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.

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