Alternative Music File Formats

OK, sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I though, as it was to do with music, this might be the best place for it.

Anyway, all my music is in the .mp3 format. It sounds pretty reasonable on my computer speakers, but when I try it on my proper hi-fi system, it really doesn't sound that good. So I was wondering; what other formats could I use for my music, besides .mp3? One which stores the music at a higher quality. And, more importantly, how would I go about converting all my mp3s to it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. You guys know a lot more about this sort of stuff than I do

#114689

mp3 192kbps sounds not bad if you are under try to rencode yours songs

try also the MPC format.

and use another player like foobar

#114692

MP3 is a 'lossy' format, ie. it removes information to compress the files. Once this information is lost, it's gone forever and converting an MP3 to another format will either make no difference or make it worse.

It's a bit like a very compressed JPEG image, even if you convert it to a BMP it'll still look as bad because the compression has already done the damage.

Unfortunately the only way to get good rips is to start over with either a better compressor like OGG VORBIS at high bitrates or as WAV files which don't remove info but are very large. I have started to rip all my stuff into WAV now as I have the room to do it and it can always be compressed later if needed.

Sorry the news isn't too good.

#114736

If you want to put CD tracks on the computer, you could either try doing it in .flac (stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec) - search google. Or try .wmp format.

Windows Media format is a lossy format, but takes up roughly half the room a .mp3 takes up. If you have the room, i'd pick .flac (which winamp supports when you install the plugin that comes with flacs' installer).

If you haven't got much room, try wmp's.

#114740

.ogg

The reason your MP3s sound lousy tho is because there encoded at a low biterate (the number of kilobytes/second or soemthing like that) to keep the size down, but you loose quality. SO its not realy MP3s fault.

#114743

If you play a CD in your comp and listen through your hi-fi how's the sound then? You're sure your computer plays well with your stereo?

MP3 rips (192kbps) via original CDs (and kdx ) sound great from my comp into my stereo. Check the sound quality with other players like Derek says or check you have your settings optimized in your current player. I use iTunes and the sound is crystal clear on those good rips. Oh, and if you stay with MP3, 192kbps should be your minimum MP3 bitrate IMO.

#114752

Originally posted by smeggy@Feb 15 2004, 06:17 PM

MP3 is a 'lossy' format, ie. it removes information to compress the files. Once this information is lost, it's gone forever and converting an MP3 to another format will either make no difference or make it worse. 

It's a bit like a very compressed JPEG image, even if you convert it to a BMP it'll still look as bad because the compression has already done the damage.

Unfortunately the only way to get good rips is to start over with either a better compressor like OGG VORBIS at high bitrates or as WAV files which don't remove info but are very large. I have started to rip all my stuff into WAV now as I have the room to do it and it can always be compressed later if needed.

Sorry the news isn't too good.

Hmm, that isn't what I wanted to hear. >.

#115092

I know this topic has been posted before. In the end it all comes down to personal preference. I encode to.mp3 with LAME. VBR, quality3, Stereo. I usually average 65 megs an album. The file size is bigger than say 128kbs but HD space is SO cheap now. I play them through my HTPC and most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Lately I've been lookin into .ogg.

#115128

if you want to know what metalmusicaddict is talking about go to www.myhtpc.net (it's a free piece of software to play all your music, etc.

#115209

TheBigB. I accually wasnt. I was talkin about MY as in mine. I do use myHTPC though. Its great. It doesnt use its own player. I uses others. myHTPC is more a frontend. If you want to talk about HTPC IM/PM me. This isnt the appropriate fourm.

#115357