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Thread ID: 88638 2008-04-03 08:26:00 Bit Rate Conversion for MP3 Files JohnnyR (9277) Press F1
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655839 2008-04-03 08:26:00 I've just bought an MP3 Player and want to convert music files into MP3 format. Most MP3 converters have a bit rate conversion of 128kbps. Is there any real advantage of recording at a higher rate? It takes up more space, but can you detect that the sound quality is better? JR JohnnyR (9277)
655840 2008-04-03 08:35:00 Less audio quality lost as cd is 1000 kbps and the highest bitrate for mp3 is 320.
you cannot tell the difference for the sound quality if you are a newcomer of the sound world. For the best sound quality you need a earphone that is over 200 like the shure e4c's that are 300 NZ. Also you need high bitrate clips from cds and good sound decoder.
JUST INSANE (6682)
655841 2008-04-03 08:37:00 Oh and don't buy Ipods since myself experienced horrible sound quality from many ones. They are use cheap earphones and sound chip. I prefer Creative Zen Visions as they have high quality decoding. JUST INSANE (6682)
655842 2008-04-03 08:49:00 MP3 output may depend on the type of instruments/music being played, and the quality of the equipment that it's played on, if recorded at a constant bit rate. I have found that brass instruments don't sound full bodied on a car stereo at 128 kbps, but sounds a bit better when played on a hi-fi system, with a amplifier... kahawai chaser (3545)
655843 2008-04-03 08:50:00 That's in no way a yes or no question as it's entirely objective, considering both listener and source/audio system, etc. Generally speaking, MP3 is a format for those not too fussed with sound quality (or 90% of the population otherwise) and it's definitely an old technology (although still has legs for obvious reasons). However modern audio formats are based around lossless compression.

It all depends on your priorities. If you consider space over quality then sure, 128kbps is absolute baseline. Personally 192kbps is a baseline for MP3s but modern formats are a better idea for quality, especially if you're looking to run the audio through a decent stereo system. That said, format support is a consideration.
sal (67)
655844 2008-04-03 09:10:00 May I suggest variable bit rate conversion using this ripper, a bit of a learning curve but well worth the effort:

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

Get the v0.99 prebeta4, it works well.
zqwerty (97)
655845 2008-04-03 09:18:00 I know it's not exactly top of the class of media players but iTunes is quite flexible with ripping CDs to MP3. sal (67)
655846 2008-04-03 10:38:00 I think 128kbps is enough for portable music...it is for me and even sometimes I re-encode to 112 or my friend even use to drop it down to 96

the reason? it is on a portable player and I listen while I'm outside, where it is not as quiet as at home
am I going to be able to hear the difference between 112 and 128 while I listen music with some background noise from cars/people talking/etc... nope~
heni72847 (1166)
655847 2008-04-03 20:51:00 For me 128kbps is pretty average sounding. 192kbps sounds pretty good and doesn't really gobble up too much extra space. autechre (266)
655848 2008-04-03 21:11:00 the simple way to answer this is to pick a song you like and record it in several diff formats / bitrates - then listen to it on the device in question and pick which one you find the best compromise between size / quality.

On my portable player 128 sounds fine, on my stereo it sounds flat and lifeless - at 160 or 192 I can't hear the difference any more ( although my over 30 ears can't hear past 15khz anymore ).

A more up to date codec can help too - if you want to squeeze as much as possible on a player 64kb WMV works ok for pop music for most peoples ears.
There are other codecs, if your player supports them you could try them too.
dugimodo (138)
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