EMediaLive.com

How important is audio quality to the average consumer? “Production studios think of audio as half the picture. The truth is, it’s more,” says Randon Morford of Sorenson Media, manufacturer of the industry-leading Squeeze encoding and compression solutions. If a movie or show--whether delivered on a disc, TV, or online--has good video but bad audio, consumers simply won't watch. However, if the video is bad and the audio is good, studies show, they are most likely to watch the whole thing, he says. “The human ear can compensate, but the human eye can compensate a whole lot more.” That said, why are we, as consumers, still hearing less-than-high resolution audio even with the new high-definition optical disc formats? Industry analysts say, what’s available is good enough, but most importantly what’s available now is convenient!

Chris Armbrust, director of R&D for DVD Compression, Technicolor Creative Services, says, “We can now deliver 7.1 uncompressed as well as lossless audio. The bandwidth requirements are baffling when compared to DVD," he explains. "Some of the bitrate requirements are up to 13Mbps, which is more than is available for audio and video in DVD.” Bandwidth is clearly not an issue, but that's not the only potential roadblock. Not all of the authoring/multiplexing tools have supported all of the codecs and not all of the players have implemented support for all of the variations of audio codecs that are now available.

Once one of the high-definition disc formats becomes mainstream (and it's looking more and more like Blu-ray will be the one most likely to move in that direction, but that doesn't mean it will get there soon, will the high-quality standalone audio disc ever come? Once again, I was hoping the advent of a new disc format would push the record labels, maybe even the movie studios, to put more development into audio quality and surround sound. My hopes were dashed yet again after speaking to industry analysts. What I found--much to the chagrin of my replicator friends I’m sure--is that even when it comes to niche HD audio markets, the internet is the future.

Convenience is the driving force behind music delivery, and even with the prospect of Blu-ray and HD DVD, that’s not likely to change, says Philip Hodgetts, founding editor, Creative Planet’s Digital Production BuZZ. “CDs replaced LPs because of the convenience factor (random access, multiloaders, playlists). Higher quality was just a bonus. Likewise, DVD replaced VHS because of the random access, and just happened to be higher quality. MP3 players have rapidly replaced CD players (at least for portable players) because of the convenience factor of carrying that much music. Once the average buyer has 'good enough' quality, they stop buying based on quality. Instead, they buy on convenience and price.”

Other high-definition audio lovers besides myself do exist. Mark Waldrep of AIX Entertainment, for example, has custom-mixed music with high-definition video into 9.1 surround. “It would be ideal for the formats to embrace music, but it’s not happening. I like to be out there on the bleeding edge, but there is just no way I’m going to invest the money in the authoring tool. I’ve been told by both high-definition camps (Toshiba and Sony) that these new formats are about movies, not music.”

Not ready to surrender quite yet, Waldrep created the iTrax website, which is a sort of HD-only iTunes. iTrax allows users to search, select, audition, and download individual tracks or entire albums that have been produced using state-of-the-art HD audio and video equipment. Only tracks that have actually been recorded and delivered in HD, rather than tracks that have been upsampled or transferred from older “standard definition” sources will be available through iTrax.

It’s been said over and over again, but Morford’s quote says it best: “Convenience trumps quality.” If you want to know where the future is, look at 13-year-olds and what their listening, viewing, and buying habits are. That's where the trends are--“not what the sales guy tells you," Morford says. "People are downloading stuff. Do they care about the quality? Somewhat, but convenience is key. However, we’re starting to get the ability to deliver better and better quality with the convenience.” While the disc’s audio quality has not changed, online quality it is improving. As bandwidth increases, you can offer better stereo and start adding surround sound. We’re in a transition period. Devices that connect to your computer or to the web that provide HD will become common.

Doom and gloom predictions aside, there are two rays of hope for HD audio, and HD audio on disc in particular. The first is that in the Blu-Ray Profile 3 there is a specification for audio-only players--indication of some progressive thinking on the spec-setting side that at least makes HD audio development possible. And, secondly, there is still a Grammy category for surround sound. In case you weren’t watching recently, the award was given to George Martin and company (of Beatle fame) for Capitol/Apple's Love. Does this mean the Beatles have a chance to change the world again? Stranger things have happened. Debbie Galante Block (debgalante at comcast.net) is a freelance writer based in Mahopac, New York.

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The Authoritative HD DVD FAQ: Updates

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Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer's Digital Format Choice

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is taking a step forward in addressing consumer confusion about high-definition formats. Beginning in early March, the leading consumer electronics retailer will prominently showcase Blu-ray hardware and software products in its Best Buy retail and online channels in the United States.

“Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We’ve listened to our customers, and we are responding. Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format,” said Brian Dunn, Best Buy’s president and chief operating officer. “Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them.”

