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Wal-Mart Offers DRM-free Music Downloads

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 8:45 AM - by

Big box retailer Wal-Mart has joined the iTunes Store in offering copy protection-free music downloads, but instead of Apple's US$1.29 per track, Wal-Mart is charging $0.94 per track. So far, EMI and Universal Music Group have signed on, while EMI is the only label that is offering DRM-free tracks through the iTunes Store.

Wal-Mart's copy protection-free songs are available as 256kbps MP3 files, and it will continue to sell DRM laden tracks in 128kbps WMA format for $0.88 each. In comparison, the iTunes Store sells its iTunes Plus (256kbps AAC) tracks for $1.29, and protected tracks (128kbps AAC) for $0.99. Wal-Mart's music service, however, is compatible only with Windows, where the iTunes Store is Mac and Windows compatible.

Regardless of pricing differences, Wal-Mart has joined Apple in weakening the major record label's stance on music download copy protection. Sony BMG and Warner are still holding out, but with the other two big labels already in the DRM-free game, they may not be able to stand their ground much longer.

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DaiMac said:

member since 29 Jun 2001 with 952 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:16 am

Universal trusts Wal-Mart more than Apple, is that what I'm seeing here? This looks like a blatant move to weaken Apple's market position and give Wal-Mart the serious foothold that it has so far lacked. I don't know if it will succeed, but that looks like the plan.

I definitely would agree, I mean its not like Wal-Mart has a history of pricing all competition out of the market and then aggressively negotiating with suppliers who suddenly find all their other markets have been extinguished.

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Terrin said:

member since 29 Jan 2006 with 414 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:17 am

What a bunch of BS. Walmart has not joined Apple in weakening the labels reliance on DRM. Universal is trying to use Walmart to weaken Apple's hold on digital music. If people jump ship to companies like Walmart, the labels now are back in the driver's seat. Expect increased prices, and more DRM.

Universal is out to kill iTunes plain and simple. Moreover, Walmart is losing money on digital music now. It is merely establishing itself for the future when there is money to be made.

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geoduck said:

member since 30 Dec 2003 with 1922 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:36 am

Terrin wrote:
Walmart has not joined Apple in weakening the labels reliance on DRM. Universal is trying to use Walmart to weaken Apple's hold on digital music.

While likely true, The end result is that another label is selling DRM free music. That genii won't be easily put back in the bottle.

If you could use iTunes to manage Wallmart tracks, I could see this strengthening Apples hold on the player market, even as it might dilute it's hold on the music download market.

My questions are: It says that Wallmart music is only compatible with Windows. Is there a way to convert it to use on an iPod synched through a Mac? Is it still usable through iTunes on a Windows computer?

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kennylucius said:

member since 06 Feb 2003 with 19 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:36 am

Why would MP3 files be only compatible with Windows? I think it is more likely that the purchase must be made with a Windows application, but the file can be put in iTunes on either platform.

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bluevoter said:

member since 30 May 2007 with 13 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:31 pm

The only way to use the WalMart store is with Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems. That means no Windows 98, no Vista, and especially no Mac or Linux. Beyond that, you have to use Internet Exploder 6 - no Firefox or Opera, and perhaps no IE 7. Their target market is not the people who read MacObserver and iPodObserver, but the people who buy inexpensive preconfigured Windows boxes at Walmart or Circuit City. You didn't want to send your money to Bentonville, Arkansas, anyway, did you?

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A guest said: (hide)

Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:42 pm

bluevoter wrote:
The only way to use the WalMart store is with Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems. That means no Windows 98, no Vista, and especially no Mac or Linux. Beyond that, you have to use Internet Exploder 6 - no Firefox or Opera, and perhaps no IE 7. Their target market is not the people who read MacObserver and iPodObserver, but the people who buy inexpensive preconfigured Windows boxes at Walmart or Circuit City. You didn't want to send your money to Bentonville, Arkansas, anyway, did you?

What is your source all that information?

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A guest said: (hide)

Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:47 pm

Sorry bluevoter, whatever your source it is wrong. The music download service for MP3 is guaranteed to work on Windows 2000, XP and Vista. (You could find this out by doing a quick search, my first link on walmart music store worked). I've used the Walmart store on Firefox, so I don't know what you think you know, but it's wrong.

