Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 17 |
You are correct in that many blu-rays do not take advantage of the possibilities the format offers. I did not say it was a standard, only that when used with good source recordings it is the closest re-creation of the original source available. I own a lot of fairly crappy blu-ray transfers.
This reminds me of the early days of CD's when some companies would transfer an LP to CD without considering the huge equalization that went into an LP to make it sound decent on a turntable. The result was harsh, horrible sounding CD's that turned many off the format. I believe this happens with some companies and blu-rays too.
A friend came over with their new blu-ray of Jaws and was very disappointed in that the blu-ray version seems to be no different than the dvd version.
An example is the beach scenes, a perfect opportunity for good use of multi channel surround sound....and there is practically none. I think there was only 1 point in the movie when some useful surround kicked in and it was immediately noticeable because of it's previous absence!
But this does not negate the potential for the best re-creation of the original source, which IMHO should be the goal of audiophiles...I think stereofool and other high-end publications have retarded that progress which is one reason i no longer buy them. I do miss Sound & Vision and kept all my copies...a great Canadian magazine
cheers gord
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 912 Likes: 4
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 912 Likes: 4 |
Over the years, generally speaking, any of the source media discussed here will sound good , IF, the recording and mixing process is done with care right at the beginning. Many cds of popular music are recorded and mixed at several different locations, hence, often the uneven quality that it is heard on that recording. More often than not Jazz and Classical music is superior because they are recorded at one location where the engineering process always seems to be done with extra care and you will see this style of music used more often when a reviewer is doing critiques of various equipment.
If one looks back in the history of recorded music, when mono changed to stereo, even then there was a reluctance on the part of producers and recording engineers to deal with it and that went through several incarnations before they figured out what to do with it and finally established some sort of standard. Mult-channel audio(SACD and DVD Audio) among others was even a bigger challenge that they really didn't want to deal with, thus, it really never caught hold and prices were too high anyway. A lot of this stuff remained in the "boutique" category because the major companies such as Sony, didn't want to spend the money to promote it and gave up early on in the game. "AIX" is an example of a company who is really interested in superior recordings and sound, BUT, once again, it won't be mainstream and they are dealing in certain genres of music and many unknown performers.
In the case of older movies transferred to Blu-Ray, it just seems to be a case if the original movie was, in its original form and quality, crappy to begin with, there is not much one can do with the transfer and, of course, the audio, is never going to be as good as a newer movie with its superior recording systems.
What is that saying, "you can't put lipstick on a pig"!
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
....I own a lot of fairly crappy blu-ray transfers.
....A friend came over with their new blu-ray of Jaws and was very disappointed in that the blu-ray version seems to be no different than the dvd version.
..... I have noticed that many older movies have no updates to either the video nor audio, the studios have simply transferred the material to a BR disc.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Side tracking a bit but something caught my eye here. .....with full enjoyment of the(almost entirely classical)music I appreciate. John, I'm sure you will be able to correct me but I don't recall you ever posting a reference to non-classical music, (I'm using "classical" in a 'perhaps unfairly' broad sense.) I'm just being nosy curious but I would be interested to hear what other genres you listen to. Much of my own classical collection comes from your always excellent recommendations, thus the curiosity.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
JohnK is, in addition to classical, into thrash metal.
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
JohnK's neighbors have seen him prancing about his living room enjoying some Broadway tunes.
Allegedly.
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
My apologies for what I have started here....
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
The prancing part might not be true, but JohnK has mentioned that he enjoys musicals.
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015 |
I never could get into classical. Especially the classical classical. I do like some symphony orchestra music on occasion, as long as is not one of the classics.
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Re: High Definition Audio
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Try this as a compromise Cat. Collective Soul - HomeIt's my favorite rock/symphony hybrid. You need to get past the first song or two to get a feel of how well these guys gel together. It's also fun to see how much fun the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra are having playing with Collective Soul. The conductor really holds nothing back.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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