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The Article: The State of DVD-Audio My first introduction to multi-channel music presentations was in 1998, when I’d first listened to the DTS 5.1 CD re-issue of the "Titanic" soundtrack. While Celine Dion’s music isn’t a favorite, I instantly became hooked on the fresh experience of listening to music in 5.1 discrete channels. Sting’s "Ten Summoner’s Tales" and "Brand New Day" were also electrifying in 5.1, with the various elements of the music beautifully directed to the speakers around the listening space. DTS also released a couple of DTS-ES 6.1 discrete titles, "Studio Voodoo" and "Sheryl Crow: Globe Sessions". DTS 5.1 Cds, now no longer really being made, always really remained an item that was only adopted by a small group of die-hard listeners. A couple of years ago, DVD-Audio was introduced, allowing listeners to hear music titles in 5.1 channels of high-resolution MLP audio (or, for DVD-Video players, Dolby Digital 5.1). The format’s early titles included some clunkers, such as Stone Temple Pilot’s "Core". While an entertaining album, "Core" sounded harsh and the mix left a great deal to be desired. After a while, though, mixers like Elliot Scheiner (Faith Hill’s recent "Cry" DVD-Audio) and others came aboard, providing multi-channel mixes that made better use of each album. Although JVC seemed to be one of the few early manufacturers producing DVD-Audio players, other companies such as Panasonic, Onkyo, Pioneer and others followed suit. SACD, backed by Sony, could be found in players from Sony and Phillips at first, and Pioneer and others later. At this point in time, SACD still seems rarer in players than DVD-Audio. Some companies, such as Pioneer and Yamaha, have offered universal players that can play both formats. Either way you go, it’s also still unpleasant that nearly all (I believe only a couple of Pioneer components are the exception) of the SACD and DVD-Audio players require (due to copyright worries) the player to be hooked up via the 6-channel analog inputs to the receiver to listen to the high-resolution material. Given that most reasonably-priced receivers have only one set of 6-channel inputs, users who already have one format and want to upgrade to another will have difficulty. Many users have also complained about the lack (or lackluster) bass management in several players capable of one format or the other. To make matters worse for those interested and not familiar with the technology, the fact that several receivers have been labeled "DVD-Audio (or SACD) Ready" has confused some people. Affordable portable players would be another terrific idea, playing the high-resolution stereo soundtracks. However (and this article will not be a debate about which format is better), while SACD may not be found in as many players, the SACD camp is clearly succeeding where the DVD-Audio side is not: the software. Although DVD-Audio titles from Warner Music, EMI and others were coming out at a fairly rapid rate a couple of months ago, the releases have slowed to a trickle. At the same time, SACD has released titles like The Who’s "My Generation", the Rolling Stones catalog and the soundtracks for "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?". Earlier releases included titles from Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child. Debates about technical features aside, the only way one of these formats is going to succeed is if they have enough software to interest potential viewers. In that area, SACD has not simply turned the tide in its favor, it’s winning by a clear margin. Checking out DVD empire.com for pre-order information on DVD-Audio titles, the only ones coming soon were from Queen, Todd Rundgren and Insane Clown Posse. While probably all fine albums, a total of three releases in the span of a month is clearly not nearly enough to power the format. DVD-Audio releases from R.E.M., Faith Hill and the Grateful Dead went over well last Winter, but there’s nothing else currently on the horizon for the format. A recent price drop on many of the Warner Music DVD-Audio titles may have gotten more sales from DVD-Audio owners, but it doesn’t seem to have pulled many additional consumers towards the format. I personally love DVD-Audio and think there are releases on the format that sound extraordinary, but with the lack of titles coming soon, I would have a hard time recommending DVD-Audio to someone interested in the format. While I don’t know enough about the industry to confirm, I’ve heard some discussion that production cost of DVD-Audio titles is too much, given the light returns. Sales would clearly be improved if some funds were spent on advertising and education. I’ve seen a few advertisements for SACD, but I haven’t seen any for DVD-Audio. There also doesn’t seem to be much effort to educate store employees - most of whom I’ve spoke with in various stores about DVD-Audio or SACD have educated themselves about the formats. A problem for both the DVD-Audio and SACD camps is at the store level, although that’s improved. I’ve begun to encounter more and more employees who are familiar with multi-channel music and stores have started to dedicate areas to the format. A local Sam Goody even had a section for both in the front of their store. The local Virgin Megastore had a fairly impressive section of DVD-Audio titles, although it was a bit of a disappointment to see that the kiosk demonstrating DVD-Audio was hidden under the store’s escalator (and not on, which was also a problem). Some Circuit City stores have offered kiosks for both SACD and DVD-Audio, although at one store, it was a little difficult to clearly hear one or the other, as both kiosks were only about 10 feet apart. Tower Records have only recently begun to offer some mild sales on their multi-channel audio titles. Again, this is not an article against one format or the other, simply a discussion of how both formats are perfectly good, but one’s falling apart. DVD-Audio certainly isn’t "over", but if it continues at the rate that it’s currently going at, it won’t be long before DVD-Audio is the loser in this format war. There’s certainly enough SACD, DVD-Audio and universal players, it’s a matter of who has the titles that are going to get people interested and right now, DVD-Audio is hardly offering consumers enough to carry the format for much longer. In the middle of a difficult time, the music industry clearly needs something new. SACD and DVD-Audio offer a greatly improved listening experience over SACD. Although not many have taken advantage of it, some DVD-Audio titles have offered added value materials such as commentary, videos or interviews. Players for both camps have become more affordable, and the kind of improvements in sound quality that both offer should not make multi-channel music a hard sell to music fans. Hopefully, the industry will start putting more weight behind both formats, but it’s DVD-Audio that’s starting to lag further and further behind. |