Blu-ray, not just successor to DVD-Video but also to audio CD...

[welwynnick]

I don't think blu-audio will replace CD, as there are too many cheap CD players already out there.

There is a good opportunity to take up the mantle of hi-def M/C audio from SACD & DVDA, though.

People are concentrating on the technicalities of the formats, which I don't think is the issue. SACD & DVDA had all that, but never gained any widespread commercial awareness.

I think Blu-ray may succeed here for some of the same reasons it beat HDDVD. It has a good image that the public can relate to, where there is a clear route from technology to user benefit, and some of these intangiables can be very important.

My fingers have long been crossed for this opportunity. The great thing is that loads of people will already have the HW needed to take advantage of it. SW prices have got to be realistic, though.

Nick

[docjan_uk]

I can't see it, people buying HD music that they'll only beable to play on their blu-ray players?
Maybe if you could rip MP3's from them for all your other usage too. Though frankly, again, why not just bypass the physical medium? HD audio doesn't take up nearly the same amount of space as HD video.

[oscar_in_fw]

I'm part of the niche market that wants high resolution music playback and most of my collection is on SACD. I'm also a big fan of well-done multichannel audio. Still I listen mostly to stereo SACD because of the higher quality of the 2-channel system and scarcity of good multichannel SACD material.

Blu-ray high def video, hi-rez audio music videos have already appeared and I expect that number to start growing. I've only bought a handful of DVD music videos because of the lossy soundtracks but Blu-ray will be a completely different beast.

Now that the format war is over, I'm hoping the smaller audiophile labels will start releasing in high resolution PCM (e.g. Reference Recordings 5.1 24/88.1 or stereo 24/176.2 Mhz master tapes should sound awesome).

[marzetta7]

I don't forsee any issue of being able to rip a Blu-ray audio disc into an Apple Losless format or .mp3 just like you do today with CDs (via iTunes).

So essentially, portability wouldn't be an issue with Blu-ray audio theoretically.

[lateralus85]

I dont believe blu ray music will take over CD but I do believe that new artists would want their music to be listened to at its highest possible format and you will see maybe only the die hard fans would buy the blu ray version.

Also I agree that $75 is a bit expensive. I know it comes with the double CD valued at $10. You get a different case and extra book a DVD date disk where all the song are listed and every individuel instrument so you can mix the music as you please (which has no influence on me at all) and the blu ray disk where high quaility audio including a slide show.
If the price went down to about $50 which is about $20 more than their concert on blu ray then I would say it would be well worth it.

However being a fan as I am and having a blu ray player I would most likely order the $75 version.

[MSG33]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

I don't forsee any issue of being able to rip a Blu-ray audio disc into an Apple Losless format or .mp3 just like you do today with CDs (via iTunes).

So essentially, portability wouldn't be an issue with Blu-ray audio theoretically.

While there is no technical issue with that, I doubt the record labels would go for that any time soon. The main reason that downloading services like iTunes are as crippled and low quality and highly restrictive DRM is because the labels don't want people to be able to download lossless quality audio, legally or otherwise.

Even still, I think we're more likely to see higher bitrate, lossless-format audio available from downloading services than on physical media like Bluray. Lossless audio is far less data/bandwidth requirement than the 720p downloads that are already available.

For things like concerts etc. though I wouldn't be surpised at all if we see more 5:1 high-quality concert videos included, but I doubt regular albums will be released that way.

[emm7th]

BD-Audio remains an option for the Record Labels... it's up to them how to market and sell...

[Beta Man]

I like my 2-Channel setup.......

[oscar_in_fw]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I like my 2-Channel setup.......

So do I... but SACD/DVD-A have fallen by the wayside and Blu-ray looks like the only remaining viable digital optical format for high resolution audio. I'd take a serious look at "mere" 2-channel 24/96 (or higher) PCM releases from the audiophile labels on Blu-ray discs.

If you are referring to a decent turntable setup, all bets off. Though I'd like to listen to comparisons of Reference Recordings vinyl releases vs. their 24/176.2 PCM counterparts.

[emm7th]

I hope E.S. Posthumus will release their albums in hi-res audio on Blu-ray... that'll be a really nice soundtrack demo...