Glossary

ATRAC3

ATRAC3, which stands for Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding3, is audio compression
technology that satisfies the demand for high sound quality and high compression rates
The ATRAC3 compression rate is approximately 10 times higher than that of the Audio CD,
resulting an increased data capacity for the media

“Check-In /Check-Out”

Check-out is to transfer music files from a personal computer to an external device/media (such
as Network Walkman) Returning checked-out music files to the same computer is to check in
(You cannot move checked-out music files to another computer )
You can check-out a music file, check it back in, and then check it out again an infinite number of
times The SDMI rules provide that up to four copies of a music file can be checked-out at one
time OpenMG employs a method whereby three copies of a song can be checked-out
simultaneously, while the fourth copy is maintained as a “master” on your PC If three copies of
the same song are checked-out at a given time, one copy of the song needs to be checked-in to the
computer in order to create an additional check-out

Bit rate

Indicates the data amount per second The rate is reflected in bps (bit per second) In OpenMG
Jukebox, the bit rate for recording an audio CD or converting MP3 and WAV format audio files
into ATRACJ format can be chosen from 132 kbps/105kbps/66kbps 105 kbps means 105000 bits
of information per second If the bit rate is large, that means a large amount of information is
used to play music Comparing music of the same format, a 105 kbps data offers better sound
quality than 66 kbps data, and 132 kbps data offers better sound quality than 105 kbps data
However, audio files in formats such as MI’3 have different encoding methods, and thus sound
quality cannot be determined by simply comparing the bit rate

“MagicGate Memory Stick”

A compact IC recording media “Memory Stick” equipped with “MagicGate” copyright protection
technology You can record or play data, such as music, that requires copyright protection only
by using a “MagicGate Memory Stick” with “MagicGate” compatible equipment “MagicGate
Memory Stick” can be used to record any other kind of digital data with any other “Memory
Stick” compatible equipment “MagicGate Memory Stick” is distinguished by the “MG” and
“MAGIC GATE” logos

MP3

MP3, which stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer3, a standard for audio files compression determined
by the Motion Picture Experts Group, an IS0 (International Organization for Standardization)
working group It enables compression of audio files to about l/10 of the data size of a standard
compact disc Since the MI’3 encoding algorithm is disclosed, there are various encoders/
decoders that are compliant with this standard, including freeware that is available for no charge
Thus, the MI’3 standard is widely used in the computer field
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