SACD, DVD-Audio, and DualDisc Explained (Well, sorta)

More FAQ's Regarding Multi-Channel Music by Kazaam

What is a Super Audio CD (SACD)

Designed for music, SACD provides improved sound quality over standard CDs when played over SACD-compatible hardware. Most discs have at least a stereo (or mono) mix. Many add a surround mix, too. And some discs, called hybrids, even contain a regular CD layer so that that you can easily rip the stereo tracks to your iPod. An SACD disc, itself, is actually pressed on DVD blanks. However, there is no video on these discs; and most standard DVD players cannot decode the SACD format. Though, there are a number of inexpensive DVD players on the market that do. Most unbiased observers have indicated that SACD and the competing DVD-Audio format sound very similar, which is to say quite good.

What is a DVD-Audio (DVD-A)

Designed for music, DVD-Audio shouldn't be confused with the sound you hear while simply watching a movie. Rather, it is a brand new audio format that improves upon both regular CD as well as Dolby Digital and DTS. Special hardware is required in order to decode the improved sound. Though, most discs also contain Dolby or DTS mixes of the same material to allow for backward compatibilitiy with ordinary DVD players. Most DVD-Audio albums are mixed for surround sound. Though, there are some DVD-A's which only have a stereo track. Because it is part of the DVD family, DVD-Audio albums are also capable of including extras such as a bonus music video or some still photographs. Additionally, on-screen menus are typically used to select specific songs. But most of the disc space is reserved stictly for audio, and it is impossible to have full-motion video combined with the improved, high-resolution audio. Thus, DVD-Audio is considered first and foremost as an audio format. Most unbiased observers have indicated that DVD-Audio and the competing SACD format sound very similar, which is to say quite good.

What is a "DualDisc"

The popular thinking is that DualDisc was created in an effort to allow DVD-Audio to match SACD's ability to offer backward compatibility with regular CD players. So it isn't exactly a brand new format. Rather, it is more of a new "medium" in that it can be used to store existing audio formats----be it DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, Dolby Digital / DTS, or CD---in a newly designed disc structure.

DualDisc is a double-sided "flipper" disc, with a DVD on one side and a CD on the other side. It's a great concept, but in practice it is flawed. It received approval by the DVD Forum, but it doesn't have approval from Philips (the licensor of CD) to use any Compact Disc logos because the CD side doesn't conform to redbook standards. Frequently, DualDisc has difficulty operating properly in many players. Moreover, the overall disc size of a "DualDisc" is noticably thicker than a typical CD or DVD. As such, it's quite possible that DualDiscs may get stuck inside some slot-loading players. In fact, most manufacterer's have disclaimers in their literature and/or on websites warning not to play DualDiscs on your equipment for fear it may cause damage. Heck, even the discs themselves often include a disclaimer stating they might not play in all players. So these discs don't exactly exude warm fuzzies. However, in my experience, it seems as though the DVD side tends to play just fine. The CD-side often won't play for me, but if I try enough different machines it seems I can eventually get the CD side to play just long enough to make CD-R copy of it and/or rip it as an MP3. That said, I don't have complete faith in these discs.

It should be noted that not all DualDiscs contain DVD-Audio. Some might only utilize Dolby Digital. Moroever, many DualDisc titles don't even contain surround sound remixes. They are simply a regular DVD-Video with concert footage or whatnot on the DVD side.

Thankfully, it appears the DualDisc is on its way out. Replacing it would be the 2-disc CD+DVD package. It's such a simple, yet elegant solution. Whoodaeverthunk it??!!!

                                 What is a "DTS-CD"

Before the creation of DVD-Audio and multichannel SACD, there were a fairly small, yet significant, number of albums released on the DTS-CD format. Basically, it is a regular CD that contains a lossy (core) DTS 5.1 audio soundtrack on it. And nothing else. No video. No extras. Not even a stereo track. Morever, if you play a DTS-CD improperly, all that is heard will be loud static, which some folks worry could potentially cause speaker damage. My speakers still seem to be fine, but I mention that just in case. Anyway...   Some DVD players, if they include built-in DTS decoding may be able to play these discs. (PS3 typically won't, though.) Also, regular CD players---plus many DVD players lacking built-in DTS decoding---can be used, too, provided the player contains either an optical or coaxial digital output. If so, the DTS bitstream can then be sent to an external DTS decoder, such as the one built into many receivers, and played in all its 5.1-channel glory. With this method, though, it is still common to hear a brief second or two of static before the receiver switches to DTS mode. Many of these DTS-CDs were released under the description of "High Definition Surround (HDS)" by Mobile Fidelty International, and also as "5.1 Music Discs" by DTS Entertainment. The packaging of DTS-CDs often uses the same elongated box of DVD-Audio albums and as such there is sometimes confusion as to what format is actually on the disc, especially so considering the fact that DTS Entertainment released albums on both formats.

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