Cddb

[Mistoffeles]

Is there any way to get Quintessential Player without the restrictive Gracenote CDDB license, either without any CDDB whatsoever, or with the ability to use any CDDB server you choose to, such that the Quintessential Player license would cover the Quintessential Player, and only the Quintessential Player?

This alone disinclines me from using the QP, despite its superiority otherwise.

[acozz]

When running the installer you can choose to not install the Gracenote things. Just go to Library Plugins and uncheck Gracenote CDDB, then install. Is that what you want?

[DarkMagess]

Is there any way to get Quintessential Player without the restrictive Gracenote CDDB license, either without any CDDB whatsoever, or with the ability to use any CDDB server you choose to, such that the Quintessential Player license would cover the Quintessential Player, and only the Quintessential Player?

This alone disinclines me from using the QP, despite its superiority otherwise.

I don't think you'd be able to use another DB in gracenote's place, though. I believe part of their licensing is that you shall forever and always only use their services once you start.

[Tokelil]

Actually you can use another DB plug-in if you want. There's a FreeDB one, but it is old and buggy and there's no plans to update it from the author. Paul has never discouraged development of FreeDB support AFAIK, but he wont do it him self. (He works for Gracenote after all and their support is great. Personally I dont see a reason not to use Gracenote)

[DarkMagess]

Actually you can use another DB plug-in if you want. There's a FreeDB one, but it is old and buggy and there's no plans to update it from the author. Paul has never discouraged development of FreeDB support AFAIK, but he wont do it him self. (He works for Gracenote after all and their support is great. Personally I dont see a reason not to use Gracenote)

Really? My bad.

[Tokelil]

As far as I remember the only thing Paul can't do is to publish a QMP version with another DB library as long as it also comes with Gracenote. Its kind of an exclusive agreement or something.

[acozz]

And he can't publicize any other CDDB plugins by posting them on the plugins page.

[Paul]

Yea, Gracenote is pretty explicit in the contract with any software vendor that they can't use any other sources of metadata.

This is not a fear of competition providing a better experience, it has to do with Gracenote not wanting the data that comes from their service going into building a competing service (e.g.: Submitting CDs looked up by Gracenote back to FreeDB).

That aside, what Acozz is saying is right. If QCD didn't use Gracenote I would gladly use FreeDB. But I am so I can't. However, if I can be seen as non-biased about this, Gracenote's service _FAR_ exceeds FreeDB in content, accuracy, data quality, and features. FreeDB is the 'poor man's' recognition service, for apps that can't use Gracenote. IMO of course.