Sony BMG skips DRM for Platinum MusicPass MP3 gift cards

Sony BMG Music Entertainment just announced Platinum MusicPass, retail gift cards which can be traded in for digital music, delivered to you in "high-quality" – and notably DRM-free – MP3 files. No word on precisely what bitrate constitutes high-quality, but for $12.99 (or $19.99 for a couple special edition albums) you can pick up a card from a local retailer, scratch the back, enter the pin number on MusicPass.com and download the MP3s (and sometimes bonus material). Is it perhaps inadvisable to require consumers to leave the internet, go to a store to purchase a MusicPass card, only to return home to the internet to download the DRM-free track? Hey, we're not business majors here and – judging by the initial album offerings – we're not their target demographic either. Celine Dion and Kenny Chesney, really?

[Joey @ Jan 7th 2008 11:10PM]

yeah, for that price, and the trouble, I'd rather buy [or buy for someone] the CD. You have been able to rip these things in ANY format and bit rate forever.

DUR.

[Fernando G. @ Jan 7th 2008 11:17PM]

?

[Lane @ Jan 7th 2008 11:23PM]

FAIL

[Jimmy @ Jan 7th 2008 11:28PM]

I am not sure if this will work or if the pricing structure is right; however, the idea of buying a card in a B&M store that allows the card owner to download something off the interweb is not so new. iTunes has pre-paid cards, Wii has pre-paid cards, and gift cards for almost every store can be used online.

It seems to me that these prices seem very high but what do I know.

As an old school CD buyer I might pay a little more for a card like this if it were bundled with the physical CD. Buy the CD and get a card for an extra few dollars that lets you download the MP3 version and some extras. But for that matter, why do you really need the card? The one-time use passcode could be burned to the CD as well.

[HyperHacker @ Jan 8th 2008 2:03AM]

Buy the CD and get a code to let you download MP3 versions of the songs? Here's an even easier method: use a plain old DRM-free CD. Then if you want MP3 copies, use just about any media player to rip them.

[Darius @ Jan 7th 2008 11:41PM]

Oh sony.
When will you ever learn?
The point is to move AWAY from physical media in its entirety.
This includes your special cards.

Cheers,
Darius

[bradwjensen @ Jan 8th 2008 12:53AM]

i don't understand why people actually spend so much money on digital downloads when its still not lossless.. I will never quit buying cd's until i can download the album in a fully drm free lossless file. If its not lossless one is not able to convert the music to future codecs for portable players..

[HyperHacker @ Jan 8th 2008 2:08AM]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. Lossy formats ftl. If you want downloads to replace the CD, start by matching the advantages of the CD.

[John @ Jan 7th 2008 11:42PM]

Well, I think part of the idea is that you can give these to other people and they can get any album. So, it's stupid, but it's understandably stupid.

[StreetStealth @ Jan 7th 2008 11:53PM]

Wait, so it's like an iTunes giftcard, except... you don't get to choose the music.

Props for ditching the DRM, though, either way.

[rafa @ Jan 8th 2008 12:12AM]

DRM FREE!

[D @ Jan 8th 2008 12:38AM]

Is it just me or is this Sony missing the boat, again. Who wants to go to a store to buy a digital download. Besides, aren't they already offering some of their stuff in Amazon's MP3 sore?

[dcny @ Jan 8th 2008 12:44AM]

This could be good for kids who dont have credit cards/ debit cards, thats the only demographic i can see this for

[dcny @ Jan 8th 2008 12:47AM]

Sony should have this as well as accept electronic payments on site, I wouldnt mind buying this if im already in the store buying something else.

[HyperHacker @ Jan 8th 2008 2:09AM]

Definitely a step in the right direction, but poorly executed. :-/

[Steve Dood @ Jan 8th 2008 7:01AM]

Well, my music acquiring goes as follows:
1. Search for song on iTunes - if it is then go ahead and buy it otherwise go to next step
2. Search for song on Amazon...
3. Search for song on Limewire
4. Search for Album containing song on Bittorrent
5. Give up

So, if Sony thinks they will make money off me by requiring me to go the store (I live in the country so would have to drive) and buy these things then it would have to be a bloody good song and one thats no available from the above sources i.e. never happen

[John @ Jan 9th 2008 1:22AM]

Why not search Amazon first? DRM free AND cheaper than iTunes!

[Galley @ Jan 8th 2008 8:28AM]

Why is everyone paying so much for CDs. YourMusic.com has 15,000 titles, all at $6.99 with free shipping and no limit. They're a division of Sony/BMG, so it's perfectly legit.

[Joe @ Jan 8th 2008 12:08PM]

This is lame.

[David W. @ Jan 8th 2008 2:32PM]

Well I'm a business major and I think this is dumb.

If you're going to the store, why not just buy the cd while you're there and listen to it on the way home. Chances are it'll cost less as well. Most CD's are around $10 when they're release.

[Derek @ Feb 4th 2008 1:33AM]

This is not new at all. In fact I offer a Muzikcard that is way cooler then this. Also I know of 6 more companies that offer a card.