JMC wrote: > If so does that imply that some frames of a 256 kbit/s CBR MP3 > will contain 256+ kbits/s of information?
Yes, frames that require bit rates higher than CBR rate can borrow bits from neighboring frames that require fewer bits. If there are not enough nearby bits available, then some get cut. Likewise, if there are a surplus of nearby bits available, the encoder preserves even more audio, whether audible or not. > Why I care, briefly: I recently used VBR to encode. It required 320 kbit/s for some >frames and I got worried my rpevious 256 > CBR wasn't enough bits. If my description of the Lame manual is correct, then I >need not worry. If I'm reading the manual > incorrectly, then perhaps I should begin > encoding at 320? If you are worried, listen and evaluate the quality of the encoded audio of your specific material. In practice, compared to VBR, a CBR implementation may have subtle strengths and weaknesses, but a variable bit rate allows a higher potential for quality when the output size is the same. For the paranoid, there is always lossless encoding... At only 800 kbps (give or take 100 kbps) for CD rate audio, never lose sleep again over worries of compression artifacts. =) Kind regards, - John _______________________________________________ mp3encoder mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://minnie.tuhs.org/mailman/listinfo/mp3encoder
