That security could one day make SD cards as common a medium for distributing digital content as the compact disc is today.

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American rival Warner Music Group, which had been expected to make a counter-bid for EMI last year, has also attempted to restructure in order to stem declining compact disc sales and capture more digital revenues.

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Fascinated by the mechanics of the studio, Ramone was a pioneer of digital recording who produced what is regarded as the first major commercial release on compact disc, "52nd Street, " which came out on CD in 1982.

WSJ: Grammy-Winning Producer Phil Ramone Dies at 79

Other pushes in the right direction would come from American Thomas Stockham, who would push forward 16-bit recording in the US. It's not until the start of the '80s, when Philips (after working with Sony) demonstrated what would be the standard Compact Disc -- finally going into production in 1982 -- that digital would really turn a corner and gain traction.

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