Glossary

ATRAC3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3)

ATRAC3 is a sound compression technology based on “ATRAC3,” a sound compression technology used for the Mini Disc, with the addition of a new technology to increase the compression rate (by approximately 1/10).

Bit rate

Quantity, per second, of information. The unit is bps (bit per second). You can choose from 132kbps/105kbps/66kbps when recording a compact disc or converting an MP3/WAV file to an ATRAC3 file. For example, 105kbps means there are 105000 bits of information per second being transferred. Bigger the number, larger is the information. When comparing audio files of the same format, you can enjoy a better sound quality when recorded at 132kbps than at 105kbps, also better at 103kbps than at 66kbps. (Audio files cannot be compared if of different format)

“Check-In /Check-Out”

Check-Out is to transfer music files managed on a personal computer by an OpenMG-compliant software to a portable player (such as Network Walkman). Returning the Checked-Out music files back to that computer is to Check-In. (You cannot move a Checked-Out audio data to another computer.)

You can also Check-Out a music file, Check it back In, and then Check it Out again.

The SDMI rules provide that up to four copies of a music file can be created unless a special condition for usage is set. Thus, unless a special restriction exists while one copy is saved in the computer, the other three can be Checked-Out to the Portable Players.

MP3

Abbreviation for MPEG-1 Audio Layer3. A standard for audio data compression determined by the Motion Picture Experts Group, which is an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) working group.

It enables compression of audio data to about 1/10 of the data size of a standard compact disc. Since the MP3 encoding algorithm is disclosed, there are various encoders/decoders compliant with this standard, including freeware that is available for no charge. Thus, the MP3 standard is widely used in the computer field.

OpenMG

Copyright protection technology that securely manages music content from the EMD/Audio CD on a personal computer. Application software that is installed on the computer encrypts the digital music content when recording on the hard drive. This allows you to enjoy music content on the computer, but prevents unauthorized transmission of this content across a network (or elsewhere). This PC copyright protection allows you to transfer digital music content from a PC’s hard drive to a compliant device.

SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative)

A forum that consists of over 130 companies in the fields of recorded audio content, computers and consumer electronics, for the purpose of developing an integrated method of copyright protection technology that can be used worldwide.

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

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