WMA to MP3

stevemcol

Hi

Converting WMA to MP3 using audio convertor studio.
Is there a generally accepted best set of values to set min and max VBR to give best balance of file size v sound quality or is it just a case of experimenting?

spookmeister

Whenever I rip/convert/download music I generally go for the CD Quality options.

But when you're converting from one format to the other bare in mind that if you have originally ripped/etc in in lesser quality your finished result will only ever be as good as that original.

Most download sites rip music in a high/very high quality so it's generally better to go with their downloads - of course whatever you choose to do is up to you.

Hope that helps a little.

S.

stevemcol

The tracks are originally ripped from a CD using Media Player ( I assume this is 44Khz CD quality). I'm then looking to compact it for an MP3 player.
Is there an optimal set of values to use?

-TangleFoot-

stevemcol wrote:

The tracks are originally ripped from a CD using Media Player...

If you have the time to spare - and WMP 10 or 11 - you can rip them again. All you need to do beforehand is select Tools>Options>Rip Music and change the format to MP3.

kingmonkey

WMA is already compact for an MP3 player, unless you want to compact it further.

Most MP3 players can play WMA.

superscaper

kingmonkey wrote:

WMA is already compact for an MP3 player, unless you want to compact it further.

Most MP3 players can play WMA.

Very true, I always use wma where I can for my mp3 player as wma files are smaller than mp3 for the same bitrate/quality.

stevemcol

Thanks for all the replies. I thought the WMA file sizes looked large but I've just compared them to equivalent WAV files and I now know what large really looks like!
Agree there is no need for further compression and yes the wife's chrissy prezzy MP3 player is OK with WMA.

On a similar subject.. my stereo takes USB sticks and MP3 players; quite a nice feature. Has anyone developed a wi-fi receiver that will plug into the USB slot and allow streaming audio from PC/laptop.
I have asked this before but never really got an answer.

kingmonkey

stevemcol wrote:

On a similar subject.. my stereo takes USB sticks and MP3 players; quite a nice feature. Has anyone developed a wi-fi receiver that will plug into the USB slot and allow streaming audio from PC/laptop.
I have asked this before but never really got an answer.

I dont know what you mean by a USB wi-fi receiver to stream audio.

You can get FM transmitters that plug into any mini-jack socket to transmit to your radio.

You can stream audio through your home network (wireless or wired) to other PCs/game consoles or network enabled TV/stereos

You can plug your computer into you stereo using the correct cable.

Hope this answers your question a bit.

EDIT:

I think I know what you mean now. Your computer streaming music via wireless network to a wi-fi USB dongle plugged into the stereo, acting as a USB flash drive.

Probably possible. There are wireless media servers around.

stevemcol

kingmonkey wrote:

EDIT:

I think I know what you mean now. Your computer streaming music via wireless network to a wi-fi USB dongle plugged into the stereo, acting as a USB flash drive.

Probably possible. There are wireless media servers around.

Yes, that's what I'm talking about. It seems such an obvious device but doesn't yet seem to exist.

DrBenway

You want one of these:

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=27219


But if you aren't comfortable ripping a stereo and squeezebox apart and hoping the transplant goes OK then just a squeezebox will do the job.

More expensive than the bottom end wifi streamers but the sound quality is v.good for the price.