Should I convert to AAC Format

Question

Should I convert to AAC Format

One of the options available aftr right click on file name is "Convert To AAC Format". When or why should audio files be converted to AAC format?

30GB, Windows XP

Posted on Aug 29, 2007 6:09 PM

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Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Aug 29, 2007 6:27 PM in response to baybee@charter.net

Actually the command is "Convert to {whatever your import encoding preference is set to}"
Meaning that you have iTunes set to import frm CDs in AAC format, so you see Convert to AAC. Me, I import MP3s so when I right click I get Convert to MP3. If we both changed our import preference to, say, AIFF, then we would both see Convert to AIFF. Dig?
This command allows you to convert from one format to another. One place where this might be useful is if you normally encode in AAC but received a WAV file from your buddy. You can add the uncompressed WAV file to your library, but to save space you might want to use this command to convert it to AAC then throw out the WAV file when you are done.
Patrick

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Answer 2

Aug 30, 2007 7:37 AM in response to PT

Thanks for response. AAC must be default preference since I don't recall selecting. Which format is better?

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Answer 3

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Aug 30, 2007 8:10 AM in response to baybee@charter.net

Yes, Apple chose their AAC format as the default when you install iTunes.
As to which is better, it is hard to say. They have their pros and cons. Assuming we are talking about MP3 vs. AAC, Apple claims that AAC is better is than you can get better quality sound with less bits. Apple claims that a 128 kbps AAC file sounds as good as, or maybe better, than a 160 kbps MP3 file. So there are two ways to look at that. One is that for the same bit rate (e.g. a 128 kbps AAC vs. a 128 kbps MP3) the AAC files will sound better. Or two, you can get the same quality sound out of a AAC file in less bit than a MP3 so you use less drive space for the same quality (e.g. using 128 AAC files instead of 160 MP3 files).
However the downside is that AAC files are not as universally playable as MP3 files. For example you can now find car stereos, set top DVD players, CD players, etc. that will all play MP3 discs. I am not aware of many (any?) that will play AAC files. So to make a CD for your cars MP3 player, you would have to first convert your files from AAC to MP3 before making the CD. Or if you use a Non-Apple MP3 player, same deal.
I stick to MP3 format for this reason since my daughter (used to) use a portable CD player that read MP3 CDs and my wife's Alpine CD charger in her car also reads MP3 CDs. I can also simply email my files to people or bring them to work and play them on my work computer and won't have any trouble playing them since they are MP3 files that are widely supported.
But that is just my own preference. Some people are very happy with AAC files and other go with the lossless formats (and accept the MUCH higher storage needs of those types of files).
Patrick

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