MP3 Format to add DRM & 5.1 Surround Sound Support

Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
edited May 2004 in Science & Tech
The Fraunhofer Institute, originator of the MP3 file format that brought the music industry to its knees, is adding Surround Sound and Copyright Protection.

According to PC Mag Online, The Fraunhofer Institute will add Surround Sound support to the MP3 Format using Agere systems technology. Also to be added is Copyright Protection called Light Weight Digital Rights Management (LWDRM) which will allow copying only if the file is registered and a digital signature is added.
The MP3 Surround files are backward-compatible, so they play back as stereo tracks on existing players; updated hardware and software will play the files back as surround sound for 5.1 speakers.

The Fraunhofer Institute is also adding copyright protection. Dubbed Light Weight Digital Rights Management (LWDRM), when added to MP3 files it allows copying files, provided the user is willing to mark files with a digital signature—and register it. So when a file appears on Kazaa, the culprit could be swiftly found.
Now who's going to use the new traceable/trackable format when the old one works fine....

Source: PC Magazine Online

Comments

  • EyesOnlyEyesOnly Sweden New
    edited May 2004
    Ehm double post. This was posted a few days ago.
  • KingFishKingFish
    edited May 2004
    hehe, thank you eyes
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited May 2004
    Yay for 5.1! DiVX/XViD just took a major shot in the arm. No longer will I need to use bulky AC3 audio in high bitrates to achieve surround sound. DRM can go to hell.
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited May 2004
    EyesOnly wrote:
    Ehm double post. This was posted a few days ago.

    OOPS! :banghead:
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