mp3 - cd

[Francis Asis]

Might seem like a silly question. If I buy a song online and download to my computer as an MP3 file can I then copy it to a CD to play on a CD player?

[LeMarchand]

In theory, yes. Most CD burning software offers this facility - make sure that you are creating an audio CD (not an mp3 CD) and that you finalize the recording (most software will do this automatically when creating an audio CD). Bear in mind that some older players do not recognise recordable CDs, especially "rewritable" ones.

However, some online stores use DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent songs being burnt to CD/played on other computers or devices. There are usually ways around this, but the simplest way is to avoid such stores.

[Francis Asis]

Is there a special procedure for copying to CD?

[LeMarchand]

Not really, your burning software (most PCs come with a version of Nero or Roxio) will normally walk you through the process. Normally you just select "create audio CD" and then add the tracks you want. The main thing is to make sure that it is an AUDIO disc that you are creating.

[Francis Asis]

OK, thanks very much I shall give it a go.

[wideboy]

Try Google and mp3 to wav. This will convert the files to a format easily recorded to CD. But as others have said, your CD/DVD recording software may have the option to convert mp3 to a CD 'on the fly'. I prefer to convert first and then record.