November 05, 2009

By By Robert Thompson, Toronto

Music retailer HMV Canada has launched a beta version of its digital music Web site.

HMV's Canadian president Humphrey Kadaner said the Web site launch was abrupt as details of the technology were still being resolved until Tuesday night. The Web site is www.hmvdigital.ca and went live on Wednesday.

"As hmvdigital.ca is a work in progress/beta launch, we continue to make enhancements and improvements," Kadaner said in an e-mail.

The company is offering new customer incentives, including a "free tracks" introductory offer that provides customers who purchase up to 10 tracks with credit for an equal number of tracks on their next purchase. The initial marketing push will be made through HMV Canada's 131 stores, Kadaner adds.

He said "millions" of tracks are available through the site, and songs will be offered in 256 to 320 mps sound quality. An online music preview player also offers 30 second clips of any track and songs are compatible with all digital music players.

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