Mp3's and Amazon.com - how good are they?

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: Spacehead

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
I think most are actually 256kbps VBR, although some albums are CBR.

Don't they list that info before you buy? I've never bought one so i'm asking.

Yes, but not with much detail. Near the top of the product page there will be a line that reads something like:

Format: MP3, 256 kbps ? plays on iPod® and all MP3 players

 

[spaceghost21]

Originally posted by: Quintox
Nothing but great experience w/ Amazon MP3's

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Even so, it would cost them next to nothing to offer FLAC downloads to people who want them, which is why there's no reason not to do it IMO. Digital distribution has an extremely long tail, which is why stores like Amazon, iTunes, etc. can offer digital downloads for even small unknown artists who have maybe a few dozen or hundred downloads a month.

Spacehead: You'd have to check the product pages, I'm not sure. I think they usually list the bitrate, but not whether it's CBR or VBR.

With the exception of new servers to store the larger FLAC files, more than doubling the resources they already use to serve up their MP3s, including the higher bandwidth used to send the FLAC files.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Even so, it would cost them next to nothing to offer FLAC downloads to people who want them, which is why there's no reason not to do it IMO. Digital distribution has an extremely long tail, which is why stores like Amazon, iTunes, etc. can offer digital downloads for even small unknown artists who have maybe a few dozen or hundred downloads a month.

Spacehead: You'd have to check the product pages, I'm not sure. I think they usually list the bitrate, but not whether it's CBR or VBR.

With the exception of new servers to store the larger FLAC files, more than doubling the resources they already use to serve up their MP3s, including the higher bandwidth used to send the FLAC files.

I guess you don't realize that bandwidth costs money. Not to mention they already make VERY little money selling digital music. Add those two things together and it will most likely COST them money to offer FLAC at the current price point.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
Excellent. I buy all my music there now, though I still use iTunes to browse. Amazon needs some work in their UI.

My general impression is that Amazon needs a lot of work on their UI. If I already know what I want to buy, then I can probably find it. However, if I want to buy stuff without knowing before hand, then it's difficult to browse through their catalog.

 

[Fenixgoon]

well i ended up buying the album (Echoes of War: the Music of Blizzard by Eminence Symphony Orchestra). It is indeed 256k VBR. sounds great though. i would have bought the retail package if it weren't $40 + s/h

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Even so, it would cost them next to nothing to offer FLAC downloads to people who want them, which is why there's no reason not to do it IMO. Digital distribution has an extremely long tail, which is why stores like Amazon, iTunes, etc. can offer digital downloads for even small unknown artists who have maybe a few dozen or hundred downloads a month.

Spacehead: You'd have to check the product pages, I'm not sure. I think they usually list the bitrate, but not whether it's CBR or VBR.

With the exception of new servers to store the larger FLAC files, more than doubling the resources they already use to serve up their MP3s, including the higher bandwidth used to send the FLAC files.

I guess you don't realize that bandwidth costs money. Not to mention they already make VERY little money selling digital music. Add those two things together and it will most likely COST them money to offer FLAC at the current price point.

Server storage and bandwidth is relatively cheap. I thought I've read that with iTunes delivery costs (bandwidth, storage, etc.) are pennies per song. Their biggest costs are the labels of course and then probably transaction fees. Single track FLAC downloads may not make much sense when the CC company charges you a large minimum fee for each transaction, but I don't see how FLAC album downloads couldn't be profitable. But then again you'd think they would offer them if it was possible, so who knows. Might send an email to Amazon asking about it, will probably just get a lame canned response, though.