MP3 shows the value of being an entrenched standard, and it's going to be tough for MT9 to take over. However, according to Reuters:
The Motion Pictures Experts Group, otherwise known as MPEG, will meet this month in Germany to consider making a new digital audio format called MT9 an international standard. . Developed by the South Korean company Audizen, the MT9 format -- commercially known as Music 2.0 -- splits an audio file into six channels, such as vocals, guitar, bass and so on. Users playing the track can then raise or lower the volume on the different channels like a producer on a mixing board, to the point of isolating a single item.
Unlike previous attempts to replace MP3 -- including AAC, Ogg and mp3PRO -- at least this one offers consumers features they don't have. As The Guardian pointed out last month:
Songs mastered for the MT9 format not only allow you to take out the annoying saxophone solos, they can also convert any song into a karaoke-friendly instrumental version, or even a more intimate a capella.
But would it be enough to get users to replace a zillion MP3-compatible devices? I don't think so.
