mp3 with Virtual Dub / CBR or VBR?

[dimitrik]

I read in a few places that its a really bad idea to encode Variable Bit Rate mp3's inside AVI files (due to technical reasons too complicated to go into here).

I use DivX 5 with VirtualDub (and encode the audio in mp3 (with the Fraunhofer codec).

How can I know if I'm doing CBR or VBR encoding?

And if I'm doing VBR, is there anything I can do to encode in CBR instead?

[setarip]

If you are using the standard VirtualDub (not VirtualDubMOD, which is different and MAY have VBR capability, although I don't believe so. I'm sure you can see that I don't use VirtualDubMOD for very much), you needn't worry - because it ONLY generates .MP3 audiostreams as CBR (Constant Bitrate)...

[dimitrik]

Thanks, I use the regular flavor - I have VirtualDubMod and I think it *may* have vbr capability, but I rarely use it too.

That's a load off - I wasn't looking forward to re-encoding everything

[setarip]

"Thanks, I use the regular flavor"

My pleasure ;>}

[UncasMS]

concerning compatibility, vdMOD is the best choice

[dimitrik]

'concerning compatibility, vdMOD is the best choice'

Do you mean compatibility with the AVI format?

Could you please elaborate?

[shiny#3]

virtualdub mod is the better choice because it can deal with
multiple audiostreams and with a lot of formats more than
virtual dub including AC3 ogm etc. pp.

post scriptum:
Cur interrogas? intellegere non posses !!ego medicus

[WildmanJoe]

Wow... how did a post on CBR/VBR mp3 become one on VDubMod...?

Anyway, IMHO... do not ever use VBR even if your life depends on it. Not that it sucks... just that you're gonna have a lot of problems with VBR mp3 if it is not properly handled.

Also, VBR encoded mp3s are not very much smaller than CBR ones... (we're talking in % terms here). The quality of VBR mp3s are clearly inferior to CBR ones... the former tends to be rather flat.

Note that these are based on my observations of my own files/movies. If anyone else has got a different opinion do kindly voice it out.

[hacker_on_fire]

Go for ogg, it has better quality at a lower file size, and the ogm container format is a lot better then the avi container format. Check out the following -Link- for more info on what ogg/ogm is and its benefits.

[UncasMS]

i agree

OGG VORBIS is way better than mp3 (no matter if cbr or vbr)

if you'd like to know a little more about how to use ogg, click here for my ogg/ogm guide

[shiny#3]

as I stated many times before the ogm container may provide
difficulties for existing standalone players such as kiss, yamada,and elta.


of course the ogm or matroska does provide fewer limitations
and ogg vorbis better sound quality at same bitrate..... but
for the sake of compatibility.......

[dimitrik]

I guess that's the trade-off. Compatibility vs. Quality/features.

I read the links on Ogg/Ogm and its obvious advantage is the lower bitrate/filesize at the same or better quality, plus the more logical handling of key parameters e.g quality settings etc.

The downside is that everybody has an mp3 decoder on their PC while only the more involved users will have ogg or be able to get it.

I sometimes like to give my videos to friends on CD - I suspect they'd have trouble if the audio was ogg.

On the other hand', that kind of thinking would have all of us using WMA or other closed formats since they're broadly compatible...

[scottws]

Originally posted by WildmanJoe
Also, VBR encoded mp3s are not very much smaller than CBR ones... (we're talking in % terms here). The quality of VBR mp3s are clearly inferior to CBR ones... the former tends to be rather flat.

I'm sorry, but you are just wrong. You go visit the Hydrogen Audio forums and tell the guys there that VBR is inferior. They're the guys that write LAME, the best MP3 encoder there is. So you tell them VBR is inferior and just wait for the answer. Not that you'll get flamed (besides for violating rule #8), but you'll get detailed PROOF as to why you are dead wrong.