Question : Problem: Any good tools to convert CD songs to MP3 format?

I am looking for some free/cheap tools to convert CD songs to MP3 (or other popular formats) to play on iPOD. Please recommend some that can do the following or even more.
Q#1. Does traditional CD song track has information of song title, artist, description?
Q#2. If yes, any tool that can automatically copy the song track information when converting into MP3?
Q#3. If no, does any tool that can allow user to enter song tile, artist, description when converting so iPOD can read that information when playing?
Thanks.

Answer : Problem: Any good tools to convert CD songs to MP3 format?

Howdy Richtree,

In answer to your questions:

#1. A traditional CD does not have album/track title information etc stored on it per se. However, every CD has a unique ID key (basically a serial number) recorded in it, which allows databases to be created listing information on the CD (such as album title, track title, etc).
#2 There are many media players (such as Windows Media Player or iTunes) which will automatically retrieve the CD's album title, track information etc from an internet database when you play or import the CD.
#3 If you are using an iPod, iTunes is probably your best choice for importing CDs to your computer. It allows you to import and save your songs in a number of different formats, such as MP3, AAC, MP4, etc. It will also attempt to retrieve the track information for the CD from the internet - if it is not successful, you can enter the information manually.

To set the import format in iTunes:

1. Locate the Edit menu. When you have opened iTunes, locate and open the Edit menu found at the upper left hand section of the screen. Click on Preferences, found at the bottom of the Edit menu list

2. Locate the word Advanced at the top of the Preferences screen. It is a tab that you can click to open a particular set of advanced options. After clicking the Advanced tab, locate the Importing tab which appears to the right of the General tab.

3. Set the audio format. The Importing screen that appears will give you a few basic importing options. You can set the audio format that you prefer. Music files can be formatted to take up less space by sacrificing varying levels of sound quality.

4. Change the encoder settings. After choosing an audio encoder format, you can change the encoders settings. Increasing the sample rate (kHz) and the bit rate (bkps) increases the size and sound quality of the music files.

5. Apply the changes. When you have completed your modifications click OK to apply the changes and close the importing options screen. You also have the option of clicking the Cancel button which will exit the screen without applying any of the changes. You can also click the Use Default Settings button to restore iTunes to its original import settings.

Hope this helps!