MP3 Audio Quality

[jimmy]

Well I bought one of those Blaupunkt MP3 Compact Drives and have been trying to get to grips with MP3. All my current CD's are saved to my HDD in Windows Media Audio (.WMA) format.

Is it possible to convert .WMA files to .MP3 files?

I have started re-saving my CD's to a new directory using Windows Media player and an MP3 plug-in. This works OK with the Blaupunkt MP3 drive, so far I have about 10 CD's on the 1GB MicroDrive and have only used 190MB.

I have been saving the mp3 files at 56kbps (25MB per CD) is there a noticable loss of sound quality at this rate or should I be saving at 160kbps (72MB per CD) ?

I am knew to mp3 so would appreciate any help.

Also, anybody know of a cheap source of 1GB Microdrives?

 

[Jukie]

Jimmy,

Try these (or similar, there are numerous out there):

http://downloads.zdnet.co.uk/downloads/detail/1002-2140-10249519.html

http://www.cobwebaudio.co.uk/mp3_software/mp3_converters/

For sound quality, save MP3s at a minimum of 128 kbps. As you have found already, the higher the sample rate, the better the sound but the biger this file size.

Cheers,

David

 

[Ian B Walker]

You can convert wav files to MP3 with Nero 6. Choose your own bit rate too. May be able to assist with the program. Drop me a PM if interested.

 

[sym]

Microdrives seem to be about £100 - not seen them much cheaper than this.

Even the ones on eBay are approaching that figure, so may as well buy new.

www.valuemedia.co.uk have them for £90 + VAT

eBay e.g.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2981793030&category=18868

S.

 

[simonl]

Hi Jimmy,

I use LAME (mp3 encoder) and RazorLame (win GUI for LAME encoder).

You can get the LAME encoder from http://www.mp3-tech.org/ > Encoders > Windows

This section also has a link to the RazorLame website: http://www.dors.de/razorlame/download.php

Both of FREE!!!

For the car only I would encode at 128kbps. If you want to listen to them at home aswell I'd encode at 160kbps. (That's just my own preference). There's a whole host of options you can choose when encoding - they're explained in the concise documentation that comes with RazorLame. However, thre are also loads of presets so you can just choose one of those instead (I use the HiFi preset [160kbps]).

 

[craigyb]

Don't go below 128K, I'm running my PC in the car and have 1500 albums sat my disposal im mp3 format, wouldn't like to think what that would cost in microdrives.

Craaig

 

[samuelellis]

i use a program called CDex and i never rip below 192kb

but i use varaible encloding so i set the lowest bitrate to 192kb and the highest to 320kb and it sound pertty good to me (thats through my home sterio tho i dont have mp3 in the car)

 

[Aswall]

As has been said you need at least 128 kbps for acceptable sound but it needs to be 192 kbps to approach the sound quality of a cd, you will notice the difference even in the car. I use EAC with the LAME encoder and a variable bitrate and never use less than 192 kbps as I know from past experience how much better it is

Cheers
Andy

 

[jimmy]

Thanks guys,

I had recorded a load of CD's onto the compact drive at 56kbps and thought it sounded OK but not as good as a CD. I have just recorded 50 Cents at 160kbps and the difference is quite noticable. Damn that guy swears alot!!

I know recording at the higher rate will reduce the capacity but the Microdrive is so easy to remove and update that I dont mind. I may get another at a later date, so I can have a choice.

 

[simonl]

Thanks guys,

I had recorded a load of CD's onto the compact drive at 56kbps and thought it sounded OK but not as good as a CD. I have just recorded 50 Cents at 160kbps and the difference is quite noticable. Damn that guy swears alot!!

50 cent sounds best out of earshot

 

[samuelellis]

i cant stand this gangsta rap rubbish, mainstay of the kev cd collection

its amazing even with blown rover standard speakers and a 9 year old blaupunkt headunit(one of the sq daddys of its time and it still is) i can still drown them out with sommat like just one fix by ministy or even happyness is a warm gun by the beatles tends to drown them out

kev bating is fun