I am intending putting my whole CD collection on to my PC in MP3 format and then putting them on disk in that format so I can play them at work(MP3) and at home(CD) etc...

My PC at home has XP on and Winamp which seems pretty good, only played with it for a few minutes. Winamp imports the CD into WMA format I believe it is. (perhaps it can be configured to import in MP3?)
I have been told that these are better than MP3?
Anyway the question is if I import them all in WMA format can I later convert them to MP3 if I ever buy an MP3 player for the car?
Or should I just use a different ripper and rip them straight into MP3? If so anyone suggest a good free ripper?

Cheers

JGM :)

Winamp will play pretty much any format that you throw at it.

Although the WMA format produces a smaller filesize, I would recommend that you use MP3 format at a rate of 128kbps. This is pretty much as near to CD quality as your ear can recognise and will produce a relatively small file too.

I would also recommend CDex to rip with which I have found simple to use with reliable CDDB lookups too . . . oh, and its free :)

Superb..

thanks DJ

On the other hand - do a search on the MS website, and there is a comparative review (you can download MP3, WMA and realaudio) for comparison. I thought that WMA was by far the best for a given bitrate, plus coming with MS software support means that it is going to be pretty pervasive soon...

Suppose its personal preference.

To Microsoft or not, that is the question ;) IMO, not.

But then, I also use a car MP3 player so the choice is simple.

[Edited to say, I'd rather use MP3pro than WMA any day. Which is a fairer comparison than trying to compare WMA with MP3]

[Edited by DJ Dunk - 5/15/2002 12:22:24 PM]

What is MP3pro????

So WMA is better than normal MP3 then?

Will I be able to convert WMA to play on an MP3 car stereo though?

Cheers for the info so far

JGM :)

http://www.mp3prozone.com/ will give you any info on MP3pro you may need.

There are various programs around to convert between any formats you decide to use, but as soon as you start using lower bitrates you are heading on a downward slope and may end up having to re-rip your audio again because you have lost the top end frequencies and your audio sounds dull. If file size is not too much of a problem I'd stick to MP3, simply because its safer and supported by the vast majority of players and software :)

MP3Pro

WMA in cars... not yet. Probably soon though...

EDIT : Haha, beat me to it. DJ is probably right. If you are looking for maximum portability then stick with MP3. I went with WMA because it is part of XP, I couldn't tell the difference between it and the source and the SDK is constantly evolving with full support from MS. Except I only use it on PC's.

[Edited by MrDeference - 5/15/2002 12:59:15 PM]

I'd say, download a couple of rippers from Cnet or something and try them out to make your own mind up. Also bear in mind what you intend to do with the files in future.

Will you want to play in a car stereo ? Will the format be supported ?

What information do you want to hold about the file, within the file ? (ie. Track name, Author, Genre etc). Which formats let you store what info ?

Either way, so long as you don't go too low with your bitrates you can always re-encode your files at a later date to another format, whichever you choose.

HTH :)

Cheers guys..

I just wanted to put my CD's onto CD/WR for listening to here at work and at a later date I have my eye on a Kenwood 10disk CD/RW MP3 player.. So I guess I best go straight into MP3..

Excellent

:)

In that case MrD is right. MP3 is currently the best solution from a portability point of view :)

Have fun :D

My pioneer head unit plays MP3 and WMA :D At the best frequencies it's difficult to hear the difference between the formats, but I've noticed that MP3 seems to suit some music whilst WMA suits others. Best to experiment and see what you like best...

Iain

Oh no what a conundrum. Due to information recently bought to light I now have to go out and get a Pioneer head unit. :D

What's wrong with cassettes anyway ;)

[Edited by MrDeference - 5/15/2002 1:36:53 PM]