Back-up iTunes or Mp3 files?

Question

I was thinking that if my computer crashed, what should I back up? My iTunes or the mp3 files itself, because I don't listen to music on itunes, I use Windows media player and to play the music I click on the actual mp3 files. I also heard that if I back-up the mp3 files and not itunes, my iPod might not sync on a new computer, is this true?

Answer 1

If you bought songs from the iTunes Store, I would be more worried about backing those up b/c if your computer crashes, you'll have to re-buy all of those songs. That's what people mean by backing up iTunes. But if you just imported your own CDs or got songs elsewhere, you can just back those up. iTunes doesn't hold separate copy of songs from Media Player, except for the ones you buy from the iTunes Store.Those iTunes-bought songs are in a format that Media Player doesn't recognize. Your actual songs reside on your hard drive and iTunes and Windows Media Player just show those songs in their libraries. The last thing isn't true.  

Answer 2

just backup the mp3's, that way you can listen to the songs on any sort of mp3 player, acc format is only read by ipod. and no i don't think it's true.