i have a 512mb sd card for my ipaq 2215. i can fit apx. 9 cd's on it in full mp3 format. I am using windows media player or also conduit pocket player to play the songs. is there a way i can shrink these mp3s to fit more on my card? if so how and with what program? thanks in advance.

the only way I can think of is to encode them at a lower bit rate. I assume that you're encoded at least 128kbps (CD quality). You could encode at 96k and get smaller files. You should try one (you can do this with Windows Media Player or MusicMatch Jukebox) and see how the quality is for you. Some people hate it, others don't notice the difference.

As long as you're using WMP, you could encode them as WMA files. These are generally smaller than mp3s.

As mentioned your choices are to either lower the bitrate... (quality) or change the format... I personally perfer using ogg... and GSPlayer... (which by the way is free).

where can this GSplayer be aquired?

Yes...don't conver them all down. Back when I had a small library, I thought they sounded fine at 64 (had terrible speakers). I then upgraded to nice altec lansings and was really mad. I had to go back through and re-encode all my cd's. About a year ago, I took my huge cd collection (some may consider it small)--of 300-500 cd's and encoded them all to my computer. I used 128kb to do this and I almost wish I would have used 160. For my ipaq, I tend to not go below 96 with mp3. What is ogg? Should I know about it...?

Visit my newly created site devoted to pocketpc reviews (HX4700, Brando BT Keyboard, Cases, Games, MORE!):

ogg is another file format like wav... mp3.. etc... I like to use dbpowerAMP Music Converter to convert my music. I personally am happy with 64kbps at 44100hz... you might have a more discerning ear... and want it higher... but this works fine for my needs and greatly reduces file sizes...

GSPlayer can be found here...

http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA032810/

And skins found here...

http://www.gsplayer-skins.tk/

dbpowerAMP

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

You will also need the appropriate codecs... download what you need.

Yeah - been there done that

When I re-encoded my CD's I did it at 224kbs in OGG format using DB PowerAMP - helps having 240gb hard disk - then I reconvert A COPY of the ones that I want to 96kbs for use on my 2210 - this is quick and easy to do in batches.

That way if/ when I upgrade my PPC and find that I need a higher level of music quality - it won't be too difficult to do (hopefully) - and I won't have to sit there feeding my CD's into my machine, again


I use Betaplayer to play my Ogg's - saves having a few media players on my machine and also it handles my 2.2gb microdrive well (which is full of music). For playlists I use CEPlaylist.

Rob

  

Everyone uses so many programs to do everything! I use RealOne Player and it does everything on my computer and PocketMusic does everything I need on my pocketpc! You guys are going to go crazy. Life is too short to spend all your time installing programs. lol

Visit my newly created site devoted to pocketpc reviews (HX4700, Brando BT Keyboard, Cases, Games, MORE!):

Just to play smart***:
It's VORBIS!
ogg = only the container format
vorbis = the audio codec

I use vorbis @ approx 64 kbit/s for music and it sounds fine via headphones

EDIT: Edited for language.

I personally use OGG formated at 96kbps. I can fit a ton of songs on my 512MB SD card that way. I actually prefer that format over WMA. I use GSPlayer to play my OGG files.

Ted Whitely
whitelyt at ipaqhq DOT com

HP rx3715
Dell Axim X50v
HP 2215
Dell Axim X30

 

And tells Real all about it too...

Can't really call it "YOUR" computer when you have this programme installed. Dangerous software (IMHO)

Rob

  

I use OGG @ 96kbps like white, but I prefer PocketPlayer. All the stuff on my computer is at 160kbps OGG, and I use dbPowerAmp to convert everything. Cool thing was that all the music I put on my SD card was simply a few playlists I made in Winamp, and dbPowerAmp can convert everything in a playlist. Saved me the trouble from having to pick them out individually. On a 512MB SD card, I have about 430MB used, which is a little over 9 hours worth.

Maybe its simply going from Klipsch Speakers and M-Audio sound card to the iPaq through Sennheiser headphones, but I can tell the difference between the bitrates. Notice it the most on the cymbals, they sound clipped almost. Besides that though, I can't complain.

But wait, changing it to ogg only saved like 1000kb in a file. 4000 as opposed to 5000, is that all!?

Lifeonaplate

Hi - lets work out what happens with an example:

- A file encoded as a 164kps MP3 and is 4 minutes long will be: (164kpsx240secs)=3.94mb
- A file encoded as a 164kps OGG Vorbis and is 4 minutes long will be: (164kpsx240secs)=3.94mb

So no saving in space - as you are using the same kps per second using both codecs.

HOWEVER, using OGG Vorbis you can encode the file @ 96kps and it will sound the same (IMHO) as MP3 @ 164kps, therefore to get the SAME QUALITY music file on your system:
MP3= 3.9mb
OGG Vorbis= (240*96)=2.3mb

A saving in space of 42%

The saving comes in the ability to encode a file that will still sound the same but at a lower bitrate.

I hope that makes sense.

Regards

Rob

  

Nice answer there