DVD audio

[serge urtizberea]

Well, I believe the future of audio playback will rest with DVD. I've yet to hear anything on a DVD-audio disc, but I've read it is simply perfect. Deutsche G. is releasing a new Beethoven symphony cycle by C. Abbado this spring on DVD-A; I'm really excited! <P>I wonder, though, how well a symphony can be recorded for optimal playback. Many CD recordings have a washy sound, or a 'flat' sound when played loud. There isn't really the sort of difference in instrument that pop recordings can enjoy thanks to the low number of 'instruments' involved. Do classical recordings compare in dynamics and clarity to pop recordings in general? I'm not an audiophile, so feel free to enlighten me!

[ReedMan]

I have never heard DVD as claiming to provide better sound for your CD's; however, sales people have been known to borrow a chapter from politicians. DVD does add video capability. Those who find DVD/CD machines attractive probably would consider buying a TV/VCR combo. <P>If you want a high quality CD player at a great price, keep DVD out of the picture. CD players are great buys now - check out the HK FL models.<P>Of course, decent quality digital sound depends a lot on your analog output source - loudspeakers or headphones.<P>Some audiophiles still resist the digital world, using tube amps and spinning vinyl LP's on their turntables.<P>On a different note, I wonder how long rental DVD's will remain playable (scratches and all). Just try playing CD's from your local library - etch city !

[serge urtizberea]

Good question! I can answer that since I work (for the time being) at Blockbuster. <P>We used to keep all our DVDs in jewel cases, just like regular CDs. Customers would rent them and return them in horrifying condition! It seems some people don't care as much about things if they don't belong to them.<BR>A couple months ago, we switched to 'original case'-style clamshell cases that allowed to put the DVDs out 'live' (ie, on the shelf and not behind the counter). Now the DVDs come back in fantastic shape. A DVD may go weeks without getting scratched! It's quite good for us.<P>As for DVD-A, it is apparently due to the fact that five or six separate channels of sound can be formatted into the disc that, with the right playback equipment, can make the music sound almost live. I'm anxious to try it out.<BR>

[shostakovich]

As an audiophile whose tube amp went up in smoke 20 years ago, but who still spins a lot of vinyl, let me make a comment on technology, at least up to CDs. The vast improvement in CD over vinyl is also a weakness that drives me nuts, especially in a car. The dynamic range in classical music is so wide that a volume setting that preserves your ear drums in the loud parts loses the music in the quiet parts. In the LP days the range was restricted because the sound had to be loud enough to drown out surface noise and quiet enough to avoid distortion. That's more amenable to a volume setting that works in a car. I tape records for the car. When I can block out time to concentrate on the music in the quiet of my home, of course the CD wins hands down. Just a personal pet peeve I had to air. Shos

[ReedMan]

Remember when CD's were marketed and the 'DDD' label was a selling point ? In the early and mid 80's, that all digital sound tended to be dry and harsh. You were better off listening to LP's or AAD CD's. <P>The newer all digital recordings have a more pleasant sound. The detail and richness of sound is superb, although I have never heard a recording that sounds as good as live music.<P>The weakpoint is the loudspeakers, namely spatial separation of sound to recreate the soundstage. Perhaps one day we will have an output system that simulates a live musical group, one device for each instrument group ! Imagine building your own Symphony in a building block style: woodwind, brass, strings, percussion output modules. Arrange these in your desired sound stage and you will have your own concert hall.<P>Maybe this will be the next fad (Home Concert), after Home Theater loses its excitement.

[barfle]

The big thing with DVD as a recording format is that it can contain so much more data than a CD can that it allows for both a higher data rate (better frequency response, lower noise floor) and more channels (surround sound). As an old quadraphonic vinyl fan, I enjoy the surround effects (although some producers admittedly went WAY over the top). The idea of beyond CD quality with DVD movie surround sound is something I am looking forward to, and I believe it will be the "next big thing" as far as consumer audio is concerned, at least I hope so.<P>Naturally, though, it will be replaced in 10-20 years by something thats cheaper, better sounding, and more rugged with no moving parts other than your eardrums. That's the way it goes with technology. Just as you get a good collection in place, it's obsolete!

[Scotty]

Having just spent a load of money on a whole new system plus DVD player I feel that I might be able to expound on this subject a little. I bought a new surround/receiver/tuner mini speakers w/sub....and a DVD player... can I say that I have never been happier with a sound purchase. I had always been waiting to build a video libarary until a had Equiptment that would compliment my choice of movies. Also I wanted to get a DVD player for the longevity of my libarary, since I would be playing them a lot and wouldnt want them to diminish over time. What I have found is that its exactly what I wanted to achieve. The sound is awesome coupled with the clarity of picture. If you have been on the fence then come on over....I no longer have the urge to run out and see movies at the theater....I wait until they are released and either buy the title or rent.....whichever I can say with total confidence that I am satisfied completely. Every movie is enhanced tenfold....but buyer beware you have to know what to look for.....might I suggest that you find a Reciever that has 5.1 capability as well as the DVD player having the Proper decoder inside + hookups that will enable you to connect each channel. In the DVD each sound is programmed to a subsequent channel/or speaker.......It is essential that you ask about these when shopping....a simple look on the back of the unit will tell you......it will have 6 separate RCA jacks that will connect to your reciever(once again receiver must have those 6). You will not be let down........

[JasonK]

That is a quality technical assessment Scotty...he is right gang, for those of you that might be looking into a quality DVD setup...it is worth it. I was a bit skeptical myself, but after more than a year into it, I have to agree, it is a value-added medium.

[Catmando]

The big thing with DVD as a recording format is that it can contain so much more data than a CD can that it allows for both a higher data rate (better frequency response, lower noise floor) and more channels (surround sound). As an old quadraphonic vinyl fan, I enjoy the surround effects (although some producers admittedly went WAY over the top). The idea of beyond CD quality with DVD movie surround sound is something I am looking forward to, and I believe it will be the "next big thing" as far as consumer audio is concerned, at least I hope so.<P>Naturally, though, it will be replaced in 10-20 years by something thats cheaper, better sounding, and more rugged with no moving parts other than your eardrums. That's the way it goes with technology. Just as you get a good collection in place, it's obsolete!

Barfle's 1st post as a newbie. Now I am thinking I should start curbing my classical CD buying frenzy!

[barfle]

Me, a newbie? Never!!

I wouldn't do anything different about collecting CDs just yet. You'll be able to play them for the next fifty years at least, although there will undoubtedly be better and perhaps cheaper ways of getting your music fix. After all, I'm still playing vinyl and enjoying the experience mightily.

It appears that DVD-audio and super CD, two competing multichannel formats, have done each other in, which is a damned shame. While I'm all for competition, when there are multiple incompatible technologies to provide the end result, most consumers are confused and just sit on their hands until someone else decides for them which format they should support.

As I see technology moving along, though, (and here I'm violating one of my basic tenets against fortune-telling), the idea of owning a piece of media with an entertainment program on it is going to be replaced with "on demand" programming. It'll cost you the equivalent of a nickel to listen to a song, a buck to watch a movie in high-def, you'll be able to pause and rewind to your heart's content, and the server will have every episode of "The $64,000 Question" for those who aren't satisfied with the Game Show Channel. Just think, reliving Cellador T. P. Crockett's fifteen minutes of fame again! How cool is that?