EMD, expected to be the basis for a product that may be available in the 1999 holiday season, is an open platform standard that will let content providers send music files that will be fully integrated with video, graphics and Web hyperlinks, officials said. The biggest difference between EMD and current music file technologies, including MP3, is that artists and content providers will be able to charge for the download and delivery of their files.
Current technologies do little to thwart illegal copy and distribution of copyrighted materials.
The new format is expected to be compatible with dial-up Digital Subscriber Line technology and cable distribution. The company also offers technology development tools, including its music format, a2b music, and its compression technology, Advanced Audio Coding. Meanwhile, Matsushita, which makes consumer electronics products under the Panasonic brand, is expected to produce the actual devices that will receive and store the digital content. This could be something like a remote that acts as a Walkman-type of device. A survivor's guide.