Higher Encoded Songs in iTunes?

[MacRumors]

One reader notes that at least one iTunes Music Store song is being offered at a much higher encoding rate than Apple has publicly advertised.

The majority of iTunes Music Store songs come in 128kbit Protected AAC audio file format. This file format allows for playback in iTunes as well as the iPod. The 128k bit-rate in AAC is said to provide a superior quality to the equivalent MP3 bitrate.

Snap!'s 3 min 42 second Rhythm Is a Dancer (Original Mix), however, comes in at 290kbits encoding (screenshot) on the iTunes Music Store. The file is reported to be encoded with "FAAC 1.24+ (May 7 200...)"

Individual publishers utilize iTunes Producer, an encoding/submitting application which reportedly converts songs to the proper format (128kbit AAC) without any additional options. Whether or not larger labels or Apple themselves have more freedom in encoding options is unknown.

This file may simply be an anomaly, but there have been scattered reports of other songs also offering higher encoding. There does not appear to be any way to distinguish these files before purchasing them.

 

[Josh396]

I'd like to see an option for better quality songs when you purchase them. Maybe that's coming up?

 

[840quadra]

That would be incredible, However for those with 56k or slower, downloading songs just became a longer process

 

[PlaceofDis]

interesting, i would like to see higher bit rates offered as well, would certainly be welcome!

 

[nsjoker]

That would be incredible, However for those with 56k or slower, downloading songs just became a longer process

what is this 56k thing you speak of?

 

[dotdotdot]

Wasn't the first report of this over four months ago? And its just news NOW?

There are like thirty threads on MR that have people saying "Oh, this song is Higher Bitrate, maybe we'll get it soon!"

IIRC, iTunes is not 100% "OKAY WITH" the RIAA - having missed some meetings, and being so popular, the RIAA is barely allowing iTunes to continue. There were even some MR rumors that the RIAA was going to shut down iTunes. Why would iTunes take that risk RIGHT NOW?

Of course, if the price stays the same and Apple releases a new standard that makes a 128KBPS AAC2 (maybe...) file the same quality as a 320 KBPS MP3, than Apple will be selling their songs like wildfire...

All I know is these rumors are getting pretty annoying considering they have been said a long, long time ago.

 

[WCat]

Hmm...the iTunes store song link doesn't seem to work. Says "not available in the US store."

Personally, I'd welcome higher bit-rate encoding. Can't help but improve the purchased song's value to me. It just gets that much closer to the original. Maybe charge US$1.29 for "higher-fi" songs instead of $.99, or something like that.


Cheers,

WCat

 

[mikeyredk]

its not in the US

 

[J-Squire]

That would be incredible, However for those with 56k or slower, downloading songs just became a longer process

ummm....no. Simply, no. No, in that you simply should not be downloading from iTunes on 56k dialup. I think i would go nuts if i had to wait 10 minutes for a 3MB song to download. With higher encoding, that would increase to maybe 25 minutes. Download an album and you're at 5 hours.

No. Just don't.

 

[jicon]

I call BS on this.

Purchased songs shouldn't report what they were encoded with.

 

[840quadra]

ummm....no. Simply, no. No, in that you simply should not be downloading from iTunes on 56k dialup. I think i would go nuts if i had to wait 10 minutes for a 3MB song to download. With higher encoding, that would increase to maybe 25 minutes. Download an album and you're at 5 hours.

No. Just don't.

LOL.. me too.

I have cable at home, and my work has a MUCH faster connection. So needless to say I won't have long downloads for itunes songs myself

 

[Josh396]

ummm....no. Simply, no. No, in that you simply should not be downloading from iTunes on 56k dialup. I think i would go nuts if i had to wait 10 minutes for a 3MB song to download. With higher encoding, that would increase to maybe 25 minutes. Download an album and you're at 5 hours.

No. Just don't.

How would you know how long it takes to download these songs if you're in Australia?

 

[arn]

its not in the US

odd... the link should work in the US now. Re-copied it.

arn

 

[narco]

I think iTunes should give you an option, similar to allofmp3.com. I still would choose 128 because I prefer quantity over quality, but I know a lot of people who would rather have the higher bitrate.

Fishes,
narco.

 

[quackattack]

290 is a odd number, not one of the AAC encoding standards. Perhaps this is some sort of variable bit rate? That would be very nice. I welcome higher bit rates! Now when will be be able to download lossless?

 

[arn]

I call BS on this.

Purchased songs shouldn't report what they were encoded with.

BS on what? The file purchased from iTunes Music Store _is_ encoded at 290kbits.

Whether or not it means anything... well, ya... it prob doesn't mean anything.

arn

 

[timster]

Any encoding would be fine when you've got none at all.

WHERE'S THE DAMN AUSTRALIAN STORE?

It's the 28th, but still no go for Australia... "iTunes Music Store is not available in your country."

Does that mean Russell my-ego-is-too-large-to-fit-in-New-Zealand Crowe LIED to us?

Yeah, well I thought Gladiator was a crap movie anyway. And what's with making a movie about how stupid smoking is when you still smoke? And how can someone with a moron's mind play A Brilliant Mind? Why doesn't he just go romper stomp his own head.

(Not that I'm bitter or anything!)

 

[dotdotdot]

Did anyone here actually download it to confirm this?

 

[AliensAreFuzzy]

Yeah, this happened to me too. Darude's Sandstorm

 

[arn]

Did anyone here actually download it to confirm this?

yes. I did.

arn

 

[goz]

What about the get info panel entitled summery?

I bought a song this week that says 256 kb, earlier purchases say 128.

 

[arn]

Yeah, this happened to me too. Darude's Sandstorm

Guess Radikal Records may be the label who submits highly encoded songs

arn

 

[jicon]

BS on what? The file purchased from iTunes Music Store _is_ encoded at 290kbits.

Whether or not it means anything... well, ya... it prob doesn't mean anything.

arn

Well, if I look at the properties of any of my iTMS downloaded songs, I can't see a field where it says what program actually encoded the song.

I can't download it in Canada, apparently no one can download it in the U.S.

This seems awful fishy to me.

 

[bdkennedy1]

That would be incredible, However for those with 56k or slower, downloading songs just became a longer process

Buying CD's is still an option.

 

[AliensAreFuzzy]

Well, if I look at the properties of any of my iTMS downloaded songs, I can't see a field where it says what program actually encoded the song.

I can't download it in Canada, apparently no one can download it in the U.S.

This seems awful fishy to me.

This happened to me too. I provided a screenshot to confirm