FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

[javajeff]

Someone please explain the difference between the FLAC compressions. There are 0-8 that I can select. I burned one song at 0 and 8 and the difference was approximately 20 MB for 8 and 21 MB for 0. I thought that FLAC was a lossless format, so I am trying to understand my options. Thanks in advance for your insight.

[Spoon]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

It is lossless for all modes, the level is just how much effort goes into compressing.

[javajeff]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

So when I burn a CD from FLAC files, it should be equivalent in sound quality to the original CD...is that correct? I am thinking about using FLAC to safeguard music beyond the media. Thanks.

[mcouture]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

You are correct, FLAC is a "lossless" compression...meaning it will not loose any quality...ever.

That is what I do, I use FLAC to store my collection (and I will be backing that up to DVD eventually), then I convert FLAC to MP# for my iPod and other various "projects".

[javajeff]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

...then I convert FLAC to MP# for my iPod and other various "projects".

What formats can work with my ipod nano and winamp? I have been storing my music in mp3 at 192kbps. Great sounding music is important to me, so I definitely enjoy reading about what other people's preferences. Thanks for your insight.

Regards,

Jeff

[LtData]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

MP4 works, as well as Apple Lossless. However, due to limited space, you will probably want to not use ALAC, as it is large. Also, your current mp3 files will work just fine and it is normally considered a bad idea to convert from one lossy (mp3) format to another (mp4) lossy format. Remember that converting a lossy file to a higher bitrate does not magically give you quality, it just increases the file size.

[javajeff]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

I actually have all the CDs, so I was thinking about ripping them again if there is a new standard. I am getting the impression from people that mp3 is not good and I should start using a newer format. It has been a habit for me to rip to mp3 since it works everywhere including in home DVD players and car stereos.

[LtData]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

Just remember that you are the final judge on what you should rip your music to. If a 192kbps mp3 sounds no different than a 192kbps mp4 or a 256kbps mp3, then why switch? One good idea, though, is that if you plan on re-ripping all of your CDs, rip them to a lossless format such as FLAC, Monkey's Audio, WMA Lossless, or ALAC. Then, you can convert those files to your lossy files for your portable players without losing quality.

[flips]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

Of the lossless formats I only know FLAC, which I chose because it had ID tags and was lossless and Free. Is some of the other lossless formats remarkably better in some aspects? (I think some of the formats doesn't have ID tags.)

[Spoon]

Re: FLAC Compression - Need help from Experienced users!

Very few do not have ID tags (shorten).