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Posted on Dec 04, 2004 - 04:47 PM by zmcnulty
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BB Watch has done an excellent overview of Japanese electronic music distribution services, and we've translated it for you.
If you're wondering where iTunes is, Apple hasn't introduced iTunes Japan yet. I don't know if they have plans to or not, but for now, they're nowhere to be found.
-MSN Music (http://music.msn.co.jp)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media DRM ver.9 | WMP9 | 158 yen - 367 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a service offered by Microsoft through MSN, so a ".Net Passport" is required to use it. The service can search through the use of CD catalog data currently of CDs currently available for sale in Japan. Also, licenses for songs can be reacquired up to three times, in the event that users reinstall their operating system or change PCs. -Related Articles (Japanese): Microsoft launches "MSN Music" music distribution service http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/7040.html | |||||
-MusicDrop (http://musicdrop.jp)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media DRM | WMP10 | 158 yen - 367 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service from LabelGate using Windows Media Audio (WMA). It is a Windows Media Player 10 exclusive service, and the searching, listening, and purchasing of songs is accomplished entirely through Windows Media Player 10. -Related Articles (Japanese): LabelGate's "MusicDrop" music distribution service, WMA support http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/7138.html | |||||
-Mora (http://mora.jp)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
ATRAC3 | OpenMG | MAGIQLIP2, others | 210 yen - 283 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service operated by LabelGate that uses OpenMG. Player support includes MAGIQLIP2, SonicStage Ver2.0 or above, and JustSystem's "BeatJam," among others. Also, audio files can be transferred to NetMD, Memory Stick, SD cards, and miniSD cards. -Related Articles (Japanese): LabelGate renewel. Addition of Toshiba EMI, AAC and WMA also supported http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/4802.html | |||||
-OnGen (http://www.ongen.net)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media Rights Management 9 | WMP | 157 yen - 283 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service from USEN Broadband Networks. In addition to songs, they also offer karaoke and instrumentals. Lyrics data is also included with karaoke distributions. Also, a function to backup tracks to CD-R is supported. -Related Articles (Japanese): USEN "OnGen" music download service, can also download karaoke http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/6339.html | |||||
-Excite Music Store (http://www.excite.co.jp/music/store/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media Technology | WMP | 158 yen - 283 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service operated by Excite. Provider-level settlement through BIGLOBE, DION, and ODN is also supported. Currently, they are offering the "1 million free songs for 1 million people, Excite Corporation Launch Anniversary" campaign targetted at new users of the service, until March 31st of 2005. -Related Articles (Japanese): Excite launches "Excite Music Store" music download service http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/5298.html | |||||
-Listen Music Store (http://www.listen.co.jp/store/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media Rights Management 9 | WMP9 | 283 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service from Listen Japan. Functions that link this service with the "Listen Japan" song search service operated by the same company can be used, such as searching for similar artists, and reading reviews, on a per-song basis. -Related Articles (Japanese): Listen Japan launches "Listen Music Store," fee-based music distribution service http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/5410.html | |||||
-NHJ Music Store (http://www.listen.co.jp/nhj/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media Rights Management 9 | WMP9 | 283 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service operated by NHJ. The music data itself has been furnished by Listen Japan, and the service corresponds to the "Listen Music Store." -Related Articles (Japanese): NHJ receives sponsoring from Listen Japan, launches music distribution service in early November http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/6848.html | |||||
-LOVEMUSIC (http://biglobe.lovemusic.jp/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media Digital Rights Management | WMP9 | 158 yen - 283 yen | Provider settlement (BIGLOBE) | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution offered by BIGLOBE for its members. In addition to LOVEMUSIC, the company also provides the "Excite Music Store on BIGLOBE," which uses the Excite platform. -Related Articles (Japanese): BIGLOBE launches music download service with "BIGLOBE Music" http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/5596.html | |||||
-OCN MUSIC STORE (http://music-store.ocn.ne.jp/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA | Windows Media Digital Rights Management | WMP | 210 yen - 367 yen | OCN Pay-On | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service for OCN members offered by NTT Communications. Because payment for this is operated by the "OCN Pay-On" charge service operated by NTT Com, members of other providers cannot use it. -Related Articles (Japanese): NTT Com's "OCN Music Store" download service for OCN Members http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/5305.html | |||||
-@MUSIC (http://atmusic.avexnet.or.jp)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
ATRAC3/WMA | OpenMG/Windows Media DRM | MAGIQLIP2/WMP | 210 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service operated by Avex. Downloads can be chosen from either the "LabelGateMQ System" which supports ATRAC3, or the "WMA System" which supports Windows Media Player. Also offered to members is the 315 yen per month "PRISMIX.TV" service that allows for music videos to be downloaded. | |||||
-bitmusic (http://bit.sonymusic.co.jp/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
ATRAC3 | OpenMG | MAGIQLIP2 | Around 210 yen | Credit Card | 3 times |
| This is a music distribution service from Sony Music. It supports ATRAC3, as well as transfer to NetMD. | |||||
-na@h! (http://naah.jvcmusic.co.jp/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
ATRAC3/WMA | OpenMG/Windows Media DRM | MAGIQLIP2/WMP | Around 210 yen | Credit Card | 3 times (ATRAC3 only) |
| This is a music distribution service operated by Victor Entertainment. Both ATRAC3 and WMA are supported; transferring songs to portable devices is limited to ATRAC3, and they can be transferred to NetMD. | |||||
-music.co.jp (http://www.music.co.jp/)
Format | DRM | Supported Player | Price | Payment System | Transfers to External Device |
WMA/MP3 | Windows Media Digital Rights Management | WMP/MP3 player | Around 210 yen | Credit Card | 1 time (WMA only) |
| This is a music distribution service from MUSIC CO JP. It supports distribution in WMP as well as MP3. Furthermore, although WMP files cannot be transferred to other PCs, they can be transferred to portable players. Although the transfer limit is one time, the company has said it plans to changing this to 3 times per year. | |||||
Inspired by:
http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/special/7541.html
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