Yes, I've already done the same thing. I also explored that combo box and decided that the sixth and last VBR setting indicates that ABR is a subcategory of it, the way it's coded. But I settled on using the default setting, as Kevin suggested.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Wood" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 12:05 PM Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats The settings are disabled, default, vbr old, then vbr new, and finally vbr-abr. I think maybe with that one, they suggest a floor of 64 kbps. I tried what Kevin suggested, setting vbr to default, and set the floor at 128 kbps, and the ceiling at 320 kbps. It did sound better that way, I think. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 4:07 PM Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > Thanks for explaining this. One more question about settings: > > I've learned from you how to make variable bit rate settings. Now, if I > wish to try the average bit rate approach described in the manual, I > wonder > if I've discovered the way to set it for that. There isn't any button or > anything for doing this, so I poked around in the combo box list of > various > variable bit rate types. First you have Disabled, then you have the > default > one, I guess that's what you're expected to use normally. > > Then you have a couple of variations whose names I don't understand. And > then, last on the list, is an option written as "VBR -ABR!" could this be > the choice that sets the encoder to use an average bit rate, as a sub-type > of "variable bit rate?" Does anyone know? > > this program, though the price is right and the operation fairly simple to > navigate with a screen reader, is pretty bad in terms of how things are > named and how the documentation is written. I mean, it truly makes no > sense > at time. It doesn't say, for instance, how to set VBR or ABR despite > discussing them, and I see it's given one reader the opposite idea of what > it meant by cautioning against not using a floor setting. Same for the on > the fly explanation. It starts by saying one thing, then reverses itself > not out of intention but just because the writing is confused, and no one > edited it for clarity. > > I believe your own explanation of the on the fly deal sounded right. I've > noticed that ripping takes much longer when you uncheck it, so I assume > this > is because those operations I'm hearing tracked by the progress bar > involve > a first one that writes the track to an image, as you put it, and then it > converts that to an .mp3. But honestly, this stuff wouldn't be so hard if > the interface and documentation were a little better done. > > I know, beggars can't be choosers. So step on my pencil cup and smash my > blues guitar. But still. > > Okay, so what about the ABR setting? Is that how you'd make it? and then > do you still set a minimum and maximum for it to work with? > > thanks, guys. > coencodr fr > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 11:27 AM > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > > Hi. > > There was a full version of CDEX released after this beta but > unfortunately > version 1.51 didn't work on many peoples machines and so the beta lived > on. > > Regards. > > Kevin > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 9:03 PM > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats > > >> Ah, so the Control A select all works, even though control homeand then >> select to end didn't? Interesting. In other such situations, often > control >> A won't work, but if you go to the top or bottom of an area and select > home >> or select end, that will copy all. ah, I know what it is I'm thinking >> of. >> The General or Details tabs of the properties display for an Outlook > Express >> message. >> >> Okay. I'll look again... >> One more thing about the version of CdEx. How come it's a Beta version? >> Isn't there going to be a final version released? >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> >> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 12:27 PM >> Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats >> >> >> I use that version of CDEX as I think most people on the list do. There > is >> actually an updated version 1.6 available now but I'm not sure what the > new >> features are. >> >> It's true that when you hit enter on a help topic, JAWS will start >> reading >> the page. You can't use your PC cursor to read the page back but you can >> use the JAWS cursor to do so. Alternatively, use control + A to select > and >> control + C to copy and paste into a word document. This does work and >> here's the CDEX introduction copied in exactly that way. >> >> Introduction >> >> >> This document describes CDex, a utility for extracting sound files from > CDs >> in your CD-ROM drive, and for converting WAV files into several other >> (compressed) formats, like the popular MP3 format. >> >> The latest version of CDex can be downloaded from: >> http://www.cdex.n3.net >> >> System Requirements >> Status of CDex >> Acknowledgements >> Change log >> >> >> >> Kevin >> E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> >> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 8:14 PM >> Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats >> >> >> > One more thing: I just opened the copy of CdEx on my computer and >> attempted >> > to study the help file topics about things I need to learn. But even >> though >> > the topic list is set up like a tree view, and I can navigate it fine > and >> > open books or topics to arrow to their sub topics, when I hit Enter, >> > I'm >> > taken to a page that >> > 1. starts reading audotmatically in Jaws if I don't touch the >> > keyboard, >> but >> > can't be