Re: Help with file types for MP3 player

Ed,
What are your thoughts re converting mp3 to wma? I have MusicMatch Jukebox
10 and I think it can do batch conversions. I have a lot of greater than 160
mp3 files, some as high as 256 or 320. It would make my life easier if I
could convert them to something smaller without a loss of playback quality.
Currently I store a lot of them on DVDs but smaller files would mean being
able to store on my HD instead.

Also, I use my Palm Zire 31 as an MP3 player (mainly because it's always
with me anyway). I think it can playback wma files. I am putting a Audio In
connection in my car so I can play from the Palm to my car stereo. I had an
FM transmitter that did this but the quality was pretty crappy. I had a 128M
card with this setup and converted to MP3 128 to save space. Now I have a 1G
Card. If it was you what would you use as the best compromise re playback
and size in that scenario (Audio In and 1G MP3 player)?
Thanks.

"Ed Jay" <edMbj@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:pqfgb21s2ar7jv4rmujpsioo67nv1ho1uj@xxxxxxxxxx
memiki scribed:

What is the best file type for a Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GIG for use
with Windows Media Player 10 -- WMA or MP3?

I have a good Music Store and Service Bit-Rate Chart that says, "WMA,
AAC, RAX, and ATRAC3 files are roughly equal when encoded at the same
bit rate. MP3 sound quality is roughly half as good as the
aforementioned file types, so an MP3 file encoded at 320Kbps would be
about equal with a WMA file encoded at 160 Kbps. Keep in mind that the
higher the bit rate, the better the sound quality and the larger the
size of the file (within the same file type).

I would appreciate any information from personal experience re file
type and configuring.

Not too long ago, I ripped all of my CD collection and put them in a
computer for my living room sound system. I tested mp3, mp3-pro and wma at
different bit rates by making a CD with the same music recorded as wav
(lossless) and mp3/wma at various bit rates, and had people listen and
grade the sound quality of each recording. I found that wma at about 160kb
significantly outscored mp3 and mp3-pro at 128 and 160. I ended up ripping
everything to wma.

BTW, I used the sp/dif output from the CD reader in the computer, so the
sound board made no difference in the tests. All D/A conversion,
filtering, etc., is done by my Yamaha receiver.
--
Ed Jay (remove 'M' to respond by email)


.

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