RE: [SurroundSound] MP3s - The Devil's Right Hand?

Back around 2000-01, I worked for a company that was developing software
encoders, including a lossless encoder similar to FLAC, APE, lossless WMA,
etc. Actually, it was before lossless WMA was released and FLAC was
developed. It also didn't include any DRM hooks, so once Microsoft released
lossless WMA, we couldn't sell it to any of the content creators who wanted
that feature (our target customer). We also created a multimedia player
similar to JRiver Media Center, Windows Media Player, iTunes. We tried to
sell it, but once WMP and iTunes were released, we gave up on it, since our
company's owners felt there was no way to make any money with it. BTW, we
also developed a Dolby Digital software encoder, that did make us a little
money, but not a lot.

Anyhow, when we were developing our jukebox player and encoders, I attended
several conferences and technical sessions for this technology. In addition
to those of us on the software side, there were quite a few companies that
were developing hardware, like Eiger Labs, Creative Labs and Diamond Rio,
who I think were the first to release MP3 players. Also, a few of the big
audio electronics companies like Sony, Philips and RCA/Thomson were testing
the waters with their own players. Since we were developing software that
would transfer audio files from our player to portable players, many of
these manufacturers would give us one of their players so we could make sure
our application was compatible with their hardware. I had about a dozen MP3
players in my office around that time to work/play with. I was very familiar
with their features and a little frustrated with their limitations. Some of
them had so little memory that you couldn't store more than a CD's worth of
songs, unless you were willing to use a bitrate of 32 or 64 mbps, which is
what they typically recommended. Initially, there wasn't a standard file
transfer protocol, so we had to write custom drivers for each device.
Eventually a standard was developed, but the transfer speed was still pretty
slow. Some of them used rechargeable batteries that couldn't be replaced.
These didn't give you more than a few hours of use and got worse over time
until they eventually couldn't be charged at all. Then you had a useless
player. The user interface was pretty crappy for most of these players as
well.

At these conferences I met many of the engineers from these manufacturers.
The smaller companies, those that were focused entirely on the MP3 player
business or those who were enthusiastic about expanding their business
beyond PC soundcards, understood the current technical limitations and
seemed to be willing to make improvements that would get more business. Like
I said earlier, the big electronics companies were just testing the waters
and I think were a little worried that these MP3 players might cannibalize
existing sales for some of the established product lines like portable CD
players. I got the impression that all of the bean counters for these
companies were pretty skeptical about their opportunities with these
products. They weren't willing to make the investments necessary to improve
their products and make them more attractive to their potential consumers. I
think based on the existing technology and sales results they didn't think
there was a large enough market to justify the investment. Then Apple comes
along and solves all three of the glaring deficiencies of the early MP3
players. They have more storage capacity, better battery life, faster and
easier transfer speeds and a much better UI (I guess that was 4). Like I
said, most of the engineers from these companies knew what they needed to do
to make a better product, but their bean counters weren't' willing to make
the investment, so Apple really didn't have much competition when they
introduced their first iPods. Then about 6 months later they came out with
iTunes and the rest is history. I wonder how those bean counters think about
the portable player market now.

So when people talk about market analysis based on current technology or
sales results, I think about the history of the MP3 player and the iPod.
Yeah, maybe the manufactures have decided it wouldn't be profitable to make
a product that play FLACs, but most of the manufacturers didn't think the
portable audio player market was ever going to be very large. BTW, I have a
portable player that does play FLACS (a SanDisk Sansa) and there are a few
others out there, too. So, that feature alone might not be a big selling
point, otherwise you'd think their sales would be pretty strong, at least
with people like us that also want a little portability. Just out of
curiosity, how many of you have a portable player that supports FLAC?

I know there's been mention of Neil Young's proposed audio codecs. I think
he was hoping to work with Steve Jobs to popularize a lossless 24-bit high
resolution codec. He was recently a guest on Jon Stewart's Daily Show and
mentioned how he'd like (or was going to) change the market so people could
finally hear high quality digital music and not the crap we currently listen
to now. His proclamations puzzle me a little since FLAC can handle
everything he is proposing. So I don't see the need for a new codec. I think
he's also pushing for improvements with the methods used to master audio.
Hopefully, that will bring more awareness to the general public about how
dynamic compression (not just data compression) hurts the quality of a
recording. I think it would be better if forward thinking artists like Neil
Young came out and supported existing technology, like FLAC instead of
reinventing the wheel.

How's that for staying away from US politics??? :)

-Nor

-----Original Message-----
From: surroundsound@googlegroups.com [mailto:surroundsound@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of Johnny Mawer
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2012 12:19 PM
To: surroundsound@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [SurroundSound] MP3s - The Devil's Right Hand?

My feeling is if hardware manufacturers felt it would be profitable
designing and building units to play flacs, they would. Think this..if the
demand were great enough and someone were first to the plate, they'd kill
with sales. Heck, they'd be the only game in town, until the other bean
counters followed suit. Designers and forward-thinkers are usually
over-ruled or out voted by bean counters and folks that think they know
better than what consumers want. Profit (or the thought of profit)
generally is the decisive factor in what makes it to market. My guess is
that as long as mp3 is promoted and favored by the masses, why do anything
differently to satisfy the fringe? Think bell-curve and where you fit. If
you're too far from center, forget about it!! Culture takes a long time to
change, perhaps someday. My guess is that once flac capable players becomes
widespread, there'll be another format on the fringe that we'll all be
clamoring for.

Johnny




On Dec 1, 2012, at 5:31 AM, flytomars wrote:

> Hi birgir, welcome!
> I also think flac is the best possible format (hey, it even supports
> suround!) Thats why I am puzzled as to why it is not widely supported
> in every mobile audio apparatus (be it in the car or on a portable
> player). Especially since its an open and free format. I guess it
> requires alot of computer power to extract (I tried playing flac on my
> smartphone, it was all jittery as if it did not have enough cpu for
> it) I hope with all the advancement in the smartphones area, other
> fields will be
>
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