Content protection is an essential part of enjoying music in a network environment. Memory Stick has a reliable content protection environment based on MagicGate and OpenMG technologies, making it possible for users to use it with confidence. Supported widely by both users and music providers, Memory Stick is now, and will be in the future, the key medium in network systems.

• 1. Content protection technology
• 2. Handling digital music data
• 3. High-quality digital sound
• 4. Ever-expanding network environment

Content protection technology is indispensable for the proper management of copyrighted digital content. By incorporating both MagicGate and OpenMG technologies, Memory Stick not only prevents copyright infringement but also provides a secure environment where users can enjoy high-quality music content.

MagicGate

MagicGate is a content protection technology that allows encryption and authentication of encrypted data between products and media.

OpenMG

OpenMG is a content protection technology that is used to manage and protect digital music content. It respects rights of content holders/providers by preventing illegal copies and provides enjoyment of rich, high-quality music content.
OpenMG complies with international rules established by the SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) and is gaining wide support from the music industry.

Available music data sources

There are two ways to obtain digital music content: recording from CDs and downloading from Internet distribution services.

Recording from CDs

Music data transfer from a CD to the hard disk on a PC or other device.

EMD (Electronic Music Distribution)

Downloading of music data from EMD service sites on the Internet to a PC or other device. The number of such services is rapidly increasing.

Data transfer between Memory Stick compatible-devices

Check out

Transfer of music data from a PC hard disk to a portable device.
To protect copyrighted content, the SDMI restricts the number of check outs to a maximum of 3 copies. For music data distributed over the Internet, the number of check outs may vary with each website service. The remaining check-out count will return to its original number after check in.

Check in

Return of music data to the PC hard disk from a portable device.
To protect copyrighted content, the checked-out music selection can only be returned to the original computer where it was checked out. Transfer or music data cannot be made to another PC via USB interface.

ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus are audio compression technologies developed to make it possible to enjoy high-quality digital sound with portable players that are becoming smaller than ever.

ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus

What is ATRAC3?

ATRAC3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3) compresses audio data to half that achieved by the ATRAC technology originally developed by Sony for MD, while maintaining the same superior sound quality. It can compress data to about 1/10th that of CD data.

Atrac World

What is ATRAC3plus?

ATRAC3 technology has been further enhanced to increase the compression ratio without causing deterioration in audio quality. The new algorithm of ATRAC3plus performs high-precision analysis of longer period of audio data and allows most appropriate optimal bit distribution and encoding. As a result, ATRAC3plus offers high-quality sound at about 1/20th the compression ratio of CD data.

* ATRAC3 music data can be played on ATRAC3plus products. ATRAC3plus music data can be played on ATRAC3 products, including NetMD equipment, by using music file management/editing software, such as SonicStage.

Maximum Recording Time

Memory Stick Capacity	Bit Rate	Max. Recording Time
4GB	64kbps	138hours
2GB	64kbps	64 hours and 10 minutes

• * Approximate maximum recording time in stereo mode

Digital content distribution via the internet is growing popular, with EMD (Electronic Music Distribution) service sites opening one after another. Music data on the web is securely protected by content protection/management/distribution technology and can be downloaded to Memory Stick compatible PCs, mobile phones, etc. For example, music data downloaded by using MAGIQLIP2*1 can be managed and edited using jukebox software such as SonicStage and checked out to a wide variety of Memory Stick compatible devices, including portable audio players. Memory Stick lets you enjoy more music, more ways, in the ever-expanding network environment.

• *1 Player software enables downloading and playback on a PC. Jukebox software is necessary to edit and check in/out the music data.

* Software, service and product availability vary in different markets.