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So just what
is DVD-Audio, anyway? How does it differ from DVD-Video?
Though the DVD-Video
and DVD-ROM formats can do many things well, and are particularly
adept at delivering high-quality audio and video, considerable
concessions have to be made to the space-eating video portions
of a DVD-Video or DVD-ROM disc. It was mutually agreed upon
by the DVD Forum (those in charge of all things DVD) that
DVD could offer even better audio performance if all the data
requirements allotted for the video were reserved strictly
for the audio portion instead.
So by focusing
purely on audio, increased performance, space and sound quality
could be achieved far and beyond what a DVD-Video or DVD-ROM
disc could provide. However, due to many intervening factors,
among them technical, financial and political ones, the DVD-Audio
format was not finalized in the same timeframe as that of
DVD-Video and DVD-ROM.
Hence, after many
long and involved battles involving the leading consumer electronics
manufacturers and the Recording Association Of America, as
well as artists and their record companies, the completed
DVD-Audio specification was finally
announced
(along with temp
specs)
in early 1999, and the dreams of an audio successor to the
venerable Compact Disc were brought closer to fruition.
What is so different
about DVD-Audio from DVD-Video?
Although complex,
the basics of DVD-Audio are pretty straightforward. Perhaps
the major improvement over the Compact Disc is that DVD-Audio
can offer full six channel surround sound, via the usual "5.1"
(five full frequency channels and one low-bass subwoofer channel)
configuration. DVD-Audio also allows for alternate subcarriers,
such as Dolby Digital, PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) uncompressed
2.0 tracks, or third-party alternatives such as DTS, and even
MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing), which, and I quote their
press blurb "achieves optional longer playing times without
lossy psychoacoustics-based perceptual coding." (Uh, yeah,
whatever...)
DVD-Audio improves
audio performance considerably over CDs, and yes, DVD-Video.
It can offer sampling rates of 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4
and even 192.0 kHz, and word lengths of 16, 20 or 24 bits.
What's more, the DVD-Audio spec is quite flexible, as these
parameters can be specific to a single channel or part of
a piece of material. For example, the three front channels
may be recorded at 96kHz/24 bit, while the two surrounds may
be at 48 kHz/16 bits. This allows for extensive possibilities
for creative content and presentation options, and can also
be used to maximize storage space and bit rate.
Finally, DVD-Audio
can use the same disc configurations as DVD-Video, namely
single-layer, dual-layer, double-sided, etc., which can provide
far longer playing times and content options than tradition
CDs. Also, it is conceivable that content suppliers could
supply different sound formats (DD, DTS, etc.) on separate
layers/sides of a disc.
Is DVD-Audio
compatible with DVD-Video and Compact Discs?
Unfortunately,
not exactly. Since DVD-Audio is capable of much higher sampling
and bit rates than DVD-Video, current Compact Disc, DVD-Video
players and DVD-ROM drives will not be able to play DVD-Audio
discs. However, most manufacturers have indicated they intended
to release future combination DVD-Video/DVD-Audio/CD players.
The first announced player, the Pioneer LX10 (due Fall 1999),
has full DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and CD functions.
So, although current
DVD owners will have to buy new players to enjoy DVD-Audio,
the options will be much more inclusive for those who haven't
dived into the DVD pool as of yet, or those thinking of buying
a second player (please don't start that "early adopters take
risks" thing, okay?)
Does DVD-Audio
have any video capabilities?
Yes. Although they
cannot play full DVD-Video, the DVD-Audio specification does
allow for still frame images and text applications. Some uses
for this could be content similar to many Enhanced CDs, or
automated still galleries or montages with audio playing in
the background.
There has been
talk of "hybrid" DVD-Video/DVD-Audio discs, but there are
no reliable specs available at the moment, so for now we'll
leave that topic alone...
What about copy
protection?
Glad you asked!
Before any new format even gets out the door, you better start
thinking about copy protection. Thankfully, most of those
involved seemed to have learned their lesson from the considerable
copy protection struggles that plagued the rollout of DVD-Video,
and seem determined to make sure all is agreeable before any
DVD-Audio product hits the shelves.
The DVD Forum,
as well as a strong consortium of hardware, studio and record
companies participants, recently issued a statement that a
basic agreement on copy protection standards was reached.
Though finalization of the details has not been announced,
the basic measures to be used include the usual heavy encryption
of digital data, as well as the use of "watermarking" the
date with inexpugnable source codes to track illegal copying.
And faster than you can say "DIVX," there are plans to include
the ability to "unlock" content from discs for multiple uses
only via approval from the player. In other words, the DVD-Audio
spec could allow for controlled viewing by play.
However, rest assured,
that though this technology is in its final stages of development,
finished DVD-Audio products can't be shipped until the record
labels, dvd manufacturers and the DVD Forum are entirely satisfied
that copy protection measures have been met to everyone's
satisfaction.
I've heard there
is a "rival format" to DVD-Audio. Are we in line for another
format war?
Alas, there is
another CD successor being developed. Perhaps to secure themselves
a slice of the patent pie, Sony is developing their own high-quality
CD audio standard, called Super Audio Compact Disc, or SACD
(hide the children and pets!). Of course, Sony is not calling
this a "rival" to DVD-Audio (gee, where have we heard that
one before?).
Though SACD seems
a bit farther away from retail shelves than DVD-Audio, it
is know n that it will be incompatible with DVD-Video and
DVD-Audio players, and uses a coding method called Direct
Stream Digital. Also, Sony has indicated that SACD may first
arrive as two-channel only, with multichannel arriving at
a later date.
Our take on all
this? Don't worry so much about SACD. DVD-Audio has far more
weight behind it on all fronts, as well as having the DVD
seal of approval. Though the SACD battle may heat up, Sony
has a lot more work cut out for them than DVD-Audio, and look
what happened to the Minidisc in the U.S....
When will DVD-Audio
become available and how much?
Ah, the $1,000,000
question. As with most new products, scheduled launch is "in
the fall," and prices should be "comparable to DVD-Video products."
Of course, where have we heard this one before?
But, to be optimistic,
the DVD-Audio spec is nearly finalized, and as with the announced
Pioneer, working prototypes have been developed. DVD-Audio
should dock sometime before Christmas 1999, though even by
conservative industry estimates, the amount of new software
to play on the new machines will be slim pickings.
If you have
you have any corrections to information contained within any
of these FAQs, please don't hesitate to email
us.
Thank you!
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