Kudos to John Marks for his recent editorials -- one on the importance of data density and a second raising concerns about spectator sports.
I took John's advice and constructed my own demonstration disk using PCM 24/96 downloads from ITRAX and compressed mp3 downloads from ITRAX and from ITUNES. I selected tracks that I already own on an original, hard copy DVD-Audio disk.
So I was able to compare:
--- PCM 24/96 from a hard copy DVD-A disk
--- PCM 24/96 from an ITRAX download and transfer to CD-R
--- mp3 from an ITUNES download and transfer to CD-R
On point 1, John's right -- the difference between 24/96 and mp3 is obvious and remarkable. We all expected that to be the case, but it's nice to hear the difference demonstrated.
On point 2, however, I discovered something new. The ITUNES that I run on my Macbook has a Toolbar Command that converts compressed downloads to Apple's lossless format. Simple, free, takes about 3 seconds per track! What a pleasant surprise.
Which just goes to show, sometimes we may have the ability to help ourselves -- as long as we take the time to do a little research.
John's editorials remind me of the time I discovered Macbooks can send 5-channel Dolby Digital directly to a receiver using the mini-jack that appears -- at least to our casual spectators -- to be just an earphone jack.
Keep up the good work, John. Some things in life really are free if only we do the homework.
Dave
Kudos to John Marks for his recent editorials -- one on the importance of data density and a second raising concerns about spectator sports.
I took John's advice and constructed my own demonstration disk using PCM 24/96 downloads from ITRAX and compressed mp3 downloads from ITRAX and from ITUNES. I selected tracks that I already own on an original, hard copy DVD-Audio disk.
So I was able to compare:
--- PCM 24/96 from a hard copy DVD-A disk
--- PCM 24/96 from an ITRAX download and transfer to CD-R
--- mp3 from an ITUNES download and transfer to CD-R
On point 1, John's right -- the difference between 24/96 and mp3 is obvious and remarkable. We all expected that to be the case, but it's nice to hear the difference demonstrated.
On point 2, however, I discovered something new. The ITUNES that I run on my Macbook has a Toolbar Command that converts compressed downloads to Apple's lossless format. Simple, free, takes about 3 seconds per track! What a pleasant surprise.
Which just goes to show, sometimes we may have the ability to help ourselves -- as long as we take the time to do a little research.
John's editorials remind me of the time I discovered Macbooks can send 5-channel Dolby Digital directly to a receiver using the mini-jack that appears -- at least to our casual spectators -- to be just an earphone jack.
Keep up the good work, John. Some things in life really are free if only we do the homework.
Dave