justanoldmuso,

You and others may find +++ THIS +++ comparison of audio file formats interesting. Plus, I think it answers some of the "why" questions you've asked.

A little background. Digital audio data can archived in a lossy digital audio format, where some of the audio data will be forever lost or lossless digital audio format, where no digital audio data is lost. MP3 and WMA are examples of lossy audio formats. This conversation is about two lossless digital audio formats, WAV and FLAC.

Digital devices require a CODEC to (1) encode digital audio data into a file format and/or (2) convert an audio file into a digital audio stream suitable for playback.

Each digital audio format requires a unique CODEC. A software application may include an audio format encoder but not the decoder. This is generally utility applications where you a doing format conversions. An application may include a decoder but not an encoder. An example is a compact disc player in your vehicle that does not include "burn-a-CD" capability.

The base line audio formats are WAV for Windows and AIF for Apple. Both are audio formats, or containers, that are lossless and hold the actual audio data and metadata that describes the audio data inside the format. But, remember an application needs a CODEC to read ANY audio file format, including WAV and AIF.

Now, here is some interesting news. The FLAC CODEC is lossless but is capable of compressing audio data a little more than 60 percent as compared to a comparable WAV or AIF file!

More interesting news. The FLAC encoder takes a little more than 20 percent longer to encode an audio file as compared to the time it takes to encode a comparable WAV or AIF file. Whoa, it's pretty slow when encoding a file.

Best interesting news. The FLAC decoder is FAST, 60 percent faster than any other digital audio format except WAV or AIF. The article confirms your decoding experience.

My guess is the FLAC developers anticipate FLAC's use by streaming sites and archival file storage. Professional don't mind the extra encoding time as long as they can make it up by selling customers fast CD quality or high definition audio file services.

Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
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