I apologize if this has already been answered, but after searching the forums I have still not located anything solid:

My Nero .mp4 output files supposedly set to encode at VBR/Stereo Transparent, 110-150kbps Kb/s [LC AAC] indicate a higher vbr bitrate (160+) when playing the files through either Winamp or iTunes. This happens when encoding my wav's ripped with EAC, and transcoding through Foobar (FLAC>MP4) with the nero component installed. Is this a known issue that's been resolved, or is this normal? My current Nero version is 6.3.0.3, though this has happened with previous releases as well.

those numbers are a little optimistic indeed
people mentioned it several times but it isn't corrected yet

Ah, so I take it that it is a problem. I wonder why this hasn't been fixed yet.

All of my Nero transparent AAC files are between 140 and 190. 150 on the high end they claim? Less than 10% of my files are below 150. I think that is marketing.

I don't think it to be a bug, just a mislabelling of the presets.

A little misleading as well...

On just a few albums that I test encoded with the latest Nero 6303 the bit rates averaged around 180 to 190 k. None were below 160k. I think that earlier versions of the encoder may have been tuned to produce lower bit rates at the "transparent" preset.

IMO, it is not that important. I like the sound and storage continues to get cheaper by the day.

Just encoded Moonspell - The Antidote album. min bitrate was 182kbps and max bitrate 204kbps. This was with Transparent profile and 2.6.1.9 AAC ecnoder.

Tried the "extreme" setting. Bitrate averaged about 225 for me at that setting, with some being over 245.