Q: Why Choose Ripshark?
If you are not sure how to go about this, please contact us. We’ve been working with digital music for a long time (over 10 years) and can walk you through the pros & cons of all your choices. We’ll listen to your situation and suggest the best solution. You don’t even need to use this Web site to place your order when we’re done on the phone – we’ll just send you an invoice you can pay with your credit card. That’s why you choose Ripshark – we make it easy for you – our valued customer!
Q: What does Ripshark do?
Ripshark converts your music CDs into a digital music library organized by artist and album. You send us your CDs, we rip them and send back your choice of digital music files (like MP3 or AAC) –playable on most digital playback devices and digital music software.
Q: How do I get my music into my Cloud?
Once we have everything in digital format, we can upload your library from our high bandwidth facility directly into your Cloud storage for you. We need your account information to do this on your behalf. Advantage to you is immediate enjoyment of your music before we ship your library back.
Q: Is my shipment safe?
Yes. Unlike other CD ripping services which will charge you extra for safe shipping, our shipping includes insurance and tracking – STANDARD. We wouldn’t risk sending an important CD collection without insurance and tracking, why would you?
Q: Will my metadata be clean?
Yes. Unlike other CD ripping services which charge you extra for premium metadata, we buy premium metadata grooming from AMG (All Music Guide) and include it in your service - STANDARD. After going through the effort to get this done, we would certainly want our digital music library organized with accurate artists, albums, tracks & beautiful cover art. Why wouldn’t you?
Q: Will you repair my “bad” CDs?
Yes, we will try. Unlike other CD ripping services which charge extra for repairing discs, we try to repair your discs if they don’t rip. We don’t want to disappoint you with unprocessed discs and so we do everything we can to rip every one.
Q: What does the ripping service cost?
Ripshark’s CD ripping and conversion service starts at just $0.99 USD per CD. In addition, we offer lossless archive files for an additional $0.69 per disc.
Q: What about all these formats and bitrates?
There are a lot of options for digital music libraries these days. Fortunately, we keep up with all the options and make it simple for you to easily enjoy your CD collection (investment!) in a new digital way. When you order our CD ripping services, just answer 3 simple questions and we’ll pick the right formats for you. Don’t know the answers? No problem, just stick with our default settings (just about everybody does anyway). For those who want to know more, here are the facts:
- MP3 encoding is the most prevalent and plays on just about every device and platform out there. But pound for pound, it does not sound quite as good as the newer formats such as AAC and WMA. If you want to be confident your digital music library will play wherever you go, choose MP3.
- AAC encoding is the default iTunes / iPod format, but does not play everywhere. It sounds better than MP3 and you could choose smaller file sizes and still enjoy high fidelity. Choose AAC if you are devoted to your iPod.
- WMA encoding is the default Microsoft format, but does not play on iPods. It sounds better than MP3 and you could choose smaller file sizes and still enjoy high fidelity. Choose WMA if you are a Microsoft purist.
- Bitrate affects the sound quality and file size. High bitrate = high quality = big files = fewer songs on your device. Most would agree that 192 Kbps is the threshold to “I can’t tell the difference”.
- FLAC is an archival format which completely preserves the original audio fidelity. These files don’t play on devices, but they do play on many media servers. in the future when some new encoding format becomes popular, you could always go to your FLAC archive and encode them to that future format, thus “future proofing” your collection. They are huge files (about 5 times bigger than popular encoding formats).
Q: How do I load my music onto my computer?
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.
Q: Can I play my DVDs on my DVD player?
Depending on your DVD player, this may be possible; however, we do not recommend playing your music directly from your DVDs.
Q: How do I load my music onto my iPod® or other music player?
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.
Q: How will my music library be organized?
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.
Q: Are the digital files Ripshark returns to me CD-quality?
Yes. Ripshark’s default configuration for converting your CD collection is 256 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. See the chart above for a visual reference.
Q: Does Ripshark Use Digital Rights Management (DRM) on converted files?
No. Ripshark is committed to your fair use rights as well as the copyrights of artists and others. As your music library is presumed to consist of copyrighted material, 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).
Q: What does Ripshark do with scratched or damaged discs?
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.
Q: How long will it take Ripshark to process my order?
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.
Q: What benefit does the hard drive option provide?
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
Q: What formula do you use in your “Conversion Calculator”?
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.
Q: Does Ripshark offer volume discounts?
Yes, please contact us.
Q: Does Ripshark accept orders of less than 100 CDs?
No. If you want us to rip less than 100 CDs, you will pay for shipping. Contact us if this is your case.
Q: Does Ripshark handle custom audio conversion requests?
Not at this time.
Q: What is Ripshark’s Return Policy?
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.
Q: What audio file formats and bitrates does Ripshark offer?
By default, Ripshark offers the MP3 format at 256 kbps 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 no extra charge.
FLAC “Lossless” archives are available for an additional fee.
Ripshark defaults to 256 Kbps 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 192 Kbps, whereas customers who only listen to their music over high-end stereo equipment might prefer our 320 Kbps or a lossless option.
Bottom line: Ripshark provides a range of options that meet almost any need.
Q: What are Ripshark’s default configuration settings?
Ripshark’s default encoding configuration is: Format: MP3, Bitrate: 256 Kbps
Q: Does Ripshark convert to WMA, AAC or FLAC?
Yes.
Q: Does Ripshark convert to CBR?
Yes. This is Ripshark’s default configuration.
Q: Does Ripshark convert to VBR?
Ripshark’s default configuration uses constant bitrate (CBR) encoding. See “What’s the deal with all these formats and bitrates?” above. If you have a special configuration need, please call us at (888) 350-7457.
Q: Does Ripshark convert to lossless codecs?
Yes. Ripshark supports FLAC format.
Q: How do I send my CDs to Ripshark?
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 drop off at FedEx Kinkos. Shipments are insured for $10 per CD.
Q: How does Ripshark deliver my music back to me?
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® or a variety of plug & play external hard drives. All player/storage orders include the data DVDs as a backup.
Q: Do I get my music CDs back?
Yes. We ship your CDs back with your new digital music library. We insure all shipments at $10 per CD.
Q: Do I send my CDs in their cases when I ship them to Ripshark?
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 Ripkit™ complete with protective CD spindles and padding for safe shipping.
Q: Does Ripshark serve markets outside of the United States?
Not at this time.
Q: Are orders insured?
Yes. Ripshark uses UPS Ground for all shipments and insures each CD for a replacement value of $10.
Q: Does Ripshark accept drop-off orders?
Not at this time. Ripshark receives and ships orders using UPS Ground.
Q: Does my computer read DVDs?
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.
Q: How many albums fit on each DVD?
Each DVD we send you will contain roughly 45 music CDs. Please note that this calculation is based on MP3 256 kbps CBR. Higher encoding rates and lossless formats will lower the number of CDs that fit on each DVD.
Q: Does Ripshark maintain a copy of my music?
No. Ripshark physically processes the music on each qualified CD it receives and does not keep any music files.
Q: Does Ripshark use ID3v2 tags?
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.
Q: Does Ripshark offer a “books on CD” conversion service?
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.
Q: Does Ripshark offer a digital LP conversion service?
Not at this time.
Q: Does Ripshark offer a digital photo conversion service?
Not at this time.
Q: Does Ripshark offer a digital DVD or VHS conversion service?
Not at this time.
Yes we take credit cards or PayPal