HLT1
Level 1 (15 points)

Q: How do you know the bitrate before you download?

I used to assume that if the price was $1.29 then the song would be 256 bitrate.  No matter what.  It was the 99 cent songs that were always 128 bitrate.

 

But as it turns out, I just downloaded Queen - Another One Bites the Dust and its $1.29 and only 128 bitrate. 

 

I see absolutely no way to know ahead of time what the bitrate is on the song you select when there are 15 of the same song to choose from.


How do you know ahead of time?   Seems like relevant information ... especially if iTunes is going to start charging 256 bitrate prices on 128 bitrate songs!

Posted on Jan 5, 2013 10:38 PM

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HLT1

Q: How do you know the bitrate before you download?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jan 6, 2013 12:40 AM in response to HLT1
    Level 10 (88,163 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 6, 2013 12:40 AM in response to HLT1

    All songs currently supplied by the iTunes Store should be in 256k AAC format with the exception of iTunes in the Cloud downloads of previous & not yet upgraded purchases in the old 128k protected format. I.e. if you bought an old-school 128k protected AAC track you don't get a free upgraded to a better version, but any track you buy now should be at 256k. Double check you're not misinterpreting the description (256k is also two channels of 128k) and if necessary use the report a problem links in your account history.

     

    The current model for the store puts a premium on more popular songs (or discounts less popular ones depending on your point of view) rather than pricing by bit rate.

     

    tt2

  • by HLT1,

    HLT1 HLT1 Jan 6, 2013 9:22 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 9:22 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks.  Unfortunately that didn't work.  Here was the process:

     

    1)  Existing file on computer and in iCloud

    2)  Right click - Delete - "Do you want to delete from iCloud too?"  >  Yes

    3)  Go to iTunes Store > Find exact same song > Notice that its now $1.29

    4)  Assumed it was 256 bitrate - Press button to download

    5)  "You have already purchased this item..  Would you like to purchase it again?" > Yes

     

    (Note it did not give the other message - "You have already purchased this, would you like to download it again")

     

    6)  Downloaded song.  Song displayed in Library as 128 bitrate again.

     

     

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jan 6, 2013 9:41 AM in response to HLT1
    Level 10 (88,163 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 6, 2013 9:41 AM in response to HLT1

    When did you purchase the song, the first time around?

    Why would you pay again for a song that you've already purchased, given that iTunes now offers repeat downloads?

    Have you actually been charged again?

    Have you contacted support?

     

    tt2

  • by HLT1,

    HLT1 HLT1 Jan 6, 2013 4:40 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 4:40 PM in response to turingtest2

    1) When did you purchase the song, the first time around?


    Maybe 2008 or so .....

     

    2)  Why would you pay again for a song that you've already purchased, given that iTunes now offers repeat downloads?

     

    You yourself stated above that if you have the old version and want the higher quality version you don't get it for free.  So this probably explains why iTunes asked me if I wanted to purchase rather than download.

     

    3)  Have you contacted support?

     

    I thought that's what I was doing here.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jan 7, 2013 1:28 AM in response to HLT1
    Level 10 (88,163 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 7, 2013 1:28 AM in response to HLT1

    1) I believe iTunes when DRM free at the beginning of 2009. That would suggest you originally bought a 128k DRM version.

     

    2) I suspect you need to "upgrade" the existing purchase. Periodically iTunes offers links to let you upgrade older purchases to 256k for a margin rather than the full price. Perhaps some mechanism is trying to protect you from buying the same item twice.

     

    3) This is a user to user support forum. We can help with using the software. For problems relating to purchases you need iTunes Support.

     

    tt2

  • by harpoonflyby,

    harpoonflyby harpoonflyby Jun 22, 2013 2:42 PM in response to HLT1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 22, 2013 2:42 PM in response to HLT1

    From the FAQ:

    Can I upgrade my previously purchased music to iTunes Plus?

    Yes. If you subscribe to iTunes Match, you can download your previously purchased music again in the iTunes Plus format. To do so:

    1. You need to delete the original DRM song from your library first. Doing this enables you to download the song again in the iTunes Plus format from iTunes in the Cloud.
    2. Click the Purchased tab in the iTunes Store.
    3. Click Music.
    4. Locate the artist of the song you want to upgrade.
    5. Click the iCloud Download icon next to the song you want to upgrade.