MTV URGE Music Service and Lossless WMA Audio? if only... | The Coffeehouse

MarkPerris

Since MS really seems to be pushing this hi-fi music experience for Vista, wouldn't it naturally follow that the music on URGE (the new MTV/WMP11 service) should be in at least Lossless WMA9 or, even better, for new music, considering the whole Intel HD Audio push and UAA thing, 24bit/96khz? I really don't hope that anyone pushing serious audio quality would deliver a lossy compressed format, considering how much HD space a typical 'Vista' machine would likely have.

Living out here in Japan, i have already paid for (300 yen) and downloaded at least 5 lossless WMA9 Pro 24bit 96Khz music files, which sound utterly stunning even on my built in Intel 945 audio (which is 24/96 capable), from the 'ongen' service.

So, any clues as to what the format will be?

Manip

400 Mb is a lot of bandwidth per album... Plus *most* people can't tell the difference between CD and "near CD" quality audio (iTunes) with up to 50% saving on space when compared to a lossless track.

MarkPerris

That's true, it is a lot, and as you say, most people wont notice much difference. However, if one is paying for the music, i think there should be an option to at least get a Lossless version, even if, due to the bandwidth, it costs more the user more. After all, Vista seems to be about 'experience fidelity', shouldn't MS be actively promoting it?

Manip

MarkPerris wrote:
However, if one is paying for the music, i think there should be an option to at least get a Lossless version, even if, due to the bandwidth, it costs more the user more.

I don't think anyone is going to argue with giving the user more options.

The problem is that options cost companies money and it has to be worth their while to implement what you want. It is absolutely technically possible, but is it profitable?

MarkPerris

Manip wrote:
but is it profitable?

If only business had a heart... Embarassed

Cairo
I want my waffle sundae, give me my carbs!

Manip wrote:

I don't think anyone is going to argue with giving the user more options.

Except the RIAA.

Tom Servo
W-hat?

Microsoft should start using high bitrate WMAPro for distribution. WMP does transcode the files for portable use anyway, so who'd care what WMP uses? It can play WMAPro, so use it, instead of that POS of that standard WMA codec.