The short answer: HDCD and XRCD are mastering techniques that create CDs playable on any player. HDCD is a proprietary mechanism for getting 20 bits of resolution on the 16 bit sample by using the least significant bits. It was developed by a company, bought by Microsoft, and then basically disappeared. XRCD is by JVC, and seems to be more of a process to ensure maximum resolution of the analog-to-digital transfer.
SACD is completely different--an HD format allowing higher bitrates and frequency sampling, and such things as 5.1 sound. It has had limited success, especially in the US, and there are few players. Most SACDs are in fact DualDisc which means a single disc has both SACD and CD layers, to ensure maximum compatibility. I don't know much about Blu-Ray's use as a music-only disc, but you may be right. -- mrfantasy --Mike ------------------------------------------------------------------------ mrfantasy's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1127 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=45839 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
