Must I actually rip all my CDs before I can access them via Match?

[kiwichap]

I have yet to rip my CD collection, ie copy them all to a hard-drive.

Do I have to rip them in order to then tell Match I possess them? Or can I inform Match I have them, eg via a barcode reader, or even merely insert in the CD-drive without having to read the whole disc, which seems to be an un-neccesary requirement.

It is a lot of work that I would like to avoid!

In hope, dear thread

(probably a forlorn hope? )

 

[mobilehaathi]

Gotta rip em...

 

[Bear]

Do what I did originally. I kept a stack of CDs next to the computer and ripped them as I was doing other stuff on the computer.

I grabbed a few artists specifically to do first, then I went in order.

Also, when you don't have time to rip, you could let iTunes Match process what has been ripped already so it's available for other devices.