iTunes Music Store Question

[pahn]

Ok, I understand that each song is 99 cents, or around there or whatever. I have a few questions.

First, what format does this download into?

If it is MP3,
Can I transfer these songs to an MP3 player, not necessarily the iPod?
Are there restrictions on usage, like how many times I can play it etc.?

If it is not MP3,
Can it be converted into MP3, and then transfered to an MP3 player?
Can it be converted and then burned onto an MP3 CD?

 

Format is AAC. There are some DRM-like features but they're not too restrictive. The music CAN be transferred to a portable player as long as it plays AAC, AFAIK.

 

[PowerMacG5]

The songs are purchased in a format called Protected AAC. It is Mpeg Audio Layer 4 (mp4 if you like). The file extension is .m4p for MPEG 4 protected. You cannot directly convert this file into a .m4a file (non secure AAC). YOu can, however, burn this song onto a blank CD, and then rip it back to any format you like. There will be quality loss though. If you do not have an iPod, but only an mp3/wma player, I suggest you look at one of those many services.

 

[pahn]

Originally posted by: Marauder911
The songs are purchased in a format called Protected AAC. It is Mpeg Audio Layer 4 (mp4 if you like). The file extension is .m4p for MPEG 4 protected. You cannot directly convert this file into a .m4a file (non secure AAC). YOu can, however, burn this song onto a blank CD, and then rip it back to any format you like. There will be quality loss though. If you do not have an iPod, but only an mp3/wma player, I suggest you look at one of those many services.

services?

anyhow, how great would the quality loss be? and is the file size comparable to an MP3?

 

[HomerSapien]

listening through typical headphones, not to noticeable. hifi systems it is a little annoying, but that is my opinion.
it sounds like a 128kbps mp3(not as crisp and bass isnt as deep on my system). Btw, in my opinion a 128kbps aac is about the same as 192 kbps mp3, just for comparison. just buy a song and check it out for yourself since its only a buck.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: HomerSapien
listening through typical headphones, not to noticeable. hifi systems it is a little annoying, but that is my opinion.
it sounds like a 128kbps mp3(not as crisp and bass isnt as deep on my system). Btw, in my opinion a 128kbps aac is about the same as 192 kbps mp3, just for comparison. just buy a song and check it out for yourself since its only a buck.

or you can actually double click a song an hear a sample of it..

itunes I think is actually a VERY good idea

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: HomerSapien
listening through typical headphones, not to noticeable. hifi systems it is a little annoying, but that is my opinion.
it sounds like a 128kbps mp3(not as crisp and bass isnt as deep on my system). Btw, in my opinion a 128kbps aac is about the same as 192 kbps mp3, just for comparison. just buy a song and check it out for yourself since its only a buck.

or you can actually double click a song an hear a sample of it..

itunes I think is actually a VERY good idea

Indeed, but I wish they would have in 192kbps ACC format and more selections

 

[DigDug]

no hacker has made a convertor yet?

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: HomerSapien
listening through typical headphones, not to noticeable. hifi systems it is a little annoying, but that is my opinion.
it sounds like a 128kbps mp3(not as crisp and bass isnt as deep on my system). Btw, in my opinion a 128kbps aac is about the same as 192 kbps mp3, just for comparison. just buy a song and check it out for yourself since its only a buck.

or you can actually double click a song an hear a sample of it..

itunes I think is actually a VERY good idea

Indeed, but I wish they would have in 192kbps ACC format and more selections

yea their selections suck... they dont even have DMB!

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: DigDug
no hacker has made a convertor yet?

DVDJon did (well, sorta, but not really).