I-tunes AAC

[neiler]

When you right click on a file in i-tunes and it gives you the option to 'convert to AAC' what does this mean?

A friend told me it takes up less space if you do this, but why doesn't it just do it automatically if this is such a good format?

I don't want to convert all my files and find they've become incompatible with my hardware (just a memory stick for Sony Ericsson at present but will be getting i-pod)

[fo3nix]

AAC is a better format than mp3 (indeed, it's its successor).

However, as you say, not all devices can play AAC. The only main ones that do are the iPods, and many mobile phones. Sony walkman players, creative ones, etc. cannot play AAC (to my knowledge). So when you imported your mp3's (as I assume they are) into iTunes, it did not automatically convert them, as you may not want them converted.

Bear in mind that AAC is a lossy format though, so by converting your mp3's into AAC's, you will lose a little bit of quality. But this probably won't be noticible to you. And AAC's do have a smaller file size than their comparative mp3's.

[khana]

fo3nix is right in that AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) is a better format in that you can get the same audio quality as MP3 in a smaller bit rate and therefore a smaller file, but you are restricted to the players that will use it (Apple devleoped the codec I believe, hence Itunes compatibility).

Its not the sucessor to MP3 though, that would be MP3pro which was developed by the people who invented MP3 much more recently and therefore uses more up to date techniques to reduce file sizes.

Sony players use a format called ATRAC (developed by Sony and used initially with minidisc).

Stick to MP3 if storage is not a problem, its compatible with almost everything and converting formats multiple times will reduce quality.

[fo3nix]

khana no, AAC is not Apple's format. And it _is_ the successor to mp3. It was developed by the same people that developed mp3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding