Sony NW-E7 [19/24] Atrac3

Other Information

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.

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 ATRAC3 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 MP3 have different encoding methods, and

thus sound quality cannot be determined by simply comparing the bit rate.

“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 computer. 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.

MP3

MP3, which stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer3, a standard for audio files compression determined

by the Motion Picture Experts Group, an ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

working group. It enables compression of audio files to about 1/10 of the data size of a standard

compact disc. Since the MP3 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 MP3 standard is widely used in the computer field.

SDMI

SDMI which stands for Secure Digital Music Initiative, is a forum that consists of over 130

companies in the fields of recorded audio content, computers, and consumer electronics,

dedicated to developing an integrated method of copyright protection technology that can be

used worldwide.

SDMI is working to create a framework for preventing improper usage of audio files and to

promote legal music distribution services. The copyright protection technology OpenMG is based

upon the SDMI standard.