[Fmpro] Digital Watermarking

[Merritt Music Productions]

Les and all,

After, researching the watermarking options, Verance and Confirmedia was the
one I really wanted, most complete, etc.

(DISCLAIMER - I have to discuss my Library business a little to explain some
of these things.  Email me, Mark, if this discussion starts to feel to
advertising oriented.)

To answer Les, here's why I need digital watermarking.  Value added product
for composer.  The whole basis of my library venture requires that I find
every way possible to make it the best deal for composers.  This would
include automatic watermarking of each track submitted to the library and
subscription to Confirmedia, who tracks just about every broadcast medium I
am targeting in the US.  I will provide the reporting data to the composers,
and also use it to monitor the accuracy of the PRO's, trying to get them to
make corrections when possible.

Incidentally, there are actual numbers on Verance's site that show the usual
difference between what was reported internally at a station and what
actually aired.  The numbers that concern us:
----------------------------------------
Multiple broadcast errors uncovered. 
In fact, the actual on-air recordings independently verified that the
ConfirMedia system uncovered a total of 152 broadcast reporting
discrepancies, representing 12% of the confirmed airings: 

20 instances in which broadcasts reported in station logs had in fact not
aired; 
48 instances of broadcasts aired but not reported in station logs; 
4 instances of separate un-encoded copies of the reported spot actually
aired; and 
80 instances of incorrect copy rotations where the encoded spot that
actually aired was not the spot that was reported in the station logs.

The system was 100% accurate, checked by eyes and ears to verify.

----------------------------------------

Interesting to note also that overall:

Multiple broadcast errors uncovered. 
In fact, the actual on-air recordings independently verified that the
ConfirMedia system uncovered a total of 152 broadcast reporting
discrepancies, representing 12% of the confirmed airings: 

20 instances in which broadcasts reported in station logs had in fact not
aired; 
48 instances of broadcasts aired but not reported in station logs; 
4 instances of separate un-encoded copies of the reported spot actually
aired; and 
80 instances of incorrect copy rotations where the encoded spot that
actually aired was not the spot that was reported in the station logs.

-----------------------------------------------

This means that theoretically you are being paid some when you shouldn't and
not some when you should.  I guess that's only if that particular market is
tracked....

Thanks for the fingerprinting stuff.  I will be researching that option
next.  I intend to create a system that will AUTOMATICALLY fingerprint or
watermark any music entered into my system.  And hopefully, automatically
generate discrepancy reports.  This will be an added value for the composer,
making more of them to want to contribute to this library.

Thanks,

Chris


Merritt Music Productions
9701 Clearwater Drive
Knoxville, TN 37923
merrittmusic.com
865-357-5473

-----Original Message-----
From: fmpro-bounces+chris=merrittmusic.com at nxport.com
[mailto:fmpro-bounces+chris=merrittmusic.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of Les
Hurdle
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 9:08 AM
To: fmpro at nxport.com
Subject: Re: [Fmpro] Digital Watermarking

Hi Chris,

Watermarking has long been the goal for many of us.
All of my recent Library music is watermarked, but there is a kicker in 
this issue.

PRO's like ASCAP have said they wont recognize data provided outside of 
their own survey methods.
Maybe BMI is the same.
EU PRO's claim they have no need to be involved in watermarking since 
their broadcasters have to report all plays.

So how is watermarking going to help at this time?

You might want to check out fingerprinting.
Mediaguide at ASCAP, Shazam at BMI are the companies of choice.
Both PRO's state it will only be for songs.

I'm curious how do you plan to use watermarking, and to what end?

Best

Les

On Aug 10, 2006, at 10:59 PM, Merritt Music Productions wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> As part of my new library biz, I now have to deal directly with digital
> watermarking issues.  Here's a little info I found...
>
> http://www.webreference.com/content/watermarks/tracking.html
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Chris
>
> Merritt Music Productions
> 9701 Clearwater Drive
> Knoxville, TN 37923
> merrittmusic.com
> 865-357-5473
>
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