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Digital Rights Management and iTunes


This topic has been mentioned in a few threads for various reasons.

It seems many of us are trying to better organize our digital music libraries on computers.

Although I like iTunes and the iPod interface, I do not like DRM complicating my life for files I have purchased and rightfully own.

Similarly, I am currently frustrated that the Apple "lossless" format is proprietary and therefore cannot be used on my new HiFiMan player as I try to migrate to that player for higher portable fidelity.

So for the first time last night thanks to a suggestion in another thread, I noticed that it is not so complicated to back up a purchased iTunes library by "ripping" to CD.

Then, if I take that ripped music, and RE rip my backup CD - presto - I get unencumbered WAV files on my hard drive?

I suppose that adds a step in the process, but otherwise pretty surprising that DRM is so easily defeated?

Again, I am only doing this with music and files I have purchased and paid for from iTunes.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.
cwlondon
ckoffend
684 posts
 
Ahhh, the downside to the newer versions of i-Tunes. I have worked hard to not upgrade iTunes and with it the more restrictive DRM. Of course by not upgrading, I swear iTunes can never find the album artwork for any CD is rip.

I buy most my CDs on Amazon, used. Typical price is $3 delivered, maybe splurge for $5-6 for a SACD, delivered. Just yesterday I had a short list of 3 new CDs I wanted and all three were available used, all three from different retailers delivered for under $10.

My library has an excellent source of music - both new and old, classical, jazz, blues, rock, pop, you name it.
hotmailjbc
571 posts
 
i burn a couple of copies for the systems around the house. you have it figured out. i too try and buy cds but the nearest store is 70 miles away and some things i want right now!! ha so i accept the slightly diminished itunes sound quality.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 

Ah - now I get it?

So if I backup to CD-R, it may be a WAV file which I can then re rip anywhere I like, but since it was first downloaded from iTunes, it's not as good as a normal CD?
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
"I buy most my CDs on Amazon, used. Typical price is $3 delivered, maybe splurge for $5-6 for a SACD, delivered."

As nice as that sounds Amazons mandates $2.49 shipping charge on CD's from their sellers so I find this VERY hard to believe. Don't get me wrong I love Amazon and buy most of my music from them. I guess you could find some CD's for 51 cents but few and far between. IMO.

If you ripped your iTunes DRM tunes to CD you likely will not be able to play it on anything. This has been my experience. It is in the iTunes agreement you checked "I Agree" to before you downloaded them. Sucks, but true. On the bright side they are low quality downloads anyway so just buy the CD if it's any good and move on. My 2 cents.
sufentanil's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sufentanil
782 posts
 
Actually, Srwooten, there are many CD's available used on Amazon for 1 cent + shipping, so around $3. Lots more available for $2-6 + shipping, so around $4-9 all-inclusive.

I share the MO of purchasing used off of Amazon and then ripping them into FLAC, and it works great for me and I continue to have physical media as a backup.

Michael
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