So I think we have the uneducated masses that complained incessantly after the iTunes 7.5 update to thank, but as of iTunes 7.6, iTunes no longer shows the actual bitrate of AAC files it has encoded, instead returning to the old method of displaying the "based" bitrate selected (regardless of encoder settings), i.e. files encoded as AAC 128 VBR again display as being 128 kbps CBR despite that they are still being encoded as either ABR or VBR_constrained.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Apple did anything to tweak how the new encoder handles high frequencies at 128 kbps VBR, so I'll be continuing to avoid using this new encoder.

*sigh*

I noticed this after updating to iTunes 7.6. I think Apple chose not to display the correct overall average bitrate because it was messing up some smart playlists. You can setup a smart playlist to contain only 128kbps content, 160kbps, 192kbps, and so on. There isn't an option for VBR bitrates, just ones of a certain number. That and many, many people on iLounge were getting confused about their music. They were ripping CDs as usual with the default settings in iTunes (which are 128kbps "CBR") and their files were showing up as 125kbps, 129kbps, 130kbps, 126kbps, etc. So I am sure Appel was flooded with e-mails of people saying "my songs are ripped at 128kbps, why isn't iTunes showing this?"

Oh, I'm almost certain this is the reason for the change. The Apple Support Forums and filled with people claiming that they "found a bug" because their files were showing up at varied bitrates.

I wish there was the option between the "old method" that they've returned to using and displaying an accurate bitrate... for that matter, I'd like access to all the QT profiles in iTunes... and a CLI that doesn't involve iTunesEnocde46... and multithreading... i.e. I can dream...