New program for authoring compatible audio DVDs released

[Forrrce]

Since I got a DVD writer and buy 100s of blank discs on the 'net for a little as 79 pence each, I've wanted to make full use of the format's potential for music storage. A standard 4.7 gig DVD holds around 7 650mb (74 min.) CDs of information - so one could, in theory, get some pretty interesting collections/anthologies/discographies going - and all on one disc, in 44.1, 16-bit CD quality.

Mere .wav to DVD transfers are fine for playback in DVD-ROM drives - the data can be accessed sequentially and probably programmed like a regular CD - but standalone video machines won't recognise a disc if it doesn't contain video images, so such discs can only be played back on a computer. There is a very complicated workaround which involves hours of processing, converting and dividing tracks, but even I found it a bit hit-and-miss - and a simple mistake could set me back hours, even on a fast machine.

I'm waiting for the dust to settle a little before I invest in a DVD-Audio player (and at around £329, Discwelder http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/DIG029.shtml is the only affordable DVD-A authoring program available so far). In the meantime, an interesting new program has been released for authoring audio DVDs (as opposed to full-blown DVD-A, whose discs will only play on a DVD-A spec. machine). These extended capacity audio DVDs can be played on a regular DVD video player. Eximius call their system DVD+Audio.


"DVD+Audio is a DVD-Video compliant format, that delivers both high quality (up to PCM 96kHz/24bits) and high quantity (up to 45 hours MP2 at 192kbps) audio to any DVD player.The heart of the program consists of:
Extremely precise sample rate convertor: Resamples 44.1kHz used on CD to 48kHz and 96kHz used on DVD. Revolutionary resolution enhancement. Extends the 16 bit used on CD to 24 bits as possible on DVD. This means that a DVD+Audio surpasses CD quality, resulting in better imaging, clearer detail, deeper and tighter bass. To obtain this result make sure that:
The input wavefiles must be grabbed directly from the original CD, not from a compressed source like MP3.
The output format must be PCM with at least 20 bits."

Price is only 49.99 Euros - not particularly prohibitive.

Eximius reside here: http://www.eximius.nl/index.php


Not so sure about the grand upsampling claims, but it's a solution in principle, which could go a long way if other software houses decide to create similar programs. Versatile, though DVD is, this whole, simple aspect of it has been overlooked. DVD Video players can play CDs and crappy MP3s - so why not CD audio stored on a DVD? Here's hoping the idea catches on and we'll see the first freeware versions emerging soon.

[QUINNY]

Forrrce: I just wonder when the general public's appetite for new formats will end?

You can bet your bottom dollar that there's something waiting in the wings ready to blow DVD out of the water and there's something else at a pre-planning/pure R&D stage right now that'll blow that away too.

I've been a luddite concerning DVD and quite frankly I haven't missed not having it. Being an old git, I hate having to use software, just to transfer something from one media to another. Life should be so much simpler.

The new (and old) minidisc technology, although not offering huge storage potential at a full 16 bit/44.1 KHz, still looks like the friendliest/easiest/longest lasting way of storing digital audio from one's own collection.

All pure optical media is always going to have problems with dust and scratches, 'cos no-one's had the bright idea to make it a caddy type of system (except in the very early days of CD-R). Perhaps, that'll be analogue's ultimate revenge, 'cos as it stands, all optical media is bound to fail at some point.

[Graham_Start]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

Forrrce: I just wonder when the general public's appetite for new formats will end?

I would ask when they will begin. SACD and DVD-A are barely on the radar here. MiniDisc flopped in North America. DVD and MP3 are the only things to have really taken off in the last 15 years around these parts.

DVD took off because of convenience (no rewinding) and all the bonus stuff that they put on a disc (commentary, out-takes, etc). MP3 took off because of cost (or lack thereof), convenience followed later.

[Forrrce]

Quinny,
DVD is the best format since DAT. I actually watch more films at home now, because of the unparalleled hike in quality and convenience. I'd gladly throw out every single VHS tape tomorrow, were mine all backed up to DVD.

MD won't be developed for much longer, since the IPod is running things for portability at the moment. And CD is far from dead.

Already, super-capacity DVDs have been developed, which may hit the market in the next couple of years. I'm liking the idea of what will basically be hard-written, high-capacity hard disks, but just in DVD format.

By the way, DVD-RAM discs have caddy housing. :D

[QUINNY]

Forrrce: Forgot about DVD-Ram. Tell me, is DVD any better quality than S-VHS, picture wise? I was under the impression that it only just matched it 'cos of the compression needed. Must admit, it's an awfully long time since I read all the info on DVD.

I guess minidisc won't go any further now (except the brand new format that's just been launched).

