Member Avatar for cath120

I would be grateful for any suggestions on the best way to convert CD's to audio files. The best format to use, then make them playable and downloadable from my website, which was constructed using HTML in Dreamweaver.

It is hosted using the 0$ package on Dot Easy.

Best regards

Catherine :rolleyes:

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Quick, practical primer (for ): the workflow is still the same — rip -> encode -> host -> embed/link — but two modern points matter: legal permission, and using HTML5 for playback. Uploading commercially copyrighted tracks for public streaming or downloads is a reproduction/distribution act reserved to the copyright owner under U.S. law; courts have ruled that services which stored and served uploaded copies can be liable. (law.cornell.edu)

Format and quality choices: MP3 remains the easiest single-file choice for broad browser/device support, and the main MP3 patent/licensing programs wound down in 2017. For better size/quality consider AAC or Opus (Opus is especially efficient for speech). For music, VBR around 192–320 kbps is a good tradeoff; for spoken-word, 64–128 kbps is usually fine. As other posters (for example , and ) noted, compatibility and perceived quality should guide your bit-rate choice. (loc.gov)

Embed with HTML5 (simple, supported, and user-friendly). Example pattern to show a player and give an explicit download link:

<audio controls preload="metadata">
  <source src="audio/track01.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
  <source src="audio/track01.ogg" type="audio/ogg">
  Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>

<a href="audio/track01.mp3" download>Download this track</a>

The controls UI is built-in; controlslist="nodownload" can hide a download button in some browsers but it does not prevent saving the file. Use server-side headers (Content-Disposition) to force a download response if you want that behavior. (developer.mozilla.org)

Bandwidth and streaming: a plain hosted file is progressive download — each listener pulls the whole file as they listen and that counts against your hosting bandwidth. True streaming (HLS/DASH/adaptive) requires chunked packaging or a streaming service/ CDN and is the right choice only if you expect many simultaneous listeners. If your host has small monthly limits (as mentioned by ) consider a third-party audio host or cloud storage + CDN to avoid overage. For details on adaptive streaming workflows see the HTML5 streaming guidance. (developer.mozilla.org)

Summary: don’t publish copyrighted music unless you have permission; use MP3 (or AAC/Opus) for compatibility/efficiency; embed with the HTML5 audio element and provide a clear download link; move big traffic to a host/CDN to protect your site’s bandwidth.

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Member Avatar for f1 fan

Just to point out... you do know it is illegal right?

Anyway the best way to convert a cd is using any one of the many free players out there such as win media player, real audio player etc etc. All have built in rippers and support multiformats - though mp3 or wma will be your best bet. Then you upload to your site and put links in. One will be to play the file and the other would be to download the file. Not that i am paranoid, but i am, so i wont post the code here and be cited for aiding and abetting the ripping off the overpriced music industry.

Member Avatar for Member #46692

Not that i am paranoid, but i am, so i wont post the code here and be cited for aiding and abetting the ripping off the overpriced music industry.

I have no such qualms :lol: (joke)

Yeah probably use windows media player to save the cd to wma format. However, I'm not sure if win media allows u to make mp3 files...

Which is THE file format of choice. LOL in that case here is a FREE utility that provides such an option. Use at ur own discretion. And dont do anything illegal!!!

http://www.mgshareware.com/frmmain.shtml

Member Avatar for Esopo

WMA has a tendency to produce better quality files with a smaller footprint, but I would recommend you use the more widely accepted format mp3. Here are many encoders:
http://www.mp3-converter.com/mp3_converter_freeware.htm

I personally use CDex, it works very well (and is free of course):
http://www.mp3-converter.com/cdex.htm

I would also recommend you encode your MP3s as 256kbps instead of the 128kbps standard (better quality although larger filesize).

And as stated above, I hope you are not planning on anything ilegal. You host won't let you be up for that long anyway.

Member Avatar for cath120

Thank you for your help. Would anyone be prepared to go more step by step through this for me?

Best regards

Catherine

Member Avatar for f1 fan

1. Rip a CD (if using win media player there is a rip button) either in MP3 or WMA
2. Upload the file to your website
3. Put a link to the file on your website

When the person clicks the link it should automatically play on their pc providing they have a player (which just about everyone does). If they want to download it then they just right click and save as.

Member Avatar for cath120

1. Rip a CD (if using win media player there is a rip button) either in MP3 or WMA
2. Upload the file to your website
3. Put a link to the file on your website

When the person clicks the link it should automatically play on their pc providing they have a player (which just about everyone does). If they want to download it then they just right click and save as.

Thank you f1 fan, how about embedding as with following tutorial, is the only advantage here to allow for streaming?:

http://nunzioweb.com/streaming_audio-example.htm

Member Avatar for f1 fan

Ah no, that is a totally different set of requirements. You asked to have files being able to be played and downloadable. The tutorial and embedding streaming is for online radio station type scenario. In this way you control the files played (its your playlist so they play in order you selected - so for the end user this is like listening to a radio station, and all they do is press play (or you can have it play on load). In the first scenario then it is more like a juke box where you give them a list and they can play one or more but need the player on their pc.
It all depends what you are trying to achieve?

Member Avatar for f1 fan

One other point worth mentioning (I just saw your hosting info) is that playing music over the net (whether embedded or not - its the same) is heavy on bandwidth useage which you will be limited to a monthly amount. An average song in both MP3 and WMA is just over 3Mb. An average CD is about 50Mb. So for EVERY USER (not song but visitor to your site) that plays music is chewing up your bandwidth heavily - 50Mb instead of an average 50kb for a web page with a pic or two.

Member Avatar for cath120

Hi F1 fan - Thank you for all your advice. The streaming can be also done with individual tracks too.
I have now ripped a CD using CDEx downloaded from - vinyl to MP3 page. So all set to start experimenting.
Regards

Catherine

Member Avatar for afgmail

Create a free account of 1GB in www.box.net, you can play the music there and also download it...

Member Avatar for cath120

Thank you afgmai.

Member Avatar for afgmail

Can you post the finished product?

Member Avatar for .Pat

You can use AudioGrabber, works very well and it's free. But please start pirating music.. ;)

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