Buy EMI’s catalog as MP3s for 30% cheaper than iTunes:
7 Digital is selling EMI’s catalog as 320kpbs MP3s for UKP0.50 — about $1. Apple is selling the same music as lower-bitrate AAC files, with s33kr1t information hidden in them that Apple won’t discuss, for 30 percent more.
Looks like it’s actually what he claims it is.
But I wonder if this would have happened without the iTunes/iPod strategy proving there was a market for digital music?
Ahem. Not all of the tracks are available as 320 kbits. I just picked one up that came in 192 kbits — less than the iTunes Plus tracks these are supposed to be better than. And from the details below, 320 is far from the default. But when I looked at the file’s info, it shows as being encoded at 225 kbits.
Q) What quality are the downloads?
A) The downloads are Windows Media Audio 9 Series encoded at 192kbps and AAC and MP3 formats encoded at 192kbps. These are virtually indistinguishable from CD-quality audio.
Q) What does “License Acquisition” mean?
A) When you purchase a track, our system will issue you a personal license enabling you to play the track on up to 3 computers as well as burn the track to CD and transfer to a compatible portable music player.
Q) What is DRM?
A) DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and is a technology that can help protect the copyright of artists and record labels by helping prevent illegaland unauthorised copying. Customers who buy tracks from this service can make personal CD copies of all tracks purchased and also transfer to their portable music players (as long as the portable music player is compatible with format of the download).
Why mention DRM at all? Do these tracks have it? If not, say so (it’s a bit selling point, after all). If yes, um, better to say that as well.