Burn iTunes Using Nero

From LoveToKnow Music

Digital music fans looking for portability and back-up may wish to burn iTunes using Nero. However, the basic set-up of the iTunes file system makes this a difficult proposition.

Attempting to Burn iTunes Using Nero

What is Nero?

Nero is a popular CD and DVD burning program for home and business use. A basic version of the program, called Nero Express, comes standard with many CD and DVD burners. The full version of Nero also includes sound editing and file creation capabilities in addition to basic burning.

Why It Won't Work

iTunes files are created with digital copy protection, commonly called DRM (digital rights management), resulting in AAC or .m4p files. They cannot be burned with most common CD burning programs. In order to burn iTunes using Nero, you would have to first convert the AAC files to another format, usually MP3. However, doing so would go against the iTunes terms of service and is therefore not a legal use of your downloaded files. Without MP3 files, users cannot burn a CD in Nero.

Burning CDs from iTunes

However, all is not lost. iTunes users can still burn CDs through the iTunes service:

Create a playlist. These songs should be in the order you would like them to appear on the CD. Check the capacity of your blank CDs to see how many songs you will be able to burn.
Choose Preferences from the iTunes menu.
Go to Burning under Preferences to set burning options.
- iTunes offers three burning options. A standard audio CD creates a traditional CD playable in all CD players. An MP3 CD holds more music, but it will only play in computers and MP3-compatible players. However, an MP3 burn will not include AAC files because they are generally unplayable on portable MP3 players. Finally, a data CD can be used purely for back-up purposes and includes all file formats.
- If you are burning an audio CD, you can set the length of the gap between songs and the sound check option can equalize the volume levels of all songs on the CD.
Select Burn Disc from the iTunes menu.
Users are limited in the number of copies they can make of a single playlist.

Retrieved from "http://music.lovetoknow.com/Burn_iTunes_Using_Nero"