Alternatives to MP3

Although MP3 is the most popular format for encoding music, it is by no means the only one. There are two basic methods for compressing audio ? lossless and lossy, and for each of these methods there are many formats.

Lossless compression means that none of the audio data is removed during compression. Lossy compression means that audio data is permanently removed from the audio file. Lossy compression results in smaller files, but there is no way to rebuild the audio data to its original format. MP3 is an example of lossy compression.

Lossy Compression Formats

There are many alternatives to MP3 when it comes to encoding audio files. Microsoft reportedly developed the WMA format to avoid the licensing costs associated with MP3. WMA files can be played with the Windows Media Player that is included with the Windows operating system as well as many other audio players. It features similar encoding rates to MP3 and similar file sizes.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is the format preferred by Apple and is used for its popular iTunes and iPod products. AAC files can be smaller than MP3 files because it uses more efficient encoding technology. A 96 kpbs AAC file is similar in sound quality to a 128 kbps MP3 file.

Ogg Vorbis is another type of lossy compression and uses .OGG as the file extension. It is an open-source product and unlike MP3, there are no patent restrictions on its use.

Lossless Compression

For the audio purist who insists on the best quality sound possible, lossless compression offers CD quality sound. The tradeoff is larger files sizes ? while MP3 can compress audio in the range of 80% - 90%, lossless compression typically compresses the file by half.

Popular lossless formats include FLAC, Monkey's Audio, and SHN (Shorten). These formats are supported by many audio players and are popular for archiving CD collections as well as for trading music.

Hans is editor of the Audio Howto Section of the Selected Audio Review Guide

In The News:

VisualOn Integrates New Streaming Standard at the Cable Show 2012
MarketWatch (press release)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BOSTON, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- VisualOn, Inc., a multimedia software company that provides solutions enabling high quality video and audio on any mobile platform, announced today that it has incorporated ...

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TVbytheNumbers
Check Out A Full List of This Years 2012 Billboard Music Awards Winners HERE!
PerezHilton.com
Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer Give Me Everything Top Streaming Song (Audio) — Adele Rolling in the Deep Top Streaming Song (Video) — Nicki Minaj Super Bass Top Pop Song — LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock Party Rock Anthem Top R&B Song — Kelly ...
Adele wins 12 Billboard awardsTelegraph.co.uk
BILLBOARD ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF “THE 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS”TVbytheNumbers
Adele, LMFAO big winners at BillboardSydney Morning Herald
The Independent -AceShowbiz
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Endangered possums get helping hand
Brisbane Times
Websites in the Fairfax Digital Network offer streaming video and audio in the Flash format. Streaming media allows you to watch video on a website as a continuous feed, as opposed to waiting for an entire audio or video file to download to your ...

and more »

Elemental Stream Pushes Multiscreen Video Processing into the Network
MarketWatch (press release)
Elemental Stream supports closed captioning and subtitle conversion and allows international broadcasters and operators to associate a single video with multiple audio tracks. SCTE-35 advertising triggers can address the regional advertising needs to ...
Elemental Launches Elemental Stream at The Cable ShowStreamingMedia.com
Cable Show 2012: Elemental Pushes Multiscreen Video To The EdgeMultichannel News

all 8 news articles »

RedOrbit
RIM unveils audio streaming service BlackBerry Music Gateway
Network World
By Chris Martin, TechWorld The small near-field communication (NFC) enabled gadget allows users to wirelessly stream music to a hi-fi, car stereo or other audio sources. The BlackBerry Music Gateway will be available in June with a US price of $49.
BlackBerry Music Gateway Uses NFC to Stream AudioPCWorld
BlackBerry Music Gateway: Streaming So Simple Your Grandma Could Do ItMashable
BlackBerry Enters Music Streaming Market: Too Little, Too Late?RedOrbit
CNET -ITBusiness.ca
all 2,245 news articles »

HTC Car StereoClip Bluetooth music adapter now available through Sprint
The Verge
By Chris Welch on May 21, 2012 12:40 pm 21Comments As expected, Sprint is now selling HTC's Car StereoClip, the miniature wireless adapter that plugs into any 3.5mm jack and lets users stream music from Bluetooth-enabled handsets.

and more »

MOH Technology Simplifies Direct Audio Streaming for Cisco Unified CallManager ...
MarketWatch (press release)
The MOH Technology innovation is to IP-stream the on-hold content directly to VoIP phone systems such as Asterisk and CallManager, using a low-cost IP audio device that is separate from the VoIP server -- thus avoiding the need to update files on the ...

and more »

Rovi Showcases Solutions for Highly Personalized Entertainment Experiences ...
MarketWatch (press release)
As part of the event, Rovi will be demonstrating its latest lineup of solutions -- including TotalGuide(TM), DivX(R) Plus Streaming and the Rovi Advertising Network -- that are enriching the discovery, delivery and enjoyment of cable services on ...

and more »

She's Streaming:Social Media, Mobile Lifestyles
Jamaica Gleaner
Her first, Music, Media & Adolescent Sexuality in Jamaica, deals with what some may describe as 'old media' - television, in particular the music video - and its influence on youths. Her recently released book, STREAMING: Volume 1; #Social Media, ...


MOH Technology Simplifies Direct Audio Streaming for Cisco Unified CallManager ...
PR Newswire (press release)
The MOH Technology innovation is to IP-stream the on-hold content directly to VoIP phone systems such as Asterisk and CallManager, using a low-cost IP audio device that is separate from the VoIP server — thus avoiding the need to update files on the ...

and more »
Google News


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