Audio Format

[X Pat Radio]

Does anyone use AAC for podcasts? I'm thining of changing over, or at least trying it. I added a free codec to Audition 1.5 so I can export AAC files, or more specificaly MPEG-4 audio.

I keep my recording as an uncompressed WAV file until the final export for the podcast.

Which file extention is best to use on Podshow+ ?

Andy

[PodShowJoe]

Use the format that works best with your content. Your audience knows what works and what doesn't. If you are just a talk show, AAC is prolly overkill. For others, such as Chris at the Amateur Traveler podcast produces his show in several different formats, appealing to a wider audience. (Note that if you choose this route, I would recommend using separate feeds for each file type)
http://chris2x.podshow.com/

Point is, if pictures are important, then consider AAC. Keep in mind that AAC is generally only playable on Apple devices/software, so you might limit your audience.

MP3 recordings generally ensure the widest possible audience.

Regardless of what format you choose, rest assured, Podshow plays them all. ;)

[WyethDigital]

Point is, if pictures are important, then consider AAC. Keep in mind that AAC is generally only playable on Apple devices/software, so you might limit your audience.

MP3 recordings generally ensure the widest possible audience.

Regardless of what format you choose, rest assured, Podshow plays them all. ;)
Of course, iPods are the most widely owned and used players in the US (and I believe Europe), so how much do you think the audience will be limited?

I do tend to agree though, that if you want the widest audience, you need to use the most common format, or supply two feeds. I just don't think it'd be a death knell to exclusively use the AAC codec. BTW, it's open source, so more companies should be using it!

[X Pat Radio]

I'd rather have better quality that just more people. MP3 is old stuff, and it doen't sound as good. Sure for just voice it probably doesn't matter. I have 3 podcasts, two music and once joice voice.

If you listen on any computer, then you can play AAC files (yes even linux), portable players are different. But how many people use a non-iPod player (that listen to my shows).

[WyethDigital]

That's a good question. Does Podshow allow you to insert scripts for things like polls on your page? You could ask your listeners about it.

Eric

[X Pat Radio]

That's a good question. Does Podshow allow you to insert scripts for things like polls on your page? You could ask your listeners about it.

Eric

Not sure. I think I'm going to setup another feed for the MP3, and convert the current one to AAC. Of ocurse I'll run an MP3 on the main feed to let people know. Assuming I can tell the sound is better.

[bazookajoeshow]

I'd love to go the AAC route because an AAC file at 96 KBPS is comparable, if not better than a MP3 at 128 KBPS. Plus, you can enhance the podcast, of course.

But I won't switch over to AAC because not everyone uses an iPod. More importantly, I just can't get behind Apple'sl lock-down on the format.

[X Pat Radio]

I'd love to go the AAC route because an AAC file at 96 KBPS is comparable, if not better than a MP3 at 128 KBPS. Plus, you can enhance the podcast, of course.

But I won't switch over to AAC because not everyone uses an iPod. More importantly, I just can't get behind Apple'sl lock-down on the format.

AAC isn't an Apple only format. There are plenty of AAC codecs out there, even for Linux systems. Its definatly more open the MP3 is. Its not as popular right now.

I plan on encoding my AAC files at 128kbps. I think you can only enhance is it if you use Quicktime Pro on a Mac. I wlll be using neither to encode my feed. I will be using a codec plugin on Adobe Audition.

You can always have more that one feed!

[WyethDigital]

I'd love to go the AAC route because an AAC file at 96 KBPS is comparable, if not better than a MP3 at 128 KBPS. Plus, you can enhance the podcast, of course.

But I won't switch over to AAC because not everyone uses an iPod. More importantly, I just can't get behind Apple'sl lock-down on the format.
I'm not sure in what way you think Apple has locked down AAC. The DRM they use for the songs in the music store is proprietary, but that has nothing to do with the codec itself. I suspect other device makers don't include the format on their music players because outside of Apple, it's not as popular of a format (and since Apple won't let them use the DRM...), and also as a way to try and isolate Apple (because Apple won't let them use their DRM...).

AAC is basically just MP4 audio. That's it. I believe that it's more open-source than MP3.

Eric

[bazookajoeshow]

Sorry, I got that wrong. I meant in the fact that AAC is not universally supported the way MP3s are. It's for that very reason why my shows aren't released as OGGs, either.

