Some General ripping questions...

[PedroT99]

Hi All,
After a couple of false starts I am almost ready to begin the process of archiving my CDs and them convert them to a separate format for "use". I do have a few questions.

1. I am obviously going to buy dBpoweramp. My computer probably only has about 6 months left in this thing before I replace it. What happens to the dBpoweramp SW that I am going to download/buy? Can I use it on that machine...assuming I remove it or deactivate it from this one? I don't want to buy it twice if I'm only using it on one machine.

2. My next computer will likely be an Ultrabook (Lenovo) with no internal drive. Is there an external drive you guys would recommend that is readily available new in stores? Spoon...what would you buy it you were going to buy one now? How do I know if my internal drive (it is a Hitachi-LG GH30N that came in my Dell) is good for this process? Also, my internal drive is a DVD rewriter. I looked at the offset database on this site and it lists the GH30N as an LG drive although the drive says H-L Data which is supposedly Hitachi-LG so I don't know if this drive is in the Databse. I don't know if it has C2 or caching or the other features that I have read are important to know about so I won't know how to set the software up. I'm tempted to buy a quality external. Thoughts?

3. I'm planning on ripping to flac for archival and perhaps for listening on my computer and whatever audio set-up I get into down the road. I was going to batch convert to mp3 for listening to on an iPod that I have yet to buy. Good plan? Any better suggestions? Can I easily convert to mp3s using dBpoweramp? I really don't want to start running multiple different software.

4. I think some ripping SW comes with a CD tracking/inventory tool. Does dBpoweramp have that? Not really a big deal..just curious.

5. I really don't understand drive offsets. I think dBp automatically detects them? Assuming the SW uses AccurateRip, does a 100% confidence match mean the offsets have been done correctly or is it possible to get an otherwise perfect bit-for-bit match on the song with the offsets NOT accurate? I guess I'm asking if the confidence just means the song is right even if the offset is wrong. Not sure if I explained that correctly. Also, the SW does configure the offset correctly, what happens if/when I get another drive? Will it know that there is a new drive being used with the SW?

Thanks all! I really appreciate the newbie advice!! Sorry if some of this is really basic!

[Spoon]

Re: Some General ripping questions...

1. It can be easily installed on the new computer, no new purchase required.

2. I would by two of the cheapest, but with different offsets, two drives can help where one drive cannot read a disc, the other might

3. dBpoweramp started life as a converter, that is one of its main funtions

4. no

5. Offset detection is fully automatic and very reliable, it should not be one of your worries.

[PedroT99]

Re: Some General ripping questions...

Thanks spoon!

Is there any negative to using my internal OEM drive that is a DVR Rewriter or is it preferable to get a dedicated external CD-ROM? It seems like they are tough to find in stores.

Do you have any specific models you like/recommend?

I hear what you are saying about gettin cheap drives. Shouldn't I also factor in the drive's C2 support? I read your ripping guides and it seemed like that was important or at least relevant.

[garym]

Re: Some General ripping questions...

*2. I've never used a USB external CD drive. But I can say that the DVD r/w drives I've had in two different laptops and a desktop have all worked well in ripping with dbpa. All were different brands, nothing special. The beauty of dbpa and accuraterip and secure ripping is that you can get secure rips without having to be concerned with the drive. Most drives these days simply "work".

*3. Yes, rip to FLAC, make sure your tags and art are exactly what you want, then do a batch convert with dbpa to mp3. I do this and it works very easily with dbpa.

*5. You don't have to think about drive offsets....all automatic.

Hi All,
After a couple of false starts I am almost ready to begin the process of archiving my CDs and them convert them to a separate format for "use". I do have a few questions.

1. I am obviously going to buy dBpoweramp. My computer probably only has about 6 months left in this thing before I replace it. What happens to the dBpoweramp SW that I am going to download/buy? Can I use it on that machine...assuming I remove it or deactivate it from this one? I don't want to buy it twice if I'm only using it on one machine.

2. My next computer will likely be an Ultrabook (Lenovo) with no internal drive. Is there an external drive you guys would recommend that is readily available new in stores? Spoon...what would you buy it you were going to buy one now? How do I know if my internal drive (it is a Hitachi-LG GH30N that came in my Dell) is good for this process? Also, my internal drive is a DVD rewriter. I looked at the offset database on this site and it lists the GH30N as an LG drive although the drive says H-L Data which is supposedly Hitachi-LG so I don't know if this drive is in the Databse. I don't know if it has C2 or caching or the other features that I have read are important to know about so I won't know how to set the software up. I'm tempted to buy a quality external. Thoughts?

3. I'm planning on ripping to flac for archival and perhaps for listening on my computer and whatever audio set-up I get into down the road. I was going to batch convert to mp3 for listening to on an iPod that I have yet to buy. Good plan? Any better suggestions? Can I easily convert to mp3s using dBpoweramp? I really don't want to start running multiple different software.

4. I think some ripping SW comes with a CD tracking/inventory tool. Does dBpoweramp have that? Not really a big deal..just curious.

5. I really don't understand drive offsets. I think dBp automatically detects them? Assuming the SW uses AccurateRip, does a 100% confidence match mean the offsets have been done correctly or is it possible to get an otherwise perfect bit-for-bit match on the song with the offsets NOT accurate? I guess I'm asking if the confidence just means the song is right even if the offset is wrong. Not sure if I explained that correctly. Also, the SW does configure the offset correctly, what happens if/when I get another drive? Will it know that there is a new drive being used with the SW?

Thanks all! I really appreciate the newbie advice!! Sorry if some of this is really basic!