Which media player?

[Sunny Kate]

I've a new technological challenge to confront - an MP3 player which we intend using in the car instead of the CD player.

Apparently I need to 'rip' music from the cds I have to transfer it to the MP3. I don't really want to update to Windows Media Player 11 as it seems to have too many 'bells and whistles' that I don't need so I wonder if anyone can suggest other free media players that are easy for a novice ripper.

My Windows Media player is v.9 and I gather it won't do what I need. I also have the VLC Media Player but can't find any instructions as to how ripping is done.

Any advice appreciated.

[dave pusey]

I've always used a free program called CDex which you can download here... SourceForge.net: CDex: Downloading ...

Once installed, run the program.

If you get a message about "Native NT SCSI Library" just answer yes.

The first time you run it, you will need to go to Options menu, Settings, Remote CDDB and fill in the Your E-mail Address box. It's ok, it just allows you to automatically download the track names. Then tick the Auto connect to remote CDDB checkbox. Click OK to close the Options window.

Once loaded, pop an Audio CD into you CD-ROM Drive. The screen will refresh with all the track names loaded from the Internet. If for whatever reason it cannot get them it will say AudioTrack 01, AudioTrack 02, etc. instead.

Press CTRL+A to select all the tracks, then F9 to begin the process.

Once completed, the MP3 files will be in My Documents\My Music\MP3

[jaydax]

Dave's suggestion is the one to get for ripping CDs. There are other methods of getting mp3 files as well though.
1. You can buy them over Internet - places like Amazon.com, I-tunes and lots of others sell them. Prices are low - much less than the cost of a CD
2. You can get them from peer to peer file sharing sites such as Limewire - not recommended since you are also breaking copyright law and risking heavy fines.
3. You can download mp3 files from newsgroups - again not recommended since although it's legal, it does not follow the spirit of the law.
3. You can get the files legally from Internet radio sites using software such as RadioTracker

[Guy]

Yes, however don't forget that if you are a UK resident copying or ripping CDs (even if you have bought the cd you are ripping) is illegal and many people have been fined for doing just that.
Worst case scenario you could lose the car your mp3 player (and therefore the illegal music) is in.

Cheers
Guy

[KiteRunner]

I don't think anyone has been fined for copying their own CD onto an MP3 player and listening to it in their car. The fines have been for uploading music onto the internet to share with other people.

[Grimsqueaker]

I don't think anyone has been fined for copying their own CD onto an MP3 player and listening to it in their car. The fines have been for uploading music onto the internet to share with other people.

As with any published material, you need to investigate the licence under which it was published...

For the majority of CD's sold through UK retailers, copying them would be in breach of that licence and so illegal...

[Sunny Kate]

Thanks to you all for your input.

Dave, I've cut & pasted the instructions and think I'll be able to follow them. We have some favourite cds that usually travel with us so they can be left at home when the MP3 is loaded.

jaydax, may try the buy - download suggestion when I feel more confident about using this new beastie. Will have a look at the sites you mentioned.

Guy, I 'm aware that copyright is a minefield. When I was working in schools we always had to be mindful of the difficulties. :(
Don't know what the Oz restrictions are in regards to copying cds for personal use but in some instances one copy of a cd that has been purchased is allowed as a backup.
I've not heard of people being charged except for illegal downloads from some internet sites but .....