Confusion Regarding File Types

[Jason36]

Just after some advice on Ripping Files into a PC Based format as I am looking at getting an office setup and will be using a combination of my laptop and Ipod for playing music whilst I am working.

I am new to this having only ever really listened to music via my home system (CD's and LP's) and iPod if I am out and about. I also use an Iphone 3GS now more than my iPod for out and about listening.

So at the moment I tend to rip my CD's onto my laptop using Apple Lossless....however I have also noticed that under the import options there are other file types, including: AAC Encoder, AIFF Encoder, Apple Lossless, MP3 Encoder and WAV Encoder.

Am I correct in thinking that out of these Apple Lossless is the best file quality for replay? Also if I am streaming music from my laptop to say a Zeppeling Air does the quality of the file make a difference (probably a silly question, but as I say new to this side of music)

Also when I hear people talking about FLAC files what are these, are they compatable with iTunes on a Laptop and how do I rip music into Flac Files (or is this more of a dedicated NAS drive file?)

Probably fairly obvious questions so apologies if I come over as a bit of a dunce :-(

 

[Gerrardasnails]

For clarification, wav files are uncompressed lossless files but you don't get tagging easily. As for FLAC, only an issue if you use Apple as they don't allow it!

 

[idc]

There are so many file types it is mind boggling. So I gave up and stuck with Apple Lossless as I have itunes, don't intend on switching to anything else and the file sizes are slightly smaller than other lossless files, so saving space, without the quality loss of lossy files such as MP3.

 

[Jason36]

Looks like I'm sticking with Apple Lossless then

 

[Overdose]

Loosless files are ideal if you have the space, but a little overkill, if you are simply streaming to a Zeppelin Air. A more compressed 256kbps file would not sound much different, if at all.

Take into consideration also, that in the office, you are not likely to be listening critically.

FLAC files are not compatible with Apple products.

Lossless files are best used for larger capacity drives to stream at home or for archiving, they can then be accessed and compressed to mobile devices.

 

[professorhat]

Loosless files are ideal if you have the space, but a little overkill, if you are simply streaming to a Zeppelin Air. A more compressed 256kbps file would not sound much different, if at all.

Take into consideration also, that in the office, you are not likely to be listening critically.

FLAC files are not compatible with Apple products.

Lossless files are best used for larger capacity drives to stream at home or for archiving, they can then be accessed and compressed to mobile devices.

It's a fair point, but I'd argue when ripping, unless you are desperatly short of space for some reason, always rip to one of the lossless formats. You can then easily convert to any other format in the future. If you start by ripping into 256K AACs or MP3s though and then later upgrade to something you feel would benefit from the lossless format, you've got to re-rip everything again - not fun!

 

[Anonymous]

There are so many file types it is mind boggling. So I gave up and stuck with Apple Lossless as I have itunes, don't intend on switching to anything else and the file sizes are slightly smaller than other lossless files, so saving space, without the quality loss of lossy files such as MP3.

FLAC files are slightly smaller and ALAC due to a slightly better compression ratio (but only very slightly). Flac is

FLAC is more widely supported and so if u dont use an Ipod is probably a better choice. You can get Flac plugins for the other Apple products - Iphone, Ipad, Mac.

 

[Jason36]

Well I tend to rip my files in Apple Lossless as I do have an ipod which get played through my home amplifier occasionally or in other docks....so wanted the better quality than standard MP3.

Sounds like I should just keep going as I am then really......about to buy a Zeppelin Air for the office so that gives me the option of streaming from my laptop of docking my iPod.

Thanks for the help guys.

I dont use a Network Drive at home so FLAC isnt really an issue.

 

[The_Lhc]

I dont use a Network Drive at home so FLAC isnt really an issue.

There's no connection between having a network drive and using FLAC, one does not require the other and equally you could just as easily store your ALAC files on a network drive as you could any other format.

There's nothing special about FLAC, it's just lossless (as is ALAC) but doesn't mandate the use of Apple products to play it or indeed any particular hardware at all, it's an open format, which ALAC isn't.