New Lossless MP3 Format Explained

CNETNate writes "Thomson, the company that licenses the MP3 patent, has released a new lossless MP3 format called mp3HD. It utilises both lossless and lossy audio contained inside a single .mp3 file, and the files will play on all existing MP3 players. The idea is simple: lossless files on your desktop that can be transferred without conversion to iPods and MP3 players. The issue, it transpires, is that although the full lossless/lossy hybrid MP3 file is transferred to players, only the lossy element can be played back. A command line encoder can be found on Thomson's Web site."

Comments

This is stupid.

[JustNiz]

So presuming the normal case where I have a PC that can play the lossless version and a media player that can only play the lossy version, now have to:

a) waste large amounts of high-value storage space to store "lossless-mp3" data on my pocket player that I can't actually play

and

b) waste disk storage space on my PC for the data for a lossy version that I will never choose to play because the lossless version is also available.

Re:why?

[acheron12]

More like an RV on a bike.