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<<<<   3419   >>>>

Topic: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 1 / 9
Greg LindenJul 22, 2009
 
 
Look at this table from February:
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/2009/02/bbc_test_aac+_streams_overtake_dab_quality.php
= http://tinyurl.com/dmakzp
The on-demand stream for Radio 4 is listed as 96k AAC+. It also
mentions that the Flash window will report simple AAC (not AAC+)
regardless of which type it is.
Greg

At 10:07 PM +0100 7/22/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>You've suggested that the BBC's audio iPlayer files are using HE AAC (a.k.a.
>AAC+). However, according to the BBC website, the BBC uses LC-AAC, not
>AAC-HE.
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Greg Linden" <gmlinden@...>
>To: <just-a-minute@...>
>Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:48 PM
>Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
>
>
>> The format that get_iplayer extracts from the flashaac mode is
>> actually "aacPlus", which retains excellent quality in a very small
>> file. http://dictionary.zdnet.com/definition/aacplus.html
>>
>> Unfortunately for Mac users, QuickTime still doesn't support it. On
>> a Mac, the only native apps I've found that play aacPlus files are
>> VLC and RealPlayer. I run WinAmp in Parallels to convert to wav or
>> high-bit m4a then iTunes to transcode to mp3.
>>
>> Greg
>>
>> At 6:23 PM +0100 7/22/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>> >The extension commonly used by iTunes files is .m4a (which stands for mp4
>> >audio). This is simply an mp4 file which contains only an audio stream.
>MP4
>> >is a video format, so usually has both a video stream and an audio
>stream.
>> >
>> >The program ffmpeg has an option to save a raw .AAC file as an MP4 file
>> >(with the extension .mp4 or .m4a), without re-encoding the file.
>> >
>> >An audio-only MPEG-4 file can be named either .mp4 or .m4a since those
>types
>> >of file are both encoded in exactly the same way, but the latter is only
>> >encoding audio (instead of audio and video).
>> >
>> >AAC is a type of MPEG-4 file. But a raw AAC file won't play in iTunes
>merely
>> >by changing the file's extension from .aac to .mp4, because you have to
>do
>> >more to the file than that! It has to be "muxed" in order to become an
>mp4
>> >file. That doesn't involve re-encoding it! It has to do with creating a
>> >frame header for each frame, one that iTunes can read.
>> >
>> >MP4 is a video format, so it uses frames (normally 25 frames per second,
>the
>> >standard video format). Each frame has a header (a few bytes, describing
>the
>> >audio format of the data stream). FFMPEG can add those headers to the raw
>> >AAC data, to create a fully valid MP4 file.
>> >
>> >Almost *any* player can play an mp4 file (though iTunes might need the
>> >file's extension to be renamed to .m4a).
>> >
>> >Stephen
>> >
>> >
>> >----- Original Message -----
>> >From: "eriatarkae@..." <eriatarka1@...>
>> >To: <just-a-minute@...>
>> >Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:56 PM
>> >Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
>> >
>> >
>> >> There are a few caveats to this. Firstly, the raw .aac files don't
>appear
>> >to play in iTunes (Quicktime only), and changing the extension doesn't
>help
>> >either. This is a huge problem for me, as iTunes is my central storage
>for
>> >all things JAM. Secondly, I'm fairly sure that .aac is not a suitable
>format
>> >for most people's usual use patterns - most mp3 players can't play it,
>and
>> >car stereos don't usually play it either.
>> >>
>> >> As far as utilities go, they are not freeware. There's Quicktime Pro
>or,
>> >for Macs, Fission. Quicktime Pro is useful, because if you trim to the
>> >selection (which is not immediately obvious, but there's a selection
>ruler
>> >across the bottom) and save as an .mp4, then that will play in iTunes.
>> >Fission - I have no idea, I'm on XP.
>> >>
>> >> Robert
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >------------------------------------
>> >
>> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

 
<<<<   3425   >>>>

Topic: Re: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 2 / 9
charles_454545Jul 22, 2009
 
 
--- In just-a-minute@..., "berlinirving" <berlinirving@...> wrote:

> I'm only here for a moment to say that it's clear from the early
> posts that the general preference is to have as good a quality as
> possible, and lesser quality versions can be made if someone wants
> them. While I can't fix those which I have recorded up till now
> that are only 56 bit rate, I shall make future mp3s to equal
> the source.
>
> This leaves me with a question of the quality of the ABC RN
> source, as streamed on the web. What mp3 bit rate would
> equal the web stream?
>
> It's clear that some of you are making better quality recordings
> than anything I produce, as I only record the stream using Sound
> Forge, edit the front and end, lift the volume a bit, save it as a
> wav and convert it to a 56k bit rate mp3.

