Posted by CQ on 10/14/05 14:26

In article <434f8c03$0$11171$ba624c82@nntp02.dk.telia.net>, said...

> I'm about to import my CD-discs into iTunes in the mp3 format.

What is it with this iTunes application that everyone is so enamored
with? I used it briefly on a new computer and almost immediately dumped
it. In the meantime it had made a horrible mess of my files and the
directory structure which took me days to get straightened out and
restored to the simple yet logical method I have used for years.

Obviously I must have missed something somewhere along the line.

> What quality setting (mp3 kbps) is equal to the files i buy via iTunes store
> (m4p files)?

The general consensus is that anything below 192 CBR or <-V 2> (using
Lame VBR) is going to make audibly less than CD quality files.

I don't know how iTunes handles ripping to VBR. If you don't want to use
another (free) program (like CDex or EAC) which will encode with the
excellent Lame codec and iTunes won't let you use the presets available
in Lame you might just want to stick to CBR of 192 or higher bitrates.

> I want to be able to burn audio discs with both my mp3 and m4p files.

Depending, of course, on the listening environment, you should be able to
use a mix of your purchased files and those ripped/encoded at 192 or
above and not hear much, if any, disturbing variations in the quality.

Whether or not the DRM involved with your purchased files will allow
something as reasonable as what you have in mind may be another question
entirely.

Good luck.

--
CQ
Now Playing: "Allow Me" - Van Morrison
Sig file format shamelessly stolen from LocoJones

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