Music Format Frustrations

Frustration on a holiday morning!!?? Not Good...!!

On a rainy and dreary start to the holiday season here in the Northeast U.S., I woke up with a nice positive attitude! Until I decided to play some recently purchased music files... It reminded me that not all music download services are prepared to stuff your plate with gravy and goodies during the holiday season!

Copyright protection methods currently being implemented by online music service providers may likely result in driving customers AWAY from legal services instead of reeling them in! When someone purchases a song or album using online methods, there is an unspoken assumption they will be able to play the music when they want, use their preferred music player, and copy the purchased songs to CD or portable music player for their travel listening pleasure.

Unfortunately, the developing reality is that the protection methods being implemented by some top music download providers LIMIT music purchases from being played or accessed by music players other than their own. If the online providers don't satisfy customer needs and expectations, then they can probably expect the customer to go elsewhere for their downloads.

Examples:

- iTunes downloads using the M4P file format can only be played using iTunes software

- SonicStage (Sony CONNECT) uses a file format of OMA which is restricted to being played on SonicStage software

I'm not trying to isolate iTunes or SonicStage! I know these two service providers are widely accepted in the online music world. And, I'm sure there are plenty of other download services with similar restrictions. If someone selects to purchase a song from one of these providers, it's important that they realize the song format is not supported in common music players like Windows Media Player and Winamp! Suppose the purchasers entire music library has already been cataloged using Windows Media Player? Now they have to start the SonicStage player just to listen to this one particular song? How crazy is that??!!

On a more positive note, Rhapsody uses a music format of RAX which appears to be playable using most players. I also purchased and downloaded songs from other download providers like Wal-Mart.com that use the WMA format. That format also appears to be compatible with most music players.

My editorial comment: The online music industry needs to place additional focus on Interoperability, defined as "The ability of software and hardware on multiple machines from multiple vendors to communicate". The online music purchase process requires a solution that allows users to purchase songs legally, without restriction from playing the songs using whichever music player they choose! I believe we should share a common goal of providing legal copyright protection while respecting the integrity of the purchaser to play songs without unnecessary restriction. Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a term that refers to any of several technologies used by publishers or copyright owners to control access to and usage of digital data or hardware, and to restrictions associated with a specific instance of a digital work or device. DRM is currently in use by many service providers to maintain restrictions on their downloads.

Learn more about DRM.

So, what is my recommendation to online music service users? The common file types that appear to be playable in MOST music players is MP3 and WMA. Pick a music download service that provides one of these file formats. There are plenty of them... If your current provider uses more restricted file formats, you can always reconsider the use of their service. If you plan to make an exclusive commitment and continue to use their service, then great! Just keep in mind that if you change your mind after 6 months or so, then all those songs you purchased will remain orphaned and isolated from other music players.


Webmaster @ BJC Services
http://www.bjc-computer-services.com/joomla/online-services/

Internet Speed Testing

Internet speed testing is an important factor in downloading music or video. If your connection is slow, then downloads will take an excessive time to complete and your online service download experience will be less than satisfactory. If you are having a speed problem its important to isolate the speed of your internet connection from other factors which can contribute to slow download issues.

If you are not sure of your connection speed, then I recommend you try Speedtest.net. Although there are other speed tests available on the Internet, this one is unique. Speedtest allows you to test your connection speed to various servers around the world. This provides a much more realistic representation of internet speed than just testing the connection from your home or business to your local ISP. Speedtest also keeps a running history of the tests you have performed so you can track if the connection speed begins to deteriorate.

NOTE: A speed of 1500 kb/s or above would be a nice recommended target for music or video downloads

One thing you may notice while using this tool, is that downloading from a local server location is faster than a distant one. This is because the "TCP window (and therefore HTTP transfers) is not optimized for the increased latency that comes from the increase in distance". Speedtest will help you isolate this type of problem. Try testing with the server location closest to you, and then test with a server location farther away. If you know the location of your music or video download server, then use one of the test servers at a location nearby.

There are several other factors that contribute to download speed. The type of PC hardware you own is one factor. If you have an older PC then everything may run slowly. Also, if the server at the other end of your connection is slow then it will also affect the speed also. Some remote servers could be simply set to "throttle" downloads at lower speeds. This practice allows the remote server to control internet traffic and limit bandwidth concerns on their local internet connection to prevent potential overload.

