[Hidden-tech] music collection management

Will Loving will at dedicationtechnologies.com
Wed Sep 14 19:33:58 EDT 2011


I¹d just like to correct the following concerning iTunes and DRM (Digital
Right Management copy protection):

the iTunes format has DMR with can cause problems if you want to share the
music or if you want copies on more than three devices)

Music can be imported into iTunes in three basic ways: 1) directly from a
CD; 2) purchased through the iTunes Store, Amazon, CD Baby or other
electronic store (which usually loads automatically into iTunes to play);
or, 3) as an electronic file, for example that someone sent you via email.

1. Music imported into from CD has no DRM. You can do whatever you want with
it 
2. Since 2009, all music purchased from iTunes Store is DRM free, the Amazon
store since 2008, meaning that you can do whatever you want with it. You may
have old music purchased from the iTunes store that still has DRM on it but
you can upgrade to DRM free for 30 cents per song. You may encounter DRM
music on other smaller music sites, but if you do, this is a requirement
from the artist or the recording label.
3. Music you obtain from a friend in electronic form may or may not of DRM
on it depending on how/where they obtained it.

Regarding iTunes and devices:

Only older music purchased from the iTunes store has the ³authorization²
limit of up to FIVE (not three) computers to play it the music on. The
DRM-free music released since 2009 does not have this requirement.

Regarding formats:

iTunes releases music in AAC format, Amazon in MP3. While MP3 is more common
and familiar to people by name, it¹s actually a patented, proprietary
format, which AAC is not. Currently MP3 patent holders are not enforcing
licensing or fees but the uncertainty around that is part of why Apple
choose the non-proprietary AAC format.  Nearly all media players can play
both formats and the considered opinion ­ if you read a lot on this topic ­
is that AAC is slightly better quality for the same bit rate. As Andy notes,
depending on the quality you want it might not make much difference which
way you do it. Ripping CDs in iTunes, there are many options under the
Import Settings. You can try some and see what you like. It should be noted
that while the LAME mp3 format may do slightly better than some other MP3
encoders (including the one built into iTunes), it does so only at high bit
rates and does worse at lower.



on 9/13/11 12:06 PM, Andy Klapper at andytk at charter.net wrote:

> To some extent it depends on what you want to do with the music.  If you are
> going to be playing your music on a quality sound system in your living room
> (i.e. big speakers) then I would recommend ripping to a lossless format like
> FLAC.  If you are going to be playing your music using a portable device with
> ear buds then I would rip to MP3 (the iTunes format has DMR with can cause
> problems if you want to share the music or if you want copies on more than
> three devices).  For MP3 I would recommend using LAME.  LAME using a variable
> compression scheme that gets the most quality for the least amount of space.
> Both FLAC and LAME are open source if that carries any weight for you.
>  
> Let me know what you come up with after getting advice from the hidden tech
> community.
>  
>  
> Andy.
>  
> 
> From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
> [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Stacy
> Kontrabecki
> Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 11:10 AM
> To: hidden-discuss
> Subject: [Hidden-tech] music collection management
>  
> So my 300 CDs have been taking up space on my office floor for 3 years b/c I
> don't know how to deal with them. Looking for recommendations.
> 
> I have:
> * 1 Macbook Pro for work that my iPhone 3GS 32 GB is connected to through
> iTunes - maybe 20 albums of music is synced to the phone. 14 GB free on the
> phone. 
> * 5 year old Dell laptop restored to factory settings that I only use for
> occasional GPS points downloading.
> * iTV -not used for media access currently since media is still on disc!
> * External drive I back up my Macbook to. Additional PC formatted 160 GB
> external drive not being used.
> * What is the best way to get these CDs ripped and accessible? I don't want to
> store the music on my work computer hard drive.
> 
> Options I've considered:
> 1. Purchase another external Mac drive just for music, create 2nd directory
> (?) on Macbook iTunes (I need to sync my photos & contacts to the Mac still)
> referencing the music I store on the external & sync it to some new MP3
> player. 
> 2. Install the music to the Dell (via USB vs. Mac firewire) and use the
> existing PC external drive to sync to an MP3 player.
> 3. Retire the 3GS to iPod status and update my phone?
> 4. Crawl into a hole with my vinyl albums and turntable, swearing off new
> technology.
> Before the iPod/Phone/MP3 phenomenon, I bought a slew of CD sleeves and
> binders that I was going to shrink the size of my collection down to. That
> never happened. May still do this for "backup" so I can trash the jewel cases
> once I figure out the dilemma outlined above.
> 
> I so need the real estate in my office and miss playing my music, too.
> 
> Thanks for your recommendations in advance.
> 
> Stacy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
> 
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members


-- 

William M. Loving
Dedication Technologies, Inc.
7 Coach Lane
Amherst, MA 01002-3304   USA
will at dedicationtechnologies.com
Tel: +1 413 253-7223   (GMT ­5)
Fax: +1 206 202-0476

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20110914/0950a8e1/attachment.html 


Google

More information about the Hidden-discuss mailing list