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ENGLISH
MP3/WMA INTRODUCTION
What are MP3/WMA?
MP3 is an abbreviation of Motion Picture Experts
Group (or MPEG) Audio Layer 3. MP3 is simply a
file format with a data compression ratio of 1:10
(128 Kbps*).
WMA (Windows Media
®
Audio) is the digital
audio compression format developed by
Microsoft Corporation.
* Bit rate is the average number of bits that one
second of audio data will consume. The unit used is
Kbps. To get a better audio quality, choose a higher
bit rate. The most popular bit rate for encoding is
128 Kbps.
• For details information about the MP3/WMA
discs, refer to “A Guide to MP3/WMA”
(separate volume).
Compatible with ID3 Tag
Extra information data such as album title,
performer name, song title, recording year, music
genre and a brief comment can be stored within
an MP3/WMA file.
This unit can show both ID3v1 (Version 1) and
ID3v2 (Version 2) tags on the display. (See page
19.)
• Some characters cannot be shown correctly.
• If both ID3v1 and ID3v2 are recorded on a
disc, ID3v2 information will be shown.
How are MP3/WMA files
recorded and played back?
MP3/WMA “files (tracks)” can be recorded in
“folders” —in PC terminology.
During recording, the files and folders can be
arranged in a way similar to arranging files and
folders of computer data.
“Root” is similar to the root of a tree. Every file
and folder can be linked to and be accessed
from the root.
The illustration below shows an example of how
MP3/WMA files are recorded on a CD-R or
CD-RW, how they are played back, and how they
are searched for on this unit.
Notes:
• This unit cannot read or play an MP3 file without
the extension code <.mp3> and a WMA track
without the extension code <.wma>.
• This unit is not compatible with MP3 files encoded
with Layer 1 and Layer 2 formats.
• This unit is not compatible with WMA files which
are not based upon Windows Media
®
Audio.
• This unit is not compatible with Playlist**.
**A playlist is a simple text file, used on a PC, which
enables users to make their own playback order
without physically rearranging the files.
: Folder and their playback
order
: MP3/WMA files and their
playback order
• Microsoft and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.
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Hierarchy
ROOT
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5