Apple To Offer 24/96 Audio Downloads In The Near Future - Polidicks

[Quote=Gizmodo UK] Last year we argued that 24-bit audio on iTunes would be a consumer con. We were right, of course — albums don’t need the same dynamic range as a jet engine to be enjoyable, no matter what those audiophile chumps will have you believe. But now Apple’s HD audio plans are becoming clearer, and we’re actually blown away with what it might offer. If the latest rumours are true, it will solve our complaints about file sizes and still cater to folk with premium speakers. Everyone wins. As reported in the Guardian, Apple is looking to upgrade iTunes to offer an “adaptive streaming” format. The theory is that iTunes Match will function as usual, but instead of storing 256kbps files in iCloud it will keep HD versions at 24-bit/96KHz. First, let’s put those weird numbers in context. A 256kbps AAC song is a regular iTunes audio file. Only a few MB, and it sounds okay, though you wouldn’t pay for anything less. A so-called HD file (like 24-bit/96KHz) is the opposite; ultra-high resolution and technically flawless. When a 3 minute song weighs over 100MB, it’s not an option for iOS devices. Apple’s rumoured solution is to keep an HD version on iTunes, from which its users can stream or download smaller versions based on their connection speed. This means portable streaming to your iPhone without eating your entire monthly internet cap, but could also stream through broadband to your hi-fi or Apple TV in high-fidelity. Touché. Does Apple have to invent a new file format to make it work? No, because it already exists. Enter HD-AAC. It allows lossless encoding, compresses to half its original file size, and works with AAC-enabled devices right out of the box. Like, you know, every Apple product. HD-AAC was developed by the German geniuses at Fraunhofer who invented the MP3 and a bunch of other audio codecs. This image from the spec page shows how the iTunes server could store an HD file (left), deliver a lossless version to the consumer (middle) and even stream a lo-res version when your connection speed sucks (right). All of this would happen on Apple’s server without you changing a single setting — it just needs the music industry to upload master versions at 24-bit/96KHz. Which is exactly what Apple started doing with its ‘Mastered for iTunes’ program. The ‘Mastered for iTunes’ guidelines explain how studio engineers should prepare music for the great iTunes library in the sky. Apple recognises its iTunes catalog as an important historical and cultural record, and says it wants to future-proof itself with a pristine catalogue, but goes on to accidentally describe how it could support iOS devices: “Keeping the highest quality masters available in our systems allows for full advantage of future improvements to your music,” it says. “These masters matter — especially given the move into the cloud on post-PC devices.” The guide says Apple reviews each submission to ensure there is “a discernible improvement” above previous versions of the same music, though mastering engineer Ian Shepherd has already proven that some music wearing the ‘Mastered for iTunes’ badge remains unchanged. “If engineers make special ‘Mastered for iTunes’ versions that have more dynamics and punch than the CD versions, then the iTunes versions could actually sound better,” Ian tells us. “Sadly we haven’t seen that yet.” Ultimately, HD-AAC in iTunes Match could prove to be the pinnacle of digital audio. Online video has long adapted to our connection speeds, but audio didn’t have a mainstream company backing the concept until now — and in HD to boot. Good luck to Spotify in competing with that. HD-AAC. One format to rule them all. And finally, a streaming option to keep those pesky audiophiles quiet.[/quote][url]http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/03/apple-is-secretly-upgrading-your-itunes-library/[/url] I think this is great news for any music fan. Also, interestingly, Steve Jobs was reportedly working with Neil Young on a high quality music service right before he died. Anyway, it's good to see that someone still cares about audio integrity.

good, for the people that use itunes

even though iTunes pisses me off to no end I have to admit this is a damn good idea

i feel like im the only person who still uses WMP

I saw 24/9 and thought apple made a mistake on there customer service or something and someone wanted to blow it out of proportion

[QUOTE=Gabe Newell;35101713]good, for the people that use itunes[/QUOTE] all 4 of them. Hipsters and morons are not people. [editline]11th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Aurora93;35101734]i feel like im the only person who still uses WMP[/QUOTE] I feel like the only person that still uses .wav for all my music.

sweet jesus this is incredible. Did you know you can save on your car insurance by switching to geico? Oh also good for itunes users I guess... whoever they are.

Finally

Winamp is best music player.

Lol how pointless. 16 bit FLAC is reaching the edge of practicality because of how large files are for a (somewhat) slight increase in quality. -I feel like this second statement is completely incorrect, however, so: snip-

[QUOTE=Aurora93;35101734]i feel like im the only person who still uses WMP[/QUOTE] Winamp 4 lyfe.

And sure why not, Foobar master race. Or you could break my merge, that's cool too.

Placebos for everyone.

Could somebody explain to me? im sorry im stupid.

[QUOTE=Gabe Newell;35101713]good, for the people that use itunes[/QUOTE] Well if Apple starts doing this, it's only a matter of time before other retailers start doing the same thing. So pretty much everybody wins.

[QUOTE=DamagePoint;35101907]Well if Apple starts doing this, it's only a matter of time before other retailers start doing the same thing. So pretty much everybody wins.[/QUOTE] ... only for apple to sue them because it was their idea, which in this case it actually would be.

[QUOTE=Whomobile;35101862]Winamp is best music player.[/QUOTE] bitch [I]please[/I] [url]http://www.clementine-player.org/[/url]

I don't see much point in streaming this data to end users (considering most people can't tell the difference), but keeping it around for future encoding changes would be a big win (similar to how YouTube keep around the original uploaded video and the versions for end users, when they add new formats existing videos can be converted)

In all honesty it's almost impossible to notice the difference between a 3 minute 100mb music file; or a 3 minute 5mb music file.

[QUOTE=KnightVista;35102316]In all honesty it's almost impossible to notice the difference between a 3 minute 100mb music file; or a 3 minute 5mb music file.[/QUOTE] Unless you have $10000 stereo system.

[QUOTE=The one that is;35102395]Unless you have $10000 stereo system.[/QUOTE] Even then I think you'd have a hard time.

[QUOTE=The one that is;35102395]Unless you have $10000 stereo system.[/QUOTE] You should be able to tell some difference with a $100 stereo system, but the sound quality on a high-end stereo system would be jaw-droppingly good.

pfft fukin hipsters use 24/96 xD nah, it's a good idea, we need more of this I don't buy my music, ever, really [sp]No, I don't pirate it, either[/sp]

[QUOTE=J!NX;35102840]pfft fukin hipsters use 24/96 xD nah, it's a good idea, we need more of this I don't buy my music, ever, really [sp]No, I don't pirate it, either[/sp][/QUOTE] Yeah if Blu-Ray movies come with their audio in quality like this, so should music.

[video=youtube;HvHZ2HaVHbg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvHZ2HaVHbg[/video]

I dont even have any of my music on this computer. I just use Spotify for everything.

[quote]Last year we argued that 24-bit audio on iTunes would be a consumer con. We were right, of course — albums don’t need the same dynamic range as a jet engine to be enjoyable, no matter what those audiophile chumps will have you believe.[/quote] Shut the fuck and get the hell out, 24-bit music is ASTOUNDING compared to the kind of shit you probably pipe down your lugholes, Mr. Writer.

[QUOTE=areolop;35103310]I dont even have any of my music on this computer. I just use Spotify for everything.[/QUOTE] Like Music? Now with Spotify Premium...

apple does it: pointless, (insert current format here) is the best any other company does it: this is incredible (insert company that's not apple here) deserves all of the money in the world

pfft I use myspace for free music!