First off hello this is my first post here at Hydrogen Audio. Okay I am a long time mp3 user who has just recently learned there is something better MPC, AAC Etc...
I have decided to use AAC because I want to play my music on a portable player.
Anyway I have some questions and would appreciate any help

1. I am confused by the AAC encoder area, how many aac encoders are there and which one should I use?

2. Are there any websites you can direct me too so i can better learn about AAC

3. Does the Ipod support aac files

This is a good place to start, thank you in advance

Hello and welcome. I suggest reading the FAQ before anything else. But for quick answers:

1. There are lots of aac encoders (don't know how many) but in recent 128kbps test here, quicktime won so i suggest you using that.

2. HA's very own AAC forum should be your best bet.

3. The newest ones do (I think).

hmm. aac encoders: quicktime, sorensen, psytel, nero, faac.

nero 6 will be the first encoder to offer aac+ (SBR enhanced) encoding for bitrates below 96kbps. this might be a reason to choose this one. but your hardware player will not support aac+ DEcoding, doesn't it?

all the ipods are able to play AAC. gen 1 and 2 ipods need firmware 1.3 (currently a mac only upgrade) and the gen 3 ipods (out of the box).

You could read the more AAC oriented forum at http://www.audiocoding.com/ when it comes back onliene...

You're partially right. Actually Windows iPods can use 1.3 firmware to play AAC/MP4 files.

Cheers.

well officially only winpods cannot upgrade to 1.3 however there are ways.

What is AAC +SBR and what makes it better than AAC? And where can i find this Faq

http://www.audiocoding.com/wiki/index.php?page=SBR
http://www.audiocoding.com/wiki/index.php?page=HE+AAC
http://www.audiocoding.com/wiki/index.php?...?page=Version+3