Columns - Inside information - How to avoid major format frustration. Don't just assume an audio format will be compatible with your players, warns Gordon Laing.(Column)

Publication: Personal Computer World

Publication Date: 01-FEB-05

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COPYRIGHT 2005 VNU Business Media Europe

Byline: Gordon Laing, gordonl@pcw.co.uk.

There's currently a lot of debate about the relative sound quality of various audio formats. Does Microsoft's wma sound better than mp3 at low bit rates, and are the various lossless formats really indistinguishable from the originals?

The arguments always boil down to quality versus storage. Whether you're browsing forums, visiting shops or asking your mates, few people will be talking about compatibility - they assume the format they've plumped for will work with all their equipment now and in future.

Imagine their surprise when they discover after ripping their CD collection, they've backed the wrong horse and have a collection that refuses to play on certain devices.

In June's issue I described why I believe wav is one of the safest audio formats with which...

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