Bit rate & format AAC or MP3)?

I am about to purchase about 200 1960's & 1970's rock songs from iTunes. This will be my first purchases:
1. I notice that the bit rate that is auto selected for me is 128. It looks like I can change this. Which bit rate should I choice to get the best sound? Am I allowed to pick, for example, 160, 192, 224, 256, etc.? Are the only considerations quality of sound and storage size? Or for rock music, is 128 as good as I need?
2. I see that there are at least two formats, AAC & MP3. Can I purchase my songs in MP3 format in case I ever want to play them outside of iTunes or do I have to buy them via AAC?
I have a MacBook Pro with iTunes and a Treo 680 with pTunes (which I have rarely used to listen to music). At some point in the next few months, I will probably replace my Treo with an iPhone.

The additional hard drive space is negligible compared with the enhanced sound quality (hard for some people to hear) and the non-DRMness. It's totally worth it to get the iTunes Plus version, since you can do whatever you want to with that song file (your personal info is stored in the file, so if you distribute it you will be found out!). That means you can burn it however many times you want, play it with any media player program and, of course, load it onto non-ipod mp3 players.

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CONVERT from iTunes to other FORMATS (AAC, AIFF, MP3, WAV)

Came across a problem in trying to get music purchased from iTunes to be recognized by other media players (Quicktime or Final Cut Express). I found how to get iTunes to export to cd/dvd disks in AIFF format (and other formats).
Steps used:
From iTunes:
Create a new playlist folder in iTunes (under file)
Drop the songs you wished to use into the playlist folder
Go to the iTunes main menu,
select 'Preferences'
select 'Advanced'
select 'Import'
using "Import Using" select the format (AAC, AIFF, MP3, WAV) you desire
Input your CD/DVD disk to burn
highlight your Playlist file in iTunes that you want to convert
select 'File' in iTunes,
select "Burn Playlist to disc"
What you end up with is a CD/DVD with the music files in the format you selected -(I needed AIFF) from there you can use the disk or copy your converted files back into Final Cut or other software for use.
Hope this helps others having similar issues

Have you tried other formats, besides AIFF?
You can only burn purchased music to an
b Audio CD
and the Finder will tell you the files are AIFF. Actually the files on an Audio CD are PCM, but Mac OS 'sees' them as AIFF.
You can't convert purchased music in other formats, because it's protected.
M

Are .aac bit rates the same as mp3 bit rates?

Are .aac bit rates the same quality as mp3 bit rates? That is:
1. Is an .aac bit rate of 128kps the same quality as an mp3 bit rate of 256kps?
2. Is an .aac bit rate of 192kps the same quality as an mp3 bit rate of 256kps?
3. Is an .aac bit rate of 256kps the same quality as an mp3 bit rate of 256kps?
I use VLC Media Player v. 2.1.5 Rincewind.
1. How do I find out what the bit rate is for an .aac file?

1. Is an .aac bit rate of 128kps the same quality as an mp3 bit rate of 256kps?
2. Is an .aac bit rate of 192kps the same quality as an mp3 bit rate of 256kps?
3. Is an .aac bit rate of 256kps the same quality as an mp3 bit rate of 256kps?
Angel,
Assuming that all of the files you referred to were all transcoded from the same high-quality source, such as a CD, here are the answers:
1. At 128, AAC has an advantage
2. At 192 they are about the same
3. At 256 they are equivalent

Can no longer change bit rate in AAC custom import settings

I've been re-ripping all my CDs at the new higher bit rate. My import settings were AAC Encoder -- custom, originally set to 256 kbps, VBR, and auto for the other two settings. However, some CDs I wanted at a lower setting, so I would go change the bit rate to either 192 or 224 (just so I'd have more room on my ipod) and there wouldn't be a problem. But now it's stuck -- the pop-up box no longer opens when I choose import settings, AAC Encoder, Custom, so I can't change the bit rate or anything else, and it's stuck on 224 kbps. I can still change bit rate and other settings in the custom menus for MP3, WAV, etc., just not AAC. A repair install of iTunes did not fix the problem.

