MP3 question...

[phill9700]

when backing up my CD's into MP3 format, i use a 192Kb bit rate, is there any point in going lower say 128Kb or not? i cant really notice the difference when listening to it through my pc speaker setup but theres differences when i listen it through the nice big hi-fi in the front room <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR>i was just wondering what all you guys backed up your cd's too (i hate the words 'ripped' or 'copied', i buy my cds like i do my games and dvd's i dont see what the problem is putting them into a MP3 format...)<BR><BR>anyways, thanks for you advice as always <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Ace]

I thought that CDs came in 128 anyway... so I can't see the point of using 192 <BR><BR>As for backing up, I'm lazy. I just use WMA to copy them in .wma format to my music folder. I then stuff the CD in a pile with all the rest, never to be seen again, and just listen to it on my PC <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Shufty]

CD's come in a format similar to ".wav" and are 10meg/minute. The equivalent ".mp3" format is 128kbps and is roughtly 10 times smaller than that of ".wav" coming in at 1meg/minute. Personally, I prefer 192kbps CBR as a quality/space compromise.

[phill9700]

well i did 192 as it was a little up from basic, i figured 128 was ok but thats why i have it set slightly higher..<BR><BR>no, cd's arent ever made in 128 format.. like Shufty said, they are done "in a format similar to ".wav" and are 10meg/minute".. i think my dad told me that they use tape which runs so much faster so more of the information is spread out.. this way it gives it a better quality...

[Shufty]

Well, the actual bit rate of the ".wav" is above 1000, meaning a rip to 192kbps is worthwhile. 192kbps is about 1.5meg/minute. The optimal format is probably 160kbps VBR

[phill9700]

well i just back them up at 192kb rather than anything else.. like i say its a little higher than default and its worth the little bit more room on the drive..<BR>