Book details of 'MP3: The Definitive Guide'

Title	MP3: The Definitive Guide
Author(s)	Scot Hacker
ISBN	1565926617
Language	English
Publisher	O'Reilly & Associates

---

Back to shelf Computer
Amazon.com info for MP3: The Definitive Guide

Score:

Vote for this book

The Virtual Bookcase Reviews of 'MP3: The Definitive Guide':

Reviewer Rob Slade wrote:
The interest surrounding MP3 files, for the general public, centres on the ability to obtain and exchange music over the Internet. Most of the flock of recent MP3 books reflect this emphasis: Underhill and Gertler's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3" (see reviews) is subtitled "Music on the Internet." Hacker has chosen a different approach, and, while discussing file transfers and legal issues, concentrates on the production and management of a good quality sound archive. Chapter one introduces the basics, by starting off with a kind of glossary of the terms and technologies used, and then giving a brief overview of the legalities and politics of the recording industry. Some details of the encoding process, and the MP3 data format, are given in chapter two, although if you want to examine the format in depth, or program it, you will definitely have to go to the references pointed out in the text. Getting and playing MP3s is discussed in chapter three. This is not as integrated as it might sound. The chapter starts out with a great review of some of the major players for Windows, Linux, Mac, and BeOS, including a number of helpful tips for usage and operation. But then it gets into a rather generic section on downloading files (including such mundane matters as file management) and ends up with a look at speaker placement. The coverage of MP3 options, in chapter four, is, again, rather disjointed. First there is a section on equalization and sound quality, then a large and helpful discourse on playlists, tags, skins, and plug-ins, and finally some points on system performance. Chapter five, on creating your own MP3 files, is a solid explanation covering every facet of the operation, and handing out more than a few useful tips. How to use MP3s with home stereos, portable players, car players, and other hardware is dealt with in chapter six. Chapter seven looks at a number of legal issues related to MP3s, encoding, and distribution. Most of the legislation discussed is from the US, but there is a solid awareness of international factors. Web serving, Webcasting, and related matters get a thorough treatment in chapter eight. Chapter nine reviews other audio file formats that may be able to challenge MP3. In general terms, the "definitive" appellation is deserved. This book covers the field thoroughly and well, and addresses a number of areas not commonly dealt with. As previously noted, the emphasis is not on the interests of the average "track grabber," although certainly all the basic information is here. Certain biases are apparent: although Windows gets priority and the greatest amount of space, Linux comments pop up frequently. Also, some sections will bemuse the reader who is not a really serious audiophile. Still, if you want to know what is what with MP3s, this is the resource to use. copyright Robert M. Slade, 2000
Add my review for MP3: The Definitive Guide

Book description:

MP3, standing for MPEG-1, Layer 3, is a codec for compressing the size of audio files for digital distribution. Much more than a definition, MP3 is nothing less than a cultural and economic revolution on the Internet. Every day, hundreds of thousands of MP3 music files are searched for, shared, recorded and listened to by computer and Internet users of all kinds. Either alone or collected into massive download sites, the MP3 revolution is seriously threatening the traditional ways people find, listen to and create music. MP3 players and encoders are available for all major computer platforms, including Windows, Macintosh, Linux and BeOS. MP3 hardware players include portable players you can take with you jogging or exercising from manufactures like Sony, Diamond and Philips to home stereo and car stereo players. MP3: The Definitive Guide introduces the power-user to just about all aspects of MP3 technology. It delves into detail on obtaining, recording, and optimizing MP3 files using both commercial, and Open Source methods. Coverage is complete for four platforms: Windows, Macintosh, Linux and BeOS. In depth chapters describe all aspects of the MP3 experience from distributing, streaming, broadcasting, converting and playing to archiving your collection. Readers will learn how to test their equipment, optimize their encoding times, evaluate their playback options, control and organize a collection, even burn their own CD's or distribute their own music to a massive worldwide audience over the Internet. In addition, the author fills readers in on the complex legal issues surrounding MP3 files. Everything you need to know to enjoy MP3 today and tomorrow is contained in this single volume. MP3 is here to stay, and the applications for this versatile compression format are expanding exponentially along with its user base. MP3: The Definitive Guide should appeal to a broad audience of users, from the those just getting into this exciting new technology, to those who want to fully immerse themselves in the complexities and possibilities that MP3 presents.