Making the best quality backups of downloaded music.

Hi,
I now realise I have quite a lot of music that I have downloaded from Apple and others legally.
Later this week I want to make a copy in case I ever have a problem
reinstalling/losing music.
I understand the ONLY way to do this is to burn a CD containing a backup of the tracks.
Questions:
Whats the best way to ensure maximum sound quality? I assume there are no tweaks available for the exported files?
Can I export to a DVD instead od CD? There is a lot of music.
Any other settings that are important to backup which allow reinstallation/recovery etc...
Thanks
FlobbyBlob

The one hangup with backing up as data files (mp4) is that if you ever tryi to lod the songs and play them on a computer that isn't "authorized" with your iTunes store account information, _you can't play them._
That's called DRM (Digital Rights Management) and it's a booger. There are two ways to "undo" the DRM.
1. Burn your purchased tracks to a "music CD", and then re-import them as mp3s.
(This will require a lot of CDs if your music collection is as big as mine) You can use CD-RWs for this process, but before too may burns, the quality goes down, and iTunes may even stop reading the disc.
2. Buy software that creates a "virtual drive and disc", then "burn" to the virtual CD, and re-import as mp3 from there. It doesn't take as many discs to do, but you need to have about a gig of free space just for the disk image to store between the virtual burn and the re-import.
If being able to re-load on an authorized computer isn't going to be an issue, I'd say burn the mp4s onto DVD's, but.....(and this is a biggie) burn two of each disc and put the spares in a good safe place. I recently said goodbye forever to 350 songs from my old cassettes because the disc I burned to got a scratch and a big spot in the middle wouldn't read anymore.

Similar Messages

What's the best quality way to download video taken on my iPhone 4s to iMovie?

Looks like my only options are to email, message or send to YouTube. I want these videos taken to be put in iMovie. I thinking the quality and size of the video file is decrease by emailing it to me.

Another thought. Might this work?
1. Backup my iPhone to my MacBook (instead of iCloud)
2. Sync my iPhone with my new iTunes library (it would now be associated with the MacBook)
3. Restore my iPhone from the backup in step 1 (would this re-associate my phone with the old computer, or would it stay with the MacBook?)
4. Do the restore a second time (to put the apps back in their proper order/arrangement)
5. Sync my iPhone with the music library on the MacBook
6. Set up the iPhone to backup to iCloud again, as it was originally
I don't want to just try it and lose my data. Is this a viable option?

Making the best quality DVD from FCP

Can anyone suggest how to make the highest quality DVD from an HDV FCP project?

It's a fun website that I've seen people use recently : http://lmgtfy.com/
It basically generates a url that you can post onto forums etc, and when you click on it, it takes you to the 'mock' google page, followed by the results. It's a polite but fun way of saying "Don't be so lazy, and do a search!". No offense intended to the OP.
The Bruce image is one i had uploaded to Tinypic.com ages ago.
Glad you like it!

I've imported a giant cd collection for my work in wav format for the best quality audio using iTunes version 11.1.1. I need to transfer this library to our Music workstation using iTunes 11.0.1. That workstation version of iTunes can't be upgraded for

I've imported a giant cd collection for my boss in wav format for the best quality audio using iTunes version 11.1.1. I need to transfer this library to our Music workstation using iTunes 11.0.1. That workstation version of iTunes can't be upgraded for compatability reasons with other software using iTunes. When I try to transfer the library I lose all of the CD metadata and end up with only track names. Is there a way to transfer everything along with the metadata?

Not easily. WAV format does not store tag information in the file. Realize both AIFF (equivalent to WAV) and Apple Lossless (full quality but smaller files) do, so WAV was unfortunately the worst format to chose.
If you have to go with what you have you will have to explore exporting the library as .xml, moving it and the files to the other computer, then rebuilding a lower version library with the two sets. I am not sure if you can do it with the library.xml file that already exists or if it too differs according to version. You may end up having to export the files as a playlist. You will, of course, lose artwork too, though you can try fetching it from the iTunes Store later.
Some of what you need to do is outlined in these articles though you have the added limitation that you are not building a library of the same version. (It really is a piity you choose WAV, otherwise you could have simply added the ripped files and most of the data would have traveled with them.)
https://discussions.apple.com/message/20401436 - turingtest2 11/2012 post on rebuilding empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash from previous iTunes library file.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

Exporting for the best quality

I am making a highlight tape of my children with some music. What is the best way to export the sequence for DVD with the best quality? DO I export it using the "Quicktime" option and make it a "Self contained movie" or do I uncheck this box? (There is no chapter markers in my film).
Thanks

You should export as QuickTime Movie. Don't use QuickTime Conversion.
Also, if FCE and iDVD are on the same computer, you don't have to make a Self-Contained movie. Uncheck the box and your export will go much faster, with no loss of quality.
In iDVD Preferences, check the box for "Best Quality"

How do i down load my pictures in the best quality

I want to download all my vacation photos from my thumb drive to my Mac. It does not give me the option to download the pictures in the best possible quality. How can I find that option and is it possible to use the best quality as a default when I download photos, video, etc.?

