MusicMatch Wednesday released a new version of MusicMatch Jukebox featuring the
next-generation of MP3 encoding technology from Fraunhofer IIS-A, inventors
of the original MP3 compression format.
It also offers a downloadable music
recommendation feature that provides users with additional music selections that match their listening preferences.
By integrating the Fraunhofer MP3 encoder, MusicMatch Jukebox now provides
customers with richer and clearer sound quality and faster digital audio
extraction (ripping) capabilities. The efficiency of the Fraunhofer MP3
encoding engine also makes MusicMatch up to 40% faster than the previous
version of MusicMatch Jukebox, and up to twice as fast as RealJukebox.
The new MusicMatch Jukebox provides personalized downloadable music
recommendations to users, who can choose to voluntarily upload their digital
music preferences to MusicMatch’s secure database, and in return, receive
personalized recommendations that match their music tastes. Recommended
tracks are then displayed in the “Net Music” component of MusicMatch Jukebox.
When selected, the tracks will automatically load into the user’s jukebox
library and playlist window after downloading or while streaming.
“MusicMatch recognizes that superior sound quality and fast encoding rates
are two of the most important features digital audio consumers look for when
choosing a personal jukebox software program,” said Dennis Mudd, CEO of
MusicMatch. “We also believe that as more content becomes available online,
the ability to provide personalized recommendations for downloadable music
will be critical to our customers and to content providers alike.”
“Digital music is going mainstream and consumers will no longer accept even small quality impairments in exchange for faster encoding speed,” said
Karlheinz Brandenburg, head of Fraunhofer’s Multimedia Department and
considered by many to be the founder of MP3 technology. “With our new MP3
encoder consumers will not be forced to make those quality sacrifices.”
