[Salty]

So I don't know when it got there, but the latest version of iTunes includes a "Convert higher bitrate songs to 128kbps" option. When I saw that, I nearly peed myself a lil! I mean, to be sure I like that iTunes is constantly upping their bit rate, but the fact is if I'm using the stock ear buds (which are actually my favourite don't know why but they fit my ears like a dream and I love the inline remote.) I reeeaaaally don't neeeeed 320 kbps music. Correct me if I'm wrong this could even help with battery life could it not? Either way, I feel like I got a whole new iPhone, now all my music actually fit within the first 16 gigs of my 32 gig iPhone... I don't know if I'll be able to justify opting for the 64 gig model when it comes out... though I'll still for sure get the new one.

[imitchellg5]

I don't think it'll have a bearing on battery life. 320 kbps is probably overkill for a phone, but I don't want anything lower than the standard 256 kbps.

[Eug]

Back when I did the testing, on my stereo system, 128 Kbps seemed too low even for AAC (although it's better than 128 Kbps MP3). Hence, all my MP3 is 256 Kbps, and my AAC is 192 Kbps.

[turtle777]

How does that work ?

Will iTunes keep two versions, and only sync the 128kbit version to my iPhone ?
In that case, I'll be using up more HD, space, right ?

-t

[slugslugslug]

I just read somewhere (maybe TUAW?) that it actually converts on the fly at sync time.

Edit: it was at MacOSXHints.com

[turtle777]

Aah, great. I'll give it a try.

-t

[subego]

I'm pretty sure it will take up more of your HD.

It converts it on the fly when you select the option and sync the first time. It then keeps the copy. I don't recall if it keeps it if the music gets moved off the device, so it doesn't have to reconvert if you move it back.

This may have changed, it's been awhile since I've used it.

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by subego 

I'm pretty sure it will take up more of your HD.

It converts it on the fly when you select the option and sync the first time. It then keeps the copy. I don't recall if it keeps it if the music gets moved off the device, so it doesn't have to reconvert if you move it back.

This may have changed, it's been awhile since I've used it.

It's new to iTunes 9.1. Converts on the fly; no extra HD space used.

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by Cadaver 

It's new to iTunes 9.1. Converts on the fly; no extra HD space used.

That's pretty cool.. When I start getting calls about "really long sync times", I'll have somewhere to start.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Cadaver 

It's new to iTunes 9.1. Converts on the fly; no extra HD space used.

I can confirm that.

Awesome new feature.

-t

[SpaceMonkey]

So it's identical to the feature that first appeared on the original iPod Shuffle, right?

[jokell82]

This is awesome. I've got a 35gb iTunes library, so this will allow me to keep all of my music on my phone.

[Atheist]

Groovy... just freed up 1.5Gb on my lowly 8Gb iPhone!

[mduell]

About freaking time!

iTunes has done this for years (since '05), but only for the shuffle.
Windows Media Player has done this for years (since at least '03) for any device, with options for what bitrate to convert to.

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey 

So it's identical to the feature that first appeared on the original iPod Shuffle, right?

And the subsequent shuffles since, yes.