OK here’s the deal. I downloaded Adobeman’s DVDA GUI, followed the instructions and added about 50 MB of MP3’s as a test. I damn near fell out of my chair when the “Est. Project Size” read back an astounding ˝ GB!!!! Seems like a normal MP3 balloons up to 10X’s its size when converting to a DVD-A format using Adobeman’s program.

So, what is the advantage of using a DVD-A vs. using a regular CD that can hold 10 times more songs AND have text display????

BTW, this is NOT a bash on Adobeman’s software, I’m just questioning the whole DVD-A thing…

Comments?

P.S – Everything worked find and played well in my 07 TL-S . I was using Memorex DVD+R, 4.7GB (I know some people were having trouble with the +R’s and switched to –R’s).

 

i won't get into the nitty gritty, but it's not Adobeman's program's fault...you're converting a COMPRESSED mp3 file to an UNCOMPRESSED wav (or something similar) file...DVD-A discs play uncompressed sound files, thus giving them better clarity and such...

now 1/2 GB for 50mb of mp3 files does seem a lil steep...must be a setting or something...i fit 80 songs easily on a DVD-A disc with room to spare (could probably get at least 90-95 on there)...

look at my signature for more info by downloading the Definitive DVD-Audio Guide v2.0...

 

It's all about the ability for DVD-A to hold the equivalent of 7 to 9 CDs worth of full CD quality stereo songs. Using the GUI with MP3 for an '07 and on TL makes little sense since the car already does mp3/wma CDs and has an aux jack.

For those that don't have an mp3 player or a newer TL they can still let the GUI convert (uncompress) mp3s to go on DVD-A . They get the increased capacity of DVD-A albeit at lower sound quality.

Anyway, mp3 is best left to mp3 CD disks (which the TL will only do on CD format), a direct wired mp3 player or other times where mediocre fidelity is is worth the trade-off.

 

If you are starting with MP3s, don't bother with DVD-A. Just burn an MP3 CD. The conversion back to uncompressed negates any gain in quality. You will need to start with uncompressed WAVs to garner a benefit from DVD-A discs. IMHO, the loss of text info is more than made up for by the higher quality of the uncompressed DVD-A vs. the MP3 CD.

 

AH!! I see! My original thinking (flawed as it was) was that I could get over 6 times the MP3's on a DVD-A compared to a CD. Since that is not the case, I'll continue to use CD's w/ MP3's/WMA's.

I just don't understand why they couldn't allow DVD's to hold MP3's/WMA's like the CD's Maybe in the 09?

BTW - Great job on the GUI

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

it's not the TL itself that won't let you play MP3 DVDs...there's no such thing as an MP3 DVD -- that would be called a Data DVD, which for the most part, only computers can read...so unless they start making drives that play/read Data DVDs, it's not just the TL that won't have this feature, but every car will be in the same boat because there aren't any Data DVD players...

 

If you have a CD burned with MP3's, it IS a data disc.

 

Exactly. Why can't they do it in a DVD format as well? Again, perhaps in 09?

 

yeah i know...and they make Data CD players obviously (MP3 CD)....i was talking about DATA DVDs....big difference...

 

for what its worth, I bought some used DVD-A on amazon, they have a huge inventory of used out of print stuff. Bought some classics (classics to me...) Frampton comes alive, fly like an eagle and one by one (foo fighters). Hoping the type of quality the demo dvd-a that came with the 08 has. Should be here this week, will let you know...

otherwise, I use my ipod and xm.

 

If Acura is smart, they'll outfit the '09 with a hard drive like the new CTS has. You'd be able to transfer all your MP3's stright onto it and not have to think about making MP3 CD's nor plugging in you iPod/MP3 player once you load your songs up.

 

09 better support factory ipod interface like bmw

 

A car is no place for a HDD... now if you told me they'd integrate a 64gb SSD, then I'll get excited. What do you do when the HDD craps out... I shudder to think what the dealer price will be to replace.

 

Buying actual DVDA discs have a huge sound quality improvement over mp3's and even regular CD's

Converting mp3's back to DVDA you do NOT regain this same sound quality. It is mostly lost once you compress things down to mp3 size. There might be minimal gains, but I'm not sure.

 

Just do a search for Cirlinca dvd audio solo And it'll give you a trial where you can burn 5 full dvd-a's Sound quality is great and program is a breeze. At least with the trial you can have roughly 500 songs in your tl