According to sound quality, which format is better .mp3 or .wma?
415160
Because MP3 is a lossy format, it is able to provide a number of different options for its "bit rate"—that is, the number of bits of encoded data that are used to represent each second of audio. Typically rates chosen are between 128 and 320 kilobit per second. MP3 files encoded with a lower bit rate will generally play back at a lower quality.\n\nWindows Media Audio (WMA) is a proprietary compressed audio file format developed by Microsoft. It was initially a competitor to the MP3 format. Microsoft claims that files in WMA format sound better than MP3 files at the same bitrate; however, a 2004 independent test conducted at a common bit rate showed it (at 128kbps) as inferior to, roughly equivalent to LAME MP3, \n\nInconclusion MP3 is better than wma because of the propietary caracteristics but with sound quality it depends on the MP3 bit rate, 128 up to 320, the more the better.
1090540
HA!  Nope!  I like the Yahoo Music Service, but it uses Microsoft technology - so you need an mp3 player that plays Microsoft encoded files.  Try Creative Labs or whatever...
1026747
Windows Audio Converter. It comes with Media Center Edition...if you have that...if not you can search audio converter on google and a ton of stuff comes up but...this is what I do...Where did you get your WMA? From a cd? Then put the cd back in and use Exact Audio Copy to make an uncompressed .wav then use Besweet GUI to turn it into a nice clean compact .mp3. ;) Sounds complicated but it's not and the sound is great. Plus they're both freeware!
521904
mp3 players are better because u can get ur music free with limewire or bearshare, but if u get an ipod u HAVE to pay .99cents a song u can only use itunes for ipods but when u have an mp3 player u dont have to pay for your music..i got an mp3 player and it works GREAT!!! I reckomend a mp3 player
816992
MP3 files use less space than wma files
202876
The best program, which can convert from a variety of formats to mp3, is probably "Audacity."\n\nhttp://audacity.sourceforge.net
120162
yahoo music... man... or even better to me.. winamp radio...
252794
If you're using windows then you'll want to use the Media Player. It's not only as fast as any other program, it doesn't cost you any money cause you already have it. It's inherantly more stable since it's already built into the OS. You can save your files as either WMA or MP3 in the options. But don't make the mistake A LOT of people make and--Well, let me start over--Media player (by default) adds copy right protection to your music files. If you don't disable it from the options then you won't be able to share or use your music files anywhere but on your computer. Hope that helps. :)
715305
You can use a free  wma to mp3 converter from\nhttp://www.brothersoft.com/mp3_audio/rippers_encoders/free_wma_to_mp3_converter_45252.html\n\nor NBX Audio converter from\nhttp://www.nbxaudio.com/download.htm\n\nEDIT.. just seen that the download from the 1st link is no longer available. However, NBX from the 2nd link is a good program.
928279
MPEG format is correct. MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3. So you're doing everything correct.
1166694
You cant, its the content of the recording. Whoever made the mp3 just did a poor job recording it. Its not your fault with it, its the file itself.\n\nJust go to volume control and play with the playback when you get a bad mp3 quality file.\n\nYou might want to try out http://www.winamp.com since it has a bunch of automatic controls that you can be manually adjusted to fit the way you want your music to play on your computer.
118585
Other then name? The MP3 file is a much more compressed file than a wav. MP3 vs wav, same song would be a bigger file as a wav vs a mp3.
501866
Acctually a WAV is a less compressed sound file than a MP3.\n\nThe easiest way to do it is to use CDEX, which will convert music in MP3 to WAV.
594332
Depends on what you mean by 'best'.  If your version of 'best'  refers to quality.. then that would be MPEG4 format.  However, if your version of 'best' refers to compatibility, then you should use MPEG2+AC3 for video (DVD compatible) and MP3 for audio only (the most players support it).\n\nThe answer to this question really depends on why you're asking the question in the first place.  For example, if you have something that you need to compress for a specific purpose.  Then, you should determine the destination device's capabilities and craft media that supports that device (like a DVD player).
753478
i know a way around.  you could burn the wma files on a cd as music cd and then rip the cd using windows media player in mp3 format.
1050284
If you go into the setting of windows media player you can change the rip format to mp3.
1095530
I don't think Yahoo Music Engine can convert files, but Musicmatch can.  Download the jukebox from http://www.musicmatch.com and install it.  Once loaded, go to File->Convert Files.  There you'll be able to convert .WMAs to .MP3s.