Updated: January 19th, 2010
(latest AWT version: 1.09.2)

Audio Watermarking Tools (AWT) of www.audiowatermarking.info are shareware utilities for embedding (and extracting) short data payload within audio streams (wave files). The tools are distributed as a package of command line utilities running on Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP/NT/2000/Server and also on Linux/*nix systems; x86 and x64 versions of the binaries are available. The package does not require any installation and is ready to use right after unpacking. The package consists of encoder (watermark embedding tool) and decoder (watermark extraction tool).

AWT package is free to try. Evaluation (demo) version of AWT with limited functionality is available and can be downloaded absolutely free. Despite its limited functionality, the demo package offers enough flexibility to perform a variety of performance tests so that you can decide whether AWT suits your needs before buying a fully functional version.

This software is offered "as is". Please try and buy.

 

AWT applications

AWT targets individual musicians, music authors and music owners, audio recording and production studios, on-line music stores, broadcasting companies and other small or medium sized businesses. Here are some of the most common AWT applications:

• content marking and ownership ascertainment (audio content is marked by a special symbols sequence stating your ownership)
• copy protection and monitoring (different recipients get differently watermarked audio content)

With AWT you can protect your rights by ensuring that your watermark is detectable (only by you!) in any copy of your audio materials transmitted or broadcasted anywhere.

Typical example

Here is a very simple example of AWT usage. Imagine, you're a musician selling your tracks on the web. Using AWT encoder you add a hidden digital signature (watermark) into every sold track. The signature contains your (creator's) identifier together with identifier of the target user who buys the track. Later on you find your track on torrents or broadcasted on radio. You download or simply record the file and easily extract the signature from it using AWT decoder. The signature confirms your ownership and indicates who was your "bad" customer who spread the file.

More details, examples and FAQ >>>
Download AWT user guide (PDF) >>>

 

AWT at a glance

The watermark is extremely robust. Details, examples and FAQ are on this page.

AWT encoder operates with wave PCM audio files of almost any feasible format - mono/stereo, with sampling rates from 8 up to 192 KHz, and amplitude resolution of 8/16/24/32 bits.

Virtually any watermarking payload size is supported. Feasible payload sizes range from 1 to 20 bytes.

With default parameters, watermarking data rate is 8 bps for 1-byte payload, 12 bps for 2-byte payload, 15 bps for 4-byte payload, 18 bps for 8-byte payload, etc. Thus, the watermarking rate increases with the increase of payload size due to some constant overhead for each copy of the watermarking payload.

AWT algorithm implements so called "strict watermarking" approach, meaning that the original (non-watermarked) audio stream is required to extract the watermark from the watermarked stream. Watermark extraction is performed by “comparing” source and watermarked streams.

The watermarking algorithm works in a time domain. The overall idea behind the algorithm is in embedding of a binary watermarking payload within a carrier audio signal in a time domain by time-shifting the carrier signal blocks in one or several frequency sub-bands. The algorithm is patent pending*.

The algorithm can be applied to all kinds of audio data. Typical examples: music (pop, jazz, classics, rock, whatever else), speech recordings, audio samples, etc.

Each copy of the AWT binaries contains a unique numeric identifier that is used both during the encoding and decoding. This security feature prevents one user from extracting or even detecting a watermark in output files of another user.

You may want to read more details about the performance of the AWT algorithm. You can find this additional information including algorithm details, examples and FAQ on this page.

More details, examples and FAQ >>>
Download AWT user guide (PDF) >>>

 

How to evaluate and how to buy

Evaluation (demo) version of AWT can be freely downloaded using this direct link:

Download AWT demo package [ZIP archive, ~8 Mb]
(AWT v1.09.2, Windows and Linux x86/x64 binaries included)

The package contains encoder (demo version), decoder, a descriptive user guide (PDF) and example batch files. You may also want to look at the changes log of AWT package releases.

The demo version of the encoder has limited functionality: the only permitted watermarks that can be embedded into audio stream are: 0x12, 0x56, 0x7890, 0x9876, 0xABCDEF12, 0x12345678, 0x1122334455667788. This is quite strict limitation, however it offers enough flexibility to perform a variety of performance tests so that you can decide whether AWT suits your needs or not before buying a fully functional version.

If you decide to buy AWT you may choose from four different versions of AWT. The versions differ only in maximum allowed watermarking payload length. The price of AWT package is a function of maximum supported payload size:

• 1-Byte maximal payload: 60 Euro
• 2 Byte maximal payload: 140 Euro
• 4-Byte maximal payload: 300 Euro
• Unlimited payload: 700 Euro

You can securely purchase one of these AWT packages via Avangate, a global trustworthy e-commerce provider. The purchasing process is very simple:

please go to this page to buy AWT
(including life-time updates!)

Have a web-site / web-store? You may be interested in joining AWT Affiliate Program.

 

Contact information

If you want to contact the author of AWT, please mail to the following e-mail address: mailbox /at/ audiowatermarking /dot/ info.

(*) This watermarking method is US patent pending (application 60/907,778).