posted
I happen to own iTunes (downloaded it onto my computer meaning) and I know the store can be used on Windows, but I use WMP for all my music need (I knoew, WinAmp is better but I like the toolbar mode of WMP) and if I got music exclusivley for iTunes I'd probably never listen to it. So what's the equivalent that will play on WMP?
posted
The problem with iTunes is that the format of the songs is incompatible with anything except Apple software or hardware. Unless you have the money to afford an iPod, you can't carry them with you. That alone makes their business model completely incompatible with my ideals.
If you want to try it, there are Winamp toolbars out there, but they aren't official.
This way, if you Windows users want lossless WMA, you can have it. I don't think the file size tradeoff is worth it for me, though. I'm satisfied with 160k AAC.
Also, since MPEG-4 is an open format, there are plenty of free Windows encoders for it that will encode music you can play in iTunes or on an iPod. You do sometimes have to do some fiddling, though (like, for example, ensuring that your encoded files have .m4a or .m4p extensions rather than .mp4 extensions).
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Edit:
As to the actual question, I don't know. I'm not really sure that I would buy music online. I like having a physical CD with liner notes and everything.
posted
But twink, that licensing is just for the iPod, not the iTMS. And while contributing funds to get (the superior) WMA on the iPod (hey, the article called it "superior" ), it hasn't happened yet, and it won't happen unless MS gets in on it (which they probably will... they aren't stupid).
quote:Also, since MPEG-4 is an open format, there are plenty of free Windows encoders for it that will encode music you can play in iTunes or on an iPod. You do sometimes have to do some fiddling, though (like, for example, ensuring that your encoded files have .m4a or .m4p extensions rather than .mp4 extensions).
Can you show me an AAC decoder that is available for free that doesn't require jumping through hoops to use? If so, you'd mostly defuse my point on AAC. However, the Apple encoding technique is different enough from the standard MPEG-4 format (to insert DRM tech) that I don't see general MPEG-4 decoders working. Got any examples that actually work?
And you know, if Apple manages to get WMA working on the iPod, I'd consider grabbing one. Consider being the operative word, since they are stil muy expensive for what is basically a toy (and fashion statement for some elitists). Someday I'll be able to afford lotsa toys.
[edit] Hee hee! After reading some of the (funny) responses to Thurrott (who is definitely way biased), I came across a hillarious statement by someone who must not be firing on all cylinders:
quote:I usually dont reply to trolls but felt this matter must be debated. I own an AthlonXP 1900 with a Nvidia GeForce 4 that currently runs w2k, it USED to run XP Pro. I also own an iBook G3 300 w/288mbb RAM, and a 4 gig HD. I recently installed Panther 10.3 on this little clamshell iBook. It runs quite smooth, although I can complain about the boot time. I cannot see XP Pro running on these specs with this type of smoothness with the interface.
Guess I shouldn't tell him about my old 233 Mhtz laptop that runs XP just fine (even though below requirements) with full GUI, and even with the theming patch to run non-MS themes and logons.
[ March 24, 2004, 11:14 PM: Message edited by: John L ]
Posts: 779 | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
Having the HP-iPod support WMA would be wise. Having the Apple iPod support it, or having iTMS sell WMA, though, would be stupid. How in the heck could Apple possibly spin that one? No, iTMS is for people who want to 1) keep their tunes on their computer, 2) burn them to CDs, or 3) have iPods. That's the way it's going to have to be.
Besides which, most people don't want WMA. They want MP3s, because everything plays those. But I don't see MS, Napster, Real (ugh), or Apple lining up to sell MP3s. WMA may be lossless, but the file sizes are large – an MP3 or AAC file is about 1/10 the size of its source WAV, while a lossless WMA file is about 1/2 the size of the WAV. Not the most convenient way to buy audio for folks with dialup.
WMA, format for elitists and broadband snobs
A free AAC decoder? Doesn't iTunes for Windows play non-protected AAC? I have 2,700 individual songs on my hard drive, most of which are in unprotected AAC, and they play fine in iTunes on the Mac. Actually, I have a housemate and good friend with an iPod and a PC laptop, and he's ripped and encoded all of his records to unprotected AAC as well. So iTunes does encode and decode AAC, and it's free.
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I couldn't possibly imagine running OS X on a system with less than 384MB of RAM. You really ought to have 512MB. That guy must have a very interesting definition of 'usable.'
posted
You could burn it to an audio CD and rip it back on the computer as a .wav using a different program. I haven't personally done it, but I've watched someone else do it, so I know it's doable.
If you don't have a CD burner, though, I have no idea.
Posts: 2292 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I think he's asking for alternative stores that use WMA or MP3. In which case you want something like Napster2, Rhapsody, eMusic, BuyMusic, MusicNet, MusicMatch... Even Microsoft and Sony are coming out with their own services soon. As far as pointing out unique ones, there's AllOfMp3 if you want to stay away from DRM and don't mind supporting the Russian mafia; MagnaTune is great for supporting musicians free from the RIAA's grasp; CDBaby is not a download site per se, but is the largest distributor of independent music outside of Amazon. (Needless to say, if you have any morals, you'll support the latter two exclusively.)
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), it hasn't happened yet, and it won't happen unless MS gets in on it (which they probably will... they aren't stupid).![[Wink]](wink.gif)
