What are DVD-Audio discs?
DVD-Audio (or DVD-A) is a music format that offers very high quality audio, longer playing times and the possibility of additional features not available on normal CDs.
How are DVD-Audio discs recorded?
DVD-Audio uses a new form of lossless audio compression known as Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP). This means that none of the audio information is discarded and allows for more data to be fitted onto the DVD-A disc without loss of quality.
DVD-A discs can therefore provide ‘Advanced Resolution’ surround sound (multi-channel surround sound up to 6 channels) and stereo (two channels) as well as the same track in Dolby 5.1.
Some discs may include DTS 5.1 and LPCM stereo sound.
What types of DVD-A disc are available?
There are four different kinds of DVD-A discs:
|
Capacity |
Layers |
Sides |
DVD-5 |
4.7GB |
1 |
1 |
DVD-9 |
8.54GB |
2 |
1 |
DVD-10 |
9.4GB |
1 |
2 |
DVD-18 |
17.08GB |
2 |
2 |
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DVD-As vs. CDs
What is the difference between DVD-As and CDs?
DVD-A discs can hold up to seven times the data of a standard CD. This means that the sampling rate of a DVD-Audio can be up to 192kHz, compared to 44.1kHz for CD, and the digital sound signal can contain more information. DVD-As can also offer multi-channel surround sound, which CDs cannot.
What is the difference between DVD-As and standard DVDs?
DVD video is primarily a visual format. The available space on the disc is reserved mostly for video data, with less capacity used for the sound. Because of this, standard DVDs have compressed stereo and multi-channel surround sound signals.
DVD-A is primarily an audio format, and the majority of the disc space is used for the superior sound signal. Therefore DVD-A discs can offer ‘Advanced Resolution’ stereo and multi-channel surround, without requiring the compression methods used on standard DVDs to save space.
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Playing DVD-Audio discs
What do I need to play DVD-A discs?
You simply need a DVD player. DVD-A discs will offer you outstanding Dolby Digital multi-channel surround sound from any standard DVD player connected to a multi-channel surround sound playback system.
In order to enjoy the full ‘Advanced Resolution’ audio quality offered by DVD-Audio, however, a dedicated DVD-Audio player is required.
In order to view the disc menu options and interactive features offered on the DVD-A disc, you will need to use your TV. However, you can enjoy recorded music without the use of your TV, since the disc will play just like a CD.
Can I play DVD-A discs on a standard DVD player?
The vast majority of modern DVD players are ‘universal’ players which means that they support the DVD-Audio format. Also, most DVD-A discs contain a Dolby 5.1 surround sound track, allowing them to be played on an ordinary DVD player.
Can I play CDs on a DVD-Audio player?
Yes, CDs will play on a DVD-Audio player as they do on most DVD players.
What special features does DVD-Audio support?
DVD-A discs can contain a lot more than just the audio track, including video clips, photos, song lyrics, artists bibliographies, DVD-ROM data and interactive menus.
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