Much has been said about the end of Digital Rights Management era in the music industry. In theory, DRM-protected media was out to suppress piracy, which only a perfect marketing course indeed. Protected music and video files are encrypted and locked by playing license authorization. The license may allow to copy music to other computers, digital MP3 players and mobile phones. Each device must be individually authorized by a license server online. It means that without such a server, former customers of the music service is not able to get their DRM-protected music to play on any new PC or digital player. We can remember MSN Music and Sony Connect Europe shops are closed so thousands of paying customers with gigabytes of useless DRM-protected files. Fortunately, there are a number of proven ways to get around DRM protection.
The first and most obvious is to a music or video files and burn to CD and rip unprotected files. This works fine if you convert audio only. For example protected iTunes video M4V files can not be burned to CD / DVD. Another way is to connect iPod to another visual device such as a stereo or TV with Apple AV Connection Kit (one of iPod accessories). Then if the recording equipment, music or video can be re-recorded in unprotected format. But you know this cable kit cost you another $ 100.
And of course the third such applications DRMBuster, SoundTaxi and NoteBurner been developed around DRM. Usually the cost is $ 20 – $ 50, depending on their functionality. As of today, is more DRM-security practices and outdated. At least the major players in the market such as Napster To Go and Amazon were already DRM-Fri At the 2009 Macworld Conference & Expo, has openly announced that the iTunes Music Store, the leader would also be DRM-free conversion is completed in April 2009.
DRM-free music downloads are now available for download in iPod M4A (AAC) audio format. On the other hand, iTunes curb their single-price rule with three points: $ 0. 69, $ 0. 99, and $ 1. 29 per one audio track download. Such a difference in price will now depend on certain artist and song popularity. To purchase a popular new record? – Willing to pay more. Another “big” to offer “grateful” Apple iTunes customers is an “easy” upgrade of the music you already own DRM-protected format (M4P) in unprotected M4A for just $ 0. 30 per song. If your music library consists of several hundred albums in DRM-protected format, you can pay Apple so to say a considerable sum of money for nothing. Even without DRM, iTunes songs are still prefer Apple’s AAC (M4A) format, not the more widely supported MP3.
What films, music videos, television shows and audio books – they stay in DRM-protected format (M4V for video and M4B audio books). Finally, the easiest way to get the full library of videos and convert protected music, the use of DRM Media Converter software. The most robust technology, used by DRMBuster is virtual sound card or graphics conversion. It’s like re-recording your files with Apple Connection Kit virtual simulator. These media converters do not circumvent DRM copy protection technology, so they are completely legal.