Music everywhere

There are a number of compression algorithms available today for compressing music files by 90 per cent or more so that the data can be more economically transmitted over a network such as the Internet and stored on a computer or music player. For the algorithms, the basic tradeoff is between sound quality and how much they can compress the music files. However, there are other important considerations including the extent to which the full-fidelity, uncompressed files can be recreated from the compressed files, how copy protection is implemented, and how secure the downloaded files are from unauthorized distribution. While MP3 is still considered as the undisputed leader in this field, none of the current formats has all the characteristics necessary to dominate the market. None combines both lossless transmission and storage with the built-in ability to adapt to a variety of playback hardware. Nevertheless, regardless of which specific flavor of compression ultimately wins, there is no question that compression will change the way we collect and listen to music.