Survey: We haven't totally abandoned CDs

[Psionicist]

Unless you back it up. I have my entire CD collection as .wma files backed up onto 4 DVDs.

People actually use WMA for music voluntarily?

Anyhow, I have all my CD:s backed up as FLAC, use 192 kbps cbr MP3:s for regular listening and reencode them to 96 for my digital audio player.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

I think the primary draw of wma is, you probably don't need to install a new program on your work computer to play them.

I know that, at work, they've rightly restricted the right to install programs. And with them soon opening up "dumb terminals" to 70% of the workers soon, it could get even worse.

The trouble is, I can't install iTunes or some other program that can read mp3s. So I either play my CDs with cda format, or I burn my mp3s to a CD and play it in my portable player, neither of which is a great solution.

If we install wma files on a computer, will Windows Media recognize them, without any extra codecs/filters/whatever? I'd like to move my collection to work (about 24 hours of music), but I can't install any new EXEs.

 

[Psionicist]

Hmm. Windows Media Player doesn't support MP3's natively?

Anyhow, if you can run files but not install (as in modify the registry and such) you can try 1by1, a 50 kb MP3-player that doesn't require installation: http://www.mpesch3.de/

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

Hmm. Windows Media Player doesn't support MP3's natively?

I've never had that problem. My PC at work (Windows 2K with some old copy of WMP on it) plays all my Radiohead mp3's that I used to bring in on a disc. I got an iPod now so I haven't experimented with WMP in a while.

I still buy CD's, but the first thing I do when it's out of the package is rip it onto my hard drive with iTunes, update my iPod, and hand the CD to my girlfriend to keep in her car. And this is after I just bought a sweet Alpine CD player for my car less than a year ago! Sigh. I didn't spring for a tape deck for it, so I have to use an FM transmitter on the iPod to play it on my car stereo, which can cut in and out depending on where I drive.

Also, I know the heartbreak of losing all of your digital music all too well. My old HD took a poop in February and I lost several years worth of files. It took me weeks to reload all my old CD's. I might have to start doing regular backups of my archives every few months or so.

 

[Ranger REG]

Digital music may be the hot media thing, but consumers still overwhelmingly prefer traditional CDs and radios.

Umm. Aren't music on CDs usually encoded into digital?

BTW, while I do prefer CDs, many electronic store chains like Circuit City prefer to put digital music players like iPod on sale than the latest CD players that have MP3 or WMA readable feature. The reason I don't go for them is simple: I don't have plastic. So until my local Tower Records store have a kiosk or a vending machine that allow me to put a dollar bill to download one particular music in a format of my choice, I'm going to stick with CD albums and singles.

Maybe Apple Computer Co. should consider building something like this for commercial purpose.

 

[Alan Shutko]

Well, they do have iTunes gift cards at places like target that you could buy with cash and use to get tunes.

 

[Ranger REG]

Well, they do have iTunes gift cards at places like target that you could buy with cash and use to get tunes.

Yeah. Now if only Target would build their first chain store in Hawaii.

*blows raspberry*

 

[GlassJaw]

Aren't music on CDs usually encoded into digital?

Not usually, they all are.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

Umm. Aren't music on CDs usually encoded into digital?

I believe the point was, people prefer to buy items they can touch and see. People prefer CDs over downloaded music because CDs just seem more real. Sure, you can get most of the songs online, either legally or illegally, but you can't get the inserts that come with the CDs.

 

[Desdichado]

Uhg, worst format ever. Crippled my microsofts control of the format.

Give me a solid clean mp3 anyday, encoded to at 128.

I agree--although I prefer 196.