Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here SACD

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yeah, but these days it's more about Gaga and Beiber on iTunes than any of the artists you mentioned on Blu-ray-Audio. This is the sad reality of the industry.

I agree, but those artists can still move 15,000 copies on vinyl...so if they can do the same on Blu-ray then they're doing several times better than any pop/rock SACD's or DVD-A's are doing these days and I imagine the market will be bigger than vinyl if they continue to offer value added content like Damn The Torpedoes.

Comparing a sustainable market to what is currently #1 just seems a bit pointless and irrelevant to me. iTunes sales have levelled off in 2010, so they will have their ears to the ground and think tanks in gear coming up with new ideas to make money and sell records. We saw this recently with UMG's 10-years-too-late decision to drop CD's to $9.99. Personally I think the biggest mistake they ever made was dropping CD singles, people don't mind paying $1.99 for a single, they don't want to pay $19.99 for the album. They mucked up royally there. I still love my collection of CD5's.

[doctorsteve]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yeah, but these days it's more about Gaga and Beiber.

Speaking about bad haircuts - How 'bout THESE blokes:


Waters wore the Beiber first! Or is it that Beiber wears a Roger???

[botley]

When I look at Jimmy Iovine's comments to CNN about Apple upgrading its downloads, and the HD Tracks release of ABKCO's 24-bit Rolling Stones remasters, and the increasing number of other boutique websites offering lossless downloads, it seems to me the tide is turning on digital downloads towards a high definition option becoming more widespread. HDTV ushered in the remarkable acceptance of Blu-ray, and now people are spending money on upgrading their systems. That includes an upgrade in audio playback... it seems only logical that there MUST be demand out there for high-definition digital audio. If Apple is able to successfully market 24-bit lossless downloads for their iPods, that will be the turning point.

The only real advantage a hybrid SACD offers at this point is backwards compatibility for those who don't have a Blu-ray player (and the CD layer can be easily ripped to your computer, too). But I'm pretty sure more people have Blu-ray capability in their homes than SACD players, even if they regard it as being for movies first and foremost. In my opinion, Blu-ray audio would be the best option to get high definition recordings into the most hands, but when this particular remaster was developed, SACD was the format of choice. It's a pity that it has taken so long to get past that initial production stage, and SACD support has died out in the meantime! For me, the best of all possible worlds would be a 2-disc package, with both a Blu-ray disc and a hybrid SACD containing roughly the same content, along with a download coupon for 24-bit Apple Lossless compatible with iPods.

It's kind of a false distinction at this point to distinguish between "next-generation CD" and "next-generation DVD-A"... it's all digital audio. Blu-ray discs can deliver 192 kHz sampling rate at 24-bit lossless, even in multi-channel surround. That's a remarkable leap forward for a consumer format. DSD was a great innovation, but studios now have the capability to produce PCM masters (in the so-called "DXD" standard) that can equal or surpass DSD fidelity. If you put a DSD master next to a 192 kHz, 24-bit lossess conversion of the same thing, it would probably be hard to tell any difference. Gremal is right in that most people don't know or don't care that there is a difference between downloads and CD let alone high-definition audio. But there is a market for high-def downloads, too, and the major record labels are slowly starting to explore it. If it takes off like I hope it will, Blu-ray audio stands a chance of gaining firmer acceptance as well. They are not in competition with each other, as doctorsteve rightly points out; rather, demand for high-def in any and all forms will hopefully breed more high-def releases on the market.

KubrickFan: not sure if you knew this, but The Dark Side of the Moon SACD used the original stereo mix. Only James Guthrie's multichannel 5.1 surround sound layer was remixed, and it stayed pretty faithful to the stereo version.

[Gremal]

Yeah, I basically agree. Some of those points are discussed in this article, which is a pretty good read.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/05/134256...the-audiophile

[doctorsteve]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yeah, I basically agree. Some of those points are discussed in this article, which is a pretty good read.

