What's the preferred format for Audio and Video Files

F

felixrosbergen

Senior Member
Hi All,

I'll be setting up my home server (OS to be determined, but likely Windows Home Server) this week.

I will be running SageTV and CQC and Nuvo MusicPort.

I'm trying to figure out what the best method is to have a Music and Video library without being too tied into a specific programm.

I have an existing Mp3 collection of a few thousand songs and a few hundred iTunes purchased songs (mp4 / AAC format).

I plan to rip all my DVD's at some point.

That said what's a recommended format for storing all this data?
 
MavRic said:
Hi All,

I'll be setting up my home server (OS to be determined, but likely Windows Home Server) this week.

I will be running SageTV and CQC and Nuvo MusicPort.

I'm trying to figure out what the best method is to have a Music and Video library without being too tied into a specific programm.

I have an existing Mp3 collection of a few thousand songs and a few hundred iTunes purchased songs (mp4 / AAC format).

I plan to rip all my DVD's at some point.

That said what's a recommended format for storing all this data?
Click to expand...

I think FLAC has pretty much become the standard lossless format for ripping music collections. Apple Lossless is big among people who use iPods and iTunes already but DRM issues have prevented it from gaining wide acceptance with folks who don't have any investment in Apple hardware.
 
If you are planning to use CQC check over on their forum. Not sure of the specific formats but I think you need to use their database or JRiver, but I don't do media thru CQC so not entirely sure.
 
Personally I prefer APE lossless for my music library. And for those that say you can't hear the difference between mp3 and lossless... hmmm... I beg to differ and my ears are over 50 years old. I use JRMC for the database and player.



;)
 
TonyNo said:
Just realize that most people can't hear the difference between lossless and not. ;)
Click to expand...

Also realize that your primary library serves as the source for converting to other formats. You might for example use your FLAC lossless library to create small mp3 copies for use on your portable player. If you use a lossy format as your master then you can only go down in quality from there.
 
upstatemike said:
TonyNo said:
Just realize that most people can't hear the difference between lossless and not. ;)
Click to expand...

Also realize that your primary library serves as the source for converting to other formats. You might for example use your FLAC lossless library to create small mp3 copies for use on your portable player. If you use a lossy format as your master then you can only go down in quality from there.
Click to expand...


Thats what I do.... took the time to rip 830 CD's to lossless and then use JRMC to convert to mp3 for the car or mp3 player.

And with hard drive space and prices what they are why bother to use anything but a lossless format.
 
I had never heard of FLAC before....is there easy tools to do mass conversions from FLAC to MP3?

Would itunes or WMP play FLAC?

What about Video? How do i rip DVD's in such a way that they can be supported in many different programs?
 
I agree, whether or not you can hear a difference, lossless will give you the most flexability going forward. You can generally convert a lossless format to any other format, including other lossless formats.
 
From My experience the Itunes purchases music has DRM.

My solution to this is to have iTunes burn this as a music CD, then have itunes or any other software rip it back to m4 or mp3.

Am i loosing quality this way? Seems a very easy way to get rid of their protection which i am totally confortable with since i purchased the music to start with and I should be able to play it in whatever i choose.
 
For DVDs, I'd recommend using IFO/VOB files, (as opposed to an ISO image) as it's much easier to use. I use AnyDVD combined with DVDShrink to do my rips.
 
I use AnyDVD with DVDshrink as well, and AnyDVD can pretty much handle any disc out there. Whenever there is a new 'encryption scheme', they post an update which can handle it just fine. I do not use any compression, and only grab the main movie with the Dolby AC3 track (or DTS when available), and the English subtitles. If I want the bonus features, I'll just pop the disc back in the drive.
 
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