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Topic: Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy (Read 6624 times) previous topic - next topic
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Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Hi,

Because I'm going to drive a car with a MP3-CD player, I want to make a MP3-CD for the trip. For this purpose, I want the CD to only contain MP3's with a bitrate below 160, so I can put a lot of tracks on it.

My collection contains different formats. Some years ago, I started ripping in FLAC. Before that time, I used to rip to MP3 in 128 or 192 kpbs. I even ripped to MPC once (but I don't think I will need those tracks).

Now, I want to convert all audio files which are not MP3's with a bitrate below 160 to a 128 kbps MP3. However, I want to copy the files which are already the right size, so all my files are the right format, but not converted useless (= loss of audio quality).

I know WinAmp has a feature like this: If you attach your (USB) MP3 player, you can state which formats it supports. The supported formats are copied to your device, the other formats are converted to the correct format. Does someone know software that does the job I describe? I use Windows and Linux, so the OS doesn't matter.

Thanks for your help!
Ernst

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #1 –
I think the best option would be to NOT convert at all. Unless space or compatibility is a huge problem. Converting will result in even more quality loss.

If you want to convert anyway, I would use foobar2000 to convert. Create a tab with bitrate (if it doesn't exist yet). Then load all your music in foobar and sort by bitrate. Then you should be able to select all your music that is > 160kbps. Then right click your selection and choose convert. Unfortunately foobar has no built-in option to create CBR files (because CBR sucks). So you will have to create it yourself. Probably need to specify an external encoder (lame.exe) and set the -b128 command line.
You can also try -V5 which will give you very nice quality and small VBR files (around 128kbps), but you have to check if your car stereo supports that.

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #2 –
Quote from: ernstblaauw on
My collection contains different formats. Some years ago, I started ripping in FLAC. Before that time, I used to rip to MP3 in 128 or 192 kpbs. I even ripped to MPC once (but I don't think I will need those tracks).


Why not just re-rip the Cds that you want smaller files of. You could store those on CDs for the car, so it's not like you're really keeping 2 lossy copies on you PC. As stated, going from Mp3 to Mp3 isn't the best idea. That's what I would do. 

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #3 –
Quote from: ManekiNeko on
Why not just re-rip the Cds that you want smaller files of. You could store those on CDs for the car, so it's not like you're really keeping 2 lossy copies on you PC. As stated, going from Mp3 to Mp3 isn't the best idea. That's what I would do. 

We could be generous and say that these were probably legally-downloaded tracks.

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #4 –
You don't need to be generous. In many countries it is absolutely legal to rip CDs for private use without owning those CDs. So he probably has no access to the CDs anymore.

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #5 –
There are many people like myself who still own the original CD of everything we have ripped. The record companies' response to people who do not, whether or not it is legal where they live, has been to keep prices high to cover the lost sales, and to add anti-piracy measures, making them harder to rip.

So, when I pay a higher price or am unable to easily rip a CD that I paid for, I am paying the price for people who do don't follow the same rules that I do. 

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #6 –
No, you are paying the price the record companies can achieve from you. You wouldn't pay less, if there were lost sales, which is rather doubtfully.

(Sorry for completely off topic now)

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #7 –
mediamonkey (gold) can automatically convert and burn to mp3 cd according to whatever auto-conversion criteria you choose.

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #8 –
Quote from: fbuser on
No, you are paying the price the record companies can achieve from you. You wouldn't pay less, if there were lost sales, which is rather doubtfully.

That's debatable, but my other point still stands. I will now stay on topic. 

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Teknojnky on
mediamonkey (gold) can automatically convert and burn to mp3 cd according to whatever auto-conversion criteria you choose.

As can J. River Media Center. It has an option to convert files only when the source files are of higher bitrate than selected in the MP3 encoding options or when they are of different format. When the selected MP3 encoding option is VBR it uses a predefined average kbps value, which can't be very reliable, but when burning MP3 CDs it is actually more practical to use ABR or CBR because the needed disc space can be calculated before burning.

Personally, I wouldn't bother to convert anything if the files are already in the MP3 format. A CD-R or CD-RW disc can hold about 5 hours of music when the bitrate is 320 kbps. It is not a big deal to switch the disc once in a few hours.

I once created a table of the maximum playback times at different bitrates (700 MB disc):

Code: [Select]
Bitrate       Time
128 kbps   12 h 26 min
160 kbps    9 h 57 min
192 kbps    8 h 17 min
256 kbps    6 h 13 min
320 kbps    4 h 58 min

I have normally a box of ten rewritable discs in my car. When I burn new content to a disc I gather the correct amount of files to a playlist (e.g. a bit over 8 hours if the selected bitrate is about 192 kbps) and let JRMC convert (if necessary) and burn that list. I have set it to automatically add sequence numbers in front of the filenames so that the car player sees the files in the correct order.

Only convert MP3 tracks with bitrate > 160 kpbs. Other files: copy

Reply #10 –
Or use any media player that can sort the MP3s by bitrate and VBR/CBR, like foobar2000. Then only select those that are too big, and file copy them to a temporary location, from where you transcode them for example using LAME -V5 or so.