What mp3 encoder are you using?

If "lame", I'd suggest -q 0 -V 2 as the settings.

One important step for the ABC RN sourced files is to make certain
that the .wav file passed to the mp3 encoder is only a single
channel. I think that should save space in the end product.

I agree that lightly boosting the volume (and even the bass) is
necessary on the ABC RN files. It's too bad their streams aren't
up to par with what the beeb is doing... I'd love to listen to
RN's "The Night Air" in stereo aac, but that's a different story...

cheers,
Charles
 
<<<<   3426   >>>>

Topic: Re: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 3 / 9
charles_454545Jul 22, 2009
 
 
--- In just-a-minute@..., "Clitheroe Kid" <clitheroekid@...> wrote:

> The BBC *has* already switched to AAC. If you play a file
> using Windows, the BBC's iPlayer plays a flash (flv) stream
> containing an AAC encoded file. (Right-clicking on the iPlayer
> window shows what codec is being employed).

:)

Here <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/just-a-minute/message/3395>
I described why aac+ wasn't working for me... it's working now,
and definitely better than the realaudio feeds I'd been getting.

cheers,
Charles
 
<<<<   3428   >>>>

Topic: Re: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 4 / 9
berlinirvingJul 23, 2009
 
 
When I record the wav I have sound forge set for mono so there is no second track to remove. I do have audacity but I find sound forge more user friendly.

I use audiocatalyst for converting to mp3, which I think is lame [no pun]. I'll have to go back over the posts to understand what this -q0-v2 thingy is. Thanks.

It seems to me that what we want is for the BBC to throw open their archives and let us make pristine copies from the original recordings (including all those bits they edit out from the broadcast versions).

Dal.



--- In just-a-minute@..., "charles_454545" <charles@...> wrote:
>
> What mp3 encoder are you using?
>
> If "lame", I'd suggest -q 0 -V 2 as the settings.
>
> One important step for the ABC RN sourced files is to make certain
> that the .wav file passed to the mp3 encoder is only a single
> channel. I think that should save space in the end product.
>
> I agree that lightly boosting the volume (and even the bass) is
> necessary on the ABC RN files. It's too bad their streams aren't
> up to par with what the beeb is doing... I'd love to listen to
> RN's "The Night Air" in stereo aac, but that's a different story...
>
> cheers,
> Charles
>

 
<<<<   3429   >>>>

Topic: Re: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 5 / 9
eriatarkaeJul 23, 2009
 
 
Well, I'm slightly nervous (and rather thrilled) to see so many responses, just when I was afraid it had become a duologue.

So, I think as far as clarifying anything goes, here's the conclusions I reached for the optimal way to go about this. Feel free (as you will) to chip in. This is taking in everything from the posts you've made since my last.

Firstly, I think we should definitely upload (for BBC streams) an .m4a. This is the native audio format for iTunes. It can be brought about without any destructive processes like so:

Configure get_iplayer to download flashaac. Use QuicktimePro to top and tail, then to save as an .m4a - upload.

As I have QuicktimePro (it's really quite useful for movie editing etc), and the required programmes already set up to do all of this, I will put myself forward to carry this out.

This would provide the best quality version there is, and should be used at least for archival purposes.

Secondly, I think that mp3s should be uploaded. Charles (who usually bears this burden) has much of the setup already, if not all.

Configure get_iplayer to download flashaac. Import to a sound editor, top and tail, convert to lame V2. Upload.

The other alternative for mp3s just has a different step - I prefer it, as it definitely has no destructive steps, but it may be fiddly.

Configure get_iplayer so that it downloads the best quality stream and converts it to lame V2 mp3. Then use mp3DirectCut (freeware) to top and tail non-destructively. Upload.

I'm not sure there are refinements to be made really. If anyone can spot it, that would be great.

I may well trial the .m4a version for this coming series. It should play on most computers with iTunes or VLC - including Fedora - is technically better quality, and smaller file size.

