VBR
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What Does VBR Mean?
VBR (Variable Bit Rate) is a term used in computing and telecommunications which relates to the bitrate used in sound or video encoding. In contrast to constant bitrate (CBR), VBR files vary the amount of data used throughout a piece of audio or video. VBR uses a higher bitrate (requiring more storage space) for more complex segments of media files, while using a lower bitrate for less complex segments. The average of these rates can be calculated to produce an average bitrate for the file.An advantage of using VBR is that it produces a better quality-to-space ratio compared to a file encoded using CBR. The disadvantages are that it may take more time to encode (as the process is more complex) and that some hardware might not be compatible with VBR files.
Variable bit rate encoding is also commonly used on MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4 Part 2 video, MPEG-4 Part 10/H.264 video, Theora, Dirac and other video compression formats. VBR is also routinely used in the Opus, Vorbis, MP3, WMA and AAC audio formats.
Image for VBR
When I write VBR, I mean this:

The image shows encoding software which is using VBR (Variable Bit Rate).
Summary of Key Points
"Variable Bit Rate" is the most common definition for VBR on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.VBR | |
---|---|
Definition: | Variable Bit Rate |
Type: | Abbreviation |
Guessability: | ![]() 4: Difficult to guess |
Typical Users: | ![]() Adults and Teenagers |
Examples of VBR in Sentences
Here is an example of VBR being used in a conversation:- Charlie: That Major Lazer tune you sent me is too big. I haven't enough space on my MP3 player.
- Jordan: Okay. Don't worry, I have a VBR version that is smaller.
An Academic Look at VBR
VBR is an initialism abbreviation. This means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Vee Bee Ar). Initialisms contrast with acronyms, which are spoken like words.Example of VBR Used in a Text
VBR
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See Also
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AAC (Apple Audio Compression) AVI (Audio Video Interleaved (media format)) CODEC (coder-decoder (for audio-video data)) DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) MP3 (MPEG layer 3 (audio file)) MP4 (MPEG layer 4 (video or audio file)) MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group (audio or video file format)) WMA (Windows Media Audio) DIVX (video format) DVDRIP (video copied from a dvd) DVR (Digital Video Recorder) FMV (Full Motion Video) RIP (convert music or video to another format) VCD (Video Compact Disc) Using the music symbolsQuiz
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