MP3 bit rate?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
E 320 CDI
MP3 bit rate?
Help!
So, I'm totally new to MP3's but am intrigued by the idea of having 50+ audio cd's worth of music on one DVD in my car. I've succesfully managed to use Roxio 6.0 to burn some MP3's onto both CD and DVD discs and play them in the car. The folders work just as others have described on the forum. Now I'm setting out to copy my CD collection into MP3's so I can build my dream music DVD for the car.
The question is what bit rate to use for the compression? Some have mention problems with Varible Bit Rate (VBR) so I think I'll avoid that. It looks like each Audio CD is about 500MB so the vairious bit rates work out about like this:
128 kbps =11x => 45 MB/cd => 104 audio cd's per DVD
160 kbps = 9x => 55 MB/cd => 85 audio cd's per DVD
224 kbps = 6x => 83 MB/cd => 56 audio cd's per DVD
320 kbps = 4x =>125 MB/cd => 38 audio cd's per DVD
I've tried them all and it is hard to make any clear judgement about quality. The Roxio software defaults to 160 kbps and they call this "near CD Quality". On the one hand, the whole point is to have quite a bit of music on one DVD which requires compression but I want the quality to be truly compatible with the car. It's going to take a while to rip all these MP3's so I need to decide which bit rate to use before I start.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
So, I'm totally new to MP3's but am intrigued by the idea of having 50+ audio cd's worth of music on one DVD in my car. I've succesfully managed to use Roxio 6.0 to burn some MP3's onto both CD and DVD discs and play them in the car. The folders work just as others have described on the forum. Now I'm setting out to copy my CD collection into MP3's so I can build my dream music DVD for the car.
The question is what bit rate to use for the compression? Some have mention problems with Varible Bit Rate (VBR) so I think I'll avoid that. It looks like each Audio CD is about 500MB so the vairious bit rates work out about like this:
128 kbps =11x => 45 MB/cd => 104 audio cd's per DVD
160 kbps = 9x => 55 MB/cd => 85 audio cd's per DVD
224 kbps = 6x => 83 MB/cd => 56 audio cd's per DVD
320 kbps = 4x =>125 MB/cd => 38 audio cd's per DVD
I've tried them all and it is hard to make any clear judgement about quality. The Roxio software defaults to 160 kbps and they call this "near CD Quality". On the one hand, the whole point is to have quite a bit of music on one DVD which requires compression but I want the quality to be truly compatible with the car. It's going to take a while to rip all these MP3's so I need to decide which bit rate to use before I start.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 14
From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
My recommendation is to use a R\W DVD and put your favourite tracks (just one or two) onto the DVD in the various bit-rates. Listen to them and be hyper critical.
Then make your decision.
I am a sad person that just enjoys music, I have not got a clue what the bit rate is.
My son has just told me the majority are recorded at 128??
Good luck,
John
Then make your decision.
I am a sad person that just enjoys music, I have not got a clue what the bit rate is.
My son has just told me the majority are recorded at 128??
Good luck,
John
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta, GA
<128 is virtually worthless; 128 is undesirable; 160 is a bit harsh; 192 is CD quality (most preferred); 256 is negligibly better (good for extreme octave range); 320 and higher is unnecessary (defeats compression advantage -- size).
If I were to do all the ripping (what a chore), I would stick with 192.
If I were to do all the ripping (what a chore), I would stick with 192.
Last edited by Baby Jocko; Dec 7, 2004 at 12:57 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 14
From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by Ormond2004
I agree. I prefer 192, but it might not sound too much different depending on your hearing.
John
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
E 320 CDI
Thanks for all the quick advice.
I've tried some various bit rates and I can hear a difference but as I went up in bit rate it was very subjective. The Logic 7 seems to do its own thing to manipulate the sound even further and that may be masking some subtle differences too. Not quite sure how all that works.
At any rate, 192 kbps, sounds like the consesus vote and it sure sounds good to me too. Now to sort and rip my cd's.......
I've tried some various bit rates and I can hear a difference but as I went up in bit rate it was very subjective. The Logic 7 seems to do its own thing to manipulate the sound even further and that may be masking some subtle differences too. Not quite sure how all that works.
At any rate, 192 kbps, sounds like the consesus vote and it sure sounds good to me too. Now to sort and rip my cd's.......
Last edited by jrthiele; Dec 7, 2004 at 02:31 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 819
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06 320E CDI, Porsche 911 C2, Pontiac Montana
I thought VBR was Very Boxomy Redhead? And the 128 bits was the going rate............... 
http://cd-rw.org/articles/archive/mydeneaclame.cfm
http://cd-rw.org/articles/archive/mydeneaclame.cfm
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 314
Likes: 10
From: In the shadow of D.C. (No.Va.)
'05 E320CDI, 1987 300E, Vanagon Syncro, Turbo Arrow III
FWIW, you all may have seen this, but my COMAND manual suggests:
"It is recommended to use MP3 tracks with a bit rate of 128 kbps or higher and with a scan rate of 44.1 kHz or higher. Lower rates may impair quality. This is particularly true if the Sound function* LOGIC7 Surround has been activated."
"It is recommended to use MP3 tracks with a bit rate of 128 kbps or higher and with a scan rate of 44.1 kHz or higher. Lower rates may impair quality. This is particularly true if the Sound function* LOGIC7 Surround has been activated."