No. You can't add quality. All you're doing there is using less compression.
Jpeg is not actually a Photo format. It's a compression format. When you view a photo in a Jpeg file the file is decompressed and when you stop viewing it's compressed again. So, think of it this way: your photo is in a Jpeg Suitcase. The Jpeg quality slider changes the size of the suitcase. But the Photo is the same.
Where this setting may be valuable is if the image is then going to be edited in a destructive workflow.
Regards
TD

To get the best Quality for YouTube?

Hi there.
I have a question.
Which settings do I have to have in the media encoder in pro cs3, to get the best quality in a YouTube video?

I found this discussion from almost a year ago:
Drogba, "My YouTube video looks blurry using Adobe Media Encoder" #, 20 Oct 2007 10:32 am
...but the suggestions discussed there didn't help me, so I'm hoping someone reading this thread has other ideas. YouTube's PixelDestroyer® and VideoFracker® technology does an effective job of making my good footage look like it was shot through a thin film of mashed potatoes.
The H.264 codec seems to have ruination as its primary purpose. And the iPod and flv settings aren't much better. Heck, even if I export to mpeg (either keeping the native 720 x 480 resolution or shrinking to 320 x 240) my produced mpegs look great -- but once YouTube gets hold of them, they look like
dreck.
Sure, Vimeo or WhateverOtherTube service may have better quality, but when someone wants to search for a video, there's only one site that anyone thinks of going to. That's why Google bought them.

Please suggest a method and some settings to get the best quality DVD

I’m trying to find the correct settings to use to make the best quality DVD of an iMovie project. It includes still photos (a couple use the Ken Burns effect), movie clips, titles, maps, transitions, and audio. The project is 33 minutes long. So far, I have burned it by using 3 different methods and the results vary, but not one of the three is optimal for everything. Is it possible to make a DVD that has the best quality of everything or do you have to sacrifice one thing to get the best of another? Here’s the workflow for each method.
#1 iMovie09 ->share to media (960x540) ->burned with iDVD (best). Everything is acceptable except for the movie clips which have low quality with smeared details.
#2 iMovie09 ->export to Quicktime (Apple intermediate codec, current frame rate, data rate-auto, compressor native, 1440x1080) ->burned with
Toast 9. Compared to the first method, the titles are pixelated, the animated map arrows show jaggies, one Ken Burns zoom shimmers a lot, the quality of the photos is slightly less, but the movie clips are a lot better and are acceptable.
#3 Quicktime .mov file from #2 ->MPEGStreamClip (deinterlace, all other settings auto or default ->burned with Toast 9. Movie clips are the best of the 3 methods, photo quality is better than #2, but not as good as #1. Titles and other effects are just a little better than #2, but not as good as #1.
Can anyone suggest some settings using any combination of the programs mentioned above to produce a DVD that has the best photo, effects quality, and movie clip quality all on one DVD?
Rick

from a prior post, I find this worked quite well, but i think you already thought it was not that good for you, i did not get the 'smeared details" or so I thought:
"In iMovie, do not "Share to iDVD", it makes a pretty bad product. Instead,
"Share to Media Browser" and choose the "HD" version if you can, this will take your iMovie project and export it (Can take an hour or 2) into a 720p movie (that looks close to your original iMovie project). That 720p .mov file will be hidden in the iMovie's Project's file; access it if you want by right clicking on the project, show contents, movies (but you dont need to look at it as it is directly accessible through iDVD). SO after the movie has exported, you then open iDVD and click on the MEdia button in the lower R corner, then Choose MOvies, then choose iMovie and you should be able to see that 720p movie that iMovie made. Drag that movie version into iDVD's window (after setting up your theme, background music etc) and then burn. It should look pretty good. Remember, all DVDs are compressed to standard definition (SD) so you will lose definition from the 720p to the 480 resolution of a DVD, but hopefully it will be fine.

