What Are Format And Bit Rate; What Is Audio Format - Sony Walkman NWZ-B142 Operation Manual



Useful Facts

What are Format and Bit Rate?

What is audio format?

Audio format refers to the method used when importing audio data from the
Internet or audio CDs to a computer and saving it as an audio file.
Common formats include MP3 and WMA, etc.
MP3: MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer3) is a common audio compression
technology developed by the MPEG working group of the ISO (International
Organization for Standardization).
MP3 can compress audio files to about 1/10 the size of standard CD audio files.
WMA: WMA (Windows Media Audio) is a common audio compression
technology developed by Microsoft Corporation. WMA format produces the
same sound quality as that of MP3 format with smaller file size.
What is copyright protection?
Some music files, video files, etc., that you purchase at a music download
service site or similar services may apply access control technologies such as
encryption, to accomplish the copyright holders intention to limit usage and
duplication of music or videos.
What is bit rate?
Bit rate refers to the amount of data used to store each second of audio,
expressed in kbps (kilo bits per second), such as 64 kbps. Generally, higher bit
rates provide better sound quality, but require more storage space for the same
length of audio.
What is the relationship between bit rate, sound quality, and storage size?
Generally, higher bit rates provide better sound quality, but require more storage
space for the same length of audio, so you can store fewer songs on the player.
Lower bit rates enable you to store more songs, but at a lower sound quality.
For details about supported audio formats and bit rates, see  page 76.
Note
 If you import a song from a CD to your computer at a low bit rate, you cannot improve
the song's sound quality by selecting a high bit rate when transferring the song from the
computer to the player.