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Microsoft Corp.

Windows Media Technologies 4.0 Outperforms RealNetworks and MP3 in Audio Quality Study

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recently conducted consumer study compared the audio quality of Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies 4.0 to RealNetworks' RealSystem G2 and MP3. The study, conducted by NSTL, Inc., found that 81% of listeners preferred the sound quality of Windows Media clips over RealSystem G2, and 71% found them to be comparable to MP3 clips of twice the size. The test results demonstrate that Windows Media Technology 4.0 provides superior audio quality compared to its competitors.

Key Takeaways:

  • 81% of listeners found that Windows Media clips sounded more like the original music than RealSystem G2.
  • 71% of listeners found the Windows Media clips to be closer to the original or indistinguishable from MP3 clips of twice the size.
  • The study tested the preferences of 77 people using rock and classical sound clips.
  • The test subjects were presented with original audio files and then two comparison audio clips, and asked which of the two clips sounded more like the original.
  • The test was conducted in an office-type environment, with four multimedia systems set up, each equipped with a Sound Blaster! Live audio card and a Cambridge Soundworks, Inc. Microworks speaker system.
  • The audio players were installed with the default configuration, and the volume was fixed at a reasonable level for the office environment.

Statistics:

  • 81% of listeners preferred the sound quality of Windows Media clips over RealSystem G2.
  • 71% of listeners found the Windows Media clips to be comparable to MP3 clips of twice the size.
  • 77 people participated in the study.
  • The test clips were played at a fixed length of approximately 10 seconds.
  • The audio files were encoded at 20 and 32 Kbps stereo music settings for RealSystem G2, and 64 Kbps for Windows Media.
  • The files were encoded using Microsoft's Windows Media Encoder 4.0 and RealNetworks' 20 and 32 Kbps stereo music encoder.
  • The study found that Windows Media clips sounded more like the original music than RealSystem G2, and that they were comparable to MP3 clips of twice the size.

Sources:

  • CSTN, Inc. press release, April 13, 1999
  • NSTL, Inc., company website
  • CMP Media Inc. company website
  • CMPnet, company website

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