MP3

Google is cracking down on a popular site that converts the music from YouTube videos into MP3s.

YouTube-MP3.org has received a letter from Google notifying site operators that converting videos this way violates YouTube's terms of service, according to the blog TorrentFreak, which said it has seen the letter.

YouTube, acquired by Google in 2006, has also apparently blocked YouTube-MP3.org's servers from accessing the video-sharing site.

"We have always taken violations of our Terms of Service seriously," said a YouTube spokesman, "and will continue to enforce these Terms of Service against sites that … Read more

First things first, I'm referring to soft-to-loud dynamic range compression, not MP3 or other types of lossy data compression. Dynamic range compression has been around for almost as long as recorded music has existed, but over the last decade or so the public has demanded ever higher levels of dynamic range compression. The so-called lowest common denominator approach to mixing and mastering music boosts all of the softer/quieter passages to be loud all the time. That process obliterates all of the original details, subtleties, and nuances of the instruments and vocalists. Once the mix has been compressed, it … Read more

Though not the first to win an award for most self-explanatory title, YouTube to MP3 Converter allows you to do just that: "convert" YouTube clips to the MP3 format. This freeware title only hints at its full capabilities, which include converting YouTube movies into AVIs, MP4s, FLVs, and WMV formats. The program also allows you to download up to 1080p formats for the HD-inclined.

In a crowded world of free converters and clones, perhaps the most outstanding aspect of this title isn't its function, but rather its flexibility and presentation. YTtoMP3 Converter has a simple and easy … Read more

Just as mystery-novelists often write the ending first, I sometimes start my daily Cheapskate post by writing the bonus deal. And today, the bonus deals just got away from me, to the point where they consumed the whole post.

In other words, it's like all dessert and no dinner. But, somehow, I don't think you'll mind.

Bonus deal: The Xbox is rapidly evolving into a home-theater hub, what with the recent additions of HBO Go, SmartGlass, and the like. Alas, you need an Xbox Live membership to enjoy most of those features (including Netflix), and that'll … Read more

Over a decade ago, searching for legal ways to get music on the Internet was tiresome and downright tedious. Fast-forward to today and we're left with more music services than we have fingers, all touting free or affordable ways to listen to just about all the songs you could possibly listen to several lifetimes over. Record labels may still be bickering in court, but now is a pretty darn good time to be able to enjoy the freedom of listening to practically anything you want...all without a court order. Here are five great services or apps to get … Read more

I love a good Bluetooth speaker -- especially when it comes with a kick-ass bonus.

For a limited time, Amazon has the Logitech Wireless Boombox for $109.99 shipped. And with that you get a $50 Amazon MP3 credit.

Update: Amazon is currently sold out of the Wireless Boombox, though it's still available via CircuitCity for the same price -- just without the $50 credit. Bummer!

The Wireless Boombox sports eight speakers for some reasonably powerful portable audio. And by portable I mean it has a rechargeable battery that Logitech says is good for up to six hours.

Although … Read more

Quick: What's your favorite song right now?

If you don't mind sharing the answer with your Facebook friends (and, admit it, you probably have already), you can get a $2 Amazon MP3 credit.

Just type in the name of your favorite song (or, really, any song, past or present), then click Share & Claim. Presto: Two bucks you can spend on more music.

What's the catch? No catch, though you will have to authorize Amazon's Facebook app if you haven't already. (I can already hear the Facebook haters crying foul, but remember that this giveaway … Read more

Fan favorite music-streaming and discovery service Turntable.fm is available on Android, and it does a great job of packing its full desktop experience into your mobile device.

The first thing you notice about Turntable.fm for Android is its absolutely stunning interface. The listening rooms look slick, with the DJ booth and speakers up top and the familiar rating controls on bottom. And of course, the hypnotic little avatars bumping their heads in rhythm fill out the rest. Tap an avatar to view that listener's vitals or hit the speech bubble to see what listeners in the room … Read more

Duplicate files can take up a lot of room on your hard drive, and they can accumulate faster than you might expect. Importing and renaming images, inadvertently downloading files twice, and other run-of-the-mill activities can result in a computer clogged with files you don't need. Fortunately, there are plenty of programs out there that can help you root out and delete duplicates. PackIt is a basic rendition of this software, with some useful features and a few drawbacks as well.

PackIt's interface is quite plain, and it wasn't immediately clear how to get started; there was an … Read more