MP3 downloading

[FlyingForFun]

Hi guys,

I'm after some advice from the music fans on the forum.

My girlfriend has an MP3 player which she hardly ever uses, because she has a very large CD collection but hardly any MP3s. Of course she could rip the CDs, but she finds it easier to just play the CDs as they are.

So, to help her use her MP3 player, I thought I'd buy her some credit on a music download site for Christmas. Only I can't seem to find a single site which meets her requirements. I'm looking for a site which:

- Is legal
- Supplies MP3 files (as opposed to WMA - her player claims to support WMA, but in actual fact doesn't seem to play them at all, something to do with the security, I think)
- Has a good selection of main-stream records.

So far, the only sites I've found which supply MP3s are either file-sharing site which I don't think are legal, or else they only have records from independant labels.

I'm pretty sure that this week's Gadget Show on Channel 5 had an article on this subject and recommended a couple of sites, but it was only on in the background and I wasn't really paying much attention.

Any advice???

FFF
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[Flyrr100]

Apple's iTunes lets you copy CDs onto your hard drive, and then copt the files as MP3s onto any MP3 player. You also have access to Apple's Music Store. That sells you songs, albums, or videos that can be transferred to MP3 players. Only snag with iTunes is, it won't allow you burn any Music Store stuff onto a CD.
Not sure if you can buy iTunes credit though.

Good luck

[Terraplaneblues]

These tunes are downloaded as MP3 I believe, about 0.69GBP each.

ntlworld music download site (http://sib1.od2.com/common/Framework.aspx?shid=0170008A)

[FlyingForFun]

Terrraplane, according to the FAQ on that site: "Windows Media Audio file (WMA) is the format available in this shop".

Flyrr100, can you download MP3s from iTunes? I assumed that it would be some Apple-specific format which wouldn't be compatible with anything other than an iPod? I'll have a look into it.

Any more suggestions?

FFF
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[whiz]

FFF
You can definitely download MP3s from iTunes. The ipod can be configured to run in apple or windows format, negating the need for any apple specific tomfoolery

[Fire 'n' Forget]

www.allofmp3.com (http://)

A russian site (so click union jack) all music in mp3 with various choices of quality i.e 128kps, 192kps HQ and 320kps which is CD quality.

It is all legal and the prices are in USD so works out even cheaper for us brits. Most ALBUMS can be downloaded for about $2 tops. Itunes got the cheek to charge 79p per track.

[NotTheOrganGrinder]

It is all legal

I'm sure I read somewhere that it is not legal, I shall try to dig it out again.

Edit: Here it is (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/22/allofmp3_probe/)

A russian site

The day I send my credit card details to Russia is the day Satan puts his mittens on. Mind you they probably have cloned all my cards already.

[AppleMacster]

iTunes tracks are designed to run on iPods an iTunes software only. However, this (http://www.hotrecorder.com/) new piece of software enables you to translate them into mp3 format.

AppleMacster.

[Fire 'n' Forget]

Nottheorgangrinder

Nice link, however until the courts sort that one out then its fair game. As we all know Apple etc are all being dragged to the courts here as well regarding downloading

And as for your credit card details, how do you definately know where the server is located every time you order goods. Just because you order from a well known highstreet name a lot of them outsource there online credit transactions. Thats what online credit card protection is for after all. I (and mostly all my colleagues) have used this site for over a year and have had no problems.

[BRL]

Hi FuFu, what a great idea!!

If you open Windows Media Player, look for the MSN Music UK tab at the top, click it and the world is your oyster, plus it is 100% legal. Cheap too which is a bonus.

Take it easy.. :)

[Flyrr100]

Of course you could always do what millions before you have done. Download Lime Wire and start ripping tunes for free.
Also works great on Macs. (So I'm told of course!;) )