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A guest said: (hide)

Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:48 pm

kennylucius wrote:
Why would MP3 files be only compatible with Windows? I think it is more likely that the purchase must be made with a Windows application, but the file can be put in iTunes on either platform.

Correct, the MP3 files will work with any player that supports MP3, including the iPod/iPhone.

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bluevoter said:

member since 30 May 2007 with 13 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:15 pm

From the page http://www.walmart.com/swap/Help.do?mainCategoryId=441014

=====================================================

What are the system requirements for using Wal-Mart Music Downloads?

* Windows 2000 or XP (sorry, no Macintosh or Linux)

* 233 MHz or higher processor (most computers meet this requirement)

* At least 64 MB of RAM

* A sound card

* Speakers or headphones (if you want to play music on your computer)

* An Internet connection (broadband recommended)

* Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher

* Windows Media Player version 9 or later

=======================================================

No mention of Vista or Firefox...

That's where I got the information. If it's wrong, WalMart should update their site, but I took them at their word.

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A guest said: (hide)

Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:25 pm

Another article said that the 88 cent songs were 128 kbps WMA files [with no DRM], while they also offer 94 cent 256 kbps MP3 files. Which I think is totally bizarre, to switch between WMA and MP3, when both are offered "without DRM".

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A guest said: (hide)

Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:33 pm

Beware the white-whale. It will draw out your soul and leave you drifting in a sea of mediocrity.

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A guest said: (hide)

Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:15 pm

The idea of purchasing DRM free music was enough to get me to try their site. But it doesn't work with Firefox on linux. I don't understand that restriction-- if there's no DRM, why do they care about your OS? My major attraction to DRM free MP3 files is to use them anywhere I like, and I can. The irony is that their website doesn't seem to understand that obvious point.

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A guest said: (hide)

Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:08 pm

bluevoter, they have updated their site: http://musicdownloads.walmart.com/catalog/servlet/MainServlet

" MP3

• Windows 2000, XP or Vista

• Any MP3 player software such as Windows Media Player or iTunes

• MP3s are compatible with any device capable of playing MP3s including the iPod and Zune

WMA (DRM)

• Windows 2000, XP or Vista

• Windows Media Player 9 or later Get it now for free

• Note: NOT compatible with iPod or Zune

"

http://musicdownloads.walmart.com/catalog/servlet/HelpTopicServlet;jsessionid=GMsLsT6PQl8P122gh8qyyPJcByC6QMpjJp264xDtftpysR0bFLDv!-1140712203?topicIndex=1#0

"

What are the system requirements for using Music Downloads at Walmart.com?

1. A Windows PC

Most computers manufactured in the last few years will easily meet the minimum system requirements. If you have an older computer, here's what you need:

233 MHz or higher processor (most computers meet this requirement)

At least 64 MB of RAM

A sound card

Speakers or headphones (if you want to play music on your computer)

An Internet connection

If you're not sure about your computer, open the Control Panel and click on the icon for "System" (for Windows XP, you will find this in the "classic view"). A window will open that displays your computer's system profile, including processor speed, RAM and other information.

2. A recent version of the Windows® Operating System. Your computer must be running the Windows 2000, XP, or Vista operating system. (Note: WMAs and WMVs you download from Walmart.com will not play on the Mac or Linux operating systems.) If your computer comes with Microsoft Internet Explorer already installed, please make sure you are using version 6 or higher.

3. A digital music software application:

For WMAs and WMVs we recommend Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 or greater. Download the latest Windows Media Player from Microsoft for free. Windows Media Player is able to play the WMA music files available at Walmart.com that have been protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) encryption.

For MP3s we recommend Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 or greater as well as Apple iTunes.

"

Absolutely right about no mention of FF or IE, because it doesn't matter. Try it, I use FF at Walmart all the time. You're still wrong.

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Intruder said:

member since 07 Jul 2004 with 3149 posts, TMO Mac Specialist, send him a message or view his profile

Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:33 pm

JimB12, don't be a jerk. Again. Still.

He quoted what was posted on the WalMart website. If it is compatible with FF or anything else, they should state it on their site.

Are you actually able to post something without saying things like "you're still wrong"? Or do you always have to act like a jerk?

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