Differences Between Lossless and Lossy Encoding

Lossless encoding technologies attempt to compress large data streams by removing the most extraneous data bits (the ones we cannot hear). Typically, an audio file can be at most compressed by about 30%. Despite the larger file sizes one encounters when dealing with lossless audio files, a substantial increase in quality can be detected. However, this increase is only notable on hardware capable of producing high quality audio. For example, if I listen to a lossless audio file through a television set with RGB connectors, any sound quality increase is largely a result of the placebo effect. A real increase would be derived from capable hardware such as HDMI cables which can deliver high audio codecs such as LCPM without any stutter from speakers. Lossy audio codecs on the other hand remove much more data than lossless compression does. Lossy encoding technologies remove data that its algorithms "think" will not be noticeable by the human ear. While this does indeed save a substantial amount of space (a compression rate of up to 90%), it creates a noticeable difference in songs with a high bass. When deciding if you should use a lossless codec, it is important to consider the size of the storage device, as well as the type of music you will be listening. Another, and maybe most important, factor is the medium from which you will be playing an audio track. Most modern portable music players support lossy audio codecs such as m4a, aac, and mp3 but one will seldom find one capable of playing a lossless audio codec without the use of third party software.

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