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Topic: Bit depth - Does it really matter? (Read 5596 times) previous topic - next topic
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Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Hey guys,

I was just ripping my CDs to WavPack, and I noticed that in foobar2000, one can select "bit depth" for losssless conversions. It was set to 16 by default. Do I really need to set it any higher?

Thanks,

nazgulord.

P.S. - Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum - I was wondering whether to put it in General Audio or here...

Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: nazgulord on
Hey guys,

I was just ripping my CDs to WavPack, and I noticed that in foobar2000, one can select "bit depth" for losssless conversions. It was set to 16 by default. Do I really need to set it any higher?


Lossless formats have an actual bitdepth associated with the encoded audio.  Lossy formats do not (since the output bitdepth is decided by the decoder).  You should select the "keep lossless sources at original bitdepth" option.

Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Reply #2 –
CDs are 16-bit anyway; increasing bit-depth would not increase quality. Activate the option which Mike mentioned and you won't need to worry again.

Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Reply #3 –
Thanks guys .

If CDs are only 16-bit, why is there an option for higher bit depths? 

Thanks,

nazgulord.
 

Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Reply #4 –
CDs are not the only source you can encode with wavpack

Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Reply #5 –
So 32-bit would apply to, say, voice recordings?

nazgulord.

Bit depth - Does it really matter?

Reply #7 –
beto is most likely referring to DVD-A and SACD