AIFF vs AAC vs MP3?

Question

AIFF vs AAC vs MP3?

what are the advantages/disadvantages to importing with AIFF vs AAC vs MP3? Obviously AIFF takes up a lot of disc space. Am I losing too much quality with AAC or MP3? I am using the music just for my iPod and through speakers in my house. thanks.

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on May 30, 2007 12:25 PM

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Answer 1

Timmy Y

Level 4

3,115 points

May 30, 2007 12:45 PM in response to Scotty Bergstein

Mp3s are generally smaller as far as I know, and they are the most compatible. As long as your encode in a large bitrate, the quality is great on a mp3. You can change bitrates in the iTunes prefs. I recommend a high bitrate or variable bitrate. Both are keen.

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Answer 2

May 30, 2007 8:08 PM in response to Scotty Bergstein

AIFF will be the same as playing the CD - no loss of quality. You can use Apple Lossless - it will create a file about 50% of the AIFF with no loss of quality compared to an AIFF. A mp4 (m4a) at the same bit rate as a mp3 will have a higher quality sound but the file size will be the same. The downside is not all players will play m4a files.

You can do Google searches for each term , AIFF - Apple Lossless - mp4 or m4a - mp3. the Wikipedia results are good primers on each topic.

It is up to your ears and how things sound. The other consideration is how much HD space do you have.

MJ

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