An Introduction to High-Resolution Audio

The future of recorded music is here. Both the listening experience and the creative process have reached a whole new level thanks to the introduction of DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SA-CD).

DVD-Audio

DVD-Audio releases offer artists the ultimate control to express themselves in ways never before possible by marrying a recorded music experience that's better than CD with the superior visual experience of DVDs. Artists can now add to a new release or classic reissue video elements such as interviews, behind-the-scenes studio footage, and music videos, as well as photo galleries, liner notes, lyrics, and much more. In addition, DVD-Audio discs allow the artist to create high quality Surround Sound mixes of their songs just like films and DVD-Videos. Think of it as a DVD-Album.

One of the great aspects of DVD-Audio is its flexibility. Each DVD-Audio release contains several versions of the album: a standard CD-quality stereo mix, a Surround Sound mix, and, for you audiophiles, a super high-end Advanced Resolution stereo and Surround Sound version of the album (more about this in a minute), all for the same price as a CD.

Every DVD-Audio release is remixed from the original multi-track master tapes to create the best, most dynamic sound possible. It's the closest thing there is to being in the studio with the artist at the moment of creation. So let's get technical for a minute. First of all, you don't need a bunch of new equipment in order to enjoy DVD-Audio. Here's how it works: If you own a DVD player, you're ready to enjoy most of what each DVD-Audio release has to offer (a CD-quality stereo mix, at least one Surround Sound mix, as well as all of the video content). Of course, in order to hear the Surround Sound mix you'll need to have the gear (left and right front speakers, a center channel speaker, two rear speakers, and a sub-woofer -- this is the 5.1 stuff you've been hearing about). If you don't have a Surround setup, you should really think about getting one. They're coming way down in price and they make your DVD-Audio and DVD-Video experience so much cooler.

One last bit of tech talk. As stated above, each DVD-Audio disc contains a super high-end Advanced Resolution stereo and Surround version of the album that can only be experienced if you own a DVD player that is capable of playing DVD-Audio products. Many DVD manufacturers have begun including this capability within the machines they're currently making. That means that many of the additional 15-20 million DVD players expected to sell over the next year will have this function built-in. It's very important to note that DVD-Audio discs WILL NOT PLAY ON A CONVENTIONAL CD PLAYER, but CDs WILL play in your DVD machine.

Can you play DVD-Audio releases in your car? Not yet, but very soon. The first car audio equipment is now available and many manufacturers are aggressively moving forward to build DVD-Audio technology into their products.

Imagine hearing the Grateful Dead's classic American Beauty as if you were in the studio with them, or The Band's Last Waltz as if you were actually attending their legendary farewell concert. DVD-Audio makes this possible.

SA-CD

Sony and Philips have built strong bridges between their two formats: SA-CD and CD. Thanks to an additional CD Layer on a hybrid SA-CD disc, it will play on any CD and DVD-Video player (at CD resolution) as well as the new SA-CD players in high-resolution sound (surround mixes also included on select titles).

Super Audio CD uses a new and radically different technology called Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to convert music into a digital signal that can be stored on a disc. Compared to the traditional PCM method (the technology used for CD), DSD offers a much higher resolution by following more closely the original waveform of music. With a frequency response of over 100kHz and a dynamic range over 120dB across the audible frequency range -- some 64 times higher resolution then CD -- Super Audio CD offers music reproduction that reveals details you just can’t hear on a normal CD.