Thomson launched a new format, the mp3HD. Its this name hides a new format that is supposed to be lossless , i.e. does not lose any information compared to the original. Of course, the files explode in size, the encoding being done with data flows ranging between 500 and 900 Kbits/s. A 4 minute file of music will be 14 and 26 MB.
This format wants to be retro-compatible with the immense installed base of readers able to read MP3. They will be able to restore these files, but with a quality less than the really compatible apparatuses.
Remain to be seen if Apple will make an effort to include this format in its next iPods. Nothing is less sure. Even though MP3 were impossible to circumvent at the launch of the first iPod, Apple has since done everything to push AAC or the Apple Lossless.
