DRM often also needs to be enabled when playing downloaded Windows Media Video files.
I always have DRM disabled and only turn it on when prompted. Although installed, I can't remember the last time I used the WindowsMediaPlayer itself, (I hate Microsoft's meddeling - telling me what I can do with the music I paid for, etc!).
I rip (for mp3) with Easy CD-DA Extractor as it gives me a higher bitrate than MC - VBR High (320kbs), MC (9.0) only gives me 192 Kbs at VBR High, (maybe I have something set wrong in MC).
The web site I purchase much of my music from offers most formats and quality levels including mp3 VBR High (296 kbs) and no DRM.
I chose mp3 for 2 reasons:
1. I'm not as critical a listener as I used to be and while I can hear the difference in an A/B test between a CD(wav) and the high bitrate mp3, it's not a big one and I don't listen to music in an A/B test. The main difference can adjusted for with my tone controls.(I'm speaking here of rock music). For classical and jazz I do use Monkey's Audio.
2. Space. Mp3s take up a lot less space. I don't have unlimited funds for hard drives eventhough they are getting cheaper all the time.
Lps & tapes that I record, I first make CDs from the WAV file before converting them to mp3. I only play CDs in my car.
This are just my opinions.
Listening to: 'The Pilgrim' from 'Live Dates' by 'Wishbone Ash' - 1973 on Media Center 9.0