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MP3 Format finally on the decline giving way to other formats While MP3 has been the most widely used digital audio format on PC's and portable players for many years, its usage is actually on the decline according to research at NDP Group's MusicWatch Digital. They have determined that in the last year, the percentage of music stored in the MP3 format on consumer's PC's has dropped 6% to 72% by surveying the hard drives of 40,000 different people .
This is an older article I came across while investigating different encoding standards. Yet, it is still an interesting study into the psychology of MP3s vs. other formats. The MP3 standard which the RIAA has argued would destroy the music industry, is considered "disposable" by the people who download them. The music purchased from iTunes, Musicmatch or other online music distributors in contrast, is kept, backed up and treated as one might treat a music CD they purchase from a store.
What do Addict readers think? I am not asking anyone to admit to any crimes here, but do you buy the idea that MP3s downloaded are simply "samplers", easy to delete psychologically - where purchased music carries more clout? Personally, I'm a member of 3 music services and I buy the theory. I back up the purchased music, sometimes more than once. Heck, even the free tunes that iTunes gives away are worthy of backup because they give you the license with it. 8-)
Psychologically, anything purchased or earned is treated with more value and respect than something free. To attach this disposability to MP3 as a format is weak and wrong. I rip all my MP3's from purchased CD's and I never delete any of them unless they are corrupted. I suspect the real thrust of the article is to promote some of the newer licensed formats.
I don't know if I agree about the article simply promoting other standards. But my guess is that you ripped your MP3s from purchased CDs and they are something you created, therefore they carry more value than a downloaded MP3. Plus, deleting them means "reripping' your collection again. Not very efficient considering you can fit many albums of MP3s on one CD for backup.
Linear Mode
