How many times can I burn a song to CD?

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Level 1

8 points

How many times can I burn a song to CD?

It's been a while, but I read somewhere, that there is a limit to how many times you can burn a song off your Library. I understand the reason for that. I think it said something like 7 times?? I have an iPod, and normally transfer my playlists to it. I change my playlists frequently, so if I were to burn these to CD, I'd have long ago used up my limit.
I have a nice CD player in my Jeep now. I can't hook my iPod to it, so I want to burn some playlists to CD for my Jeep stereo. Do I need to be careful, not to exceed a certain allowance?...or am I just in error, and there is no need to worry?

Was this limit in regards to an entire Album? and single songs in a ever changing playlist is okay?

HP, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Nov 28, 2007 6:24 AM

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Answer 1

Paul Judd

Level 6

13,420 points

Nov 28, 2007 7:08 AM in response to Leland10

5 CD's of the same playlist order.

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Answer 2

Leland10 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 28, 2007 7:34 AM in response to Paul Judd

Thank you! I should be in great shape then. For the most part, I change my playlists on my iPod. I know sooner or later I'll have a car stereo that hooks up to my iPod... (grin)...maybe a home stereo that does the same as well. (hehehe)

...not this year though. :/

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Answer 3

Nov 28, 2007 9:42 AM in response to Paul Judd

Actually, Paul, I believe they upped it to 7 times for the same playlist a while back.

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Nov 28, 2007 9:57 AM in response to Leland10

The 7 limit is for a burning single playlist with DRM protected songs to an audio CD.
If you are burning a data/mp3 CD or an audio CD with no DRM protected songs, there is no limit.

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Answer 5

Leland10 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 28, 2007 11:50 AM in response to Chris CA

Is there a way to check to see if a song is DRM protected?
I have been reading what I can on the subject, and it appears I can expect the songs I've purchased from iTunes online, like my AC/DC albums, Scorpions Albums, and Zappa, etc. and etc. are going to be DRM protected.
Maybe I should have bought these Albums elsewhere...but...(shrug)

I have many Celine Albums and Satriani, Heart, etc. that I purchased elsewhere.
Really, the bulk of my Library is made up of songs from CD's I've imported into my Library. I've looked for some evidence of this DRM protection, and I don't see anything..other than an FBI copy theft warning.

Finally, I guess I am a tad bit confused still. I understand any of my songs DRM protected, if I use them in a playlist, any playlist 7 times.. I will be limited now, to only 7 downloads to a CD. That does cause me to rethink how I wish to make playlists.

Am I right to assume now...any song in my playlists that are not under this DRM grip, I will not have to fear using them in a playlist?

On one hand I understand the reasons for protection...and it has nothing to do with decent folks like us. But what irritates me...is I paid for that music...and I should be able to make CD playlists as often as I want....live and learn.

I suppose I should never invest my money on Albums or songs as downloads over the internet. Just go buy the CD?...right?

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Answer 6

Nov 28, 2007 12:28 PM in response to Leland10

You're limited to burning the same playlist 7 times. You can always put the songs in a different playlist and start over again. I've forgotten how different the playlist needs to be but, as I recall, you have to do more than change the play order.

To find out which songs have DRM, make a smart playlist with the criterion "Kind is protected AAC" This will collect all your protected purchases into one easy to use list.

Whether or not you should purchase files with DRM is a personal decision. If, like me, you primarily listen to purchased music on a computer or iPod and rarely burn CDs, it doesn't really matter. Having physical CDs is nice as they provide you with a back up and you can rip them at whatever quality you prefer. And, you can often get great deals on used CDs on Amazon. Some folks have strong philosophical objections to copy protection. In theory, I agree with them, in practice, it's too much trouble to worry about for me.

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Answer 7

Leland10 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 28, 2007 12:43 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you for clearing the fog for me! 🙂

Yes, I do mostly just use my iPod.

I'll still be fine as you said...individual playlists are limited to 7x. I don't think I've ever burned the same playlist 2x. That is a relief to me.

Thank you and regards, Leland10

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Answer 8

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Nov 28, 2007 12:55 PM in response to Leland10

If the iTunes dstore purchased songs are 128 kbps bit rate and the file extension is .m4p, it is protected.

Any songs you RIP from your own CDs do not have DRM.

*I can expect the songs I've purchased from iTunes online, like my AC/DC albums*
AC/DC is not available thru the iTunes store.

*I guess I am a tad bit confused still. I understand any of my songs DRM protected, if I use them in a playlist, any playlist 7 times.*
You can put the song into as many playlists as many times as you want and play that playlist as many times as you want. This is not limited.
You are only prevented from burning a specific playlist more than 7 times.

*I will be limited now, to only 7 downloads to a CD. That does cause me to rethink how I wish to make playlists.*
This was (most likely) done to help deter music theft by not allowing someone to create a playlist with purchased music and burn 100 copies.
Any reason you would generally need more than 7 CDs of the exact same playlist?

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Answer 9

Leland10 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 28, 2007 2:02 PM in response to Chris CA

Thanks for your reply. I guess I've forgotten I use to buy Albums off some other site...MSN Music or something like that. It's been quite a few years.

I use to have my music all on Windows Media Player, and I transfered it all to iTunes later, when I opened an iTunes account, in order to use my old mini-iPod.

As I indicated in my last post, I do not remember ever burning a playlist twice even. I pretty much stopped even making playlists onto CD once I bought an iPod.
Only reason I care now, is I have a CD player in my new Jeep. My car stereos all have been cassette before this.

Anyone remember cassettes? hehehe
Hey...I still have my 8-tracks too. ....(what's an 8-track?) 🙂

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Answer 10

Paul Judd

Level 6

13,420 points

Nov 28, 2007 4:29 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Doh! You are right. I had a busy day at work and never changed my answer, It was a typo and I meant to change it but it was really busy and I don't have internet access at home.
Stupid mistake.

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Answer 11

Nov 28, 2007 6:42 PM in response to Paul Judd

Chris caught one of my mistakes this morning, so, it all works out in the end.

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Answer 12

Dec 5, 2007 8:27 PM in response to Leland10

okay, so I am/was planning on burning a two-disc set as wedding favors for my wedding next month. A few of the songs I purchased from i-tunes. Does this thread mean that my plans are crushed? Would a workaround be to burn a CD from the playlist and then just copy that CD over and over?

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Answer 13

Dec 6, 2007 2:54 AM in response to italo5696

Well, what your planning on doing certainly violates the Terms of Use under which you purchased the music from the iTunes Store. You agreed that the music was for your personal use, not for distribution (And, technically, I think it would be true of any music you purchased). So, beyond that, I can't really advise you.

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