1. 1. Lossy vs Lossless
    There are many (interesting) discussions about this subject. On one thing we all agree. Lossless codecs are better in terms of quality, but a lot bigger compared to lossy codecs. Some people hate the quality of MP3 and some don't hear the difference between MP3 and a lossless codec as FLAC.

    Between lossy codecs there can be a big difference between quality. Between lossless codecs this is not the case. Lossless codecs work like RAR and ZIP archives. You can compress and decompress without loosing any data. No details or frequencies are lost during this process.

    Lossy codecs work differently. They write a 'summary' of the music. They save the important, most audible, data only. The rest is lost during the compression. This means that some (higher) frequencies and details are lost.

    If you understand the descriptions above you should understand that you can transcode FLAC to Apple Lossless without losing any quality.

    On the other side you WILL LOSE QUALITY if you encode a lossy file to another lossy file. The encoding will 'write a summary of a summery'. This is considered 'illegal' in audio world. Don't do this if you can avoid it! Even when you recode a 128kbps MP3 to a 320kbps MP3 you will loose quality! It will sound worse and will be bigger as well!

    That is why MP3 files are always created from lossless sources

    2. Most used Audio formats
    Lossy
    MP3
    AAC / M4A (also used by iTunes)
    WMA
    Ogg Vorbis
    AC3
    DTS

    Lossless
    WAV (PCM)
    FLAC
    Apple Lossless (also named M4A)
    SHN
    Monkey's Audio
    WavPack

    3. Playback software

    Windows Media Player
    Supports MP3, WMA and WAV out of the box. For other files you'll need additional DirectShow filters like FFDSHOW. Playback is then possible, but the integration of these files into the library is not good at all.

    Foobar 2000
    The most customizable player which is also free. Supports a lot of handy technologies like ReplayGain (automaticly amplifies quiet tracks). Good tagging and good library. Supports every audio codec on the list above with additional (free) plugins

    Out of the box very powerful. Must have for powerusers. Tagging, encoding, renaming is very easy if you have done it once or twice.

    Winamp
    Easy to use, supports a lot of formats. Has loads of plugins and a good library. A bit slow, but an excellent choice for WMP users who want a bit more. Be careful when installing this player, it is bundled with 3rd party software.

    iTunes
    I don't know much about this one. The times i have tried the player it was really slow. I heard that on a Mac it is a lot faster. Very easy to use. But not as extensible as Winamp or Foobar 2000.

    4. Common 'problems'
    A lot of problems are also in the source. Please check if a new source is available.
  2. Reserved


  3. If you have any additional questions or corrections, all welcome
  4. We can use these stickeys for discussions, questions etc. ?
  5. Only we the crew can make a thread "sticky", and we do that when the subject is specially interesting for everyone, no matter who creates the topic (for example "Explanation of a DVD to MP3 rip", by Drewhiggins) or that stuff
  6. Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]Only we the crew can make a thread "sticky", and we do that when the subject is specially interesting for everyone, no matter who creates the topic (for example "Explanation of a DVD to MP3 rip", by Drewhiggins) or that stuff


    And it is sticky now, for now though, if there's no interest we'll keep the FAQ pages only.
  7. If i may ask a question: one some concerts like berlin 360 i can download some songs but not all of them. I miss half the show.

    i can play it on winamp as i discovered today, but i cant get them to download to my ipod. big drag.

    any help?

    cockatoo
  8. Not knowing where to post so here goes.....
    I want to make a naughty disc
    with songs like
    Funky cold medina- Tone loc
    Nikki- Prince
    Wild thang- Tone loc
    Sign your name- Terrance trnt drby
    Sex you up- Colour me bad
    With or without you- U2
    Doves cry- Prince
    I want your sex- George Michael
    Feel like making love- Bad company
    Lady Marmelade- Labelle
    Knights in white satin- Moody blues

    And a few others although I want them without lyrics?
    Where can I get them, anyone help?
    Some information would be great!
  9. I just didn't get it