The World of Proprietary Digital Audio

1
The World of Proprietary Digital Audio

• RAMON LAZO
• ITEC 715
• 2.18.2004

2
What is proprietary digital audio?

• A digital audio format created by software
  companies to drive their media software.
• Some software is open source (FREE) and some
  companies charge the developer for using their
  system.
• All have some kind of server-client and
  multimedia streaming capability

3
Table of common formats and software
4
Issues surrounding the use of proprietary audio
formats

• Pro Popular, widely deployed and easy to use.
• Con Uncertainty about accessibility and support
  for long term use.

5
.shn audio format

• An audio format that compresses and stores .wav
  files.
• Lossless audio quality
• Favorite format for concert tapers.
• http//www.etree.org

6
Summary

• Many choices for using proprietary digital audio
• All player software for formats is free and
  widely distributed
• Commercial developer kits cost money however,
  there are open source alternatives.
• These formats are here to stay

7
References

• Slide 2.1 Definition http//www.mp3machine.com
  /news/853/
• Slide 2.2 Open source vs. fee
  http//www.implex.net/services/streaming/instant-o
  n.cfm http//www.core.com.au/webhosting/streaming-
  media-hosting.htm
• Slide 2.3 Streaming server/client
  functionality http//www.real.com
  http//www.msn.com http//www.apple.com/quicktime
• Slide 3.1 Real Audio http//www.realnetworks.co
  m/products/packages.htmlsmsk http//www.thebook.c
  om/realaudio.html
• Slide 3.2 Quicktime http//www.apple.com/quickt
  ime/products/qtss/qtssfaq.html http//www.apple.co
  m/quicktime/upgrade

• Slide 3.5 Icecast http//quasi.ksl.com/icecast/
  x29.html
• Slide 3.3 Windows Media http//www.microsoft.co
  m/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/pricing.msp
  x http//www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/te
  chnologies/bettertogether.aspx
• Slide 3.4 Shoutcast http//www.shoutcast.com/in
  dex.phtml http//www.winamp.com/nsdn/vault

8
References

• Slide 4.1 Pro issue http//www.real.comhttp//
  www.quicktime.com http//www.microsoft.com/windows
  /windowsmedia/ download/default.asp
  http//www.icecast.orghttp//www.shoutcast.com
  http//www.nullsoft.com http//www.cnet.com
• Slide 4.2 Con issue http//www.spartanicus.utvi
  nternet.ie/proprietary_media_formats.htmrec
  http//www.audio-video-affair.com/proprietary-form
  at.html http//www.mp3machine.com/news/853/

• Slide 5.1-4 .shn audio http//www.u2shn.com/shnf
  aq.php http//research.umbc.edu/hamilton/shnfaq.
  html www.etree.org