Is hybrid DVD-A on the way?

John Kotches · 01-23-2004, 10:37 AM

According to this story on Audio Revolution it will be -- in two test markets anyway.

I can't say for certain on this, but the article does correlate with what I've heard from my sources... But I was asked to keep it quiet. Since AR is publishing the story, I guess it's OK to comment that I've heard the same thing.

The bad part, is that the article's wording makes it seem as though the flip disc will be available just about everywhere. There is only a brief mention that the test markets (Seattle,Boston) are launching in 1Q2004. I somehow doubt that a nationwide launch will happen in 1Q2004, but that's a personal opinion only.

Still, if true, it could explain why WB has been very slow on releases of late.

Best Regards,

anthony_b · 01-23-2004, 11:39 AM

I just sold my DVD-A player, but if the story is true I might consider purchasing a unit capable of playing the revised format...(but we would also need lots more software !!).

Mike Broadman · 01-23-2004, 12:45 PM

Sweet!

I really hope they solved that problem with the disc being too wide for cars- could give a whole new meaning to software "crashing." Hah.

If this works, I wonder if they'll re-release older titles as flippers.

Michael St. Clair · 01-23-2004, 12:53 PM

This is excellent news. This may greatly increase the number of releases from WEA labels. Fingers crossed...

Mark All · 01-23-2004, 01:18 PM

Why bother going hybrid? I like the idea of including both a CD and a DVD in the same standard CD case like The Flaming Lips did recently with "Yoshimi". The manufacturers don't have to go to the time and expense of setting up hybrid DVD-A production lines if they just use what is already available.

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ElevSkyMovie · 01-23-2004, 02:00 PM

I agree Mark. Just give me a cd.

robertLP · 01-23-2004, 02:15 PM

I wonder which size jewel cases they'll use? I'd guess the CD-sized cases, so they could put them in with all the other regular CD's. Maybe this will mean a slow death for the super-sized cases...

Rob

Phil A · 01-23-2004, 02:24 PM

I personally could care less if hybrids (either DVD-A or SACD) are available. I don't drag my hi-rez stuff out and leave it in a vehicle and each system in my home can play hi-rez formats. If I want something for the car, my Pioneer Elite CD recorder is in the tape loop of my main system. I'd be a bit hesitant to buy something that is not thoroughly tested so I think it is good they are doing test markets. If the discs cause problems by getting stuck in hardware (either in the car or home) in any more than an isolated case or two, it is something that is not going to generate positive publicity.

I agree with Mark 100%. They have DVD and CD production lines that are proven to work. Holding up titles released in a format lagging behind its main competitor by just under a 3 to 1 margin, and lagging behind further every day, is not helping to generate interest vs. having more available titles.

I buy hi-rez in whatever format it is released as I can't control what the studios do. I buy music for enjoyment and won't consider buying flippers that have the potential to cause hardware problems that would interupt the enjoyment from my hardware. There's plenty of other software available out there and I'll be sitting on the sideslines on DVD-A flipper purchases until I'm satisfied (someone else can be the guinea pig) they won't cause issues. If people stick the DVD-A side in a CD player and don't thoroughly understand (and neither format has done anything wonderful in the form of eduction to the public or even Best Buy and Circuit City employees), it also may generate some disdain for the format with the general public.

I see flippers as a lose-lose situation for the format. Audiophiles buy hi-rez for the hi-rez, the average member of the public is playing CDs at home in a DVD player already so all this apparently will do is make it playable in car CD players in more situations. With DVD-V players (and a few DVD-A ones too) becoming more commonplace in mini-vans, sport-utes and other family vehicles, the car compatible issue is something that is shrinking. Why invest resources in a shrinking utility that could cause problems or misconceptions vs. investing in resources to get quality software out the door that the public will buy?

DVD-A has even more potential than SACD since it can be done on the PC and make a wonderful tool for musicians trying to market themselves via audios and videos as well as the fact the majority of equipment sitting in studios is already PCM based. I know the music industry is hurting but DVD-A has to be among the worst marketed formats in history. They have had several relaunches and it is evident they are lost. With some of the same virtues as DVD-V, the most successful consumer format in history, PCM studio equipment, no special new production lines like is needed for SACDs, PC tools, authoring available to make it easy to use in any player, the success of home theater with DVD players becoming the hardware of choice to play CDs at home and the format at this point in on virtual life support is totally amazing.

Lee Scoggins · 01-23-2004, 02:29 PM

This is good news John. Hopefully Warner Music Group will finally release my Van Morrison.

Lee Scoggins · 01-23-2004, 02:35 PM

Quote:

If one or both formats can make it into the main CD bins, you might see a trend towards a potential winner in the format war.

I think this is why the single inventory disc is the best thing for Super Audio and has been a strong seller historically for the format.

I wonder how long it will take to get the disc into other markets. I hope we will see things in Q2, but it may take the label a while to get testing done.

Quote:

The manufacturers don't have to go to the time and expense of setting up hybrid DVD-A production lines if they just use what is already available.

I suspect that making one hybrid disc is cheaper than two discs on different lines.

I hope they keep the cost to the consumer down as well. I don't think there is appetite for anything above $18 a disc, even with the extra functionality.

Sean Cauley · 01-23-2004, 02:38 PM

I think a big obstacle to these hybrid discs is the general aversion to "flippers" people have already shown in the DVD-video market. There are constant complaints about the too-small label print around the inner hole (and the lack of artwork on one side), and people are notorious for not handling discs with two playing surfaces with the care they should (which is why it seems every time I rent a two-sided disc, the less-often-watched widescreen side I want to use is too screwed up to play).

And while I don't advocate switching discs in and out of your car's CD player while you're in traffic, people do it all the time, and if it takes a lot more than a simple glance to figure out if you're loading the disc properly, you're going to have problems; either people will put them in upside down and claim they don't work, or they'll be scouring the inner rim of the disc looking for the side designation and lose valuable road concentration.

I, too, am all for the "two discs in one package" approach (the recent Barenaked Ladies release, Everything to Everyone, is another example). They're already loading a lot of CD packages with a novelty "making-of" DVD with a couple of music videos and interviews on it; just step up and take the extra disc to the next level.