Original sampling size in bits ?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

...why it allegedly disappeared in VLC 3.

"allegedly" Really? You don't believe us? I could post print screens if you want...

I do believe that a certain shown value could have changed. That does not determine that the value was what you think it was, or that any implied change is right or wrong. In fact, VLC 3 shows the number of bits per decoded sample, and that value seems correct. So if the value differs from what VLC 2.2 shows, the logical conclusion is that there was a bug in VLC 2.2, or that the decoder output format changed (in which case, the value shown by VLC 2.2 is not what you think it is), or both.

VLC 4 also shows the number of bits per encoded sample (where applicable), but that's a new feature of VLC 4 that was definitely not in VLC 3, nor 2.2.

but you obviously don't care because your own science has spoken when you take the shortcut to state that difference between 16, 20 and 24bits is just audiophile BS.

It's not my own science. It's other people measuring through blind tests and other experiments the volume amplitudes that humans can perceive. And considering your attitude, I have zero interests in continuing this discussion.

Patch welcome, kthxbye.

[EricLux]

Problem solved in VLC version 4. When available, we have the original sample size under Tools > "Bits per sample" (usually 8 to 24 bits) and separately the output under "Decoded bits per sample" (almost always 32 bits at least on my setup and for the music flac files that I listen to).

It would be cool to have the same improvement under the latest production version 3.x too but if it is not possible we'll survive it.

Thanks to the all team for the great work you do.

[Dm1]

And second, the fact of the matter is that the codec panel is supposed to show info about tracks, not files. And that's what it does. VLC 4.0 shows:

• the decoded sample size, if it exists: usually 32 bits as most decoders output single precision floating point.
• the original sample size, also if it exists: usually absent, as most audio codecs are not sample-based. Alternatively it will show in its stead any value informed by the demuxer.

However it turns out that demuxers typically don't, and mostly can't, inform this either.

What the original sample depth of the original PCM media was, VLC does not know and does not care.

This decision leads to such nonsense as G.711 A-Law is displayed as 16 bit audio in VLC, which is not possible in any way:



This "Codec" tab is basically a lie.