Ripshark converts your music CDs into a digital music library organized by artist and album. You send us your CDs and we send back your choice of digital music files (like MP3 or AAC) --playable on most digital playback devices and digital music software.
Ripshark's conversion service is just $0.99 USD per CD. In addition, we offer lossless archive files for an additional $0.69 per disc. And best of all, shipping is FREE.
Just insert your DVDs into the DVD drive of your computer and copy the files over to your hard drive. From there you can add their location to your favorite music/media software (like iTunes® or MusicMatch). See your software documentation for details. If you’ve ordered an optional external hard drive or other storage/playback solution from Ripshark, you can add these devices to your system per those instructions as well.
Depending on your DVD player, this may be possible; however, we do not recommend playing your music directly from your DVDs.
Your digital music library arrives ready for use on your iPod and nearly all other music players. Generally, you can load your player in three simple steps:
- Save your music onto your computer.
- Import the files into your music management software (i.e. iTunes, MusicMatch, etc).
- Use your player's music management software to sync your player with your computer.
Consult your specific player's user manual for more details.
Ripshark organizes your music files by artist and album. This and other information such as track title, track number, cover art, and genre is embedded as ID3v2 tags within every file. This gives you even greater control and manageability of your music in music library software such as iTunes(r) and MusicMatch. Ripshark also provides you with a free, personalized digital catalog on your DVDs where you can browse your collection by artist and album, complete with cover art and track lists.
Yes. Ripshark's default configuration for converting your CD collection is 224 kilobits per second (kbps), which is considered to be CD-quality. Even conversion at 192 kbps, which allows users to increase the number of songs they can fit on a given device, is considered to be CD-quality.
Higher or lower bitrates should be selected depending on your storage requirements and your personal listening preference.
Ripshark is committed to your fair use rights as well as the copyrights of artists and others. Your music library is presumed to consist of copyrighted material. However, Ripshark does not use any Digital Rights Management (DRM) mechanisms to limit how you use your music. Rather, Ripshark has implemented the following steps to protect copyrights:
- Ripshark physically converts every single CD provided by our customers and does not keep a backup copy of any music files.
- Ripshark requires that customers accept responsibility to rightfully maintain their music and agree not to illegally distribute their music.
- Each Ripshark DVD is labeled with a notice that the content recorded on that media is subject to the copyrights claimed by its owner(s).
Ripshark makes every effort to convert scratched or damaged discs and in many cases we are able to successfully convert them. Obviously though, there are instances when we are unable to work with damaged CDs. In this event, the rest of your collection will be converted as normal and your damaged CDs will be returned along with your music library and the rest of your original CD collection.
There is no charge for unprocessed discs. Incomplete CD conversions are considered unprocessed.
The time it takes Ripshark to process your order depends on the number of CDs you convert. We generally process orders within 2 business days from the date we receive your CDs—not including shipping time. Larger orders and busier times can take longer.
Ripshark will keep you apprised of the status of your order via email, so you will know what you can expect.
A portable hard drive allows you to store your entire music library in one place without taking up space on your actual computer.
You can use the formula below as a guide for determining how much storage we recommend for your MP3 library:
# of CDs x .1 = number of gigabytes (GB) of storage
Storage estimates are based on the formula above. Pricing is based on the default service options and varies by the amount of CDs you are choosing to convert. Ripshark estimates the duration to convert a CD collection oneself on a throughput of 6 CDs an hour, for two hours a day, with a single computer.
No. We strive to keep the process simple so all CDs are charged at $0.99 USD. Shipping is FREE!
There are no returns on conversion services or non-defective DVDs and hard drives. Defective DVDs and/or hard drives and players can be replaced up to 30 days from the time they are converted before they are permanently cleared from our systems.
Ripshark seeks your 100% satisfaction. If you are dissatisfied with the quality of Ripshark's ripping services for any reason, we will re-process your order free of charge.
By default, Ripshark offers the MP3 format at 224kbps at a constant bitrate (CBR). This format is compatible with Apple iPods(r) and nearly every other digital audio music player.
Advanced options include MP3 at 192kpbs and 320kbps, as well as the AAC format (popular among some Apple iPod® users) at 120kbps, 160kbps, and 192kbps at no extra charge.
“Lossless” formats such as FLAC and Apple Lossless are also available for an additional fee.
