Wave vs Windows Media File sizes

Windows Media File is a format made by Microsoft. Apple and iTunes do not support this format, but in iTunes it can convert the WMA file to a format that can be played by iTunes like MP3 or apples format of AAC. Wave is an uncompressed format and will take up the most space. You will have to set you import settings from WAV to MP3 or ACC. goto edit in the top of iTunes, then preferences. Hit advance and then the sub tab of Import. there you can change it from WAV to MP3 or AAC

WMF (and MP3 and AAC) is a compressed and lossy format. You lose sound quality.

WAV is not. A WAV is the same size as the file on a regular audio CD, usually ~35-75 MB.

When you convert from a lossy format (WMF) to lossless format (WAV) the quality will be the same.
If you convert between WMF/AAC/MP3, you quality will go down each time.

When you convert between formats, you should always start off with the best possible quality (WAV or AIFF or CD).

With iTunes the default format is AAC 128 kbps.
This is a good compromise between file size and sound quality.

AAC is a higher quality sound when using the same bitrate as an MP3.
AAC and MP3 will be very close to the same file size when using the same bitrate.
However, 128 kbps AAC will sound at least as good as a 160 kbps MP3 and the AAC will be about 2/3 the size.

I use AAC 160 kbps. I can definitely hear the difference between 128 and 160 kbps AAC.

If you are importing from CDs, you should use AAC 128 kbps (but I recommend 160 kbps).

Open iTunes prefs -> Advanced -> Importing.
This is where you can change the Import settings.
(see below)

I Agree with Chris, BUT this is a iTunes for WINDOWS form. Even tho they say AAC is slightly better than MP3s at the same bit rate, In the windows world, AAC isn't that widly supported like MP3s. 128 bit is CD quality, anything higher than 192 most human ears can't tell the difference. Your better off going with MP3 its the most widly supported format on Windows PCs and other audio devices like car stereos, Portables and a slew of other things. Even tho iTunes doesn't support encoding in a MP3 Lossless format there are programs out there you can use that will rip in a MP3 lossless format and you can then play in iTunes

Even tho they say AAC is slightly better than MP3s at the same bit rate,
It's not slightly better. It's a bunch better. Try it.

In the windows world, AAC isn't that widly supported like MP3s.
But AAC is widely supported by the iPod and iTunes and this is what the forums is about.

128 bit is CD quality
What? Not even close!
128 kbps MP3 is gonna be poor quality and 128 kbps AAC is still FAR below CD quality.

Your better off going with MP3 its the most widly supported format on Windows PCs and other audio devices
If you are gonna use it in a bunch of places, this may be correct.
If you are talking iTunes and iPod. AAC is probably the best way to go.

Even tho iTunes doesn't support encoding in a MP3 Lossless format there are programs out there you can use that will rip in a MP3 lossless format
MP3 is a lossy (not lossless) format.

No Under the LAME project MP3 is lossless. Even if you go with iTunes and iPod only your still better off with MP3s if your going to share the music you have with friends or put them in projects you may be working on in a PC. 128 IS CD quality for thats what the record companys bit rate is when they make the CD's you buy in a store. far as AAC and MP3 sound quality, thats totally up to the listener, its not fact, only opinions.

I'd go with custom MP3 encoder, too....the Apple formats don't work with a lot of other nifty utilities out there that I've found.

your still better off with MP3s if your going to share the music you have with friends
That's illegal and we all agreed to not promote that in these forums.

128 IS CD quality for thats what the record companys bit rate is when they make the CD's you buy in a store.
Actually, most CDs are recorded/pressed at one of two different rates;
16-bit/44.1kHz = 1.35 Mbps
24-bit/96kHz = 4.39 Mbps

A 128 Kbps MP3 = .13 Mbps (more than 10 times less data)

Don't confuse a bit rate with a sampling rate.

far as AAC and MP3 sound quality, thats totally up to the listener, its not fact, only opinions.
You are right and I recommend listening to the differences, especially before converting a bunch.

Im not in ANY WAY recommending illegal things, there are MANY MP3s out there people make on there own without copyrights on them.
There are many MP3's offered on record company sites for free, yes they may have a "Lite" version of copyrights on them but usually stating you can not use it for commercail distuabution, noing mentioned about sharing it with your friend.

Chris CA ,
Let's not get hysterical over this....
Sharing music is not illegal; iTunes allows it within the program.
Stealing is the illegal part.

Let's not get hysterical over this..
I made one comnment. How is this "hysterical"?

Sharing music is not illegal; iTunes allows it within the program.
He was not talking about sharing it with iTunes. He was talking about making copies to give to friends. (And yes, there is stuff you can do this with but not generally commercial CDs).
"your still better off with MP3s if your going to share the music you have with friends"

I used the term share loosely yes but I never implyed copying it.

That's illegal and we all agreed to not promote that in these forums.
I find that comment hysterical, as in "behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear" that somehow the terms of use are being broken.

I'll tell you what I agreed to:
3. Keep within the Law
No material may be submitted that is intended to promote or commit an illegal act.
Do not post defamatory material.
Material submitted must be your own work or work to which you have a license. You warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the information contained in your Submission.

Nowhere did I see pac_80 promote an illegal act, and I share music with my friends, and that is NOT illegal.

okay.
Don't know why you jumped in on this particular subject, as it was about files size.

I didn't make up the rules or the DMCA.
I'm not even interpeting either.

If your 'sharing" of music with your friends includes giving them copies of files then yes, that is illegal in the U.S.
Whether you agree or not is irrelevant.

Chris CA
I'll just say, the RIAA does not decide issues of fair use within the constraints of the DMCA, the courts do.
Also, I felt your comment about sharing being illegal was incorrect; and I felt it indirectly accused another poster of promoting illegal activites.

I "jumped in" on this open-forum subject at about the time you posted what your encoding preferences were, AAC.

Because I felt the original poster, ted jengle, might benefit from the trials I am now having...I have a bunch of AAC files that are useless in other Windows utilities. I was contibuting another opinion. When I was new to iTunes I used the default Apple settings, and wish I'd known then what I know now~! Because now I'm looking at re-ripping at least a third of my CDs into MP3.

So that's the end of it, for me, I use MP3s.
I am not "jumping on" you, everyone has a personal preference on the encoding they use.

PS. I have iTunes convert things to AAC for the shuffle...AAC does have its charms.