[Resolved] Secure WMA Files

erikwebb

One of my clients is about to release a new album and I'd like to put it online for people to listen to. I could put the tracks in Flash movies to prevent downloading, but I'd rather not. Does anyone know of a tool out there to create secure WMA files (or the like) similar to what online music stores have that prevent CD burning, etc.?

drawmack

no, but anyway it's a mute point because they make software that can capture the stuff going through the sound card. The person could just use one of those to ''copy'' the file without the protection. You're best bet is to just offer up samples on the site. Maybe one or two complete songs and then the first 30 seconds of the rest. If they don't have the entire song they can't burn the entire song no matter what software they use.

erikwebb

I know about that sound card recorder stuff, but only real techies even use that. My artist is a blues musician, I doubt that many of his fans are that technically-inclined.

Merve

Almost everybody has the Flash plug-in nowadays. Go with Flash.

jebster

Originally posted by erikwebb
I know about that sound card recorder stuff, but only real techies even use that. My artist is a blues musician, I doubt that many of his fans are that technically-inclined.

It only takes one person to copy your music then it will spread! I say just give out files in a crappier quality like 64kbps or something! 😉

drawmack

Originally posted by erikwebb
I know about that sound card recorder stuff, but only real techies even use that. My artist is a blues musician, I doubt that many of his fans are that technically-inclined.

don't bet on that one I'm a blues guitarist.

jebster

Originally posted by drawmack
don't bet on that one I'm a blues guitarist.

Programmer, Cheif, Guitarist.. jack-of-all-trades?

erikwebb

Alright guys, flash seems to be the best route to take then. No method is completely full-proof, I understand that. I guess I just have to rely on honest people. He's not too big on piracy concerns or anything, I just figured he'd appreciate some extra effort from me.

Thanks again everyone.

drawmack

Originally posted by jebster
Programmer, Cheif, Guitarist.. jack-of-all-trades?

yeah I was a chef, then I became a programmer and music (guitar, bass & drums) is one of my two hobbies my other hobby is role-playing games which I've been paid to write for so I guess I'm a cooking, programming, music playing, author.

LordShryku

Don't forget network security specialist

drawmack

Lord,
actually I've never claimed that title. One service that I offer is intrusion risk testing. Not a complet security policy or anything like that.

LordShryku

Well, intrusion risk testing takes a good understanding of networks. I just generalized the term.

ForgotMyPass

I dont suggest flash, as there are tons of programs that rip the music, sound, actionscript, movieclips and stuff from the movie (and they are easy to get). I suggest just using really crappy sound quality or short clips.

drawmack

I don't recommend using crappy quality the person is likely think the quality of the album is crappy.

erikwebb

I don't recommend using crappy quality the person is likely think the quality of the album is crappy.

My thoughts exactly.

Back to my original question, does anyone know how to create semi-secure *.wma (or similar) files?

jebster

Originally posted by drawmack
I don't recommend using crappy quality the person is likely think the quality of the album is crappy.

Well just say that the sound quality has been reduced to reduce music piracy or something.

Originally posted by erikwebb
My thoughts exactly.

Back to my original question, does anyone know how to create semi-secure *.wma (or similar) files?

If I am not mistaken MusicMatch Jukebox can record .wma with "Digital Rights Management"

EDIT
In WMP you can "Copy Protect Music" when riping the CD!

erikwebb

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the "Copy Protect Music" in WMP prevented the files from being played on any other computer. The MusicMatch thing I am unfamiliar with, I will try that soon.

jebster

Originally posted by erikwebb
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the "Copy Protect Music" in WMP prevented the files from being played on any other computer.

My bad, I have never used it before! I assumed it prevented it from being burned or something like that.

erikwebb

Crap, I wish I could unresolve this thread........

Merve

Originally posted by erikwebb
Crap, I wish I could unresolve this thread........

What you can do is change the subject of the first post in the thread to "Secure WMA Files -- not actually resolved".