Blu-Ray profile 3.0 (Audio only)

[DaneelOlivaw]

The only dvd-audio I know of that had no on-screen operating system (actually, there's no video content of ANY kind present) is the Elvis Presley disc...and I sure wish more were authored that way.

I read years ago that a dvd-audio disc could be authored to play just like a CD, but the main reason given for not doing that is that since it is a dvd-based format i.e. video related, supposedly "everyone" expects to use their TV with them and that is how most are made. That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard as far as that format is concerned.

FYI for those unfamiliar with this format: many dvd-a discs can be used without a TV, as long as you only want to listen to the multichannel tracks (setting the disc in the tray and then pushing "play" FIRST will cause the disc to play like a CD). It's when you want to switch to stereo or another set of tracks is when things can get weird quick with many titles.

I'll be pissed if they screw this up again i.e. if the operating standards for the Blu-ray version are as disorganized. The "do it if it feels good" attitude was great for the 60s, but not for music format standards.

[surroundophile]

The only dvd-audio I know of that had no on-screen operating system (actually, there's no video content of ANY kind present) is the Elvis Presley disc...and I sure wish more were authored that way.

I read years ago that a dvd-audio disc could be authored to play just like a CD, but the main reason given for not doing that is that since it is a dvd-based format i.e. video related, supposedly "everyone" expects to use their TV with them and that is how most are made. That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard as far as that format is concerned.

FYI for those unfamiliar with this format: many dvd-a discs can be used without a TV, as long as you only want to listen to the multichannel tracks (setting the disc in the tray and then pushing "play" FIRST will cause the disc to play like a CD). It's when you want to switch to stereo or another set of tracks is when things can get weird quick with many titles.

I'll be pissed if they screw this up again i.e. if the operating standards for the Blu-ray version are as disorganized. The "do it if it feels good" attitude was great for the 60s, but not for music format standards.

Nimbus DVD-As don't require a TV to play the HiRes tracks. After hitting close, they bring up a screen announcing showing a selecion, and immediatly start to play it, so a screen is not necessary.

[frenchglen]

From my experience, EVERY DVD-Audio disc can be played straight away, just like a CD. It will automatically choose the best option your DVD-A player is set to support and you simply use the audio language button on the remote to change between surround/stereo. I too wish that content creators would just leave the video/menus alone and make it like SACD/CD, because all I want is the music. I'm very passionate about this, because an audio format should be an audio format, and it will be weakened/complicated if any video is mixed in with it. In order to not confuse the consumer and the entire market, they should be making a separate DVD disc for any video supplements, or somehow distinguish it VERY clearly on the packaging.

My understanding of blu-ray profile 3.0 is that it's EXACTLY the same as the blu-ray video format, just with no obligation for advanced blu-ray video features (BD-J, and maybe PiP). I.e. you could manufacture a "Blu-ray profile 3.0 ONLY" player if you wanted (which is a bit silly anyway as you'd want to have movie playback as well). In other words, Blu-ray video IS Blu-ray audio, it's exactly the same format (unlike DVD-Audio compared to DVD-Video). It's more comparable to Audio CD vs. CD-ROM, but even better - NO new physical technology is required ANYWHERE, industry or consumer-side. ALL that would be required, is for the recording/CES industry to market it and call it something like "Blu CD" with its own logo. EVERY blu-ray player ALREADY out there supports it, NOW. And every tool which allows you to make a BD disc (of which there are already numerous free ones) can already make a "blu-ray audio" disc. We just need to give it a good name and logo so that average consumers can understand what it is.

I'm all for it. But the question is, is Sony up for it, or are they too scared everyone will be able to copy the discs just like, oh, the enormously-successful CD and DVD formats, and unlike the not-so-successful SACD (and DVD-Audio) formats? Sometimes Sony annoys me.

[Quadro-Action]

I think, Blu Audio or Bu CD could be ab success, but they (the firms) must call self, why it was not till now: First the system-wars beginning frim quadraphonic times with 4 non compatible systems. We have had discrete vs. matrix, but aölso the two discrte Systems CD-4 and UD-4 and also SQ and QS was for a perfect reproduction not compatible.

And also "only" 2 different systems are too much for an interess by the usual concumer or the mass market - like SA-CD and DVD-Audio too. And Blu Ray Video will now come to a big demand, when it was finally the only new system. Befor there was the danger, that both systems (let's one time think to the lost HD-DVD) would fall flat on one's face. The consumer has since then make a inquiry strike.

And now for my opinion (by experiene some meanings in the web-sides and forums or papers): It was a big error,to make the DVD-Audio similar to the DVD-Video in hinsight of the fans of the home cinema. I think, that this fans in the majority are only interested in surround noises and by listening music they are further on reactionary or without only a little phantasia for surround music. But the unsual an only stereo-music listeners will be a lot more people.
And thoe will on the other hand no an interess for the more complicated technic of a video surround equipment.

So I think, we (I mean the firms) must begin again by the quadraphonic roots.
The coming blu music record should have only 4 channels (by listening also 5 with the phantom center, which is well known by the stereo listeners). And also the equipment for quadraponic Blu Music disc should be further wellknown by the interesting stereo-listener. For the 4 channels he has only to buy a second stereo-system (ideal then both equal). And the handling is the same as by working with stereo equipment with direct handling by all modes. And for changing the loudness in front or back one must only turn a knob without walking through some displays. If the new 4-channel quadraphonic surround disc will be a succes, the industry can build new 4-channel amps or switch over amps 6/8 to 4. And 4 speakers will have also easier an places in the room than 6 or 8. Music is not a real cinema (only for the ears and the sound phantasia.)

That is my idea and I am thinking to make another flyer (as already some in the past) with this recommendation for an easy working Blu Music record. If they will come with a 8 channel Blu music record on the market for only a few technical freaks I will say: forget it!

Dietrich

[Jens]

My understanding of blu-ray profile 3.0 is that it's EXACTLY the same as the blu-ray video format, just with no obligation for advanced blu-ray video features (BD-J, and maybe PiP). I.e. you could manufacture a "Blu-ray profile 3.0 ONLY" player if you wanted (which is a bit silly anyway as you'd want to have movie playback as well). In other words, Blu-ray video IS Blu-ray audio, it's exactly the same format (unlike DVD-Audio compared to DVD-Video). It's more comparable to Audio CD vs. CD-ROM, but even better - NO new physical technology is required ANYWHERE, industry or consumer-side. ALL that would be required, is for the recording/CES industry to market it and call it something like "Blu CD" with its own logo. EVERY blu-ray player ALREADY out there supports it, NOW. And every tool which allows you to make a BD disc (of which there are already numerous free ones) can already make a "blu-ray audio" disc. We just need to give it a good name and logo so that average consumers can understand what it is.

You've got it almost right. The tricky thing is that BD Profile 3.0 is not a disc profile but a player profile. I haven't been involved in BD standardistion for the last couple of years but a colleague of mine who has been explained this to me. It's a subset of a regular BD player. Apparently, not only BD-Java can be dispensed with, also video decoding, though not graphics decoding, from what I gathered.

I don't expect it to catch on. The only place I could imagine for such devices would be the car but DVD-Audio has not been the smashing success that warrants high expectations. And there have never been any portable DVD-Audio players, have there? All home devices have been 'hybrid' DVD-Audio/Video players.