USB Cards to Replace Compact Discs?


Did anyone read this posted over at audiophile audition?

"USB Cards to Replace Compact Discs? - First Impression Music sees the technology of USB audio cards and accompanying drives replacing CDs in years to come. They are credit card size and played on a USB player, computer or music server. FIM has already produced the first USB audio card in 96K/24-bit format, and is working on the development of a high-tech USB player, operating much like a CD player, and capable of playing true 192K/24-bit files by clicking a remote control. Such cards are to replace the hassle of hi-res downloads and library problems. FIM hopes to have a production unit in the near future."
bgeofft-duplicate-0

I think FIMM also sees the $$$$ advantage of high density floppies or thumb drives vs. CDs.

Bring 'em on. Use a viable and existing interface that can introduce higher res files? Why not?

Seems to me security will be an issue as well as DRM, copyrights, and probably more items I can’t grasp just now with such a device if it were to become mass marketed and really catch on…. Which I feel it could.

The problem though is the appeal. It’s a niche item in a boutique industry. That’s going to slow things down in a real big hurry…. Add to it the extreme proprietary nature of the proposed playback device/server, and the appeal decreases still further.

I’m certainly game for higher resolution files in what ever format but there’s just not loads of them out there and I’m beginning to wonder IF there ever will be. There’s lots more music than symphonies too.

Hopefully this high res music via PC thrust won’t wind up like SACD & DVDA., and become so proprietary and limited in scope as to be the gems of the few… and not the pearls of the many.
Too late to catch on. I'm basing this on the habits of my four kids (all adults now). None of them seems interested in owning any physical media.
I do not know if it will happen or not but it does make sense to me in many ways and could support some good sounding digital I would think..
Sony tried this with a special release of Michael Jackson' Thriller. The promotion was not very successful. It seems the compressed sound turn people off. The vinyl records of that title continue to sell very well.
"Build it and they will come"

The PS Audio PWD seems more like the way of the future, although I would have preferred the DLNA receiver in the transport for downstream DSP or HT.

192 kHz format is just confusing things, like DVD-A and SACD, with doubtful benefit. Better taken care of in the hardware.

Eventually, they might even release music that I want to listen to in hi-res digital. If I live long enough.