Downloading stuff

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

I believe here in Canada, we pay for the right to copy music every time we pay for blank media of any type. It was a step taken by the Canadian music industry to receive money, assuming that all of the blank media sold in Canada would be used for storing music. That includes tapes, disks, CD’s and mp3 players. I say download all you want you’ve already paid for the right.

No, the levy doesn't exist anymore and hasn't for a long time so that right is nolonger yours or very grey according to Canadian law.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

No, the levy doesn't exist anymore and hasn't for a long time so that right is nolonger yours or very grey according to Canadian law.

The levy does still exist.
However, initially the levy was also going to apply to MP3 players with a capacity greater than a certain limit. That part of the levy was removed. Back in April, the head of the CRIA called for removal of the levy because "we don't want a private copying levy that, in effect, sanctions online theft." link

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I use Yahoo Music Engine
http://ca.music.yahoo.com/

- like itunes but without the Apple crap and it costs $7.00 a month for unlimited songs that stream almost instantly. I've been able to find almost anything, even the rarest indie bands and obscure albums on there...everything but obscure 80s Canadian rock albums though (doh).

You can listen to anything almost instaneously, no download times, again unlimited but only as long as you have the subscription. If you don't subscribe, you can listen to 30 second samples and download all the songs to keep forever for $0.50 - $0.99 depending on the song.

They are 192kbps encoded though.

So, for $7 (USD?) per month I can d/l pretty much anything? Or I have to listen to it streamed?

And what does the 192kbps encoded thing mean? Is that bad?

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by 4X4

So, for $7 (USD?) per month I can d/l pretty much anything? Or I have to listen to it streamed?

And what does the 192kbps encoded thing mean? Is that bad?

You can't listen to the songs on an Ipod, or make a mp3 cd with yahoo. Also, I believe with those subscription services, you can only listen to the music as long as you are a subscriber. Ie, if you cancel your subscription, you lose access to all your songs.

[4X4]

In other words, I need to be connected to the internet to listen? And no downloading to my sony mp3 player?

The search continues... I think I'm going to have to check out your previous suggestion allofmp3.com... I'm probably also going to have to scroll back to the top to check the addy again.

[shane_c]

I usually download my music from www.puretracks.com

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by shane_c

I usually download my music from www.puretracks.com

It isn't an issue for 4x4, but for others, keep in mind you cannot download from Puretracks and play them on iPod. From Puretrack's website:

2. Puretracks Files Do Not Play (as is) On Apple iPod music players
Apple does not support the Windows Media Audio (“WMA”) file format used by Puretracks and does not provide its “Fair Play” rights management technology which would allow Puretracks to sell iPod compatible files. When Puretracks files are burned to a CD through Windows Media Player 10, these music CDs will be recognized and can be ripped by iTunes.

[Hakan]

Usenet

alt.binaries.mp3.complete_cd

[Barnes]

Good old alt.binaries........

I love how shaw's newservers have anything you could possibly imagine but they shape bit torrent bandwidth?

[Buff]

I just want to clarify. I can download from allofmp3.com and emusic.com and not have any restrictions on what I can do to the file? (ie. convert & burn to cd or transfer to/from mp3 player as many times as I want)

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Buff

I just want to clarify. I can download from allofmp3.com and emusic.com and not have any restrictions on what I can do to the file? (ie. convert & burn to cd or transfer to/from mp3 player as many times as I want)

Yes, both offer mp3 downloads, which are by nature drm free. No restrictions whatsoever. allofmp3.com gets away with it because they are in Russia and following Russian law. They do pay royalties to artists, but not as much as the music industry would like.

emusic.com is also fully drm free, and is fully sanctioned by the artists whose music they sell. They have signed up mostly indie type bands, and seem to be getting more and more mainstream artists. ie, White Stripes and Raconteurs are now on-board. They attract artists and labels that don't believe you have to treat your fans like thieves.

[4X4]

Sorry to bump the thread, but thanks for all the suggestions. Now I just have to sit down long enough to make use of them...