Virgin Media to Launch World's First Unlimited Music Download Service - Page 2

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 13:35

Because you can't use Spotify on an MP3 player can you?

So at the moment you have to lug your PC everywhere

icestar2 · 15-06-2009, 13:40

Well if the price is right I think its a great idea. Have you been given any idea's when its going to launch and at how much Ben ? All I can see is "later this year".

---------- Post added at 13:40 ---------- Previous post was at 13:39 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

Why pay a subscription fee, when you can listen to the universal catalogue and more with Spotify for free? :/

So you can download your fav track's/albums and pop them on your phone/MP3 player or whatever you use

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by icestar2

Have you been given any idea's when its going to launch and at how much Ben ?

Not a clue - this is a complete suprise. Especially after this back in January http://www.ispreview.co.uk/news/EkFkZlZypkxcNYMGHm.html

**Damien** · 15-06-2009, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Because you can't use Spotify on an MP3 player can you?

So at the moment you have to lug your PC everywhere

As well as a Internet connection

There are services to buy music legally, and services which have streaming, unlimited music. This service seems quite different in that you can download DRM free tracks, as much as you like! If priced correctly (and I see it being more than Â£10) it will be quite big!

But:

They need a massive library of music, one label doesn't cut it
Software needs to be good, I imagine it won't be!

icestar2 · 15-06-2009, 13:50

I think this is the right way forward imho the only thing I fear is they may put a stupid price tag on the subscription, Especially the Unlimited sub. Still I will be keeping my ear's open for anymore information as its definitely intrigued me.

---------- Post added at 13:50 ---------- Previous post was at 13:47 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

As well as a Internet connection

There are services to buy music legally, and services which have streaming, unlimited music. This service seems quite different in that you can download DRM free tracks, as much as you like! If priced correctly (and I see it being more than Â£10) it will be quite big!

But:

They need a massive library of music, one label doesn't cut it
Software needs to be good, I imagine it won't be!

Agreed Damien. Looks like they are trying to get more labels onboard anyway.

Quote:

Virgin Media is negotiating with other UK major and independent music labels and publishers to ensure it can offer a complete, compelling catalog by the time it launches.

Sirius · 15-06-2009, 13:54

And so the complainers begin there bloody moaning

If this service was free, no Stm and then they burnt it to disk for you for free, There would still be the numptys that would complain because they have nothing better to do with there boring lives other than moan and complain.

If you want to continue downloading from the usual places after this starts then don't come crying when the BPI take you to court. You will not have the excuse that there was no other ways to get it.

I for one will give it a try and see what its like. If i like it i will then continue to use it if i don't then i will not use it. That's my CHOICE same as i have the CHOICE of who i use for my broadband and if i use one that uses STM.

Let the service start before you moan about it.

haydnwalker · 15-06-2009, 13:59

Seems like the right thing to do to me. I don't really download music - I tend to listen to DAB radio streamed online instead. But if it were fairly reasonably priced - I may be tempted by it. Though probably not the unlimited product - possibly a mid-range one though. And as has previously been noted - the software needs to be quick and simple with no bloating.

iFrankie · 15-06-2009, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by v0id

Why pay a subscription fee, when you can listen to the universal catalogue and more with Spotify for free? :/

yes! i use spotify all the time.

haydnwalker · 15-06-2009, 14:23

Do you use spotify when you go on holiday abroad?

As I'm pretty sure, its already been noted that you need (a) a pc/laptop and (b) an internet connection for spotify to work?

IMHO its probably easier most of the time to drag an MP3 player around than it is a PC/Laptop

Milambar · 15-06-2009, 14:30

Just because it can be kept forever, and played on "mp3 compatable devices", doesn't mean its not wrapped in DRM.

If its wrapped in DRM, then Sony's SonicStage cannot transcode it to a format compatable with my minidisc player, which is classed as an "mp3 compatable device", purely because sonicstage transcodes it on the fly before uploading it to the minidisc.

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milambar

Just because it can be kept forever, and played on "mp3 compatable devices", doesn't mean its not wrapped in DRM.

Yes it does.

Quote:

If its wrapped in DRM, then Sony's SonicStage cannot transcode it to a format compatable with my minidisc player, which is classed as an "mp3 compatable device", purely because sonicstage transcodes it on the fly before uploading it to the minidisc.

But then you are having to convert the files to get them to play - which means the service you are downloading them from does not supply files that play on 'mp3 compatible devices'

Horace · 15-06-2009, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Because you can't use Spotify on an MP3 player can you?

So at the moment you have to lug your PC everywhere

Spotify is being developed for mobile platforms : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ALGPknOsiU

To be honest I prefer Spotify to having tons of MP3's as well as portable playlists. The sound quality tends to be better than tracks offered by legal download services too.

murfitUK · 15-06-2009, 15:11

In today's Guardian there is an article that says that once the service is live VM will block access to sites that promote illegal file-sharing and will block torrents as most of them are used for illegal purposes. Doesn't say if they will permit "legal" torrents.

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 15:14

Where does it say that?

Only thing I saw was this:

In addition Universal Music and Virgin Media say they will work together to protect the music company's intellectual property to "drive a material reduction in the unauthorised distribution of [Universal's] repertoire across Virgin Media's network".

This will include raising awareness of online piracy, legal downloading alternatives and, as a last resort for "persistent offenders", a temporary suspension of internet access. Suspension of service could be for as little as five minutes.

"No customers will be permanently disconnected and the process will not depend on network monitoring or interception of customer traffic by Virgin Media," the company said.

Bonglet · 15-06-2009, 15:25

Â£10-15 per month for this Cost of a couple of albums (Rising every year like your broadband does?) people who dont take up the offer and still download will be suspended? wth i bet your still have to pay for service while suspended too.

How exactly are they going to police the downloads people make? more uses of the phorm system? matching your downloads to ones more relevant?.

Lots of unanswed questions about it all imo guess thats transparency vm style for you.