Article
iTunes CD burning restrictions
Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-, iPhone-, iPad-, iTunes-, or Apple TV-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.
Q: If I rip my CDs using iTunes in MP3 format will there be any restrictions on the number of CDs I can burn from those MP3 files?
- Imran
A: Absolutely none. In fact, regardless of whether your rip your CDs in MP3 format or AAC format, there are no restrictions placed on these. Only files that are purchased from the iTunes Store have any kind of restrictions on them, and in this case even this only applies to normal iTunes Store purchases—“iTunes Plus” tracks are free of any DRM restrictions as well and can therefore be burned to CD as many times as you like and freely converted to any other format.
In fact, even with DRM-protected iTunes Store purchases, you can still burn an individual track to CD an unlimited number of times as long as it is burned from different playlists. The iTunes restriction on burning CDs only applies to complete playlists and limits these to 7 burns. This is presumably intended to prevent somebody from mass-producing copies of a given album or mix CD.
Note that iTunes Plus tracks, even though they do not contain DRM, still contain tags that identify the original purchaser of the track and their iTunes Store account. These tags, however, will not be present if you convert these files to another format (ie, MP3) or burn them to CD.
Also keep in mind that although you can burn an audio CD from any iTunes-supported format, burning an “MP3 CD” from iTunes requires the original files to be in MP3 format—iTunes will not automatically convert other formats to MP3 for you when burning an MP3 CD.
|
The most asked question at iLounge.com:
|
Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:
The Complete Guide to iPod, Apple TV and iPhone Video Formats |
Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:
The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Mac) |
Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:
The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Win) |
|
|
|
|
|
Find more answers in the latest publications in our Library. Free downloads developed by the editors of iLounge!
Ask iLounge Archives:
1-24-14: Viewing only downloaded iTunes Match tracks
1-22-14: Splitting purchased content between two iPads
12-13-13: Non-Bluetooth Lightning dock speakers
12-11-13: Shared Apple ID and switching away from iPhone
12-6-13: Syncing multiple iCloud data with a family Mac
Related Stories
- Viewing only downloaded iTunes Match tracks
- Splitting purchased content between two iPads
- Non-Bluetooth Lightning dock speakers
- Shared Apple ID and switching away from iPhone
- Syncing multiple iCloud data with a family Mac
- iMessages come in from email address instead of phone number
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Apps of the Week: ShipAntics, Modern Combat 5, This American Life 3.0 + more
- Report: Apple could launch own mobile wallet this fall
- Report: Apple ‘tentatively’ plans mid-September iPhone event
- Apple faces class action suit in California for labor violations
- Apple, AT&T now sending $40 checks to some iPad 3G owners
- Apple denies iOS “back door” access in new report
- Notes from Apple’s Q3 2014 earnings call
- Apple Q3 2014: 35.2M iPhones, 13.3M iPads, 2.9M iPods, $37.4B revenue
- Simpsons World, FXNOW coming to Apple TV?
- WSJ: Apple asking suppliers to make 70-80M new iPhones this year
Recent Reviews
- Incipio offGRID Smart Bluetooth Low Energy-Enabled Portable 6000mAh Backup Battery
- Divoom Voombox Travel Rugged Portable Wireless Speaker
- Logitech protection+ for iPhone 5/5s and +trip
- Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless
- Incipio Steno Ultra-Thin Bluetooth Keyboard Folio for iPad Air
- OtterBox Resurgence Power Case for iPhone 5/5s
- Gumdrop Cases FoamTech Case for iPad Air
- Ztylus Camera Case + RV-2 Revolver Lens for iPhone 5/5s
- JBL Synchros Reflect In-Ear Sport Headphones
- JBL Synchros E50BT Over-Ear Headphones
Recent Articles
- What’s New in iTunes 12
- iLounge Picks: Five Great Summer Party Speakers
- Editorial: Endings And Beginnings
- Live From CE Week 2014: Brand New iPad, iPhone + Mac Accessories!
- What’s New In iOS 8 For iPad, iPhone + iPod touch
- iLounge Multi-Editorial: WWDC 2014’s iOS 8, OS X Yosemite + More
- The Complete Guide to Apple TV Channels
- iHistory: From iPod + iTunes to iPhone, Apple TV + iPad, 2001 to 2010
- iHistory: From iPod + iTunes to iPhone, Apple TV + iPad: 2011 to Today
- Viewing only downloaded iTunes Match tracks
