How to convert MP3 to WMA

[clicknext]

I've heard that Windows Media Audio format is a higher quality-smaller filesize format than MP3. I want to try it out, see for example how a 64kbps WMA compares to a 128kbps MP3, and maybe convert all my music to that format if it's good. How do I do that?

 

[StevenYoo]

Winamp has a WMA output thingy.

just go to the Output settings under Preferences.

configure the plug-in to the proper path and bitrates.

use 44100 Hz and 64 kbps and Stereo.

then just load up your playlist with mp3's and play. it'll convert them for u to the path u specified.

remember to turn off Repeat and Shuffle!

 

[Redviffer]

Windows media also has a conversion utility, but I think it's actually part of the Plus! for XP pack.

 

[Workin']

Well, converting mp3 to wma is not going to make it sound any better! You can't convert an mp3 file and expect it to sound better than what you started with.

Besides, wma is the spawn of the devil. If you really don't want to use mp3 try OGG.

 

[Redviffer]

Originally posted by: clicknext
I've heard that Windows Media Audio format is a higher quality-smaller filesize format than MP3. I want to try it out, see for example how a 64kbps WMA compares to a 128kbps MP3, and maybe convert all my music to that format if it's good. How do I do that?

Workin' is correct, they won't sound better, but you are correct in that they will sound the same but be smaller file size for the same sound quality (that's according to MS). Very useful if you are trying to free up space on your HD.

 

[stevewm]

 

[mk]

Originally posted by: Redviffer

Originally posted by: clicknext
I've heard that Windows Media Audio format is a higher quality-smaller filesize format than MP3. I want to try it out, see for example how a 64kbps WMA compares to a 128kbps MP3, and maybe convert all my music to that format if it's good. How do I do that?

Workin' is correct, they won't sound better, but you are correct in that they will sound the same but be smaller file size for the same sound quality (that's according to MS). Very useful if you are trying to free up space on your HD.

Using a lossy format such as MP3 and WMA to compress music will always give lower quality than that of the source. The end result will (naturally) depend on the quality of the source and the compression format and any settings used.
If you use a 128kbps MP3 (which by itself is barely listenable ) as a source and put it through a process (transcoding to 64kbps WMA) that will totally ruin the sound IMO it's quite unreasonable to expect the WMA's to have any other use than to fill up disk space.

If for some reason one wants/needs to use WMA the only way to go is to re-rip and encode all the CD's with the WMP.

 

[clicknext]

Originally posted by: Mk4

Originally posted by: Redviffer

Originally posted by: clicknext
I've heard that Windows Media Audio format is a higher quality-smaller filesize format than MP3. I want to try it out, see for example how a 64kbps WMA compares to a 128kbps MP3, and maybe convert all my music to that format if it's good. How do I do that?

Workin' is correct, they won't sound better, but you are correct in that they will sound the same but be smaller file size for the same sound quality (that's according to MS). Very useful if you are trying to free up space on your HD.

Using a lossy format such as MP3 and WMA to compress music will always give lower quality than that of the source. The end result will (naturally) depend on the quality of the source and the compression format and any settings used.
If you use a 128kbps MP3 (which by itself is barely listenable ) as a source and put it through a process (transcoding to 64kbps WMA) that will totally ruin the sound IMO it's quite unreasonable to expect the WMA's to have any other use than to fill up disk space.

If for some reason one wants/needs to use WMA the only way to go is to re-rip and encode all the CD's with the WMP.

Well I know all that, but the only reason I would want to convert is that MS claims WMA has better soundquality for bit rate, which also means smaller file size for more quality. My MP3 CD player also plays WMA files so if this is true, I could stuff more music on one CD.

 

[Workin']

Well I know all that, but the only reason I would want to convert is that MS claims WMA has better soundquality for bit rate, which also means smaller file size for more quality. My MP3 CD player also plays WMA files so if this is true, I could stuff more music on one CD.

That's supposedly true, according to Microsoft at least. The point is to not convert the mp3's to wma, because converting one lossy format to another lossy format will sound pathetic. Convert the orignal CD's to wma and the results will be lots better.