Zune Marketplace music store |
|
|
Zune Marketplace is an online music store that integrates with the software. Initially offering two million songs it grew to more than three million songs. With the update to version 2.5 the Zune Marketplace also offer Music Videos and TV shows for download. Music on the marketplace is provided by the big four music groups (EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group) and smaller music labels. Music Content is offered in DRM-restricted WMA format (2-pass CBR @ 192kbit/s) or non-DRM MP3 format (320kbit/s) for a per-song or per-album fee, or via a Zune Pass monthly/Quarterly subscriptions.
Songs downloaded from the Marketplace are restricted by DRM similar to yet slightly different from PlaysForSure DRM, meaning that songs purchased from PlaysForSure partners could not be playable in Zune Software, although the reverse is true. Internally, Zune DRM is referred to as “9.1”, differentiating itself from PlaysForSure DRM, which is version “9”. While removal DRM of PlaysForSure DRM has been facilitated with several tools, none would remove Zune DRM until July 14, 2007 when one of the tools (“FairUse4WM” [Windows Media]) was updated to support removal of the Zune DRM wrapper, thus allowing interoperability between the platforms.
With the launch of the new Zunes, the Marketplace was upgraded to support interface(as opposed to being a modified version of URGE), and drop DRM for around 1 million tracks (out of roughly 3 million). DRM-free MP3s sell for a slightly higher price than protected tracks. Unlike DRM-free songs purchased from iTunes, DRM-free songs from Zune Marketplace do not have watermarks intended to identify the person who initially purchased the song. Music Videos and Podcasts were also added to the Marketplace. Podcasts however, are offered free of charge even to non-Zune Pass subscribers.
 Once the Zune started making headway, Microsoft essentially folded MSN Music into the Zune Marketplace, the place for owners of the device to find music and podcasts.
- All tracks cost 99 cents.
- Works with Windows computers only (naturally).
- More than 3 million songs.
- Offers a to-go music subscription service, as well as podcasts and music videos.
Mo- st tracks will only playback on the Zune or an authorized computer.
Microsoft's Zune Marketplace saw a huge change in 2007 with the release of the second-generation Zune. Even if you didn't have the device, the layout and speed of the program was greatly improved and the marketplace interface completely redone. The folks who designed Windows Media Center for Windows Vista were behind the change, and the result is a program that was less like the strung together reskin of Windows Media Player from previous generation.
Try the DRM removal SoundTaxi to convert Zune DRM music
Related articles:
|
|
What experts say:
"If you are like most music lovers, you probably have a number of devices that you typically use to play your music. It would be safe to assume then that your music would probably exist in a number of different formats, such as audio cds or mp3s on your computer hard drive or portable digital music player.
What if you then wanted to transfer some of the music files on your computer into a portable digital music player? Or if you wanted to "rip" the music from your audio cd collection into your computer hard drive for archiving, backup or eventual transfer to your portable digital music player? SoundTaxi Professional handles all of these tasks and more, and remove drm with perfect ease and efficiency."
What users say:
Exactly the tool I was searching for!
SoundTaxi converted all my protected WMA songs to MP3 with 1-click in CD quality.
Its really worth each cent. I was able to convert my complete Napster library and copy it to my new iPod with a snap.
Hot issues
|
|
Home
Products