Dunn continued, “Best Buy has always believed that the customer will benefit from a widely-accepted single format that would offer advantages such as product compatibility and expanded content choices. Because we believe that Blu-ray is fast emerging as that single format, we have decided to focus on Blu-ray products.”

“With the explosion of HDTVs, customers are hungry for quality, high definition content. We believe our move to feature Blu-ray should help consumers feel confident in their hi-def content choices,” said Mike Vitelli, Best Buy’s senior vice president, Home Solutions. “Best Buy is excited by the next generation of digital products and we know our customers are too. We are excited about helping customers find the right mix of products and services to make the next generation of high definition entertainment technology come alive for them. We believe that Blu-ray is the right solution for consumers.”

Best Buy currently carries a wide array of Blu-ray hardware and software products. The company noted that it will continue to carry an assortment of HD-DVD products for customers who desire to purchase these products.

www.bestbuy.com

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Netflix, Citing a Clear Signal From the Industry, Will Carry High-Def DVDs Only in Blu-ray Format

With the industry now having picked a winner in the face-off between the two competing high- definition DVD formats, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), the world's largest online movie rental service, today said that it will move toward stocking high-def DVDs exclusively in the Blu-ray format.

Citing the decision by four of the six major movie studios to publish high-def DVD titles only in the Sony-developed Blu-ray format, Netflix said that as of now it will purchase only Blu-ray discs and will phase out by roughly year's end the alternative high-def format, HD DVD, developed by Toshiba.

Since the first high-definition DVDs came on the market in early 2006, Netflix has stocked both formats. But the company said that in recent months the industry has stated its clear preference for Blu-ray and that it now makes sense for the company to initiate the transition to a single format.

"The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition," said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix. "We're now at the point where the industry can pursue the migration to a single format, bring clarity to the consumer and accelerate the adoption of high-def. Going forward, we expect that all of the studios will publish in the Blu-ray format and that the price points of high-def DVD players will come down significantly. These factors could well lead to another decade of disc-based movie watching as the consumer's preferred means."

Added Mr. Sarandos: "From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers who want high- definition to be an important part of how they enjoy our service."

While only a portion of Netflix subscribers have elected to receive high- def DVDs, a majority of those subscribers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD. As part of the transition to Blu-ray, the company said it will acquire no new HD DVDs but that its current HD DVD inventory would continue to rent until the discs' natural life cycle takes them out of circulation in the coming months.

When Warner Home Video announced last month that by the end of this year it will release high-def titles exclusively in the Blu-ray format, it joined fellow majors Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment in endorsing Blu-ray. Currently, the two remaining majors, Paramount Home Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Entertainment, publish in the HD DVD format.

Netflix currently stocks over 400 Blu-ray titles, having recently added popular releases such as Across the Universe (Sony), Gone Baby Gone (Buena Vista), and the Academy Award-nominated Michael Clayton (Warner Bros.). Blu-ray titles scheduled for release in the next month or so include the Academy Award nominated No Country for Old Men (Walt Disney), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Sony), and Alvin and the Chipmunks (20th Century Fox).

www.netflix.com

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Aleratec Launches 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS, Industry's First LightScribe Disc Publisher With Blu-ray

Aleratec Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of "Prosumers' Choice" solutions for the Blu-ray, DVD/CD, Flash, HDD, USB duplicating, and DVD/CD publishing markets, today announced its innovative new 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS(tm), a LightScribe-enabled disc publisher supporting Blu-ray recording. The 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS incorporates three, 6x, SATA Blu-ray drives that can simultaneously produce up to 3 silkscreen quality, direct to disc DVD or CD LightScribe labels or up to 3 Blu-ray, DVD or CD disc copies in record time. The 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS has an eSATA connection to your computer for the most stable labeling and duplicating processes. For those that do not have an eSATA port on their computer, a dual channel eSATA host adapter is included FREE with purchase. The powerful Aleratec Disc Publishing Software Suite -- ideal all in one package for music, photos, video, data, and backup -- is also included FREE with purchase.

"Our development of the Aleratec Blu-ray 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS is in direct response to the growing demand for the higher capacities required for high definition video quality. With 6x LightScribe enabled Blu-ray recorders, the Aleratec 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS uses the highest speed Blu-ray recording technology and it will also produce direct to disc DVD and CD LightScribe labels," stated Perry Solomon, Aleratec President and CEO.

LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling is an integrated system that combines LightScribe-enabled DVD/CD recorders with specially coated LightScribe compliant media and the powerful Aleratec Disc Publishing Software Suite to produce precise, laser-etched, silkscreen quality labels with superior sharpness and clarity. LightScribe creates professional-looking CD and DVD labels right in the drive -- no messy markers or additional printing supplies required. Small and medium businesses can burn a few discs or many and complement each with descriptive titles, content lists, graphics or company logos on their labels.

