Comments on: Deathly Hallows not coming to iTunes Store

By: Alderete

Alderete — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:01:03 +0000

@Jason: Well, we can all hope that it does eventually come to the iTunes Store, but when the time comes that you’re ready to start it, I wouldn’t wait one minute for it to appear there. The CD version is ready today, it’s cheaper, and it comes with all the great artwork. I think that’s the way to go.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:02:36 +0000

I’m almost finished with Order of the Phoenix. Hopefully they get Deathly Hallows up on iTunes sometime this winter.

By: Alderete

Alderete — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:59:26 +0000

@Tracy: You are correct that there’s nothing final about the blurb. In the end, it may be available on the iTunes Store. But as for “optimizing the revenue from CDs,” I doubt that very much. The CD versions of the books are regularly discounted (which I have seen as much as $15-20 less per book than the iTunes versions, of the six that are available). Add to that the cost of the physical materials of the CD version, compared to the virtual costs of the iTunes version, and it’s a pretty good guess that the iTunes distribution of the book would be a lot more profitable than the CDs. To say nothing of the profitability of a full set of all seven books; I would guess each set could represent as much as $100 more in profits than the CD version (which is not yet available).

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the delay is all about money, but I would be surprised that someone thinks they’ll make more money on the CDs than on the iTunes version…

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:49:40 +0000

Ok, I know I am optimistic, but it does NOT say it will definately not be coming to iTunes, only that they don’t have a date for it at present. Since it is still early, I am holding out for it to show up on iTunes. I can wait… and even re-read the good old-fashioned text version.

But I still think it will come out eventually. I think they are just trying to optimize the $$$ they get on the sale of the CD’s. Granted the iTunes versions are not cheap, but I suspect that they are just holding out to avoid lots of people sharing the iTunes version.

Just my thought.

By: Bruce A

Bruce A — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:02:20 +0000

Donna, in iTunes go to the preferences and check the “Advanced Tab” and chose “Importing”. Are “Play track while importing” and “Use error correction” checked? Uncheck them if so and iTunes will be MUCH quicker.

By: Adele K

Adele K — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:56:14 +0000

I successfully copied all 17 Deathly Hallows disks into iTunes and my iPod! Thanks for the tip on Audiobook Builder. Although it took three tries to find the best settings, I’m now happily listening to Jim Dale read the final chapter of this wonderful series.

BTW, the third try meant dividing the book into 11 two-hour parts (my first tries were too long – 12 and then 7 hours each).

Thank you for the recommendation!

By: Bernard Doddema

Bernard Doddema — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:08:15 +0000

Interesting. Oh well, I still got the CD on hold at the local library.

By: Donna Ford

Donna Ford — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:04:12 +0000

I’m not quite ready for a MAC yet though I love my iPod. What I don’t love is iTunes. It is far too labor intensive.

Ripping library CDs takes 16-20 minutes per CD on cable; I can rip a CD on WMP11 in 3-4 minutes. That is easier on my PC and my nervous system. I’ve had a number of 19, 18, 14 CD books lately and it would have taken all day on iTunes. Have you checked out the Creative ZEN to be on the market in two weeks? In the brief previews I can’t really find anything wrong with it other than non-removable battery. Lots of new stuff out there and hopefully things for us Windows users will get better.