Our shop offers the MP3 and WMA formats. The selection of formats available depends on the record label that holds the rights to the products. If, for example, a product page states "Format: MP3 320", this means that the product will be delivered in MP3 format at 320 kbit/s. If the page states "Format: WMA 192", the product will be provided in the Windows Media Audio format at 192 kbit/s.

What is MP3?

MP3 files are compatible with all MP3-capable MP3 players, PCs, Macs, PDAs and other playback devices. MP3 files can be played, burned and copied as often as desired. MP3 files do not contain any digital rights management (DRM) protection.

What is WMA?

WMA (Windows Media Audio) with DRM (digital rights management) provides smaller file sizes than the MP3 format while retaining the same quality. WMA can be used on all Windows-based PCs equipped with Windows Media Player and on a wide range of WMA/MP3 players. A licence is included with the music file. This licence regulates the usage rights (specifying how many times the licence holder is permitted to play, burn and copy the file). We provide the relevant figures in the detail view for each item.

Redownloads: specifies how often the item can be downloaded again after purchase without incurring any extra costs.

Burning: specifies how many times a purchased item can be burned onto a data carrier.

Licences: specifies the number of licences acquired.

Transfers: specifies how many times a purchased item can be transferred to a mobile player.

For every action performed in Windows Media Player, a check is made on whether the required usage rights are available or not.

WMA Test

This can be used to test if a computer supports the WMA format. Please click on "Download Testsong" and then check if the track can be played using Windows Media Player. Download Testsong

What is DRM?

DRM stands for digital rights management. This refers to a copy protection method used by Microsoft in order to ensure adherence to usage rights agreed during the purchasing process. There is a licence file associated with each track. This file contains information about how many times the song can be played, burned or copied. The licence file is automatically downloaded when a track is first played.

In order to obtain the licence, the track must be played using Windows Media Player for about 5 seconds and there must be a connection to the Internet.