Music files from CD

WD Legacy Products WD TV Live Hub Discussions
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Just got the hub (replacing a CD carousel) and I’d like to copy my CDs onto the internal storage.  I was going to use WAV files for better sound  (have a decent audio system), but when I tested it, I noticed I loose album/artist/cover art and only the filename transfers.  Someone suggested I use Media Monkey to fill in the info, but that doesn’t seem to work.  Any ideas?  

Also, do FLAC files really sound comparable to WAV files even tho the bitrate is about 1/3? I noticed FLAC files sorta’ come over with the info missing in WAV.  It’s with the file (i.e, artist is added to the file name).  Also, no cover art came over with FLAC.

HELP!

Thanks, ned

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As far as I know, you can’t put a thumbnail in a WAV file; but it might be possible.

FLAC is Free LOSSLESS Audio Codec.

If you’re familiar with Graphics, there’s an anology.

BMP files are LOSSLESS, but not compressed.

32-bit GIF files are LOSSLESS, and compressed.

JPG files are LOSSY, and compressed more than GIF.

So, yes, FLAC should be the same audio at the speakers as the original WAV.

Set yourself a blind “Taste Test.”   Convert a WAV to FLAC and see if you can tell any difference. :slight_smile:  You might also try 192hz MP3; just for fun.

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are you really able to notice a difference in sound quality if you convert them mp3 at 320kbps?

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Pulazki wrote:

are you really able to notice a difference in sound quality if you convert them mp3 at 320kbps?

That depends on your sound setup and on your ears.

Amongst other things, .mp3 throws out all audio information above 16kHz.

From age, and lack of hearing protection in my youth, my hearing cuts out at about 14kHz nowadays (I used to be able to get 25kHz when I was young).

To me, a 320 .mp3 sounds pretty identical to the original CD, when both are played on my sound system.  Someone else who can hear the 16kHz-20kHz band will be able to notice the missing top end.

With ■■■■ $2 headphones, you probably might not even be able to tell the difference between a 192 .mp3 – it all depends on what frequencies your amp and speakers can reliably reproduce, and what your ears can manage to respond to.

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So, if you can’t get a thumbnail … that means no cover art.  Does it also mean that the Album and Artist are not available… I’m getting unknown for both even tho, I have edited tags and filled in the info. 

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Tony,  I used Mediamonkey and the folder.jpg option. On 1 wav file it worked (along with the artist / album).  On the other wav file it didn’t  (no art, artist & album unknown).  I tried several times and ways with the same result.

Soooo… onto FLAC files.  No sound difference, smaller files - sounds like a deal.  I have a decent audio set up… pioneer receiver, energy speakers.  If I do aac (256) or mp3 (320) will the flac still be better?

Also, is there better software for ripping cds?  and creating playlists (having lots of trouble there)?

Thanks, ned

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I’ve tried listening to them all… only can’t do it blind, so i’m biasing the results.  ned