High-resolution audio standard expanded to cover streaming services

Last year the RIAA introduced a logo and hi-res definition for digital download services, and now says it will be adopted for qualifying hi-res music streaming as well.

It will apply to music streaming services using new technologies that meet the quality standards set out in the original Hi-Res Music definition.

The official standard for high-resolution audio was agreed in cooperation with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) and The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing.

High-resolution audio is being defined as: "Lossless audio that is capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better-than-CD quality music sources."

A number of data packing technologies are being developed that can support the streaming of hi-res audio in a more efficient, less bandwidth hungry manner, including MPEG 4 Audio SLS and MQA (Master Quality Authenticated).

These and other approved technologies will allow licensed services to display the Hi-Res Music logo on their landing page or next to an individual album or track from 1st June.

Members of the RIAA include Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. Last week Warner announced it would adopt MQA.

MORE: Hi-res audio - everything you need to know

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.