Ogg Vorbis - will it work with Hi-MD ?

[Human]

I think on this Forum i read a post and He [the post author] was talking -but just briefly-

about Ogg Vorbis?

http://www.vorbis.com/faq/#replace

What is Ogg Vorbis?

"Ogg Vorbis is a new audio compression format. It is roughly comparable to other formats used to store and play digital music, such as MP3, VQF, AAC, and other digital audio formats. It is different from these other formats because it is completely free, open, and unpatented".

"Does Vorbis completely replace MP3, or is it just a complementary codec?

Ogg Vorbis has been designed to completely replace all proprietary, patented audio formats. That means that you can encode all your music or audio content in Vorbis and never look back".

=====================================

1]. Is this something that is the "New kid on the block" ?

2]. How, (and will ?) this technology bypass the encoding on CDs. ?

Possibly You already talked about this here in deeper aspects , but my question would be, -

3]. will be possible to use this Ogg Vorbis to transfer music from CDs to Hi-MD in faster time (not in real time).

It is explained on their web site that transfer of MP3 music using Ogg Vorbis is not suggested to be done,

the reason for this it is answered in this question:

Can I convert my MP3 collection to the Ogg Vorbis format?

One of the statement they make is: ....>partial Quote<... "When encoding from originals, you will find that you can make Ogg files that are smaller or of better quality (or both) than your MP3s."<

And this has very interesting statements:

What does the “Quality” setting mean?

>partial Quote<..."For now, quality 0 is roughly equivalent to 64kbps average, 5 is roughly 160kbps, and 10 gives about 400kbps. Most people seeking very-near-CD-quality audio encode at a quality of 5 or, for lossless stereo coupling, 6. The default setting is quality 3, which at approximately 110kbps gives a smaller filesize and significantly better fidelity than .mp3 compression at 128kbps."<

4]. Wonder if anyone here did use this program,

and how it worked, ...

but I guess it will not work with Hi-MD, ....or will ?.

Thanks, ......

Edited December 12, 2005 by Human

[tekdroid]

Ogg Vorbis is a new format, but it's been out for a little while now already. It's better than mp3. Several manufacturers like LG and Samsung (and others) make portables that play it. Virtually everyone (last I looked) is using it for PC games (to save hundreds of thousands in mp3 licensing costs). Chances are you've already played a game with Ogg Vorbis audio and didn't know it (if you're a PC gamer). Many big-name games use it for their audio.

It produces smaller file sizes for the same quality compared to mp3. Or, better quality for the same filesize - generally speaking. In other words, it's technically better. The easiest way to try it is probably by downloading CDex, since it's a CD ripper that has Ogg Vorbis encoding integrated (albeit an older version of the dll). Latest encoders and stuff can always be found at http://www.vorbis.com

Quality setting is just another way to choose bitrates, though they don't like to specify bitrates because the encoder can improve with time and bitrates may change.

Vorbis is slowly gaining acceptance because it costs manufacturers nothing but development time to implement support (no royalties per hardware or software unit). Nobody really seems to care that it's technically better since mp3 had such a head-start on it and is basically the default lossy audio format that needs to be supported.

Ogg Vorbis will not play back on Hi-MD units unless you are playing back as a data file on the PC (like any other data file that you dragged and dropped).

[Sparky191]

Its still a lossy compression scheme and not widely supported by that many portable players. HiMD doesn't support it anyway. If you are that bothered about sound quality you won't be using low bitrates which sound dire anyway. The fact you save 10-20% in disk space is outweighted by the low cost of hard disks, and lack of general support in players. Like any proprietary format (just like ATRAC, OMA) the problem arises when you have a library of 40-60 GB and then want a different player. You are best keeping your library in the most compatible format.

Audiophiles who are concerned about sound quality seem to be moving toward lossless compression. FLAC etc.

[Human]

Thanks guys for Your response, -

I guess it is to bad that it is not working with Hi-MD, ...?

...from what some people are writing they still have problems with transferring music from CDs via computer to their Hi-MD units using that SonicStage [?] program.

And in next few days i will be ordering from Sony RH10 unit.

I guess I will transfer my CDs in real time in Hi-SP via line in on RH10 to 1Gig Md.

I have no nerves, and experience with music on computer, [ i have no music in MP3 format on my computer ] and have maybe 5 CDs that i downloaded but don't play via computer, only via home stereo, ....so that makes me one maybe 2 steps above 8-ight track on music technology scale, ....Ha ha

1]. Are they any possible complications with real time CD recording /transfer to Hi-MD.

