Post by Peter April 10, 2008 (11 of 72)
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Claude said:
Are they really planning this or just keeping the option open?
IMHO, trying to launch Blu-ray audio discs with classical music, when Blu-ray video is not yet well established and there is already one moderately successful hi-rez format on the classical market (SACD), makes no sense at all.
The technical differences between Blu-ray and SACD (DSD yes/no, etc) are irrelevant in that respect. Both formats are good enough in terms of sound quality.
It's the practical advantages that count, like the possibility to play the discs on a regular CD player. A hybrid SACD can be played on SACD player (hi-rez + surround), or on a CD or DVD player(CD layer). A Blu-ray disc can only be played on a Blu-ray player.
How many of you hi-rez fans own a Blu-ray player? If yes, does it sound as good as your SACD player? Would you get an "audiophile" Blu-ray player in addition to your SACD player?
Were I not so lazy, I'd ask the same questions as Claude......
Peter
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Post by hanser April 10, 2008 (12 of 72)
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I own a Sharp Blu-ray player. For video the difference is dramatic (on my 2,55 m wide screen with 1080p projector). For audio it catches up with DVD audio: Uncompressed multichannel up to 24bit/96kHz, which was not possible on DVD video.
There are some classical music Blu-rays coming out, but with video, not audio-only. I have the ballet "A midsummer nights dream" on Blu-ray, and the superior picture quality together with uncompressed PCM sound is excellent. Very recommended!
Blu-ray audio only is a option for the future, but not realised yet. Studios and manufactures are busy trying to establish the format as a DVD successor/high end DVD alternative. Only when and if they succeed, music only will enter the discussion, I think.
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Post by Stanbury April 10, 2008 (13 of 72)
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One of the problems with SACD is that it is essentially impossible for amateur recordists to get their recordings produced in this format. By contrast, anyone can record in 16/44.1 stereo and produce a CD on their home computer. Thus, SACD is reserved for top-rank established performers. Likewise, I can use a digital camcorder and produce a home DVD. How about Blu-Ray? Will I be able to produce an audio Blu-Ray disk in my home? If not, the format will never become universally adopted.
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Stanbury said:
One of the problems with SACD is that it is essentially impossible for amateur recordists to get their recordings produced in this format. By contrast, anyone can record in 16/44.1 stereo and produce a CD on their home computer. Thus, SACD is reserved for top-rank established performers. Likewise, I can use a digital camcorder and produce a home DVD. How about Blu-Ray? Will I be able to produce an audio Blu-Ray disk in my home? If not, the format will never become universally adopted.
Agree about SACD generally, although you can produce DSD files with Sonic Stage Mastering from Sony. May onyl be available on Sony PC's though???
And, yes you can produce Blu Ray video - Hitachi and Panasonic (I think) alredy sell Blu Ray camcorders.
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Post by raveer April 10, 2008 (15 of 72)
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You can also author HI-Res video and burn it to DVD5 or DVD9 as BD9/BD5 or AVCREC. AVCREC is mainly used in camcorders, while BD5 and BD9 are to be used as self authored cheap BDs. Actually Warner proposed this as a cost-effective alternative to regular BD discs and idea was included in BD-ROM specification.
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Post by Claude April 10, 2008 (16 of 72)
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Stanbury said:
If not, the format will never become universally adopted.
I don't agree with that. There are very few active musicians or amateur recordists among the consumers, and they will find a format which is suitable for them.
Right now, there is a DIY hi-rez surround format, the DVD-A.
Despite the fact that a DVD-A can be made by the home user, and DVD-A copyprotection was hacked (another factor that increases the acceptance by the consumers), SACD won the hi-rez format war.
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Claude said:
Right now, there is a DIY hi-rez surround format, the DVD-A.
Do you have any links to info on that subject?
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Post by raveer April 11, 2008 (18 of 72)
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Windsurfer said:
Do you have any links to info on that subject?
http://dvd-audio.sourceforge.net/
I author all live recordings (24/96) with this software package in linux. Windows binary files are also available.
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If it was audio only, I see no benefit over SACD. However, if it is blu-ray audio and video (1080P) with one of the "lossless" audio formats I see a HUGE benefit and I would buy them as they came to market provided that it was a piece that I liked. I have several DVD performances with Dolby Digital sound and they look and sound GREAT! For me, it adds a lot to see as well as hear, just as an example, a symphony orchestra in a performance.
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Post by Dan Popp April 11, 2008 (20 of 72)
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The Seventh Taylor wrote:
I've lately become quite format-agnostic, too.
I think you and the previous poster are "format-indifferent." Agnostic means "without knowledge" - you have the knowledge, but you'll accept either alternative. (Which reminds me of the old joke about the survey question: "Do you agree that our two biggest problems today are ignorance and apathy?" Answer: "I don't know, and I don't care."
8-)
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