Has something changed with MP3 encoding on itunes 6???

[beefcurtains]

I have just got a new JVC head unit that accepts a usb connection allowing me to play mp3's from a memory stick. I noticed that some of my mp3's would not play and a message comes up on the unit saying un-supported. Looking into it a bit further revealed that everything I ripped up to a certain date plays fine, everything after does not. All my encoding settings appear the same (192 CBR) so my question is has something changed in the latest version of itunes that affects the mp3 encoding format?

[wyneken]

Is it possible that the more recent tracks were actually imported as AAC files? I've had the experience now and then of iTunes reverting to its "factory" settings -- which in this case would be AAC instead of MP3.

If that's not it, then I'm at a loss. Part of the rap against the iTunes MP3 encoder is that it hasn't changed signficantly for years (as opposed to the AAC encoder which is being steadily refined).

[beefcurtains]

I had heard that the encoder hasnt changed since 2000, but it is either that or some setting i havent previously used that has turned on since the update. I have since imported a cd on my work pc which has an older version of itunes and that works fine. Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks.

[kornchild2002]

Nothing has changed in the iTunes mp3 encoder since 2001. Technically, nothing has changed since 2000 but Apple did make a small update to it in 2001 but this didn't change the quality of the encoder, just some bugs.

I have no idea why your receiver is having problems.

Not to rain on a parade or anything but, have you looked into the Lame mp3 encoder?

If you are on a PC, then I would try downloading exact audio copy (EAC) and LAme 3.97b2, rip a CD, and see if that works. There is a great thread here on setting up EAC and Lame, just look at the top of the digital audio formats section.

If you are on the Mac OS then you can download a Lame plug-in for iTunes.

I would rip with Lame as you will get higher quality mp3's, true variable bitrate encoding, and you can see if it is your JVC unit that is having problems or the iTunes mp3 encoder.

[beefcurtains]

I will look into lame, but I now know what the problem is. Copying files from my mac to a FAT32 formatted usb key used to create a .dstore file which was no problem, now it creates a duplicate file for every mp3 but preffixed ._, this looks like it is down to the album artwork feature in itunes.