From the makers of the MP3 file format comes a new audio codec which may well be key to help curb music piracy.
Called MusicDNA, the file format is being billed as successor of the MP3 – by Bach, its makers – and is packed to the brim with metadata, containing artist information, artwork and even things like song lyrics and Twitter feeds.
Much like the iTunes LP but not locked to iTunes like Apple's version, MusicDNA hopes to revitalise the music industry by adding extras to the files like live videos and even links to buy merchandise.
Double the price
"We bundle all the audio data and business intelligence in one file. The data can be automatically updated whenever you are online," said co-inventor Stefan Kohlmeyer at the launch of the format.
"You could even sell it for double the price of an ordinary MP3. If content creators make an effort to put a lot of exclusive content in to it, you could definitely charge a higher premium."
So far there are a number of music labels who have signed on to supply MusicDNA, including the UK-based Beggars Group, Delta records and Tommy Boy Entertainment.
Tom Silverman, the founder and CEO of Tommy Boy, is so enthused with the idea of MusicDNA he explained that: "If MP3s were the cassette, MusicDNA will be the CD."
It will be interesting to see if any sort of music format can knock any of the current digital stalwarts off of their perch (MP3, WMA, AAC and the like) especially if MusicDNA is going to be sold at a premium.
Via PaidContent
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
tionm
March 15th 2010
5. It's just another version of DRM. It doesn't matter (to the music industry idiots) just how many hundreds of times they have tried and failed to come up with an MP3 killer they are all the same. All offer better compression, all offer (supposedly) better quality, and they all tie you into a DRM scheme.. And they all fail because of the DRM.. Nothing changes..
(A quick definition of insanity is someone who repeats the same process time and time again and expects a different result.. That's the music industry in a nutshell)
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anteaus
January 26th 2010
4. Nothing annoys me more than players which DEMAND that mp3s have ID3 tags, and refuse to display the filename. It just means you have to name every track twice name every track twice.
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informale
January 25th 2010
3. >>you could definitely charge a higher premium
What an utter nonsense! People don't need all those extras, they just want their 192kbps mp3 to play in their iPod, period. For everything else: the merchandise, the extras - what have you - there's Google!
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carl_d
January 25th 2010
2. hands up anyone that regularly uses BDLive or thinks getting DVD extras is really important? anyone? tis just another reason to keep prices inflated rather than stuff that most people actually want!
i can see how some people may go for this enhanced content stuff but tbh they will have to provide an "un-enhanced" option for those that just want music at a reasonable price as otherwise its back to the bt's!
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tech89
January 25th 2010
1. Why is it assumed that people want bundled extras with songs? I just want the song for a fair price, DRM free so it works on all my devices and maximum file compatibility.
People don't like premium prices so no I don't think it will pick up. Mp3 has been out there for years and has worked fine, why change it now?
Also, Microsoft and Apple will be more than happy to keep their own formats going as long as they can.
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