New Blu-ray audio format coming from Pioneer

[Clark Kent]

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/s...98&newsLang=en


2009 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To the excitement of audiophiles and music enthusiasts worldwide, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is hosting world famous recording legends Bill Schnee and Doug Sax at its Technical Audio Devices (TAD) suite in the Venetian Sands during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 8 – 11, 2009. Longtime collaborators, Schnee and Sax are showcasing their new high resolution recordings to be issued on a music-only format utilizing Blu-ray Disc technology, giving consumers an unprecedented opportunity to experience digital music that rivals 2-channel analog sound. With this unique partnership, Pioneer demonstrates its commitment to consistently offer consumers high performance entertainment that replicates the true intentions of creative professionals.

Bill Schnee and Doug Sax will be demonstrating their new home audio solution at the TAD suite in Venetian Tower Ven 34-208 at the following times:

* Thursday, January 8, 3 p.m.
* Friday, January 9, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
* Saturday, January 10, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
* Sunday, January 11, 11 a.m.

Working closely with Pioneer’s Chief Speaker Designer Andrew Jones, the duo will play a series of hand-selected tracks for attendees, including music recorded and mixed live to 2-channel high resolution digital. Replay will be through the TAD Compact Reference monitor speakers and a complimentary 24-bit/192Hz audio DAC for superior sound performance that transcends the capabilities of current audio equipment.

“While the industry has made a steady shift toward compressed audio, we believe that home audiences deserve a richer listening experience and there is a tremendous opportunity with emerging high definition technology to develop a medium that can successfully maintain the integrity of an original recording,” said Bill Schnee, award winning music engineer. “We look forward to fusing our visions with Pioneer to develop this format for Blu-ray, and giving a taste of what is to come at CES.”

The Legend of Sax and Schnee

With countless accolades including GRAMMY®, Emmy® and IATSE as well as equally impressive resumes, Bill Schnee and Doug Sax are cited for their extensive efforts in the high fidelity music arena. The duo are widely regarded for their revolutionary Direct-to-Disc LP recordings done for Sax’s Sheffield Lab Records that debuted more than 35 years ago. These hi-fi recordings are credited as some of the world’s best sounding albums as well as the ideal source content for demonstrating an array of audio equipment.

Introducing Modern High Fidelity

For discerning audio enthusiasts who wish to return to these roots, Schnee and Sax’s new format aims to restore the dynamic sound quality that is reminiscent of their direct-to-disc recordings but can now be mastered in high resolution digital for replay from Blu-ray Disc. In the near future, consumers will have the opportunity to purchase and enjoy live recordings with an astonishing quality not previously available.

Technical Audio Devices is a leading manufacturer of quality loudspeakers for professional and general consumer markets. Since 1975, TAD Pro Audio loudspeakers have been used in recording studios and professional sound production environments worldwide. With the establishment of TAD Home Audio the company’s flagship Reference One speaker, incorporating TAD proprietary beryllium diaphragms, delivers professional studio quality audio to consumers.

Pioneer Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of consumer and business-use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

PIONEER is a registered trademark of Pioneer Corporation.

TAD is a trademark of Pioneer Corporation.

[zicmubleu]

Isn't this format very similar to DVD-A? What is the format currently being used for the Blu-ray music discussed on this forum? And final question will my old Blu-ray player play this format, I am not sure I can update the firmware, etc.?

[Clark Kent]

I believe that regular Blu-ray players will be able to play this new format, even without firmware updates. This new format appears to be a high resolution stereo BD with no visual output. It is basically Blu-ray Profile 3.0, an optional specification that should be backward compatible with regular Blu-ray players.

[dobyblue]

That's right, but you'll see audiophile stuff being presented this way because those people will buy it, jazz, classical, etc.

When the major label start releasing albums on Blu-ray it will feature additional content in the form of video, interactivity, digital copy on CD, etc., otherwise it will sell as well as SACD's did.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

That's right, but you'll see audiophile stuff being presented this way because those people will buy it, jazz, classical, etc.

