"Watermark could reduce the perceived quality of DVD-A to somewhere betweena good MiniDisc and a below-average CD," says a leading classical recording engineer. The record industry's search for a "watermarking" system that would make itpossible to trace the origin of digital audio recordings despite their processing through internet audio compression techniques such as MP3 (MPEG I Layer 3) and the copying of high-density digital media such as DVD-Audio discs, has run into another major problem.

DVD-Audio, the technology that will replace the CD as the world’s standard for music playback, is still in development with the hold up being CSS codes for copyright protection. The big manufacturers have players ready to roll but until Working Group 4 gives the standard the OK everything is on hold. In a way the waiting period is good in that it gives the record companies and media empires a chance to understand how 24/96 resolution is better than 16/44.1 as well as how 5.1 audio gives them a one -- two punch when trying to resell their lucrative catalogs. Catalog sales make up more than half of most labels yearly profits and with Gen-X demanding more WOW factor from their music technology, DVD-Audio is going to be able to ride the market success of DVD-Video.

For those of you who like to take your music with you on the road, Panasonic has created the CQ-DVR909 in-dash mobile DVD-Audio/Video head unit. Featuring Center Fold, a distinctive fold-out center channel speaker, the CQ-DVR909 will be available in July, at a suggested retail price of $1999.95. Panasonic has a complete line of DVD-Audio ready speakers in the works for automotive applications. Also expect to see a portable DVD-Audio player released in the late fall/early winter of 2000. No model number or retail price is available yet. More about DVD-Audio DVD-Audio uses linear Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) offering ultra hi-fi (up to 192kHz/24-bit) 2-channel audio or up to 6 channels of hi-fi multi-channel sound and 74 minutes or more of play time on a CD-size disc. Another benefit to DVD-Audio players is the fact that they can play DVD-Video discs and ...

Inside sources tell AudioRevolution.com that the current hold-up on the DVD-Audio standard by Working Group 4 is due to problems involved in interfacing the DVD-RW (recordable) standard with DVD-Audio playback formats. Originally, the CSS encryption coding for copyright protection was the snag. The wait may be worth it for the consumer. DTS and other U.S. electronics and licensing firms are sending their politicians to Japan to lobby next week on behalf of the recordable standards.

SilverLine Records, part of 5.1 Entertainment Group, a new player in the 5.1 software business, is releasing 17 classical and jazz titles recorded in DTS and AC3, stored on DVD-V discs. Some of the more notable titles include Handel’s ‘Messiah’ (London Symphony), Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ (London Symphony) and a number of compilation records.