MP3 Format

Andybtsn · 2 Aug 2007 at 01:36

Hi,

I've recently heard that Apple Lossless format is superior to any formats currently out there, would I gain anything by using itunes to convert my mp3's to this format?

Thanks

just Scott · 2 Aug 2007 at 01:51

Depends if you have the ears/headphones/speakers/source to tell the difference.

You might notice a considerable difference, you might not.

Boah · 2 Aug 2007 at 01:58

Andybtsn said:
I've recently heard that Apple Lossless format is superior to any formats currently out there, would I gain anything by using itunes to convert my mp3's to this format?

No, MP3 is a lossy format. Once you have your audio in this format, converting it back to lossless format is not going to give you back any information/details that were lost in the conversion. So the sound quality should be about the same (possibly slightly worse, but that's unlikely with a lossless format).

The conversion is usually done the other way: from a lossless (big files) format to MP3 (small files), at the expense of some audio quality. How much depends on the settings used to convert and the converter used (as well as the equipment used to listen on and ears that are listening). Wikipedia has a pretty extensive article, if you are interested

Hen_Dawg · 2 Aug 2007 at 13:09

Just as both say above. It can be worth going lossless with higher end gear.
Absolutely zero point converting from mp3 to lossless though.

If you're interested in it though look at FLAC (free lossless audio codec) since apple's own one is locked to itunes ( :mad:

) whereas FLAC is open source works with loads of software and equipment ( :cool:

)

Encode a CD into both FLAC and 128/192kb/s mp3 and test to see if you can tell. There's plenty of free software to do this for you

OspreyO · 4 Aug 2007 at 00:05

Andybtsn said:
...I've recently heard that Apple Lossless format is superior to any formats currently out there,....

All lossless formats are the same quality. Lossless. Same as CD.

Trifid · 4 Aug 2007 at 19:45

I would say FLAC was the best lossless format.

See if you can tell the difference between lossless and MP3 at various qualities: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17756888

(Was disappointed that no one tried this.

)

SexyGreyFox · 5 Aug 2007 at 02:30

Andybtsn said:
to convert my mp3's to this format?

Poo in, poo out.

marc2003 · 5 Aug 2007 at 02:50

Andybtsn said:
would I gain anything by using itunes to convert my mp3's to this format?

hehe. no, all you would have is an exact replica of your mp3 file but with a much larger file size. you only use lossless codecs when ripping from a proper audio cd.

Big.Wayne · 5 Aug 2007 at 04:18

marc2003 said:
all you would have is an exact replica of your mp3 file but with a much larger file size. you only use lossless codecs when ripping from a proper audio cd.

Took the words out my mouth!

OspreyO · 5 Aug 2007 at 11:37

marc2003 said:
hehe. no, all you would have is an exact replica of your mp3 file but with a much larger file size. you only use lossless codecs when ripping from a proper audio cd.

Also only where you got the gear and environment to hear it. Decent speakers, amp, headphones, quiet room etc. Using lossless on the train, bus on iPod or similar with low end earphones is pointless. You simply won't hear the benefits.

I decided my gear was only average at best, and I usually listen when I'm on the move. So theres was no point moving to lossless and using GB's of disk space for quality I can't ear. If in the future I get a decent equipment and time to listen to it, I'll re-rip all my CD's. I'm happy to stick to 192~256kbs Lame MP3 and ATRAC. My library is compact (80GB's) and easier to manage and back up.