Need A Good Audio Codec

[JTurner]

Hello everyone,

What is a good audio codec to use? I'd like something that is comparable to MP3 format in 96Kbps or 128Kbps. (44KHz).

When creating a video file in MediaStudio, I have many choices for Audio codecs, but they either give very low quality audio or do not work (Could Not Open Audio Codec error -- a licensing issue, I presume?)

Specifically, I can encode to MP3 Audio, but with a max of 54Kbps.

As well, Windows Media Format is in the list and goes up past 128Kbps, but I can't seem to use it for encoding.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
JT

[Indiana]

Simple: Install DivX ;-), this includes the "professional" version of the Fraunhofer mp3 codec. With this codec you can encode the audio at the higher bitrates (up to 320KBps, I think), it even works well for realtime-encoding while capturing.

But I won't tell you this solution, because of legal issues...

[JTurner]

DIVX eh? Thanks for the advice, but I'd rather use a codec that allows others to play back the files on their systems without installing hacked software. Any suggestions?

Can the Fraunhofer codec be installed cheaply and legally?

[petermg]

the MP3 audio codec that comes with DivX I believe is illegal.. but current versions of windows will be able to play back the MP3 encoded file without having to install anything extra... users of windows 95 may have to install the free mp3 codec that comes with audio active production studio demo at http://www.audioactive.com
DivX also comes with a hacked version of the MS WMA audio codec for use in avi's.. again, current versions of windows will be able to play these without having to install anything special.. if you encoded the VIDEO in DivX.. then of course that will have to be installed on the PC that is playing the Video.. but not so for the audio..