DVD-Audiobahn New DVD-Audio music releases and talk about the latest players.

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ DVD-Audiobahn ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

I wish I share your optimism, Alicia ...

Posted by Christine Tham (R) on October 1, 2004 at 16:12:07

In Reply to: Re: We've been waiting for years for improved resolution... posted by NonA on October 1, 2004 at 11:34:46:

... remember quadraphonic in the 70s? the current state of hi-rez is very similar to market reaction to quad. The market was offered the thrill of multi-channel and improved resolution (due to new stylus technology in the case of CD-4), several competing formats appeared, a few hundred titles were released, and everything died a few years later when the public ignored them.

"We've been waiting for years for improved resolution ..."

Have we?

I don't recall a massive consumer demand for high resolution leading to the manufacturers being "forced" to introduce new formats. It seems to me the public was more than happy with CDs, and those that weren't were listening to LPs.

What i see are:
- licensing rights for CD expiring
- threat of MP3 and music downloads
- opportunity to capitalise on success of DVD
- a desire to copy-protect music content
- opportunity to market to the HT crowd

all these are drivers for the manufacturers and the labels, not for the consumer. the only carrot for the consumer is improved resolution (DVD-A) and the a "new" digital encoding scheme (SACD).

many people have pointed out that there are no theoretical advantages to higher resolution in PCM. in your own sweet little way, you have raised concerns about DSD. it seems to me the "public" is not totally convined the benefits of hi-rez are really worth the trouble.

sure, we will eventually see even newer formats supporting even higher resolutions. will we ever see a new universally accepted consumer format replacing the CD? yes, and it's probably MP3.

sorry for being deeply cynical this morning. just woke up on the wrong side of bed.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Schiit Audio

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---