Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Music Download.

Ratings

MP3 Music Selection

Music download services should offer a wide array of music genres available for preview and download.

Search Capabilities

Music download services should make finding music easy and should allow searches by artist, album, genre, or song title.

Feature Set

Music download services should provide features beyond basic music downloads. We looked for services that provided useful options, like an integrated music player, a playlist organizer and secure downloads.

Download/Setup

The service should make it easy to download and setup the program on your home computer. We also looked at how easy their music download process was and whether the music retrieved was CD-quality.

Help/Support

Good support is key when using with a music download service. Music Download Services should have support built into their website in the form of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) or knowledge bases for quick reference. The services support staff should be friendly, patient and knowledgeable.

Payment Options

Average Price-per Song

The price the music download site charges per downloaded song.

Subscription

The lowest subscription price the music download service charges.

To Go Program

The price the music download site charges for a subscription that allows you to load your downloaded songs onto a portable device.

Music Download Titles

Music Titles Available

The number of music files available for download.

Copy Song to CD

Whether a downloaded song can be burned to a CD. Some services will allow a song to be downloaded to your computer's hard drive, but will protect it so you cannot burn or transfer it to another source.

Song Preview

Allows you to listen to a song in part or in whole before purchase; the length of the preview depends on the music download service.

Music Download Features

Album/Artist Information

Information provided by the music download service about a particular artist or album. Some services do not offer this information.

Playlist/Organizer

A built-in feature that some music download services provide that allows you to organize the files you've downloaded for a more customized listening experience.

Search for Existing Music Files

A feature available with some music players that looks for existing music files on your computer and then allows you to organize these into playlists.

Open Device Compatibility

All the music offered on the site is in MP3 format and free of Digital Rights Management restrictions. All digital music devices including iPod and Zune will work with MP3 songs purchased from these services.

Some DRM-Free Tracks

The music download site offers a selection of music in standard MP3 format free of Digital Rights Management restrictions. However, most of the music library has some kind of DRM restrictions and device compatibility limitations.

DRM Bitrate

The quality or bitrate in which the Digital Rights Management protected song or album is encoded. The higher the bitrate, the better the song's quality.

MP3 Bitrate

The quality or bitrate in which the MP3 song is encoded. The higher the number, the better the quality.

Radio

The music service also includes streaming radio stations.

Music Videos

The music service includes music videos to download.

Movies

The service had digital movies to download.

Television Shows

The service includes popular television programs to download.

Audiobooks

The service offers digital audio books.

Search Capabilities

Genre/Category

A particular type or classification of music, including rock, classical, rap, country, pop and so on.

Artist

The name or title of the person or group that created the music.

Song/Track

The name or title of a particular piece of music.

Album

The name or title of a collection of songs from a record or CD.

Music Download File Formats

.mp3

Stands for MPEG Audio Layer 3, which is one of three coding schemes (layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3) for compressing audio signals. mp3 files use perceptual audio coding and psychoacoustic compression to remove all the redundant and irrelevant parts of a sound signal. Because mp3 files are small (compressed), they can easily be transferred across the Internet.

.wma

Developed by Microsoft, Windows Media Audio (WMA) is a sound-file format that is even smaller (more compressed) than mp3. WMA offers near-CD-quality sound at an encoding rate of only 64kbps (as opposed to mp3's 128 kbps), cutting the file size in half. Optional copyright protection is included in the WMA code, allowing the owner to restrict the use of protected material.

.aac

A format of purchased music that can be listened to only through the iTunes Softer, Apple's Media Player or an iPod.

.rax

The digital format used by Rhapsody and RealNetworks.

.zpl

The exclusive music file format used by Microsoft's Zune MP3 player.

Mp3 payment methods

Credit/Debit Card

A credit card is a method of payment that allows you to borrow money an pay for it later.

Paypal

An Internet service that allows the electronic transfer of money between two email users, avoiding traditional, time-consuming paper methods. PayPal also performs payment processing for e-commerce vendors, auction sites and other corporate users (for which they charge a fee).

Points

The music download service only accepts points or credits as a form of online currency. Usually you buy a certain number of points with a credit card and buy songs, albums or other digital media with the points in your account instead of money.

Support/Documentation

Phone/Fax Support

Allows you to call the manufacturer support team directly or send in a fax for technical support.

Manual

Offer guidance and assistance when you have questions or problems about the Music Download Service.

FAQ

A list of "Frequently Asked Questions" that you may search to find the answer to software related problems.

eMail/Online Forms

A way to receive technical assistance over the Internet. eMail Support is an email address provided by the product's manufacturer to ask questions and receive answers directly from the support team. Online Forms are web pages that allow you to type and submit technical questions directly to a service's technical support staff.

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