[X Pat Radio]

I would rather use a better sounding codec than go for popularity. That said, I added another feed just for the MP3 feed.

[bazookajoeshow]

It's not about populariy (well, maybe that's it, partly). It's about not alienating listeners who don't have players that can read AACs. Why punish them for not having an iPod or iTunes or whatever?

Besides, you have to remember that most people are not audio savvy and aren't going to go the extra mile to purchase or download a player just to hear your show. Further more, most people are just not going to notice the loss of fidelity on a 128 KBPS podcast. Thirdly, it's a disposable medium. Their just going to delete the podcast after listening to it.

I think your making your listeners jump through more hoops than is necessary. Unless your podcast is the Darkside of the Moon or something that i don't think you'll be making a sacrifice by going with a 128 KBPS MP3 file.

But it's your show and you make the rules so go with what you feel is best, right? Just my two cents.


I would rather use a better sounding codec than go for popularity. That said, I added another feed just for the MP3 feed.

[X Pat Radio]

I encode MP3's at 96kbps. I would hardly call it punishing them.

I am having two feeds, one for AAC and one for MP3. If people dont want to figure it out, then too bad. I don't consider it jumping though hoops, its an option, they want good sound on AAC or do they want MP3. They are free to choose, or not listen.

[X Pat Radio]

The Deed is done!

My "main" feed is now AAC, the seconary feed is now MP3

[bazookajoeshow]

You're absolutely correct, of course. You've gone more than half way to give your listeners a selection of formats to choose from.

I would, however, make the MP3 format the primary feed and the AAC the secondary feed since the bulk of your listeners undoubtedly are set up to listen to MP3. It's just a suggestion, though. It's your show and you get to call all the shots, which is the beauty of podcasting.


I encode MP3's at 96kbps. I would hardly call it punishing them.

I am having two feeds, one for AAC and one for MP3. If people dont want to figure it out, then too bad. I don't consider it jumping though hoops, its an option, they want good sound on AAC or do they want MP3. They are free to choose, or not listen.

[X Pat Radio]

Guess I'll find out when I check the stats.

I does sound about a millions times bettter to me in AAC.

You're absolutely correct, of course. You've gone more than half way to give your listeners a selection of formats to choose from.

I would, however, make the MP3 format the primary feed and the AAC the secondary feed since the bulk of your listeners undoubtedly are set up to listen to MP3. It's just a suggestion, though. It's your show and you get to call all the shots, which is the beauty of podcasting.


I encode MP3's at 96kbps. I would hardly call it punishing them.

I am having two feeds, one for AAC and one for MP3. If people dont want to figure it out, then too bad. I don't consider it jumping though hoops, its an option, they want good sound on AAC or do they want MP3. They are free to choose, or not listen.

[bazookajoeshow]

Oh, without a doubt. But again, considerably less people are equipped to listen to AACs than MP3s. It's sort of like how betamax videos were superiour to VHS cassettes yet VHS was the dominant medium.

Having multiple feeds is a great solution, thoguh.

Guess I'll find out when I check the stats.

I does sound about a millions times bettter to me in AAC.

You're absolutely correct, of course. You've gone more than half way to give your listeners a selection of formats to choose from.

I would, however, make the MP3 format the primary feed and the AAC the secondary feed since the bulk of your listeners undoubtedly are set up to listen to MP3. It's just a suggestion, though. It's your show and you get to call all the shots, which is the beauty of podcasting.


I encode MP3's at 96kbps. I would hardly call it punishing them.

I am having two feeds, one for AAC and one for MP3. If people dont want to figure it out, then too bad. I don't consider it jumping though hoops, its an option, they want good sound on AAC or do they want MP3. They are free to choose, or not listen.

[X Pat Radio]

It will be interesting to see if there are a lot of people that cant listen to AAC files.

Oh, without a doubt. But again, considerably less people are equipped to listen to AACs than MP3s. It's sort of like how betamax videos were superiour to VHS cassettes yet VHS was the dominant medium.

Having multiple feeds is a great solution, thoguh.

Guess I'll find out when I check the stats.

I does sound about a millions times bettter to me in AAC.

You're absolutely correct, of course. You've gone more than half way to give your listeners a selection of formats to choose from.

I would, however, make the MP3 format the primary feed and the AAC the secondary feed since the bulk of your listeners undoubtedly are set up to listen to MP3. It's just a suggestion, though. It's your show and you get to call all the shots, which is the beauty of podcasting.


I encode MP3's at 96kbps. I would hardly call it punishing them.

I am having two feeds, one for AAC and one for MP3. If people dont want to figure it out, then too bad. I don't consider it jumping though hoops, its an option, they want good sound on AAC or do they want MP3. They are free to choose, or not listen.

[bazookajoeshow]

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

It will be interesting to see if there are a lot of people that cant listen to AAC files.

Oh, without a doubt. But again, considerably less people are equipped to listen to AACs than MP3s. It's sort of like how betamax videos were superiour to VHS cassettes yet VHS was the dominant medium.

Having multiple feeds is a great solution, thoguh.

Guess I'll find out when I check the stats.

I does sound about a millions times bettter to me in AAC.

You're absolutely correct, of course. You've gone more than half way to give your listeners a selection of formats to choose from.

I would, however, make the MP3 format the primary feed and the AAC the secondary feed since the bulk of your listeners undoubtedly are set up to listen to MP3. It's just a suggestion, though. It's your show and you get to call all the shots, which is the beauty of podcasting.


I encode MP3's at 96kbps. I would hardly call it punishing them.

I am having two feeds, one for AAC and one for MP3. If people dont want to figure it out, then too bad. I don't consider it jumping though hoops, its an option, they want good sound on AAC or do they want MP3. They are free to choose, or not listen.

[X Pat Radio]

My question is... have those listeners compared AAC to MP3 or not.

Sometime I feel that podcasters feel they are held hostage to what the listeners want.

Adding a second feed for me was very easy, thank you Podshow!

Andy

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

[bazookajoeshow]

I'm positive they didn't compare MP3s to AACs because their MP3 players could not support AAC files, which was reason enough for me to stick with MP3s.

My question is... have those listeners compared AAC to MP3 or not.

Sometime I feel that podcasters feel they are held hostage to what the listeners want.

Adding a second feed for me was very easy, thank you Podshow!

Andy

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

[X Pat Radio]

If they have a computer, they can play AAC files.

I'm positive they didn't compare MP3s to AACs because their MP3 players could not support AAC files, which was reason enough for me to stick with MP3s.

My question is... have those listeners compared AAC to MP3 or not.

Sometime I feel that podcasters feel they are held hostage to what the listeners want.

Adding a second feed for me was very easy, thank you Podshow!

Andy

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

[WyethDigital]

If they have a computer, they can play AAC files.
While that's true, if they're like me, they listen to a lot of stuff on the go (and their portable players).

Eric

[X Pat Radio]

If they have a computer, they can play AAC files.
While that's true, if they're like me, they listen to a lot of stuff on the go (and their portable players).

Eric

Yes, but for comparision you can use a computer.

[bazookajoeshow]

But not everyone can play AAC files on their MP3 players and not everyone can be bothered to download software to play AACs on their computers.

AACs and OGGs are clearly superior to MP3s but MP3s are universally supported whereas AACs and OGGs are not.

I have both an iPod and an iRiver but I use my iRiver wehn I go running or cycling. The shame of it is that there are some podcasts I can't listen to on my iRiver because they are on AAC. As a consequence, it takes me a while to get to listen to those shows and some times not at all.

If they have a computer, they can play AAC files.

I'm positive they didn't compare MP3s to AACs because their MP3 players could not support AAC files, which was reason enough for me to stick with MP3s.

My question is... have those listeners compared AAC to MP3 or not.

Sometime I feel that podcasters feel they are held hostage to what the listeners want.

Adding a second feed for me was very easy, thank you Podshow!

Andy

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

[X Pat Radio]

That's like saying you can't watch vidcasts on your iRiver.

Imagine..no How To Girl... aghh no! :)

But not everyone can play AAC files on their MP3 players and not everyone can be bothered to download software to play AACs on their computers.

AACs and OGGs are clearly superior to MP3s but MP3s are universally supported whereas AACs and OGGs are not.

