This service is operated by FreshDigital Ltd. The best way to contact us is via email at classicsandjazz@freshdigital.co.uk. Alternatively you can write to us at the following address:

Classics and Jazz Download Store
Old Wall Cottage
High St
Whitchurch on Thames
Oxon
RG87EP

About the Music on this site

What file formats are available

We supply files in two different formats:

Windows Media Audio format: files are encoded at 320 Kbps which gives outstanding quality. Files are protected using Windows Media DRM. To play files from this service you will need to use a PC running Microsoft Windows and you will also need Windows Media Player version 9 or above which can be downloaded for free from here. These files will NOT play on an Apple® iPod.

MP3 format: if you have signed up to Dress Circle membership, you can instead download files in the popular MP3 format. Also encoded at 320 Kbps, MP3 files can be played on the majority of digital audio devices, including: PC (running either the Microsoft Windows® or Linux® operating systems), Apple® Mac, iPod, or any device labelled as “compatible with MP3 files”.

What are the restrictions on using these files (licences)?

Windows Media Audio format: unless stated otherwise you will receive three licences per year for every track you purchase. This allows you to move your music onto a new PC or use the music on a re-installed PC. Each licence will allow you to burn the track to CD 10 times and transfer the track 25 times to a compatible portable player. Tracks can be played an unlimited number of times on your PC.

MP3 format: MP3 files can be played on any of your own digital audio devices which are compatible with the MP3 format. There is no restriction on the number of times that you can burn the file to CD or transfer it between your own computers or to your own portable player. However all music files sold through the Classics and Jazz store (including the Dress Circle) are protected copyright works, and cannot be copied or transferred between devices other than for your own personal use. It is against the law to distribute copyrighted MP3 files (which includes sharing them with others) without express permission from the copyright holder. Please see our terms and conditions page for more information.

For more information please see the Windows Media Player FAQ

Playing and Using Your Music

What players are compatible with this service?

Windows Media Audio format: if a portable player has the “PlaysForSure” logo then it will work with any Windows Media Audio format files that you download from this store. Other players may also work but you should check with the manufacturer's website to check it is compatible with Windows Media DRM. Windows Media Audio (usually signified by a “.wma” file name extension) will not play on an Apple® iPod.

MP3 format: MP3 format files are compatible with a vast range of digital audio devices, from PCs to Apple® Macs, and most portable players. Simply check for “compatible with MP3” on your player or in its documentation.

How do I play downloaded tracks

To play WMA files you need a Microsoft® Windows® PC running Windows Media Player version 9 or higher, which you can download from here. When you play a track for the first time you will be prompted to enter your username and password. The tracks will be listed in the Windows Media Player library. Simply double-click on the track to play it.

MP3 format files will also play through Windows Media Player as well as a wide range of other music applications, such as WinAMP, RealPlayer, and iTunes, and will work on Microsoft® Windows®, Apple Mac®, and Linux® systems. Refer to your music application documentation for more information. Usually, simply double-clicking on the MP3 file will automatically start your music player and it will begin playing the file.

Once again, Windows Media Audio format ("WMA files") are not compatible with the iPod.

Where should I save my music?

We suggest you save your music in your My Music folder. Your browser will often attempt to store music in its temporary files directory. Please don't use this folder is the music will be deleted automatically by your browser after a short period.

How do I burn a CD?

Windows Media Audio format: to burn a CD you must use Windows Media Player. Each track can be burnt a number of times and you can check how many burns you have left by right-clicking on the track and selecting the Properties menu item. Click on the Licence tab on the window that appears where you will see a line saying “The file can be burned X more times” if you have any burns left. To burn a CD click on the Burn tab and then click “Edit Play list”. Select the tracks you wish to burn and then click OK. Now you should insert a blank CD-R into your CD writer and then click the “Start Burn” button. For more details see the Windows Media Player help file. For more information please see the Windows Media Player FAQ.

MP3 format: you can also use Windows Media Player, in the same way as above, to burn MP3 files to CD. Other music applications, such as Apple® iTunes, also enable you to burn MP3 files to CD (please check your music application’s documentation for more details).

Please remember that all music downloads from the Classics and Jazz store are copyrighted works and it is illegal to make copies of such works without express permission from the copyright holders. Please see our terms and conditions page for more information.

How do I transfer music to a portable player?

Windows Media Audio format: to transfer WMA files to a portable player you must use Windows Media Player and you must have a compatible player. If a portable player has the “PlaysForSure” logo then it will work with these files. Other players may also work but you should check with the manufacturer's website to check it is compatible with Windows Media DRM. These files are not compatible with the Apple® iPod. To transfer music to your portable player firstly connect the player to your PC. Next click on the Sync tab and then click “Edit Play list”. Select the tracks you wish to transfer and then click OK. Now press “Start Sync” to start the transfer process.

MP3 format: most MP3-compatible music players are sold with an application which can be used to transfer MP3 files to the player. Please consult your player’s documentation for the preferred method of transferring music to the player.

If you have purchased WMA files, each track can be transferred a number of times and you can check how many transfers you have left by right-clicking on the track and selecting the Properties menu item. Click on the Licence tab on the window that appears where you will see a line saying “The file can be synchronized X more times” if you have any transfers left.

For more information please see the Windows Media Player FAQ

Common Problems and Solutions

Windows Media Player cannot play this file. The player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file?

To correct this start windows media player and go to the Tools menu and selection Options. A window will open and on the Player tab there should be an option “Download codecs automatically”. This option should have a tick in it.