podServe is a CD ripping service. Our focus is on Apple iPods (incl. Nano, Touch & iPhone) but we also support Sonos, Opus and iMerge home audio systems. We convert Music CDs, audiobooks, DVDs and photos.

podServe is different because we collect and return your CDs in person. Our service is described in detail here.

podServe is the UK's largest CD ripping service (not just the first) with endorsements from The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Rough Guides.

Simply use the normal iTunes synchronisation process. We can also download direct to your iPod or a USB hard drive.

Yes, this will save you even more time. And we bring our own carry boxes too.

We add album art, each image is embedded right into the music file so it never gets lost. Album art can also be displayed on your iPod in Coverflow and as each track plays. With current art databases this isn't 100% accurate, but if you have a modern music collection you should see 70+% accuracy.

Yes we can, ring 01277 222 398 for details or check our sister service 1Scan. We can convert photos, slides, negatives and videotapes.

The short answer is simply no.

But we are often asked why, and have we tried it? Yes we have tried, and in testing converted many albums. If you're thinking of doing the same this is what you need bear in mind. First, you need a good deck. Anything costing less than several hundred pounds means you're hampering what happens subsequently as you'll be working with flawed data from the outset.

Second, you need a good sound input. Unless you have an outstanding PC you'll need something more powerful than the inbuilt sound port. Then, you need some good software. Thankfully this is the easiest bit as one of the best products is available for free (Audacity). Set this all up, it will take a few hours practice to get it all linked properly, then create an input file. We got best results working with a WAV file, and you might need to correct for any hiss or buzz, giving you a single file for one side of the LP. If you want to split this into individual tracks you'll need to make sure you cut at the right time, by the way compilation albums can be a nightmare as the gaps between the tracks are so short. Then label each track and export as a digital file. We like Wav but you can often export direct to MP3.

When all of this is done listen to the results. We did and were consistently disappointed. Alternatively you can buy a download from iTunes Music Store or Amazon, or even buy a CD and rip that. Given the cost of doing that is now modest we couldn't economically offer a vinyl conversion service.

Around 70.

Yes, we can take your CDs out of their plastic jewell cases and put them into wallets for you, along with the notes. More details on CD repacking.

By cheque, cash, bank transfer.

Yes.

AIFF is an entirely uncompressed music data file format, with a digital "wrapper" containing the album, track, artist, genre, album art etc - the track metadata. The quality is as good as the original but the file size is very large, you get very much less on your iPod and playing AIFF music will flatten your battery much faster.

If you have a good home music system such as Sonos, and you've invested in a large amount of local storage (either via a NAS or large capacity drive on your PC) AIFF is a great option as it will give you the highest quality sound available from a digital music file.

AAC is the digital music file format Apple developed for the iPod. It compresses your music so although you do lose some quality you get much smaller file sizes, you get a lot of music onto your iPod and with that comes decent battery life. When configuring iTunes to convert from a CD to an AAC file you can specify the degree of compression. As standard we use 256 Kbps AAC files, they're a great compromise between quality and disc usage.

Thanks to our error correcting CD drives its very rare that a CD is so badly scratched we can't convert it, but if it can't be ripped then you won't be charged. Also, if the track data is incomplete we won't charge you for that CD (but you do get a digital version).

For most people supplying music on DVD is sufficient. However in addition we can supply a USB drive (or use one of yours) and copy your music onto that. This gives you massive capacity at modest cost, it can save time copying DVDs onto an internal disc, and can easily be moved to another computer should you upgrade.

Yes, our digital music files we create from your CDs will integrate seamlessly into your new music library. Our clients are more inclined to invest in music downloads once their backlog has been converted for them.

Your music files will be backed up to good quality DVDs, with an estimated life of 30+ years. We can also supply your music on a USB drive, and download it onto your iPod.

Yes, the information here might help. iPod Service Module Error

You simply use iTunes import feature for CDs, or purchase music from iTunes Music Store. Then when you next sync your iPod your new music will be copied onto your iPod.