If anyone has anything to add, again, feel free - I don't want to feel imposing.

Robert
 
<<<<   3430   >>>>

Topic: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 6 / 9
Clitheroe KidJul 23, 2009
 
 
The BBC were originally using 128kbps mp3 (throughout 2008) on the iPlayer.

The page you mention deals only with some tests they conducted last
February, at a point when they were considering using a reduced bitrate of
96kbps, bolstered by AAC+ to offset the bitrate reduction.

Since then they've migrated to 128kbps AAC. The software I use (Winamp 5,
Media Player Classic, and RTMPdump) reports that they're now using AAC-LC.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Linden" <gmlinden@...>
To: <just-a-minute@...>
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 12:00 AM
Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?


> Look at this table from February:
>
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/2009/02/bbc_test_aac+_streams_overtake_dab_quality.php
> = http://tinyurl.com/dmakzp
> The on-demand stream for Radio 4 is listed as 96k AAC+. It also
> mentions that the Flash window will report simple AAC (not AAC+)
> regardless of which type it is.
> Greg
>
> At 10:07 PM +0100 7/22/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
> >You've suggested that the BBC's audio iPlayer files are using HE AAC
(a.k.a.
> >AAC+). However, according to the BBC website, the BBC uses LC-AAC, not
> >AAC-HE.
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Greg Linden" <gmlinden@...>
> >To: <just-a-minute@...>
> >Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:48 PM
> >Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
> >
> >
> >> The format that get_iplayer extracts from the flashaac mode is
> >> actually "aacPlus", which retains excellent quality in a very small
> >> file. http://dictionary.zdnet.com/definition/aacplus.html
> >>
> >> Unfortunately for Mac users, QuickTime still doesn't support it. On
> >> a Mac, the only native apps I've found that play aacPlus files are
> >> VLC and RealPlayer. I run WinAmp in Parallels to convert to wav or
> >> high-bit m4a then iTunes to transcode to mp3.
> >>
> >> Greg
> >>
> >> At 6:23 PM +0100 7/22/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
> >> >The extension commonly used by iTunes files is .m4a (which stands for
mp4
> >> >audio). This is simply an mp4 file which contains only an audio
stream.
> >MP4
> >> >is a video format, so usually has both a video stream and an audio
> >stream.
> >> >
> >> >The program ffmpeg has an option to save a raw .AAC file as an MP4
file
> >> >(with the extension .mp4 or .m4a), without re-encoding the file.
> >> >
> >> >An audio-only MPEG-4 file can be named either .mp4 or .m4a since
those
> >types
> >> >of file are both encoded in exactly the same way, but the latter is
only
> >> >encoding audio (instead of audio and video).
> >> >
> >> >AAC is a type of MPEG-4 file. But a raw AAC file won't play in iTunes
> >merely
> >> >by changing the file's extension from .aac to .mp4, because you have
to
> >do
> >> >more to the file than that! It has to be "muxed" in order to become
an
> >mp4
> >> >file. That doesn't involve re-encoding it! It has to do with creating
a
> >> >frame header for each frame, one that iTunes can read.
> >> >
> >> >MP4 is a video format, so it uses frames (normally 25 frames per
second,
> >the
> >> >standard video format). Each frame has a header (a few bytes,
describing
> >the
> >> >audio format of the data stream). FFMPEG can add those headers to the
raw
> >> >AAC data, to create a fully valid MP4 file.
> >> >
> >> >Almost *any* player can play an mp4 file (though iTunes might need
the
> >> >file's extension to be renamed to .m4a).
> >> >
> >> >Stephen
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >----- Original Message -----
> >> >From: "eriatarkae@..." <eriatarka1@...>
> >> >To: <just-a-minute@...>
> >> >Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:56 PM
> >> >Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >> There are a few caveats to this. Firstly, the raw .aac files don't
> >appear
> >> >to play in iTunes (Quicktime only), and changing the extension
doesn't
> >help
> >> >either. This is a huge problem for me, as iTunes is my central
storage
> >for
> >> >all things JAM. Secondly, I'm fairly sure that .aac is not a suitable
> >format
> >> >for most people's usual use patterns - most mp3 players can't play
it,
> >and
> >> >car stereos don't usually play it either.
> >> >>
> >> >> As far as utilities go, they are not freeware. There's Quicktime
Pro
> >or,
> >> >for Macs, Fission. Quicktime Pro is useful, because if you trim to
the
> >> >selection (which is not immediately obvious, but there's a selection
> >ruler
> >> >across the bottom) and save as an .mp4, then that will play in
iTunes.
> >> >Fission - I have no idea, I'm on XP.
> >> >>
> >> >> Robert
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >------------------------------------
> >> >
> >> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >> ------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Yahoo! Groups Links
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

 
<<<<   3431   >>>>

Topic: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 7 / 9
Clitheroe KidJul 23, 2009
 
 
How do you configure get_iplayer to download flashacc?