A nice read, indeed. People Can and Do want better from all sources. I think we're becoming more quality-savvy. I feel Blu is poised to handle the disc-based material. A+V.

Doc

[bhampton]

I only own one SACD which happens to be the fantastic SACD of Dark Side of the Moon.

I can't wait for Wish You Were Here on SACD and I Wish It Was Here already.

When they re-issued a deluxe version of Piper at the Gates of Dawn (Pink Floyd's first release) the packaging with through several revisions but a SACD was planned to be one of the discs in a multi-disc version so I know the SACD version of Piper at the Gate of Dawn exists and Nick Mason has stated the entire catalog of Pink Floyd recordings would make it's way to SACD but of course it hasn't happened yet.

Needless to say, I am a very devoted fan of Pink Floyd... I just love the stuff so this is great news.

-Brian

[MickBurke]

Originally Posted by botley

I would love for there to be a Blu-ray disc version of this release, or even a high-definition 24-bit lossless version for download. Yes, SACD is nearly a dead format, but Roger Waters' Ca Ira, Live in Berlin and In the Flesh SACDs sounded fantastic... and of course, Dark Side of the Moon is the benchmark.

If only he released Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking on SACD!

[MickBurke]

It does kind of amaze me with all the redo's and re-releases that Floyd has done that they haven't gotten this SACD out. At this point, if they went to Blu-Ray Audio, I'd be OK with that. Not knowing the technical specs but just based on the Dark Side of the Moon and Moody blues SACDs I've got, I would expect that BD Audio is at least as good... I can't imagine I would do anything other than lean back in the 'optimum seat' with the lights out and let the sonic ocean that is Wish You Were Here wash over me!

Following that, I want Meddle, Obscured by Clouds and Animals. 180g LP releases would be nice too! <<inhaling to hold breath>>...

Mick

[Boob-Ray]

Originally Posted by doctorsteve

So to hand eternal dominance to downloads, simply because it's on the public's front burner is, well... I don't know what you call it, but I just can't agree. But that's OK.

True....but downloads are not locked into a particular format, unlike other digital physical formats, such as CD's which are stuck at 16bit/44.1khz, etc. That's a rather unique twist to the historical equation of media-format wars.

I think downloads are in their infancy -- and it already has market share. So I can see this eclipsing anything we've ever seen in the media/entertainment market. It's as close to a limitless possibility as there can be in a "format," largely because there's less "format" to contend with. Often it's just an updated codec, rather than a new machine.

Naturally there are barriers: no physical product, most audiophiles aren't set-up with hi-fi PC-based equipment. And, for now, lossless can be considered pretty much anything. CD quality in the Download world can be considered lossless and "hi-res." So what about 24bit/96...or when Floyd re-re-releases their catalog in 32/256?



Will I have to re-re-buy my Floyd catalog? Probably. But not a new "player."

[botley]

The problem, as the industry sees it, is that digital formats are usually immediately ripped and downloaded via illegitimate sources. They see inherent advantages in strongly copy-protected (though still by no means rip-proof) formats like SACD and Blu-ray over direct downloads.

In theory, wherever a paid download sounds good enough and directly supports an artist, the fan will choose that over the free-but-who-knows-where-it's-from option, as long as they have the money to afford it and know they'll enjoy the music.

[are1981]

All these years I've waited for a Wish You Were Here SACD have come to an end:

http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/latest...ities-and.html
https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mu...ml#post4712166

BD is a good substitute, although I would love an SACD, as they play immediately, just as a CD.

[KubrickFan]

Wow, those are incredible... and expensive .

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by are1981

All these years I've waited for a Wish You Were Here SACD have come to an end:

http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/latest...ities-and.html
https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mu...ml#post4712166

BD is a good substitute, although I would love an SACD, as they play immediately, just as a CD.

The Wish You Were Here SACD is coming out, it was licensed out to Acoustic Sounds' Analogue Productions label. The same label that handled the excellent Nat King Cole SACDs.

[dobyblue]

No word on who is mastering it though, but hopefully it will be audiophile quality, ie - nice and dynamic.

