Term of the Week - HDCD

HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital) is a variation of the existing CD standard. By extending the information stored in the CD signal by 4-bits (CDs are based on 16bit audio technology) to 20bits, HDCD can extend the sonic capacity of current CD technology to new standards, but still enabling HDCD encoded CDs to be played on non-HDCD CD players (non-HDCD players just ignore the extra "bits") without any increase in the price of CD software. Also, as a by-product of more precise filtering circuitry in HDCD chips, even "regular" CDs will sound fuller and more natural on an HDCD-equipped CD player. When buying music CDs, look for the HDCD initials on the back or internal packaging.