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Conclusions

Ultimately, the question is this: why would you go to the trouble of using compressed audio formats in a video production?

One reason is file size. Compressed formats can quickly cut a huge audio file to a fraction of its original size. This makes internet collaboration possible and can save volumes of storage space. At their best, the lossless formats achieve only a 50% reduction in file size. In our tests, they all squeezed a 35MB file into roughly 24MB - not exactly a huge savings, given the size and price of storage today.

If you choose to use compressed audio, keep in mind the reduction in quality from lossy formats. There's also the possibility that there may be no support for certain formats in the future. In the final analysis, it's up to you. If your software supports it, why not? You'll save some storage space and live on the cutting edge of audio production.

Contributing Editor Hal Robertson is a digital media producer and technology consultant.

Hal Robertson | September 2008

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