.m4a file

[Karst]

Bumped into to this one at a U2 filesharing forum. Not really seen this before so I was wondering what the consensus on this is? Did a search (http://www.m4a.com/) and I'm pretty convinced this is lossy. What does everybody else think?

[jraras]

Originally Posted by Karst

Bumped into to this one at a U2 filesharing forum. Not really seen this before so I was wondering what the consensus on this is? Did a search (http://www.m4a.com/) and I'm pretty convinced this is lossy. What does everybody else think?

Definitely lossy... another name for it (used by Apple) is "AAC", the preferred file format of iPod/iTunes. I like it for my pod, but definitely not for my archives/torrents/collection.

HTH!

Jim

[ffooky]

Stupidly, the .m4a extension is used for both AAC and ALAC (Apple Lossless) so the quickest way to tell one from t'other is filesize. You need iTunes to play the ALAC variety though you can decompress them usingthis if you don't want to install iTunes.

[Five]

apple lossless

[ffooky]

Indeed Five but at least one can hold one's nose and convert them to a usable format, much as one has to do with those APE things

[Punkishlyevil]

Originally Posted by Five

apple lossless

I don't use them, but may I ask, what is wrong with them?

[Five]

I think RainDawg could explain better, but my big issue with apple lossless is that ipod users wanted the ability to play FLAC like some other players had so the kind people at apple invented apple lossless so that now you can play FLAC on an ipod but only if you first convert everything to their brand new proprietary format. At least, this is how I recall it happening. If apple lossless was acutally better they might have a leg to stand on. There's also microsoft lossless which somebody was saying isn't really lossless, I'm not sure if this is true.

I stick with FLAC and APE (yes ffooky, I still use it at home ).

[wazoo2u]

The basic objection to closed source formats is that they hamper developers efforts to improve/create better software by demanding license fees, even for non-commercial use.

FLAC, SHN and APE are accepted due to their open source status. (tho some are only free if not used commercially).

[willndmb]

Originally Posted by Five

I think RainDawg could explain better, but my big issue with apple lossless is that ipod users wanted the ability to play FLAC like some other players had so the kind people at apple invented apple lossless so that now you can play FLAC on an ipod but only if you first convert everything to their brand new proprietary format. At least, this is how I recall it happening. If apple lossless was acutally better they might have a leg to stand on. There's also microsoft lossless which somebody was saying isn't really lossless, I'm not sure if this is true.

I stick with FLAC and APE (yes ffooky, I still use it at home ).

its better then mp3 for starts--thats why itunes uses it, smaller file with better sound
and the only place i have ever seen or heard of ipod users wanting to play flacs on an ipod is here--the general ipod user doesn't even know about flac

bottom line is the ipod isn't for trading or for audio junkies
its for the normal ear and the person who wants a small walkman with 10000 songs at their fingertip

Originally Posted by willndmb

its better then mp3 for starts--thats why itunes uses it, smaller file with better sound
and the only place i have ever seen or heard of ipod users wanting to play flacs on an ipod is here--the general ipod user doesn't even know about flac

bottom line is the ipod isn't for trading or for audio junkies
its for the normal ear and the person who wants a small walkman with 10000 songs at their fingertip

i would have to agree with this, emphasizing the key words "general ipod user."

and i would add to the end "for the normal ear and the person who wants a small walkman with 10000 songs at their fingertip... who can afford apple's pricing."

[ffooky]

Why the discussion of AAC ? The OP was most likely to be talking about ALAC and you ain't going to get 1000 of them on an ipod

[Karst]

Originally Posted by ffooky

Stupidly, the .m4a extension is used for both AAC and ALAC (Apple Lossless) so the quickest way to tell one from t'other is filesize.

Right. The track plays through itunes. I only downloaded the Intro which is 1:03; size: 0.99 MB (1,044,226 bytes). Let me know what you think.

[jraras]

Originally Posted by Karst

Right. The track plays through itunes. I only downloaded the Intro which is 1:03; size: 0.99 MB (1,044,226 bytes). Let me know what you think.

In iTunes what's the bitrate? That should also give a clue... though, I'm not familiar w/ ALAC, so...

JR

[Karst]

From Get profile in iTunes:
Kind: AAC
Size: 1,019.8k
Bit rate: 128 kbps
Sample rate: 44.100 kHz
Profile: Low Complexity
Channels: Stereo
Encoded with: Helix Producer SDK 10.0 for WIndows, build 10.0.0.240

[U2Lynne]

It's an AAC file - similar to an mp3. An ALAC file would have a higher bit rate and be larger in size than what you said.