[M4IF Technotes] Suggest some MPEG 4 Encoders

[Jay W. McGuire]

Stephen,
> Please remember we are talking about audiophile quality here - this was
> the context of the original question. For mass market consumption,
> listening over a mass market PC soundcard with cheap speakers, etc. -
> sure, the output is indistinguishable. But if you invest in a good audio
> playback system, then there is absolutely a noticeable difference.

Yes, we're definitely talking "audiophile quality" as goal. I would be
installing a 24bit/96kHz sound card with digital outputs (toslink/coaxial)
on the Xserve and feeding signal to high-end equipment for main listening
room. Sure, my teenage daughter would probably just use her iMac's own
external speakers in her room, but serious music listening would be
dedicated to serious audio equipment.
> Subject to the usual provisos about what you are looking for, quality of
> playback system, etc. etc., there is definitely a noticeable difference
> between source and AAC at 128 or even 256.

So would you stick with uncompressed WAVs? I had thought that reading a 50
or 60 MB WAV might put more stress on the hardware than a 5 or 6 MB AAC file
would. But if that's not the case, or nothing to be concerned about, then
the only real advantage to AAC would be reclaimed file space. The Xserve
currently tops out at 420 GB of storage. Using uncompressed WAVs, that's
around 1,000 CDs or so which could fit onto an Xserve. I've probably got
around 700-800 CDs right now. I guess I could just add another Xserve or
wait for larger hard drives from Apple if I ever got to the point where I
was going to go beyond 1,000 CDs.
Course, I'm screwed if I ever decide DVD-Audio is the only way to go! ;-)
Regards,
Jay