HeadAC3he: significant quality loss converting to 128kbps mp2?
 

If my audio source is 128kbps mp3, will I notice a significant quality loss if I convert it to 128kbps mp2? To preserve the original sound quality would I need to encode at a higher bitrate?

Hi J-Wo,

There's quite a difference from MPEG-1 audio Layer 2 to Layer 3.
For layer 2, what we use in our encodes :), the reference sound target range is from around 96Kbps to 128Kbps.
The same quality would be achieved at Layer 3 at a target range of ~64Kbps.


-kwag

Thanks kwag! Pardon my ignorance but....So... to answer my original question, what's the minimum bitrate I should encode mp2 if my source is mp3 128kbps (and I don't want to notice any quality loss through the conversion)?

I would encode that MP3 to at least 160Kbps MP2 :)

-kwag

Re: bitrate question
 

My first Post :D in this forum.

When you transcode any Lossy Codec, in this case your audio source is MP3 to any other LOSSY codec you will ALWAYS Loose QUALITY, independent if you put your bitrate at the same as your source your Higher.

You will NOT LOOSE QUALITY if you go LOSSLESS instead of MP2, hope it help you.

Re: bitrate question
 

Welcome Sniffer :D

-kwag