Hi, Ed. I am running iTunes 9.0.3.15. When I click custom, the settings description in the details box display what they were before this thing happened = 112 kbps (mono)/224 kbps (stereo), VBR, optimized for MMX/SSE2. The pop-up dialogue box that used to appear (where you could choose the specific bit rate from the drop down menu) does not appear at all.
However, when I choose anything other than AAC Encoder, and then pick custom, the pop-up box appears and I can choose the bit rate and adjust the other settings as usual. It's just not happening for AAC Encoder anymore. Since the total un-install (following Apple's specified order) and reinstall didn't work, I'm baffled how to fix this .... (If it makes a difference, I changed the bit rate in the custom box while a CD was being burned...Apparently that was stupid, but I had done it previously without incident.) Thanks.

Can no longer change bit rate in AAC custom import setting

I want to change personal settings of AAC, but I can't. Still only the last setting, that was 192 Kbps Stereo. My iTunes version is 10.7

Hi, Ed. I am running iTunes 9.0.3.15. When I click custom, the settings description in the details box display what they were before this thing happened = 112 kbps (mono)/224 kbps (stereo), VBR, optimized for MMX/SSE2. The pop-up dialogue box that used to appear (where you could choose the specific bit rate from the drop down menu) does not appear at all.
However, when I choose anything other than AAC Encoder, and then pick custom, the pop-up box appears and I can choose the bit rate and adjust the other settings as usual. It's just not happening for AAC Encoder anymore. Since the total un-install (following Apple's specified order) and reinstall didn't work, I'm baffled how to fix this .... (If it makes a difference, I changed the bit rate in the custom box while a CD was being burned...Apparently that was stupid, but I had done it previously without incident.) Thanks.

Exporting sound for dvd studio 4. Studio 4 is only accepting ac3, saying bit rate too high in ALL other formats. However, aa3 auto levels the sound, which is not wanted, and it also drops the volume by about 40%, also not wanted. How do I get around this.

I have successfully used various formats and bit rates of sound in DVD Pro 4 with no problems, AIFF, WAVE, (obviously preferable as they give a good quality of sound as intended). However, of late, DVD Pro 4 refuses AIFF, WAVE, and anything higher than the lowest ac3 bit rate/format. This is rendering an aweful sound, auto volume leveled - which gives a very unprofessional fluctuation in volume and making a ionsense of careful sound editing. It also renders the volume at about 30% - 40% lower than the original master requiring huge increase in amplifier volume settings to get a decent volume.I have tried every format and bit rate, but FCP and DVD Pro 4 will only accept the lowest ac3 setting.
I have customers awaiting video of their concerts, can not deliver with this sound issue.
very much appreciate some assistance here.
Phil TP

I suggest posting this in the Final Cut Studio forum where regular users of DVDSP are more likely to see your post and respond. When you do, I would expect someone will ask why you arent using Compressor in your workflow…)
Good luck.
Russ

320 & 128 bit rate in iPhone.

I haven't found an option that lets you choose the bit rate you want to convert your music to in my iPhone. All my music is 320 bit rate or lossless... So it's going to take a chunk of space. I'm converting the music I want on my iPhone to a 128 bit rate and throwing that in a playlist to sync to my phone... which I really don't want to do because now I have the same albums twice and it's makes my library messy. Any quick fix or solutions?

I can't speak for iPods cause I never bought one. I've always been the kind of person who rather have one device (Moto Razr V3i w/ iTunes) then two devices (reg. phone and an iPod). My phone would covert the music to 128 bit rate to optimize space. It would make sense that apple would give us an option to convert the size of our music files to optimize space as well. This making duplicate albums in two different bit rates is a hassle! Unless you've gone into Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Importing... the music you rip on your computer is going to be a defult ACC 128 bit rate format. Which there is nothing wrong with. If you share music with friends and they don't have iTunes there's going to be an issue. So I changed my encoder to MP3 and also adjusted the audio quality. You tend to lose lower frequencies when music is ripped at a low bit rate.

How do I reduce the bit rate for existing songs

Some of the songs are too large. How can I reduce the file size of selected songs? Thanks.

Hi,
You can do it by converting your file either with a lower bit rate or using an another compression algorithm. Be aware taugh that by doing so, you will loss audio quality. The best way is to restart, if possible, from your original files with your new importing settings.
To change your importing settings, go in the iTunes preferences, in the Advanced tab and then in the Importing tab and set the compressing algortihm and bit rate. AAC encoder is the algorith that will gives you the better compressing ratio.
Then, you you can either chose to reimport from your original CD (iTunes will ask you to replace the previously imported files) or select from the advanced menu the converting selection.

Constant bit rate MPEG2?

Hi,
I've been asked to supply a file in 1920x1080 MPEG2 constant bit rate format, but I can't seem to select CBR as an option if it's 1920x1080 MPEG2... does anyone have a solution?
Paul

Again, I can't quite figure it out. Here's what's happening on my screen:
I select Apple ProRes 422 as the target (and check that the output frame rate and size are the same 25fps, progressive, 1920x1080 as the source)
I go to the inspector window, and change file format to MPEG2, select Generic for stream usage, HD 1920x1080 for the video format... and can only One or Two Pass VBR. (Same result with HD DVD or BluRay as the stream usage settings; I can select CBR for non-HD formats.)
What am I missing?

What is the highest mp3 bit rate that Ipod plays without disk problems

I have a 60gig iPod. i note that iTunes can encode to mp3 at a bit rate of 192. Can the 60gig iPod play these files without any disk problems. If it can are there any other considerations?

the current ipod (5th gen) specification says...
Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV
http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html
btw the ipod disk isn't the limiting factor, sound files are played from buffer memory, the disk only runs when the buffer needs to be refilled

Bit rates, file type, MP3 encoders, quality settings etc.

Can someone provide me with or point me to a good explanation of various sound file types and settings and how it relates to sound quality and disk space? I've been importing tunes, recording some streams etc. and I realize I need a definitive source to explain to me how I can get the best sound quality, with all the variables involved: bit rate (64, 96, 128kbps etc.), file type (AIFF, WAV, MPs etc.), MP3 encoder (Apple lossless, AIFF, AAC etc.) Thanks in advance.....

OK. The following is my opinion.
iTunes supports 5 formats. WAV and AIFF are uncompressed and lossless. Apple Lossless Encoding (ALE) is compressed and lossless. MP3 and AAC are compressed and lossy.
WAV, AIFF, and ALE give the same quality as a CD but are too bulky for use in an iPod. The practical choices are MP3 and AAC.
AAC gives better quality for a given bit rate. However, it is not as widely supported as MP3. Many non-Apple players cannot handle AAC. So choose between MP3 and AAC accordingly.
Both AAC and MP3 allow you to select an encoding bit rate, usually in the range of 32 to 320 kb/s. That number affects the audio fidelity of the compressed file as compared with the CD quality original. Given that you will be using a good stereo at least part of the time, I suggest go no lower than 192.
You can do a web search and find listening tests, etc. You can also take a couple of tracks, rip them at 192, 256, and 320, and see if you notice anything better with the higher numbers.
Enjoy the music!

Format for inporting...AAC or MP3?

Dear all,
I'm trying to reduce the size of my iTunes Library but without losing quality of sound mostly since I have been upgrading all my songs to iTune Plus.
Could you please let me know if it's better to import songs from CD via AAP or MP3 both on the sound quality as well as from the file size?
Thank you
Regards

Have a look at this article, you'll get an extensive comparison of the AAC and MP3 formats and bit rates benchmarked against CD format: Planet of Sound - Quality of AAC audio and MP3
Of the two formats AAC is less widely used than MP3 at present. If you have a non Apple music player or a newer in-car CD player that you want to make MP3 CDs for then MP3 would be the most compatible of the two formats.

Bit rates : "good" in mp3 is "high" quality in ACC ?

