Glossary

CBR

Constant Bitrate is a type of encoding method used when an MP3 file is created. Constant Bitrate Encoding is a method that ensures a consistent bitrate throughout an encoded file at the expense of audio quality and/or encoder efficiency. The encoder allocates the same number of bits to difficult sections a relatively wide stereo separation), and easy section. As a result, difficult sections may suffer quality degradation while easy sections may include unused bits. See also VBR.

Icecast

Icecast (www.icecast.com) is a Web site designed and maintained by open source, where you can find and listen to live MP3 streams using FreeAmp. See also SHOUTcast.

M3U

M3U files are the MP3 standard for Playlists names and are recognized by most MP3 players. M3U files are actually text files that contain lists with the name and directory of MP3 files on your computer. When the FreeAmp Music Browser searches for Playlists on your computer, it looks for files that end in .M3u or .pls. When you open a Playlist, FreeAmp locates the MP3 files in the Playlist and begins playback in the order you specified in the Music Browser. See also PLS.

MP3

MP3 is the standard for downloadable music on the Internet. MP3 is a type of MPEG digital compression technology that takes a large audio file and then compresses it into a significantly smaller size that can be easily downloaded to your computer. Even though MP3 files are significantly smaller than the original file, the audio quality of the MP3 file sounds virtually the same as the original file. The name MP3 actually comes from the layer 3 section of the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 specification.

MPEG

MPEG is an acronym for Moving Pictures Experts Group. MPEG is an international subcommittee that develops standards for digital audio and video compression.

MPEG-1

MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 are MPEG compression specifications. Each specification includes a set of rules to follow for file compression. When an MPEG-complaint MP3 file is created, the compression program checks the properties of the file and then follows the MPEG specification to create the MP3 file.

MPEG-2

MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 are MPEG compression specifications. Each specification includes a set of rules to follow for file compression. When an MPEG-complaint MP3 file is created, the compression program checks the properties of the file and then follows the MPEG specification to create the MP3 file.

Obsequieum

Obsequiem is a Web site designed and maintained by open source, where you can find and listen to live MP3 streams using FreeAmp.

PLS

Pls files are a type of Playlist file. They are similar to M3u files, but may contain more information, such as a stream file or title and duration. When the FreeAmp Music Browser searches for Playlists on your computer, it looks for files that end in .M3u or .pls. When you open a Playlist, FreeAmp locates the MP3 files in the Playlist and begins playback in the order you specified in the Music Browser. See also M3u.

Playlist

A Playlist is a list of music tracks you organize and name.

When you save a Playlist, FreeAmp gives the Playlist a file extension name of .m3u. M3u and .pls files are actually small text files that contain only the name and directory to locate the mp3 files on your computer that are in that Playlist.

When you open a Playlist, FreeAmp locates the files in the list and begins playback in the order you specified.

When the Music Browser searches for Playlists on your computer, it looks for .m3u or .pls files and then adds them to your Music Collection in the Playlist folder.

RMP

RMP (Reliable Multicast Protocol)

RTP

RTP (Real-Time Protocol) is the standard Internet protocol for transporting real-time data, such as MP3 audio streams.

SHOUTcast

SHOUTcast (wwwShoutcast.com) is a Web site designed and maintained by Nullsoft, where you can find and listen to live MP3 streams using FreeAmp. See also Icecast.

Streaming

Streaming is a way of playing audio as it is being received from a steaming server without transferring the file to your computer. With FreeAmp’s Download Manager, you can download streams and play them back later as MP3 files.

VBR

Variable Bitrate is a type of encoding method used when an MP3 file is created. Variable Bitrate encoding ensures consistently high audio quality throughout an encoded file by making intelligent bit-allocation decisions during the encoding process. VBR-encoded files are typically smaller than files encoded using the CBR encoding method because the encoder puts bits where they are most needed. See also CBR.