iTunes function: "Convert Selection to Apple LossLess"

[texashorn91]

As I was listening to music through iTunes just a second ago, I accidentally right-clicked a song and saw for the first time that there is an option that said "Convert Selection to Apple LossLess". Can this make the songs sound better? I don't see how that is possible, coming from a low bit-rate source. You can't create something from nothing. Or can you?


a little print screen action:

 

[Salt Peanuts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texashorn91 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can this make the songs sound better? I don't see how that is possible, coming from a low bit-rate source. You can't create something from nothing. Or can you?

No.

 

[cconnaker]

in this situation only the format is changing, not the quality.

 

[shigzeo]

think of a dried out sponge, curled from neglect. that is your aac or your mp3, ogg any file. converting that to apple lossless is like sputting water into it. it soaks it up but it is still a sponge. the extra information just leaks out to fill a format specified shape, it is not actully building a water-proof sponge.

 

[Redo]

The sound quality will be identical, but the filesize will become massive. When you go to convert it back down to a lossy format such as AAC, it'll be worse quality than when it started.

 

[IPodPJ]

The purpose for that function is if you had imported your songs as AIFF or WAV, nothing more.

 

[dura]

It happens anyway, anytime you listen to lossy compression it has to be decompressed.

 

[algurgazan]

the format it suggests for converting to is based on your settings in the preferences -> advanced -> import using tab iirc

 

[tk3]

Would be nice if that worked though,
like making gold out of copper!

 

[jonnywolfet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would be nice if that worked though, like making gold out of copper!

digital audio alchemy.... someone should tell machina dynamica.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texashorn91 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can this make the songs sound better? I don't see how that is possible, coming from a low bit-rate source.

No, not at all.
It will only change the format/codec to Apple Lossless. Its mostly for converting PCM audio (WAV or AIFF) to Lossless, keeping the audio data intact.
Quote:

Originally Posted by texashorn91 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can't create something from nothing. Or can you?

Correct! You can't...

 

[Gollie]

Apple forgot to include the memo stating the all the music you purchase from them is nowhere near CD quality. 128k from a good quality source sounds poppy and crackly.

I have lots of the 128k itunes junk also...you live you learn I guess.