AAC 256 VBR vs. AAC 320 CBR/ABR

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Level 1

4 points

AAC 256 VBR vs. AAC 320 CBR/ABR

I am planning on reimporting my music as AAC and want the best quality I can get. I noticed that when I try to pick 320 kbps, it won't let me pick VBR. Does anyone know:

1) Is this going to be CBR (rock steady 320 kbps) or ABR (average bit rate)?

2) If I pick 256 with VBR, how high will itunes let the bit rate go?

3) Which is likely to sound better? (size difference between the two doesn't matter)

Posted on Sep 29, 2008 7:45 AM

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Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Sep 29, 2008 8:19 AM in response to tbartman

I suppose it is because 320 is the highest bit rate you can go so variable bit rate implies more or less than the average bit rate. At 320, you can only go lower and perhaps the VBR algorythmn can't handle one-way (down only) variability?
If you can tell the difference between 256 and 320 kbps, then you must have some pretty **** good ears on that noggin of yours. 😉
Cheers,
Patrick

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Answer 2

tbartman Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 29, 2008 9:06 AM in response to PT

Thanks. I guess I'll lean towards the 256 with VBR then. Maybe I'll do a few tracks each way, put them on an iPod, and play them through my (pretty ** good stereo), and see if what's between my ears can sense anything (since you're suggesting, and you're probably right, that this is where the limitation is going to be).

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