Playlist

A playlist is like a container that can be used to hold and categorize files stored in Music Drive. For example, by making a “jazz” playlist and then putting your favorite jazz tracks into the playlist, you can play all of the tracks repeatedly or check them all out at the same time.

Recording mode (Bit rate)

This is a measure of data volume per second. The rate is expressed in bps (bits per second). In SonicStage, the bit rate can be selected for recording an audio CD or converting MP3 and WAV format audio files into ATRAC3 format from among three rates: 132 kbps, 105 kbps or 66 kbps. In the case of 105 kbps, 105,000 bits of information is processed per second. If the bit rate is large, that means a large amount of information is used to play the music. Thus, 105 kbps data produces better sound quality than 66 kbps data, and 132 kbps data provides better sound quality than 105 kbps data. However, audio files in formats such as MP3 have different encoding methods, and so the sound quality is not determined by the bit rate alone.

SDMI

SDMI, which stands for Secure Digital Music Initiative, is a forum that consists of over 130 companies in the fields of recorded audio content, computers, and consumer electronics. It is dedicated to the development of integrated copyright protection technology that can be used worldwide.

SDMI is working to create a framework for preventing the improper usage of audio files and to promote legal music distribution services. The copyright protection technology OpenMG is based on the SDMI standard.

Windows Media Technology (WMT)

This is a technology that includes a contents management system called Windows Media Rights Manager which encrypts contents and distributes music contents along with their conditions for usage, distribution, etc. Copyright-protected audio files supported by Windows Media Technology (WMT) cannot be converted to the ATRAC3 format and coded in the OpenMG format.

Windows Media Audio (WMA)

This is an audio compression technology that includes the management system called “Windows Media Rights Manager”. Windows Media Audio (WMA) format files supported by Window Media Technology (WMT) cannot be converted to the ATRAC3 format and coded in the OpenMG format.

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