How do I tell if Ive bought a Sony BMG CD with XCP or MediaMax software?
You can either check the lists Sony has released identifying CDs with XCP, MediaMax 5.0, MediaMax 3.0 titles, or use our Spotter’s Guide. Short version of the Spotter’s Guide: For both XCP and MediaMax 5.0 CDs, you’ll see “CONTENT PROTECTED” in the spine on the left-most edge, along with the IFPI copy-protection logo. You will generally see a “Compatible with” disclosure box on the bottom of the back of the CD. Along with compatibility information, the box also includes a URL where you can get help. The wording “www.sunncomm.com/support/sonybmg; README.HTML” lets you know that MediaMax is on the disc, while “?cp.sonybmg.com/xcp:README.HTML” indicates XCP. CDs with MediaMax version 3 are much harder to spot, since they generally only mention MediaMax in the hard-to-read fine print. See our Spotter’s Guide.
