I prefer to encode MP3 files in VBR format, to be sure to get highest quality.
However, the disadvantage is that Players are not able to do correct positioning within the file.
Both Winamp 5.2 and MS Media Player 10.0 fail to do positioning as well as calculation of full playing time correctly.
I understand that correct positioning in a VBR files is more complicated than positioning in a CBR file, because the VBR needs to be scanned first. However, it is NOT IMPOSSIBLE. So do you know any players which are able to handle VBR correctly ?
Best regards
Georg Scholz
Full Version: VBR: Problems with correct positioning
Are you creating the files with Fraunhoffer encoder?
(e.g. the one in Cool Edit, Adobe Audition, FastEnc?)
These write weird VBR tag, which however should be read properly by Winamp.
LAME and others use Xing tag for VBR files. Winamp should play them fine.
You can also convert the FhG tags to Xing ones by rescaning a file with, e.g. Foobar2000.
For good players, check the Wiki.
WMP doesn't read any VBR tags properly, you're at a loss there.
(e.g. the one in Cool Edit, Adobe Audition, FastEnc?)
These write weird VBR tag, which however should be read properly by Winamp.
LAME and others use Xing tag for VBR files. Winamp should play them fine.
You can also convert the FhG tags to Xing ones by rescaning a file with, e.g. Foobar2000.
For good players, check the Wiki.
WMP doesn't read any VBR tags properly, you're at a loss there.
QUOTE (AstralStorm @ Jun 6 2006, 05:33) 
WMP doesn't read any VBR tags properly, you're at a loss there.
Actually, at least with LAME encoded content... it does now: after playback starts. But the index generated before playing still seems to list something closer to "maximum bitrate"... which is just strange.
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