What is Digimarc Discover?

Digimarc Discover lets you use your iOS or Android device to detect imperceptible digital watermarks in printed media or in the audio playing around you, to read QR codes and barcodes, and to identify songs. Scan a watermark or QR code in a magazine to link you to information, video, and related content through many different types of network services. Listen in on the audio playing around you to identify songs or to detect digital watermarks that link you to special offers and information.

How do I use it to detect digital watermarks in printed media?

• First, you need printed material containing embedded digital watermarks. For examples you can check out immediately, go to www.digimarc.com/demo on your desktop computer and print the samples on your color printer, using the highest quality settings.
• Launch the Digimarc Discover app on your device. To detect digital watermarks in printed material, the app must be in "Look" mode. To navigate to the Look mode, press the eyeball icon on the "Look" tab of the bottom navigation bar. In Look mode, the camera's video preview will be active and you will see crosshairs in the center of the screen.
• In a well-lit area, hold your device steady and parallel to the printed page, starting about 6 inches (15 cm) away, pointing the crosshairs at the center of the watermarked area. If the Digimarc Discover app doesn't detect the watermark right away, slowly move the camera toward the printed piece until you hear the sound or feel the vibration indicating the watermark was read. The reading distance is usually between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm), depending on the device you are using.
• The Digimarc Discover app will connect you to the network service or web site associated with the printed piece.

I cannot detect digital watermarks in the sample image in Look mode. What's wrong?

• It is important to hold the device at the correct distance from the printed page. This distance can vary slightlyfrom device to device. If you start 8 inches (20 cm) away and slowly move closer, you should read the watermark between 4 and 8 inches (10 and 20 cm).
• Allow time for the camera to focus on the printed piece and for the auto-exposure to adjust to the lighting.
• Good lighting is also important. A general rule is if your eyes can read the printed page without straining, the device should be able to detect the digital watermarks. A well-lit page with no shadows reads best. Many Apple devices allow use of the flash LED to improve lighting if necessary.
• The device should be held parallel to the print. The app works best when the device is not tilted at an angle.
• If the print is on glossy stock, try to position the print away from the direct light source to reduce any glare.
• Point the crosshairs at the center of the watermarked print and not around the edges or corners. The digital watermarks are usually placed throughout the image or article you are reading, but not in the margins, borders or other white space areas.
• It should only take a few attempts before you learn how to position your device for the best results.

How do I use Digimarc Discover to detect watermarks in audio?

Please update your app to the Digimarc Discover 4.0 release, which has been optimized for audio watermark detection. First, you need audio content containing embedded digital watermarks. For examples you can check out immediately, go to www.digimarc.com/demo on your desktop computer.

Navigate to Listen mode (press the musical note icon on the "Listen" tab on the bottom of the screen) and you will see a graph of the audio that the device is hearing. While watermarked audio is playing, point your device's microphone toward the source of the audio and try not to obstruct the microphone with your hand.

When an audio watermark is detected, you will see a banner appear at the bottom of the screen with details about the item detected. Tap the banner to connect to the network service or web site associated with the audio watermark.

How do I use Digimarc Discover to identify songs?

Digimarc Discover uses Gracenote MusicID® to identify songs that it can hear with your device's microphone. It is capable of identifying popular songs that are contained in the Gracenote Global Media Database®, but cannot identify songs from live performances.

Please update your app to the Digimarc Discover 4.0 release, which has been re-designed for hands-free music recognition. Navigate to Listen mode (press the musical note icon on the "Listen" tab on the bottom of the screen) and you will see a graph of the audio that the device is hearing. While music is playing, point your device's microphone toward the source of the audio try not to obstruct the microphone with your hand.

If the song is successfully identified, you will see a banner appear at the bottom of the screen, identifying the music playing. Tap the banner to see the full details,purchase the track from iTunes, search for artist information, lyrics and videos and share with friends via email, Facebook or Twitter.

I cannot detect digital watermarks or identify music in Listen mode. What's wrong?

Several factors influence watermark detection and music recognition. Generally, detection reliability increases the closer you are to the sound source. Avoid areas with loud conversation and make sure that you are not inadvertently covering the device's microphone. On an iPhone, the microphone is located on the bottom edge on the left side and on an iPad, the microphone is on the top edge when held in portrait mode.

How do I know that Listen mode is working? Sometimes I have to wait awhile before it identifies a song.

Digimarc Discover 4.0 always listens for audio watermarks while in Listen mode — if audio contains a watermark, it will be detected if the audio is clear and the environment is not too noisy. Every time you enter Listen mode — via the Listen tab, resuming the app or unlocking the display — Digimarc Discover tries to identify if music is playing. If unsuccessful, Digimarc Discover will pause music recognition until you tap to resume. If successful, keep Listen mode open and wait for Digimarc Discover to try and identify the next song that plays.

Why would a link be inactive or expired?

Publishers must choose the time duration of a mobile link associated with a digital watermark when they set it up prior to printing. The length of time a link is active is often based on how long the publisher anticipates that readers or customers will use the printed publication or package and how long they plan to maintain the online content associated with the link.

If you are the publisher of this link, please check your account on the Digimarc Discover Online Services Portal to ensure that you have activated the link. Or if it has expired, you might consider renewing this link if it is still popular.

How do I use Digimarc Discover to read QR codes or barcodes?

First, find a QR code in a magazine or a barcode on a product package. QR codes are 2D (square) barcodes that can be used to link you to a website. Digimarc Discover will also read UPC, EAN and ISBN barcode formats.

Launch the Digimarc Discover app on your device. To detect QR codes or barcodes, the app must be in "Look" mode. To navigate to the Look mode, press the "Look" tab (with the eyeball) on the bottom of the screen. In Look mode, the camera's video preview will be active.

In a well-lit area, aim the camera at the code, pointing the crosshairs at the center of the QR code or barcode. Hold the camera steady and allow it to focus. You may need to move the camera closer to the QR code or barcode to fill the frame of the Digimarc Discover camera display.

Digimarc Discover will connect you to the website associated with the QR code or the Google Product search page associated with the product barcode.

Do I need to be connected to a network to use the Digimarc Discover app?

Yes, the Digimarc Discover app requires a network connection to identify songs, to link to online content and services and to share links with friends. Either your carrier's wireless data network or a WiFi connection will work well.

Does Digimarc Discover work on all iPhone and iPad models?

The Digimarc Discover app works on the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 5, the iPod Touch (4th generation+) and the iPad 2, 3 and Mini. The app requires iOS 6.x and higher.