Why iaudio vonlontary remove AAC capability in ALL the last firmware ?

[arnoparigo]

All is in the question.

Before we could play AAC files (2.2), and in ALL the next fimware, not only in the 2.41, i say in ALL the next firmwire we can't. Why ?

And, in the 2.2 why being obliged to rename itself the AAC files with a "AAC" extentin instead of ".mp4" ?

Sure it' s not a difficult thing for a programmer to make the D2 able to recognise directly the "M4a" extension....


In fact, we've got a wakman that can read AAC, but for unknow reason (commercial lisence ???) don't do. Please, be CLEAR on this question !!

[addz]

be to quite frank, the D2 was never officially listed as being able to play *.aac files. So finding out a way to play these was quite lucky. Surely we cant EXPECT them to support it. If i found a way to unofficially play *.ape files, i wouldent then expect cowon to go and officially implement it. They are more likely to stop it from working and possibly, just possibly make it official in later fw.

[arnoparigo]

That dosn't say if Yes or No the AAC capability has been VOLONTARY removed or not.

Because, it seems clear it is volontary !

So my question is very simple: WHY ? If it' s a liscence question, why can't we know it ? I just want a clear and honnest answer by iaudio, that' s all !

I don' t see where is the pb.

[addz]

Whether this decision is voluntary or not; i dont think we will never know. either they have removed it (for now maybe, or lic problems) or particular fw upgrade features have stopped it from working without Cowon knowing.

[St.MPA3b]

I think it is license question

[arnoparigo]

Me to. But iaudio could be honnest and say it clearly: we'll never implement AAC capability in the next firmwire because of Licence reason.

:(((((((((

The only one "pb" with the 2.2 is the non support of the Sd HC card.... pfffff !

[doniago]

Why should they have to say they'll never implement something which they never claimed to support in the first place?

[arnoparigo]

Because we can't denied the first firmwire was able to play AAC.... Simply explain why not now. There's nothing of extraodinary in there...

And because i'm not the only one user to be... "surprised"

[doniago]

Alright...so ask Cowon.

[Dominic]

Why should they have to say they'll never implement something which they never claimed to support in the first place?


I guess because it would be a nice gesture, and would put all these worried minds to rest.... I personally perfer vorbis as my high compression codec, but aac would be sweet for the ipod convertees.

[Dalmane98]

Maybe the answer to your question is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding

"Licensing and patents

In contrast with the MP3 format, which requires royalty payments on distributed content, no licenses or payments are required to be able to stream or distribute content in AAC format. [3] This reason alone makes AAC a much more attractive format for distributing content, particularly streaming content (such as Internet radio).

However, a patent license is required for all manufacturers or developers of AAC codecs. [4] It is for this reason FOSS implementations such as FAAC and FAAD are distributed in source form only, in order to avoid patent infringement.

AAC requires a patent license, and thus uses proprietary technology. But contrary to popular belief, it is not the property of a single company, having been developed in a standards-making organization."

[arnoparigo]

I' m not sure to understand very well... :

"no licenses or payments are required to be able to stream or distribute content in AAC format."

And:

"AAC requires a patent license, and thus uses proprietary technology"

So, aac use in hardware requires liscence but not the files diffusion ?
And, who have the money of the lisence ? ("not property of a single company)

However, the first firmwire read AAC, so licence have been pay, i suppose...

Maybe one day the 2.2 firm will not be online ?! If they don' t have permission, they are in infraction !(?)

Sorry for my language i' m French

[Dalmane98]

AAC requires a patent license, and thus uses proprietary technology.

IMHO; If Cowon wants to officially use it they have to pay for the right to support it on their hardware/software. Then they would pass that cost onto us.

But write Cowon and see what they say and let the rest of us know.

[arnoparigo]

OK i'll do it. But for exemple, RockBox, a FREE open source firmwire can decode AAC files !!

[addz]

RockBox and Touch Screen, emmm.

[arnoparigo]

I cite RockBox to demontrate that a Free Open Source Firmwire can decode AAC. That' s all.

[addz]

^ i hear ya. i was just imaging the possiblities of rockbox and a touchscreen. even if it was posssible. and of course the endless playback formats.

[Dominic]

ouh gapless :D

[DukeZed]

Yeah I'm running RB on my h140 right now. It gave me a laugh when I read your 'rockbox and d2. emmmm'. I knew what you were thinking heheh :)