wma vs mp3

[lootmaker]

I have just both Creative 256MB Muvo TX, it can play both MP3 and WMA files, I am able to convert the MP3 files to WMA save half space, the lower bitrate i have the more space I save, if I use WMA i will use more battery life why does it use more battery life?  Also in dbpoweramp the list of codecs whats the frequency mean? 44 khz and 32Khz, low as 11Khz, does it make difference, as I am mainly listening to lectures,

[Chillum]

the higher the frequency = the less compression = the better the sound quality = the greater the file size. If it sounds fine on 11Khz, then use it, if you want better quality then bump it up until your happy. Are you listening to lectures or whilst in lectures? Don't see any reason why WMAs would use more battery, I wouldn't have thought fiile format mattered at all.

[Headtime]

Chillum, until yesterday I would have thought the same about file size and battery life.

However according to Apples i-Pod support site;

http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipods.html

Larger and longer files do indeed deplete the battery more quickly. I suppose it makes sense that if a player is constantly having to read data from a disk rather than its RAM, it will put more strain on the battery.

I assume this would also be the case for your Creative player too lootmaker.

[Chillum]

you live and learn, yeh, does make sense.

[ian.miller]

the difference between wma and mp3 is in the codec, the ipod site is reffering to large files (>9mb) in something like wav, then it is to do with the caching/disk access issues.

Basically wma is a great codec for getting small file sizes, but it requires more computing power to get it back from it's compressed form to the sound you hear than an mp3, that's no problem with a PC, but in a handheld that power uses up the battery a bit faster.

if you are listening to voice, 11khz might well be enough, but it will sound tinny and not have a natural "depth" but with pure talking you probably don't need much else. 22Khz would be a reasonable comprimise.

The only real thing is to experiment.