Some miscellaneous thoughts:
- WMA as an audio format, DRM aside, is not an inherently bad idea; no worse than AAC. Is this a problem with the service, or a shortcoming of the iPod as its main competitors all support WMA? WMA offers the widest range of device support with the best DRM; their choice was pretty simple IMHO and they can't be blamed for it.
- They CAN be blamed for stopping at 192kbps. They'd get my money if they offered losslessly compressed WMA-Pro versions. My entire library is ripped as such and it's great. As it stands, I won't use them if they don't because I can't stand any lossy compression, period.
- As for the whole issue of limited copying, why not simply: 1) download tracks; 2) make iso image of tracks using burning software of choice; 3)re-rip tracks from image using DaemonTools, or the virtual disc tool that comes with Nero. Boom, no more protection and no wasted CDR's, though unless you re-rip losslessly you'll be subject to transcoding artefacts I guess. Did I mention I hate lossy compression?
- Personally, I pay homage to the bands I love by giving them my money. No matter how much the band finally gets, at least I know they're getting something. I'm not sure how the Canadian media levy works in this regard so I don't justify copying entirely on the basis of the levy. Is anyone aware of exactly how the money from the levy is distributed? Is Britney getting it all?
Slashdot Mirror
Whoops - sorry for the lack of formatting!
Some miscellaneous thoughts: - WMA as an audio format, DRM aside, is not an inherently bad idea; no worse than AAC. Is this a problem with the service, or a shortcoming of the iPod as its main competitors all support WMA? WMA offers the widest range of device support with the best DRM; their choice was pretty simple IMHO and they can't be blamed for it. - They CAN be blamed for stopping at 192kbps. They'd get my money if they offered losslessly compressed WMA-Pro versions. My entire library is ripped as such and it's great. As it stands, I won't use them if they don't because I can't stand any lossy compression, period. - As for the whole issue of limited copying, why not simply: 1) download tracks; 2) make iso image of tracks using burning software of choice; 3)re-rip tracks from image using DaemonTools, or the virtual disc tool that comes with Nero. Boom, no more protection and no wasted CDR's, though unless you re-rip losslessly you'll be subject to transcoding artefacts I guess. Did I mention I hate lossy compression? - Personally, I pay homage to the bands I love by giving them my money. No matter how much the band finally gets, at least I know they're getting something. I'm not sure how the Canadian media levy works in this regard so I don't justify copying entirely on the basis of the levy. Is anyone aware of exactly how the money from the levy is distributed? Is Britney getting it all?