Overiew of DVD-Audio and SACD Page 1, 2
DVD-Audio is based on the current PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signal process of the current CD standard (with extended Dynamic range and several samping rates, and bit rates ranging from 12 to 24bits) but takes advantage of the incredible storage capacity of a DVD-type disc. As a result, it could be possible to put several albums on one disc, such as an anthology collection that now take several CD's. Also, several audio encoding formats could be included in one disc, such as Dolby Digital, DTS, or MPEG, giving the user a choice of playback decoding options. Also, items such as cover art, lyrics, and liner notes can also be accessed when displayed on a TV monitor. The final impact of this format, however, is the integration of DVD-Audio with DVD-Video players. This will hopefully make the format more accessible to the average consumer, in that DVD-Audio players will also play DVDs and regular CDs. One problem: current DVD/CD players on the market won't be able to play DVD-Audio disks.
Well, SONY's at it again! While Panasonic and others are touting the virtues of DVD-Audio, SONY is pushing its own format (SACD (Super Audio CD). Ironically, it was SONY and Philips that also developed the current CD format. Based on Direct Stream Digital Recording (DSD), SACD provides for more accurate sound reproduction than the Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) used in the current CD format.
While the current CD format is tied to 44.1 kHz sampling rate, SACD samples at 2.8224 MHz.. Also, with a storage capacity of 4.7 gigabytes per disk (as much as a DVD), SACD can accommodate separate stereo and six-channel mixes of 100 minutes each. SACDs also have capacity include extras such as album graphics, still photos, printed lyrics, liner notes, or even sheet music of the music content.
SACD players are also backward compatible with conventional CDs, and SACD disks can be dual-layer discs with PCM content that can be played in standard CD players. In other words, the same disk can hold both current CD versions of the its SACD content. That means that you can invest in dual-format SACD's to play on your current CD player now and then access the SACD content on the same disc later, when you buy that new SACD player (when they become affordable).
Conclusion
Initially, as with all new electronic formats, early adopters will pay a high price to fulfill their sonic fanstasies. As you can see above, HDCD and DVD-Audio definitely are definitely more accessible to the average pocketbook than SACD. Just from a competitive standpoint all the above formats will have to drop in price considerably to be successful over the long term. Also, with the advent of stand-alone CD Recorders and Computer CD-writers, the lowly CD has finally become a recordable format. Will these new formats accommodate home recording? Probably not for some time--if at all. Whether you become an early adopter or wait until all the above audio formats shake out, the trend towards the ultimate audio reproduction experience continues.
As with all new Home Entertainment technologies, the future of DVD-Audio and/or SACD are by no means assured, and early adopters will be paying a premium for both hardware and software. With luck, competition, and software support, however, one or both formats may indeed flourish in the digital age...after all who thought that you be able to buy a DVD player for $150 and DVD movies for less than $20?
Stay tuned for more information as both hardware and software products hit the market.
For now, I think I need to relax with my Technics SL-QD33 Turntable and some warm Vinyl...Now if I only had the old Dyanco Stereo-70 Tube power-amp I had when I was in High School! See you all next time!
For more info on HDCD, DVD-A, and SACD, check out the links immbedded in the above article.
For current news updates on this and other topics, be sure to check my Home Electronics Industry News Updates.
You are invited to post any comments you may have concerning this article on my Forum.
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