Help with digital music services

Mar 11, 2004
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5,852
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Ok, so I'm soon going to have a hard drive mp3 player of the non iPod variety. I want to be able to buy music to put on it, and since there's usually only a few good songs on most CDs anymore, I imagine that I'd be looking at something like iTunes or one of the other online music stores.

What would be the best one to go with? Also, while I know that iTunes is supposed to be setup so that its necessary to use an iPod with it (due to the AAC format), I know that there had been other programs that allowed you to put it on a non iPod player.

**Summary**

Getting non-iPod player, want music for it.
Whats the best one to go with?
Is it possible to use iTunes without an iPod?

Open to other suggestions as well.
 

Weeeman

Platinum Member
Jun 2, 2004
2,114
0
0
allofmp3.com [Not exactly.. legit, but they have a great selection for cheap]
iTunes is my default music player, I do not own an ipod [Hope to soon though]
 

TechnoKid

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2001
5,575
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0
I've always wondered about iTunes mp3 quality, like what method of encoding they use etc.
 

Weeeman

Platinum Member
Jun 2, 2004
2,114
0
0
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I've always wondered about iTunes mp3 quality, like what method of encoding they use etc.


Im pretty sure its only 128 but I could be mistaken.
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
Originally posted by: Weeeman
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I've always wondered about iTunes mp3 quality, like what method of encoding they use etc.


Im pretty sure its only 128 but I could be mistaken.

you are correct.


from what i know, songs downloaded from iTunes can only be played on an iPod. Although didnt one of the other company's figure out a way to make thier player compabitly with iTunes for a while?
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
Originally posted by: Rallispec
Originally posted by: Weeeman
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I've always wondered about iTunes mp3 quality, like what method of encoding they use etc.


Im pretty sure its only 128 but I could be mistaken.

you are correct.


from what i know, songs downloaded from iTunes can only be played on an iPod. Although didnt one of the other company's figure out a way to make thier player compabitly with iTunes for a while?
is this true? seems really retarded from a business point of view... losing all those customers and all

 

Budmantom

Lifer
Aug 17, 2002
13,103
1
81
Originally posted by: Weeeman
allofmp3.com [Not exactly.. legit, but they have a great selection for cheap]
iTunes is my default music player, I do not own an ipod [Hope to soon though]

 

TechnoKid

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2001
5,575
0
0
Originally posted by: Weeeman
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I've always wondered about iTunes mp3 quality, like what method of encoding they use etc.


Im pretty sure its only 128 but I could be mistaken.

im sure its 128, but is it CBR? VBR? what codec do they use? if i am going to pay 99 cents for an [legit] mp3, i'd expect to be very close to CD; I've heard some horrible 128 and some great 128. I use LAME mp3 encoder, VBR, alt--preset standard. MP3 quality is what actually bugs me enough to actually buy the real CD for the better quality.
 

MetalMat

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2004
9,687
36
91
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
Originally posted by: Rallispec
Originally posted by: Weeeman
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I've always wondered about iTunes mp3 quality, like what method of encoding they use etc.


Im pretty sure its only 128 but I could be mistaken.

you are correct.


from what i know, songs downloaded from iTunes can only be played on an iPod. Although didnt one of the other company's figure out a way to make thier player compabitly with iTunes for a while?
is this true? seems really retarded from a business point of view... losing all those customers and all

Why do you think apple computers went downhill in the 80's? Cause of retarted decisions like this.