Nero encoder 1.5.4.0—lower quality makes larger file; how can this be?, Was: Nero encoder: unexpected size results (TOS #6) Options

[Pete7874]

Hello,

I'm using Nero 1.5.4.0 AAC codec in Foobar 1.1.10. I converted the same source file to AAC using two different settings: q0.38 and q0.40. Theoretically, the q0.38 should have resulted in smaller file/lower bitrate. However, the resulting files were just the opposite - the q0.38 file ended up being larger / higher bit rate than the q0.40 file. How can that be?

I realize this is rather academic as nobody could potentially tell the two apart in ABX listening. I just found it a bit abnormal.

Thanks!

[Pete7874]

I suppose it depends on the source material. I just tried it again with a bunch of additional files, and in majority of cases, -q0.38 again delivered higher bit rates and file sizes than -q0.40. There were a couple of exceptions though.