Modified:
Mar 9, 2023
Created:
Aug 20, 2020
Views:
2730
Author:
RN

Understanding Music File Types with ProSelect

ProSelect supports various types of music files for use in Slideshows and for playing Ambient Music (Pro version). Your computer may have many types of music files.

There are many music subscription services (Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, etc.) available, but in most cases, they don’t play the music outside of their app, unless the supported application uses a login system to verify the subscription. Even in Apps that support this, they don’t allow ultimate control of the individual tracks.

Some services allow downloading of tracks for offline use, but these files are protected using Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology. The purpose of DRM is to prevent unauthorized redistribution of digital media and restrict the ways consumers can copy content they've purchased.  From about 2003 to 2009 Apple used DRM in all files sold through iTunes limiting content usage and sharing. Those files used the extension M4P.

In 2009, Apple disbanded DRM while increasing the cost of music. Currently, music purchased through iTunes does not contain DRM limitations.  Those files use .M4A extension. 

Just because you purchased a file and it is “unprotected”, does not mean you have the right to legally use it in ProSelect.   When a song is combined with images and or video, a Synchronization License is required. It doesn’t matter if the show is sold, given away, rendered, delivered on a USB, or just shown in your studio, it’s a violation of the terms under which you purchased the music.  Technically, playing popular music in the studio just as background music, is too, a license violation.   Think of it like delivering digital files to your customer for social media use and the next thing you know the image is on brochures and printed as gifts for Grandma.

PLUS Music is specifically licensed to allow you to legally create, show, render, sell, and distribute slideshows created in ProSelect. The music can also be used as ambient or background music in your studio. The PLUS music library gives you access to over 40,000 tracks.

If a video you created is posted on YouTube, you may get at Copyright Content ID Claim. This is where YouTube and the copyright owner are simply verifying you have the right to use the music. The claim is easy to resolve using the information in this knowledge-base article.    

When using music, it’s always a good idea to respect the rights of content creators just as you would like your work respected.


Music File Types

M4P = protected with DRM.  These cannot be played in ProSelect
M4A = No embedded DRM
MP3 = No embedded DRM
AIFF = No embedded DRM  (Mac Only)
MiDI = No embedded DRM
MP4 = No embedded DRM
PMF = Protected ProSelect files, requires PLUS subscription
WMA = No embedded DRM (Windows only)

Although files without embedded DRM can be used in ProSelect and rendered in slideshows, standard licensing on must cases does not included synchronization rights.


KnowledgeBase Article: Understanding Music File Types with ProSelect