Which of the new Audio formats will win..DVD-A, SACD, HDCD?

Maverick

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2000
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I hate competing formats...same thing is happening with DVD-R/DVD+R...manufacturers just started making dual format drives now. I think the safe bet would be to do the same on the audio front. I hear SACD sounds better though.
 

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
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I have a couple of DVD-Audio discs and they sound pretty good but you *have* to hook up the analog connections to your receiver from your player. A PITA.

Haven't heard SACD and HDCD is older technology, no?

Neil Young was interviewed by Stereophile's Guide to Home Theater a year or so ago and he was all over DVD Audio.

I guess there are players out there that are capable of both DVD-A and SACD?

Personally, I rip all my CDs to MP3 (EAC with LAME doing VBR with 112kbps minimum and 320kbps maximum) and it sounds good enough for me and I have access to my entire collection from any PC (including the HTPC hooked to my receiver).
 

fastman

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,521
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SACD not, DVD-A is out now, but expensive. HDCD is somewhat new and not very popular that I can tell.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
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DVD-A can handle multichannel audio at 24/96.

I think I read somewhere that SACD couldn't handle musically-"busy" sounds, I'll try to dig up a link.
 

BoomAM

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2001
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DVD-A will win imo.
Its the logical step forwards.
Allows better quality, Multi Channel sound.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
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its all just a scheme to get people to switch from the easily pirated audio cd format to a more secure format. can't use a digital connection from your DVD-A player to your amp?
 

AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,043
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Lots of money spent for R&D ... and unfortunately, not much brains behind the whole notion. Just like the DVD wars. What do they expect, to make money out of licensing? Look no further than Philips' battle with CD protection, which they claim it's against Red Book specifications. This whole "digital revolution" is a mess...
 

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
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i have a couple HDCD's, them being the city of angels soundtrack and tool - lateralus. windows media player can recognize HDCD discs but hearing the audio properly is another thing.