Audio Video News

The Hi-Res Music logo adopted by music industry in 2015 as a way to help music enthusiasts identify the highest quality digital audio files and the retailers that sell them will be available for adoption by streaming services on June 1, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and its member companies, including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.

The licensing program is being expanded to include services that use technologies that meet the quality standards set forth in the original Hi-Res Music definition. The logo is intended to ensure that music so identified preserves recordings from sources that achieve a minimum resolution of 48kHz/20 bits with no loss of information.

A number of data packing technologies are being developed that can support the streaming of Hi-Res Music files in a more efficient manner, including MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) and MPEG 4 Audio SLS. The RIAA said these and other approved technologies will enable licensed services to display the Hi-Res Music logo on their landing page and next to an individual album or track.

“The expansion of the Hi-Res MUSIC definition to encompass streaming technologies reflects the continued evolution of the marketplace to deliver high resolution music to fans,” said David Hughes, RIAA chief technology officer. “We are thrilled that the Hi-Res Music logo will allow streaming enthusiasts to easily identify higher quality versions of their favorite recordings via services that use these approved technologies. It’s the logical next step, one embraced by music labels large and small, that will provide an optimal listening experience to this growing consumer segment.”

“We are looking forward to the Hi-Res Music logo being associated with services that adopt MQA,” said Bob Stuart, chairman of MQA. “MQA is a revolutionary new technology which enables the sound quality of hi-res music with the convenience of efficient streaming, something that wasn’t possible even a few short years ago.”

To date, the logo program has been adopted by nearly a dozen download services offering high-resolution.