A good possible story for DVD Etc... (1 Viewer)

[Kevin C Brown]

Got the latest issue today, but haven't had a chance to read it yet, but noticed the SACD/DVD-A coverage. Cool.

There is a story here that no one has officially covered yet in print:

I can just see the title: "Defect problems doom new high resoltuion audio format?"

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=137446
http://www.highfidelityreview.com/ne...umber=18441196
http://www.highfidelityreview.com/ne...umber=18730931
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=147552
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=144290
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=149759

 

[Felix Martinez]

Kevin -

Thanks for the comments on the DVD-A/SACD coverage.

The Sept. issue has more reviews (including the best recording on SACD I've heard to date - Channel Classics' La Stravaganza), and an interview with Tipper - an artist who produced quite a remarkable ambient/down-tempo recording on a laptop which was then mixed to 5.1.

October will have a nice feature on AIX Records, which produces some of the most amazing recordings on hi-res multi-channel surround.

Regarding the cracking issue on SACD discs - my understanding is that this can be traced back to one replicator, which has stated that it is taking measures to correct the problem. I would recommend folks return defective merchandise, as usual, and print documentation off the Internet in case a store gives you a prob in returning a defective disc.

I've certainly had quite a few problems with "regular" DVDs. Manufacturing defects are not uncommon, nor are they isolated to high-res audio. But we'll certainly consider the suggestion for a future article!

Cheers,

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Felix- Please check out the links. It is the Crest plant in the US plant that is at fault, and it is more than 1 disc. I had a DSOTM the actually broke across the disc. Would be neat if some enterprising journalist could do some digging and get to the bottom of the issue. I like the fact that DVD Etc is starting to cover SACD & DVD-A. No one out of all the mags I read is doing a very good job of it so far... (S&V, WSR, TPV, Stereophile, SGHT, etc...)

 

[Felix Martinez]

Felix- Please check out the links. It is the Crest plant in the US plant that is at fault, and it is more than 1 disc. I had a DSOTM the actually broke across the disc

Kevin - thanks again for the comments. I am aware of the links - in fact my DSOTM was affected (although the inner ring cracks weren't as severe as yours). Again, I do understand this problem is isolated to one replicator and it has gone public with a statement that it is taking steps to fix it.

The way the mag deadlines run, it is several months by the time I write something and the time it hits the newsstand (I'm currently working on the Nov. issue!), so I have to really think about how to best cover this. The prob may be resolved and old news by then.

I'll definitely keep an eye out on the developments, and keep the suggestions coming!

Cheers,

 

[Kevin C Brown]

The prob may be resolved and old news by then.

I agree, but there's the rub: how many discs are still out there in inventory that will crack? I sent my broken disc to Capitol Records (the address on the back of DSOTM) with a nice letter explaining how I just wanted a "good" one. Didn't hear anything. Sent a follow up letter. Didn't hear anything. So I will not buy another hybrid disc until somehow, I get info that the problem has been addressed. Maybe even something you could do on your web site...

Cheers!