Exact Audio Copy
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| Basic data
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| developer | André Wiethoff |
| Publishing year | June 25, 1998 |
| Current version | 1.5 (February 23, 2020) |
| operating system | Windows |
| category | CD ripper |
| License | Freeware for non-commercial use ( donationware ) |
| German speaking | Yes |
| exactaudiocopy.de | |
Exact Audio Copy (often abbreviated to EAC ) is a CD ripper for reading ( ripping ) audio CDs , a process also known as Digital Audio Extraction (DAE). EAC has been developed for Windows by André Wiethoff since mid-1990 . A particular focus is on reading the data as precisely as possible, i.e. error-free, in order to be able to make identical copies, in case of doubt at the expense of speed.
Development history
Wiethoff developed EAC because he was dissatisfied with the way scratched audio CDs were treated with CD rippers available to date. They were unable to read scratched media without errors, nor could they document read errors with regard to their existence and their position within the audio material. Therefore, the read audio material had to be checked completely with a hearing test.
EAC is developed as a native Windows program, but it has also been used successfully with new versions of Wine on Linux .
Selection process
The special thing compared to other rippers like CDex and Audiograbber or multimedia audio software like iTunes and Windows Media Player is its readout process:
In the so-called Secure Mode , CDs can also be read without loss with a high degree of probability using (mostly older) CD-ROM drives that show read problems without EAC, provided that the cause of the problems in the area of the drive (e.g. random read errors) and not with the respective CD (e.g. due to scratches, dirt or copy protection ). But even in the latter cases, the use of EAC increases the probability of an acceptable to error-free readout result.
By reading out the CD several times, in bits and pieces, incorrectly read points can be corrected or at least identified. The user receives error messages about reading problems and their position, even if the drive does not report any errors despite problems. The subjective audio quality is usually better in such problematic places than when using conventional CD rippers that do not take appropriate precautions. The messages when reading out can be stored in a log file , which means that defective areas can be documented and examined before further processing.
properties
The files obtained in this way are first saved as RIFF-WAVE files and can be converted by EAC with a configurable audio codec . In addition, the program contains a simple CD writing functionality (with the option of offset correction ) so that CD copies can also be created using EAC only.
Other properties include:
- Use of the C2 error information of the optical drive, if the (optional) procedure for communicating this information is correctly implemented in the drive firmware.
- Creation of CRC checksums of the read audio material; With a free extension called AccurateRip the user can compare the determined checksum of a certain piece of music with that of other users, whereby an estimation of the reading success is possible.
- By reading reference CDs on a test basis, it is possible to automatically identify properties and features of the optical drive that are beneficial or obstructive to the successful reading process.
- Query of the freedb database (transmission of titles and artists)
Installation and application
During the installation, EAC offers a series of options step by step, which are provided with standard suggestions and explanations. This makes both installation and use easier for laypeople; Experts have access to detailed options. A typical application is that the "ripped" files to MP3 files converted are. LAME is supported for this type of conversion . For licensing reasons, LAME is not part of the EAC installation. During the EAC installation, attention is drawn to this, a source of LAME is named and it is explained how EAC is to be configured so that LAME can be used as a converter. By default, when EAC is installed, the computer is searched to see whether there is already a LAME installation. After a successful installation (or already existing) of LAME, typical call parameters for LAME are set in EAC, which can be changed by the user.
Licensing
According to the website, EAC is freeware ( donationware ) as long as it is not used for business purposes.
Web links
- Official website (English)
- audiohq.de - Detailed instructions for ripping CDs
- AccurateRip - checksum database (English)
- www.daefeatures.co.uk/ , database of optical drives and their DAE properties (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ AudioMastermind Weblog ( en ) audiomastermind.us. March 10, 2006. Archived from the original on June 26, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ↑ Wine Application DB entry for EAC
- ↑ DAE Drive Features Database - FAQ ( English , 2007)