Rockbites: mp3PRO offers smaller files, still free of copy protection

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June 2001 • Rockbites Alternative Daily

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mp3PRO offers smaller files, still free of copy protection
15 June 2001

Yesterday, German firms Thomson Multimedia and the Fraunhofer Institut Integrierte Schaltungen (institute for integrated circuits), developers of the outstandingly successful MP3 (MPEG I, layer 3) music file format, released an upgrade. Dubbed mp3PRO, the new format retains the feature that boosted MP3 past all rivals such as the Windows Media format: a complete lack of copy protection. It adds smaller file size—mp3PRO files are typically less than half the size of their MP3 equivalents—and sound quality that Thomson describes as “equal or better.”
    The mp3PRO encoding process splits input audio into two frequency bands—a lower band containing the audio used by the original MP3 format, and an upper band for higher frequencies—and processes them separately. An mp3PRO player reassembles them, while a standard MP3 player ignores the upper band—but can still play the files. In some cases the new format files may not sound as good on older players as files ripped using existing high quality tools such as AudioCatalyst. The new mp3PRO player will work with all existing MP3 files.
    Members of the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) want, among other things, to wipe out the MP3 format by selling only portable devices that just won’t play it—thereby protecting the financial interests of their members such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their nemesis is the millions of students and others worldwide who kind of like the lack of copy protection afforded by MP3. Also on that side are firms such as Thomson and Fraunhofer. But back in 1999, the SDMI strong-armed Diamond Multimedia, makers of the Rio MP3 player, into promising to support SDMI copy protection under threat of a copyright infringement lawsuit. There will no doubt be an escalation of the battle for music fans’ dollars as mp3PRO makes its way into the world.
    You can download free mp3PRO demonstration software now, which works only on the Microsoft Windows platform. | Thomson press release | | mp3Pro player download (Windows only) | | Fraunhofer IIS-A | | top of page |

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