Ditch the disc: A guide to online music in Australia
CDs are like so 1990s, man. If you're ready to ditch the disc, check out CNET.com.au's list of on-line music stores in Australia.
CDs are like so 1990s, man. If you're ready to ditch the disc and want to disco over to digital, then check out CNET.com.au's list of the major on-line music stores in Australia.
First and foremost, iIf you're an iPod owner, you've really only got one port of call for licensed music -- the official iTunes Music Store (which can be accessed through the iTunes software). The vast majority of Australian music download sites cater exclusively for players that support Windows Media Audio (WMA) music files - Apple's little silver and white boxes can only play songs bought from the official iTunes store, which was recently launched after much delay.
And if this is your first time buying music on-line, be aware that each song or album you buy will have some sort of digital rights management (DRM) encoded onto it that determines the ways you can use it (such as how many times you can burn it to CD, what types of portable players you can play it on, etc). Be sure to read the fine print for each site. The only exceptions are MP3.com.au and Sound Foundation, which have no real restrictions on usage.
Last updated: 1st November, 2005
Australia's on-line music storesApple iTunes Music Store | Creative Music Store | DestraMusic.com | MP3.com.au | MTV Music | Mulemusic | nineMSN Music | Soundbuzz | Sound Foundation | Telstra BigPond Music
Apple iTunes Features | Creative Music Store Features | DestraMusic.com Features | MP3.com.au Features | MTV Music Features | |
No. of songs | 1,000,000 | 300,000 | 500,000 | 70,000 | 150,000 |
Average price | AU$1.69/song, AU$16.99 | AU$1.49/song, AU$15/album | AU$1.89/song, AU$18.95/album | Free | AU$2/song, AU$18.50/album |
File format | Fairplay protected AAC | WMA | WMA | MP3 | WMA |
Requirements | iTunes software, Windows 2000 or XP for PC, or Mac OS X v10.2.8 or later for Mac | Windows 98 and above, Windows Media Player 7.1 and above | Windows 2000/XP/ME, Internet Explorer 6 or above, Windows Media Player 9 or above. | Any program that can play MP3 music files | Windows 98 SE or above, Internet Explorer 4 or above, Windows Media Player 7.1 or above, Optus Mobile account (with compatible Optus Zoo mobile) |
Restrictions | None | ||||
Compatible players | Any Apple iPods or Motorola's Rokr phone. | Creative portable music players. | Any that can play licensed WMA files. Click here for the full list. | Any that can play MP3 music files. | Any that can play licensed WMA files. Click here for the full list. |
Mulemusic Features | nineMSN HMV Features | Soundbuzz Features | Sound Foundation Features | Telstra BigPond Music Features | |
No. of songs | 200,000 | 780,000 | 300,000 | 1000 | 500,000 |
Average price | AU$1.69/song, AU$16.60/album (Prices will vary depending on when the song was released.) | AU$1.49/song (Listening to a live stream of a song costs 5c) | AU$1.49/song, AU$15/album | AU$1.20/song | AU$1.49 for BigPond internet customers. For non-BigPond customers it's AU$1.89. Albums are average AU$18.50 for non members. |
File format | WMA | WMA | WMA | MP3 | WMA |
Requirements | Windows 98 SE and above, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and above or Netscape Navigator 7.0 and above, Windows Media Player 9.0 recommended. | Windows 98 or above, Windows Media Player 7.0 or above, Internet Explorer 5.0 or above. | Windows 98 and above, Windows Media Player 7.1 and above. | Windows 98 and above, Windows Media Player 7.1 and above. Mac compatible | Windows 98 or above, Windows Media Player 9.0 or above, either Internet Explorer 4 and above or Netscape 6 and above. |
Restrictions | Varies from record label to record label. Check Rights Information link beside each song/album for details. | ||||
Compatible players | Any that can play licensed WMA files. Click here for the full list. | Any that can play licensed WMA files. Click here for the full list. | Any that can play licensed WMA files. Click here for the full list. | Any that can play MP3 files. | Any that can play licensed WMA files. Click here for the full list. |
Apple iTunes Music Store
iTunes is finally up and running in Australia, and features an impressive number of tracks from both local and international artists. The iTunes Music Store also sells music videos and short films from Pixar for AU$3.39, which can be used exclusively on video-capable iPods.
Creative Music Store
Creative's Music Store works in the same way as iTunes', in which it's a program that has been customised to be an on-line store. You can download the MediaSource software from Creative's site, or if you're buying a new player from Creative it should be bundled in. The Media Source software, which is basically a re-tooled Windows Media Player but with the Music Store and Creative Soundblaster compatibility built-in, is only compatible with Creative players.
MTV Music (powered by Optus Zoo)
MTV Music is an unusual beast in that it allows you to purchase songs either through your PC or through your mobile (providing you're an Optus customer), with the bill being charged to your monthly Optus mobile account. The service also allows you to download true tones for your mobile.
Mulemusic
Mulemusic has been up and running since February last year, and has a stronger focus on alternative and indie artists than some of the other music download sites - although you can still find your Delta's and George Michael's there.
nineMSN Music
nineMSN's music download store (which is officially co-branded the nineMSN HMV store) doesn't have a blanket DRM policy, with a spokesperson saying the rights vary from label to label. Users can check what a particular song/album's DRM is by clicking on the Rights Information link which should be present beside each song listed at nineMSN.
Soundbuzz
Soundbuzz was founded in Singapore and has an Asia-wide focus, which means as well as all the usual Western artists you'll find a great selection of Cantonese, Mandarin and Indian music. Soundbuzz is also the tech powering other local music sites such as Telstra BigPond, Creative' Music Store and Optus' MTV Music.
Sound Foundation
Sound Foundation was launched in May this year as a showcase for independent artists. Unlike the other online music stores, Sound Foundation tracks all of your purchases and allows you to download your songs as many times as needed
Telstra BigPond Music
It pays to have a BigPond internet account if you're planning to use BigPond Music, as you get a substantial discount from what Joe Public has to pay. At 500,000 songs it's one of the most exhaustive song list in the country, and a BigPond spokesman says they're adding roughly 1000 new songs a week to the site.
What do you think of Australia's on-line music stores? Are the DRM limitations too restrictive? Let us know about your on-line music experiences by e-mailing cnet@cnet.com.au.