Don Cox wrote:
> The numbers in an ordinary 16-bit 44.1KHz WAV file are exactly the same > as those on an audio CD. The difference is that a WAV file might have a > different number of bits, or sampling frequency, so it needs a header to > say what these are, and how many channels are present. > > Most WAV and AIFF files are 2-channel 16-bit 44.1KHz, in my experience.
WAV is a much more complex file format than just PCM and thus may greatly differ from the data on an audio CD, not only on account of the header and channel numbers. Here is how:
I believe that the two authors are in what amounts to "violent agreement". The typical WAV file one encounters is uncompressed PCM audio, although the format permits a great deal of flexibility. Thus, Don writes of "ordinary" files; Michael of the full range of possibilities.
It may be worth reminding ourselves that even in the 'ordinary' (redbook) WAV file, the sequence of bytes is not that on a CD-DA. That rearrangement is virtually all that need be done in Digital Audio Extraction (DAE) of a clean CD-DA disc.
Mike -- mrichter@xxxxxxx http://www.mrichter.com/