Manual
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Supported Codecs and Formats
- The Sonnox Fraunhofer Pro-Codec
- Additional Information on Workflows
- Lossless Codecs (mp3-HD and HD-AAC)
- Description of Controls
- Presets and Project/Session Data Handling
- Preset Manager Toolbar
- Pro-Codec Signal and Control Flow Diagram
- Specifications
- Copyright and Acknowledgements
- Manual Revision History
- Platform Specific Supplement
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4.6 Online and Offline Encoding
Following the above discussion on bitstream overload repeatability and downsampling, we
can now discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online and offline encoding.
4.6.1 Summary of the Differences Between Online and Offline Encoding
Offline Encoding is intended to be used primarily as an alternative to Online Encoding.
The advantages of Offline Encoding are that:
a) The bitstream overloads are consistent,
b) The original filelength features of the files can be employed (meaning consistent
start and end points).
In other words, the offline encode mode is intended to be used in the same session as when
any codec-specific mix adjustments are made. It is not currently intended for large scale
batch processing.
The disadvantages of offline encoding are that:
a) An extra step in the workflow is required (compared to online encode, where the
coded files are created during the bounce),
b) There is no automatic downsampling for offline encode, so the higher sample rate
master has to be bounced and downsampled first before working on codec-specific
enhancements. With online encoding, the mix is automatically downsampled, and a
codec file can be generated directly from this downsampled signal.
One disadvantage of online encoding is increased CPU loading. Many of these codecs are
processor-intensive and a powerful computer is required for best performance of this plug-in.
On-line encoding does not necessarily add DSP processing as the encoders are already in
action; however, additional data buffering and disc writing will add significant overhead, and
might cause CPU overloads.
4.6.2 When to use Offline Encode rather than Online Encode?
In general, offline mode is designed to be used when a pre-rendered wav file exists. If there is
no wav file (perhaps instead there is a work-in-progress mix) online mode is appropriate.
This would be the usual case when auditioning codecs.
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