I'm new to this forum, and I hope this doesn't seem like too simple a question. Here goes.

I own several hundred cds, and I may be moving overseas. I've read about network audio players, and it seems to me that I can perhaps get rid of my cds (rather than shipping them all overseas) by loading them onto my computer in uncompressed files and then playing them on my audio system thru such a player. However, I know little or nothing about such an idea.

How many different uncompressed file formats exist? Which are thought to be the best? Can anyone recommend a particular software package for recording my cds onto my computer and then playing/managing the files thereafter? Any other tips regarding this idea? If there are any articles to which you can refer me, I'd be happy to do some reading on my own - I just don't know where to start.

Thanks!