in the last thread that I made I needed advice about a virus/tojan problem with my PC. That is now resolved and I have all my data back (thank you everyone that helped me with that!)

 So after installing a fresh OS on a new drive I re-installed iTunes and imported all my MP3 files. ITunes has never really worked right in the last 5 years or so since I switched to running a PC. ITunes looses my album cover artwork...the pics would disappear as I clicked on songs to play. It would re-order songs even though I was in the proper column. Now what it's doing is merging albums together as "unknown album." All my Andy Summers albums are now one big album, as an example, as are a lot of other albums even though they are in separate and labeled folders. I don't download music from the internet. I rip my own store bought CD's so I don't need to hook up to Apple for that. Any thoughts on a good MP3 encoder/player for PC?  

Hi there

I usually using MediaMonkey or Foobar2000,both are free programs and both will play any format,although my music is only in FLAC,for video I can only recommend good VLC

Hope this help

Thanks,Jura

Foobar has been my go-to for a long time. I love how light weight and customizable it is.

We've been copying music the old fashioned way for a long time, too. (Copying from physical CDs). Thanks to the dedicated work of my partner's coworker, I am now the curator for more than 400 GB of "classical" music dating from the 12th through the 20th century, including the complete works of Joseph Haydn. It would take me literally weeks to listen to just the Haydn. The stuff that wasn't already ripped, we used good old Windows Media Player. I'm not sure what's supposed to be wrong with it. Is there any reason not to use it?

We've been copying music the old fashioned way for a long time, too. (Copying from physical CDs). Thanks to the dedicated work of my partner's coworker, I am now the curator for more than 400 GB of "classical" music dating from the 12th through the 20th century, including the complete works of Joseph Haydn. It would take me literally weeks to listen to just the Haydn. The stuff that wasn't already ripped, we used good old Windows Media Player. I'm not sure what's supposed to be wrong with it. Is there any reason not to use it?

Hi there Really depends,I prefer Foobar2000,its great and you can customize to yours needs or liking.Mainly why I'm using foobar is fast and really lightweight  which is counts for me,plus will play any format which you can throw it on this,my music is usually in FLAC 

if you are happy with WMP then I would use it,but I would try at least foobar

Here are links on the foobar and Mediamonkey 

http://www.foobar2000.org/

http://www.mediamonkey.com/

But i'm now using too Musicbee,which is great and free for managing yours collections 

http://getmusicbee.com/

Hope this helps 

Thanks,Jura

My best suggestion is to use Windows Media Player for a while to see if it does what you want it to do.  If it gives you all the options you need, then stick with it.  If you find it's lacking something you really need, then look for another app that does.  What app you choose is pretty much up to you and your needs. 

JetAudio even in its basic (free) version is pretty good.

I like Clementine myself. Only thing I'll use in Linux and works just the same in Windows ;). Plus has all those internet radio stations built-in.

Have to agree about iTunes...I won't have that junk on my computer.

Laurie

I use Quintessential Player for several years now. It's quite nice.

Wow. I have been looking for a replacement for iTunes and Media Player. Downloaded foobar2000 and took to it immediately. Thanks for the suggestion.

Can anybody suggest a good CD ripper? I have been slowly converting my CD collection to mp3. It would be good to control the space between tracks and at the end of an album.

Before the site upgrade I thought it was possible to insert smileys into text. Is this no longer possible, or did I dream it?

Wow. I have been looking for a replacement for iTunes and Media Player. Downloaded foobar2000 and took to it immediately. Thanks for the suggestion.

Can anybody suggest a good CD ripper? I have been slowly converting my CD collection to mp3. It would be good to control the space between tracks and at the end of an album.

Before the site upgrade I thought it was possible to insert smileys into text. Is this no longer possible, or did I dream it?

 

Hi there Please have look on those free CD rippers,I've used all of them and all of them have cons and pros

CDex Link 

http://sourceforge.net/projects/cdexos/

Exact Audio Copy Link 

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

Audiograbber 

http://www.audiograbber.org/

dBpoweramp link

 http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

Hope this help

Thanks,Jura

I'd just like to be able to copy pix and videos to iPod touch like I would any other device, so not really clear what I need for that.  But having to add videos to my library and sync with iTunes is just stupid.

 I had forgot about WMP. I never use it even for videos because Quicktime player and AL show were so much better. I tried it out with my music and really liked the speed at loading my music (almost instantaneous) but there aren't many options for id3 tags. Tangerine Dream is not dance music but that is what it was coming up as and no way to add custom genre tags that I could see.

 I ended up with MediaMonkey. Nice interface, nothing is hidden away like it is in iTunes and white text on a dark background is so much easier on my eyes. 

 @Jura - thanks for the links

I'd just like to be able to copy pix and videos to iPod touch like I would any other device, so not really clear what I need for that.  But having to add videos to my library and sync with iTunes is just stupid.

Hi there Please have look on this 

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-ways-to-sync-music-to-your-iphone-without-itunes/

As per above links,I've posted link on the Mediamonkey which is able sync the iPod/iPad/iPhone etc

Mediamonkey is nice SW and its free,yes there is gold version,but really depends if you want other features,for my needs free version is enough

Hope this help

Thanks,Jura

 You can edit the track properties from within Windows. Open the album up from within My Music (or Music), Right click on the track and select Properties. Select the Details tab. Click and edit the values in genre, Enter when done