LiquidAudio

sound quality

• At modem bitrates (16-32 Kbits/sec), sounds better than Shockwave or RealAudio.

visuals

• The user sees the LiquidAudio Player panel, which is quite functional and more stylish (I think) than RealAudio's.
• The faceplate colors/pattern can be customized by the user or be specified by the audio file being listened-to.
• Lyrics, credits, other info can be viewed while music is playing.
• There's a Buy CD button on player panel that connects with ordering system in the server software.

browser issues

Browser requires the Liquid Audio plug-in, which is not widespread.

• download
• The installer properly sets up your browser to work with the plug-in.
• I can't get the player to work on my Mac. There might be a system-7.6.1 incompatibility.

authoring issues

A LiquidAudio Liquifier is required:

• purchase/download
• Windows, Mac or ProTools Mac versions
• $295

server issues

Server requires LiquidAudio's server software.

If you run your own server, you can license a 1000 song / 50 stream capacity server for $15,000. (This is the cheapest server package.)

LiquidAudio sells several audio-serving services through its Liquid Music Network:

• For $495 + $39/month, they will publish 15 songs and web-distribute 1 CD.
• For $995 + $64/month, they will publish 50 songs and web-distribute 5 CDs.

Slipstream Presents sells several audio-serving packages

• For free, they will put your CDs, cassettes, 7" singles, T-shirts and other merchandise in their full-color online catalog.
• For $75/year, they will encode and publish one song.
• For $325/year, they will publish one song and sell one CD online.

IUMA is serving LiquidAudio as well

Other companies offering services are/will be listed at this page

security issues

Music can't be separated from author/copyright information. Music can only be played, not copied or processed.

more online info

http://www.liquidaudio.com/lhp/lhp.html