HE-AAC

Question

Level 1

14 points

HE-AAC

Hi guys, I am trying to find the best way to lessen the size of my songs in order to save space without losing too much quality. Anyone know if using HE-AAC will do this in iTunes? Right now, all my songs are encoded as 256kb without VBR. I've done some reading and to my understanding, HE-AAC is at 24 or 48kb but may have the same quality. Am I wrong?

2.2 GHZ MacBook Pro Summer 2007, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Nov 15, 2010 2:46 PM

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Answer 1

ed2345

Level 9

63,608 points

Nov 15, 2010 4:55 PM in response to ddjeffries

HE-AAC is a compact format designed for applications where bandwidth is dear, such as audio streaming. It would be highly unusual to keep your music collection in that format, but feel free to experiment with a few tracks.

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Answer 2

ddjeffries Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 15, 2010 10:07 PM in response to ed2345

I have. I don't hear a difference at all. Should i? If not, I don't understand why more people don't do this in order to save space. I converted my previous 22gb of music in 256kbs down to around 5gb of music in HE-AAC 80KBS VBR. That's a lot of space saved.

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Nov 15, 2010 10:27 PM in response to ddjeffries

It sounds okay but it's a bit muddy.
I wouldn't get rid of the original.
Are you planning on using these on an iPod? Try them on an iPod first.

That's a lot of space saved.

Are you low on space?

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Answer 4

ddjeffries Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 16, 2010 6:38 AM in response to Chris CA

I have an 80gb, but I want a new nano. So I'm trying to make my music smaller. I'll try it on my ipod.

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Nov 16, 2010 7:00 AM in response to ddjeffries

As I understand it, HE-AAC needs correct firmware/codec to work correctly. iPods from 2009 forward have the correct firmware/codec.

Otherwise, it should work like a regular AAC (LC-AAC) file but it will sound like regular 80 kbps encoded songs (crap).

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Answer 6

ddjeffries Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 16, 2010 7:51 AM in response to Chris CA

O wow thank you. I have an older 80gb Classic, so it'll sound bad on there. But if I get a new 16gb nano, I should be ok. I mean the music sounds the same on my computer as the older version before I converted them

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Answer 7

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Nov 16, 2010 7:55 AM in response to ddjeffries

I'd at least go with normal AAC at 128kbps. You'll get good audio quality and still be able to put 1500+ tracks, over 120 hours of music, on even an 8GB nano. For that matter, at 256kbps (which is what Apple refers to as "iTunes Plus" and is the format used for music on the iTunes Store) you'd still get well over 60 hours of music onto an 8GB iPod. So I don't see much need to compromise playback quality such as you'd be doing with HE-AAC at 80kbps.

Regards.

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Answer 8

ddjeffries Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 16, 2010 8:54 AM in response to varjak paw

That's what I'm thinking. So you definitely hear a quality difference? Sorry I am just trying to get opinions. I appreciate the help. I like to have all my music on my iPod, not just some.

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Answer 9

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Nov 16, 2010 9:07 AM in response to ddjeffries

I haven't tested HE-AAC extensively, but I do feel that I can hear a slight difference between 80kbps HE-AAC and 128kbps AAC, though that could be an illusion. I can definitely hear a difference between 80kbps AAC and 256kbps AAC.

As Ed suggested, convert a few representative tracks to HE-AAC and listen for yourself. What we think really doesn't matter; it's what works for you that's important.

Regards.

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