Legal music downloads

[doctor_prox]

Hi, maybe im way behind the times, but is there any cheap music download sites available. Ive heard about itunes but doesnt that create some special filetype that wont be compatible with most mp3 players (i dont have an ipod).

Cheers.
Jason

[DsW]

Try http://music.download.com/

[oyster]

MP3Tunes looks interesting. mp3.com was brilliant back when Michael Robertson ran it (its rubbish now), and this is his new venture.

[Knoxville]

napster isn't a bad service, i've been using they're free trial over the last week and the download speeds are very nice.

[utdmleach]

http://www.tescodownloads.com/

Don't use em myself, I don't want to be limited to a certain amount of transfers or CD Burns for my music, I buy CD's in good nick for under £7.99 n e ways.

[doctor_prox]

Cheers guys ill check them out

[directhex]

Originally Posted by doctor_prox

Hi, maybe im way behind the times, but is there any cheap music download sites available. Ive heard about itunes but doesnt that create some special filetype that wont be compatible with most mp3 players (i dont have an ipod).

Cheers.
Jason

what you're talking about is Digital Right Management - restrictions placed on files to prevent users from using them in 'unauthorized' ways. Such as only being able to play a file X number of times, on X computers or devices, within X authorized dates.

There are 4 schemes in use commonly:

The Apple iTunes Music Store distributes files in AAC format, with 'FairPlay' DRM on it, which can only be decoded by iTunes or the iPod.

Windows Media protection is used by 99% of stores out there, such as HMV or Napster, and is usually a rebranding of a service run by www.od2.com. WMA files sold by these outlets have WM DRM on it. The files can be played on most (but not all) modern non-apple players.

The last two are fairly fringe - Sony Connect uses ATRAC3 files with Sony DRM, and Real Rhapsody uses RealAudio files with Rhapsody protection. Only Sony players can play ATRAC3, and I think a couple of creative players can play RA.

There are a VERY limited number of stores which will sell you files WITHOUT DRM on it, usually in MP3 or Ogg Vorbis format. The main example is www.bleep.com, which is run by Warp Records (Aphex Twin, Squarepusher). Files without DRM you are free to use as you like. There are some other DRM-free stores (a couple have already been noted), but you won't recognise any of the acts on there - that or they're illegal & run by the Russian mafia.

Plus, nowadays, CD is no protection either. Read http://apebox.net/index.php?section=...nts/music.rant for info on that.

[Atomic]

*removed* - supposidly legit, tho its legality is a bit suspect as its russian...

edit by hexxeh: nope, they have a licesne for radio distribution of live performances (opera, classical music concerts) only. they haven't paid licenses for copyrighted music for years, and even then, they are licensed as a radio station only.

[Knoxville]

Originally Posted by directhex

Windows Media protection is used by 99% of stores out there, such as HMV or Napster, and is usually a rebranding of a service run by www.od2.com. WMA files sold by these outlets have WM DRM on it. The files can be played on most (but not all) modern non-apple players.

It is however fairly straight forward to get around this, i've got about 3gb of napster mp3's on my ipod.

[miral78uk]

yeah hi im interested in downloading again. Use to use the old fashioned way years ago Now its time for a legit site so which one???????

Also if i use and American Monthly pay site do i have to pay VAT later???????
Please help, thanks

Is Mp3tunes.com anygood?

[miral78uk]

also what about www.mp3downloading.com ???? legal????

[directhex]

Originally Posted by Knoxville

It is however fairly straight forward to get around this, i've got about 3gb of napster mp3's on my ipod.

you lose a fair bit of audio quality doing it, and if you read your licesne terms, you're in breach - you're on no more legal ground than if you downloaded from kazaa

[directhex]

Originally Posted by miral78uk

also what about www.mp3downloading.com ???? legal????

they're an illegal paid version of kazaa. there are lots of them about

[directhex]

Originally Posted by miral78uk

yeah hi im interested in downloading again. Use to use the old fashioned way years ago Now its time for a legit site so which one???????

depends on what you want, and what fits you given my post from earlier

Also if i use and American Monthly pay site do i have to pay VAT later???????
Please help, thanks

no VAT is due, but subscription-based tracks have VERY tight useage restrictions, including an expiry date & small list of compatible players

Is Mp3tunes.com anygood?

depends whether you want big-name acts.

[Knoxville]

Originally Posted by directhex

you lose a fair bit of audio quality doing it, and if you read your licesne terms, you're in breach - you're on no more legal ground than if you downloaded from kazaa

Theres not much loss to my ears if any and besides, why should I have to pay for music that I can't use in my mp3 play just because its an ipod, its the same as the cd protection ****e imo.

[directhex]

Originally Posted by Knoxville

Theres not much loss to my ears if any and besides, why should I have to pay for music that I can't use in my mp3 play just because its an ipod, its the same as the cd protection ****e imo.

but you choose to pay them for their protected stuff, thereby suggesting to them that they should use this crap more & more?

if you don't like the terms, don't encourage them.

as it stands, you've not got legal tracks, you've simply paid for unlicensed, non-permitted music. not far different from paying for kazaa