MP3: The Definitive Guide

✍ Scribed by Scot Hacker

• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 379
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

"MP3: The Definitive Guide" comes at a reasonable price. It is a good text, which provides a complete coverage of MP3 using four major platforms: Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and BeOS. Users, particularly those who understood the basic mechanics of MP3, will benefit from the near-limitless information jam-packed in this 400-paged text. Right from the scratch, this book took care of every aspect of: obtaining, recording, and optimizing MP3 files using either commercial or open source methods, or both. Whether you are having a hard time evaluating playbacks or burning CDs, this book will reveal a lot to you. It also has sections that were dedicated to equipment testing, control and co-ordination, as well as file sharing with enthusiasts on the Internet. The main blemish I found on this book is that most MP3 novices may find some chapters difficult. The author, Scot Hacker, assumed that his audience are already familiar with the MP3 basics.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover......Page 1
MP3: The Definitive Guide......Page 3
Table of Contents......Page 5
Preface......Page 7
Acknowledgments......Page 9
1.1 MP3 Basics......Page 11
1.2 Rights, Piracy, and Politics......Page 19
2.1 A "Perceptual" Codec......Page 31
2.2 The Anatomy of an MP3 File......Page 49
3.1 Choosing and Using an MP3 Player......Page 54
3.2 Players by Platform......Page 59
3.3 Obtaining MP3 Files......Page 95
3.4 Organizing Your Collection......Page 102
3.5 Equipment Considerations......Page 107
4.1 MP3 Options and Considerations......Page 112
4.2 Equalization and Sound Quality......Page 113
4.3 ID3 Tags and Playlists: The Virtual Database......Page 123
4.4 Skins: Dressing Up MP3 Players......Page 142
4.5 Plug-ins: Extending Your Reach......Page 148
4.6 Listening to MP3 Streams......Page 157
4.7 Performance Considerations......Page 162
5.1 General Encoding Principles......Page 169
5.2 General Ripping Principles......Page 181
5.3 Ripping and Encoding Tools......Page 183
5.4 Ripping from Other Sources......Page 201
5.5 Roll Your Own Compact Discs......Page 209
6.1 Playing MP3 Through Your Home Stereo......Page 216
6.2 Portable Players......Page 220
6.3 Hand-Held Computers and Other Devices......Page 236
6.4 Home Stereo MP3 Players......Page 239
6.5 Car Players......Page 247
6.6 Kit Players......Page 255
7.1 The Rules of Engagement......Page 266
7.2 The Players......Page 272
8.1 The Fundamentals of Internet Distribution......Page 288
8.2 Offering Files for Download......Page 289
8.3 Webcasting: Real-Time MP3 Broadcasting......Page 304
8.4 An Interview with MP3.com's "High Geek"......Page 327
9.1 The Architectures......Page 333
9.2 The Codecs......Page 349
Appendix A. Appendix: ID3v1 Genres......Page 366
Glossary......Page 369
Colophon......Page 379