When I got my Mac in late March, and commenced w/ the importing, I knew nothing of bit rates. Don't know much more now.,.,...but a friend recently pointed out the rate of 128 being lossy.
Checking preferences, we see that in mp3, 128 is indeed the lowest of 3 choices_yet in ACC encoding, it's listed as "high".
I'm sick to the bone at the thought that the nearly 10,0o0 items I've imported into iTunes are now ALL in need of a re-do !!
Is 128 in ACC actually inferior ?
I'd imagine that converting the entire library to mp3's doesn't do more then slightly "expand" tracks that were encoded lossy to begin with !
==oY!==
TIA,
~~~=Dave

Is 128 in ACC actually inferior ?
Not if you play back using a 'standard' audio system. On high end systems you may notice lack of 'depth' compared to playback of an original (store bought) CD. AAC 128 kbps is good quality for general purpose.
Importing your CDs is always a choice between the available space on your HD (and/or iPod) and the audio quality.
The best audio quality is achieved by importing your CDs in AIFF, WAV or Apple Lossless.
The first two are uncompressed formats, having all audio information, but they result in huge files (about 10 MB per minute).
Apple Lossless is a compressed file format, still has all audio information (it's lossless as the name implies), but results in smaller file sizes (about 5 MB per minute).
MP3 and AAC are lossy compressed file formats, resulting in small file sizes (about 1 MB per minute at 128 kbps). Both compressing methods 'throw away' certain, less important parts of the audio.
AAC is considered to have a better algorithm (calculation method).
As a result AAC at 128 kbps is as good as 160 kbps mp3.
If you're happy with the audio quality of AAC 128 kbps (same format as songs sold in the iTunes Store) there's no need to redo them.
Converting these songs to 160 (or 192) kbps mp3 will not improve sound quality, but worsen it.
Omitted parts of the audio cannot be recovered (only calculated).
As AAC and mp3 use different calculation methods, some of the audio information will be omitted again and worsen the quality.
If you are unhappy with the audio quality, import a few tracks in losless formats (AIFF, WAV or Apple Lossless) or AAC and/or mp3 at higher bit rates.
Listen to them on your system and determine which quality sounds good for your ears.
Remember though, importing at high bit rates or uncompressed formats requires lots of disk space.
Hope this helps.
M
17' iMac 800 MHz, 768 MB RAM, 200 GB HD, DL burner Mac OS X (10.4.8) iTunes 7.0.2

Bit Rate AAC Issues

I have been having some issues / confusion : First off I'm not sure if my settings are set right or not. I am importing with the AAC Encoder set to custom.
Stereo Bit Rate : 192 kbps
Sample Rate : Auto
Channels : Auto
Check Mark in : Use VBR
Now is this a good setting? I want @ least cd quality in an AAC format.
Issue: Not just my Imported cd tracks but the tracks purchaced from the itunes store all seem to play @ a Quiet Volume having to crank up both the Machines Volume and iTunes to almost max, plus with the EQ Preamp put to +10dB. It could just be the headphones, they are old.
Any tips or help on settings would be great. Thanks!

You're welcome. I use the default import settings of AAC 128 Kbps. This works well for me, but each person is a little bit different. For example you like 192 better.
I also use Apple Lossless for the live music I download, but when I want to take that music on my iPod I transcode it to 128 AAc.

Irregular Bit Rates for Converted/Imported AAC files (iTunes 7.5)?

I have noticed that my recent additions to my iTunes library have irregular bit rates inconsistent with the usual 128 kbps. They range from 121-131 kbps and appear to be randomly generated. This has happened with MP3s and WMAs that I have converted into AACs and CD tracks that I have imported as AACs. My first additions with these problems were on the 19th of November. Before this time I updated my library to iTunes 7.5. None of my previous 2000+ music files (all AAC) which I have been adding successfully for the last 3 years have had this problem and they are almost all (except for a couple at 64 kbps) at 128 kbps. My suspicion is that the new iTunes 7.5 may be the cause of this irregularity.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry, I found a past thread related to this issue. No Need to reply

Bit rate & format AAC or MP3)?

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