Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

[rockumal]

When the dbpowerAMP convertor window pops up, and I pick AAC, it gives me several different levels to encode at. It typically starts with Quality 100 (VBR). Which option in the dropdown box is closest to 320kbps?

[xoas]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

VBR 500 will be the closest approximation with the FAAC AAC/m4a codecs.
FYI-The Nero AAC codec does provide a 320 cbr setting. This codec requires Nero v5 or v6.

Best wishes,
Bill

[neilthecellist]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

NOTE: If you have Nero7, roll back to Nero6. I'd give you a list of why Nero7 sucks, but that's your own opinion.

For now, I'll just say this: The NeroAAC codec won't work on Nero7, so you MUST roll back to Nero6 for the codec to work.

Good luck.

-Neil out

[rockumal]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

Huge thanks guys! I should probably start another thread, but can someone explain the difference between constant (CBR) and variable (VBR) bit rates in terms of sound quality/file size?

I've been using Apple Lossless on my 4th gen iPod for a while, but in order to get the most out of my HDD and battery life I've been moving things over to AAC, with quite a bit of file size savings and not as much sound degredation as I expected. That being said I'm trying to stay as close to the original wavs as I can. Should I be using one over the other? I own Nero 6 so I could use that codec...

[xoas]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

You can find a good basic explanation of VBR vs, CBR here:

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/spoons-audio-guide-formats.htm

Essentially, vbr allows you to conserve file space while maintaining quality or to improve quality while using a similar amount of file space (vs. the same file at cbr).

There are some trade-offs. File size and actual bitrates are difficult to predict for vbr settings (they will vary from one file to the next). Some portable players may have difficulty in handling vbr files (whether this is true of your iPod I really don't know but my guess is that I don't think so).

If you use the Nero codec, be sure to also keep the FAAC codec installed also, since the Nero codec encodes only. You may find the Nero codec more to your liking (in cbr it supports up to 448 kbs).

Some users prefer to archive their files in a lossless format and convert them to lossy format (saving the lossless original) for use on their portable player (where space is at a premium and quality is usually not quite as important).

Best wishes,
Bill

[ChristinaS]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

Some users prefer to archive their files in a [COLOR=Red]lossy[/COLOR] format and convert them to lossy format (saving the lossless original) for use on their portable player (where space is at a premium and quality is usually not quite as important).

I think you mean [COLOR=Green]lossless[/COLOR] rather than [COLOR=Red]lossy[/COLOR], don't you?

[neilthecellist]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

Stick with CBR, in my opinion. It's "universal", whereas VBR is a little "newer."

[gameplaya15143]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

as far as i know, aac is vbr no matter what. even when set to cbr, most (all that i have seen) will fluxuate at least by 1kbps.
im not too sure why you would want to use 320kbps with aac though.. seems like a bit of a waste to me

[LtData]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

That sounds like Ogg Vorbis CBR, which is also basically "emulated" CBR

[gameplaya15143]

Re: Enc. to AAC, which is 320kbps?

That sounds like Ogg Vorbis CBR, which is also basically "emulated" CBR

yup! i have never seen a true cbr aac file.

it seems that faac maxes out around 300kbps at quality 500. the max when the bitrate switch is used is lower, somewhere near 270kbps