cungar

Have to say I'm not too encouraged by the dearth of new releases. Every time I look at the new release lists I see few interesting titles and the section in my local Best Buy is still filled with the same old stuff. Glad I only spent 160 bucks on my combo player because it's looking like this is going to be the Qudrophonics of the DVD age. Anyone else disturbed by this?

Josh H

It was never alive.

CDs will be the dominant format for the foreseeable format. They've been around for going on 25 years. They caught on mainly due to things like instant track access. Added sound quality was just a bonus over cassettes and the other formats at the time.

It will take something offering more than better/multichannel sound to get joe six pack to start buying a new format and replacing his CD library.

I certainly have no interest in rebuying my cds and don't listen to music at home enough to pay more for SA-CD/CD hybirds (would never by a SA-CD/DVD-A only CD as I couldn't listen to it in the car, at work, in my discman etc.).

Johnny Zhivago

Not dying, but it's not taking off either... Not enough promotion and pushing of product. Not to mention, the rock catalog is pretty small in comparison to the classical and jazz choices that are available. Best Buy don't seem to have a lot of interest in multichannel surroud music, you're much better off ordering onlne... Am I disturbed by the lack of push behind DVD-A and SACD? Not really, I always figured it would be a niche market for those of us who really dig adventurous music, not a product for Dick and Jane FM lover.

This reminds me, I need to pick up the new Zappa DVD-A out this week...

TheMadMonk

I would love the industry to announce that they had made their last cd, and were going to only make SACD/DVD-A, both for the better sound quality, and to help stem copying/file sharing.

I definately prefer SACD (and DVD-A), but most people won't adopt them if they don't have the hardware, and won't get the hardware if there aren't enough good titles available.

palebluedot

Thats what is nice about SACD though. The hybrid CDs...they could start making every CD a hybrid so that hardware adoption could be gradual. Of course then there would need to be hybrid DVD-A...or just one format.

MJG87

Yeah I wish they would really start getting to some mainstream titles a little more, if they can release Britney's "In The Zone" on DVD Audio then anything is possible, I doubt half of her fans that listen to her music even know about it or even care

Coral

It would have to be alive before it can actually start dying.

Hiro11

A friend of mine has an Acura TL (5.1 DVD-A audio is standard) and a copy of the Flaming Lips' "Yoshimi..." on DVD-A. Holy shit, that would make a commute go fast. I don't think the format's dead, just too many people don't know about it and its appeal is somewhat esoteric.

shaun3000

My girlfriend's dad just bought a brand new TL. Holy CRAP, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots is on DVD-A?? I had no idea, that's frigging awesmoe.

Is it 5.1 or just stereo?

cungar

It's 5.1 and what I would consider the reference standard for DVD-A. Wayne Coyne did the mix and he produced the most creative use of the format to date. Drums swirl around you you in either direction. He even has liner notes that describe the mix. A must buy.

Giles

well the way Best Buy is treating the format, it sure looks like DVD-Audio/SACD is on it's last legs. Tower Records does a better job stocking these types of discs. I personally don't buy these titles from B&M stores anymore, news and info on this formant is more prevailent on the web and essentially better pricing can be found.

Giles

Secondly, the way the UK has being making more popular titles in DVD-Audio/SACD:

- Groove Armada
- Feeder
- Moloko
- Art of Noise
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood
- Bjork
- (upcoming) Nick Drake

they seem to have a better marketing and availability to a much more diverse and younger consumers.

cungar

Reminds me of those Mobile Fidelity disks they used to make. You could find them in the odd Audiophile shop (you know the one's with the $12,000 amplifiers and $5000 turntables),.

woofman

While I'm a big fan of multi-channel, higher resolution music, DVD-A/SACD doesn't seem to be gaining much momentum from a general consumer's standpoint. I thought I read somewhere that the record labels were looking at going hybrid whereas combining the regular stereo/CD version on one side and the mutli-channel high resolution on the other, and selling/marketing them with the regular CDs but with these extras features. It makes sense, what better way to get the new format into the consumer's home's but package it with the tried and true standard?

Johnny Zhivago

STRONG agreement... The Yoshimi DVD-A is stunning.

Giles

if you want stunning check out Super Furry Animals "Rings Around the World" DTS track from off of the DVD, it's less gimicky than the "Yoshimi" soundmix and much more powerful (IMO)

Has anyone heard the Polyphonic Spree DVD-Audio?

fumanstan

I agree with the "never took off" comment. I've never even paid any attention to SACD or DVD-A

Giles

you would think that the number of people who invest their time and money to buy a DVD player and a simple surround sound set up - DVD-Audio discs would be much more prevailent and accepted, aparently it isn't. Go figure?

Captain Harlock

I kind of think that now with people having serious misgivings about paying $17.99 for a conventional CD, they sure as hell won't spend $23.99 or whatever it is for a SACD or DVD-A format disc.