whats better CBR or VBR??

**Dan** · 18-02-2007, 20:36

Many people have asked me this in the past, and honestly I dont know whats better, but i do prefer CBR, what is your guys input on this?

pros and cons? good / bad?

**Kowy** · 18-02-2007, 20:54

VBR is good for video coz it's more effective due to the method

i prefer CBR for audio, unless it's FLAC format, but that's lossless

**h4nsol** · 18-02-2007, 20:57

VBR is better for constant quality. The only exception is 320Kpbs CBR.

**DistantLand** · 18-02-2007, 21:00

Constant Bit Rate (CBR) - the same bit rate is used to encode the entire file.

Variable Bit Rate (VBR) - Mp3 files are made up from 100's of small audio chunks, called frames. Whilst encoding a VBR file, the encoder decides which bit rate to use for each frame. The bit rate can drop down to lower value when it is permissible (if there is not much audio going on), and switches up to a higher value when required. VBR files are not all good news though, because the bit rate is constantly changing many players have difficulty displaying correct track lengths. A standard exists where the track length is encoded into the first frame after writing, though not all encoders do this and the ID3v2 tag can mess this up.

CBR better...

**h4nsol** · 18-02-2007, 21:10

if "better" means more compatible with stand alone players then maybe one can say CBR is "better". If "better" means higher quality music then VBR=better (unless cbr 320kbps)
VBR FTW!