I would like to burn some of my MP3's to a CD-R disk so I can play them on my stereo.

I have always encoded my MP3's using CDex / LAME 3.90.3 using alt-preset standard.

But according to my manual for my DVD player, this may be a problem.
My manual for my Go Video DV2150 player states:

MP3 Requirements:

* Bit Rates must be 64-256 Kbps
* Maximum 32 foilders per disk
* Maximum 4 levels deep
* Variable bit rate (VBR) files may sound distorted during playback.

I am really confused about the last statement.

Why would VBR MP3's sound distorted when played on a DVD player?

Should I use change my settings in CDex to alt-preset standard with a maximum bit rate of 256 Kbps? Would that prevent any possible distortion?

Or should I change from VBR to CBR? (Yuck, the quality will go down)

I also have been experencing a second problem. When I play the MP3 CD on a friend's DVD player, only half of the MP3's are shown.

Why would all the MP3 titles show on my DVD player but not on my friends?

RobK

if your DVD player supports mp3 but has trouble playing VBR files I'd return it because it's defect...VBR is part of the mp3 standard since it was released...anyway, if they just have warning it will be most likely play fine...they probably refer to some crappy VBR mp3's...nothing you have to worry about when using LAME

Yeah, your DVD player likely won't have problems playing VBR encodes, but I'd be interested to hear if it does. My experience is that some hardware has trouble maintaining proper timing count when seeking in VBR files, but this isn't much of a problem for me.
The "won't play 320 kbps mp3 files or frames" is more of a worry.

I'd recommend that you burn some --preset standard encodes to a cd, and try them out on your DVD player. And encode a couple of files at --preset insane (so, CBR 320 kbps) and put them on the cd also. And, encode a couple of tracks with VBR and CBR (go with good CBR, like --preset cbr 224 just to be safe) and see if there is any audible difference between vbr and cbr tracks. Nothing like testing!

If it can only decode 64-256 kbps then it seems likley it will have problems with VBR files that contain 32, 40, 48, 56 or 320 kbps frames.

Some crappy DVD-Players do indeed have problems with VBR-files. I did run into that problem once when i visited someone: Of a full APS-album, the player would only recognize a few tracks and others not. This was repeatable with any kind of VBR-album. And yes, if your player claims MP3-compatibility on the package and is still in the waranty, then it is basically defect(because VBR has been part of the MP3-Standard since the beginning) and should be returned to the shop. It's like claiming audio-cd compatibility but only playing tracks with even tracknumbers.

- Lyx

i burn all my mp3's to cdr or dvdr data discs and play them thru my sony dvd player. i use VBR for all my encoding, but i also use a very hi bitrate. sometimes as hi as 192-320kbps -V1. i have had no problems or noticed any distortions except when i have the joint stereo option chekd. and this is only in the rear speakers . i now encode everything in stereo and this eliminated the problem. enjoy listening to yor mp3's thru surround sound. it sounds great if encoded properly


P.S. there may b a fix for this. it was mentioned in this thread here

Why don't you simply burn a few --alt-preset standard mp3 files to a disc and try playing them on your DVD player? You'll know if it really works or not.

Thats exactly what i would do.