How Much Space Does It Take?

Question

Level 1

2 points

How Much Space Does It Take?

I need to burn five mp3 files to a CD. The total size of all the files is 86.6 megabytes. When I tell the playlist to burn the CD, iTunes informs me that it will take more than one CD. How can 87 megs take more than 700 megs when burned to a CD? I know it's being translated into .aiff files but it's hard to believe it can make that much of a difference.

Does anyone know the ratio of mp3 to .aiff when burning to a CD?

Thanks

Posted on Jan 10, 2008 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

Matko D

Level 1

99 points

Jan 10, 2008 9:51 AM in response to bj4mac

It depends on the bitrate your mp3's are encoded in. AIFF is 1411 kbps. For example, if the mp3 files are encoded at 128 kbps, they will take up 1411/128 = 11 times more space.
86,6 * 11 = 954 MB, indeed more then one CD can take...

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Answer 2

Cander

Level 3

850 points

Jan 10, 2008 9:52 AM in response to bj4mac

And how many minutes total is the playing time of those 5 files?

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Answer 3

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Jan 10, 2008 9:57 AM in response to bj4mac

So you are burning to an Audio CD right? Then ignore the size of the files and instead just look at the total time. A standard CDR can hold about 80 minutes of music for a 700MB CD blank, 74 minutes if you have older 650MB blanks around. If your playlist is at 74 or 80 minutes or above, you have too many songs.
Patrick

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Answer 4

bj4mac Author

Level 1

2 points

Jan 10, 2008 10:31 AM in response to bj4mac

Sorry, I should have given more information.

The five files (reduced even further now) equal 43.5 megabytes.

The total playing time for all five tracks is 1.5 hours.

The CD I'm burning to is 700 megabytes, and 80 minutes.

How would one go about making 80 minutes of mp3 'fit' on on CD. The reason I need this to take place is this CD is intended to go into the back of a book, as a reading of the book. And there is only room for one CD.

Hm

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Answer 5

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Jan 10, 2008 10:34 AM in response to bj4mac

Simply put, if you are burning to an Audio CD (a CD that can be played on a normal audio CD player) then you can not fit 1.5 hours onto a single CD.
If, however, you instead burn them to a CD as MP3 files, they will fit fine, but someone who wants to hear them will need a CD player than can handle MP3 discs or will have to bring them into a computer.
Patrick

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Answer 6

bj4mac Author

Level 1

2 points

Jan 10, 2008 10:59 AM in response to PT

Thanks to all. You've given me the answer I needed, even if I don't like where it leads.

bj

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