read deliberately with the arrow keys and Jaws reading >> keystrokes. >> > I thought maybe I could compensate by selecting and copying each > topics's >> > text to the clipboard and pasting into a text editor to read, but my >> attempt >> > to do this also failed, for some reason. >> > >> > Also, the text seems incomplete, from what I can figure out, like only >> topic >> > headings are given but then there's no actual writing beyond that. >> > >> > 2. I checked my version of CdEx, and I wonder if it's not really what >> > I >> > ought to be using if I want to have the latest configuration and more >> usable >> > or fully written help documentation. I have version 1.51 Beta. A > friend >> > put it on my system, saying it's what he uses. But is this out of >> > date? >> If >> > so, where do I go to download the latest version of CdEx? >> > >> > thanks. >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: "Kevin Lloyd" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> >> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 10:53 AM >> > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats >> > >> > >> > Hi Daniel. >> > >> > CDEX will allow you to use a number of encoders to rip your music and >> allow >> > you to use constant or variable bit rates. The WMA format is available >> but >> > not all bit rates are supported for the version of the encoder >> > included. >> > >> > Saying that, the default Lame encoder is regarded as one of the best >> > MP3 >> > encoders around and in comparison tests I've done myself and read >> > about, >> it >> > out performs WMA with most music genres. >> > >> > With regards to your question on burning the compressed MP3 or WMA >> > files >> to >> > CD, well, you have the choice when burning to either create an audio CD >> for >> > play in a standard CD player which will convert the compressed file >> > into >> WAV >> > and then CDDA or you can burn the files to a data CD which will burn > them >> > exactly as they are on your hard drive. That is, compressed. There >> > are >> > increasing numbers of players on the market now, both portable and > genuine >> > hi-fi, that will play these data CD's with your MP3 music. This means > you >> > could have 10 albums or more on a single disc. Kelly's point was > exactly >> > this that MP3 is still the most popular compressed format and most well >> > supported. You wouldn't want to rip a collection of CD's into WMA and >> find >> > that you couldn't play them on anything else but your computer. Maybe > you >> > might now but chances are you'll want to take them with you at some > point >> > and want to invest in a portable player. Having them ripped into MP3 > will >> > give you a much greater choice of player when that day comes. >> > >> > Regards. >> > >> > Kevin >> > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> >> > Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 2:17 AM >> > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats >> > >> > >> > > Hi Kelly, >> > > thanks for responding. I have a copy of CdEx, though I forget the >> > version. >> > > But it doesn't offer any .wma possibilities at all, only .mp3 and > .wav. >> > > Does this mean I have an old version of it? Someone else loaded it > onto >> > my >> > > system for me. If I can update and see a more comprehensive array of >> > > compression options, that'd be reassuring. >> > > >> > > Also, I confess I don't understand about wither a compressed file can >> play >> > > on a CD player: From what I've learned so far, I have the impression >> that >> > > if you burn an .mp3 or other compressed music file to a CD, it will >> > > be >> > > converted, either manually or, in some programs, automatically, to a >> .wav >> > > file to be burned. Isn't this so? If it is, then what does it >> > > matter >> > > whether the file on your hard drive is .mp3 or .wma? >> > > >> > > Please explain further. I'm educating myself with your help. >> > > thanks, >> > > Daniel >> > > >> > > ----- Original Message ----- >> > > From: "Kelly Pierce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> >> > > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 3:28 PM >> > > Subject: Re: Understanding and comparing compression formats >> > > >> > > >> > > the options you mentioned with Windows media ripping are also > available >> in >> > > ripping MP3s with CDEX. remember it is in Microsoft's interest to > make >> > > windows Media appear to be a much more attractive experience than the >> > > infinitely portable and compatible MP3 format. With MP3 encoding, > files >> > can >> > > be encoded on various levels of quality, with fixed or variable bit >> rates >> > in >> > > full stereo. >> > > >> > > One thing to consider is the likelihood that the files you rip can be >> > played >> > > on other people's computers with different kinds and versions of >> software >> > > and on portable devices in the present and future. many CD players > can >> > play >> > > MP3 files but only a fraction of these can also play Windows Media >> files. >> > > to verify this, just go to bestbuy.com and review the portable CD >> players >> > > available for sale. Most play MP3 files but only one can also play >> > windows >> > > Media files as well. >> > > >> > > I encode most of the music I rip in MP3 at 256 bit in full stereo at > the >> > > very highest quality. >> > > >> > > Kelly >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > ----- Original Message ----- >> > > From: "Yardbird" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > > To: "PC-Audio" <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> >> > > Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 12:39 AM >> > > Subject: Understanding and comparing compression formats >> > > >> > > >> > > > I've