Windows 10 will cater to audiophiles with native FLAC support

[John Williamson]

Windows 10 will officially support the Free Lossless Audio Codec and offer audiophiles a new, more integrated way of enjoying their music collection. FLAC is a remarkable file format which retains the audio quality from the original source and compresses file sizes by approximately 50-60%.

While the majority of people still listen to MP3 or AAC files, there are uses for this high-fidelity format.  For instance, bootlegging and live concerts are often recorded in FLAC and shared across specialist forums. Audio enthusiasts flock to digital music stores like HDtracks for uncompromised, DRM-free FLAC versions of their favorite songs. On a personal note, I have been trading Pink Floyd FLAC oddities and unreleased demos for some time and love to listen to the extra nuances of each live performance. This cannot be achieved with a lossy and heavily altered version of the master track. 

The news was unveiled by Gabriel Aul on Twitter, who clarified that any win32 application will be able to natively play FLAC audio. This follows a similar post in November when MKV support was added to the 9860 build of Windows 10. MKV is a container which has the ability to compress large HD content into small file sizes alongside an optional subtitle track. As a result, digital versions of anime programs are often distributed via this method.  

The distinct lack of FLAC and MKV compatibility often meant that users downloaded VLC or another third party program to enjoy their preferred format. Given these announcements, it will be interesting to see if many people transition from VLC to the rejuvenated Windows Media Player application in Windows 10, especially seeing how our own tests show Microsoft's built-in player is often much more efficient than its third-party counterparts.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/58994-windows-10-native-flac-support-audiophiles.html

 

[cliffordcooley]

Grasping at straws for Windows 10 popularity, only to drop support in the next OS release. My faith in MS is at an all time low.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

If I were an audiophile (I'm not even sure what that means) I would be quite excited but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were dropped before the official release.

 

[9Nails]

Windows should support a whole breadth of codecs and media. I'm still surprised that Microsoft doesn't even support DVD movie playback without 3rd party. Life's easier on a Mac in this respect.

 

[Tekkaraiden]

Windows should support a whole breadth of codecs and media. I'm still surprised that Microsoft doesn't even support DVD movie playback without 3rd party. Life's easier on a Mac in this respect.

Windows media player has been able to play dvd movies natively since Vista. As for apple, since they no longer add optical drives to their computers I wound't be surprised if support was dropped at some point.

I'd like to see them add blu-ray playback support.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Windows media player has been able to play dvd movies natively since Vista.

Then why the need for articles such as the following link.

How to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs in Windows 8

 

[Guest]

Grasping at straws for Windows 10 popularity, only to drop support in the next OS release. My faith in MS is at an all time low.

To be honest, I think you're full of crap. I have been hearing nothing but good and better news about Windows 10, and it really does seem as if they are putting in the effort to try make this release the best they have made yet, 7 included. Its not just Windows news that's looking on the upside, as virtually every section of this company seems to be hitting high points. Whatever their new CEO has done, he should do more of it. If your, so called, resolve has been shaken by one simple release of Windows, Windows 8, then I fear you have far more to be afraid of than whatever Microsoft releases. Your lack of faith, I find it disturbing, to quote a certain famous movie. You should really have that checked out. Microsoft is hardly the only company to have dropped something out of a final release you know, nor are they the most famous to have done so.

 

[cliffordcooley]

If your, so called, resolve has been shaken by one simple release of Windows, Windows 8

My resolve has been accumulating since the release of Win95. Each release has removed features I use. Call it progress if you wish, I will never call the removal of something useful progress. As far as Windows 8, I have nothing to say except I will not even look passed the square blocks long enough to consider the OS. And from the looks of it Windows 10 is carrying this tradition.

 

[dividebyzero]

If I were an audiophile (I'm not even sure what that means) I would be quite excited but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were dropped before the official release.

As a cochlear implant user, the difference between MP3 and lossless audio such as FLAC is like night and day. MP3 sounds muddy and indistinct, FLAC sounds the way it should.

Having said that, the last time I used WMP it was an accidental occurrence some years back. Plenty of better players have had native or plug-in FLAC support for some time, so in this case I'd say Windows 10-years-too-late. (Not quite, but I think Winamp has had FLAC support for a handful of years).

 

[Tekkaraiden]

Windows media player has been able to play dvd movies natively since Vista.

Then why the need for articles such as the following link.

How to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs in Windows 8

Because Microsoft decided to be Microsoft and remove that function just to charge extra for it.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Therefor no longer "natively since Vista".

 

[CrisisDog]

A) I don't believe it.

b) I've been able to play FLAC in desktop WMP using 3rd party tools for some time.

c) It still needs to be supported in the "Metro" player, which per the rules of platform potability (to include ARM), needs to also include the codecs within itself.

 

[Guest]

I still prefer MPC-HC With ffdshow-tryout as an external audio decoder.

