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Question

I want to copy my music CDs onto digital storage

by Apr 14, 2013 9:45PM PDT

I am downsizing and want to get rid of my CDs but I still want to keep the music. I currently have a desktop with a CD reader but I plan to get rid of that too. Should I copy my CDs to an external hard drive, a thumb drive or to a cloud? I have about 60-70 CDs. If I copy to a thumb drive, what size storage do I need? If I copy to a cloud, is one service better than the others? Is cloud storage free? What about iTunes? Is there anything else I need to get started? Any software? Would it be in a MP3 format? Any advice would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Answer
Get legal advice.
by Forum moderator Apr 17, 2013 3:42AM PDT

Here the local legal counsel says your right to the music follows the ownership of the CD. It's like a certificate. You may disagree but that's the breaks.

As to where to store such, cloud is flawed but attractive. Read http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57486930-71/woz-the-cloud-is-a-nightmare/ and decide if you can live with someone else deciding on the fate of the files. You gave up control and some are OK with that.

As to other storage, if it's something I can't lose I have no less than 3 copies in different places.

What about iTunes. That's an application and not "storage" or backup.
Bob

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thanks
by Lindabu Apr 17, 2013 6:10AM PDT

Thanks for the advice.

I think I would like to back up my music on a thumb drive but I have no idea what size drive I need to hold 60-80 music CDs.

Any more advice?

Linda

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As you research this
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 17, 2013 6:16AM PDT

You discover the size is variable. But it's unlikely to need a very large drive. Even without conversion to MP3 which is well discussed can hit about 0.08GB so let's take the easy 100 CD collection and you would need an 8GB memory stick. And 2 more to get a proper backup set.
Bob

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Re: thumb drive
by Kees_B Forum moderator Apr 17, 2013 6:21AM PDT

A music cd is 600 to 700 MB. That means a 64 GB drive should be fine. Make it two for an extra backup copy. Here's a story of old thumb drives that apparently failed: http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6122_102-590918/files-on-usb-thumb-drives-not-showing-up/?messageId=5448350#message5448350

It wouldn't harm at all to reserve 64 GB on an 500 GB external hard disk for a third backup also. Then you have 3 copies and are reasonably safe. After all, all you risk if you lose all is that you need to buy 80 CD's again. That's 1000 or 1500 USD. That's the amount of money where 100 USD for a backup (2 USB sticks and 10% of an external disk) makes sense; more would be overkill, I'd think.

Kees

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Converting Cd's to Dvd's
by ebony_01 May 2, 2013 10:08PM PDT

Yes I agree.

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