CNET Top 5: DRM-free music stores
[ Music ]
^M00:00:05
[ Background Music ]
>> Welcome to CNET Top 5, where each time we meet we countdown another hot CNET list. I'm Tom Merritt. Digital rights management a.k.a. DRM, sucks! It can break your music... and your heart. The record labels have realized this and loosened the chains up a bit. More websites are feeling the freedom and selling you restriction free mp3s. So... let's count down the Top 5 DRM-free music stores. [Pause] At number 5, Anthology Recordings. CNET's Donald Bell calls it the Bermuda triangle of rare and out of print off-beat recordings and where else are you gonna find Sir Lord Baltimore's Kingdom Come or Robert Wyatt's Solar Flares Burn For You, and of course War Pig. Coming in at number 4, CD Baby. This is where I find my favorite Austin bands like Fire Marshals of Bethlehem, Stick Pony, and Moonlight Towers. You can also discover gems like the Ramontures, Surf Guitar Ramones Cover Band. Up to number 3, iTunes Plus. A great catalog and major labels, right? Right there in iTunes without DRM, but you have to look for that iTunes Plus link 'coz the rest of the iTunes is still DRM. Sliding in at number 2, eMusic. They were DRM-free when DRM-free wasn't cool. It's indie music and you have to have a membership, but the per track price is great. You don't care about major labels... this is the place to be. Before we get to number 1, let's check in on the Top 5 mp3 players. Music from all the stores we're talking about will play in any of these players. All right, let's get to our number 1, our favorite place to shop for DRM-free music. At number 1, it's Amazon. That's right! Amazon has all the major labels plus indie labels and all DRM-free. And if you wanna use their software, it'll place any music you buy right into your favorite music player, just like iTunes. They also have good prices, sometimes as low as 89 cents a track. Pretty much everything we've been asking for the past five years or so. Well that's it for this edition of CNET Top 5. Go to the mp3 section at reviews.cnet.com to get help with the rest of your digital music needs. I'm Tom Merritt. See you next time.
^M00:02:19
[ Music ]
Up Next
iPhone 14 is Missing These 5 Features
Up Next
iPhone 14 is Missing These 5 Features
Top 5 new Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors
Top 5 new Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors
Top 5 iPhone 14 Rumors
Top 5 iPhone 14 Rumors
Top 5 most exciting Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors
Top 5 most exciting Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors
Windows 11: Will Microsoft learn from past mistakes?
Windows 11: Will Microsoft learn from past mistakes?
Top 5 most exciting iPhone 13 rumors
Top 5 most exciting iPhone 13 rumors
5 cheaper alternatives to the AirPods Pro
5 cheaper alternatives to the AirPods Pro
2021 iPad Pro: The best new features
2021 iPad Pro: The best new features
5 ways to get more out of Netflix
5 ways to get more out of Netflix
2021 MacBook Pro: What to expect
2021 MacBook Pro: What to expect
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
Testing BruMate's Leakproof Tumbler
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Apple 'Mercenary Attack' on iPhones Explained
Apple 'Mercenary Attack' on iPhones Explained
What's the Future of Phones? Expert vs. AI
What's the Future of Phones? Expert vs. AI
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro