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Beyond cds
Two new technologies that are already changing the way we listen to music are Super Audio CDs (SACD) and DVD Audio discs (DVD-A). SACD and DVD-A both offer the added benefit of reproducing music in true Surround Sound 5.1 whereas a normal CD is capable only of stereo playback. Although many car systems offer a "surround sound experience" that effect is often achieved electronically and has little or nothing to do with the original recording. As a side note, the "5.1" designation refers to the number of monitors (speakers) a system uses. Audio engineer Chris Rolfe explained, "The '.1' in 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 (and, yes, even 10.2) systems refers to the Low Frequency Effect channel, that is, the subwoofer…." The first number is the number of normal speakers. So an in-car system that offers Surround Sound 5.1 offers five speakers with one subwoofer.
SACD was developed by Sony and uses a more sophisticated recording method, but has yet to find its way into the in-car audio world.
Regarding DVD-A technology, Cznik says, "DVD Audio is meant to be a higher-resolution 'successor' to the CD." DVD-A improves sound quality by offering higher resolution, which is achieved by using a higher sample rate. What this means to the average consumer is that DVD-A offers a fuller and more accurate sound experience over normal CDs — music with as much as 500 times higher resolution over a CD but in the same compact size medium. We've experienced a DVD-A system for ourselves, and the sound quality is excellent — a true rival to the stellar Mark Levinson systems we've raved about in the past.
Acura is leading the charge for DVD-A in-car systems. The 2004 Acura TL offers a DVD-A system that will also play normal CDs. In addition, the Acura system allows for more flexible control of the sound by offering more separate level controls than most other systems currently on the market. Although Acura is the first to offer this in-car technology, we wouldn't be surprised to see it in other vehicles in the near future.
The only real drawback to DVD-A is the small number of available titles. The list is growing, and clearly, many top sellers of the past will be released on DVD-A, but what is the chance you or I will be able to replace our entire CD collection with DVD-A? Czink advises, "Just like with the advent of CDs, I think we'll see lots of activity from the major labels rereleasing their old catalog material while they feel out the market. Old material doesn't cost as much to produce…I think that the majority of stuff that's currently on CD will probably not make it onto a higher-resolution format unless it's a proven seller." So look for Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon to make it to DVD-A but perhaps not the collected works of Culture Club.
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