NEW YORK – The music and CE industries launched multiple initiatives to accelerate consumer adoption of high-resolution music.
One of the most important is the planed fall launch by Best Buy and Sony of high-resolution music stations in more than 70 Best Buy Magnolia Design Centers. Smaller A/V specialty stores have promoted high-res audio, but Best Buy is the “first national retailer to respond like this,” said Aaron Levine, Sony senior product manager for home audio.
The listening areas will include Sony’s high-resolution portable and home audio products, but equipment from other as-yet unnamed manufacturers will also be included, Levine said. The areas will also promote the offerings of select high-resolution download sites. Select stores will also host high-res promotional events, including launch parties.
In other high-res initiatives,
• The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) unveiled a logo that digital music retailers and music labels can use to designate recordings that meet the high-resolution music definition developed last year by multiple industry groups.
• The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing announced a plan to accelerate the production of high-res music by creating high-res audio-production guidelines for recording, mixing and mastering high-resolution music.
