Those files are 256kbps in variable bitrate, so in some points the music actually is on 320kbps but on other it's less so it's virtually a 320kbps (constant only) mp3 but more efficient .
But before, you said the tracks use ABR, in which the bitrate is more tightly constrained towards 256 kbps, with the result that the number of 320 kbps frames may be reduced from what it would be in true VBR (targeted to a similar bitrate, although VBR by definition aims for quality rather than bitrate, so naming any bitrate is a very rough approximation). I can't predict by how much—and I'm not saying your rip will be bad for this reason! At these bitrates, few people could detect any difference, so a few less 320 kbps frames isn't going to kill anyone—just making a vaguely technical observation.
Yes, in this case I had to use ABR because winamp - that converted the music, looped and faded it - only had ABR and CBR available. Well I use some cheap but nice Philips earbuds and I can't spot any difference from their source, but believe me the music quality isn't nowhere as good as some other games on the PS3, the samples and synths seem to be less quality than the original encoding itself.
Ah, OK. I recall Winamp being pretty far behind the times on this. Check out the DLL of LAME modified to encode according to an .ini file; that way, you can precisely control what the encoder is doing rather than being encumbered by an outdated and inept interface!
In the iPad version, the badniks have updated textures too, right? Those wouldn't happen to be available for download and swappable with the PC version's files, would they?
I uploaded a video giving those who are interest an idea of how the PC version runs on Low-Mid range laptops. My specs are as follows: Intel Core i3 2.2GHz 6GB RAM Intel HD Graphics Family (lol) I run the game in full screen at a resolution of 1280x720. Edit: I'm also using the 'HD' Sonic texture from the iPad version, just to clarify.
6GB ram in a low-mid range laptop? Did I just mistakenly jump to 2015? That being said, for a 2.2GHz i3 and intel HD anything, that runs pretty damn nicely. Good to know.
Because Sonic 4 was made in 2009. (Or was it 2010?) Ignore all the idiocy these people are saying of split timelines and Generations explaining bullshit, the Modern-Classic question in Sonic 4 is simply a design decision. It's like wondering why in Mega Man 7 Mega Man isn't such a midget anymore but then is one again in Mega Man 9. Or asking why, if Green Hill Zone Act 1 in Generations is meant to be GHZ from Sonic 1, then why are the Badniks different. The answer- it's design choices with no importance on story.
Just found out that forcing anti-aliasing through the drivers (at least on AMD graphics cards) works for Sonic 4 Ep 1, but only at certain resolutions. So far from what I've tested, it works at 1280x720, but doesn't work at any other resolutions I can use. My screen goes only up to 1440x900, and the only 16:9 resolution I have for Sonic 4 Ep 1 is 1280x720, so it's possible that either AA only works at 16:9 resolutions for Sonic 4, or it only works at 1280x720. Anyway, here's pictures showing the difference between no AA and 8x AA. No Anti-Aliasing: Forced 8x Anti-Aliasing through the AMD drivers: EDIT: Here's Sonic from both of the previous pictures, but zoomed to 2x. Left is no AA, right is 8x AA: EDIT2: Tried this on my brother's PC (he has a 1080p screen), forcing anti-aliasing through the drivers only works at 1280x720, at least on AMD/ATI graphics cards. It didn't work at any of the other resolutions.
I agree with KKM. But frankly, it bugs me that Sega has now shown that the whole Classic=younger thing is canon. But maybe I'm just whining.
I don't think Sega meant it to be Classic=Younger, but if they didn't, they wouldn't have an excuse to bring Classic Sonic back in the first place :P I've always chalked it up to stylistic differences, the only place where you could make the argument it wasn't is in Archie Comics where they decided to make it an intentional and plot-based change. On the subject of Sonic 4, though, I have to say its amazing how much a texture-change can give Sonic such a better look. Awkward idle animations aside. I hope they incorporate it in Episode 2 as well!
Sega gives absolutely no shit about "canon" in Sonic and haven't for a while. They really just don't care about the canon. It's impossible to make Generations make any sense in terms of some sort of "canon" without making some impressive leaps of logic. It wasn't intended to be interpreted in that context. The story was simply a throwaway excuse for Sonic and Sonic to play through Sonic levels from throughout the series' history. That's just the way it is.
Chaos Control is probably at work here. Every time Sonic uses Chaos Control it creates a 'warp` that changes him and the world around him. After the events of Sonic 3 and Knuckles everything went straight to Sonic Adventure, which caused Sonic to age back ONE YEAR and Knuckles to advance in age (his birthday occurred). Enlongated spines resulted all around, and many characters had developed new interests - such as Knuckles leaving the Master Emerald to engage in Afro-American prison gang culture. After Adventure, BATTLE came, which again changed all the tones and shapes of our blitzful critters. Then Heroes... then Sonic 06... then Unleashed... after Colours there was NO SUPER SONIC, so the world never changed. Fast-forward to Generations, time zones galore, BUT IT HAS SUPER SONIC. Unlike Sonic CD (no Super Sonic = no change), this one had it. It Built Into Sonic 4. Sonic 4 e1 and e2 are where it is at right here, right now. Check It. This is why the ages are the way they are and why the world is ever changing.
Yes Sega doesn't give a damn about "canon" and they shouldn't give a damn, if they make a game set between the classics with the modern design (wich is not this case btw) it's not that important. However thinking that Classic Sonic in Generations isn't presented as Modern's youth is just being delusional and in denial, they bashed the same key in the cut scenes several times. "Enemies from our past", "Your Future gonna be Great" being two of the most obvious indicators. And with using the Doctor R. as proof even more "Eggman of the Past" "My future self" etc... etc...
He's Sonic of the past in Generations, that's inarguable. I just think it's silly that some dwell on the differences in appearance as if the two Sonics were designed as the same character's at two different stages in biological growth rather than the same character in two different art styles/interpretations. You get some coy comments in-game from his friends about Classic Sonic looking tubbier, younger, and wondering if he got a haircut (which is staple "something different about you" comment anyway). Every other difference can be attributed to being for the benefit of the audience (the "I want to see the Sonic from my childhood again" audience). To put it less professionally, it's the "How did sonic grow blue fur on his eyelids and green irises THIS IS AN AFRONT TO SCIENCE IN MY SERIES ABOUT A BLUE HEDGEHOG AND FOX THAT FLIES WITH HIS ASS!" that bugs me.
I'm not exactly complaining. It just seems strange to me, that's all. I don't expect a solid 100% continuity. I mean, a design change is no big deal. It happens to most fictional characters eventually. But when you give a canonical excuse for this design change at the same time as you refuse to acknowledge it elsewhere, it gets confusing. Keep in mind that I don't really care, I'm not screaming "PLOT HOLE", I'm just pointing it out.
I personally think the time it took Classic Sonic to look like Modern Sonic was approximately the same amount of time it takes a human male to go from immediate post-pubescence to young adult, so the whole sonic series may be the span of five to six years. That could make sense, yes? People's appearances can drastically change over a period of time such as that. Apologies if this doesn't make sense, I'm inebriated.
If anyone in Europe is not interested in paying the full price for the PC version, you can buy a steam code from ShopTo.net at the moment for just less than half the price! (You can switch between pounds and euros on the website) Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode 1
