Not convinced by Itunes.

Marty_J

There are several million songs available without DRM on iTunes, "the largest DRM-free catalog in the world".

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/10/17itunes.html

Cat695

play.com....cheaper and less hassle with wanting to use the music else where and the big bonus is if you lose the track then you can just log back in and get it free again

Danyúl_II

Or just download illegally like everybody else.

gnatschuffed

.....or continue to buy the CD and then you own it and if you lose your mp3's etc. you still have a physical copy

Rip to lossless format like FLAC so you have a master copy on your PC (use a program such as EAC. See hydrogenaudio for a guide)

Batch convert all your files to mp3 etc. using Foobar2000 for your ipod

Far better than downloading itunes [EMAIL="!!!!py"]!!!!py[/EMAIL] bitrate tunes. I don't use itunes for downloads (or any other download service, I don't see the point in paying for lower quality), in fact I hate the software period. ITunes is uttterly useless and is aimed purely at the cashcow that is their download site. MediaMonkey is far better for organising your music and is easier to use. Alternatively try Songbird.

tomstickland

I don't own an Ipod or any form of digital player apart from a PC.
I still use tapes in the car because it costs £3 for 5 x C90!

Out of curiosity I'm going to buy a CD copy of one of the albums I downloaded and do a side by side comparison. ie: compare retail CD with a CD burnt from download.

I am considering the long term strategy. I like CDs, but realise that computers, downloads and files would allow a lot more flexibility, speed of purchase and use less space etc.

I can see the attraction of buying the CDs and then ripping selected items to hard drive and USB stick for car etc.

With storage so cheap nowadays I reckon that a monster hard drive in a dedicated hi-fi source unit would be the way to go. ie: copy entire CD files in orginal resolution.

Cat695

Dany!l_II wrote: »

Or just download illegally like everybody else.

gets my vote....but i would be BACKING UP what i already own!!

Marty_J

Dany!l_II wrote: »

Or just download illegally like everybody else.

Cat695 wrote: »

gets my vote....but i would be BACKING UP what i already own!!

I take it you both shoplift all your food too?

Nice.

chunter

Sinners and stones...

tomstickland

I've just been doing some reading up.

CD format: 44.1KHz sample rate, 1411 Kb/s
Play: 192Kb/s any idea what format?
Play2: 320 Kb/s
Itunes std: 128 Kb/s AAC mp4
Itunes plus: 256Kb/s AAC mp4

Marty_J

chunter wrote: »

Sinners and stones...

Not really. As a musician, I take exception to the idea that I should work for free.

tomstickland wrote: »

I've just been doing some reading up.

CD format: 44.1KHz sample rate, 1411 Kb/s
Play: 192Kb/s any idea what format?
Play2: 320 Kb/s
Itunes std: 128 Kb/s AAC mp4
Itunes plus: 256Kb/s AAC mp4

Play.com downloads are mp3s.

AAC is a more modern efficient codec; a 256 kbps AAC will sound the same as a 320 kbps mp3 (and take up less room on your HDD).