Should I convert my mp3`s to ATRAC3+?

[The Mule]

Having just got the nwa3000 as a gift i began converting all my mp3 files to A3+ 48kbps, but noticed this is very lossy at high volumes. I am conscious of trying to squeeze as many albums as possible onto the machine, but sound quality is most important to me. Considering the majority of my music collection is in mp3 format at various bit rates I was wondering whether there is any point in converting to ATRAC atall? Or should I convert from mp3 to A3+ but keep the bit rates the same(ie.192kB to 192kB)? Is there any benifit in doing this?

[Zizone_]

Since your music files are MP3, I would keep them as MP3.

I only convert WAV to Atrac3plus (when I import music from CD).

If my happen to get music in MP3 then I keep them as MP3.

And if you really care about music quality, keeping them in higher bit rate will help.

I prefer Atrac3plus though, just my personal recomendation.

Again, since you have original files in MP3, just keep them that way. Converting to Atrac3plus from MP3 will most likely result in sound quality loss.

oh and I don't think MP3 192kbps = Atrac3plus 192kbps

Edited December 29, 2005 by Zizone

[Guest Stuge]

The Mule,

Welcome to "AtracLife"

Why do want your hard disk space to be eaten up by both Atrac & mp3`s files ?.Don`t convert your mp3 files as said already

Also GYM(Check Software section) doesn`t work with Atrac files it only works with mp3 files .ALSO ATRAC FILES CAN`T BE EXCHANGED But Mp3 files can be ..

The only advantage you get is thatyou will get more battery life if you use Atrac files .

[The Mule]

Hi, when I got my new mp3 player I wanted all the music that i loaded on to it to be in Atrac3+ format until I read this forum and realized that you should only really convert it to A3+ if you are taking it from the original source CD audio which is a bit disappointing. Im about to delete all the atrac files of the player (as they dont sound too clear) and load it with the mp3`s from my PC`s hard drive.

I was just wondering if there was any way of uncompressing mp3 files into their original CD source audio? Im guessing there isn`t, but im just checking to make sure. I know its possible to convert mp3 to CD Audio but is this process the same as uncompressing the data?

[Ascariss]

It is most likely due to the fact that your atrac files are now 64kbps. If you still have the atrac3 files on the player, play a song, and then press option, the up arrow twice and select song information, check the quality of the song there.

If you really want to use atrac format, use 132 for best quality and best battery life, or atrac 192. but if you are lazy like me, just transfer over mp3 files, will be a lot faster and better.

[NoOneHome]

Atrac3plus@64k and ATRAC3(non-plus)@132k are very close to each other in terms of quality IMHO (and Sony's) due to the improvements in compression technology between the older ATRAC3 (66/105/132) and the newer Atrac3plus (48/64/96/128/160/192/256/320). They should have called it ATRAC4 to stop confusing people, LOL.

This is a my current personal do's & don'ts for Sony players, but it may help you:

-- Don't use ATRAC3@66k or Atrac3plus@48k - they're just nasty - a lot lower than mp3@128k .

-- Don't transcode your mp3s to Atrac.

(the exception to this is if you REALLY need the space, and generally it works best if you convert to Atrac3plus above 64k and your mp3s have more of the original soundwave, ie. higher bitrate mp3)

-- If your device supports only Atrac3plus@64k & 256k, choose A3+ 256k for quality and A3+ 64k (which is still a good quality bitrate) for space. Ignore ATRAC3 bitrates.

-- If your device supports and all the new Atrac3plus rates including 96/128/160/192 etc, choose A3+ 128 for a very good space/quality balance, 96 (or 64) for more space, and 256 for superb quality (320 for extreme quality). Ignore ATRAC3 bitrates.

-- If your device only supports ATRAC3, use 132k. The 66k & 105k bitrates aren't worth the tradeoff IHMO.

Edited December 30, 2005 by NoOneHome

[freebird2003]

what is the best atract bit rate i should convert my mp3s? i would only like to transfer atrac file to my HD5 because of the sound setting. the sound settings only support atrac. At the moment, i convert a 128 kps mp3 to atrac plus 64kps. the quality is not bad but i can hear the difference. i am actually very particular abt sound quality. furthermore i don't want the files to take up alot of space. i have about 5gb of songs.

i tested a 3mb song @ 128kps to convert to atrac plus 256kps. supprisingly the size of the output file became about 6mb.

plz advise. thanks.

[Guest Stuge]

Converting lower bit rate file to higher bit rate file is not going to increase the sound quality of that file .So it is useless to convert your files to Atrac 256kpbs ..

First of All until you need gapless ..You are not recommended to convert your files to Atrac .

Atrac 192kpbs is recommened but since you have your mp3 files in 128kpbs so I will suggest you to convert your Mp3 files to Atrac 132kpbs or Atrac 105kpbs .Since Atrac 128kpbs is not supported by HD5 .

Note :Even after converting your mp3 files to Atrac .you will need to back your mp3 files as well ..

[freebird2003]

the manual the came with the HD5, states the in to apply the sound settings, the format must be in atrac plus format. if i convert my mp3s to atrac 192kps, does that mean i not able to apply my sound settings.

this is the steps i took before i transfer my songs to hd5.

plz advise me on my steps. what should i do and what should i not do.

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i am a fan of musicmatch. i manage my entire music library in musicmatch. i don't see the nessasary to import my entire music library to sonicstage.

1. i pick the songs i want in musicmatch and save them in a playlist

2. under sonicstage, i import the playlist.

3. i select the entire songs that i previously import from the playlist

4. i right click, select convert format (select the desired format)

5. sonicstage will begin the conversion.

