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Author Topic: Best Bitrate  (Read 3390 times)

Insync

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Best Bitrate
« on: November 17, 2003, 11:08:09 pm »
Nuebie Question.  I'm not quite the audiofile that some may be but I have recently ipgraded to MC9 from Jukebox8 and I have the following question.
When ripping into the library from the CD, what is the best format to convert it to?  mp3, wma?  My default for MC9 was .wma.    The bigger bitrate the better quality the song?  I may do ipod in the future but for now the bitrate question is all I have.   :-[

Thanks
Insync
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jakobluck

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2003, 11:20:00 pm »
i use mp3 using -alt-preset standard. mp3 so all rips will work with my handheld, -aps for the best balance between quality and filesize.
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jleerigby

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2003, 02:16:39 am »
The vast majority of people want to strke a sensible balance between:

* File size
* Quality
* Compatibility

For some file size is not so important as they have several massive hard drives and a not so huge music collection.  Most don't fall into this category and IMO the format that strkes the best balance between the 3 is MP3 ripped at 192 kbps.
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gpvillamil

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2003, 03:38:58 am »
MP3 ripped at a variable bit rate, using the LAME alt-presets.  Not too big, sound good, will play everywhere.

Go to Tools/Options/Encoding
Select "MP3 Encoder VBR"
Select Quality = Custom
Click the Advanced button
Enter "--alt-preset standard" in the parameter box

Alternatively you can enter "--alt-preset extreme" or "--alt-preset insane"

Variable bit rate means that the encoder adjusts the bit rate according to the requirements of the music. This means that highly demanding passages are encoded at high bit rates, less demanding ones at lower bit rates, hence saving a lot of space.

The --alt-presets are basically a set of parameters for the MP3 encoder, selected after long testing to provide the best results. The differences between them are:

--alt-preset standard: imposes a minimum bitrate of 128kbps
--alt-preset extreme: imposes a minimum bitrate of 192kbps
--alt-present insane: in effect, 320kbps constant bit rate

I find that MP3s encoded using --alt-preset standard end up averaging 224kbps bitrate, sound better, and are not significantly larger than a 192kbps CBR MP3.

The difference between the standard & extreme presets appears to be the subject of religious war - files will be about 10% larger using extreme.
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crowfan

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2003, 07:49:46 am »
Also, if you are planning to get an iPod, stick with some sort of mp3 (not wma), it will make your life so much easier when you get the iPod!

 :)

crow
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dedidio

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2003, 08:04:56 am »
This should be made part of an FAQ or something because it's definately asked frequently enough.

Personally LAME mp3 128bit high quality is the one I picked as it serves my need of file-size and quality.  Part of me wanted to go lossless but I eventually decided against it because I couldn't hear the difference (for most music anyway).
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shAf

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2003, 08:23:29 am »
Regarding LAME and its preset '--alt-preset standard' (or relative to any of the other preset minimums), it should be of interest to point out that if the music quality is not worthy, you end up with the minimum.

So it is rather a no brainer when you use LAME together with its presets ... you always end up with either (1) the compressed quality you desire, or (2) nothing worse than the minimum.

When compressing older stuff (e.g., Billie Holiday, Fats Waller), use '--alt-preset standard', and you always get 128kbps.
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8thNote

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2003, 08:52:31 am »
I noticed when I first went in the custom option for MP3 encoder VBR, it said "--alt-preset fast standard"

Why the fast? Does it need to be there?

BTW, thanks, guys! This thread is very helpful! I'm doing my CDs now at "--alt-preset standard" upgrading from 128kbps CBR.
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Wobbley

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2003, 01:02:29 pm »
I think the fast setting doesn't use some of the psychoanalysis algorithms, resulting in a less robust encoding of a song, but a (slightly) smaller file size and quicker encoding times.  The decrease in time to encode is the reason the parameter is called "fast".

Wobbley
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Doof

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2003, 02:05:49 pm »
1411 is the best bitrate.
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xen-uno

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2003, 03:30:16 pm »
Doof...

Did you decompress after that 500' dive the other day?..cause it sounds like you have the bends (or you've been substituting nitrous oxide for oxygen). You know that 800 kbs is the ideal bitrate...like in flac or ape.

10-27
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Insync

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2003, 10:26:38 pm »
 :)  Thanks everyone for the assistance.  MC9 is now set to choose the Bitrate it wants.  -alt-preset standard.  Thanks.

Insync   8)
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red90

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2003, 09:47:01 am »
Just for interest sake, what are the non custum settings equivalent too?  i.e. Normal, etc...
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xen-uno

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2003, 10:26:00 am »
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GHammer

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #14 on: November 21, 2003, 10:51:02 am »
Quote from: xen-uno on November 21, 2003, 10:26:00 am
I guessed at the equivalents awhile back. See...

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=1382;start=msg5963#msg5963

10-27


More than you ever wanted to know about LAME and settings can be found at Hydrogenaudio

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?showforum=55&
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cthornburgh

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #15 on: November 21, 2003, 11:04:43 am »
I'd like to follow-up on this question with a slightly different twist...lots of great info here on striking the best balance between size and quality, but what about the absolute highest quality rip?  I am ripping for a media server with a bunch of big HDD's and have some expensive audio gear hooked up to it...what method of ripping will ensure that I get the highest resolution possible?

Will using the highest quality file format keep me from ever using an ipod?  I know the size will mean relatively little music will fit on a portable, but I want the best quality that will still let me squeeze an album or two on the ipod (thats got to be easy, right?).

Thanks for the help!

Charles
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red90

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #16 on: November 21, 2003, 11:24:46 am »
OK, it is nice to geuss, but the guys from MJ must be able to tell us what settings each of the non custom modes use.
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red90

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Re:Best Bitrate
« Reply #17 on: November 21, 2003, 11:28:25 am »
Quote from: cthornburgh on November 21, 2003, 11:04:43 am
I'd like to follow-up on this question with a slightly different twist...lots of great info here on striking the best balance between size and quality, but what about the absolute highest quality rip?  I am ripping for a media server with a bunch of big HDD's and have some expensive audio gear hooked up to it...what method of ripping will ensure that I get the highest resolution possible?
...
Charles

The highest possible resolution is CBR at 320 if using MP3.  There are, of course, arguments but most agree that there is no possible way to tell the difference between VBR standard and a raw CDA format song using the human ear even on the best audio equipment.  Flame away....

Read this http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?showtopic=7516& if you want to know as much as anyone...
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