iTunes Importing?


1. What "CODEC" do you use to import CDs into iTunes?

2. If using very large hard drives should WAV or AIFF be used?

3. What is the difference between WAV and AIFF?

4. Does Apple Lossless sound as good as "uncompressed"?

5. Does iTunes "rip" CDs "bit for bit"?

Thanks for sharing your time!
brianhoyer
Jefferybowman2k, OK, so iTunes is locked into a weaker digital format by their attachment to the original iPod. What about other music servers like Real Networks? Is there any online music store that allows audiophiles to purchase and download individual song files in lossless high quality digital formats?

Mrjstark, I have not had problems manipulating digital files from iTunes or otherwise, but there is no way to add information back to compressed files purchased from the iTunes store, is there? I am more concerned with getting all the digital information encoded at the beginning of the recording/transferring process. Those of us who care about these things should provide a big enough market for someone to try to serve quality music files over the Internet. I would think Mr. Paul - Experience Music Project - Allen would get this and be doing something about it.
I thought iTMS was going DRM-free?

I also thought there were some offerings in higher quality format from iTMS.
The best downloads, and my personal favorite for quality is MusicGiants and no copy protection. Second, is IMusic.com but selection is very limited. I am not 100% positive but I think it is also copy protection free . As of DRM- free Itunes the word is that they may indeed provide DRM-free downloads but for their lower resolution offerings since new higher resolution format for Itunes is around the corner. So far there is very limited library of H-resolution downloads from Itunes but I am sure it is not going to take long to rebuild their whole library around new format.
P.S
I have my own way of copying Cd and downloads that provide the best quality and convenience . Converting, copying and archiving is done by a professional company for a very reasonable amount of money ( a little over a dollar per CD or CDR ). This is my own personal way of storing my most important and best recordings.
I can give you a link if you want to try it. They can convert to any format you want.