CNN is reporting that Apple is in negotiations with record labels to bring music to the store in 24-bit format. That’s up from the current 16-bit format.
Professional music producers generally capture studio recordings in a 24-bit, high-fidelity audio format. Before the originals, or “masters” in industry parlance, are pressed onto CDs or distributed to digital sellers like Apple’s iTunes, they’re downgraded to 16-bit files.
From there, the audio can be compressed further in order to minimize the time the music will take to download or to allow it to be streamed on-the-fly over the internet.
The report also notes that these new 24-bit files could be sold alongside the current 16-bit files as a premium, higher-priced offering. Consumers may need new hardware to support the new format.
Many models of Mac computers can play 24-bit sound, and the iTunes program is capable of handling such files. But most portable electronics, and many computers, don’t support 24-bit audio.
To make the jump to higher-quality music attractive for Apple, the Cupertino, California, company would have to retool future versions of iPods and iPhones so they can play higher-quality files.
This sounds like a very familiar scenario. Oh, that’s right. Apple used to offer music tracks at 128kbps with embedded DRM. Later, Apple managed to iron out a deal that brought us “iTunes Plus” which was DRM free and 256kbps, at a higher price alongside their 128kbps counterparts. In 2009, Apple moved their entire music catalog to the 256kbps format.
24-bit tracks would be true, uncompressed audio, something audiophiles would get all hot and bothered with. It sounds interesting, but a deal doesn’t sound very far along to me.
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