Back to basics. What does bitrate mean?
 

I'm a newbie. What does bitrate mean?:confused:

This link explains it pretty well

Click on me :)

Thanks...........I think.
 

I'm not sure if I was just assisted or insulted AND assisted.

I won't bother you again.:o

Heathcliff

Sleepless is not a guy that would insult you for no reason, so I think you just don't understand the answer he has directed you to.

So, to break it down into it's simplest terms:

Bitrate = the number of bits (smallest measurable unit) carried per second.

Bitrate can be pretty fexilble in how it is used but the above explanation should be OK for now.


UK Bob

PS. Mind you, I could get into trouble for my simplistic explanation, just like the Tories did a few years back when they declared "Back to Basics".

Appreciation
 

Thanks. I appreciate the simplified explanation. Like I said, I'm new to this.

Im not sure how I insulted you ??? I looked through that link myself before posting it, to see if it was any good for someone new to this and maybe even computers.

I at least though that it was well explained.

If you are referring to my signature. I made that because of all the repeat questions that people post in this forum. Your specific question I'm not sure has ever been asked (probably has but would be hard to find here).

On the other hand, people should really learn how to do research. You could have found the same link in Google. The reason you may have found it insulting is because it is meant to get people to look there, which by the way works.

If you have any good way to make that signature less (insulting?) then feel free to PM me with it :)

This is a search for what is bitrate ? on google

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...te+%3F&spell=1

Mabe If HeathCliff dosent understand what a bitrate is
He may not know that was a link, you gave him ?

PS Change Smart for Clear, (read it find help faster)

Maybe you're right

And just maybe it will work to change Sig to your Suggestion as well

Ty

You've Kracked it, looks Great and it will atract us to post better
The carrot method seems to have good results.
For me Sleepless,you have the pationts of a saint when assisting people.
Dont give up with us please.

I hope it does, and BTW I don't do this only out of boredom :wink:

You can actually learn a lot from forums

1. Makes me more computer savvy (I didn't grow up using them, and the times have changed now) Being good at using computers will help me get better jobs when finished in school :)

2. It has taught me how to perfect my searches (saving me A LOT of time)

3. Helps with spelling :D

4. Got to know people from all corners of the world

5. Teaches me the ways to communicate with people from different cultures, upbringing, skills etc. etc.

6. Teaches me to be patient which in turn has improved on my pokerplaying :D

So to all those people calling this helping people and getting nothing in return. You do, You just don't realize it :wink:

Since this thread kinda took a turn anyways and the thread starter has got his answer. We might as well expand on this :wink:

The google toolbar is the easiest tool ever. I use it all the time for searching. It has the option to highlight your search term as well (a big + with large webpages) and it's spellcheck unless the text (that will of course be transmitted else where when doing this) is sensitive.

This is a link to an informational page on it (to download it just press toolbar home)

http://www.google.com/support/toolba...y&hl=en&v=2.0f

Sleepless
Great link thanks for that, I just wish I could make them.
Look up Karma in a good dictionary
Where there is cause there must certanly be effect.
So Posative cause must have posative resolts,even if the person you aimed
them at dont take advantage, lots of people will.
Thums up to your olds, they done a good job with you.
Later thanks again for the link

Symbol next to Bitrate
 

Have probably got to this thread too late, but, can anyone tell me what it means when there is a '~' symbol next to a bitrate figure??

Thanks for any guidance - from another newbie!

It means variable bitrate. Usually better than 192 kbps but not as good as 256 or 320. Sometimes referred to as VBR and CBR. There are at least two kinds of VBR encoding though, where one is quite good and the other not so good. I don't encode to variable though so I can't tell you more.

320 constant bitrate is the best mp3 format there is. 256 a close second.

Thank you Sleepless for a really fast response! Have a file showing 128~, not very good but it's the only one that's anywhere near for this particular file, so I'll go for it and hope that it's ok.

Well, with rare files you sometimes have to settle for less. Never seen that low a number for variable though. Better scan before playing.

Now you've got me worried Sleepless, have just downloaded the file - what do you mean by 'scan' first? Or, having downloaded it already, is it too late for this - haven't had a chance to play it yet anyway.

Sorry, I really am another newbie, but learning slowly.

Thanks.

I just meant scan with an Antivirus program before playing the file just in case there is something wrong with it. I have never seen VBR files show bitrate below ~170 before, but that does not mean there are none on the network.

It very much depends on what program and quality the source used to rip the musicfile and whether it's from a CD or an online site.

Downloading a bad file shouldn't mess up anything unless you open it as well. Also you can't scan a file before it's downloaded.

Thanks once again Sleepless - normally my very zealous virus checker spots problems as I'm downloading, but I ran a check just in case and the file is 'clean' so to speak.

Oh, now I know exactly what you mean about variable bitrate - it turns out that the file has a bitrate of only 126!
Seems ok though, having checked it I gave it a listen, maybe I haven't got a good 'ear' but it sounds ok.

Anyway, really thanks again, no doubt I'll be back!

~ traditionally means approximately = to...since the following mathematical symbol is not on a keyboard, the tilda is normally used online

≈

Thanks for clearing this up completely Peerless. By the way, does anyone know (just out of interest) what the bitrate would be on a bought CD converted to mp3 format? Probably a silly question, since it occurred to me to ask it!

All of the above depending on who ripped it. Some are quite happy with 128, others want as high as possible, and the rest like anything in between.

Thanks Sleepless - I can't imagine for the life of me why some-one wouldn't go for the highest bitrate, as this surely gives the best quality!

Think yours and Peerless and other responses have given me all of the info I really need now - thanks to you all.