I picked up three titles from Capitol/EMI:
- Queensryche - Empire
- Richard Thompson - Rumor and Sigh
- Crowded House - Crowded House
I must say that Capitol/EMI have done a spectacular job on these titles. We're talking quality all the way. The surround mixes were obviously done from the multi-track masters and show off lots of discrete elements with tasteful surround mixes. They’ve included a sensible, easy-to-use menu that allows access to a dedicated stereo mix as well as DD and DTS tracks. My only complaint is that they did not choose to go with stereo/multi double-sided discs, but that's a minor quibble. I sure hope we see more titles from Capitol/EMI! I know a few are on the announced list but I hope they get a big push to announce more. This is the product we want to support. Think of all the great artists on Capitol/EMI and think of those artists on quality produced DVD-A. Very sweet…
On the opposite side of the spectrum, I also picked up a couple of Silverline/Sanctuary releases... I'll spare you the "T" word, but nothing has changed here:
- Gary Moore - Back To The Blues
- Greg Kihn - All The Right Reasons
I should just create a macro so I can easily spill out my typical complaints about Silverline/Sanctuary's abysmal production. We're talking no stereo mix and fake surround all the way. Very badly done fake surround at that. It continues to boggle my mind why they keep doing this! We keep getting gobs and gobs of hastily cookie-cutter produced titles from them but somebody needs to stop the machine and tell them that the cookie-cutter is badly broken! Stop it, stop it, stop it! I don't mind that they're creating bad surround mixes, but for the love of god, INCLUDE A FRIGGIN' STEREO MIX! How hard can it be? I mean, they're mastering the fake surround from the stereo mix, just include a flat transfer from the stereo tape! DO IT NOW!
I would just stop buying their titles, but they are releasing lots and lots of GREAT music. The quality of some of this material is superb! Case in point, the Gary Moore disc. The music is incredible, and the recording quality is exceptional. Yet they produce a fake surround mix with so much echo and reverb that it is way beyond distracting. I literally cannot enjoy the music because of this. But I am left with no option. There is no separate stereo mix, and if you switch the player to stereo, you don't even get the courtesy of fold-down stereo (which wouldn’t be doing you a favor anyway, so it’s really a moot point). In stereo mode, you just get 2/3 of a bad surround mix. It is beyond bad. It is a travesty being repeated over and over and over by this big dumb machine. I cannot begin to describe how incredibly aggravating I find this. Aaaaaargh!
Okay, okay, my monthly Silverline/Sanctuary rant is hereby complete. Sorry for rambling on for so long. If you've made it this far, your perseverance must be applauded.
- Queensryche - Empire
- Richard Thompson - Rumor and Sigh
- Crowded House - Crowded House
I must say that Capitol/EMI have done a spectacular job on these titles. We're talking quality all the way. The surround mixes were obviously done from the multi-track masters and show off lots of discrete elements with tasteful surround mixes. They’ve included a sensible, easy-to-use menu that allows access to a dedicated stereo mix as well as DD and DTS tracks. My only complaint is that they did not choose to go with stereo/multi double-sided discs, but that's a minor quibble. I sure hope we see more titles from Capitol/EMI! I know a few are on the announced list but I hope they get a big push to announce more. This is the product we want to support. Think of all the great artists on Capitol/EMI and think of those artists on quality produced DVD-A. Very sweet…
On the opposite side of the spectrum, I also picked up a couple of Silverline/Sanctuary releases... I'll spare you the "T" word, but nothing has changed here:
- Gary Moore - Back To The Blues
- Greg Kihn - All The Right Reasons
I should just create a macro so I can easily spill out my typical complaints about Silverline/Sanctuary's abysmal production. We're talking no stereo mix and fake surround all the way. Very badly done fake surround at that. It continues to boggle my mind why they keep doing this! We keep getting gobs and gobs of hastily cookie-cutter produced titles from them but somebody needs to stop the machine and tell them that the cookie-cutter is badly broken! Stop it, stop it, stop it! I don't mind that they're creating bad surround mixes, but for the love of god, INCLUDE A FRIGGIN' STEREO MIX! How hard can it be? I mean, they're mastering the fake surround from the stereo mix, just include a flat transfer from the stereo tape! DO IT NOW!
I would just stop buying their titles, but they are releasing lots and lots of GREAT music. The quality of some of this material is superb! Case in point, the Gary Moore disc. The music is incredible, and the recording quality is exceptional. Yet they produce a fake surround mix with so much echo and reverb that it is way beyond distracting. I literally cannot enjoy the music because of this. But I am left with no option. There is no separate stereo mix, and if you switch the player to stereo, you don't even get the courtesy of fold-down stereo (which wouldn’t be doing you a favor anyway, so it’s really a moot point). In stereo mode, you just get 2/3 of a bad surround mix. It is beyond bad. It is a travesty being repeated over and over and over by this big dumb machine. I cannot begin to describe how incredibly aggravating I find this. Aaaaaargh!
Okay, okay, my monthly Silverline/Sanctuary rant is hereby complete. Sorry for rambling on for so long. If you've made it this far, your perseverance must be applauded.
