MPEG layer 3

(M-P-3)

Audio compression at a 12:1 ratio and very little quality loss. MP3 basically optimizes its compression by concentrating on the range of sounds people can typically hear. MP3 files are often used to send music across the Internet either as individual files are as a streaming service.

(Also see MPEG.)

mp3Pro is a tweak to standard MP3 that reduces compression from 128Kbps to 64Kbps without loss of quality (effectively reducing the file size by half). High and low-pitched sounds are eliminated on recording and replaced by software in the reader (using Sub-Band Replication). An mp3Pro reader will play MP3 files and an older MP3 reader will play mp3Pro files but without replacement of the frequencies removed (basically playing at 64Kbps AM-radio quality).

More Information

• MPEG Resources
• MP3 FAQ
• MP3 FAQ
• MP3.com