WMA -> MP3/OGG

[Suicide_Guy]

I plan on converting some 192 kbps WMA files into MP3/OGG format so they can play on Rockbox and I was wondering what MP3/OGG bitrate would give about the same audio quality as 192 kbps WMA. I ripped my CDs from home at 192 kbps WMA, but since I'm at college I no longer have those CDs so I can't re-rip them into OGG or MP3 until I go home which will be a while.

Also, which format is better? Should I go with OGG since it's an open codec?

[markun]

More people are working on the WMA decoder now so you could also wait a bit.

[Suicide_Guy]

Excellent. Last I heard a WMA decoder wasn't in the works. Any idea on how long it may be?

[soap]

When converting from one lossy codec (WMA) to another (OGG or MP3) the quality of the resulting file will be worse than the original, no matter what bitrate you choose.  So even if you encode the 192kb/s WMA to 320kb/s MP3 it will be of decreased quality.

[bazmonkey]

If you've got the space, you could convert them to FLAC, and play them like that until WMA support is in.  That is, if you're really worried about not losing any more quality and just need something to hold you over until WMA is up'n runnin'.

[Liam_himself]

bump.
anyone know the latest on WMA support? Is it still in the works?
atm it is the only thing stopping me from using rockbox, since 90% of my library is WMA.
Thanks.

[saratoga]

A decoder has been writen, however its so slow it can't yet be used on any of the rockbox targets.  I think you'll have to wait a while yet since theres not a lot of interest in it.  

[Mthrsuperior]

As Soap said:  No matter what bitrate you use your converted files will sound worse than the originals.
If you do get tired of waiting be sure to keep the WMAs for later.