09.06.03
Battle
of the new audio formats
The July issue of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music Magazine (on sale 10th June) puts the
two new audio formats to the test - DVD-Audio and Super Audio Compact
Disc.
In
putting these two formats under the spotlight, the stereo, surround
sound and additional features were all assessed, with a very close
end result. One thing was clear though: they both beat CD in terms
of clarity and atmosphere and they definitely represent the future
as far as recorded music is concerned.
A panel
of experts listened to a variety of classical music ranging from
Bach to Britten and checked out the claim that both formats offer
a far richer audio experience than current CD stereo.
Each
format has the backing of major players in the record industry.
Sony and Philips, the co-creators of SACD, claim that this format
is the best way to get pure stereo and surround sound, both noticeably
more sophisticated than can be attained with CD. The leading lights
of DVD-Audio, Panasonic/Technics and Warner, however, believe that
in addition to its excellent surround sound, the convenience of
on-screen bonus features will prove irresistible to the wider listening
public.
Acting
Editor, Harriet Smith said: "If you value the best sound you
owe it to yourself to audition both SACD and DVD-Audio. Until one
format emerges as a clear winner, perhaps the most practical solution
at the moment is a flexible system that can cope with both of them."
About
a thousand SACD titles are currently available, compared with 450
DVD-A releases. Prices for both formats range between Β£15
and Β£25.00.
Notes
to Editors:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines is a division of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd, the main commercial
consumer arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. It is the UK's third largest consumer magazines
publisher, with a portfolio of more than 30 regular titles for adults,
teenagers and children and a combined circulation of 4.2 million
(ABC: July to December 2002). The second half of last year saw circulation
increase overall by 5.4% period on period and 2.2% year on year.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide does not use licence fee income for its activities
and re-invests in public service programming. In 2001/2002 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide
returned Β£106 million to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Music Magazine is the world's best-selling monthly classical music
magazine, with a monthly circulation of 70,006 (ABC: Jan to Dec
2002).
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