I\u2019ve just received my copy of David Bowie\u2019s A Reality Tour, a double CD for which I paid \u00a311.98 from Amazon.co.uk \u2013 though if I\u2019d waited a few days, I would have been able to buy a US import for \u00a38.59 including shipping, at today\u2019s prices.<\/p>\n
For my money I get a tri-fold package with photos from the tour, and a 12-page booklet with more photos and credits.<\/p>\n
The CDs between them have 33 tracks \u2013 not bad value.<\/p>\n
Still, I could have downloaded from Apple iTunes for \u00a39.99 \u2013 which is a little less, or a little more, than the CD price depending whether you compare with what I paid or the best current deal.<\/p>\n
What is annoying though is that the iTunes download has two additional tracks:<\/p>\n
They are probably nothing special; but it is irritating. <\/p>\n
On the other hand, iTunes has its annoyances too. The tracks are lossy-compressed; and even if you don\u2019t think the difference is audible, that is still a disadvantage if you want to convert to some other format, as generational loss creeps in. I miss out on the packaging (though there may be some digital booklet, I\u2019m not sure). In addition, the rights I purchase are non-transferable, so if I decide I don\u2019t like the album, I can\u2019t stick it on eBay to reduce my loss.<\/p>\n
The end result of each purchase is similar, as I rip the CD for streaming anyway.<\/p>\n
On balance, I think the CD is a better buy; but I can see where this is going.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019ve just received my copy of David Bowie\u2019s A Reality Tour, a double CD for which I paid \u00a311.98 from Amazon.co.uk \u2013 though if I\u2019d waited a few days, I would have been able to buy a US import for \u00a38.59 including shipping, at today\u2019s prices. For my money I get a tri-fold package with … Continue reading CDs to downloads: the noose tightens<\/span>