Managing file formats for Track and Playlist downloads
When you upload audio files in common lossless formats to DISCO, DISCO creates an mp3 copy. These formats include:
• aif & aiff
• wav
• caf
• flac
Likewise, when you upload video files in formats other than mp4, DISCO creates an mp4 copy. We do this for a couple of reasons: for better in-browser playback for your files, and in the case of the mp3, to ensure that there's a format available with your metadata.
We don't delete the original file and you can always make it available to your recipients by updating your Playlist Settings to Include original formats.
How it works
When you upload a track or video in these formats, you'll see Transcoding... under the track title:
Transcoding means DISCO is making an mp3 or mp4 copy of the track or video.
Once the copy is made, it will be paired with the original as an alternate format of the same file and used as the default format for streaming and sending.
Sending a single track in multiple formats
If you want to send a single track to someone and allow them to choose the format they wish to download, choose Share from the track menu:
This will bring you to the pop-up where you can copy the track's share URL.
The Regular track URL will open a share page with all available formats available for download, while the Download URL will automatically download the mp3 of a track or the mp4 of a video when opened:
A regular track share URL will look like this, with download options available at the top right of the page:
How DISCO handles formats in shared playlists
When you share a Playlist on DISCO, all available formats are attached to each individual track and you can specify which you would like to download using the Download button to the right of the track:
When downloading the entire Playlist using the Download button at the top right of the page, by default, only optimized formats (mp3 or mp4) of the tracks will be downloaded:
Using the More formats and options link, you can select all or any combination of tracks, files, and formats to download:
What if I want the original track formats included when the entire playlist is downloaded?
You can update the Playlist Settings to Include original formats:
