I have many mp3's of dubious origin in addition to ones I have ripped myself. When I run mp3val on a sample of the former, it finds all kinds of errors (not including tag errors).

Is it safe to let MP3VAL autofix as it wishes to my original dubious files? Eve nif it does not fix, can I assume that it will Do No Harm at worst?

I've been using Mp3Val for a year now without any problems, no data or sound loss. If you are still afraid, just duplicate the files into other folder, apply the SW and make your tests. When you feel fine, erase the duplicated files.

In my opinion, mp3's of dubious origin should simply be deleted. This is the safest and most legal way to handle them.

I would think so too. What gave me pause, however, was that I ran it on a small directory of about 100 songs, it fixed a few, and some were left as "problem." When I ran it again on that directory by mistake, it took one of the "problem" files and labeled it as fixed.

I don't usually see that kind of behavior from a program and it worries me. What was unfixable the first time should not have been fixable the second.

I agree, though I'm not sure about the "safe" part outside of it being a legal issue.

I've binned the inflammatory part of this discussion.

EDIT: Let's keep this on-topic (TOS #5) by discussing the "possible dangers in just letting the program autofix files" and refrain from taking shots at each other (TOS #2).

If you guys wish to discuss whether it's ok to help people with files that may illegally be obtained, take it to the Site Related Discussion forum

Haven't you just quoted the inflammatory part?
... and agreed with it.


Anyway, anyone know how MP3Val works (approximately)?

C.

Blowing away corrupt files seems like a decent solution to me.

Back off-topic again : Painting the comment as a "moral issue" (it is not a moral issue) and telling someone what to do with their piehole is another matter.

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Except that the definition of a "corrupt" file is very broad. MP3Val includes ones with bad headers (although it can be told to ignore that).

If one only has one copy of a song, and it is fixable by MP3Val, no need to delete it.

The answer that you received above was if that corrupt file was obtained illegally. For an overall answer to your question; if the file is corrupt and won't play, then using MP3VAL to try and fix it is one solution. If it does not fix it, then you are no worse off than from where you started. So, you either keep the file and try to find a better solution in the future to fix it, or delete it and be done with it. I'd also check other audio forums to find alternate solutions, if you are at a stand still here.

Edit: foobar2k's Util > Fix VBR MP3 Header or Rebuild MP3 Stream have fixed 90% of my corrupted mp3 files. Out of a few corrupted files over the years, I've only had one file that couldn't be fixed. So, for me it has a pretty good track record.

Edit 2: Spelling