Is there now any way to convert mp3 files to m4a or aac 192kbit?

Question

Since about two years now I am trying to find a way to convert high quality mp3 files to m4a or aac files with a fixed bitrate 192k. Please don't suggest using another format - i thought this through as far as it goes.

The problem here is:

• ffmpeg obvioulsy can't convert to a higher bitrate than 152k. Even when it says it does so the resulting files still have 152k instead of 192k.

• ffmpeg also has/had a bug not writing the bitrate into the audio file tags which means when testing you have to calculate the bitrate manually by dividing the filesize by the length of the audio in seconds (resulting in 152k - see above)

• choosing faac as converter gets me the same results

• other programs don't work reliably (see this thread Howto convert audio files to *.m4a?)

I know that this is not an original new problem but I am wondering if there is still no way to convert with ubuntu/kubuntu 12.04 after a lot time passed and I can't find some of the bug issues mentioned in the other thread anymore.

So: Is there a solution after all?

Solution

I think I found the solution right here:

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/format-junkie-convert-your-media-files-to-all-the-popular-formats.html

It's called format junkie and it converts to 192kbit m4a (aac) without problems. Check it out - it's a bit flashy but a really simple and yet powerful media converter for images, audios, videos and even iso-files!

Sorry for answering my own question, but for me I consider it solved. :-)

thx for reading, piedro

Comments

[Kervin Ramen]

thx. while this works converting there's even more downsides: first it doesn't save any tags and so the file doesn't contain any information - neither on the track information nor on the bitrate after converting. then it doesn#t seem to be a fixed bitrate but a vbr. And last it's still 152k though i set it to 192k!

[Slipstream]

I had a feeling that might be the case. Under Ubuntu VLC may even use the ffmpeg back-end for conversion and so you may be looking at the same bug in two different guises.