Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 13:23:54

Title: What's the difference between MP3 and WMA?
Post by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 13:23:54
Size wise which ones bigger/smaller?

For music wise which one makes it sound better/worse?

There has to be a difference or there woudln't be both of them. I've looked and looked, but I can't seem to find anything.

Help. Thanks Sim!
Title: What's the difference between MP3 and WMA?
Post by: that mad man on 21/01/2008 16:45:43
What they are:

They are essentially 2 of the different audio codecs (coder/decoder) out of a handful available.

The original Mp3 format IIRC was developed and patented by the Fraunhoffer society, is licensed for use and generates a big revenue for the company.

The WMA is a Microsoft codec and comes with the media player in a Windows OS. This is popular with some music companies as it can be used in conjunction with other software for DRM, digital rights management.

Size wise:

The file size is dependant on the compression rates as they can vary a lot. For a normal almost "cd" quality file an Mp3 would be compressed at 128k or higher. The final file size at that rate is around 10% of the original.

Microsoft states that with the WMA format the compression rate (file size) can be smaller for the same quality of audio but if you do some research;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codec_listening_test#Results

You will find that this is not correct but just MS hype!

Music wise:

It depends on the codec used and the compression rate. I use none of the above and use the free "Lame" codec for Mp3's. Sometimes I use "Ogg vorbis" which personally I think is better than the rest but it is an .ogg format and not Mp3 and some players don't play ogg's.

As a guide, any compression rate below 128k means poor quality audio but would probably sound fine on a phone or on an MP3 player with in ear phones. I use 160k or 192k when converting and sharing my music as I can notice the difference.

@ Sim Try encoding a song using the different bit rates and see if you can tell!

Bee



Title: What's the difference between MP3 and WMA?
Post by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 17:43:36
I have my WMP set to default (128k). I'm getting a 4gb card for my phone and on the website it says it holds around 1000 songs mp3. I currently have 969 songs on my computer that I would like to put them all on their and a few more once i find my cd's back. They are all set to 128k. It says they take up 2.5 gb. I want to make sure I have enough space for my sister to take plenty of pictures and videos to put on the computer at later time. So when it comes down to things I'll have aroudn 1000 songs WMA on my phone and if i have plenty of space left I'll try and make them a better rate.

Is there a way I can change the rate without ripping them all over again?
Title: What's the difference between MP3 and WMA?
Post by: that mad man on 21/01/2008 18:38:39
"Is there a way I can change the rate without ripping them all over again?"

Unfortunately no, but then you may not need to.

Its doubtful that you would notice much difference if you are playing them on a phone. Its more noticeable when played on a full range home stereo with speakers.

I cant do a phone comparison though as I don't own or use a mobile (cell) phone.
Title: What's the difference between MP3 and WMA?
Post by: Simulated on 21/01/2008 22:56:25
Darnn that's a bummer. Hopefully it they sound alright. Cuz that's a lot of songs lol. Lots of hours spend ripping music.

We will see. When I get it. Didn't get it today! To expensive we are going with eBay.
Title: What's the difference between MP3 and WMA?
Post by: Simulated on 24/01/2008 21:25:43
So if my computer says I have 2.5 gig of music would that also be 2.5 gb of music on my card? Beacuse sometimes the size of the files are bigger then the space they take up on the drive some how