How do downloads get marked 'Protected"

DARTH AUDIO · « **on:** 28 Feb 2011, 08:01 pm »

I recently purchased the Squeezebox Touch. I imported my itunes into the Touch program. I noticed a lot of my music was missing. It was in my itunes, but not in my SB Touch. I did some investigating. I went to some music that wasn't in my Touch. I right clicked on the song and clicked on Get info. I then went to summary where all the info is about the download. There are various specs to look at. There is one called "Kind". This is where I noticed The kind of download that didn't transfer. It stated "Protected AAC audio file"?? That was consistent with the other missing music. So, I went to a song that is in my SB Touch and the word protected is not present. When I buy an album through itunes, I just click the "buy" button. I've never been prompted to "protect" a song and/or album. I emailed Apple, but I thought I'd give this forum a shot. HELP ANYONE..

Thanks,

Gary

Crimson · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Feb 2011, 08:44 pm »

The protection being referred to is DRM (digital rights management) which used to be included with their downloads, not something you could disable. The purpose of DRM is to prevent you from distributing the music. Squeeze software will not be able to play it. As far as I know, Apple stopped DRM a while ago and upped the bit rate to 256kbps.

ted_b · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Feb 2011, 08:47 pm »

Yes, Apple claims only about 20% of its current catalog is DRM-d, but if your stuff was purchased awhile ago when the iTunes store was 100% DRM then you are out of luck.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Feb 2011, 08:53 pm »

Thanks for the info.. Let the battle begin with Apple!!

low.pfile · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Feb 2011, 09:04 pm »

Protected AAC music can be upgraded to the 256kbps non-DRM version for about 30 cents per song.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1711

the upgraded files should be fine for your Touch since they are no longer DRM

ted_b · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Feb 2011, 09:14 pm »

Quote from: low.pfile on 28 Feb 2011, 09:04 pm

Protected AAC music can be upgraded to the 256kbps non-DRM version for about 30 cents per song.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1711

the upgraded files should be fine for your Touch since they are no longer DRM

Ah, that's "nice" (not if you have 10,000 songs), I didn't know that. Personally I've bought maybe 3 songs via the iTunes store so DRM has never been a sticking point, but understand if it is to anyone else! I've experienced it via many DVD-Audio discs being watermarked/DRM'd. If the rumor of iTunes store 24 bit is true, my buying may increase my orders of magnitude.