Guest Author - Michelle Anne Cope

I’m not going to pretend that I understand everything there is to know about kpbs and bit rates. I’m learning as I go along and my goal is to do research and translate it into articles that we all can understand. Please be patient if my definitions are too elementary. Okay, pause, deep breath, let’s go.

iTunes Plus
The iTunes Plus section is new to the store and refers to the highest quality available music and video files that you can buy from iTunes. Regular files are coded at 128 kpbs, the iTunes Plus files are coded at 256 kpbs. What also sets them apart from regular files is that there are no digital rights management (DRM) limitations.

In simple language – you can burn the Plus files as many times as you wish and you can play them on Mac, Windows and iPods as well as other digital players.

There is a price difference; the Plus files run about $1.29 per song.

Just the Facts, Chel:
A comprehensive FAQ sheet is posted in the iTunes Plus section of the iTunes Store. I have created a quick list of the points I found to be of importance in trying to understand this section and the files.

~You can upgrade your current files to the new iTunes Plus files *if you purchased the file*. Free files you may have downloaded cannot be upgraded.

~You can still buy DRM files. It is your choice as to whether or not you buy and/or upgrade to Plus files.

~Not all music and video files are available in the DRM-free format. The iTunes Store will be adding new Plus files as soon as they are available.

~The iTunes DRM-free files are available in all countries that offer the services of an iTunes store.

~This is my favorite – you can use gift cards in the iTunes Plus section.

~Most important – in order to use the iTunes Plus feature, you need to upgrade to iTunes 7.2.

Please feel free to use our MP3/iTunes Forum for further discussion, questions or suggestions about the iTunes store. I’m sure we’ll continue to see new services and features pop up.

Have a great week!
Chel