A Guide to the Napster Music Download Service
What is Napster? What Does This Music Streaming/Download Site Offer?
Sep 29, 2009
Mention music downloads to many people and the first name that they will mention is Napster. Originally one of the biggest pirate P2P music sharing sites, the company is now 100% legitimate.
It offers over 8 million tracks to buy, stream or download via various packages and a range of music related services. So what is Napster all about?
What Packages Does Napster Offer?
Consumers have a variety of options when using the service. The package that they choose (if indeed they choose to subscribe to one at all) may depend on how they want to use the site and how regularly they might use it. The three main options here are:
- Napster Light: This is the most basic option on site. It will require registration but won't involve a subscription charge. This package allows the user to download tracks and albums as they like by buying them on a "pay as you go" basis.
- Napster Unlimited: This package does involve a monthly subscription. It also includes the right to buy tracks from the store as with Napster Light. Here, however, the user can also stream an unlimited number of tracks from any PC and they can download tracks on to up to three PCs. These downloads are, however, meant to be used for streaming purposes only. A user that wants to burn downloads or put them on to portable media players will have to pay to buy them or take a subscription out for Napster To Go. Subscribers here can also get some discounts on the site's special offer track packs.
- Napster To Go: This is the flagship package of the site and, once again, involves a monthly subscription charge. This deal incorporates all of the above elements including streaming and purchasing facilities. It also allows the user unlimited downloads to any compatible portable music player.
With packages on offer to suit anything from the casual music download buyer to those who want to build their own computer or MP3 player music libraries, Napster seems to have all bases covered. So, are there any disadvantages to using the service?
Things to Consider Before Subscribing to Napster
Any tracks that a user buys from the site are theirs to keep. But, a user that subscribes to Napster Unlimited or Napster To Go can only use the full range of services whilst they continue their subscription.
So, for example, if a user downloads tracks to their MP3 player or streams them from their PC then these tracks will only be playable/useable if they have a current subscription. If they choose to end their deal, then they will automatically become unplayable.
The Napster Free Trial
The site offers a useful free trial that allows an individual to play around to see what they think before they decide whether to subscribe or not. This trial lasts for seven days and allows the user to try out Napster To Go or Napster Unlimited. This should be long enough to decide if the service is worth joining.
Bear in mind, before opting for a subscription, that the site also often offers free deals to new subscribers. In the UK, for example, new members joining Napster To Go at the moment will be given a free 2GB Creative Zen V when they join and agree to a six month contract commitment.
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