toggle

AAPL Stock: 570.56 ( + 13.59 )

RealPlayer: 'worthy competitor' for Apple's iTunes

updated 11:55 am EST, Thu April 1, 2004

RealPlayer Music Store


Walter Mossberg concludes that ". It's not as good as Apple's iTunes store, but it's a worthy competitor," in his review of both MusicMatch and RealPlayer download services. The article notes that the RealPlayer store offers better organization (with sub-categories), higher-quality downloads (192kbps vs. 128kps for iTunes and 160kbps for MusicMatch), and support for playback of multiple copy-protected formats (as long as you the computer is authorized); however, the store doesn't offer Billboard charts, has 50% larger files sizes, and other disadvantages.


by MacNN Staff

print
email
(10)

TAGS :

 Apple

Related Articles

Recent Articles

toggle

Comments

  1. klinux

    Senior User

    Joined: Jul 2002

    0
    04/01, 12:13pm | report spam | Reply |

    50% larger?

    When is better quality at a 50% increase in size a concern?

    I, among others, WANT iTunes to offer 192kbps tunes.

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    04/01, 12:38pm | report spam | Reply |

    paradox

    On the plus side we have
    higher-quality downloads (192kbps vs. 128kps for iTunes and 160kbps for MusicMatch)

    and a downside is

    has 50% larger files sizes

    Make up your mind walt. Do you want higher-quality downloads or smaller files!

    BTW, I'd also like to point out that a higher kbps rating does not mean its a higher-quality download. Its only of better quality if they use (a) the same source, and (b) the same encoder/format. General testing shows that 128 AAC files matched 160 MP3 files.

  1. beeble

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2004

    0
    04/01, 12:53pm | report spam | Reply |

    This is WMA!!

    Who says a 192kpbs WMA is better than 128kbps AAC. 128 AAC is comparable in sound quality to 160 MP3 due to better file compression (not loosing more sound information). The untrained ear can't tell the difference. Even the trained ear (like mine) struggles to tell the difference on regular consumer audio products like the Apple Pro Speakers attached to my iMac or the little earphones that come with the iPod.

    Given a choice between large file size and small file size and given the quality in real terms is about the same (possibly iTMS is better since AAC is better sounding than WMA) I know what the average joe is going to choose to download over his dial up connection.

    Once again, anaylsis of the facts shows that Apple have made some very good decisions in spite of what the arm chair pundits think.

  1. Dalhectar

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2002

    0
    04/01, 01:01pm | report spam | Reply |

    NOT WMA!

    Hey, Real uses AAC, but with a non-Apple Copyright protection scheme.

    http://www.fortune.com/fortune/print/0,15935,598157,00.html

  1. jasonbw

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2000

    0
    04/01, 01:07pm | report spam | Reply |

    doesn't sound too bad

    i'd personally welcome bigger files/higher resolution. Billboard charts are nice but available on the net already, plus the apple charts are (last i checked) incomplete due to gaps in their library.

    the biggest problem is its attached to the realplayer.

  1. z10n

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2003

    0
    04/01, 01:35pm | report spam | Reply |

    Some points

    1) WTF? Real licenced the Fairplay DRM? How else can Real play iTunes-downloaded music?

    2) People complain about iTMS downloads only playing on the iPod, but Real downloads only play a single player as well.

    3) iTMS NEEDS downloads with higher bitrates, at least as an option. As competition heats up, iTMS is going to get hit on this point again and again.

    4) It would be cool in iTMS if people could rate songs so you can search by popularity as well as rating.

    5) WMA sucks and microsoft should burn in h***.

    That's about it for me.

  1. dafalcon

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2003

    0
    04/01, 01:40pm | report spam | Reply |

    Ha ha, I get it

    "RealPlayer: 'worthy competitor' for Apple's iTunes"

    "April Fools."

    (I wish. Though I am glad this doesn't use WMA, I can't imagine that Real would support that format so it isn't surprising)

  1. bobolicious

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2002

    0
    04/01, 01:53pm | report spam | Reply |

    I would like the option..

    ...of AIFF full quality for songs basically at the price of a CD...
    ;-)

  1. Dame Scribble

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2004

    0
    04/01, 01:53pm | report spam | Reply |

    whatever...

    Show me the duo that beats the iPod+iTMS tag-team.
    name me ONE.
    -d.

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    04/01, 02:09pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: some points

    1) WTF? Real licenced the Fairplay DRM? How else can Real play iTunes-downloaded music?


    They didn't license Fairplay, they basically play the file through Quicktime. Assuming you've already authorized your computer, Quicktime can play your files without needing to open iTunes.


    2) People complain about iTMS downloads only playing on the iPod, but Real downloads only play a single player as well.

    And that's mentioned in the article.


    3) iTMS NEEDS downloads with higher bitrates, at least as an option. As competition heats up, iTMS is going to get hit on this point again and again.

    Nah. Its about quality, not high bit-rates. Its only a problem for those who actually have an ear good enough to tell the difference, and for most of those people (you know who I'm talking about!), nothing but full AIFF is good enough (and even that's iffy...)


    4) It would be cool in iTMS if people could rate songs so you can search by popularity as well as rating.

    Hey, that would be nice. But, technically, you can look at popularity by the number of downloads.


    5) WMA sucks and microsoft should burn in h***.


    First off, WMA doesn't suck! I should know. I dated her for 6 months and she refused each and every time! Talk about a big tease.

    On the other hand, I agree with the burning in h*** part. But, technically, since they've already made their deal with the devil, its just a question of when, not if.

Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

MacNN Sponsor

Recent Reviews

iHome iW2 AirPlay speaker

iHome generally isn't known as a luxury brand when it comes to audio, but it is prolific -- the company's docks and speakers are every ...

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

One of the iPad's main weaknesses has always been productivity. It's not a question of apps; while it has taken a little time for a na ...

Logitech UE Air Speaker

If maybe a little more slowly than Apple would like, AirPlay is becoming a staple of the wireless speaker market for iOS devices. The ...

toggle

Most Commented

 

Popular News