Can iTunes encoding differ from iPod ?

[maikeru]

i would like to encode cds on my powerbook at a high encoding rate.

(so when i stream to a home stereo in sounds better)

but i don't want or need that sort of quality on my iPod

can i import cds at the high rate and then "downgrade" it when i dump them in the ipod ?

[Veldek]

I don't think it's as easy as that, but you could do it this way:

Import the songs in high quality, then change the quality option for import in preferences. After this you can select all the songs you want and convert them to the low quality. Then select these to sync with your iPod.

This method has several disadvantages though. You'll have each song twice and even worse, I think they cannot be distinguished as long as you don't rename them.