Converting format when synch

[Dreamboy]

I want to know if there's some way to tell iTunes to convert audio format when synching music into the iPod Touch only if they have some sudio format.

I've noticed that you can right click a song and convert to AAC. But I don't want to modify the format of my music library becouse I prefer to have the files in MP3 format on my PC so it's compatible with any other players.

My prefered format to use on the iPod will be AAC 192kbps. But it's useless to convert 128kbps MP3 into AAC 192kbps as the quality is already lost and the file will be bigger.

So what I need is that when moving files into my iPod they will be converted to AAC 192kbps if they are MP3 192kbps or bigger but not if they are 128kbps.

Any way to do this?

Thanks!

[pohatu771]

If they're 192kbps MP3, converting to AAC won't give you any added quality. There's not really much point to converting from one lossy format to another, unless the device doesn't support the original.

[Dreamboy]

If they're 192kbps MP3, converting to AAC won't give you any added quality. There's not really much point to converting from one lossy format to another, unless the device doesn't support the original.

But I've read that AAC files have lower size compared with an MP3 with same bitrate. So I understand that is better to have the files converted to AAC when putting then on the iPod.

Maybe a 192kbps MP3 has the same quality as an AAC 192kbps, but I will save space on the device.

[Cold Irons]

First - iTunes won't do what you want to do.

Second - as above, this conversion would not sound any better (and could sound worse). Also, the percent savings (192k Mp3 to 192k ACC) is not enough to worry about (although, I guess this is a personal opinion - that's why I've got a 160Gb model).

[S2_Mac]

First, there's no way to do what you want. (Why? you might ask...I can think of several reasons. For instance, let's say you set your encoder prefs to AIFF for purposes of making some backup CDs...now your iPod is going to get very full when you do the next "conversion sync" <g> Syncing will take much longer, and the time spent converting will have to happen every time you sync...)

More to the point, a 192mp3 isn't going to sound very good when converted to 192aac -- mp3 is lossy, which means it has thrown away information...and reconstructing the sound is just guesswork. Converting to 192aac means twice the throwing away and twce the guesswork. Similar situations: trying to convert a "low" qual JPG to "med" qual; bad result. Or trying to improve a 300dpi scan by rescanning its printout at 1200dpi; bad result.

[Dreamboy]

Thanks for the explanations. I'm just asking this questions becouse I've just received my iPod Touch and I'm used to my previous Sony MP3 player.

It used the SonicStage software that is much worst than iTunes. Sony uses a propietary audio format called ATRAC and the situation is similar to Apple AAC. This formats are better than MP3 but are not as compatible.

Many times I used to convert good quality MP3 (320kpbs) or CD rips to ATRAC and sound was impressing. This software did it automatically and now I'm confused using iTunes.

But anyway I will follow your suggestions and stay with MP3 format. I will only use AAC when ripping original CD's.

Regards!

[S2_Mac]

Sony uses a propietary audio format called ATRAC and the situation is similar to Apple AAC.

Not sure what you mean...but maybe you're under the wrong impression. AAC is not Apple proprietary; it's an international standard meant to be the successor to MP3. Many devices play aac; the ones that don't are behind the curve ;-)

[Dreamboy]

I know AAC is not Apple propietary. Maybe I've not used the right word.

I mean that digital music players all of them plays MP3 and then another formats that normally are better than MP3 (more quality with same or less bitrate).

Sony for example uses ATRAC, others use WMA and Apple uses AAC.

That's what I was refering as "same situation".

[pohatu771]

Sony doesn't support AAC? They do on the PSP. Most players will play it now.

I just converted a song fro 128kbps AAC to 128kbps MP3, and it was only 100KB smaller.

[Dreamboy]

My Sony player (NW-HD5) only plays ATRAC3Plus and MP3 files. I'm not sure if current Sony players also play AAC.

I like my iPod Touch and I'm impressed by the user interface and features but compared to my previous Sony player I'm very deceived about sound quality on the Touch.

[jondoe888]

I've only owned cheap pm3 players, and am astounded by the volume, and the sound. Even with my cheap headphones. Used to be a musician, and usually have the volume just above half. Watch that volume, boys and girls. It catches up with you eventually!

HATE the cable, and really disappointed there is no bluetooth option. And I wouldn't mind noise-canceling headphones for flights, but am really leery of spending the money on 'phones that still use the same crappy cable as my cheap ones. The cable is generally the thing that goes on headsets.