How to export the best quality file from FCE?

Hi people. I was wondering which is the option that I have to choose to get the best quality on an exported file from FCE4. The best quality I get is from the "Export - Quicktime movie..." option, but there is a huge compression as I see. The final product isn't as good as it should. Obviously, it won't be the same as the original material, but I was wondering if there was another way of getting a movie with much more quality, like when you use "Compressor" from the Final Cut Studio. Thanks in advance.

I imported the material through firewire (it was recorded on a miniDV tape). I respected the format of the source and the files I got are top notch. The final movie looks great on the computer, the differences come when burning it to a DVD. I'm using IDVD, and the .mov file exported through the option I mentioned.
I want to burn that .mov file to a DVD, which means there will be another compression to MPEG2 once I burn it through the DVD authoring app, but the product has some kind of "shaking" in the dark areas. It's not so bad, but I would like to get the best quality, like the ones I've got from Compressor. Is it possible using the Export - Quicktime movie option?

Need serious help about understanding settings on photoshop for the best quality- please reply is you know a lot about this.

Ideally I'd like to speak to someone from the UK as I feel I can't write out everything I want to say because it's too confusing and it isn't just one question.
I need help with setting photoshop so the images are the best quality on screen and for websites and printing and how I can change that etc I've heard different things and I just need some clarification and advice.
Obviously I'm sure some of you wont want to give personal details out that's fine but I'm generally just in need of some advice, let me know if you can help:)

I don't change any settings. For 1X web images I always use Save for Web. PS remembers which web settings you used the last time. This doesn't effect other files or formats.
Image optimization — Web Fundamentals
Improving Images for Hi-Res Retina Displays
A guide for creating a better retina web - Ivo Mynttinen / User Interface Designer
Serving Hi-Res images only to High Density Displays with PHP
Retina Images
Seriously, you can drive yourself crazy with all this Retina display stuff. I don't see much upside to it except for very special situations.
Nancy O.

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro with Retina. Which adapter do I purchase to connect it to a Samsung TV for the best quality?

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro with Retina. Which adapter do I purchase to connect it to a Samsung TV for the best quality? Thanks.

Doesn't matter. All HDMI cables should work, some are considered better than others, I had a $5 ebay cable work just as good as a $20 monster HDMI cable.

What is the best way to transfer my music and pictures from my old PC to my new Macbook Pro?

What is the best way to transfer my music and pictures from my old PC to my new Macbook Pro?

This may help;
http://www.apple.com/support/macbasics/migration/
Ciao.

When exporting to a DVD from Final Cut Pro X, what settings are there to make sure you making the highest quality DVD possible?

When exporting to a DVD from Final Cut Pro X, what settings are there to make sure you making the highest quality DVD possible?

There have been a lot of recent reports of difficulties sharing to DVD, but haven't been hearing about unreadable disks. Posibly there was an encoding error. Or it could have been bad media (blank disk).
Does it play in your Mac?
What brand of disks are you using?
Russ

What's the best quality export for a 720 X 480 size, 24fps mp4 file?

Whats the best quality export for a 720 X 480 size, 24fps mp4 file?
This movie trailer will be sent to a distributer overseas.
The export I been resorting to lately is MPEG 2 DV High Quality as oppose to anything HDTV because it just shrinks the picture, obviously lol
Do I have anymore options besides Mpeg 2: NTSC DV High Quality?

Lagarith is a codec that you install separately. A very brief Search would have given you that info.
You can access the Lagarith option (once installed) using the Microsoft AVI format, and selecting Lagarith under Video Codec in the Video tab.

NEED THE BEST QUALITY QUICKTIME MOVIE FOR DVD! THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE.

I just finished a three minute piece that will be shown on DVD and projected to a sixteen foot screen. I usually just output a self-contained quicktime movie with current settings and then compress with bitvice. While I'm happy with those results, because of the size of this screening, I'm curious whether there might be better options for output to quicktime, such as uncompressed, etc?
I've also heard that I could output as a Jpeg, or a PNG file, but I'd love some advice on what works best and the workflow, as I need to get this done fast and can't really afford the time to experiment.
Any advice would be HUGELY appreciated. THANKS1

I usually just output a self-contained quicktime movie with current settings and then compress with bitvice.
That will provide the best quality ... the quality won't improve over what you had in FCP. Depending on your source media type(s), you may have had a better quality export IF you had edited and rendered with another setting.
-DH

Making the best quality backups of downloaded music.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for