ArmyOfQuad said:
I think title availability is 5.1's only hope. mp3 is an awful sounding format, how can anyone stand all that distortion in the cymbals?
I just can't stand a 128kbps mp3. 192 is tolerable, but still not CD quality.
Variable bitrate mp3 with an *average* of 190 kbps (see --alt preset standard below) can be indistinguishable from CD quality. IME. I've also had three people (so far) attempt to distinguish the redbook from the mp3, in a blind test, using a disc I made featuring a variety of rock, jazz, and classical music; none scored statistically better than chance.
Note that even at 320 kbps constant bitrate, the most 'insane' mp3 setting available, a lot of data is being 'thrown away'.
From Hydrogenaudio.org
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http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=28124)
These settings require Lame 3.90 or later. Lame 3.90.3 found on this website is the recommended version. LAME 3.95.1 and later use a new VBR preset system, which is discussed in more detail [here].
Note: At a given bitrate range, the quality scale usually works to where VBR is higher quality than ABR which is higher quality than CBR (CBR < ABR < VBR in terms of quality). The exception to this is when you choose the highest possible CBR bitrate, which is 320 kbps (--alt-preset insane).
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Recommended encoder settings:
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--alt-preset standard (~190 kbit/s, typical 180 ... 220)
--alt-preset fast standard (~190 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)
--alt-preset extreme (~250 kbit/s, typical 220 ... 270)
--alt-preset fast extreme (~250 kbit/s, faster but potentially lower quality)
--alt-preset insane (320 kbit/s CBR, highest possible quality)
For high quality on portable MP3 players, you may use --alt-preset medium (around 160 kbit/s). The medium preset is only available in the modified LAME3.90.3.
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I think the only real reason mp3 caught on like it did was because it was free.
That, and it allowed people to store tons of music files in rather small drives.
Mp3s are so commonly played on computer speakers, or through headphones on an ipod or mp3 player. I don't really think mp3 is used much on a home theater system, or much of anything that's equipped with surround sound, so honestly I really don't see mp3 surround effecting the 5.1 market that much for good or for bad.
Video data compression (mpeg4) is used every time you watch a DVD. Data compression per se is not evil. Mpeg3 comes in a variety of flavors, some of which are suitable for critical listening, some not. The main issue for most people with stereo/HT systems, I suspect, isn't so much sound, as that they don't have any devices hooked to their home systems that can *store* and play mp3s. So they probably haven't even heard mp3 over their home systems, unless they've made a disc of them and played them in an mp3-compatible CD/DVD player. Most people don't want to run a long line from their computer to their home theaters.
If they did, they'd probably find 128 kbps CBR unacceptable, but probably would have no problem with stuff encoded as recommended above.