The competition for high-definition audio continues with DVD-Audio competing head-to-head with Sony's SACD format. Both formats rely on DVDs massive storage capacity and a lossless compression called MLP to cram as much data as possible on a single disc. While some SACD discs will play in standard CD players, DVD-Audio discs can only play in DVD players.

What is DVD-Audio?
DVD-Audio simply improves upon the same technology used to create standard stereo CDs. The main differences being that DVD-Audio increases the sampling rate from 44,100 samples per second to 96,000 samples per second, and increases the bit rate to 16-bit to 24-bit. This higher resolution is what makes DVD-Audio sound so much better than a standard CDs. The extra information provides more detailed music and allows for a much more natural sound quality compared to CD.

Why Should You Care
The music industry now has a way to deliver the sound quality that musicians and recording engineers have been hearing in the studio for decades. This enables both new and old music to be recorded to DVD-Audio in its full glory in high definition. Music recordings from the 60s and 70s can sound just as good as recent recordings, enabling you to go back in time and enjoy music the way it was intended by the artists to be heard.

What's on a DVD-Audio Disc?
DVD-Audio does offer many audio options over SACD. For one, almost all DVD-Audio discs come with both multi-channel and stereo versions of the high resolution music. This is important because to listen to multi-channel surround music (as with SACD) you need to have a 6-channel analog input on your receiver or preamp. Many people will lack this option and stereo playback will be their only option to hear DVD-Audio. With SACD, you either have a multi-channel disc or a stereo disc, and you have to look closely at the labels to make sure you get the right one for you.

Another increasingly offered option on DVD-Audio discs is the inclusion of a DTS Surround Sound version of the music on the same disc. While DTS is not a high resolution format and relies on a lossy compression scheme, it can satisfy those that wish to hear multi-channel audio through the digital coaxial or optical audio connection offered on all DVD players. DTS offers a way for consumers to enjoy multi-channel audio now, with technology they already have.

So How's DVD-Audio Sound?
In short, simply breathtaking. Compared to a normal stereo CD, the "high-resolution" moniker is simply not enough enough to describe the sound quality of DVD-Audio. Just what makes it sound better...

Dynamic Balance
The contrast between the quietest musical passages and the loudest ones is referred to as "Dynamics". With DVD-Audio this contrast level is much greater than that of normal CDs. The simplest way to explain the difference is that when comparing CDs to DVD-Audio, CDs sound like the extreme highs and lows have been cut off, leaving you to hear whatever is left in the middle.

Sound Level
Along with great audio dynamics comes the sound levels. DVD-Audio can also play much louder without any strain. It's the sound level that makes the dynamic balance happen by allowing quiet musical passages to be rendered softly, and really loud passages to snap out with great presence.

Clarity
Playing louder and with great dynamics is one thing, but it's the clarity at which everything sounds that'll take you away. DVD-Audio offers you the ability to hear the little sonic nuances of instruments. Not only during instrument solos (which CDs can reproduce well), but more amazing is the fact the you'll hear all the nuances while many instruments play at once... something only the most expensive CDs players can come close to accomplishing.

Airiness
This is a very important part of a recording because it gives a sense of depth around the instruments portrayed in the recording. DVD-Audio simply offers a much greater sense of depth and air, which aids in the realism the music recording is trying to portray.

Smoother
Smoother is a much welcome audio feature of DVD-Audio. The biggest complaint among music lovers with the CD format is the format's harsh and cold sound. Compared to LPs, CDs did offer better sound by not having any of the hisses, pops, and scratch problems that plagued LP, but now with DVD-Audio there's something available that can match the smooth, natural sound of LPs with all the advantages CDs offered. With DVD-Audio, music now takes on a very natural sound.

How you most likely will hear the difference
If you're into music you're most likely picky about the CDs you buy, and have come across many exceptional stereo recordings that you can't imagine being improved upon. When first hearing DVD-Audio you'll notice that it sounds like a very well recorded CD, but better. You'll hear peaks and lulls in the music in greater contrast, but at first you might think DVD-Audio to be a subtle difference compared to well mastered audio CDs.

But then the startling difference is found to be true when, after listening to DVD-Audio for only 30 minutes or so, you go back to some of the best CDs you own to hear the biggest disappointment... all of the them sound dull, less detailed, and less full than the DVD-Audio music you just heard.

The Bad News
Now that your into the new DVD-Audio format you would like to snatch up new versions of some of your favorite CDs in high-resolution DVD-Audio, but you can't. There's relatively few DVDs available, and even fewer stores that carry DVD-Audio. (You actually have more available online). What worse is that among the 300 plus DVD-Audio titles available, less than half would be considered mainstream music.

Some of your favorite bands will also only be available in the SACD format as far as high-res audio is concerned. So you may find yourself wondering why you bothered with the format and the answer is simple... you may already own a DVD player that includes DVD-Audio on it, or your next one will. Both DVD-Audio and SACD can be found in DVD players as low as $200. Granted more expensive DVD players will sound a little better, but the option for mainstream consumers to get into high-res audio is pretty amazing.

While DVD-Audio and SACD won't skyrocket off the shelves like CDs once did when they were introduced, more and more people will have the option of giving the DVD-Audio format a try.

Only in DVD players
The fact that DVD-Audio can only play in DVD players versus SACD is actually a good thing. Both SACD and DVD-Audio use DVD discs which, just like DVD movie discs, are extremely fragile to dust and scratches. CDs on the other hand are very durable and can still play reliably after many scratches. Promoting the rugged use of DVDs in a car stereo environment can only produce a large amount of scratched, and unusable DVDs.

The reasoning behind not allowing for playback in a standard CD players can be seen from a logical perspective as well. DVD-Audio is for those that want to hear high resolution audio, and such critical aficionados of music most likely listen in this manner within a critical listening environment. Most consumers' best gear is relegated to the home theater, and it therefore makes sense to only support playback in that type of environment where the advantages of the format can be appreciated.

Buying Advice
If your looking for a new DVD player and love music you should definitely look at DVD players that include the DVD-Audio format. You will get better audio quality from the more expensive players, but the cheaper DVD-Audio players are extremely competent.

DVD-Audio discs cost $18-$22 just like movies DVDs, but what you get is some of the best audio you've ever heard... even better than movie surround mixes. If your into music, you should definitely take DVD-Audio for a spin.