Music streaming is officially going high resolution. The industry’s official logo mark for Hi-Res Music – previously applicable primarily to high-quality digital download services – will soon be available for adoption by music streaming services such as Apple Music as well, according to an announcement today from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and its member companies.
The Hi-Res Music logo and accompanying definition, originally announced in June 2015 by the RIAA on behalf of its member labels, primarily focused on the various types of digital files and download services which met the definition’s requirements. This program, which has been adopted by nearly a dozen download services offering high-resolution music, is now being expanded to cover streaming services that utilize new technologies that meet the quality standards set out in the original Hi-Res Music definition. These technologies ensure that the listener hears music that preserves, without loss of information, recordings from sources that achieve a minimum of 48kHz/20 bit resolution, says David Hughes, chief technology officer, RIAA.
A number of data packing technologies are being developed that can support the streaming of hi-res music files to consumers in a more efficient manner, including MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) and MPEG 4 Audio SLS, he adds. These and other approved technologies will enable licensed services to display the Hi-Res Music logo mark on their landing page or next to an individual album or track. If the resolution of a recording falls below the required minimum standards of the Hi-Res MUSIC definition at any time, the user will be made aware of this change.
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