Windows media player 10


I have just started to rip CD's onto my hard drive using WMP10. Is this program capable of ripping EAC or a lossless format. If so how do I know what format it is using. I've only ripped a couple of cd's experimenting, and I don't want to get heavy into it not knowing what format they are being ripped. Are there better programs to use that are free on the internet? I'd like to get my entire collection ripped with the best sound quality. Any suggestions? I'm also open to buying software for ripping if it's good.
bodine
No suggestions here but have been considering asking same question. I would like to move into the inevitable future but don't want to lose data.
EAC with Accurip is the gold standard. There are numerous threads on this topic.
Yes, it offers a lossless format. Open Media player, click on tools, options and then click on the tab "Rip music". Look at the pull down menu for "rip settings". Here you will find 4 choices with one being Windows Lossless. I do not check the 3 options below this tab. Below this, you will find an 'Audio Quality" slider option, I select the Best Quality.

The sound quality is as good or better than playing from a CD player. I did listening test and I'm very happy with this.

I'm also using a Linksys wireless Media Center extender that is connected to my sound system. I have put all my CD's into the PC on an external 300 gig hard drive, have 5000 of my favorite songs and still have 70% free space on the hard drive. I have backed up the ripped music on the main PC, just in case the external would ever fail. My CD's are now all available from a remote control with many options of playlist, artists, song, ect. I'm using Windows XP Media Center 2005 software on my main PC.

This is what I use but there are also other good methods of getting your ripped music to your system.
The widows media player #10 uses the WMA lossless system for ripping. According to the experts it is about 97 or 98% as good as the EAC system. If the new user of EAC is not computer savvy EAC can be a pain in the butt.

Charlie