Best codec for retention of Metadata

[Goshen]

A few formats I've been outputting to seem unable to write the metadata that comes with the file; eg AAC

I read in a help file that: "File format supports metadata such as .aif, .aiff, .aifc, .flac, .m4a, .m4b, .m4r, .mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .ogg, .wav, and .wma"

But which of those is the best format for all-round use on a mobile / media device?  Let's assume that I've got highest quality .FLAC's for original files, and I'd like to create portable versions at smaller file sizes using Switch.   Everything I've read has said the .MP3 format is on the way out, and is being replaced by other more efficient formats.

Assuming that MP3 format has been superseeded; do I really just need to choose whether I want compressed files for a Mac (aiff etc) or .WMA?   OGG isn't very supported (and my test conversion didn't transfer metadata to that either).

So if I'm on windows + android; should I be making everything .WMA?    Or just sticking with MP3 because really; that's still the standard that everyone still uses?

 

FYI; In my small test:

-Original M4A File @ 288kbps = 10.8mb
- Converted WMA @ 256kbps = 9.6mb
- Converted MP3 @ 192kbps (variable rate) = 7.2mb
- Converted MP3 @ 283kbps (highest quality) = 10.6mb
- Converted FLAC @ 772kbps = 28.9mb

 

[Goshen]

I'll just answer my own question;

FLAC for original / high quality files.

MP3 for any conversion or mobile use.   
 

High Quality 1-3 at around 200kbs seems to max out the audio quality.
But realistically (even with a pair of Bose headphones); I can't really tell the difference between a 10MB file and a 5mb one (148kbps / quality 5), but maybe that's just me.

...any other opinions on this!?

 

[vapors]

I concur; I archive lossless files as flac.

For general use on my portable player I convert to 320 CBR mp3

(or the highest VBR - files are a bit smaller, although I'm not sure how much difference it makes for my use)