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QuickTime Audio, MP3 Codec
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Format Description Properties
• ID: fdd000111
• Short name: QTA_MP3
• Content categories: sound
• Format category: file format, bitstream encoding
• Last significant update: 2007-08-07
• Draft status: Full
Identification and description ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
Full name | QuickTime file with MP3 Encoding |
Description | Bitstream encoding and file format designed for efficient distribution of sound files over moderate bandwidth connections, e.g., Apple's iTunes music service; QTA_MP3 may be used at higher data rates for better fidelity. |
Production phase | Generally used for final-state, end-user delivery. |
Relationship to other formats | |
Subtype of | QuickTime |
Contains | MP3_ENC bitstream encoding |
Local use ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
LC experience or existing holdings | None |
LC preference | General preference for recorded sound is WAVE_LCPM. For compressed sound, AAC_M4A or MP3_FF are preferred. |
Sustainability factors ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
Disclosure | Fully documented. For wrapper, see QuickTime; for bitstream, see MP3_ENC. |
Documentation | See QuickTime and MP3_ENC. |
Adoption | Used by the Apple iTunes music distribution service; may be in diminished production or discontinued as AAC receives wider use. See also QuickTime and MP3_ENC. |
Licensing and patent claims | See
QuickTime. |
Transparency | See QuickTime and MP3_ENC. |
Self-documentation | See
QuickTime. |
External dependencies | Files from iTunes can be played on an iPod device and as many as five computers authorized by the enduser's agreement; see About Music Store Authorization and Deauthorization. |
Technical protection considerations | Files from iTunes can be played by endusers who use the required Apple ID and Password. The Apple iTunes FairPlay system to protect content is the subject of a Green Paper from the Digital Media research initiative at the Berkman Center of Harvard Law School. See also
QuickTime. |
Quality and functionality factors ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
Normal rendering | Good support. |
Fidelity (support for high audio resolution) | See MP3_ENC. |
Support for multiple sound channels | See MP3_ENC. |
Support for downloadable or user-defined sounds, samples, and patches | See MP3_ENC. |
Functionality beyond normal rendering | See MP3_ENC. |
File type signifiers ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
Tag type | Value | Note |
Filename Extension | mp3 | Reported by an iTunes user; files said to be protected according to iTunes policies. |
Internet Media Type | | None specific identified as of 2004-05-26; see
QuickTime. |
Audio type tag (QuickTime) | 0x6D73055 | Four-character code (as Hex) identifying the MP3 audio codec (CBR only, pre-QT4.1), from QuickTime File Format, p. 103 or p. 109.1 |
Audio type tag (QuickTime) | .mp3 | Four-character code identifying the MP3 audio codec (CBR & VBR, QT4.1 and later), from QuickTime File Format, p. 103 or p. 109.1 |
Notes ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
Format specifications ![Explanation of format description terms](info.gif)
URLs
• See QuickTime.
Print
• See MP3_ENC.
Useful references
URLs
• See QuickTime and MP3_ENC.
Print
Last updated: Tuesday, 21-Aug-2007 14:54:13 EDT