I was interested to see that Linn Records now offers FLAC downloads in its music download store. This is a download store done right – no DRM, no lossy compression (unless you specifically choose MP3).
It’s still something of a struggle finding a file format to please everybody. Linn now has three: MP3, lossless WMA, and FLAC. MP3 is no hassle. WMA is tiresome for Mac users. FLAC won’t play in Windows Media Player without an add-on. It’s even worse when it comes to high-res (typically 96/24) files. Linn says that high-res WMA won’t play at all in iTunes on the Mac, and that high-res FLAC won’t play in Windows Media Player.
Personally I shall choose FLAC if I buy any of these, as I have done with Robert Fripp’s DGM download store.
It’s great to see a small but highly regarded label adopting an open-source format for its downloads. How about it Apple?
The Philadelphia Orchestra also uses FLAC (http://www.thephiladelphiaorchestra.com/faq.asp). It’d be good to see it become a common format everywhere.
Regards,
Rob…
See also bleep for FLAC.
There are many other labels using FLAC. But Linn Records has done it real neat on their website.