://www.xiph.org/dshow//uploads/Main/oggcodecs_0.71.0946.exe


Here are a FREE player (only):
vuplayer.com

Here is a free OGG/MP3/WMA converter:
FreeRIP - Convert audio CDs and audio files to MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg Vorbis and Flac

Here is a free audio Editor:
Audacity (mentioned several times in this forum) can import OGGs and convert them in other formats.
Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder

Here is a shareware audio editor:
GoldWave - Audio Editing, Recording, Conversion, Restoration, & Analysis Software

If you only need a standalone application to play ogg files outside Windows Media Player, vuplayer is the cheapest alternative.

Hope this helps.

- Marcus

[Videoskooter]

Marcus, thanx for all the info.

I called someone today and he says that you can install that codec with WMA, Winamp, etc. but that it is not always a guarantee that you will be able to play .ogg-files with it.

He advices the following FREE mediaplayers that should do the job:

foobar2000

VideoLAN - Free and Open Source software and video streaming solutions for every OS!

Zoom Player Standard - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com

I use Winamp and Zoomplayer