Convert Higher Bit Rate Songs to AAC Settings

Question

Level 1

9 points

Convert Higher Bit Rate Songs to AAC Settings

I was wondering if it is possible to change itunes' sole "on the fly" conversion setting from 128 to 320 AAC? I know it isn't available in the program interface, but perhaps a preference change via command line?

I have a 160GB ipod classic and over 200GB of lossless CDs in itunes. Two libraries won't work, because I track play counts, etc. (plus, it's simply a pain). And the same with dougscript's aac workflow script.

I can hear the difference every time between lossless and 320 aac in a double blind test, but the difference is extremely slight, and therefore I'm willing to have 320 on the ipod in order to fit all my CDs. 128 is too low though and very noticeable to me. Any ideas?

Intel Core Duo iMac 17", Mac OS X (10.4.8), 1.8GHz 1.5Gb RAM

Posted on May 2, 2010 4:18 PM

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Answer 1

May 2, 2010 4:41 PM in response to sdent

As far as I know, you cannot change the rate at which the "on-the-fly" conversion is. I think it's locked at 128kbps AAC for the time being. Although, that certainly is a good idea! I purposely do not have that option checked because yeah I prefer my 320 or 256/256VBR over the 128 on my iPod. It's a good suggestion though and you could submit that to Apple if you like. Would be cool if implemented in a future version.

I mean, you COULD still make a playlist of files to go on your iPod, convert them to 320 AAC manually, and then sync that playlist to your iPod. But that's a pain, and that would also leave duplicates in your Library, so it's not even worth it.

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Answer 2

May 2, 2010 5:09 PM in response to sdent

I've posted a "Feedback" suggestion to Apple for precisely this feature. Though I did request on-the-fly conversion years ago and we've only just got 128K. You just have to keep hammering at that door until someone hears you. iTunes>Provide iTunes Feedback>Cross Fingers.

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Answer 3

May 2, 2010 5:31 PM in response to sdent

Converting from 128 to 320 would not get you any improved sound quality. Both .mp3 and .aac are lossy formats. When music is converted to those formats, information is removed. You can't add back information that isn't there. All you will be doing is making the file larger. If you want to convert your music to a higher bit rate, you'll need to rerip it from CDs at the higher bit rate.

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Answer 4

May 2, 2010 6:11 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I think the posters were talking about an on-the-fly ability to convert from AIFF, Apple Lossless, etc., to a bit rate higher than 128K not converting from 128k to 320k etc. I, too, think 128k is an unacceptable bit rate. iTunes should be able to take a look at your library, the size of the storage space on your iPod (after a reformat) and suggest the best fit or offer a slider that you can adjust manually to set the bit rate that will allow you to transfer your library onto your iPod leaving some room for additional tracks.

There's a programming opportunity for some developer to solve.

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Answer 5

May 2, 2010 6:48 PM in response to sdent

From the iTunes prefs>General tab 'Import' settings - select the Import tab to get a dialog and you can change the settings.

MJ

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Answer 6

May 2, 2010 6:56 PM in response to Mike Johnson12

MJ what you are suggesting doesn't work for transferring tracks from iTunes to an iPod. Apple have locked the bit rate at 128K...far too lossy.

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Answer 7

May 2, 2010 7:02 PM in response to Neal Jackson

You will need to convert the track in iTunes first. Then create a PL of those converted tunes to be transferred to the iPod.

MJ

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Answer 8

Brent M.

Level 1

0 points

May 2, 2010 7:57 PM in response to Mike Johnson12

MJ, the OP indicated that he was interested in changing settings for on-the-fly conversion. Understandably, he doesn't want to go through the hassle of manually converting his songs and having duplicates, not to mention creating playlists.

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Answer 9

May 2, 2010 8:24 PM in response to Brent M.

Unless you know how to write iTunes code my suggestion is about as on the 'fly' as you can get.

MJ

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Answer 10

May 3, 2010 11:39 AM in response to Neal Jackson

You are most likely correct. Was not entirely compes mentis last night (10 mile race in the heat).

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Answer 11

May 3, 2010 1:36 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

That'll be compos mentis. You need to take a cold shower, mate. 🙂

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Answer 12

May 3, 2010 2:57 PM in response to Neal Jackson

The spell checker doesn't like Latin. 🙂

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Answer 13

May 11, 2010 11:03 AM in response to sdent

I'd like to see two changes to this potentially useful on-the-fly conversion.
1) Let the user specify the bit rate. I agree that 128K is too low.
2) Give the user an option to avoid transcoding. In other words, if it's already AC3 or MP3, don't convert. In this case, only convert non-lossy formats.

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Answer 14

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

May 11, 2010 11:41 AM in response to Michael Carnes

There are a zillion things iTunes could be programmed to do but the more complex it is, the harder it is to use, the more code there is, etc.

I'd like to see two changes to this potentially useful on-the-fly conversion

Send suggestions here -> http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

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Answer 15

sdent Author

Level 1

9 points

May 12, 2010 7:55 PM in response to Chris CA

I agree to some degree, but this is a pretty straightforward request really. The feature is there, it just needs some minor adjustments. While that will include adding or changing code, one might argue that there are a lot of other features they could remove. That would differ based on your use of itunes. It is obvious there is some demand for this, as they finally opened the "on the fly" encoding to all the ipods recently instead of just the shuffle. And as for harder to use, I don't see that. You would choose to encode your songs to aac "on the fly" in the exact same area of the interface in the exact same way, but you would simply have more than one bitrate option. If someone knows that they are converting to aac on their ipod, i would guess they would understand what that means, and therefore have the knowledge to know how to choose the options in that section. And lastly, apple has done nothing BUT add features to itunes through the versions. I don't really think it's any harder to use, but just more customizable and rich with content. Anyhow, just my thoughts 🙂

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