View Full Version : help im computer illiterate
simon
12-20-2003, 10:18 AM
Hi there,
Can anyone help? I don't know enough about computers so im helpless. I have ordered an i pod and in preperation have been putting loads of my cd's onto my pc, in the windows media player. I realise I need i tunes, but i have also realised i my music is in WMA files and not mp3. I would like to know how i put my cd's onto my pc in mp3 format from the start? If anyone can help that would be great.
Thanks,
Simon
deftdrummer1
12-20-2003, 11:25 AM
you need software known as a "ripper"
http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/downloads.php
http://www.cd-ripper.info/
Actually, you need a ripper and encoder. Ripping copies the music to your computer, encoding converts it to a compressed file, that will be much smaller than what you started with. Ripping/encoding is a balance between compression and quality--the more compression, the worse the quality.
There are different formats you can rip/encode to--you could use Itunes, which you can download from the Apple website, to make AAC files, or Cdex for mp3--each have their advantage and disadvantage. CDex is a good ripper/encoder (EAC/LAME is the best IMHO), especially if you're new to this.
I'd strongly recommend looking through the faq's here to learn a bit about MP3, AAC, and different bitrates.
Ewok^
12-20-2003, 01:55 PM
If he's computer illiterate then surely iTunes is the best, as its a single ripper/encoder and its easy peasy to use!
simon
12-21-2003, 07:22 AM
So if i download i tunes and then download my cd's onto that they will be in mp3 format? Is that right?
Thanks for the help.
THEMEMANIA
12-21-2003, 08:05 AM
Correct...or they can be AAC, which iPod also reads..these settings can be changed the preference menu.
Ewok^
12-21-2003, 10:10 AM
install iTunes, put a CD in. And it will do the rest. You just need to select all the tracks, right click and press convert to mp3.
Originally posted by simon
So if i download i tunes and then download my cd's onto that they will be in mp3 format? Is that right?
Thanks for the help.
By default, they will be in AAC. If you'd rather have mp3, You'll have to go into edit>preferences>importing and switch from the AAC encoder to the mp3 encoder.
ashawley
12-21-2003, 08:23 PM
You might consider your first step to download and install iTunes and thenhe read this handy thing they have called a Help Manual. ;)
Seriously - it will help you out a lot.
Click the "Help" menu at the top.
Adam
C'mon Adam, the original poster was "Simon", which probably means it's a he, which means there is no way he's gonna read a manual, or ask for directions when lost (and the more lost I am, and the more my wife asks me to stop for directions, I know personally I take it as a challenge, and become even less likely to stop; gets back to that age old hunters/gatherers thing), lift the lid on the toilet, etc.
Oh, yeah, I forgot--Christmas is coming up, I guess the manuals ARE a good thing--it will cut down on the traffic we're going to see go through the roof in a couple of days..:D