How to Get Your CD Information To Show Up In Windows Media Player

When making your own CDs, it's pretty easy to edit the file information on your PC or Laptop so that the correct artist, album and track names show up when you play it using Windows Media Player. But what if you have made a CD that you intend to sell or distribute, and you want the correct information to show up on other people's computers?

Much like iTunes, Microsoft has a database of music data that Windows Media Player uses to identify CDs and MP3s when they are loaded. While Microsoft will sometimes pull information from submits people make on their home computers, most of the information in their database is actually provided by a metadata-supplier called Rovi. You will need to send Rovi a copy of your CD if you want your information to show up in WMP on every computer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One fully packaged copy of your CD.
• Shipping materials and postage.

1. To get your CD information to show up correctly in Windows Media Player, you will need to send one, fully-packaged copy of your CD to Rovi's music and movie data division, All Media Guide. AMG seems to give higher priority to for-retail CD's (professionally replicated, tagged with UPCs), so be sure to use the version you are actually selling. They also need the full-packaging to get the track information and cover image. Don't try to skimp on costs by using a burned copy and a jewel case.

2. Mail your CD (in a box or envelope that is fully padded to prevent your CD becoming damaged and unusable) to AMG at:
   
   Product Submissions
   All Media Guide
   1168 Oak Valley Drive
   Ann Arbor, MI 48108

3. The amount of time it takes for a CD to be processed and then for the data to be picked up by Microsoft seems to vary greatly, but expect to wait as long as 6-8 weeks. CDs mailed to AMG will also show up on the website, allmusic.com.

Tips & Warnings

• Rovi also supplies metadata to several other media players and services, like Rhapsody, Real Player, Napster and Zune. So by submitting your CD to them, you will get your CD information to show up in other players as well.

Resources

• The official website of AMG

[redsands621]

on 8/13/2009 From what I understand, If you have a big-time distributor, your CD will get sent to AMG automatically. It's the rest of us that have to figure out how to get our stuff in there!

[jimlawson]

on 8/12/2009 Thanks! I've been trying to find the informations for weeks. Why is it such a little known process?!?!?!?

[ringpopz1]

on 7/21/2009 Great! My band and I have been trying to figure out how to this forever. Thanks!