And many SDMI portable devices will be able to play music that is digitally downloaded in new, protected formats right away. SDMI-compliant devices will translate MP3 files into a format acceptable for that device. The exact form will depend on the device. The original MP3 file will remain intact on the computer. A. SDMI members agree that protected formats enable the growth of electronic music distribution by protecting the rights of artists.
Members also recognize that there are many legitimate uses for unprotected formats.
As a result, SDMI supports both. The 1.0 Specification is intended for portable devices and supporting PC software, but future specifications will address other devices such as car stereos. The SDMI Portable Device specification is a framework for security that promotes interoperability and allows content to be converted from one format to another. The specification allows, but does not require, manufacturers to create systems that are interoperable. There are now a number of different music players and systems on the market that are not compatible with each other.