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Bronze Member Username: BienPost Number: 25 Registered: Apr-04 | After having read several threads regarding dvd-a, I had a few questions I hope you guys can answer for me. I noticed that most dvd-a titles can be played on dvd players as long as it can decode DTS and/or Dolby Digital, so I bought a dvd-a and it was able to play in my old dvd player without a problem. I realize that SACD can come in a hybrid format so it being able to play in a regular cd player is understandable, but I didn't realize that dvd-a's can be played in a regular dvd player. It is from my understanding that a DVD player which also plays DVD-audio would be needed to play dvd-a discs. So, my question is, why should I condsider getting a DVD video/audio player to play dvd-a's? Also, I know that DVD video/audio players have the 5.1 analog output, but does it make a great difference as far as sound quality? |
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Unregistered guest | Here's one take on the 2 formats, 4th paragraph down: http://www.axiomaudio.com/archives/DVDA.html Plus two high brow links that may be of interest: http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/sacd-dvd-a/ and, http://www.arcam.co.uk/diva/MC_docs_DVD-A%20vs%20SACD.htm |
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Unregistered guest | And here's another beauty, http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/specsformats/DynamicComparisonp2.php plus, http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/specsformats/DVD-ASACDCD-compareiip2.php Can anybody slice thru this stuff? |
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Silver Member Username: Arnold_layneMadridSpain Post Number: 104 Registered: Jun-04 | Good links, JAW. But just in case somebody new to the issue find'em a little hard to digest: here's another one that presents short articles on each format (browse down in doc): In practice, many DVD-A discs contain a DVD-Video section (just the audio part and some images). This section can be read in any (in case of DTS in almost any) DVD-V player. In general, DVD standards permit disc containing one or more audio sections. Ordered from worst to best sound quality per channel, not taking into account preferences for surround, the common ones are: - Dolby Digital. Can be 2.0 stereo or 5.1 surround. - DTS. I think it's always 5.1, due to DTS Entertainment's policy. - CD eqivalent 44.1 KHz/16 bits linear PCM, 2.0. Theoretically possible , since DVD player read CD too. But I have not seen this format on any DVD disc. - DTS 96/24 (5.1). Rather new format, older receivers decodes it as standard DTS. I haven't seen any player with DTS 96/24 logo. The idea is rather to send through digital interconnect and let the receiver (iff compatible) do the job. - Linear PCM. Always 2.0, the common sampling rates are 48 KHz/16 bits, 48/24 and ocasionally even 96/24 per channel. - DVD-Audio. Specs permit sampling rates up to 192 KHz/24 bits (2.0) or 96 KHz/24 bits (5.1) per channel. To be able to store the huge amount of data on one disc, it is compressed with MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing). Only players with DVD-A logo are able to unpack it. Bien kim, to avoid very long post I don't dive into SACD and 5.1 analogue output issues. If you still have doubts, please don't hesitate to post them. I'll be checking out this thread the next few days. Cheers AL |
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Unregistered guest | Good stuff; knew you'd come to the rescue. The only conclusion from what I can see on which is better - is inconclusive. One apparently has higher dynamics and the other has lower ultrasonic artifacts negatively affecting the high end if I digested it correctly plus, there may be some audible clipping issues. I'm more concerned with "what it does than how it does it" - just too busy to spend too much time on it all. That's why there's guys like you around. One more link, if you have not seen it, http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=204&page_nu mber=5&preview = A pretty good one. |
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Silver Member Username: Arnold_layneMadridSpain Post Number: 107 Registered: Jun-04 | Ay, "what it does" is the true issue. I enjoy "how it does it" too, it's fun and helps me with purchases and tweaks. But the reward is to sit down in the sofa and listen through a really good album. I truly hope both SACD and DVD-A will survive. IMO the most important conclusion from all the fervent "which is best" debates is: Many people think they need something better than CD. Anyway, this is maybe not the best place for me to digreesing further on the issue. Have you checked out SACD/DVD-A section on Home Audio? Great bunch of people there, with fantastic views on hi-rez experiences. Hasta Pronto AL PS: JAW, how 'bout registering? I think this site is fairly spam- and spyware-clean, comparing to most forums I've visited. If you want to keep anonymous, just put alias instead of real name. |
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Silver Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 570 Registered: Aug-04 | "I truly hope both SACD and DVD-A will survive." Arnold I agree totally - the world is big enough for both. To me, SACD leans a bit more to analogue type reproduction and DVD-A to digital. Both can be just excellent given the right engineering and mix. And besides, there are some really terrific universal players out now and more coming. |
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Silver Member Username: Arnold_layneMadridSpain Post Number: 112 Registered: Jun-04 | Yeah, and since there is certain evolution (HDMI digital interface, releases of artist's whole collections, constant development of better DSP and DAC chips) I think there is good hope for a final breakthrough for high resolution music. Some people say the "war" between SACD and DVD-A reminds of the days of VHS and Beta video. But I'd say the multiplayers have shown that this is not the case. SACD and DVD-A have much in common, and in the digital age they can perfectly coexist in a home audio system. Cheers AL |