MUMBAI: HMV digital, the high street retailer has re-launched its online music store and is selling top 40 singles for the unbelievable introductory rate of 40p, less than half the price charged by most major rivals.

Unlike HMV's old service, the new store carries a catalogue of 10 million songs and will synchronise it with iTunes, leading many to perceive it as a genuine rival to the Apple behemoth.

HMV digital is also offering a try-before-you-buy system. It requires registration of an account and the buyer can listen to 30-second clip of song before purchasing it  

The website has a wide genre of music including pop, rock, dance, hip hop, jazz, indie soundtracks but oddly enough no country music. Also, the site's homepage has album as well as single top ten lists.

Most music download sites work like conventional shopping sites, offering set prices for different tracks and albums. Prices also vary considerabely between stores, with retailers such as Amazon.

HMV digital's low-price introductory is offer set to expire in anything from a few days to a few weeks.