7digital Expands High Quality 24-bit and 16-bit FLAC Format Download Section

10 August 2011

7digital releases 24-bit and 16-bit FLAC format music section
‘Better-than-CD’ quality downloads available across 32 territories, including UK, US, Canada and Europe
More content from major key independent labels to be released.

London, UK, 10th August 2011 – 7digital <http://www.7digital.com/> , the leading digital media company, today announced the release of an expanded 24-bit and 16-bit FLAC (free lossless audio codec) format download section <http://www.7digital.com/cms/flac/flac.aspx> .

7digital is currently the only digital music retailer offering downloads in these music formats. The high-quality downloads will be available from 7digital stores across 32 territories, including the UK, US, Canada and Europe.
The new download section is the latest step in 7digital’s continued move toward providing a choice of higher quality digital music downloads to consumers. Further content from major and independent labels will become available later this year, alongside 7digital’s existing 15 million strong MP3 catalogue.
“There’s an increasing demand amongst consumers for higher quality music downloads”, comments Ben Drury, CEO at 7digital. “Internet connected music devices that provide a ‘better-than-CD’ quality sound are becoming commonplace in the home. These devices reply on higher quality digital music downloads to provide superior quality music playback, and appeal to a broader base of consumers beyond the average audiophile.
“We’re already in talks with the major and key independent labels about offering more FLAC downloads from 7digital stores, and expect to make more tracks and albums available as demand from consumers increases.”
7digital was the first to offer major artist content, Radiohead’s The King of Limbs, in the 24-bit FLAC format in March this year. The new download section includes more major artist content, including the new live album from Biffy Clyro, Revolutions: Live At Wembley.

The new section is available now, with albums priced at £9.99.

What is FLAC?
· The Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) is an open source audio compression format.

· Unlike other popular audio compression formats, such as MP3 and AAC, sound quality is not reduced during digital compression of tracks.

· FLAC files are higher quality than equivalent MP3 files, and can be encoded at 16-bit or 24-bit. This refers to the quality of the digitised analogue signal. Music encoded on CDs is 16-bit quality.

· 24-bit quality recordings are higher quality, making for a clearer sound so every note and instrument can be heard.

· FLAC files can be played on a range of devices including Sony’s PlayStation Portable, Cambridge Audio NP30, Samsung Galaxy S, SanDisk media players, BlackBerry smartphones and LogiTech Squeezebox models.

· The format is also compatible with a variety of media players, including Winamp and Songbird.