Audio Streaming Information

Alternatives to MP3


Although MP3 is the most popular format for encoding music, it is by no means the only one. There are two basic methods for compressing audio - lossless and lossy, and for each of these methods there are many formats.

Lossless compression means that none of the audio data is removed during compression. Lossy compression means that audio data is permanently removed from the audio file. Lossy compression results in smaller files, but there is no way to rebuild the audio data to its original format. MP3 is an example of lossy compression.

Lossy Compression Formats

There are many alternatives to MP3 when it comes to encoding audio files. Microsoft reportedly developed the WMA format to avoid the licensing costs associated with MP3. WMA files can be played with the Windows Media Player that is included with the Windows operating system as well as many other audio players. It features similar encoding rates to MP3 and similar file sizes.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is the format preferred by Apple and is used for its popular iTunes and iPod products. AAC files can be smaller than MP3 files because it uses more efficient encoding technology. A 96 kpbs AAC file is similar in sound quality to a 128 kbps MP3 file.

Ogg Vorbis is another type of lossy compression and uses .OGG as the file extension. It is an open-source product and unlike MP3, there are no patent restrictions on its use.

Lossless Compression

For the audio purist who insists on the best quality sound possible, lossless compression offers CD quality sound. The tradeoff is larger files sizes - while MP3 can compress audio in the range of 80% - 90%, lossless compression typically compresses the file by half.

Popular lossless formats include FLAC, Monkey's Audio, and SHN (Shorten). These formats are supported by many audio players and are popular for archiving CD collections as well as for trading music.

Hans is editor of the Audio Howto Section of the Selected Audio Review Guide


MORE RESOURCES:

Phonak and NXP Team Develop New Ultra Low Power Radio for Hearing ...
TMCnet - Dec 1, 2008
... a high data rate of up to 298 kbps and bi-directional communication, enabling novel applications such as stereo audio streaming and binaural processing. ...


WKSR Programming Is Back Online
Giles News, TN - Nov 25, 2008
Station Manager Ronnie Rose announced that the audio streaming of programming content for WKSR 98.3 FM and Rocky AM 1420 is again available online to ...


Uganda Telecom Launches User Friendly Voice SMS Service on Kirusa ...
International Business Times, NY - 23 hours ago
... and offers videotelephony, high speed internet, video and audio streaming, live televisionand MMS. uganda telecom also provides BlackBerry® services. ...


Rocketron (SM) Introduces Mobile Social Network - Forward to a Friend
Earthtimes (press release), UK - 1 hour ago
BlueAnt's product portfolio includes hands-free, stereo audio streaming and wireless communication products offering cutting-edge technology, ...


Digital Rapids' TouchStream Named Most Innovative Product At ...
broadcastbuyer.tv (press release), UK - 8 hours ago
Digital Rapids' new TouchStream video and audio streaming appliance was honored with the Most Innovative Product award at the Broadcast India exhibition in ...


MobileTechRoundup 155: Storms, Legends and Teleportation
jkOnTheRun, Texas - Nov 30, 2008
Kevin is testing out the Sonos audio-streaming solution and the iPhone remote application for it highlights why smartphones without WiFi bring obstacles. ...


M2M To Video Stream 15 Basketball Games, 29 Baseball Games Live In ...
Mississippi State Buldogs, MS - Nov 5, 2008
Of course, M2M's full subscription also includes live audio streaming of all MSU men's and women's basketball games, and baseball contests during 2008-09 ...


Appscout

Courtney Holt Named President of MySpace Music
Appscout, NY - Nov 26, 2008
MySpace Music, which combines audio streaming with download functionality powered by Amazon, made its debut in September. It currently features songs from ...


Junior Blues this weekend
The State Journal-Register, IL - Nov 28, 2008
There is no audio streaming or radio. FOR THE RECORD: The Blues (7-12-4) are in third place in the South Division of the North American Hockey League. ...


Underdog Walsh plans to have fun, learn at volleyball nationals
Canton Repository (subscription), OH - Nov 27, 2008
JumpTV Inc. is the exclusive provider of live video and audio-streaming at the NAIA Volleyball Championships. JumpTV will stream the quarterfinals, ...

Audio-Streaming - Google News

home | site map
© 2006