AAC Encoder problems

Question

Hi,
Everytime I try to import music or convert files to either AAC or MP3 format i-tunes encounters problems and closes.
(i-tunes version 6)
I have tried re-installing everything, even did a stand alone quicktime install etc. but nothing seems to work.
Any help would be great!
TW

Answer 1

*Clayton Rhoades* wrote:
I just wonder if I'm creating any problems for myself down the road by not having the material in a more common format like an mp3 or something.
As ed2345 stated, most digital music management software, MP3 players and CD players do not support AAC even though they should by now. MP3 is now an archaic format and should have long since been supplanted by AAC. I make that statement based on the following:
1. Contrary to popular belief, the Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) is not a proprietary Apple file format but an open format that is based on the Motion Picture Expert’s Group (MPEG) standard;
2. Unlike MP3, which is based on the old MPEG-1 protocol—MP3 is short for {color:#0000ff}MP{color}EG-1, Layer {color:#0000ff}3{color}—, AAC is based on the more recent MPEG-4 protocol;
3. AAC files can retain higher quality audio than MP3 files at higher compression rates (e.g., a 128 Kbps AAC file will typically be better than a 192 Kbps MP3); and,
4. With the extremely high popularity of the iPod/iTunes/iTunes Store triad, it is inexcusable for digital media device/component manufacturers to continue their wholesale disregard for a better open audio format while bending over backwards to support Microsoft’s proprietary WMA format.
That stated, iTunes is not going anywhere any time soon. Even if it were, there would be enough AAC files in circulation to warrant support for the format. No future product would gain much traction ignoring such a large installed base of audio content.