Best way to convert MP3s to Oggs

[John H. Robinson, IV]

Mark Seven Smith wrote:
> 
> Using Linux, command line command would be fine; something that will go into a 
> directory, and find all the MP3's, and do the best possible conversion of 
> every mp3 to ogg format, at the very best (highest) bit rate possible; no 
> loss (beyond that which is already lost by the MP3 format).  I'd use "oggenc" 
> but that requires at least WAV files.

the very best thing to do is: DON'T!

if you convert from one lossy format to another, you will lose still
more information. this is bad.

if you want horrible sounding ogg's, then convert from mp3 to ogg. if
you want good sounding oggs, the best that you can get, convert from a
non-lossy format such as cdda, wav, or flac.

let's assume that mp3's maintain 97% of the original information. let's
also assume that ogg's retain 98%. note that these numbers are WAG's and
are not necessarily indicative. some people may here only 94% from the
original wav, but they have really discreet hearing.

take the original wav, and convert it to mp3: 100*.97. you have 97% of
your original signal left. now convert that mp3 to ogg, and you get
97*.98=95, or 95% of your original signal. you were better off leaving
it in mp3.

worse yet, the two compression schemes can get into an interference
pattern, and leave you with very strong compression artifacts. you
certainly do not want this. ogg's created by conversion from mp3's are
amongst the worst examples of what ogg is capable of.

-john