Ok..whats best for general use?

[Guest]

Going to transfer my CD collection to MP3/WMA.
I'm a bit confused by all the different options.
MP3 or WMA? VBR or Constant?

What would be a good starting point?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

MP3 vs WMA:
You'll find that MP3 is generally more compatible with modern music/CD
players.
Many CD players will not play WMAs such as DVD players and portables. It
mainly
depends on where you are going to use the CDs once burned.
VBR vs Constant:
VBR gives the best quality and functions best when used at high bitrates
(160kbps and up).
ABR gives quality in between VBR and CBR, and is best used under 160kbps.
CBR (Constant) gives the least quality of the three.

 

[Michael]

Well, depends what "general use" is for you
If you have enough disk space, transfer all your CD's at highest quality
(about 30MB per track, "mathematically lossless" cf. MS) available in your
hardware/software. WMP allows for CD-quality whereas Audigy ZS2 or others
allow for DVD quality. Later, you can compress to MP3 or whatever for other
playing devices, but your collection remains at pristine quality.
If you have less disk space, go for lower quality and smaller sizes.
Michael