Questions about Audible.com

[Mediahound]

I'm thinking about joining Audible.com since I now have a one hour + commute each way.

I have a few questions though:

Does iTunes work any better for audiobooks than Audible if I'm on a Mac?

Is the audio quality with iTunes Store better than Audible?

If I join the one book a month plan, can I still buy other books through Audible?

If I join the 2 per month plan, can I downgrade if I want later?


Thanks in advance for any info.!

[Podunk]

[/B][/QUOTE] Does iTunes work any better for audiobooks than Audible if I'm on a Mac?
On a Mac, you can download from iTMS or directly from Audible. Either way you use iTunes to manage and transfer to iPod. When you download from Audible, the files are automatically loaded into iTunes. Either way works fine. Although, if you want one of the subscription plans, you have to go through Audible.com
Is the audio quality with iTunes Store better than Audible?
Files from iTunes are 32kps AAC. Files downloaded directly from Audible.com are 32kps .aa format if you use Format 4. They sound pretty much the same quality to me. (I wouldn't use the lower quality Formats from Audible unless you are on dial-up).
If I join the one book a month plan, can I still buy other books through Audible?
Yes, you can still buy other books or programs on an ala carte basis in addition to your monthly allowance.
If I join the 2 per month plan, can I downgrade if I want later?

Yes, you can switch from one to the other.

[robert]

Audible Ultimate Listner Plan for $120 up front (Following copied from my account\my membership):

UltimateListener?. Get 12 audiobook credits per year. The audiobook credits can be used to purchase any audiobook product. The audiobook credits expire 2 years from their date they are issued. In addition, UltimateListener members get discounts of 50% off any subscription product and 20% off audiobook product not bought using your UltimateListener audiobook credits.

Audible sent out an email re this plan to only some customers. However, if you email them (assuming they get email back up), you can get changed over to this plan. Was told that if you use up the 12 books prior to expiration, you can buy another 12 books at any time.

If you are not now signed up with Audible, I would suggest that you sign up for a plan with a free Otis mp3 player and convert to Ultimate plan after a few months. You never know when you and significant other will want to listen to a different book or the same book at a different pace, so the extra player will come in handy. Or, you can lend the Otis to someone you are trying to convince to join Audible so you can get a free book.

I like the flexibility and ability to load up my iPod with several future reads -- going out of the country for three months, not sure what you want to read next, etc.