Re iPod: I just wonder who really wants gawd knows how many tracks on one playback device. Suppose it gets stolen, craps or whatever. That's an awful lot of stuff to replace both physically and emotionally. I'm getting old and I don't understand the logic except it's a damned cheap way of acquiring and storing music. Ultimately, music is being devalued by a factor of X by this hardware. Music has lost.

[Forrrce]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

Tell me, is DVD any better quality than S-VHS, picture wise? I was under the impression that it only just matched it 'cos of the compression needed. Must admit, it's an awfully long time since I read all the info on DVD.

I used the S-VHS feature on my video once, so couldn't tell you. I expect DVD is better, as a good quality print will be shown in excellent resolution. Finding sections is a lot easier, no grinding of wheels or constant pressure on heads and tape. You just can't lose with DVD - unless your machine breaks down, of course.

I guess minidisc won't go any further now (except the brand new format that's just been launched).

Flogging a dead horse. MD will continue to decline, whatever they do with it.

Re iPod: I just wonder who really wants gawd knows how many tracks on one playback device. Suppose it gets stolen, craps or whatever. That's an awful lot of stuff to replace both physically and emotionally. I'm getting old and I don't understand the logic except it's a damned cheap way of acquiring and storing music. Ultimately, music is being devalued by a factor of X by this hardware. Music has lost.

What's that tired old excuse, Quinny? I'm not into music-on-the-move anymore, so I don't have an iPod - but if I were, I would. I wish they were around years ago. What's so wrong with having a greater choice of music to listen to? How on earth does music lose out to the iPod? How is it devalued when it's there to be listened to? Only a fool wouldn't back-up their music elsewhere first, in the event of theft, or their unit crapping out. It may not be for you, or me, for that matter - but I really can't see anything negative about it.

[QUINNY]

The only thing I have against it is that most owners of iPods will probably be under 30 and filling it with downloads from the net, that have cost them very little. Although I hate the snobby "I've got a rare record it's worth $500" brigade, at least they realise that music has a value. Free/near as dammit free downloading of virtually any track one wishes, puts a value of zilch on the music that's downloaded. It becomes a commodity, to be owned and traded without any emotional connection.

Yes, the instant accessibility of DVD is obviously better. I will be buying a DVD recorder eventually.

[Graham_Start]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

Free/near as dammit free downloading of virtually any track one wishes, puts a value of zilch on the music that's downloaded. It becomes a commodity, to be owned and traded without any emotional connection.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Forrrce]

Not everybody who owns an iPod downloads music freely from the 'net. If I had one, that's the last thing I'd do - there'd be precious little I'd want. The music that's supposedly the common interest on this page is bastardised, commoditised, ripped off, then shown the door, anyway. Who needs an iPod to do that?

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by Forrrce

Not everybody who owns an iPod downloads music freely from the 'net. If I had one, that's the last thing I'd do - there'd be precious little I'd want. The music that's supposedly the common interest on this page is bastardised, commoditised, ripped off, then shown the door, anyway. Who needs an iPod to do that?

I bet the vast majority will do though.

I partly agree with your sentiments about disco music already being ripped off, so how is iPod going to be any different, except I still think that people who actually buy vinyl or CDs for the music alone, have some attachment to it and a vested interest for it to continue. iPods and the like completely destroy any such notions.
Hell, music has already become devalued since the demise of the record company controlled market. Today we have plenty of choice, but its mostly low level, low calibre crap.
To mis quote something I wrote once before " ahh! you're looking for Peruvian nose flute music, played by a one nostrilled, tone deaf goat herder? Certainly sir, walk this way. This CD is by XXXX YYYYYYY who is the absolute master and the best seller. He sold all of 100 CDs last year. He's the best there is. Oh dear we've sold out (of our only copy) and I see it's been deleted , but you can probably find it on the web"
The iPod helps makes this even more of a reality, 'cos its fast download capabilities were designed specifically by the geeks at Apple, for downloading music by the geeks who love Apple innovation. They just want a 'cool' piece of hardware. Bet they couldn't give a rat's ass about music unless it rocks and its mega loud or ultra hip.

[Forrrce]

Quinny,
I would guess that the majority of downloaders are computer-savvy youngsters, ranging from school-age to early or mid-30s - I'm just estimating. I also assume that most of what's downloaded is inconsequential current music, which the target audience has been weaned on. I bet a lot of the artists themselves have iPods, or download music from the internet - this kind of technology is what that demographic is all about. I bet there are listeners who eventually went out and bought an LP because of downloading a track, or explored an artist's or group's catalogue because of a 'stolen' sample.

I see what you mean when you say how the music is cheapened by its availabilty, but if it's enjoyed, I can't see too much of a problem, in another way.