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MPEG AND DSP INTEGRATION

by Priyesh Surati & David Austin

Start ý MPEG Audio Encoding and Decoding ý Encoder Technology ý Decoder Technology ý Affect on the Music Industry ý Current Uses ý Sources and PDF

AFFECT ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

With the creation of MP3 technology, the ability to store and retrieve audio files has increased dramatically. An average song in the traditional CD format is usually 60 MB. Most Internet usersý connection speed is 56 kbps, which means it would take approximately 4.1 hours to download a song because the average download rate from an FTP server for a 56-kbps modem is 4 kbps. Most people consider this too long and not worth the effort. With MP3 technology and its 12:1 compression ratio, it is now possible to download the same song in 20 minutes. With a cable modem, the time is reduced even more, because the average download rate from an FTP server is 50 kbps, therefore, it only takes 1.5 min. to download the MP3 file.

The ability to download quickly has created a growing trend of users who download and trade MP3s on the Internet. There are many sites that link people to FTP servers, which carry illegal MP3s. An even stranger trend is that people are now using these sites to make money, but not from the MP3s themselves. Rather, they get people to click on their ads on the page, and when all the ads are clicked, the user is allowed access to the FTP server with all the MP3s.

In other cases, people are using MP3s to increase the number of page views or hits, so they can charge advertisers more money to place advertisements on their page.

ILLEGAL MP3s

Is MP3 legal? In short, yes! MP3 technology is legal. However, MPEG.org states, "Note that downloading or streaming music from the Internet is illegal unless the copyright owner explicitly allows free downloads." Therefore, if you have the permission of the copyright owner to download their music, you can do it without any fear of repercussions for your actions. [7]

The MP3 compression algorithm is legal because it is just an algorithm. The aspect of the technology that is illegal is its ability to compress copyrighted CD music and make the compressed version of the CD available on the Internet for people to download for free. The MP3 technology and faster Internet connection speeds make it even easier for people to download copyrighted CDs.

In a joint co-operation with Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), more than 120 companies and organizations representing a broad spectrum of information technology and consumer electronics businesses, Internet service providers, security technology companies, and members of the worldwide recording industry have joined forces. Their weapon is known as Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI). It is hoped that the technology developed by SDMI will make it possible for legitimate buying and selling of digital music on the Internet. [8] BMG Entertainment, EMI Recorded Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, RIAA, and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry are just a few of the companies taking action.

SDMIýs work is based on the core principles that copyrights should be respected and those who opt to do so should be able to use unprotected formats. This flexible approach will enable a new market that works for consumers, artists, manufacturers, and content providers.

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