1/1/15 Update! The HIFI feature is now a permanent feature for all broadcasters on SermonAudio. All broadcasters now enjoy the higher bitrates for audio, video, webcasts.
HIFI-Enabling your broadcaster account quadruples your bitrate for MP3s to 64kbps and videos to 1Mbps bitrate. This applies to live webcasters as well -- you can now select higher bitrates for both audio and video webcasts.
1Mbps Video Update! We have increased the quality for uploaded videos. Upload at any bitrate and any resolution and we'll auto-convert appropriately. We have found that 720p at 30fps with 1Mbps bitrate are ideal settings for uploading.
The quality for video gets a big boost as shown by this sample. Upload in any format and look great every time across all devices, including TVs!
This sample demonstrates a video with a lot of full-screen motion. Perfect for mission trip videos, camps, and other events!
64kbps Audio Update! We have increased the maximum allowable bitrate for AUDIO MP3s to 64kbps. Auto-conversion will still work if you upload at any bitrate. We have found that setting your sample rate to 44khz and MONO sounds best.
Lower Bitrate Auto-Generate! As a courtesy, when uploading HIFI audio or video content, the system will automatically generate a lower-bitrate version of the MP3 (16kbps) or MP4 (150kbps) for users with slower connections or mobile users.
Affordable! A single flat-fee of $10/month (added to your base monthly fee) HIFI-enables your account for ALL media content including MP3s, videos, and live webcasts! There are no additional fees related to HIFI-enabled content. But please note that you must keep the HIFI option enabled to access any previously-uploaded HIFI content.
Encoding with HIFI. Please refer to the relevant HELP pages for updated information on encoding bitrates. To learn more about encoding MP3s and Videos with HIFI bitrates, please click here, or click here for help with live webcasts.
Subset Filters. You can easily find HIFI content by selecting the HIFI-Only subset filter in any sermon listing. To learn more about subset filters, please click here…
For more information about this new service or to request activation of this option, please log into the Members Area and take a look in the "Personal Info" section.
Enjoy!
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pastor trails off into a whisper, as many do during sermons. The voice in 16kbps sound is often lost in the background noise during a whisper (even turning up the volume doesn't help bring out more sound), but the 32kbps preserves more of the voice.
16 kb is only tolerable poor - I have been internet audio casting for 15 years and 24 kb (50% quality boost)is the absolute minimum for tolerable re-broadcast quality - perhaps I will provide a link for the 95% of most internet users who do not use dial up. Get with it-the internet has come a long way in 15 years.
SermonAudio.com wrote: 16kbps bitrate MP3s are still very suitable for voice-only quality. There are things you can do to improve the audio quality of even a low bitrate MP3. Take a listen to the following sermon for an example of a well-encoded MP3 which sounds very good even at 16kbps: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=6723 There are many reasons why we require the lower 16kbps bitrate for all sermons uploaded to SermonAudio. Not the least of which is that many of our listeners are still on dialup or on mobile phone access and it makes the streaming and downloading experience much better for them.
Well, I listened to the sermon you suggested as an example of a sermon that "sounds very good." I have to disagree with that assessment. It sounds tinny and garbled. I would also offer that while at one point in history the "we need to keep it small for those dial-up listeners" was valid, it is no longer so. In today's Internet world people expect HD video and sermonaudio is skimping and providing 16kbps audio. As for those listeners who have dial-up in 2011, lets face it, they are probably going to want a CD (or tape if those were still available).
My suggestion for happier broadcasters, make 32 or 64 the default without a $10
David T. wrote: 16-bit MP3 is junk, and sounds terrible. It is sad that sermonaudio will only support that unless you upgrade.
16kbps bitrate MP3s are still very suitable for voice-only quality. There are things you can do to improve the audio quality of even a low bitrate MP3. Take a listen to the following sermon for an example of a well-encoded MP3 which sounds very good even at 16kbps:
There are many reasons why we require the lower 16kbps bitrate for all sermons uploaded to SermonAudio. Not the least of which is that many of our listeners are still on dialup or on mobile phone access and it makes the streaming and downloading experience much better for them.
Grace Church, Downingtown, PA wrote: Dear SermonAudio.com, What is the recommended sampling rate for 32Kbps MP3 files? Thanks, GraceChurch.SermonAudio.com
Much of it depends on your recording equipment. But a general rule of thumb for 32kbps bitrate is to use 22khz sampling rate. (For 16kbps bitrate, the general rule is to use 11khz sampling rate).
128kbps stereo encoding would be "mid-fi" for music, with it's expanded spectrum of sound, however for voice 32kbps mono is hi-fi. In fact, many voice optimized codecs don't even giver a 32kbps option, topping out at around 20 kbps (windows media 9 voice)
As a listener, I highly recommend that broadcasters use the "hifi" (since when is 32kpbs "hifi"? 128kbps is lo-fi) option if they can. It doesn't make the file size significantly larger, and the difference in quality is noticeable. I'm surprised that this slight increase in encoding makes such a big difference, but it's noticeably better audio.
I've also noticed that it helps when a pastor trails off into a whisper, as many do during sermons. The voice in 16kbps sound is often lost in the background noise during a whisper (even turning up the volume doesn't help bring out more sound), but the 32kbps preserves more of the voice.
Subset Filters. You can easily find HIFI content by selecting the HIFI-Only subset filter in any sermon listing. To learn more about subset filters, please 
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128kbps is lo-fi) option if they can. It doesn't make the file size significantly larger, and the difference in quality is noticeable. I'm surprised that this slight increase in encoding makes such a big difference, but it's noticeably better audio.