I can simply resample my audio stream into native 96kHz 24-bit, plus expanding stereo into surround 5.1... Best music experience ever...

 

[Darth Shiv]

Windows media player has been able to play dvd movies natively since Vista.

Then why the need for articles such as the following link.

How to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs in Windows 8

Because Microsoft decided to be Microsoft and remove that function just to charge extra for it.

They didn't want to charge 9x% of their userbase with something they didn't use in the base license cost.

Basically it was just a way to trim the initial buy-in cost for the majority. If you are in the minority, or a purest who doesn't like regression, then this offends.

FLAC is first option for me. This sort of move should be adopted across a whole lot more than just this. FLAC support should be in car head units, music players, supported in bluetooth audio devices without audio quality degradation and so on. Storage space is not the problem. We cater for large video. We have cameras in our phones that record 4k for crying out loud. There is no reason why we need to down sample things anymore.

 

[EClyde]

If I were an audiophile (I'm not even sure what that means) I would be quite excited but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were dropped before the official release.

About 35 years ago my brother coined the term audiowrench. Perhaps he stole it but I use the term to this day. I get the looks.

 

[EClyde]

" there are uses for this high-fidelity format. For instance, bootlegging and live concerts"
"I have been trading Pink Floyd FLAC oddities and unreleased demos for some time "

Condoning piracy are yee? I don't care but I bet if pressed you would

 

[EClyde]

Grasping at straws for Windows 10 popularity, only to drop support in the next OS release. My faith in MS is at an all time low.

To be honest, I think you're full of crap. I have been hearing nothing but good and better news about Windows 10, and it really does seem as if they are putting in the effort to try make this release the best they have made yet, 7 included. Its not just Windows news that's looking on the upside, as virtually every section of this company seems to be hitting high points. Whatever their new CEO has done, he should do more of it. If your, so called, resolve has been shaken by one simple release of Windows, Windows 8, then I fear you have far more to be afraid of than whatever Microsoft releases. Your lack of faith, I find it disturbing, to quote a certain famous movie. You should really have that checked out. Microsoft is hardly the only company to have dropped something out of a final release you know, nor are they the most famous to have done so.

So there.

 

[Raoul Duke]

videoLAN player has been my 'go to' for years. Most of my music is .wav or .flac, only use mp3 for spoken word or audiobooks.

 

[risc32]

Windows should support a whole breadth of codecs and media. I'm still surprised that Microsoft doesn't even support DVD movie playback without 3rd party. Life's easier on a Mac in this respect.

it does and it does. yes, it"s all rainbows and sausages in mac land. except for that wifi thing, or that icloud breach thing, or any of the little odd things this macbook pro I'm typing this on does.

 

[risc32]

If your, so called, resolve has been shaken by one simple release of Windows, Windows 8

My resolve has been accumulating since the release of Win95. Each release has removed features I use. Call it progress if you wish, I will never call the removal of something useful progress. As far as Windows 8, I have nothing to say except I will not even look passed the square blocks long enough to consider the OS. And from the looks of it Windows 10 is carrying this tradition.

I think you should still run win95 if it was so awesome. really, if what they have now just slows you down.... I was here for win 95 and earlier, and I have no idea what you could be referring to. unless you want to blue screen and the newer versions just can't get it done for you. if so I can see that being a problem for you.

 

[Burty117]

Windows media player has been able to play dvd movies natively since Vista.

Then why the need for articles such as the following link.

How to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs in Windows 8

Because Microsoft decided to be Microsoft and remove that function just to charge extra for it.

They didn't want to charge 9x% of their userbase with something they didn't use in the base license cost.

In the UK Windows 7 Pro 64-bit = £110
In the UK Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit = £107
(Same online store quoted (scan.co.uk))
Bare in mind I've noticed Microsoft artificially keep Windows 7 prices high because it was actually selling. I think you'll find that's a load of rubbish to try and blame it on licensing prices...
When 7 came out I saw Vista Ultimate Licenses drop to below £80...

 

[Mister_K]

They need to redesign Windows Media Player, the UI & UX part are just horrendous (imho). -1/10

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

About 35 years ago my brother coined the term audiowrench. Perhaps he stole it but I use the term to this day. I get the looks.

And if your chick or wife is an audiophile herself then you can call her an audiowench. Imagine the looks you'll get then.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I think you should still run win95 if it was so awesome.

Warning guys, we have a wannabe comic. They think twisting my words and ignoring the context, while beating the wrong end of the stick is relevant.

 

[John Williamson]

" there are uses for this high-fidelity format. For instance, bootlegging and live concerts"
"I have been trading Pink Floyd FLAC oddities and unreleased demos for some time "

Condoning piracy are yee? I don't care but I bet if pressed you would

The music on these particular forums I have downloaded and shared are unreleased demos, and takes. They can not be purchased via only official means and I think it's sensible if fans want to enjoy the hidden content and preserve the history of the band.