6. after conversion, i select the entire songs, right click and select delete (but delete form computer check box is untick) i do this because i dont want the sonicstage to transfer the mp3 versions of the songs

7. now, i import the so call optimize files which is the atrac files. hence, now only the atrac files are in sonicstage.

8. than i will transfer all this files to my HD5

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my mp3 are store in another drive and the optimise files (atrac files) are stored in my local drive (C:)

Note :Even after converting your mp3 files to Atrac .you will need to back your mp3 files as well ..

my mp3 already in another drive, why should i do a backup?

[Guest Stuge]

Don`t worry

if i convert my mp3s to atrac 192kps, does that mean i not able to apply my sound settings

After converting those files to Atrac you will be able to use VPT & Manual 6 band eq.

my mp3 already in another drive, why should i do a backup?

I just said that b`coz many times people after converting mp3`s to Atrac .Delete there original Mp3 files

Just advice ..

Also Back up your Atrac files using SonicStage Backup Tool" Just Incase if anything goes wrong with your windows ..then you will not be able to transfer your Atrac files(those you converted before ) from SonicStage to HD5 .You will again need to convert those songs to Atrac .

[freebird2003]

Thanks alot your reply. now i am started to respect and learn how sonicstage work.

[maxthrusters]

Perhaps my way of doing things will help you decide what to do.

I try to balance sound quality, file size, and compatibility with my various devices as follows:

• MD Deck: only play ATRAC3 (LP2 132kbbs preferred, as the other bitrates too low)

• Hi-MD Recorder: only play/record in PCM, ATRAC3plus (prefer Hi-LP 256kbbs), and ATRAC3 LP2 (prefer Lp2 132kbbs), can transfer in PCM/ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus

• Hi-MD Player: can transfer in PCM, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, Mp3. Listen at home with headphones or plugged into deck

• Flash Player: can transfer in PCM, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, Mp3. Listen on the go

• VAIO Notebook: Can play anything, however for Sony software files must be PCM, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, or Mp3. Some Sony VAIO software requires ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus to have Copy Protection set to enabled. Rarely if ever listen to directly.

So, given all these possibilities here's what I have done: All music on my VAIO notebook is either Mp3 or ATRAC3 132kbbs, copy protect set to enabled. All music on my non-Sony desktop is either Mp3 or ATRAC3plus 256kbbs (NO copy protection, sick of re-ripping CDs). If the music is classical I rip in ATRAC3plus at 256kbbs regardless of which computer it goes on. I don't use ATRAC Advanced Lossless as I don't listen to music from any computer itself, and the files sizes are huge. If VAIO Zone could use ATRAC files without being copy protected I would be quite relieved.

I transfer music 'as is' to my devices. ATRAC For Hi-MD I prefer the 256kbbs, for flash player the 132kbbs. Otherwise the Mp3 file is used, I don't transcode anything unless I have to. My preferred Mp3 bit rate is 320VBR however my collection has lots at lower bit rates. I don't like the sound of lower ATRAC bit rates, and higher bitrates seem to sound the same to me. 48kbbs was probably included just for marketing purposes or spoken voice. 64kbbs might be acceptable in high noise environments, like riding on a bus.

I replace my Mp3 files with ATRAC ripped from CD now and again, but not lately given my negative view of CDs these days (rootkits, lawsuits, etc). Of course that's a whole other topic in itself!

Edited March 21, 2006 by maxthrusters

[evansncl]

I was wondering if it would be possible to access the two other graphical equalisers on the NWHD5 that are only usable for ATRAC format files? Is there the possibility in the future of a firmware allowing mp3 files to be played using these? This is my only niggle about the player, any advice much appreciated.

[Guest Stuge]

I was wondering if it would be possible to access the two other graphical equalisers on the NWHD5 that are only usable for ATRAC format files? Is there the possibility in the future of a firmware allowing mp3 files to be played using these? This is my only niggle about the player, any advice much appreciated.

No, I don`t think so there will be any future firmware upgrades for HD5 ..Last firmware was also released b`coz there was some bug ..

Alos it is no profitable for Sony at all as new player like A3000/1000 has been released.6band Eq can be used for both Atrac & Mp3 new A-series.

[The Mule]

I`m in the process of taking all my mp3`s off my mp3 player so that i can convert them to atrac at like for like bit rates. This is a pain in the ass because of the extraction required after taking the files from the device and putting them on my computer. I was wondering what the quickest way to convert bulk mp3`s (theres a Sony MP3 Conversion Tool which i d/l`ed off the net but it doesnt work with the latest version of Sonic Stage).

I realise this probably isnt even worth the hassle, but my mp3 player was becoming too unorganized and needed refreshed...plus i find Atrac3 to be "cooler".

[The Mule]

Having a bit of bother with getting the files off my device and onto the computer.

Iv downloaded GYM 1.12 but it then asked me to install MP3 file manager 2.0 which i did...but this software doesnt seem to detect my nwa 3000. Does this software support a 3000?

Im at a loss to get Gym to work for the simple reason that File Manager doesnt detect my device.

I knew this wouldnt be straightforward.

[Guest Stuge]

Please Read :

GYM Installation on A3000/A1000

[The Mule]

Thanks Stuge, good guide - but the problem im having is with File Manager and it not detecting the MP3 player. Do i have to initialize the mp3 player to get File Manager to notice it?

[Guest Stuge]

Thanks Stuge, good guide - but the problem im having is with File Manager and it not detecting the MP3 player. Do i have to initialize the mp3 player to get File Manager to notice it?

Copy the contents of the Zip folder.this should work

M3FM ver2.0