Carolpa, FLAC is fully compatible with BM5 but only to some extend in iTunes - as far as I'm aware it doesn't work on a connected iPod for example.

PhilLondon, interesting idea with the AIFF format. However, is doesn't appear on B&Os list of compatible formats for the BM5...?

I guess a reasonably practical solution to these issues could be to creaty (at least) two folders for the BM5 to scan; One containing iTunes(lossy) downloads and another containing lossless CD rips (necessitating other ripping software, e.g. Windows Media Player). Disadvantage would be that te iPod would not be able to read the lossless rips (unless there is some sort of conversion programme)......

And people say technology makes life easier - I miss the days of oldfashioned CDs... o)

redfresnel wrote:

If you really respect a program you create and you don't make versions for both Windows and OSX, that's currently just simply stupid.

isn't that a long time "problem" with mac's? 

I love my Mac and I use it a lot, but my PC works fine also. On the later I can find a much greater variety of sw (f.e. for ripping and tagging) 

The problem is that the people who create those programs don't realize how many users are really Mac users and they sometimes explain that it is expensive or too time consuming to do Mac versions of their programs.

An example: Yamaha had their sound mixer control software only for PC and many users told them they need the same program for Mac because the majority of sound engineers use Mac because it's a stable platform to be used with other sound software, for example ProTools. So, Yamaha's official answer was that it would be cheaper for them to buy a PC laptop for everyone who needs Mac version of the software and this they kept telling for some years after which they converted the program to work with Mac. As far as i know during this time they didn't buy anyone a PC laptop.

If you ask me it's a bit of an attitude thing, like it is that i don't want to use PCs anymore but still i claim that making programs work with both PC and Mac would just increase the program's value and credibility.

Carolpa wrote:

redfresnel wrote:

If you really respect a program you create and you don't make versions for both Windows and OSX, that's currently just simply stupid.

isn't that a long time "problem" with mac's? 

It's a problem with every OS. Cross-platform development is far from simple, especially for applications that have a GUI (like a music player) or interface with the hardware (like a music player).

Furthermore, if you want to develop for OSX, you need to have a Mac. Most of the other desktop OSs can be run on a single cheap PC, which will also host the development toolchains and emulators for most mobile platforms (except for Apple, of course).

Why ripping in a compression Codec? Why not just in WAV?

jc wrote:

Why ripping in a compression Codec? Why not just in WAV?

...........because it uses up to twice the disc space of Lossless codecs (flac, wma, Alac etc) and it doesn't handle tag information as well as wma & Alac (flac too suffers in not having the tagging area properly defined for specific tag data).

Ok, I've researched and think I found a good solution:

1) Rip CDs in "WMA Lossless" through Windows Media Player. Furthermore, if you want to download music, do this using one of the download services available through Windows Media Player to download music you don't have on CD (these are generally less lossy than iTunes' downloads). Make Beomaster 5 access this library only.

2) For those of us who like to use an iPod, import the rips/downloads into iTunes - this website will tell you how to do that 

Thanks for this useful information... unfortunately, the WMA conversion only works on Windows.  I think many of the complainers have Macs.

Stan

jc wrote:

Why ripping in a compression Codec? Why not just in WAV?

Because it takes up obscene amounts of space.

ALAC or FLAC are much better options - they produce exactly the same audio, but take up less space...

Just a quick addition to my comments. If you run an itunes library (for facilitate use of an iPod) in addition to your "master " library in Windows Media Player, make sure the iTunes library is NOT in a sub folder to your Windows Media Player library (which Windows 7 will probably suggest by default!)- otherwise, as Beomaster 5 accesses your Windows Media Player library, it may actually copy the iTunes library as well, thereby creating duplicates (at least with respect to tracks lagging metadata so that it cannot identify it as a duplicate).