What is the cause of this MP3 read problem?

[Mears]

Have you ever had a mp3 that when played in winamp would display alternating bitrate readings? I'm listening to a song and it fluctuates between 160-192kbps. This isn't the first time this has happened. Is this a problem with winamp or the the encoding of the mp3?

 

[StageLeft]

Variable Bitrate Mp3s, they just change the bit rate depending on complexity of that part of the song. It's done when it is encoded.

 

[kami]

It means whoever encoded it actually knew what they were doing.

Variable bitrate = better quality with smaller file size.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Not another case of the VBR virus :Q:Q:Q

 

[Mears]

Well, what about when it is converted into wav format? I don't see how something that switches between 128 and 192 could be better than something that is just 192 period.

 

[Mears]

bump

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Ok, excuse the analogies I might try to make. I've been up for 2 days straight now and beginning to lose my grip on reality



<< I don't see how something that switches between 128 and 192 could be better than something that is just 192 period. >>

One word: Size.

You simply don't need 192k encoding for parts of the clip. Those are the moments when a lower rate will sound exactly the same and not have the extra space.