Sony Music Unlimited

[admin_exported]

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm somehow my post didnt work 🙁 But all I was going to say is....

I LOVE it!

 

[MajorFubar]

I'm not usually objectionable to a competitive market. But when it comes to online streaming, I sometimes wonder if we'd all be better off if there was one obviously-dominant main provider, so you didn't end up with a scenario where a third of your favourite bands/labels stream through Provider X, another third through Provider Y and the other third don't stream at all because there's no dominant provider.

Apple would seem to have the best resources to do it, via iTunes, but I doubt they will do it in the near future because they surely realise it would annihilate their download service.

 

[fr0g]

I got a free trial on Music unlimited.

IMO. It's too slow (on PS3, PC AND Android).

And the sound quality is not up to Spotify standards.

I'm sticking with Spotify.

 

[fr0g]

I'm not usually objectionable to a competitive market. But when it comes to online streaming, I sometimes wonder if we'd all be better off if there was one obviously-dominant main provider, so you didn't end up with a scenario where a third of your favourite bands/labels stream through Provider X, another third through Provider Y and the other third don't stream at all because there's no dominant provider.

Apple would seem to have the best resources to do it, via iTunes, but I doubt they will do it in the near future because they surely realise it would annihilate their download service.

I'm not sure that makes sense in this context. I have used Music unlimited, Deezer, WiMP(Nordic market) and Spotify. They all get access to many of the same labels.

So long as the label is being paid, then it (hopefully) shouldn't mean them limiting releases to just one service.

As for Apple with iTunes, no chance!(as you suggest).

 

[Anonymous]

Slow? No!

And the sound quality is excellent! As is the flexibility 🙂

 

[fr0g]

Slow? No!

And the sound quality is excellent! As is the flexibility 🙂

The only advantage for me personally is that I can stream from either of my PS3s.

The quality is "ok"

It uses a very advanced AAC format AAC+ v2 at 48Kbps. Yes, 48.

Spotify uses Ogg Vorbis and is available at 320 Kbps.

Flexibility...Spotify runs on my PC, Squeezeboxes, WD Live TV, my phone and my Galaxy tab.

 

[MajorFubar]

I'm not sure that makes sense in this context. I have used Music unlimited, Deezer, WiMP(Nordic market) and Spotify. They all get access to many of the same labels.So long as the label is being paid, then it (hopefully) shouldn't mean them limiting releases to just one service.As for Apple with iTunes, no chance!(as you suggest).

Indeed, but i'm sure there must be a scenario where some artists appear on one streaming service and not another.
If not then fair enough I'm talking lobbox.

 

[fr0g]

I'm not sure that makes sense in this context. I have used Music unlimited, Deezer, WiMP(Nordic market) and Spotify. They all get access to many of the same labels.So long as the label is being paid, then it (hopefully) shouldn't mean them limiting releases to just one service.As for Apple with iTunes, no chance!(as you suggest).

Indeed, but i'm sure there must be a scenario where some artists appear on one streaming service and not another. If not then fair enough I'm talking lobbox.

No, That is definitely the case sometimes for whatever reason. It's possible that Sony end up limiting its own artists to Music unlimited. But they all have large libraries and competition can only drive all the products forward IMO.

For now Spotify is the best. Gapless playback and apps have made it very good. (Try mood agent for example for playlist creation).

For me the Sony offering is clunky and slow. It takes ages to boot up on the PS3 and seems slow on the mobile app too.

WiMP is very good, but no gapless as yet, and only available over here 🙂

The Sony service does have one advantage...they allow mirroring of your own tracks somewhat like the recent Apple cloud/itunes thing, and you can take advantage of that on the cheaper subscription of £3.99 a month too. But they need to up the bitrate and speed the app up IMO.

 

[Anonymous]

Well in my opinion it sounds great (so the advanced AAC must be doing something right) and it more than meets my expectations and needs...so all in all I'm very happy. It allows you to play numerous channels, mirrors your musical tastes, provides a good forum to try new bands, stream huge quantities of music to my Walkman and sounds more than acceptable. All at a reasonable price. Others may prefer Spotify but Music Unlimited is hugely convenient for me.

 

[byakuya83]

This looks great and works brilliantly on PS3. The sound quality through my television speakers is very clear, despite the low bitrate. Seems a great solution if you often have people round for socialising - get togethers and parties would really benefit from having this set up in the living room.

Personally I like to own the music I like, and listen to it again and again in its various formats. Therefore, I cannot envisage going over to a streaming only option. Especially as listening to music is something I like to do when the internet connection is down!

 

[fr0g]

Especially as listening to music is something I like to do when the internet connection is down!

Which is why Spotify is so cool 🙂 (Just sync your playlists)

 

[MajorFubar]

So does it only work on Sony products, such as PS3s and digital Walkmans?

 

[fr0g]

So does it only work on Sony products, such as PS3s and digital Walkmans?

No. Works on PC/Mac and mobile.

http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/music-unlimited/id522556733?mt=8

 

[byakuya83]

It works on Android and iOS now. Recently I think it has allowed for offline playlists. Do you know if the PS3 can yet output audio via USB? It would work well with the various USB powered DACs. That would make a neat streaming solution.