just been learning how to rip music from CDs to my hard drive >> using >> > > > several different programs, and the one that interests me most at >> > present >> > > > is >> > > > Windows Media Player because of the variety of formats it offers. >> > > > >> > > > As I explore and test these formats, one thing confuses me: You >> > > > can >> rip >> > > > Windows Media Audio files about six different ways, not counting >> > > > the >> > > > lossless option. Now, I'm aware that .mp3 ripping can be adjusted > to >> > use >> > > > bit rates higher than the default 128 in order to restore a little > of >> > the >> > > > information that a lower bit rate strips out. >> > > > >> > > > but understanding that is simple compared to the range of .wma >> options. >> > > > Here's the main thing that puzzles me. In the WMP menu for setting >> your >> > > > rip >> > > > options, there are *two* sets of .wma options, each with its own > range >> > of >> > > > sound quality level. >> > > > >> > > > First is the .wma choice that uses a slider to provide you with,as >> > > > I >> > > > recall, >> > > > three levels of sound quality. I've ripped the same track with all >> > three, >> > > > and not only listened to them-- the differences are audible to me, >> > > > although >> > > > pretty subtle compared to the difference between any of them and a >> less >> > > > compressed lossless or uncompress .wav version. Still, for saving >> > space, >> > > > I >> > > > appreciate the compression, so I remain interested. >> > > > >> > > > Okay. So the smallest .wma sound quality level creates a really > small >> > > > file, >> > > > much smaller than the same tune ripped to .mp3. And it doesn't > sound >> > any >> > > > worse than the .mp3, was my impression. The next higher levels > create >> > > > larger files, with the highest quality level creating a file for >> > > > any >> > given >> > > > track that's about the same size as a 192 bit rate .mp3. If I go > this >> > > > way, >> > > > I'd suppose that's the method I'd use, so you get a little better >> sound >> > > > quality than an .mp3 for the same file size. >> > > > >> > > > But then, right beneath this on that menu, there's a variable bit > rate >> > > > .wma >> > > > option, again set by a slider, but this time starting at 0 per cent >> and >> > > > going up. Zero per cent of what? And, more to the point, if this > has >> > to >> > > > do >> > > > with changing bit rates (doesn't the other method, I wonder? How > else >> > > > would >> > > > you change quality except by varying the bit rate?) where are the >> > > > indications for *what* bit rate this slider takes you through? >> > > > >> > > > So that's it. I'm really wondering about this stuff as I try to >> settle >> > on >> > > > a >> > > > preferred rip method to set for my usual use. Does anyone > understand >> > > > whatever it is I'm not getting about these two adjustable .ma > formats? >> > Is >> > > > there anywhere to read a simple primer about them? I don't feel >> > > > the >> > need >> > > > to >> > > > do research if someone can just explain what it is I'm not >> > understanding. >> > > > But just in case there's some online information about this that > would >> > > > clarify it all, that would be fine, too. >> > > > >> > > > Thanks, >> > > > Daniel >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > -- >> > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. >> > > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> > > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.5 - Release Date: >> > > > 5/4/2005 >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > _______________________________________________ >> > > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> > > > http://www.pc-audio.org >> > > > >> > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > _______________________________________________ >> > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> > > http://www.pc-audio.org >> > > >> > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > -- >> > > No virus found in this incoming message. >> > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > -- >> > > No virus found in this outgoing message. >> > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> > > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 >> > > >> > > >> > > _______________________________________________ >> > > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> > > http://www.pc-audio.org >> > > >> > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> > http://www.pc-audio.org >> > >> > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > No virus found in this incoming message. >> > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > No virus found in this outgoing message. >> > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> > http://www.pc-audio.org >> > >> > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> http://www.pc-audio.org >> >> To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.6 - Release Date: 5/6/2005 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> http://www.pc-audio.org >> >> To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > _______________________________________________ > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.8 - Release Date: 5/10/2005 > > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.8 - Release Date: 5/10/2005 > > > _______________________________________________ > PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > _______________________________________________ PC-Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... http://www.pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- No virus found in this incoming message. 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