I just started ripping with Plextools 2.19a and encoding MP3 with lame_enc.dll 3.96.1 modified for INI settings.

The subject MP3 is Bouree from Jethro Tull ripped from the album "The Best of - Anniversary Collection". It has a duration of 3:45 reported by Plextools.

When encoded with LamePreset 15 (STANDARD) or 16 (FAST STANDARD) and played in iTunes 4.7, Windows Media Player 9 or WinAmp 5, I get reported durations from 4 minutes to 23 minutes, but playtime is consistent with 3:45 in all of them. WinAmp is the closest, about 4 minutes, but still wrong.

When encoded with LamePreset 21 (INSANE), reported duration is the same in all players and sticks to 3:45.

When encoded with lame_enc.dll 3.96.1 "standard" (no INI modifications), I also have no problems, whatever quality setting I choose in Plextools.

Encoding with lame_enc.dll 3.90.3 with INI modifications, the reported duration is OK, but the ripping takes 3 times longer.

My drive is a Plextor PX-708A, if it means anything.

Sounds like a problem with the lame_enc.dll 3.96.1 INI modified, but I made sure I got the last version from rarewares.org and since it was released by the middle of last year I expected someone would have reported the problem earlier and still I can't find a post about that in this site.

Anyone has a clue?

Regards!

Unless you set LAME encoding mode under MP3/Extra Options in PlexTools to VBR, LAME Tag won't be written. That's why the player software have difficulty figuring out the duration. Note that this is an issue with the way PlexTools Pro handles the DLL, not a problem with LAME.

Thank you! That worked!