2]. And apparently i can transfer same CD only one time - even via line in, or that applies only to transfers /downloads via SonicStage, ATRAC3 on computer.

Or that depends on particular CD if is coded, [.... like some kind of wild beast no to be reproduced more then once ].

I have saved articles with that info some where , but if You be so kind and forgive me my laziness at this moment and answer me this:

3]. Recording via line in to RH10 in Hi-SP mode on 1 Gig MDs, - do I have a choice of MP3 or ATRAC3, - or those are only available when recording /downloading via computer, and the line in real time recording is pre-set to those 3 settings [PMC, Hi-SP, Hi-LP] , -- and MP3 or ATRAC3 is not even applicable to those settings.

My Sony Mini-Stereo has optical line out, and analogue RCA out.

But I could do real time recording with optical to RH10 -Yes [?].

Thank You, .....

[Sparky191]

Don't worry about SonicStage unless you have a problem. I'd say most people don't have a problem with Version 3.3. A few do yes, but only a few.

Theres no reason to use real time unless you don't want to use the computer. Using SonicStage >> USB is much easier and faster. Using real time recording you have the option of PCM, HiSP and HiLP. You've more options using SonicStage but HiSP is the best compromise in my opinion.

[Human]

Don't worry about SonicStage unless you have a problem. I'd say most people don't have a problem with Version 3.3. A few do yes, but only a few.

Theres no reason to use real time unless you don't want to use the computer. Using SonicStage >> USB is much easier and faster. Using real time recording you have the option of PCM, HiSP and HiLP. You've more options using SonicStage but HiSP is the best compromise in my opinion.

Sparky - Ha ha ,

You said this in such a smooth and easy way that" >Quote<, ...."Don't worry about SonicStage"< , ....

that I might really brake my FEAR-ing mind and just to keep Up with technology I will try SonicStage.

I think I will, Yes, - it will be great challenge.

i like reading about different technologies so i should experiment also.

The only think is that i'm afraid to mess up the computer, because taking to get fixed is not fun.

I had that a year ago , but I was riding for almost 3 years with out any antivirus program, no fire wall , nothing.

Just a glass of holy water beside it.

So i guess i was lucky any how for that long.

Yes I will definitely use Hi-SP.

Quality over Quantity.

Does Hi-SP ( be that in real time or via computer ), does it come as MP3 - or ATRAC3 - or it is just plain Hi-SP.

Cheeers,....

[Sparky191]

If your that worried about SS don't install it. Buy a player that doesn't need software and uses drag and drop. My Creative Zen (with latest firmware) is like this. But also Cowon and iRiver players are too. I work in IT so computer problems don't bother me. I've installed SS on 3 PC's with no problems. But theres always a chance it can go wrong. No guarantees, sorry.

HiSP is ATRAC3+ (256kps)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minidisc#Recording_modes

Edited December 12, 2005 by Sparky191

[Human]

If your that worried about SS don't install it. Buy a player that doesn't need software and uses drag and drop. My Creative Zen (with latest firmware) is like this. But also Cowon and iRiver players are too. I work in IT so computer problems don't bother me. I've installed SS on 3 PC's with no problems. But theres always a chance it can go wrong. No guarantees, sorry.

HiSP is ATRAC3+ (256kps)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minidisc#Recording_modes

Great link , Thanks.

It is bookmarked.

As to Your suggestion of other type of players, Yes i was looking at them - but i think i stay with MD, [ i do have for last 3-4 years Sony MDE-JE 470 deck , and i like this technology, removable media, so I just will in this case record in real time - for me will be no struggle to take the time.

And the black RH10 look so nice.

BTW, now after my computers internal organs were replaced, and it's DNA restored, the whole thing was reincarneted, now i do have proper security installed.

And that glass of holy water, - ... I drink it

Thanks for now,

I appreciated Your help

P.S. do You know are the Maxell MDs any good - they are selling [on sale] pack of two [blue] for $ 3.98 CAN, it is probably like $ 2.80 USD. (regular price was $ 5.98 CAN).

Till now i was using only Sony, {have 80 or so by now}.

I know some people have 200 -300 hundred - Woow , that is a collection.

Edited December 12, 2005 by Human

[bobt]

You should have no prob;ems with SS, but use Simple Burner to transfer cd's tp MD, quicker and soesn't clutter your hard drive.

Hope you enjoy your new toy

Bob