Dear All,
If I convert a file from AIFF to WAV, in theory I should not lose any audio quality, .. should I ? There are many software packages that convert audio formats, are they all doing the same thing or are there different ways of going about this process ? I guess what I'm trying to ask is, are there packages that are better than others and if so, why ?
Playback; if I decide to use a player than doesn't support say, playback of AIFF, but I can download a codec enabling it to do so, does the codec have an impact on audio quality ? If so, can anyone recommend specific codecs ?
Matt.
HTPC: AMD Athlon 4850e, 4GB, Vista, BD/HD-DVD into -> ADM9.1
Posts: 62
Decoding
Hi Matt,
1. If you've got access to iTunes on a PC I would use that to convert the aiff to wav. Aiff is the native Mac pcm file format so iTunes knows exactly what to do with it. I've never tried it with aiff files, but setting iTunes to import as wav and then pointing it at the aiff files should do the trick. Better, imho, to avoid third party software if at all possible! iTunes has an excellent reputation for audio quality so I'd be confident of it doing a good job.
2. With respect to both wav's and aiffs, the codec should have no impact on quality. Both are native pcm (uncompressed) file formats.
Bob
Mine is the freedom to do as I'm told.
Posts: 149
iTunes
Thanks Bob.
But - iTunes on a PC - audio quality .. ? Only if you're using an Airport or something as there is no support for ASIO or exclusive mode.
Assume you're referring to importing etc.
Matt.
HTPC: AMD Athlon 4850e, 4GB, Vista, BD/HD-DVD into -> ADM9.1
Posts: 62
Hi Matt, Yes, just for the
Hi Matt,
Yes, just for the changing of. I've never had a Mac so don't know whether it will convert aiff to wav within the Mac OS. But I do know it will do it on a PC.
As for the perceived quality of running iTunes on a PC - I do and I think it is very good indeed. I'm not a big fan of the other solutions I've tried, although I've not had a chance to try Vista/exclusive mode yet. That will be one for the next PC purchase! (Unless I go and catch Appleitis and buy a Mac mini!! ;) ) Only joking everyone!
Bob
Mine is the freedom to do as I'm told.
Posts: 149
Cool
Bob,
You don't need Vista to bypass the XP Kernel mixer. Why not just give Foobar, JRiver or one of the other a try with ASIO ... bet you the difference will be noticeable.
Matt.
HTPC: AMD Athlon 4850e, 4GB, Vista, BD/HD-DVD into -> ADM9.1
Posts: 98
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