Still be using audiograbber to rip my mp3z so i dont need that from microsoft.
Microsoft Corp. plans to give away new software for playing music and videos on a computer, but consumers who want to convert CDs to MP3 files probably will face an extra charge.
The new version of Microsoft's Windows Media Player, like previous versions, will be able to play MP3 files but not record them. However, consumers can add the recording feature by purchasing additional software from other companies, said Jonathan Usher, group manager for Microsoft's Windows Digital Media Division.
The unusual arrangement has pluses and minuses for Microsoft. On the one hand, it allows the software giant to avoid paying licensing fees to Thomson Multimedia, which charges $2.50 to $5 per program for the right to produce MP3 files. It also prods consumers to use Microsoft's free audio format, Windows Media Audio, which competes with MP3.
On the other hand, consumers who prefer to "rip" their CDs into MP3 files may reject the new Windows software in favor of free jukebox programs from MusicMatch Inc. or RealNetworks Inc. Neither company charges for MP3 recording, although Real requires users to download additional software to make high-fidelity MP3 files.
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Source: Latimes
