ACC vs. MPEG

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ACC vs. MPEG

does it make a difference if my songs are in acc format or mpeg? i read up on it it it seems the only real difference is that it might take up less space. I started to change the mpegs to acc, but stopped as it took too long. should I convert the rest? and if so, do I have to convert every mpeg that gets added to my library, or can I set iTunes up to do it automatically? is it worth it?

Windows XP

Posted on Mar 4, 2007 9:52 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 4, 2007 10:01 AM in response to kodiak24

Both formats (mp3 and AAC) are compatible with your iPod; I'm not sure about the size difference between those two files, though.

To set up your iTunes preferences so that when you import a CD, it is automatically imported into AAC format, do this:

In iTunes, go to "Edit > Preferences > Advanced". Here, under the "Importing" tab, Select your "Import Using" setting to "AAC Encoding" instead of "MP3 Encoder", or anything else.

-Kylene

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Answer 2

kodiak24 Author

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Mar 4, 2007 10:01 AM in response to iPod_nano_1_GB

hey Kyline, thanks. is there a way to do that with doloaded songs or no?

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Answer 3

Mar 4, 2007 10:07 AM in response to kodiak24

With songs that you've imported from CDs in the past, you mean?

Yes.

Go to "Edit > Select All" (this will select your entire iTunes library), or press Ctrl + A.

Now, right-click on your selection, and click on "Convert Selection to AAC".

-Kylene

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Answer 4

kodiak24 Author

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Mar 4, 2007 10:07 AM in response to iPod_nano_1_GB

no, from single songs I download from the Web. like, instead of me manually selecting songs to convert, can iTunes convert them during the process of importing them in to my libray?

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Answer 5

Mar 4, 2007 10:16 AM in response to kodiak24

To my knowledge of iTunes' preferences settings, I don't think iTunes can do this.

It does seem to me, though, that you could just Add the file to your iTunes library (even though it's in Mp3) and use the "Convert Selection" option to then convert those files into AAC.

Are there any problems with trying that?

I know, it would probably be more convenient if iTunes could convert the files as they were being added to the Library (as opposed to converting them afterward), but I don't think this is possible.

-Kylene

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Answer 6

kodiak24 Author

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Mar 4, 2007 10:16 AM in response to iPod_nano_1_GB

that's what I figured. thanks. doing manually isn't really and issue, except a) it takes a long time, and b) I end up with 2 copies of the same song, and acc one and a mp3. then I have to go through and delete the dupes. but it doesn't really seem like converting them will save me much space. most of my songes were the same size after I converted anyway, oh well...

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Answer 7

Mar 4, 2007 10:24 AM in response to kodiak24

By the way, to show your iTunes library's duplicate files in a more convenient way, you can go to "View > Show Duplicates", if you haven't done that already.

-Kylene

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Answer 8

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Mar 4, 2007 11:19 AM in response to kodiak24

And converting your downloads from one compressed format to another will not gain you any quality and in fact may degrade the file even further. If, for example, you download a 128 kbps MP3, just leave it that way. You gain nothing trying to convert it to a higher bit rate or to AAC format.
Patrick

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Answer 9

Mar 4, 2007 11:20 AM in response to PT

Kind of OT, but congratulations on reaching L4, Patrick!

I hope the Lounge will be appearing on the Discussions home page soon for you. 🙂

Again, congrats!

-Kylene

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Answer 10

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Mar 4, 2007 11:41 AM in response to iPod_nano_1_GB

Thank you! Ya, just hit 8000 points and level four today.
Probably take a couple years, or more, to get to level 5.
Patrick

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