"Combining the latest Blu-ray drive technology with LightScribe's in-drive capabilities, Aleratec is introducing another disc publishing first." said Kent Henscheid, LightScribe Marketing Manager.

The 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS supports 50GB capacity double layer BD media. To take full advantage of Blu-ray's BD disc capacity, the unique Aleratec Blu-ray system supports 6x BD recording speeds and has an eSATA interface to the computer improving data transfer characteristics during recording or copying. With the Aleratec Disc Duplicating and Disc Recording Software Suite, you can make up to 50GB compilations on your hard drive and quickly make 3 simultaneous copies. And with up to 50GB disc capacity, the 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS is an excellent back up device.

Making the highest performance disc publishing solutions affordable and simple for everyone has always been a goal for Aleratec. With a low Estimated Retail Price of $3,199, the 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS (Aleratec Part # 260163, Ingram Micro SKU N69467), has the BD high per disc capacity needed for the latest high definition applications and with 6x BD recording speeds Blu-ray discs are recorded with the latest high speed technology.

Aleratec also offers Aleratec brand Blu-ray 1x-2x BD-R 25GB Duplicator Grade 10-Pack media (Aleratec Part # 370100, Ingram Micro SKU N20920) optimized for delivering higher definition picture and sound quality. Aleratec BD-R media can hold 25GB, for recording over 2 hours of HD video or 23 hours of standard definition video or just PC data storage. The duplicator grade 10-Pack of BD-R media has a low Estimated Retail Price of $189 making Aleratec's Blu-ray package the right choice for Prosumers, Businesses, Government and Education users.

The full line of Aleratec solutions, and accessories is featured at 4SURE.com, AAFES, Adorama, Amazon.com, B&H Photo Video, Best Buy, Buy.com, CDW, Circuit City, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett Packard, Insight, J & R, Mac Connection, MacMall, Meijer, Micro Center, NewEgg, Office Depot, PC Connection, PC Mall, PC Nation, ProVantage, Quill, Ritz Camera, Staples, Target, Tech Depot and Wal-Mart in addition to other leading retailers. Government and Education customers may purchase from Government and Education Specialists including AAFES, B&H Photo Video Gov, Best Buy Gov/Ed, CDW-G, CompuCom, Daly Computer, EnPointe, Fed Tek, GCI, GE IT Solutions, GovConnection, GOVPLACE, Green Pages, GTSI, Horizon, Insight Gov, INTELLI-TECH, PC Mall Gov, Pomeroy, Sarcom, Sayers, Shi.com, Softchoice, Sparco.com, telcobuy, TIG, and Unisys. All products are available to resellers in the U.S. through D&H Distributing, DBL Distributing, and Ingram Micro, and in Canada through D&H Canada and Ingram Micro Canada.

Complete information available at http://www.aleratec.com.

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PLDS Licenses Qflix

Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that PLDS (Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions Corp.) has signed a Qflix™ technology and IP licensing agreement. PLDS is integrating Qflix technology into a range of optical disc drives planned for release this year that will enable downloaded movies and video programs to be recorded to DVD with Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption. As the industry-approved content protection mechanism used on mass-produced discs, CSS has been deemed essential by many major content providers for the electronic sell through of premium entertainment. The Qflix drives by PLDS are available for duplication system vendors providing custom DVD manufacturing services to Internet retailers, as well as PC manufacturers developing consumer desktops and notebooks.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with Sonic Solutions to create a new entertainment distribution model that will offer consumers a convenient and reliable way to purchase and enjoy premium content in the home," said Charlie Tseng, General Manager of PLDS’ Optical Disc Drive Business Unit. "By participating in the Qflix technology and IP licensing program, we are able to add an exciting new capability to our comprehensive range of drives and provide our premier system manufacturers with the opportunity to differentiate their solutions."

PLDS is now taking orders on a complete line of Qflix drives for integration in desktop computers and notebooks. In addition to DVD-RW drives, PLDS also plans to release Qflix Blu-ray Disc Combo drives that will offer Blu-ray Disc playback and DVD video recording. The Qflix brand will be featured on consumer products and services including compatible recordable media and video download services as a symbol for consumers looking for legitimate "purchase, download, and burn" solutions. Qflix is also the label for the technology and licensing program that includes product and component certification to enable content owners, service providers, and manufacturers of recordable media, PC DVD writers, network-connected DVD recorders, set-top boxes, and software to create compatible and interoperable solutions.

"The market is poised to fulfill the promise of electronic sell-through and give consumers a legal way to purchase entertainment on demand and burn it to DVD," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic Solutions' Advanced Technology Group. "We are delighted to partner with industry leaders such as PLDS to develop secure, reliable, and compatible electronic sell-through systems."

