MP3 Abbreviations and Meanings


© Ewan Arnolda
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There are many abbreviations relating to MP3, here is a guide to the words and abbreviations to help you better understand & enjoy the world of Mp3s.

AAC
This is a more advanced format than Mp3. AAC stands for Advanced Audio Compression.

ATRAC-3
ATRAC-3 was created as rival to MP3. Sony developed this and similar to the ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) used in MidiDisc.

Bitrate
The amount of data handled by an application per second. The higher the bitrate of a MP3 file the better the sound quality.

Burning
‘Recording’ of a CD-ROM using a CD-ROM writer attached to your PC. Depending on your needs recording could be audio or data CD’s.

Compact Flash
This is a type of Memory card used to store MP3 files in a MP3 player.

Downloading
Saving a file, such as a MP3 file posted on a Website. Or copying an MP3 file from your PC to a portable player.

Encoding
Converting MP3 files to .WAV or vice versa.

Flash Memory Card
Flash memory card is just like the RAM in your computer, but a removable card. MP3 portable players use these cards to store MP3 files.

Hardware Player
A device used to play MP3 files away from your computer, such as a personal MP3 player.

Liquid Audio
Liquid Audio is a music compression format, another alternative to MP3.

Manager Program
Manager Program is a software supplied with a portable MP3 player, that lets you control the device.

MPEG
Moving Picture Experts Group – a committee of the International Standards Organisation formed to research digitally compressing video and audio information.

MP3
MP3 stands for MPEG-1, Audio Layer III. This is file compression format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group and now widely used to pass music around the Internet.

Multi Media Card
A type of Flash Memory Card.

Parallel Port
The parallel port is a socket located at the back of your PC that you plug your printer into. Some portable MP3 players connect to your PC with a parallel cable, and many other uses USB connection.

QuickTime
QuickTime is a video compression format that you might come across showing videos on music related sites.

Real Audio
This is another video compression video format.

RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America.

Ripping
Ripping is copying files from a CD into your hard drive, ready for encoding.

SDMI
The Secure Digital Music Initiative – a project setup by the recording industry to look at ways of distributing music digitally without piracy and copyright problems.

SmartMedia card
A type of Flash Memory card.

Software Player
An application, which plays your MP3 files on your computer.

Streaming Audio
Music that you listen to in ‘real time’ on the Internet, rather than downloading it onto your hard drive.

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