e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[Tinroad]

First Look: Liquid Audio Liquid Player Plus 6

Liquid Audio releases the first SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) compliant jukebox.

By James L. Kim August 15, 2001
http://www.techtv.com/news/story/0,24195,3342597,00.html

A few weeks ago, we got a sneak peek at MusicNet, the music subscription service backed by EMI, BMG, AOL Time Warner, and Real Networks. The venture aspires to offer consumers a wide choice of songs that can be downloaded legally. This "secure" distribution system won't be the first of its kind. In fact, companies like Liquid Audio have been offering similar services for years. The record industry, Napster, and Napster clones, however, have undercut their success.

On one hand, the record industry has been playing catch up with Liquid Audio-type technology and is finally ready to launch with its competing services (MusicNet and PressPlay). Because Liquid Audio's content depends on its licensing agreements with the record industry, it's only been able to offer consumers scattered content. On the other hand, millions of potential Liquid customers are still using one of many Napster-type applications to download free music. It will be interesting to track Liquid Audio in the next few months.

Here are some of the features in the newest version of Liquid Player Plus 6.

The standard jukebox interface has had years to evolve, and it shows (see it up close). Clean lines and intuitive tabs allow users to play, import (rip), organize, burn, and export music with a single mouse click. The player is compatible with MP3, WMA, AC-3, ATRAC3, audio CDs, and the secure LQT, Liquid's branded version of AAC. Liquid Player also rips audio CDs into LQT up to 128 Kbps.

The player also has a prominent link to the Liquid.com website, where users can search and download content either for free or on a per-download basis. The latter typically cost 98 cents per track, while albums cost almost $17. Liquid holds agreements with all five major labels and scores of independents. While users obviously don't get the choice of a pre-lawsuit Napster or its clones, the content isn't bad.

We were able to find tracks ranging from NSync and Britney Spears (we actually downloaded her entire album) to Pink Floyd and Duke Ellington. We weren't able to find any Beastie Boys tracks. Nevertheless -- content withstanding -- it's easy to understand why downloaders prefer the Napster clone method. It's important to note, however, that these tracks were encoded using the high quality AAC format.

Once downloaded, these tracks join others in a user's library and can be easily accessed and organized.

What users will notice most about the interface are three columns next to the track listings. A check box indicates what tracks can be played, burned, or exported to a portable device (typically an MP3 player). These "permissions" regulate secure formats like WMA or LQT, so unsecured MP3s can be copied, burned, or exported at will.

LQT tracks that are downloaded for free (previews) from Liquid.com cannot be burned or exported to an external device, and can only be played for about a month. Tracks that are purchased have limitations, too. For example, our Britney Spears track could be played any number of times, but could only be burned to a CD once and exported to a device three times. Furthermore, when exporting to a device like Sanyo's SSP-PD7, users may not listen to the track on the desktop player until it's deleted from the player (the player needs to be connected to a PC to delete).

This may seem like an onerous task for the end user, but remember, Liquid Audio is trying to comply with SDMI standards. It deserves some credit for playing within the rules. Also consider the fact that MusicNet and PressPlay will not allow the export of music to devices when they roll out.

Liquid Player Plus 6 adds full support for WMA 7, support for multiple languages, increased CD-RW support, and an integrated download manager. The free version cannot export to devices (which include players from Sanyo, Toshiba, and the Palm platform). The Liquid Player Plus is available for $19.95, while the standard player is available for free.

Summary: Liquid Audio is a well-known jukebox and music download service that uses the latest SDMI compliant technologies.

Pros: Nice clean interface; good content from Liquid.com; AAC ripping.

Cons: Need permissions; must get over the fact that you need to pay.

Company: Liquid Audio
Price: Free; $19.95 for the Plus version
Available: Now
Platform: Windows 98/Me/2000