Aiwa XR-MN5 manual Descriptions of MP3, ID3TAG

Descriptions of MP3

An MP3 file stores audio data compressed using MPEG1/2, the audio layer-3 file-coding scheme.

In this manual, CDs, CD-R discs and CD-RW discs are all referred to as "discs". We refer to what are called "folder" and "file" in PC terminology as "album" and "track".

Notes on playing MP3 files

•An MP3 track must be recorded on a disc in the format compliant with ISO 9660. Note, however, that the unit may not play tracks in the order they were recorded.

•The maximum allowable number of tracks and albums in a disc are as follows:

-number of tracks: 255

-number of albums: 255

•The maximum allowable depth of nested albums is 8.

•It may take 30 seconds or more before the unit can start play of MP3 tracks, depending on the number of recorded tracks and the complexity of the album tree.

•The unit cannot play MP3 tracks recorded using a packet writing utility.

•The unit can play MP3 tracks having a file extension ".mp3". •If you play a non-MP3 track that has the ".mp3" file

extension, you may hear some noise.

Notes on display indications during play

•Up to 8 characters are displayed for the title of an album or a track. If ID3TAG version 1.X was applied to record additional information for an MP3 track, up to 10 characters showing track title is displayed. However, if information of ID3TAG version 2.X are also recorded in the same MP3 track, the track title of ID3TAG is not displayed. Characters other than uppercase letters ("A" to "Z") and numerals ("0" to "9") may not be displayed correctly.

•The elapsed playing time may not be displayed correctly for MP3 tracks.

Terminology •ISO 9660

ISO stands for the "International Organization for Standardization". ISO 9660 determines the file structure for the CD-ROMs. This unit can play MP3 files recorded in the format compliant with ISO 9660.

•Nesting of folders (albums)

To organize data files stored in a PC, you can store related files in a folder. A folder can contain other folders as well as files. For example, folder A can contain folder B, and folder B can contain folder C; this is called "nesting of folders". The maximum depth of nested folders, allowed by ISO 9660, is 8.

•Writing utilities

There are 3 utilities used to record data on a disc. 1.DAO (Disc At Once) utility

All data to be written must be prepared in advance and written onto a disc from the beginning to the end in one operation. No data can be added to a disc on which data were already written with DAO utility.

2.TAO (Track At Once) utility

Data are written onto a disc track by track. Data can be added to a disc on which data were written with TAO utility.

3.Packet writing utility

Tracks are divided into smaller pieces while being recorded, depending on the size of available spaces on the disc. Data can be added to a disc on which data were written with packet writing utility.

This unit can play MP3 discs recorded using DAO and TAO utilities.

•ID3TAG

ID3TAG determines the data format for the text to be added to an MP3 file, mainly used to indicate a track title or an artist's name, etc.

Notes on creating MP3 discs •When converting audio data to MP3

The unit supports MP3 files with a sampling frequency of 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1 or 48 kHz.

To enjoy high sound quality, we recommend storing MP3 files with a sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz and a fixed bit rate of 128 kbps. The assured bit rate range for sound quality on the unit is 8 kbps to 320 kbps. If an MP3 files stored with a bit rate beyond that range is played back, sound quality

is not guaranteed and noise may be generated.En •When creating MP3 discs

Do not store more than 255 albums in a disc. Also, keep the total number of albums and tracks 255 or less in a disc.

•To play tracks in the order they were recorded

1.Use a writing software capable of recording MP3 tracks (files) in numerical and alphabetical order. For details on using the software, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the software.

2.Use only one album. (Do not create a sub-album within an album.)

3.Include a two- or three- digit number at the beginning of each album or track name so that the albums and tracks are played in order.

<example of recommended names> 01XXXXX.mp3

02XXXXX.mp3

03XXXXX.mp3

04XXXXX.mp3

05XXXXX.mp3

<example of names not recommended> 1XXXXX.mp3

5XXXXX.mp3

10XXXXX.mp3

15XXXXX.mp3

20XXXXX.mp3

(Numbers at the beginning have different digit number. The tracks will not be played in this order but played in the order of "1", "10", "15", "20" and "5".)

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