Archive CD Collection - Best CODEC To Use?

[bootis]

Hello everyone!

 

I have about 400 CD's in my Collection. I would like to Archive them on my H.D. What is the best CODEC that I can use that will provide the best fidelity to preserve the original recording fidelity of the DISC?

 

I have always used .WAV in the past. I want better than what MP3 offers as I do hear the difference in quality when using MP3 and I do not really have a portable player device. If this need changes, I guess I could always convert some of the music to MP3 or other format.

 

How is the WMA CODEC? Is the lossless version of this format good (comparable to WAV) and how compatible is this format with variuos playback devices?

 

I read that using WMA Lossless will save about 20% HD Space when compared to WAV files. If it comes down to incompatibility issues with playback devices, or saving HD Space vs. sacrificing quality then I guess I would prefer to have the Original Quality preserved. Saving Disc space, would then not be the real/primary issue for me.

 

What is your personal experience and results in using any of these different formats/codecs, etc?

 

Also, is there a good article or site that you can recommend that discusses this subject in detail?

 

Thanks for your comments and reply!

 

Bootis

[Beerman]

Hello everyone!

 

I have about 400 CD's in my Collection. I would like to Archive them on my H.D. What is the best CODEC that I can use that will provide the best fidelity to preserve the original recording fidelity of the DISC?

 

I have always used .WAV in the past. I want better than what MP3 offers as I do hear the difference in quality when using MP3 and I do not really have a portable player device. If this need changes, I guess I could always convert some of the music to MP3 or other format.

 

How is the WMA CODEC? Is the lossless version of this format good (comparable to WAV) and how compatible is this format with variuos playback devices?

 

I read that using WMA Lossless will save about 20% HD Space when compared to WAV files. If it comes down to incompatibility issues with playback devices, or saving HD Space vs. sacrificing quality then I guess I would prefer to have the Original Quality preserved. Saving Disc space, would then not be the real/primary issue for me.

 

What is your personal experience and results in using any of these different formats/codecs, etc?

 

Also, is there a good article or site that you can recommend that discusses this subject in detail?

 

Thanks for your comments and reply!

 

Bootis

I have not experimented much with this but I'll just throw my opinions in anyway. I've played with WMA and Flac and do think WMA saves a bit more space. I can't tell the difference on my old Bose system (but my ears aren't as good as they use to be). I also tried APE and found it did a very good job. Not many APE players and it doesn't offer multichannel support. If I had to vote, I'd say WMA for me.

[bootis]

I have not experimented much with this but I'll just throw my opinions in anyway. I've played with WMA and Flac and do think WMA saves a bit more space. I can't tell the difference on my old Bose system (but my ears aren't as good as they use to be). I also tried APE and found it did a very good job. Not many APE players and it doesn't offer multichannel support. If I had to vote, I'd say WMA for me.

 

Paul,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Why WMA vs. WAV? Is the quality the same?

 

I read somwhere that WMA saves disk space, but only about 20%. I have no experience with WMA myself, but have always used WAV. Also, are WMA files compatible with most playback devices, i.e., Car, Home, BoomBox, Players etc?

 

My Ears also are not as good as they use to be, but I can still hear a big difference in the MP3 Files I have heard vs. WAV Format.

 

I guess I just have to try both comparitively and see/listen to the results and also compare file sizes.

 

Bootis!

[Beerman]

Paul,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Why WMA vs. WAV? Is the quality the same?

 

I read somwhere that WMA saves disk space, but only about 20%. I have no experience with WMA myself, but have always used WAV. Also, are WMA files compatible with most playback devices, i.e., Car, Home, BoomBox, Players etc?

 

My Ears also are not as good as they use to be, but I can still hear a big difference in the MP3 Files I have heard vs. WAV Format.

 

I guess I just have to try both comparitively and see/listen to the results and also compare file sizes.

 

Bootis!

Why WMA over WAV? If it's a space problem, it's WMA. If not, it's WAV. Again, just my opinion and yes, even with my ears, I CAN hear a difference between MP3 and WAV!