Another iTunes Question

I have a couple more question:

1.) Which is a better option for ripping (importing) a CD into iTunes - AAC or MP3? I have done some reading on it and it seems AAC is preferable. But in a mixed computer environment (Mac and Windows), I'm wondering if MP3 will produce less potential for file conflicts.

2.) If I go with MP3, what is the suggested bit rate?

3.) About divx and xvid video formats, will they play fine on my mac?

4.) I have a large collection of wma music. Is there a simle way to get these converted to be used in iTunes?

 

1. MP3 is the better route, as practically every player supports it from the get-go.
2. The higher the better, but 256 is very good. I've tried 192 before but it came out a bit staticy.
3. Yep, just get the free codec's (one for Mac OSX, and one for Windows) for them and your good to go. You can find the Divx codec here: www.divx.com
4. iTunes can convert them as it imports them. Look for an option in the iTunes preferences to enable this feature (I think its on by default, but check anyway). It takes a while to complete, roughly needing about 10 or 15 seconds per 3 minute song. Just let it do this overnight.

 

1. AAC is better than MP3 and will work equally well on Windows and Mac operating systems. More and more devices are starting to use AAC now and is believed to be the future replacement of MP3.

2. With MP3 your best bet is VBR, v2, v3 or v 4.

3. Yep, read previous post.

4. iTunes can convert unprotected WMAs. It will automatically convert to the selected Import settings when you import them. Letting it do it overnight is a good idea.

 

Thanks. I have tried doing the import of my wma files....but I can't figure it out. How would I do that for multiple files and folders?

Thanks.

 

Here are some alternatives to DivX...

VLC Media Player.

Perian + Flip4Mac + QuickTime.

 

I saw that recently. But after googling it, I found some people have some incompatibilities.

Anyone with some help on how to import my wma files/folders?


Thanks again for the help.

 

Well, AAC is supposed to be the "better" format, but MP3 is still more widely used. I believe AAC allows tracks of the same quality to be a smaller file size.

Anyway, iTunes does importing fine (go for 256 kbps), but if you are a real audiophile, the iTunes encoder isn't as great as it could be. I use other software to import my music from CDs, but its Windows-only...if anyone knows a good Mac application that imports music from CDs at highest quality, let me know .

As for DivX, yes, there is DivX Player for Mac OS X so that will be fine.

Anyway, iTunes should be able to convert WMAs (non-protected)...try dragging an WMA into iTunes, see if it automatically converts it.

 

I have tried that, and it doesn't do anything. Using the File/Import comand (doesn't do anything either.

 

I'm not sure what incompatibilities you found, but to each their own. DivX works too. I have yet to encounter a MPEG-4 file that either Perian, Flip4Mac, or VLC couldn't handle.

iTunes for Mac OS X does not support WMA. iTunes for Windows does. I think the easiest way to transcode WMA to MP3 is probably with Windows Media Player (in Windows). Or you can use iTunes in Windows. Sidenote: Windows Media Player for Mac sucks hard.

If you want to transcode WMA in OS X try Switch. Or install Flip4Mac, open the WMA file in QuickTime Pro, export to WAV, import to iTunes and then convert to MP3. That last option would be tedious and probably produce more artifacts though. Also, I know of some additional third-party Mac applications to transcode WMA like Music Man and EasyWMA, but they are not free. Maybe someone else knows a different freeware option to convert WMA in OS X?

 

"Better" depends on what you want.

Better sound quality at the same bitrate = AAC
Better compatibility with different devices and software = MP3

 

I would stay with mp3. I dont think it makes enough of a difference for you to recognize. + some mp3 players dont recognize aac (I mean other than ipod).
AAC stands for Advanced Audio Coding By the way and its supposed to give you better sound quality but I dont see the difference whatsoever.