Xiph.org has released an updated version of the free sound codec Flac 1.5.0, which enables sound compression without any loss of quality. FLAC utilizes coding methods that do not discard data (Lossless), ensuring the complete preservation of the original sound quality and identity with a reference option during encoding. Additionally, the compression methods without loss reduce the size of the original sound flow by 50-60%. FLAC is a free streaming format that promotes transparency by open libraries for coding and decoding functions, along with no restrictions on specifications and derivative creations. The library code is distributed under the BSD license.
The new version includes several changes such as:
- Multi-flow mode operation for the encoder, usable through Libflac or the Flac command line.
- Added support for decoding associated OGGG files containing multiple independent audio streams FLAC.
- Enhanced capability in Libflac, Libflac++, and MetaFlac to write to new files when changing metadata, instead of overwriting existing files.
- Expanded API for Libflac and Libflac++ libraries.
- Implemented multi-flow operation for LMS (Loose mid-Side) mode, separately encoding common stereo channel information and left-right channel differences.
- Support for compilation in the EMSCRIPTEN representation of Webassembly compiler.
- Updated specification for FLAC format to be recorded in RFC 9639.
- Added MD5-Hash matching when transcoding existing FLAC files in FLAC utility. Metadata blocks are dismantled in testing mode “Flac -t” with warnings for ID3V1 metadata detection. Improved built-in available options and documented format for storing external metadata used by Flac utility.
- Updated GFDL documentation license (GNU Free Documentation License) to version 1.3 (previously version 1.2).
/Reports, release notes, official announcements.