----- Original Message -----
From: "eriatarkae@..." <eriatarka1@...>
To: <just-a-minute@...>
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 4:42 PM
Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?


> Well, I'm slightly nervous (and rather thrilled) to see so many responses,
just when I was afraid it had become a duologue.
>
> So, I think as far as clarifying anything goes, here's the conclusions I
reached for the optimal way to go about this. Feel free (as you will) to
chip in. This is taking in everything from the posts you've made since my
last.
>
> Firstly, I think we should definitely upload (for BBC streams) an .m4a.
This is the native audio format for iTunes. It can be brought about without
any destructive processes like so:
>
> Configure get_iplayer to download flashaac. Use QuicktimePro to top and
tail, then to save as an .m4a - upload.
>
> As I have QuicktimePro (it's really quite useful for movie editing etc),
and the required programmes already set up to do all of this, I will put
myself forward to carry this out.
>
> This would provide the best quality version there is, and should be used
at least for archival purposes.
>
> Secondly, I think that mp3s should be uploaded. Charles (who usually
bears this burden) has much of the setup already, if not all.
>
> Configure get_iplayer to download flashaac. Import to a sound editor, top
and tail, convert to lame V2. Upload.
>
> The other alternative for mp3s just has a different step - I prefer it, as
it definitely has no destructive steps, but it may be fiddly.
>
> Configure get_iplayer so that it downloads the best quality stream and
converts it to lame V2 mp3. Then use mp3DirectCut (freeware) to top and tail
non-destructively. Upload.
>
> I'm not sure there are refinements to be made really. If anyone can spot
it, that would be great.
>
> I may well trial the .m4a version for this coming series. It should play
on most computers with iTunes or VLC - including Fedora - is technically
better quality, and smaller file size.
>
> If anyone has anything to add, again, feel free - I don't want to feel
imposing.
>
> Robert
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

 
<<<<   3432   >>>>

Topic: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 8 / 9
Greg LindenJul 23, 2009
 
 
That's brilliant! Thanks *so* much for setting me straight.

I can use the free version of Switch for Mac
(http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html) to go aac-to-mp3 (160k
seems to preserve quality). Or 4x faster is Switch for aac-to-aiff
then iTunes for aiff-to-mp3 (still using 160k).

Thanks for making my life a lot easier!

PS: In get_iplayer, adding the option "--amode=flashaac" will
retrieve the aac version.

