What bitrate for MP3 CD? 192/224?

[KnickNut3]

Hey. I'm encoding all my CDs in anxious excitement waiting for my SlimX.

Which bitrate should I encode at? I know higher is higher quality, but is the difference audible between 192 and 224 on an MP3 CD player? From my approx calculations, you can fit 6-7 CDs on 1 CD at 224, but 9-10 at 192. If there is no difference in quality I might as well go the 192 route. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[pulse8]

If it does VBR, check this out.

 

[KnickNut3]

Thanks. Does anyone know if the iRiver SlimX supports vbr? If it does, then it looks like a good option...

 

[KnickNut3]

I can't tell from the page, but here it is:
iRiver SlimX

 

[KnickNut3]

Is vbr globally (or nearly globally) readable? I wasn't sure if you meant if my encoder or my player "does vbr..." if it's an encoding thing yes my MusicMatch Jukebox does support vbr.

 

[pulse8]

No, check that web site and use EAC and LAME to make VBR mp3s.

I was asking if your mp3 player will take VBR.

 

[KnickNut3]

Anyone have an answer? I know lots of people have it, but not sure if it does it. It's the most advanced player out there right now, so I would think if any one of them did it it would...

 

[Pabster]

Yes, SlimX plays VBR.

The problem with VBR is that a lot of devices have trouble with them. Some are unable to report accurately the track length, some have trouble ff/rw with them, and some devices cannot reliably play them whatsoever.

Also, unfortunately, the only decent VBR is LAME ... and most of the VBR files out there are done with Xing or equivalent. Personally, I stick to Fraunhoffer @ 256 HQ for everything.

 

[KnickNut3]

Well, if I'm only encoding them with Lame, for me, only to be played in a SlimX, is it worth it?

 

[KnickNut3]

^ before I start to encode need a suggestion please...

 

[nord1899]

Well the SlimX is similar to my Rio Volt and VBR works fine in it.

 

[KnickNut3]

k thanks.

 

[glen]

I think decoding is straight forward and almost any player can decode almost anything.
Encoding is not as standard and takes way more CPU cycles.

 

[voodooguy]

If you're going to be playing your mp3's on computers only, do 8kbps-320 kbps VBR.

If you're going to be playing your mp3's on other devices as well, do 32kbps-256kbps VBR. Most devices will not read bitrates lower than 32 and higher than 256.

In either case, VBR will give you great space savings. On average, mp3's will take up space equivalent to 160kbps CBR mp3's.

 

[thomsbrain]

it depends on your headphones/speakers. if they are really nice, crank up the bitrate. otherwise, you probably won't notice.

 

[peto]

<< Which bitrate should I encode at? I know higher is higher quality, but is the difference audible between 192 and 224 on an MP3 CD player? >>

It really depends on the quality of your headphones and how anal you are. If you have a good pair of cans and planning to listen to it in a quiet place, I'd go with 256kbps. If you're gonna be listening to it in the gym or something with some sport-type earphones 192 will suffice.

 

[Paulson]

256 is what I do it all at...