The royalty-bearing Qflix licensing program for media and optical drive manufacturers was established by Pioneer and Sonic to facilitate the adoption of secure download and burn applications in accordance with the approved industry specifications for recording downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association.

www.qflix.com
www.sonic.com

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Discgear Expands Media Storage Solutions Line of Products

Discgear, a CD3 company, announces it has expanded its complete family of high end media storage solutions designed to catalog, organize, protect and retrieve precious digital media. The latest products include the Selector 100, the Studio 100 Retro Organization and Retrieval System, and the Discus Sport 20 double-sided on-the-go protection case. Now your music, photo and game collection can add style to your home decor rather than detract from it.

All Discgear products come with a lifetime warranty and may be purchased at discgear.com or major retail outlets including Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Hammacher Schlemmer, QVC and Target.

Studio 100 Retro Organization and Retrieval System: $29.95

Stores up to 100 discs
Stacks up to 3 units high
Five-second disc retrieval
Open front cover to reveal hidden disc index and find your desired disc's slot
Use the numbered tab pivot the disc sleeve out and remove your disc
Online disc indexing software
Patented recording surface protection
Removable sleeves pivot out for easy access
FREE bonus 'satellite' transports removable sleeves when you're on the go
Lifetime warranty / Colors: Black, Red, White

Selector 100 Disc Organization and Retrieval System: $59.95

Stores 100 CD, DVD, game or photo discs
Patented one-touch, five-second disc retrieval system
Automatic one-touch pop-up lid presents discs to you
Disc Index slides and hides
Disc indexing software with interchangeable title sheet designs allow printable reference guide
Great for archiving CD and DVD collections
Self-aligning slots
Patented recording surface protection
Locks for safe transport
Lifetime Warranty; comes in black or white

Discus Sport 20: Disc Protection to the Extreme: $29.95

Transports 20 CD, DVD, game or photo discs
Double-sided; stores discs on both sides of sleeves for compact design
Water friendly; water-resistant and floats
Sporty, rugged, impact-resistant outer shell
Shields from extreme temperatures
Cloth pockets protect media from dust and scratches
Lifetime warranty
Available in black, blue and yellow

www.discgear.com

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The Fate of Earth is in your Hands as Classic Space Ace releases on High Definition this Spring

Ready your laser gun for a cutting-edge high definition gaming experience when Space Ace arrives on Blu-ray and HD DVD from Digital Leisure. The follow-up to last year’s release of Dragon’s Lair, Space Ace has been completely restored and enhanced with an all-new 5.1 surround sound mix.

From legendary animator Don Bluth (An American Tail, The Land Before Time), Space Ace allows you to play the heroic Ace who must stop the evil Commander Borf from taking over the Earth! Armed with only a laser gun, Ace must find and destroy the ‘Infanto Ray’, rescue his girlfriend Kimberly and save the Earth. All in a day’s work for a superhero, right?

Space Ace was authored in both the Blu-ray Java environment (BD-J) and in HDi with advanced interactivity for HD DVD which will allow users of both formats to enjoy a fully arcade-authentic experience.

All of the special features on the disc were shot natively in 1080p including all-new interviews with creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, and for the first time a full length visual commentary of the game.

The Blu-ray disc includes the following special features:

Interviews with game creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman & Rick Dyer
Picture in Picture video commentary from the creators
Viewing Mode Option: Widescreen (16:9) or Anamorphic (4:3) video playback
Watch Mode – Watch Don Bluth’s stunning animation without playing
Subtitled: English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German

The HD DVD includes the following special features:

“Leisure Online” – A unique online player experience that includes “Head 2 Head” gaming - an incredible first for the HD DVD format.
Interviews with game creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman & Rick Dyer
Picture in Picture video commentary from the creators
Viewing Mode Option: Widescreen (16:9) or Anamorphic (4:3) video playback
Watch Mode – Watch Don Bluth’s stunning animation without playing
Subtitled: English, French, Spanish, Italian and German

Space Ace Blu-ray and HD DVD will be available April 8th at many software and movie retailers as well as online at www.digitalleisure.com. Digital Leisure plans to follow up the release of Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace with Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp later this year.

www.digitalleisure.com For screenshots and artwork visit the following link: http://www.digitalleisure.com/SpaceAce

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CDA producing the 3X DVD

Thuringia-based CDA has started production of the first 3X-format DVDs thus expanding its range by another innovative product. "The 3X-DVD is a lower-cost alternative for our customers to replicate video content in HD quality ", said Dr Nicolaus Hettler, Managing Director of CDA.

The 3X-DVD is a DVD in the physical sense, but the file system and the data structure are that of a HD DVD. This format is compatible with commercial HD DVD players. Its memory capacity of up to 9 GB makes it highly interesting for HD short movies, HD movie trailers or corporate presentations of HD quality.

CDA is capable of producing all DVD formats as 3X-DVD. The advantage of a DVD 10 in 3Xformat is that the medium can be played back both as DVD and 3X-DVD. On request CDA adds the AACS copy protection.

www.cda.de

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