mp3 -> mp4-aac What bitrate would do justice to 320kbit/s

[aliumalik]

Hi,
I am converting my mp3 files from 320kbit/s mp3(FhG) to aac using quicktime 6.5.1. Can anyone suggest what would be the optimal bitrate so that the quality is preserved. Please don't say 320k :D.
Thanks

[stephanV]

i think anything above 192 kbps is considered "transparant" for the vast majority of people (with most codecs). but since your re-encoding im not sure if that still will hold... cant you rip the original CD again?

[aliumalik]

No I'm afraid I can't re-rip as these songs are really really old. Why? Would there be some problems caused by converting?
Thanks

[stephanV]

i dont know, well the best thing to do would just to try and find out. im guessing with 192 kbps youd still be ok, if you go lower than that, it will depend on how good ears you have.

[bond]

first of all as always the question: are you sure that you want to reencode from mp3 to aac? this process is never lossless!

about suitable aac bitrates:
i always attended rjamorims listening tests and from my experiences there with cd sources i would say that 128kbps is definitely enough for me
on the first aac listening test at 128kbps as my ears were not at all trained (i would say the typical users ears) i couldnt really hear any differences between different aac codecs (apple, sorenson, psytel, nero)
in the second test i could hear them, but it was also very hard and i was listening with headphones (without any background noise)

[aliumalik]

It even wont't be lossless if I convert from 320k mp3 to 320k aac? just wanted to change them because my hard disk space is really creeping up on me and I have a notebook so cant get major hard drive upgrades

[bond]

reencoding with a lossy codec is never lossless

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by aliumalik
It even wont't be lossless if I convert from 320k mp3 to 320k aac? just wanted to change them because my hard disk space is really creeping up on me and I have a notebook so cant get major hard drive upgrades I think you need to weigh up your long term plans.

Okay, your currently storing your mp3 files on your laptop but how are you listening to them? If you're using your laptops crappy built in speakers then I reckon 320kbps was overkill to begin with.

That said, if you some classic tracks that you can't re-encode from the source, why not back them up to CD~R/RW or if your laptop has an PCMCIA slot, some form of temporary memory storage card. Or better still an external hard-drive.

I'm currently using one of these...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/media/largeimages/35057i0.jpg

...to transfer data to and from my PC to an external hard-drive or CD/DVD~R/RW. It's able to connect to any IDE type drive via USB1.1 or 2.0 It also comes with an power supply.

It works surprisingly well and it just the thing for "deep storing" data on all those low capacity hard-drives you can pick up for next to nothing.... the best £25.00 I've spent in a long time!


Cheers

[aliumalik]

external drives cost a bunch plus I'd have to carry it everywhere around with me.

Another question, would a transcoded 192k aac file offer more quality than a transcoded 192k mp3 file?
Thank

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by aliumalik
external drives cost a bunch plus I'd have to carry it everywhere around with me. That's true if you buy a proper flashy looking device!

If you were to use the above connector you can attach any old hard drive to your PC and use it to store files that you don't necessarily need on your laptop 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Freeing space for files that you do need!

With regard to trans-coding any audio file, I think you've just got to try it for yourself. Some tools are easier to use than others and may provide different sounding results.

You could give Foobar2000 or dBpowerAMP a go. Both offer mp3 to AAC trans-coding but will require a whole new learning experience!


Good luck