AAC True VBR vs. VBR?, XLD's AAC True VBR or iTunes' AAC VBR Options

[Dataz]

I'm using Mac and I want the best quality available when using AAC @320 kbps.

Should I use XLD's True VBR or iTunes' VBR?

Help!

/Thanks!

This post has been edited by Dataz: Apr 20 2012, 12:15

[Ouroboros]

320 kbit/s is CBR, not VBR.

So, which do you want - 320 kbit/s or VBR?

[IgorC]

320 kbit/s is CBR, not VBR.

AAC is not MP3.
AAC can go higher than 320 kbps and Apple encoder has 320-350 kbps VBR setting.

There is no point to go higher than 256 kbps VBR for AAC. It's transparent.

[Ouroboros]

Yes, all of that is true, but 320-350 kbit/s VBR is just that - VBR. The OP asked about 320 kbit/s, which is a defined bit rate, hence CBR.

[IgorC]

OP talks about two different VBR modes. He doesn't say anything about CBR.

This post has been edited by IgorC: Apr 20 2012, 15:51

[Ouroboros]

Perhaps requoting the OP might refresh your memory.....

I'm using Mac and I want the best quality available when using AAC @320 kbps.

That's a fixed bit rate, hence CBR. He then goes on to ask about which VBR codec to use, and that's a contradiction (CBR=/=VBR), hence I asked him which he meant - 320 CBR, or VBR.

[IgorC]

The point is that Apple AAC encoder has constrained VBR setting like iTunes' VBR 320 kbps.
OP asks for this actually.

[Ouroboros]

Yes, I know that Apple AAC and iTunes have a constrained VBR mode, but the OP didn't ask about that at all. That may be what he meant, and I had guessed that might be what he meant, but I was trying to get him to be clearer about what he wants before we start giving him incorrect advice.

[pururin]

IMHO, Just forget about that debate.

To the point op asking, I'd say true VBR at around 256 kbps. Actual Bit rate will go even higher when needed, it's very flexible.
IMO 192 kbps is already great.

This post has been edited by pururin: Apr 27 2012, 20:08