Music Download - CHOICE # 363 (January 16, 2007)
The music industry is urged to design and introduce a standard
marking to help consumers differentiate between legal and
unauthorized music downloads.
The Government is currently consulting the public on the
proposed amendment of the copyright law. One suggestion in the
consultation paper is to impose criminal liability to unauthorized
downloading activities.
While the Consumer Council agrees that consumers should respect
intellectual property rights, it is concerned that in the absence
of a standard marking for consumers to recognize legal music
downloads, they may infringe a copyright without knowing the
content is unauthorized.
The industry is therefore urged to design a standard marking or
compile a list of authorized websites for legal music
downloads.
In addition to the copyright issue, consumers are reminded to
check whether the music player they use support the formats of the
files prescribed by the websites. Some of these sites provide test
files which consumers may download to test the compatibility of
their systems.
Meanwhile, in this (363rd) issue of CHOICE was published a test
report on 23 MP3 players and portable media players (PMP), which
can be conveniently used as instruments to play downloaded music.
Highlights of the test:
The tests include mainly audio performance (30%) tests, and
assessment of ease of use (28%), battery performance (15%),
durability (5%), portability (10%), versatility (10%) and software
provision (2%).
Only 5 players could deliver on their headphones to give the
listener good music. For most other models, the audio performance
can be boosted by use of a higher quality headphone instead of the
accompanied earphones.
Maximum listening hours are measured with the players delivering
identical volume of music. The best could run for 37 hours with
built-in rechargeable battery; some could play 25 hours of music
from a mere 30 minute charging.
Moreover, the maximum listening levels of 11 samples were
measured to generate a level higher than 100 dB, a limit imposed by
the French Regulation.
Prolonged listening to loud music might impair hearing. Users
listening to music via headphones are recommended to turn the
volume down to 60% of full scale, and to listen not more than 60
minutes per day. Parents are strongly recommended to set softer
sound for their children who enjoy listening to loud music.
Further, as a matter of safety, keep the volume of the music low
if you are listening to it on the streets as so to stay alert to
the siren of any approaching vehicle.
4 samples were found to have failed the tumbling test; users
should pay extra care in handling these players.
| CHOICE magazine is now
also available online (at http://choice.yp.com.hk)
and via fixed-line and mobile services of PCCW.
Members from the
media who are invited by this Council to the Press Conference may
quote the content of this Press Statement.
The Consumer Council
reserves all its right (including copyright) in respect of CHOICE
Magazine and Online CHOICE ( http://choice.yp.com.hk
). |
