Web streaming media -- security?

[zmulls]

This isn't a "free" question, so much as a security one.

There are plenty of ways to stream media.  I use the Source Forge player on my website.   I know I can get the Wimpy player pretty cheap.  Etc.

However, I don't know what utilities actually *protect* your MP3s.   Let's assume you don't want people to download an MP3, but you want to stream it.  What utility, what setup, allows you to do that?

The official version of my player has a right-click-download option.  I found an altered version of it that deletes that option from the right-click menu.  But anyone who has some HTML and web smarts could probably figure out where the files are located, and it's easy to pick them off.

Major sites, like Soundclick and MySpace, have everything protected so you either can't find the MP3 files or they're secure. 

Is there a utility, free or affordable, that allows you this protection?

Z.

[Studioplayer]

Z, I have a flash player on my site. Got it free but you can also buy it.

http://www.pattersonpaintings.com/music.htm

The info for the player is here.

http://www.websitemusicplayer.com/index.php

You can't download the music from the player but anyone with any smarts can get your music really easily. If it plays (streams) then all I have to do is open up a music utility program and hit record while the song is playing. Then I have it. Some people only put up part of the song to prevent that but personally I hate to hear only half a song.

Dave

[zmulls]

Dave, that's exactly the "problem" -- if problem is right -- I'm having.

Some of my collabs are fine with free downloads, while some aren't.   I'd like to be able to decide what is *really* available and what is only streamable.   Right now I have exactly what you describe.  The MP3s are there, somewhere, but a casual user won't see where.    Someone with a little deductive reasoning and some HTML plug-in knowledge could find them.

What I'm asking is how Soundclick does it -- and is there a utility available out there (even for money) that does something similar.   A way to truly "lock away" MP3s that shouldn't be available?

Z.

[Gerk]

To be honest there's no site I've found that can truly lock down the songs, there is always a way to "get" them (even if it's an OS level audio reroute to recording).  DRM only makes it more painful for the people you want to get your stuff out to.

The way I would consider things is this:

a) put up only what you're wiling to "give" away -- you don't lose your copyrights at any point and unless it's successful commercial projects you're not really losing any real $$.  I look at it as viral advertising, if people really like what they hear they may come looking back and tell all their friends who may do the same.  Lastly for any of those that just downloaded it in the first place you're not likely losing a sale (which goes against everything the RIAA will tell everyone) ... and

b) if you're still concerned about it just put up clips of songs, I don't know many people who would bother to download 2/3 of a song but it's enough to still use as a showcase.

Just my $0.02.

[CosmicDolphin]

There's a saying along the lines of ............' If you can hear it - you can copy it '

There is no real way to stop it.

CD

[Bobby Watson]

What I've started doing is offering lower resolution files (around 128 and even mono), and inserting a tone every 30 seconds. Makes the song available for listening. But, not worth keeping and burning.

But, like the guys said, there is no way to completely protect your music from being recorded, aside from not posting it as a free listen.
Good Luck,
BW@

[zmulls]

OK, thanks everyone.  I suspected that.   I've also found out through other inquiries that the "it's lo-res, not CD quality" is considered effective.

For now, I'll stick with what I have, with non-obvious locations.   And if I ever get to a point where a song is going to be released (and wouldn't we all  love that) I can cut the demo down to a minute or so.

[atljam]

Off the question but on the subject matter of web streaming.
I found a good program that I have running on my home pc called vibestreamer, which basically let's me access my music collection from anywhere with a browser and play any song. Go to: http://vibestreamer.com
I am at work right now using it and enjoying my entire collection.
With it you cannot download any song but like the others here have stated there are several free programs that allow you to grab an audio stream and record it. But this is not norm so probably 90% of your audience or more won't be grabbing your song if it's that much trouble.


On flash streamers I have found a nice one that I use on my website that I think is cool:

http://tech4business.com/music/MusicSampler/tabid/122/Default.aspx

Dan