DVD-Audio

At the same time as the DVD-Video specification was being standardized, the DVD-Audio version was also issued. Because CD-Audio had already delivered the promise of digital audio to the recording industry and because Sony/Phillips issued a competing format at the same time, the format never really caught hold. Designed primarily as an audio platform, DVD-Audio provides for true HD Audio in 5.1 channels by encoding multi-channel audio in MLP [see Meridian Lossless Packing]. For the first time, consumers that opted to purchase a DVD-Audio capable player were able hear surround sound in six channels at full 96 kHz/24-bits. Other sample rates and word sizes are available on DVD-Audio discs including 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz [although the highest 2 rates are limited to stereo PCM]. DVD-Audio discs can also contain a 'DVD-Video' zone that allows Dolby Digital and/or DTS surround version of the audio to be playable on DVD-Video hardware. There are over 2000 titles available from a variety of labels.

Why do AIX Records production costs so much?

Our products are priced in line with other audiophile releases....but they include so much more including video of the sessions,multiple mixes [96 kHz/24-bit 2-channel stereo, 5.1 "audience", and 5.1 "stage" POV], biographics, discographies, photo galleries and much more. A single piece of vinyl can fetch $30-50 and an audio only DVD-ROM discs with 176.4 kHz/24-bit can run $45. It takes a lot of time and money to put together the award-winning discs that we offer and I know that they offer far more value than any other music discs from any other label.

Why did you choose DVD-Audio over SACD?

I am not a believer in the DSD encoding scheme that Philips and Sony developed in the late 1990s to archive their analog masters. Master recorded with DSD use a method known as "noise-shaping" to shift in band noise that is the result of the 1-bit processing that is essential to their methodology and move it just out of the traditional range of hearing. The spectragraphs of an SACD track shows the noise in the 25-35 kHz range. PCM is crystal clear to half of the sample rate...not HF noise. AIX Records strives to deliver the best possible sound including the extra octave that exists just beyond the traditional range of human hearing.

Why do you include multiple mixes on your products?

AIX Records DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be purchased directly from this website and through retail outlets all over the world. Naxos is our North American distributor and supplies our fulfillment services.

Why doesn't the audio match the placement of the musicians in the video?

AIX Records DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be purchased directly from this website and through retail outlets all over the world. Naxos is our North American distributor and supplies our fulfillment services.

Do you believe blu-ray will become the next audiophile delivery format?

AIX Records DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be purchased directly from this website and through retail outlets all over the world. Naxos is our North American distributor and supplies our fulfillment services.

What equipment is required to enjoy your HD music releases?

AIX Records DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be purchased directly from this website and through retail outlets all over the world. Naxos is our North American distributor and supplies our fulfillment services.

John Ondrasik of FIve for Fighting contributed to the Keep the Light Alive tribute project for Lowen and Navarro. Check out John's bio and all of our other artists by clicking here.