AudioRevolution.com
has learned that Sony Music among all of the other major record labels,
are testing DVD/CD dual discs in Seattle and Boston during the month of
February. Sources tell AR than the discs Sony Music are testing use the
DVD side of the disc for a PCM stereo version of the record while the
other major labels are putting MLP 5.1 surround on the DVD side of the
flip disc - much like you would see on a DVD-Audio release.
A manager at a major music retailer tells AudioRevolution.com that the test marketing project which stated on February 3, 2004 includes a major push from all of the major labels although he had not yet received titles from Universal Music Groups and EMI. They are expected in a day or so.
The shocker is the involvement of Sony Music who’s parent company has fought a ugly format war between their powerful SACD format and DVD-Audio. As recently as last week sources inside Sony Music told AudioRevolution.com that Sony Music supports SACD and had no comment on DVD-Audio but did express enthusiasm for music on DVD-Video.
While a unified front for one for high resolution audio format is what audio enthusiasts and early adopters have been begging for, there is still no guarantee that Sony Music will bail on SACD. The big question is, will people buy CD/DVD-Audio flip discs during the test market and will they actually function without vast returns. One of the big concerns about the dual disc is the thickness of the discs. Reportedly, those problems have been solved but only a limited release to consumers will tell the real reliability story. If everything goes well, expect to see all of the labels to make a big push to get these discs away from the “audiophile” section in the back of the store and moved into the mainstream bins and into displays at the front of the store.
CD/DVD-Audio Flip Disc Titles Being Test Marketed, February 2004:
A manager at a major music retailer tells AudioRevolution.com that the test marketing project which stated on February 3, 2004 includes a major push from all of the major labels although he had not yet received titles from Universal Music Groups and EMI. They are expected in a day or so.
The shocker is the involvement of Sony Music who’s parent company has fought a ugly format war between their powerful SACD format and DVD-Audio. As recently as last week sources inside Sony Music told AudioRevolution.com that Sony Music supports SACD and had no comment on DVD-Audio but did express enthusiasm for music on DVD-Video.
While a unified front for one for high resolution audio format is what audio enthusiasts and early adopters have been begging for, there is still no guarantee that Sony Music will bail on SACD. The big question is, will people buy CD/DVD-Audio flip discs during the test market and will they actually function without vast returns. One of the big concerns about the dual disc is the thickness of the discs. Reportedly, those problems have been solved but only a limited release to consumers will tell the real reliability story. If everything goes well, expect to see all of the labels to make a big push to get these discs away from the “audiophile” section in the back of the store and moved into the mainstream bins and into displays at the front of the store.
CD/DVD-Audio Flip Disc Titles Being Test Marketed, February 2004:
| Dist | Sel # | Label | Artist | Title | UPC# P.O. # | Order Qty |
| WEA | 48650 | WB | Barenaked Ladies | Everything To Everyone | 0-9362-48650-2-5 | Jan 20 04 30 |
| WEA | 278016 | RHI | Fagen, Donald | The Nightfly | 0-8122-78016-2-5 | Jan 20 04 30 |
| WEA | 48637 | WB | Linkin Park | Reanimation | 0-9362-48637-2-4 | Jan 20 04 30 |
| WEA | 62934 | EE | Elliot, Missy | This Is Not A Test | 0-7559-62934-2-6 | Jan 20 04 30 |
| WEA | 83704 | ATL | P.O.D. | Payable On Death | 0-7567-83704-2-7 | Jan 20 04 30 |
| EA | 78105 | RHI | R.E.M. | Automatic For the People | 0-8122-78105-2-8 | Jan 20 04 30 |
| WSMD | 90829 | Dave Brubeck | Time Out | 82796-90829-2-8 | 15- Jan 20 |
|
| SMD | 90830 | Audioslave | Audioslave | 82796-90830-2-4 | 15- Jan 20 |
|
| SMD | 90831 | Good Charlotte | The Young and. . . | 82796-90831-2-3 | 15- Jan 20 |
|
| SMD | 90789 | Barbra Streisand | The Movie Album | 82796-90789-2-1 | 15- Jan 20 |
|
| SMD | 90828 | AC/DC | Back in Black | 82796-90828-2-9 | 15- Jan 20 |
|
| MD | 90743 | David Bowie | Reality | 82796-90743-2-9 | 15- Jan 20 |
|
| SUMG 6- | B0001753-82 | A&M | Sheryl Crow | The Globe Sessions | 02498-61433-4 | Jan 20 04 5 |
| UMG | B0001746-82 | Republic | 3 Doors | Down Away From The Sun | 6-02498-61414-3 | Jan 20 04 5 |
| UMG | B0001750-82 | Island | Andrew W.K. | The Wolf | 6-02498-61423-5 | Jan 20 04 5 |
| BMG |
||||||
| EMI |
Like this article? Bookmark and share with any of the sites below.