At 6:38 PM +0100 7/23/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>The BBC were originally using 128kbps mp3 (throughout 2008) on the iPlayer.
>
>The page you mention deals only with some tests they conducted last
>February, at a point when they were considering using a reduced bitrate of
>96kbps, bolstered by AAC+ to offset the bitrate reduction.
>
>Since then they've migrated to 128kbps AAC. The software I use (Winamp 5,
>Media Player Classic, and RTMPdump) reports that they're now using AAC-LC.
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Greg Linden" <gmlinden@...>
>To: <just-a-minute@...>
>Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 12:00 AM
>Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
>
>
>> Look at this table from February:
>>
>http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/2009/02/bbc_test_aac+_streams_overtake_dab_quality.php
>> = http://tinyurl.com/dmakzp
>> The on-demand stream for Radio 4 is listed as 96k AAC+. It also
>> mentions that the Flash window will report simple AAC (not AAC+)
>> regardless of which type it is.
>> Greg
>>
>> At 10:07 PM +0100 7/22/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>> >You've suggested that the BBC's audio iPlayer files are using HE AAC
>(a.k.a.
>> >AAC+). However, according to the BBC website, the BBC uses LC-AAC, not
>> >AAC-HE.
>> >
>> >
>> >----- Original Message -----
>> >From: "Greg Linden" <gmlinden@...>
>> >To: <just-a-minute@...>
>> >Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 6:48 PM
> > >Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
>> >
>> >
>> >> The format that get_iplayer extracts from the flashaac mode is
>> >> actually "aacPlus", which retains excellent quality in a very small
>> >> file. http://dictionary.zdnet.com/definition/aacplus.html
>> >>
>> >> Unfortunately for Mac users, QuickTime still doesn't support it. On
>> >> a Mac, the only native apps I've found that play aacPlus files are
>> >> VLC and RealPlayer. I run WinAmp in Parallels to convert to wav or
>> >> high-bit m4a then iTunes to transcode to mp3.
>> >>
>> >> Greg
>> >>
>> >> At 6:23 PM +0100 7/22/09, Clitheroe Kid wrote:
>> >> >The extension commonly used by iTunes files is .m4a (which stands for
>mp4
>> >> >audio). This is simply an mp4 file which contains only an audio
>stream.
>> >MP4
>> >> >is a video format, so usually has both a video stream and an audio
>> >stream.
>> >> >
>> >> >The program ffmpeg has an option to save a raw .AAC file as an MP4
>file
>> >> >(with the extension .mp4 or .m4a), without re-encoding the file.
>> >> >
>> >> >An audio-only MPEG-4 file can be named either .mp4 or .m4a since
>those
>> >types
>> >> >of file are both encoded in exactly the same way, but the latter is
>only
>> >> >encoding audio (instead of audio and video).
>> >> >
>> >> >AAC is a type of MPEG-4 file. But a raw AAC file won't play in iTunes
>> >merely
>> >> >by changing the file's extension from .aac to .mp4, because you have
>to
>> >do
>> >> >more to the file than that! It has to be "muxed" in order to become
>an
>> >mp4
>> >> >file. That doesn't involve re-encoding it! It has to do with creating
>a
>> >> >frame header for each frame, one that iTunes can read.
>> >> >
>> >> >MP4 is a video format, so it uses frames (normally 25 frames per
>second,
>> >the
>> >> >standard video format). Each frame has a header (a few bytes,
>describing
>> >the
>> >> >audio format of the data stream). FFMPEG can add those headers to the
>raw
>> >> >AAC data, to create a fully valid MP4 file.
>> >> >
>> >> >Almost *any* player can play an mp4 file (though iTunes might need
>the
>> >> >file's extension to be renamed to .m4a).
> > >> >
>> >> >Stephen
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >----- Original Message -----
>> >> >From: "eriatarkae@..." <eriatarka1@...>
>> >> >To: <just-a-minute@...>
>> >> >Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:56 PM
>> >> >Subject: [just-a-minute] Re: What mp3 quality do you want?
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >> There are a few caveats to this. Firstly, the raw .aac files don't
>> >appear
>> >> >to play in iTunes (Quicktime only), and changing the extension
>doesn't
>> >help
>> >> >either. This is a huge problem for me, as iTunes is my central
>storage
>> >for
>> >> >all things JAM. Secondly, I'm fairly sure that .aac is not a suitable
>> >format
>> >> >for most people's usual use patterns - most mp3 players can't play
>it,
>> >and
>> >> >car stereos don't usually play it either.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> As far as utilities go, they are not freeware. There's Quicktime
>Pro
>> >or,
>> >> >for Macs, Fission. Quicktime Pro is useful, because if you trim to
>the
>> >> >selection (which is not immediately obvious, but there's a selection
>> >ruler
>> >> >across the bottom) and save as an .mp4, then that will play in
>iTunes.
>> >> >Fission - I have no idea, I'm on XP.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Robert
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >------------------------------------
>> >> >
>> >> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ------------------------------------
>> >>
>> >> Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >------------------------------------
>> >
>> >Yahoo! Groups Links
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

 
<<<<   3433   >>>>

Topic: Re: What mp3 quality do you want?

Message 9 / 9
eriatarkaeJul 24, 2009
 
 
--- In just-a-minute@..., "Clitheroe Kid" <clitheroekid@...> wrote:
>
> How do you configure get_iplayer to download flashacc?

Well, it depends on the version you have (although possibly either will work), but it's:

1) --amode=flashaac (as in the post above)

2) --modes=flashaac

If neither of these work, you my wish to append a 1: flashaac1; sometimes it's necessary.

Then to set it as a preference:

--prefs-add [then the command above which works]

Robert
 
<<<<   3433   >>>>

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