Key points for those looking for the SACD:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...121558323.html

LONDON, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pink Floyd and EMI Music, whose association dates from 1967, announce a comprehensive release schedule, to be launched on September 26, 2011, encompassing CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, SACD, an array of digital formats, viral marketing, iPhone Apps and a brand-new single-album 'Best Of' collection.

<snip>

The long-awaited 5.1 version of 'Wish You Were Here,' mixed by James Guthrie, will also be released in parallel via independent label Acoustic Sounds.

Presumably, given that none of the Immersion sets list SACD, the 5.1 WYWH from AS will be the SACD mentioned in the first paragraph.

The SACD will probably be $29.99, but if your only objective is to have high resolution surround sound Wish You Were Here then this will be a much cheaper option than the $100 box set containing the Blu-ray.

I hope EMI wakes up and does a Blu-ray SKU separately, but if not the SACD will be mine and I'll skip the box set. If they put the quad mixes in high resolution on the Blu-ray which they currently don't seem to have done, it will make the decision a little bit more difficult.

[MickBurke]

For anybody still looking for the Wish You Were Here SACD, it looks like this is the answer:

http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/latest...ities-and.html

The 'immersion' set for Wish You Were Here includes the Blu-Ray audio version, as the Dark Side of the Moon set includes the existing SACD of DSOTM ported to Blu-Ray. If you're a fan, I expect these will be Must Haves.

Mick

[are1981]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

The Wish You Were Here SACD is coming out, it was licensed out to Acoustic Sounds' Analogue Productions label. The same label that handled the excellent Nat King Cole SACDs.

I assumed the BD substituted the SACD that has been talked about for years.

Originally Posted by dobyblue

No word on who is mastering it though, but hopefully it will be audiophile quality, ie - nice and dynamic.

Key points for those looking for the SACD:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...121558323.html

Presumably, given that none of the Immersion sets list SACD, the 5.1 WYWH from AS will be the SACD mentioned in the first paragraph.

The SACD will probably be $29.99, but if your only objective is to have high resolution surround sound Wish You Were Here then this will be a much cheaper option than the $100 box set containing the Blu-ray.

I hope EMI wakes up and does a Blu-ray SKU separately, but if not the SACD will be mine and I'll skip the box set. If they put the quad mixes in high resolution on the Blu-ray which they currently don't seem to have done, it will make the decision a little bit more difficult.

This is new to me. Well, I'll buy the SACD too. Less work to play the disc is worth 30 dollars to me. (Why don't they make music on BD easier to play? Why don't they play like CDs? If I want the menu, for example for video content, I'm able to press 'menu' button.)

Originally Posted by MickBurke

For anybody still looking for the Wish You Were Here SACD, it looks like this is the answer:

http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/latest...ities-and.html

The 'immersion' set for Wish You Were Here includes the Blu-Ray audio version, as the Dark Side of the Moon set includes the existing SACD of DSOTM ported to Blu-Ray. If you're a fan, I expect these will be Must Haves.

Mick

Thank you, but link has already been posted... although without specifying which version that contains the high resolution 2.0 and 5.1 mixes.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by are1981

All these years I've waited for a Wish You Were Here SACD have come to an end:

http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/latest...ities-and.html
https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mu...ml#post4712166

BD is a good substitute, although I would love an SACD, as they play immediately, just as a CD.

I would much rather have the SACD, but glad that its coming out on blu ray at least.

[Gremal]

I am pretty sure, based on the PR, that an SACD and CD version will be made available along with downloadable hi-res and lossy versions. Looking forward to it.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Gremal

I am pretty sure, based on the PR, that an SACD and CD version will be made available along with downloadable hi-res and lossy versions. Looking forward to it.

Based on the PR only WYWH will have an SACD released exclusively through Acoustic Sounds.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Based on the PR only WYWH will have an SACD released exclusively through Acoustic Sounds.

That is great! Guess I should have read the PR Thanks for the info.