The MP3 file format is the only standard supported by nearly all digital playback devices and software players. While other file formats have become popular in recent years (such as AAC and WMA) these formats are more platform-specific. Ripshark offers the AAC format as an "advanced option" at no extra charge.
Lossless formats like FLAC and Apple Lossless make great "future-proof" archives because, as the name implies, the exact original sound data is able to be reconstructed (without loss) at playback. Lossless formats are playable on a limited set of platforms and take up considerably more storage space.
In addition to file format, bitrate is another factor in determining the optimal characteristics of your music library. Bitrate affects both the sound quality and the size of each file. The higher the bitrate, the better the sound quality. However, higher bitrates also mean larger file sizes.
Another characteristic of bitrate is whether it is being applied at a constant and variable interval (CBR and VBR, respectively) during the file-encoding process. VBR allows a higher bitrate (and therefore more data space) to be allocated to the more complex segments of media files while less space is allocated to less complex segments. The average of these rates is calculated to produce an average bitrate for the file that will represent its overall sound quality. In theory, the advantages of VBR are that it produces a better quality-to-space ratio compared to a CBR file of the same size. The bits available are used more flexibly to encode the music more accurately with fewer bits used in less demanding passages and more bits used in difficult-to-encode passages.
The disadvantages are that results may vary on which data has been deemed most important to protect or compromise, as the process is more complex, and that some hardware might not be compatible with VBR files.
Bitrate does not apply to lossless formats.
Ripshark defaults to CD-quality 224kbps at a constant bitrate (CBR) because we believe it offers an optimal balance between sound quality, compatibility, and storage efficiency. Customers who are primarily using playback devices with restrictive storage space might consider converting at 192kbps, whereas customers who only listen to their music over high-end stereo equipment might prefer our 320kbps or a lossless option.
Bottom line: Ripshark provides a range of options that meet almost any need.
Ripshark's default encoding configuration is:
- Format: MP3
- Bitrate: 224 kbps
Ripshark's default bitrate is CD-quality 224 kbps CBR. To place an order for alternate bitrates, simply indicate your preference under “advanced options” on the order form.
Yes. This is Ripshark's default configuration.
Not at this time. Ripshark's default configuration uses constant bitrate (CBR) encoding. See “What’s the deal with all these formats and bitrates?” above
Yes. Ripshark supports FLAC and Apple-Lossless formats for an additional $0.69 per CD.
Ripshark makes it easy. After you place your order, we will send you a pre-paid, insured RipKit™ that includes:
- Shipping box
- CD-spindles to hold your collection
- Padding to protect your CDs
- Pre-paid UPS Ground return label
- Pre-cut packing tape to seal the box
You simply load your CDs onto the spindles, seal the box and call UPS at 1-800-PICK-UPS (1-800-742-5877) for pickup. Shipments are insured for $10 per CD.
Ripshark currently offers you two options for receiving your digital music library:
- Personalized DVD Only
- Personalized DVD, plus a variety of player/storage devices
Ripshark returns all orders on DVD. Your music-filled, personalized DVDs are included in the conversion prices on our website. Once you receive your data DVDs, you simply copy the files over to your computer.
Ripshark also offers you the additional option to purchase and receive your music on an iPod®, an online music locker, or a variety of plug & play external hard drives. All player/storage orders include the data DVDs as a backup.
Yes. We ship your CDs back with your new digital music library. We insure all shipments at $10 per CD.
No. CD jewel cases are notoriously fragile. Because your CD collection is important to you and to us, Ripshark provides you with a specially designed RipkitTM complete with protective CD spindles and padding for safe shipping.
Yes. Ripshark uses UPS Ground for all shipments and insures each CD for a replacement value of $10.
Not at this time. Ripshark receives and ships orders using UPS Ground.
Almost all computers purchased in the last couple of years include DVD drives. If you don't have a DVD drive or if you just want some extra storage space, you can choose to purchase a player or storage solution which Ripshark will pre-load with your music collection, so you don't need a DVD drive.
Each DVD we send you will contain roughly 45 music CDs. Please note that this calculation is based on MP3 224 kbps CBR. Higher encoding rates and lossless formats will lower the number of CDs that fit on each DVD.
No. Ripshark physically processes the music on each qualified CD it receives and does not keep any music files.
Yes. These tags contain premium quality song information such as song title, track number, artist, album, and genre. Ripshark also provides cover art whenever possible.
Ripshark can convert books on CD per the same terms and conditions of our music conversion service. However, Ripshark's metadata is optimized for music CDs.
Back to top