Always try to isolate your speed issue [when possible] to determine if the problem is local PC, distant server, or connection speed. This will certainly help your support people in resolving any problems.

Unlike some things in life, where internet downloads are concerned... FASTER is ALWAYS BETTER!

Webmaster @ BJC Services
http://www.bjc-computer-services.com

Online Music Services Handbook

I just found a handbook that describes MP3 and general online music requirements, so I thought I would share it with all.

If you are new to playing music on your PC, take a look at the The MP3 and Internet Audio Handbook. Although this handbook was published in March 2000, it has a lot of useful information about digital music in general, including how to connect your PC or laptop to your home stereo or home entertainment system.

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Online Music Services

Subscription Music Sites offer online music purchase as well as the ability to access and play "millions" of songs. These sites require subscription (at a reasonable cost), and for the most part you must be online in order to access the subscription music. However, if you purchase songs they are usually downloaded to your PC and then can be played whenever you want. Keep in mind, that THESE resources are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they are NEVER out-of-stock!!

Rhapsodygives subscribers unlimited access to listen to more than 100,000+ albums, 70,000+ artists and 2,000,000+ songs and I like their user interface. It is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. Rhapsody offers an unlimited version at about $10 per month, and also a To Go option at about $15 per month. If you are a subscriber, they also give a 10% discount on music purchases. You can also check out their RealOne SuperPass Free Trial in which subscribers get to watch/listen to news, sports, film, TV and entertainment content using RealPlayer Plus. SuperPass also offers 3,200 radio stations and 10 free song downloads / month.

Yahoo! Music Unlimited offers their online music service for about $6 per month (with a yearly subscription), and they advertise over 2,000,000 songs. This is the most inexpensive subscription music service site I could find! If you want to use their service for loading songs onto your portable music player, then you will need the To Go option at about $10 per month (with yearly subscription). Still, you have to admit, these are some incredibly reasonable prices for a legal music service!

iTunes has arguably the largest and most popular service, possibly because of it's close relationship with iPod. Also, the software is fully compatible with both the Microsoft Windows and MAC operating systems! iTunes advertises as "the world’s best digital jukebox with the #1 music download store inside". As well as "Seamless integration with iPod". They offer the "Largest and Most Diverse Legal Music Download Catalog: Over 1 million tracks from all 5 major labels and more than 600 independents", as well as "More than 8,000 audiobooks and popular public radio programs". And don't forget, the jukebox software is FREE!!

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Online Music Players

Online music services have exploded onto the Internet scene as a result of copyright violations and legal issues surrounding online music sharing. It seems everyone wants to sell you legal music these days, and they have developed some really good online programs and resources to help you along. Keep in mind, that THESE resources are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they are NEVER out-of-stock!!

Music players include Windows Media Player (free if you own Microsoft's operating system) which provides access to various online stores directly from within the program. This really simplifies accessing sites and purchasing songs, as well as automatically adding purchased songs to your play list or music library. You can download this program from the Microsoft Download Center.

Another great music player is iTunes. They have arguably the largest and most popular music program possibly because of it's close relationship with iPod. Also, the software is fully compatible with both the Microsoft Windows and MAC operating systems!

Subscription music sites offer online music purchase as well as the ability to access and play "millions" of songs. These sites require subscription (at a reasonable cost), and for the most part you must be online in order to access the subscription music. However, if you purchase songs they are usually downloaded to your PC and then can be played whenever you want.

Subscription sites definitely have their value if you don't mind the monthly expense and you are a heavy music listener. However, when the monthly subscription cost was added to the monthly Internet access cost the dollars start to add up. I found the subscription costs associated with most web sites to be an unnecessary expense for ONE reason alone... WINAMP!

If you run the WINAMP program, it provides access to the vast majority of current hit songs for free! It also provides access to music services provided by various third party companies like AOL and XM RADIO. Using WINAMP, you can listen to songs, watch music videos, and access streaming music channels all for FREE. If you are looking for older songs, this may not be the best route for you though as most of the music is current. They do NOT maintain a substantial archive of older songs.

Good luck with your online music services! This definitely beats driving to a store, buying a CD, then finding that you only really like one or two songs!!

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