Audio News for May 13, 2008

Rescinding the 90-day Deadline on DTV Converter Coupons – The free $40 coupons that are now being sent out to consumers who requested them, to use towards the purchase of DTV converter boxes for their analog TVs, had a 90-day expiration.  If not used to get the new boxes (most of which cost around $60) right away, when February 2009 rolls around these procrastinators will be for the most part unable to watch any TV on their analog sets.  It was a dumb idea in the first place to have a cutoff date on the coupons – human nature means that some people will wait until the last minute to try to get their converter boxes.  The chief of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said that her agency would be authorized to allow Americans to reapply for the DTV converter coupons, but they first need to study how many people have redeemed them to date, and whether or not they should extend the 90-day period.  Thankxalot. [If you’ve been one of those procrastinators, get thee to www.mydtv2009.gov now.]

Neil Young Releasing “Archives” on DVD & Blu-ray – Singer-songwriter Neil Young has announced that his long-delayed “Archives” project will finally be released later this year on both DVD and Blu-ray, but no CD release is planned. Volume 1 will feature unreleased live performances and studio tracks from the legendary Young, plus an accompanying book with interview and personal notes.  No specifics are as yet available, but no mention was made of audio-only Blu-ray discs – these will be strictly video productions.

Panasonic Blu-ray Player and HTIB – Panasonic’s latest $1000 home-theater-in-a-box system will include an integrated Blu-ray player.  The SC-BT100 is iPod-friendly and can display audio tracks and menus on a TV screen as well as play back videos.  The included remote controls iPods and an SD card slot allows for digital image and video playback via memory cards. Optional wireless side speakers and transceiver convert the system to full 7.1 channel surround.  The receiver portion is compatible with all the Dolby and DTS codecs including the latest lossless ones, plus linear PCM. The HTIB includes a subwoofer designed to reduce noise while delivering more bass. A separate third-generation Blu-ray player – the DMP-BD50 – was also announced at $700.  Both units will be available soon.

DXD – Another Audio Acronym to Learn – You are probably aware that DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is the preferred recording method for release of SACDs. Original recordings made with standard PCM processes and then converted to DSD for SACD release are regarded as inferior sonically.  Ah, but DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition) is a whole different ball game.  Codeveloped by Digital Audio Denmark, it is a PCM-based system, but one offering four times the data density of DSD.  Its primary advantage, though, is that unlike DSD it can work with many already existing audio production situations and often at more affordable rates. DXD technology converters are currently being used in original recording for SACD release by Telarc and 2L, among other audiophile labels.