Hello B. A.,
> Hi, Scott. Someone posted on Yahoo that RNWK's G2+ (the $30
> version) supports MP3 files, at least for playback if not
> streaming. Know anything about that? (I don't have time to
> play with this stuff.)
I haven't bought the Plus player ... yet. But numerous people have told me that Real does not support MP3 at all. I also read a press release somewhere about it, but can not locate that right now. I did find the following in their Real Player Plus G2 FAQ:
service.real.com
> He also said that RNWK is participating on a committee trying to
> wrestle with the MP3 issue. If that's the case, I wouldn't count
> 'em out.
Ouch ... this sounds like sure death. A committee? Trying to wrestle? I'm sorry, but someone needs to let the recording industry know that they are a bunch of "has beens" that were able to capitalize on the requirement to move "atoms" around the world to deliver good quality sound. They could use their strong arm tactics to grab billions of dollars from artists because they were the only way that large numbers of albums, tapes, and CDs could be distributed world-wide. They could also use their power to force radio stations to play the same music over and over to try and drive sales. But those days are ending. More artists are starting to recognize that the Internet creates a whole new environment for distribution of their wares ... and that they can create their own sponsorship deals directly.
These committees are trying to figure out how they can preserve their strangle-hold ... and that's a bad, defensive position.
> Also, MSFT's MP3 support in Media Player is sort of crummy--nowhere
> near the quality of standalone shareware products.
I'd agree ... I use WinAMP which is one of the best that I have found. winamp.com
> Recently, MSFT was asked why, in light of the controversy, it had
> included MP3 support in Media Player. The answer was, essentially,
> "look, we can't stop it, so we might as well include it..."
You know ... this is what makes Microsoft a great company! They are always looking and scrambling to capitalize on what is happening naturally ... they included Real Media support, because they knew it was too big to fight ... and they included MP3 because they knew it was too big to fight. Obviously they recognize that the object is to get the most people using your product, and then to sort out the other issues later ...
> Net net, I agree with you. MP3 will prevail, and RNWK had better
> get behind it fast.
I hope that they do! But I still am *very* positive about Real ... I think they are going to continue to fly!
> BAM
Scott C. Lemon |
