mp3 question

[~AlicGinnis~]

Is there a way to convert variable bit rate mp3's to fixed
128 bitrate? A friend wants to convert his mp3 collection to fixed rate.
Batch processing would be helpful.
thanks,
a.

 

[meow2222]

Is there a way to convert variable bit rate mp3's to fixed
128 bitrate?  A friend wants to convert his mp3 collection to fixed rate.
Batch processing would be helpful.
thanks,
a.

There are several format convertors about, eg format factory. But
you'll end up with degraded quality, can't you upgrade your software
to cope with vbr?


NT

 

[~AlicGinnis~]

Here is the question as I received it.
"One reason I decided I needed a big storage drive is that when I started to
save my MP3s on CDs in prep for reformatting my hard drive, the MP3s were
seen as much bigger than they actually were. I recorded them using variable
bit rate, which always made the player unable to recognize the duration of
the song (time length shown on player constantly changes while song plays).
I had the same problem when I tried to make a compilation CD from my MP3s:
they were seen by the recorder as much bigger than reality. Have you run
into this? Is there any way to correct it? After recognizing this problem
recently, I changed my recorder setting to constant bit rate of 128. That
solves problem for new recordings, but not old ones".

Is there a way to convert variable bit rate mp3's to fixed
128 bitrate? A friend wants to convert his mp3 collection to fixed rate.
Batch processing would be helpful.
thanks,
a.

There are several format convertors about, eg format factory. But
you'll end up with degraded quality, can't you upgrade your software
to cope with vbr?


NT

 

[~AlicGinnis~]

thanks for the tip!

~AlicGinnis~ formulated the question :

"SUPER ©" can do this. I have previously used it for video format
conversion only, but after reading your message I converted a VBR mp3 to a
128kbps FBR mp3 with no difficulty.

http://www.erightsoft.com/S6Kg1.html

You can drag and drop multiple files into the pane or select multiple
files from a dialog box. The only annoyance I have found is that when I
input a file called yadda.mp3 the output file becomes yadda.mp3.mp3.
There's probably a setting to prevent that, somewhere...

Tony.

 

[meow2222]

There are several format convertors about, eg format factory. But
you'll end up with degraded quality, can't you upgrade your software
to cope with vbr?

NT

Here is the question as I received it.
"One reason I decided I needed a big storage drive is that when I startedto
save my MP3s on CDs in prep for reformatting my hard drive, the MP3s were
seen as much bigger than they actually were.  I recorded them using variable
bit rate, which always made the player unable to recognize the duration of
the song (time length shown on player constantly changes while song plays).
I had the same problem when I tried to make a compilation CD from my MP3s:
they were seen by the recorder as much bigger than reality.  Have you run
into this?  Is there any way to correct it?  After recognizing this problem
recently, I changed my recorder setting to constant bit rate of 128.  That
solves problem for new recordings, but not old ones".

I can only think the questioner is confused. VBR gives better file
size to quality ratio, the only downside I know of is that trivial
issue with displayed audio times. As far as burning files to cd or
storing them on hdd the one and only effect of VBR is that the file is
smaller for the same quality, so you get more on the disc or hdd.

I'm going to guess that the question asker is using a player app to
create CDs, which is a crappy idea. Even a basic data CD writing app
like Deepburner will have no problem at all with VBR, and in fact will
get more audio time onto the CD by using VBR.

Its always sensible to say what youre trying to achieve, as too often
the OP has made assumptions that dont hold true.


NT

 

[jaster]

I can only think the questioner is confused. VBR gives better file size
to quality ratio, the only downside I know of is that trivial issue with
displayed audio times. As far as burning files to cd or storing them on
hdd the one and only effect of VBR is that the file is smaller for the
same quality, so you get more on the disc or hdd.

I'm going to guess that the question asker is using a player app to
create CDs, which is a crappy idea. Even a basic data CD writing app
like Deepburner will have no problem at all with VBR, and in fact will
get more audio time onto the CD by using VBR.

Its always sensible to say what youre trying to achieve, as too often
the OP has made assumptions that dont hold true.


NT

I should have replied to the OP but didn't. Converting fixed rate to vbr
may result in truncation of the audio stream. VBR gives the fuller range
of audio when recording content but converting fixed to VBR I don't
recommend.

 

[Nil]

Here is the question as I received it.
"One reason I decided I needed a big storage drive is that when I
started to save my MP3s on CDs in prep for reformatting my hard
drive, the MP3s were seen as much bigger than they actually were.
I recorded them using variable bit rate, which always made the
player unable to recognize the duration of the song (time length
shown on player constantly changes while song plays). I had the
same problem when I tried to make a compilation CD from my MP3s:
they were seen by the recorder as much bigger than reality. Have
you run into this? Is there any way to correct it? After
recognizing this problem recently, I changed my recorder setting
to constant bit rate of 128. That solves problem for new
recordings, but not old ones".

I believe this happens when a poorly-written MP3 encoder creates
incorrect or corrupt headers, where the file's properties are
specified. The playback or recorder app will, indeed report wrong file
sizes, track lengths, or bitrates. I use Foobar2000's "Fix VBD Header"
feature to correct that. I expect there are other utilities out there
that will do the same. That would be a much better solution than re-
encoding the files, the result of which will be greatly degraded
compared to the original.