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    Need help with itunes and mp3 bit rate

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by The Fire Snake, Oct 14, 2009.

  1. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    I am having some trouble with itunes. I never liked this program very much but it seems to have gotten a little more streamlined from the last time I used it. I have an IPOD so I guess I have to use it. I am trying to rip my CDs to mp3s ideally at 256 kbps variable bit rate at the highest quality level. So I go into itunes -> Edit -> Preferences -> General Tab -> Import Settings and choose the MP3 encoding and try to customize it. Therefore I choose Stereo Bit Rate = 256 kbps and I check the box "Use VBR". I also choose the quality from the drop down, as the Highest.

    So with all these settings when I rip a CD and check the Mp3 files generated, Windows XP is telling me that the files are 320 kbps. What am I doing wrong? I want 256 VBR at the best sound quality. Any help would be great. Thanks.
     
    The Fire Snake, Oct 14, 2009
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  2. brownstonemr

    brownstonemr Notebook Consultant

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    I get that also in vista but if you actually play the file in winamp for example you will see the kbps changing. Or go to View/View Options in Itunes and you should see the vbr next to your songs.
     
    brownstonemr, Oct 14, 2009
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  3. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Yep, the reason the bitrate keeps changing as you play it is it's VBR = Variable Bit Rate. So, each frame (1/44 of a second) is in a different bit rate. Windows probably just shows whatever the first frame is, or something like that.

    btw you may have to use iTunes to sync your iPod... but you can use any program you want to rip your CDs and make mp3 files.

    For best quality in the mp3 format, I suggest the LAME encoder, which can be used with CDex or EAC... and possibly other programs... although at 256 kbps anything should sound pretty good.

    For a rough estimate of bitrate... look at the file size and track length. 128 kbps gives around 1 MB/min... 256 kbps gives around 2 MB/min., etc.

    Also, with VBR, the average bitrate of any file may differ a bit from the "target" bitrate you requested... but it should average close to the target bitrate over a large music library.
     
    swarmer, Oct 15, 2009
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  4. brownstonemr

    brownstonemr Notebook Consultant

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    brownstonemr, Oct 15, 2009
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  5. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I'm using Foobar2000 to manage all my music and sync/manage my iPod. It's great, no need to use that Apple bloatware anymore :)
     
    MidnightSun, Oct 16, 2009
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  6. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    I was looking at LAME but I read something to the effect like it might not be legal to use. Did I misunderstand? Is LAME a plugin to these various conversion programs like foobar, EAC etc? If I wanted LAME, where should I download the program from? Thanks
     
    The Fire Snake, Nov 9, 2009
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