When the major label start releasing albums on Blu-ray it will feature additional content in the form of video, interactivity, digital copy on CD, etc., otherwise it will sell as well as SACD's did.

+1.

Unless they can get me a BD-Audio ONLY disc at a reasonable price, I ain't yet buying into it. There is enough of a selection of SACD around to satisfy me for now.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by John72953

+1.

Unless they can get me a BD-Audio ONLY disc at a reasonable price, I ain't yet buying into it. There is enough of a selection of SACD around to satisfy me for now.

There is a chance that the major American record labels will actually release popular titles in this format. Mainstream releases for SACD have been dwindling lately (and I own over 300 SACDs so I am no hater).

[rlw]

This is great; I'm in favor of any format which provides state-of-the-art audio. I skipped DVD-A and SACD, though, because they were never more than niche markets. I would welcome high-res music on BD, if playable on today's mainstream hardware, as a new, wide market for high quality sound.

But I have a question: what's the point of audio-only? Surely there is enough capacity and bandwidth on BD to provide video along with the best possible audio. I like concert discs at least as much as music-only discs. (I often prefer to keep my big screen occupied rather than blank.) And if all I want is audio, I can always turn off the display.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by rlw

But I have a question: what's the point of audio-only? Surely there is enough capacity and bandwidth on BD to provide video along with the best possible audio. I like concert discs at least as much as music-only discs. (I often prefer to keep my big screen occupied rather than blank.) And if all I want is audio, I can always turn off the display.

Many music lovers want a system like cd where no display is needed to navigate the disc. This should not affect live concert releases on Blu-ray, which will still have visuals and sound.

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I believe that regular Blu-ray players will be able to play this new format, even without firmware updates. This new format appears to be a high resolution stereo BD with no visual output. It is basically Blu-ray Profile 3.0, an optional specification that should be backward compatible with regular Blu-ray players.

Clark Kent - I picked up two Blu-ray concerts that I don't understand if they fall into this category or not, by the time I read through all the specs you guys mention, frenchglen, dobyblue, big daddy, crackinhedz, and you, my head is spinning. I don't have my system set up to listen to these yet, but it is a work in progress.

The two Blu-rays I picked up are U2 "Rattle and Hum", audio listed as 5.1 Ex Dolby Digital and 6.1 DTS; the other is Yes "Live at Montreux" with its audio listed as LPCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS HD (that seems to be a senseless term for audio). So are these in the format you are describing in this thread? These discs include video so I am leaning towards they are not, but then you also made it sound like BD 3.0 is a subset of BD 1.1 so maybe?.

Also the previous poster questioned, why have a Blu-ray audio only. I think it would make sense on the basis there is a significant base of players and sound systems for this format which could generate the interest that SACD and DVD-A never had. Thanks for your info Clark Kent.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by zicmubleu

The two Blu-rays I picked up are U2 "Rattle and Hum", audio listed as 5.1 Ex Dolby Digital and 6.1 DTS; the other is Yes "Live at Montreux" with its audio listed as LPCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS HD (that seems to be a senseless term for audio). So are these in the format you are describing in this thread? These discs include video so I am leaning towards they are not, but then you also made it sound like BD 3.0 is a subset of BD 1.1 so maybe?.

I am pretty sure those are just standard concert Blu-rays but they are both very good. There have been very, very few actual music-only BDs released yet and all of them so far have been classical music.

[rlw]

Did this ever happen? I haven't seen any reports that it has.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by rlw

Did this ever happen? I haven't seen any reports that it has.

A thread from the dim past. You are correct, little has happened in the meantime on music-only releases. I believe the record label AIX is dabbling in them, and of course there are still the handful of BD+SACD sets released by 2-L. Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music is coming out on Blu-ray, but that is not an album that will drive anyone to the format. The major labels are so hurt by declining revenues that none of them appear willing to create new markets for their catalogs.

[Davidk]

Tom petty has a blu-ray audio disc in his live boxed set , i was hoping this year will be the year we get a lot of this format ....

[AlexKx]

Please for God's sake let this happen!!! I've been waiting a DECADE!!!! I'll replace all 500 of my c.d.s!!!!