SonicStage 3.2 and DRM

[Kevin J]

I'm still foggy on the concept of SS ver 3.2's ability to allow "DRM-less" oma files.

I've seen numerous statements posted in various forums here such as:

1) "Only using the new SonicStage 3.2 can you choose to leave the DRM off."

2) " ...but a drm-free oma file created with sonicStage 3.2 can be played on any PC with sonicstage 3.2 and allows transfers..."

3) "SS3.2 brought us un-DRM'ed oma files (for the first time ever) and allows unlimited uploads."

How exactly does one create DRM-less oma fle in ver 3.2? I'm still searching for a method to share files between 2 PCs with SS 3.2 loaded on both. Statement #2 above implies that this is possible.

...or does 3.2's DRM-less feature simply mean we now have unlimited transfers to the SAME originating PC?

Thx for any insight you can share!

~ peace, Kevin J

[Ishiyoshi]

How exactly does one create  DRM-less oma fle in ver 3.2?  I'm still searching for a method to share files between 2 PCs with SS 3.2 loaded on both.  Statement #2 above implies that this is possible. 

Thx for any insight you can share!

~ peace, Kevin J

←

Ensure that you deselect "Add copy protection" when you import a CD - that will give you non-DRM ATRAC3 (132kbps) and ATRAC3plus tracks. Please note: previously encoded ATRAC tracks will still retain DRM properties; thus, reconvert those tracks accordingly.

If you want to share the non-DRM ATRAC tracks between your two PCs, just copy the new non-DRM ATRAC tracks onto your Hi-MD media using Windows Explorer. Then import those tracks accordingly into SonicStage 3.2 of the other PC for playback purposes.

For your convenience, please review the attached screen capture.

[Kevin J]

Ensure that you deselect "Add copy protection" when you import a CD...

-----------------

OK, I see how this would apply if you're importing a CD, but in my case I'm dealing with recordings that I've made with a mic onto my MZ-RH910. Is there some way to render self-made recordings "non-DRM"?... so that I could freely upload/download those recordings between my RH910 and 2 different PC?

Thx for the great info!

~ peace, Kevin J

[roryok]

-----------------

OK, I see how this would apply if you're importing a CD, but in my case I'm dealing with recordings that I've made with a mic onto my MZ-RH910.  Is there some way to render self-made recordings "non-DRM"?... so that I could freely upload/download those recordings between my RH910 and 2 different PC?

Thx for the great info!

~ peace, Kevin J

←

well it works for me, didn't have to play with any options, I just uploaded off one disc and it's still on that disc. Although its a little disconcerting that it won't let you upload anything from a write protected disc... I just wanted to ensure my recordings would be safe after the sonicstage 2.1 fiasco.

[The Low Volta]

Is there some way to render self-made recordings "non-DRM"

- If these recordings haven't been uploaded before, uploading them with SS3.2 means you could upload them multiple times and even on different PC's... just check all the settings for importing and make sure that the recordings aren't erased from the disc

- If these recordings have already been uploaded with anything <3.2, they can not be uploaded again... trying to upload again will erase the recordings from disc

but to make recordings really DRM-free you really should convert them to wav (with SS>3.0 or with HiMDRenderer) and backup the wav

just read and follow the instructions in this thread and you will not lose any recordings

hope this helps

[Kevin J]

...check all the settings for importing and make sure that the recordings aren't erased from the disc

Bingo! -- you nailed it...the problem was that I was NOT leaving the recordings on the disc; I was uploading them (erasing them in the process) and then transferring from "My Library" back onto the disc. It's working out fine now that I've changed SS's settings to leave the tracks on the disc during transfer.

And yes, I agree that the best route is to ultimately convert the recordings to WAV files. I guess I need to consider buying a DVD burner to store those WAVs...and also look into saving in FLAC format, which I had not heard of until I joined this community.

Thanks to all who replied!

~peace, Kevin J

Edited August 13, 2005 by Kevin J

[fishstyc]

but to make recordings really DRM-free you really should convert them to wav (with SS>3.0 or with HiMDRenderer) and backup the wav

just read and follow the instructions in this thread and you will not lose any recordings

Converting files you already uploaded from hi-md with an older SS version to non-DRM is also possible.

Convert the files to the same codec and bitrate, and uncheck the 'add DRM' option. You will have the exact same audio but without DRM. I checked, converting both files to wav and subtracting them from each other gave all zero samples.

cheers

[The Low Volta]

Convert the files to the same codec and bitrate, and uncheck the 'add DRM' option. You will have the exact same audio but without DRM. I checked, converting both files to wav and subtracting them from each other gave all zero samples.

good tip, but I prefer to keep all my own recordings in Flac (or wav) if possible... I do not believe in a lossy format for storage and/or archiving

[mrsoul]

The advantage of FLAC is when archived, it is treated like a data file and will preserve a true "copy" that will be much closer to the original when restored compared to a music file which is always restored to a CD in a more liberal fashion.

In other words, the FLAC file or SHN or whatever lossless format you archive with will maintain a true image of the original WAV file and take up less space on your drive/disk.

Start here for more info on FLAC:

FLAC info

FLAC Installer This FLAC installer contains the FLAC Frontend tool (to compress and decompress) plus several very necessary plugins for Winamp (play FLAC files) and Nero (burn to CD on the fly).