I have both an iPod and an iRiver but I use my iRiver wehn I go running or cycling. The shame of it is that there are some podcasts I can't listen to on my iRiver because they are on AAC. As a consequence, it takes me a while to get to listen to those shows and some times not at all.

If they have a computer, they can play AAC files.

I'm positive they didn't compare MP3s to AACs because their MP3 players could not support AAC files, which was reason enough for me to stick with MP3s.

My question is... have those listeners compared AAC to MP3 or not.

Sometime I feel that podcasters feel they are held hostage to what the listeners want.

Adding a second feed for me was very easy, thank you Podshow!

Andy

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

[bazookajoeshow]

Well, there's a difference. My iRiver is capable of playing audio but not has absolutely no ability to play video. So, yes, I can't watch video on my iriver. However, if you produce a podcast I, and the mahority of people, are more likely to listen to it if it's a MP3.

I'm not arguing that you make your show available only as a MP3. You've clearly covered your bases by makign it availalble in both formats. In fact, you should make it avaialble as an OGG as well. All I have been saying is that there are a lot of people out there who can't listen to AACs. But that's a problem you've addressed.


That's like saying you can't watch vidcasts on your iRiver.

Imagine..no How To Girl... aghh no! :)

But not everyone can play AAC files on their MP3 players and not everyone can be bothered to download software to play AACs on their computers.

AACs and OGGs are clearly superior to MP3s but MP3s are universally supported whereas AACs and OGGs are not.

I have both an iPod and an iRiver but I use my iRiver wehn I go running or cycling. The shame of it is that there are some podcasts I can't listen to on my iRiver because they are on AAC. As a consequence, it takes me a while to get to listen to those shows and some times not at all.

If they have a computer, they can play AAC files.

I'm positive they didn't compare MP3s to AACs because their MP3 players could not support AAC files, which was reason enough for me to stick with MP3s.

My question is... have those listeners compared AAC to MP3 or not.

Sometime I feel that podcasters feel they are held hostage to what the listeners want.

Adding a second feed for me was very easy, thank you Podshow!

Andy

I posed the question of formatting my podcast as an AAC on my show and while I got a few enthusiastic responses for AAC because of the possibility of enhanced podcasts the overwhelming response was that the listeners preferred MP3s.

Personally, I like the quality of AACs and the ability to produce enhanced podcasts but my listeners have spoken and I have listened.

[WyethDigital]

You could watch it on the Creative Zen. You know. Just in case you had one. Or you wanted to ;)

I wonder if those play AAC? After all, they play the iPod MP4 flavor of non-DRM video, doesn't make sense not to play the MP4 audio...

Eric

[X Pat Radio]

The sound of RnR is better in AAC...wonder how much better the classical and Jazz stuff is going to sound.

[bazookajoeshow]

Yeah, but here's the thing, why would I want to watch it on Creative Zen when I already have an iPor and an iRiver?

You could watch it on the Creative Zen. You know. Just in case you had one. Or you wanted to ;)

I wonder if those play AAC? After all, they play the iPod MP4 flavor of non-DRM video, doesn't make sense not to play the MP4 audio...

Eric

[WyethDigital]

Yeah, but here's the thing, why would I want to watch it on Creative Zen when I already have an iPor and an iRiver?
Just saying that it will work on more than one brand. I would definitely watch it on the iPod if you have that :)

Still, I should put up a Windows Media feed one of these days, then the others could play it as well.

Eric

[X Pat Radio]

Yeah, but here's the thing, why would I want to watch it on Creative Zen when I already have an iPor and an iRiver?
Just saying that it will work on more than one brand. I would definitely watch it on the iPod if you have that :)

Still, I should put up a Windows Media feed one of these days, then the others could play it as well.

Eric

If you want to watch your bandwidth disapear, have flash video on your site like Crankygeeks.com and DL.TV

[WyethDigital]

Yeah, but here's the thing, why would I want to watch it on Creative Zen when I already have an iPor and an iRiver?
Just saying that it will work on more than one brand. I would definitely watch it on the iPod if you have that :)

Still, I should put up a Windows Media feed one of these days, then the others could play it as well.

Eric

If you want to watch your bandwidth disapear, have flash video on your site like Crankygeeks.com and DL.TV
I'd rather link to our files on YouTube or Revver.com! Wow!

Eric