2. digital
  3. 1053114671

SACD and DVD-A: Apples and Oranges?

It seems to me that SACD and DVD-A are going for different markets. Comparing them, especially the question on "Which will survive?" seems fruitless. Both could survive, or neither.

SACD is aimed at correcting the problems we've had all along with CD sound. SACD provides a quality 2-channel digital source at a reasonable price. I wager that the typical $250 SACD player playing SACD's sounds as good or better than a typical $1000 CD player playing CD's. Hybrid disks provide backward compatibility. Multi-channel capability is there if desired. By reducing the entry price of a decent sounding player, SACD can bring hi-fi to the masses.

DVD-A is aimed at the thousands (or millions) of average Joe's who already have a 5.1 DVD setup. These guys are wondering why movies come in Surround Sound but music CD's are still 2-channel. The DVD music section in th local music store is growing every day. DVD-A provides a way to hear Metallica or whatever in 5.1 sound. DVD-A is off to a slow start for several reasons. The biggest problem, in my mind, is that the single-wire digital interface doesn't exist. It still takes 6 I.C.'s to hook up DVD-A to a receiver.

Seen this way, both SACD and DVD-A are good things but SACD is aimed more at the 2 channel audiophile market.

Agree?
pmi_guy

Showing 2 responses by tonyp54

tonyp54
130 posts
 
I agree they are trying to attract different segments of the market, but the DVD-A segment (HT and casual music listening) is huge compared to the SACD segment. I think that gives DVD-A the long term advantage. Sony/Phillips are going to have to carve a niche for SACD that I'm not sure can be sustained. I can't imagine Sony settling for the audiophile market and leaving the rest to their competition. If they decide to support both formats going forward, then we all win. That will depend on the sales numbers, pure and simple. SACD could survive the fate of Betamax if enough people continue to but them as DVD-A matures.

Of course it would be better still if the industry would just settle on a single format and make all of our lives simpler, but that's another story.
tonyp54
130 posts
 
Pmi_guy, I agree with you so long as Sony's vision comes true. Unfortunately, their competitors have a different vision.
More to discover