sacd

dx

1
Depends on the SACD. Some are encoded with a CD Audio and a HD (Super Audio) layer. These are hybrid discs and are only made by some manufacturers...but not SONY's discs.

The advantage of the SACD format is that it can accommodate more than four times the information of the current CD format. With this extra capacity, a standard Super Audio CD will provide space for 2-channel stereo data, as well as an area for up to 6-track multi-channel data.

SONY at one point was thinking about putting SACD capability in SONY DVD-ROM's (because they can read multiple layers) but unless you have a high end computer system with surround sound it would be a waste of time. SACD has always been considered an audiophile format and SONY determined that computers were not up their alley.

SInce SACD players are still around $1000.00 USD for a CD/DVD/SACD combi player and very few media companies are publishing media (except SONY), it may well die as a format. On the other hand DVD-Audio which is planned to be implemented on future DVD-ROM's (possibly by end of year) has at least a chance IMHO. Though, to get all the surround sound channels you will need the surround hardware.
 
Top