Re: [MLUG] Apple Lossless Encoding?

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Mon, 13 Mar 2006, Russell Horn wrote:

> On Mon, 2006-03-13 at 08:57 -0600, Mike Miller wrote:
> > I don't have an answer, but I would like to know how big those files are.
> > Lossless encoding seems to imply big files.
>
> I've not used Apple's encoding, but the free lossless flac codec can 
> reduce a wave file by 50%. Given the last hard disk I bought was about 
> $40 for 250gigs after rebates, that'll probably hold 1,000 CDs that 
> match the original for quality.

I guess FLAC uses ID3 tags.  Some people really like Monkey's Audio 
lossless compression.  So now I am starting to think about using lossless 
compression to back audio CDs onto DVDRs.  That would be a good permanent 
way of dealing with the problem.  I just need to choose the right format 
-- something future oriented.  Is FLAC the best choice?

By the way, $40 for a 250GB HDD is an unusually good price.  I just looked 
at Froogle, Newegg and Pricewatch and it looks like $85 for a 250GB 
internal SATA drive is about as low as it normally goes.  Your point is 
well taken though - HDD prices are low enough now and are continuing to 
come down.  Another way to look at it is that about 18 audio CDs can fit 
on one DVDR after FLAC encoding -- and I paid only about $0.20 each for my 
DVD media.

Clearly, archiving should use a lossless scheme.  The only justification I 
can think of for other schemes is that they are faster.  The savings in 
media cost is minimal because the media are so cheap.

Mike

_______________________________________________
members mailing list
EMAIL:PROTECTED
http://mlug.missouri.edu/mailman/listinfo/members