Report: Apple ‘DRM-Free’ iTunes Not A Windows Media Fan
6:44 am, February 11th, 2009, Ed Sutherland
Although much has been made about Apple’s decision to drop copy-protection from iTunes Plus, the option still keeps music lovers tethered to a limit range of media players, according to a Wednesday report.
Unlike unprotected MP3 files, iTunes Plus creates songs that won’t work on devices requiring Microsoft’s Windows Media Player, the Chicago Tribune reported.
In a survey of compatibility of iTunes Plus purchases with a number of non-iPod music players, Chicago Tribune’s Eric Benderoff found iTunes Plus songs use the AAC file format.
“The problem is that Apple’s ‘unprotected files’ are in AAC format, which Windows Media player does not support,” Benderoff wrote.
While iTunes Plus songs can be played on Microsoft’s Zune, other digital music devices, including from Creative or Sansa, rely on the ubiquitous Windows media software.
Rivals, such as Amazon, sell digital songs in MP3 format, allowing music to be played no matter the maker.
Posted by Ed Sutherland in News | Comment on this article
It’s worth noting here that Microsoft plan to support AAC (and H.264) in Windows 7
Mark, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Well, maybe some of these minor players need to pony up and join the 21st century by supporting AAC and leaving WMA behind.
Curtis, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Surely what they mean is “Lots of device makers choose not to support the largest music seller in the US?”
Stuart Gibson, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:27 am
In other news, people are up in arms because CDs won’t play on record players. “Who came up with this design?” says Pooh Pundit, a pundit of very little brain. “I mean, there’s not even any grooves or anything. It’s just about as bad as the time I got a cassette tape got stuck in my 8-track player.”
******
Riddle me this, is it the problem of Apple, who is providing the open files, or the problem of the device makers, who decided not to include support for AAC, and one can presume, WAV, Apple Lossless, FLAC and sheet music?
Macanuck, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:29 am
They fail to mention that you can convert songs into MP3 format from within iTunes.
Come on Chicago Tribune, at least Google it before you publish it!
Kevin, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Heres a thought: Hey Microsoft! Add AAC support, ya stupid heads!
Phil, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Why is the Tribune complaining about AAC (the current MPEG standard), and not Windows Media Player’s lack of support for it? Hell, even some car stereos support mp3 and mp4 discs.
haunted_i, on February 11th, 2009 at 7:56 am
So because Windows Media Players are less popular it’s ok for them to only play a proprietary media format, but apple is bad for using a non-proprietary media format that isn’t supported by a proprietary media player?
My head hurts.
Matt, on February 11th, 2009 at 8:01 am
But, but, all of the tracks have been AAC since the inception of iTunes. (A) How on earth is this news and (B) What does Benderoff think that he’s discovering? The Trib really pays their writers for this kind of ‘research’? And CoM tags it ‘News’ rather than ‘Humor’?
“Chicago Tribune Reports iTunes is Same as It Always Was”
Dann, on February 11th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I’m not sure what the big deal is. I’m able to select any number of “Purchased AAC” files in iTunes and choose “Create MP3 Version” from the Advanced menu. If you can tell the difference between the two files by ear, you should be buying your music in DVD-audio format or just skip the whole process and only go to live concerts. This is just another whiny journalist filling a deadline with yet another “trash Apple” article. Thanks, Chicago Tribune.
Mike, on February 11th, 2009 at 9:10 am
and itunes doesn’t support wma files. without drm, either format can easily converted to mp3, if desired. nothing to see here, citizen. move along. and as i recall, though i haven’t tried it in awhile, itunes will convert unprotected wma files to aac or mp3, and will prompt you about it if you try to play one. there’s absolutely no reason windows media player couldn’t do that also, especially since aac is open codec and not some proprietary apple thing like some people seem to think it is. the only thing propriatary was the fairplay drm.
firesign, on February 11th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Isn’t that Microsoft’s fault? I mean, isn’t AAC a licencable format, developed not just by Apple but by an industry consortium? I doubt they could legally refuse to licence it to Microsoft due to antitrust laws.
-Chris
c.mac3600, on February 11th, 2009 at 9:18 am
isn’t that the device’s fault? aac is the new standard.. actually that was a while back, so ‘new’ isn’t necessary. plus aac was created by the same people that made mp3s.. it is technically the mp4(?) version.
then again what do i know.
Peruchito, on February 11th, 2009 at 9:18 am
That just shows you how bad Windows Media Player is and why its a waste of time using it instead of iTunes on a windows machine, no matter how bulky iTunes is getting.
Just because microsoft can’t support a basic audio standard like aac doesn’t mean iTunes should have to switch to another format. The ball is in microsoft’s court this time.
theguycalledtom, on February 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Okay, I went and read the article.
His issue is not that the Creative Zen X-Fi won’t play AAC files from iTunes Plus, The Creative Zen X-Fi will gladly play AAC files. It says so on the website (http://uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=17810&nav=0&listby=), specifically mentioning iTunes Plus files by name. His issue is that Windows Media Player doesn’t accept AAC files.
Just like iTunes won’t accept WMA files.
I don’t see him getting all up in arms over Microsoft’s decision to use a proprietary format (dare I mention that AAC, unlike WMA or MP3 is actually an open format), just that Apple isn’t using the proprietary MP3 format. Hmm.
The problem is that Windows Media Player doesn’t support AAC files. Which, for some reason, is Apple’s fault. Um. Right.
Sigh.
Macanuck, on February 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am
The only problem that I can see is that iTunes on MS-Windows allows the conversion of WMA to AAC format and the iTunes on Mac does not. Maybe I have missed something, but I think that iTunes should have the same capabilities on all platforms. As for downloading in mp4 format, and wanting to have it in MP3 format, just convert it in iTunes advanced settings. Learn to use the tools that you have. Try Google or better yet (humm!) click on the HELP button and type your question.
Richard John Kristin, on February 11th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
FWIW, Version 12 of WMP found in Windows 7 does indeed support unprotected AAC files.
tbsteph, on February 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I have a Zune (and an iPhone and an iPod 5G) and the Zune plays AAC files just dandy. It’s not hard to find a codec for windows for free that will make Windows Media Player work just fine with AAC files.
John, on February 11th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Well perhaps Microsoft could support the format… Jeez. =/
Duality, on February 11th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
got to agree. the article should read “Windows Media Player refuses to support AAC leaving some devices unable to play music from sources like iTunes which recently dropped DRM from their library”
and at last check you didn’t need a license to create something that will play AAC. only something that will make them.
Lucas, on February 11th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Wow, that’s kinda sad… I do wish more players support AAC, but that’s not Apple’s fault.
On a side note, it seems my Xbox 360 (at least with a downloadable update) will play AAC files – at the very least when encoded as the audio track MP4 movies. I can’t say if it’ll play standalone AAC, as I haven’t tried it. So, why would Microsoft put AAC support in the Xbox, but not windows? Sheesh. On a side note, my hacked PS2 (not mod-chipped, just using the independence exploit) has a homebrew media player that’ll play AAC too…
weatherguy, on February 15th, 2009 at 11:57 pm