**Merged** Napster Launches UK Service Today!

[andygrif]

Originally Posted by Stewh

of course, you could always just use http://www.mp3unsigned.com and find some awesome unsigned bands, e.g. Young Georgian Lolitaz, Devane, Milk, A.D.L.A. etc etc etc

all mp3's, easily converted to WMA

Doesn't have the new Busted song on it though does it????

There will be a few of these popping up - this is what Stelios is planning too, with 'Copy Left' material available freely. Also Wippit is worth trying - but for me I'm sticking to the ripping - there's probably not much on Napster that I don't have on CD in fact I know I have more tracks!

[John Smiths]

Originally Posted by andygrif

<snip>

Mimi is right - the new Napster will only have WMA files, as Mp3's don't have the digital rights management.

So for us 'podders we'll have to wait until iTunes Music Store launches in the UK

<snip>

AFAIK, with the latest version of iTunes, you can convert WMAs to MP3s...so iPodders on PCs would still be able to use the service...

EDIT: Ahhh....only unprotected WMAs can be converted and they use protected ones....oh well!!

[poolking]

Does anyone know whether this service will work with winamp? I can't stand Windows Media Player.

[andygrif]

Originally Posted by John Smiths

AFAIK, with the latest version of iTunes, you can convert WMAs to MP3s...so iPodders on PCs would still be able to use the service...

EDIT: Ahhh....only unprotected WMAs can be converted and they use protected ones....oh well!!

Yep...no joy for us yet!

Originally Posted by poolking

Does anyone know whether this service will work with winamp? I can't stand Windows Media Player.

Can you play WMA files on Winamp? I'm not sure the DRM would work in it, perhaps someone else knows or have a look at the Winamp website.

[poolking]

Originally Posted by andygrif

Yep...no joy for us yet!



Can you play WMA files on Winamp? I'm not sure the DRM would work in it, perhaps someone else knows or have a look at the Winamp website.

Just checked the winamp site v5.0.3 now includes support for WMP9 audio, so it looks like it could do.

[Alan Waddington]

The subscription service looks interesting if you listen to a lot of music at your PC, but then you can listen to the radio for free. I like the idea of custom compilations though, as that could work out cheaper then buying several CDs when you only want one or two tracks from each. Am I right in assuming that the transfer to CD option creates a normal CD-ROM that can be played in a CD-player?

[andygrif]

I was unsure about that model. £10 a month sounds a lot to just listen to stuff - after all I can go to HMV and do just that! Surely only the download and burn to disc function is the attractive part of any such online music service - and you still have to pay extra to do that. I might be wrong on this, but I don't think the subscription version will do that well - but it could be a caviat that the music industry required here (which is probably what's holding Apple up too)

[Richard M]

I saw something interesting today.
I walked through Central Square (Cardiff) to go to work and on the floor were loads and loads of Napster.co.uk logos drawn in chalk.
Very impressive they were too, it must have been an official thing.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by andygrif

<snip> but it could be a caviat that the music industry required here (which is probably what's holding Apple up too)

Originally Posted by andygrif

Merged threads always confuse the hell outta me!! Mimi is right - the new Napster will only have WMA files, as Mp3's don't have the digital rights management.

So for us 'podders we'll have to wait until iTunes Music Store launches in the UK - I think now Napster has there will be a big push fairly soon - although they have run into the arrogant Euro record labels that like to control the market by keeping release dates different in each market. As Apple runs iTunes on a low margin basis they would really need the whole of Europe as a suitable market to make it worth doing.

[andygrif]

Stop being clever!

The two things are connected - there's actually a lot more to this story than I can tell you right now. Let's just say there are some 'issues'.

[poolking]

Just tested it, winamp will start to play the wma, but then shut down.

[bigitup_j]

Originally Posted by bigitup_j

at the bottom of the page

in other words, it's gonna happen!

and yes, it has happened...
ntl and napster partnership
i can read ntl like a book!

[ntl customer]

All I can say is don't buy into it. Don't support the rip-off mechants that are the record companies. They charge enough already for CD singles but this is worse value, compared to the quality you get on a CD single. There you get a physical product that you can play on whatever you choose, in a format you choose.

£1.10 for a compressed DRM-protected WMA file is very poor value if you buy the track outright.

I don't have a problem with the DRM there to control the subscription based model where you buy an monthly sub where you can listen to as many as you want, but if people go and buy it outright, then you should be entitled to have the DRM free uncompressed wave file IMO and also covers if you want so you can make your own CD.

If this service does take off, then it maybe the end of proper CD quality music as we know it

[Russ]

Well I've just signed up for Napster UK - I get a week's free service so I'm going to download everything I can find! It really does seem like a good idea.

[seaneeboy]

Sigh. "Songs cost only £1.09 a track".

Pay more for a system that relies on NTLs network working, files that are tightly restricted as to what you can do with them, no artwork, no media.

I really don't see the point!

When it comes down to 60p a track (that I can download to a player), I'll think about it.

They've so very NEARLY got it right, it's so frustrating!