[D555]

Hello,

ATRAC3 Plus for MD has 256K then drops to 64K.

How is Plus at 64K? I will give it a quick try tonight but wanted to see some opinions.

As a point of reference, I find ATRAC3 at 132K to be OK.

Paul

 

[PodMan]

I've used atrac3+ 64kbps on an NH600D hi-md walkman w/ shure e2 and the equalizer on the "Unique" setting. it sounds listenable given its super low bitrate. the muddy nature and rolled off highs of the E2 and the unique setting which boosts treble and bass helps mask the artifacts and the treble rolloff of the sound. Atrac3 132kbps sounds noticeably better but it does take up 2x the disc space. for just commuting through noisy subways, I find 64kbps to be decent and listenable. It's fine for voice recording. there's also atrac3+ 48kbps that sony uses as the baseline to advertise the maximum song capacity on its hard drive players.

 

[notnormal]

I would only use 64kbs for voice recordings. If your commuting then stick with 132kbs.

 

[D555]

Gave 64K ATRAC3 Plus a try, and, in a quick listen, and in a bit of surprise, I don't think it's terrible. It doesn't make me want to turn it off. It sounds somewhat musical and might even suffice for non-critical listening. It's not without fault by any means: some random noises, certain vocals begin to have a touch of the "metallic", and a overall fuzziness to the sound. I really expected it to be bad. I've never used the lower bitrates before. XM pretty much scared me off. When listening to XM on headphones and its AAC+ at (I think) 96K, it just leaves me aghast as to how bad it sounds. I'd pick the 64K ATRAC3 Plus *anyday* over that.

Still, I think the ATRAC3 at 132 sounds better.

I'm still amazed that any of this sounds like music.

I wonder what the discarded information sounds like?

Paul

 

[LittleSwallow]

I have the NH600D as well, and my music is encoded at Atrac3+64kbps. I hate the sound....no matter what kind of headphones I use from Philips HE215's to Panasonic HJE50's to Sennheiser PX100's, even when directly recorded from CD's. I haven't tried 256kbps, because that will take too much disc space. I'll stick with my micro.

 

[Latexxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleSwallow I have the NH600D as well, and my music is encoded at Atrac3+64kbps. I hate the sound....no matter what kind of headphones I use from Philips HE215's to Panasonic HJE50's to Sennheiser PX100's, even when directly recorded from CD's. I haven't tried 256kbps, because that will take too much disc space. I'll stick with my micro.

Use Atrac3 @ 132 kbps!

 

[LittleSwallow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latexxx Use Atrac3 @ 132 kbps!

Well I've tried that too. It didn't work out.

 

[bangraman]

64K ATRAC3+ is slightly worse than a mediocre 128K MP3. If that works for you, use it. ATRAC3 @ 132K isn't that much better. At low bitrates, ATRAC3+ is noticeably superior.


Have you tried loading 192K ATRAC3+? I sat on my RH10 before I was able to try it with Sonicstage 3.2, and since I never use MD these days I haven't bothered to ask for a replacement.

 

[D555]

Do the new SS 3.2 bitrates work for the RH10? I was under the impression they didn't. Maybe something new to explore.

Paul

 

[LittleSwallow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman 64K ATRAC3+ is slightly worse than a mediocre 128K MP3. If that works for you, use it. ATRAC3 @ 132K isn't that much better. At low bitrates, ATRAC3+ is noticeably superior. Have you tried loading 192K ATRAC3+? I sat on my RH10 before I was able to try it with Sonicstage 3.2, and since I never use MD these days I haven't bothered to ask for a replacement.

I don't think the NH600D gives you the option for ATRAC3+ in 192kbps.

 

[bangraman]

Maybe it won't transfer, but doesn't hurt to try it with SS3.2. Rip to 192K ATRAC3+ since 128K, 160K and 320K doesn't seem to work on my HD5.

 

[D555]

On minidisc.org forum it indicates that the new bitrates with SS 3.2 won't work with present Hi-MD.

I wonder if a firmware update from Sony is forthcoming?

It would seem kind of silly to introduce all these bitrates with nothing (except a computer) to use them with -- unless the plan is to sell another batch of hardware.

Paul

 

[Latexxx]

PSP's 2.0 firmware is supposed to support Atrac3plus with memorystick pro duo and SonicStage. Maybe it plays these new formats.

 

[LFC_SL]

Yes the new bitrates are tied in with SS 3.2........SS must be used to put Atrac format on PSP as you all know....

I use 256 kbps since I have a 20gb HD3.....but I'm not about to re-rip just for my imminent PSP!

I advise you to rip 3 songs yourself at several bitrates so you can decide what you want