BSNS WIRE) SDMI Identifies Audio Watermark Technology for Next Generation
SDMI Identifies Audio Watermark Technology for Next Generation Portable Devices
for Digital Music
Business/Technology/Entertainment Editors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--The Secure Digital Music
Initiative (SDMI) today announced that it has selected an audio
watermarking technology for use in the initial screening function to
be included in the next generation of portable devices for digital
music. SDMI selected the watermarking technology developed by ARIS
Technologies, Inc., subject to final approval of a definitive
licensing agreement at the next SDMI plenary.
SDMI evaluated a number of competing proposals for this
watermarking technology. The ARIS technology was chosen after
extensive testing for robustness and listening quality. The testing
process included "golden ears," internationally recognized experts who
listened to a diverse selection of music samples to ensure that the
watermark was inaudible.
"The testing process proved to be time well spent," said Jack
Lacy, Chair of SDMI's Portable Device Working Group. "SDMI
participants were able to evaluate the various proposals based on
comprehensive, objective data. We are grateful for the professional
work done by the 4C Entity LLC (a limited liability company formed by
IBM, Intel, Matsushita and Toshiba) in conducting these tests."
The Phase I screen will be used to look for a watermark in the
music. This watermark will not be incorporated in music until the new
Phase II technology is available in the future. Until that time, all
music compatible with a particular device will be playable, whether
the music is in a protected or unprotected format. When Phase II
technology is ready, detection of the watermark will let consumers
know that their software can be upgraded to play new music releases.
If the consumer chooses not to upgrade, the device will continue to
play all of the music it could play before, including music from
existing CDs.
The ARIS watermarking technology will be used to indicate when
the software used by Phase I portable devices should be upgraded to
incorporate new Phase II technology that will accept new music
releases as well as filter out pirated copies of music.
"Several manufacturers have already announced that they intend to
manufacture SDMI-compliant devices," said Leonardo Chiariglione,
Executive Director of SDMI. "The selection of a screening technology
is the final step needed for manufacturers to complete their products.
This decision keeps SDMI on track with its ambitious schedule."
ABOUT ARIS
ARIS Technologies, Inc., a founding member of SDMI, is a
privately held company, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In
June, ARIS announced its intention to merge with Solana Technology
Development Corporation. ARIS's award-winning, patented and
patent-pending audio watermarking technology enables new and expanded
applications in almost every field involving sound including sound
recordings, motion pictures, radio and television broadcasts, the
Internet, consumer electronic devices, analog and digital cassettes,
CDs, DVDs, telephones, toys, interactive set top boxes and hand held
devices.
For further information about ARIS, contact Cynthia Upson at
(804) 935-7584.
ABOUT SDMI
The Secure Digital Music Initiative brings together more than 120
companies and organizations from the worldwide recording industry and
technology companies to develop an open, interoperable architecture
and specification for playing, storing and distributing digital music.
The specification will answer consumer demand for convenient
accessibility to quality digital music, enable copyright protection
for artists' work, and therefore enable technology and music companies
to build successful businesses.
On June 25, SDMI adopted its initial standard for portable
devices. This standard allows for the development of portable devices
that will play both unprotected and protected music formats. In
addition to playing all of the music available today, including
existing CDs and MP3 music files, these new devices can also be
upgraded when new SDMI technology is available, so that the devices
can play new music released with that SDMI technology.
Additional information about SDMI can be found at www.sdmi.org.
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CONTACT: The Weber Group
Eleanor McMahon, 617/520-7100 |
