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SACD Multichannel
SACD
DVD - A
DVD
CD
AAC
MP3
WMF
QuickTime
DTS
Dolby Digital
RA
MPEG2
MPEG1
LP
45 RPM
Cassette
8Track
SACD Multichannel
Super Audio CD (SACD) is a technology for high
resolution multi-channel digital audio recordings proposed by Sony and Philips.
SACD albums must contain one layer with the "Direct Stream Digital" digital
encoding format which requires a SACD capable player.
"Direct Stream Digital" encoding will be able to provide a
frequency response from DC to 100 kHz with a
dynamic range of 120 dB. Multichannel SACD players have 6 outputs
and can play 5.1 or 6 channel audio. SACD albums can optionally
contain a second layer encoded with the CD-format (PCM at 44.1-kHz/16-bit) in
stereo allowing compatibility with existing CD players.
SACD
Super Audio CD (SACD) is a technology for high
resolution multi-channel digital audio recordings proposed by Sony and Philips.
SACD albums must contain one layer with the "Direct Stream Digital" digital
encoding format which requires a SACD capable player.
"Direct Stream Digital" encoding will be able to provide a
frequency response from DC to 100 kHz with a
dynamic range of 120 dB. Stereo SACD players have 2 outputs
and can play stereo recordings. SACD albums can optionally
contain a second layer encoded with the CD-format (PCM at 44.1-kHz/16-bit) in
stereo allowing compatibility with existing CD players.
DVD - A
DVD- Audio is a competing standard to the Super Audio CD (SACD). Kind of like
the VHS vs BETA phenomenon. DVD-Audio uses the linear PCM (pulse code
modulation) approach to digital audio encoding.
DVD - A's exceed the capacity and quality of CD's.
A DVD-Audio disk is capable of recording audio with frequencies
up to 96Khz (compared to CD's at 20kHz) and with a dynamic range of
up to 144dB (compared to CD's 96dB). DVD-Audio supports multi-channel recordings.
Some new players will be able to play either SACD or DVD-A discs making the
format war less of an issue.
DVD
A DVD-Video stores video and audio information that is played
by a DVD-Video player attached to a TV. Most DVD players provide
a digital S/P-DIF or TOS digital audio output.
CD
"Compact Disk" An optical disk storage media that is designed
to store audio, video, and computer data in a digital format. CD's have a
capacity to store 650 Mb (megabytes) of data. The digital information in a
standard audio CD is encoded in the PCM format.
AAC
AAC is the audio coding standard defined by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) as part of the MPEG-2
specification. Declared an international standard in April 1997,
MPEG-2 AAC builds upon and extends the popular ISO/MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3
(MP3) audio coding format. Compared to MP3, AAC provides higher
quality music with approximately 30% storage space
or bandwidth. AAC provides up to 48 audio channels and sample
rates up to 96 kHz.
MP3
MP3 is the audio coding format defined by the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as part of
the MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3 specification. MP3 has become a popular
audio compression format on the Internet and computers.
WMF
"Windoes Media File" is a standard file format for audio and
video content on PC's running Microsoft Windows. Software for creating
and playing "Windows Media" files is manufactured by Microsoft
Inc.
QT
"Quicktime" is a standard file format for audio and
video content on Apple Macintosh computers and PC's running Microsoft Windows.
Software for creating and playing "Quicktime" files is manufactured
by Apple
Computer Inc.
DTS
"Digital Theater Systems" - a multi-channel (5.1)
digital audio encoding format created by Digital Theater Systems.
The DTS format was introduced in theaters in 1993, with Steven Spielberg's blockbuster movie
Jurassic Park. In addition, the DTS format has been applied to home CD's,
Laser Disks, and DVD's. DTS audio, as used in DVD-Video's and CD's, is
compressed approximately 3:1 from PCM recorded with a
sampling frequency of 96 kHz and a 20-bit sampling size. DTS is capable of
encoding PCM with a sampling frequency up to 192 kHz and 24-bit sampling
size.
Dolby Digital
5.1 multi-channel surround format consisting of discreet front left, front center,
front right, rear left, rear right, and a low-frequency-effects
(LFE) channel. Dolby Digital is compressed approximately 12:1
compared to PCM
RA
"Real Audio" is a standard file format for audio and
video content on PC's running Microsoft Windows.
Software for creating and playing "Real Audio" files is manufactured
by Real
Audio.
MPEG2
AAC is the audio coding standard defined by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) as part of the MPEG-2
specification. Declared an international standard in April 1997,
MPEG-2 AAC builds upon and extends the popular ISO/MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3
(MP3) audio coding format. Compared to MP3, AAC provides higher
quality music with approximately 30% storage space
or bandwidth. AAC provides up to 48 audio channels and sample
rates up to 96 kHz.
MPEG1
MP3 is the audio coding format defined by the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as part of
the MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3 specification. MP3 has become a popular
audio compression format on the Internet and computers.
LP
The LP or Long Playing phonograph record is non digital way of
reproducing music mechanically. LP phonograph records are 12
inches in diameter. The audio information is modulated on the
groove walls of a spiral groove that goes from the
outside edge of the disk to the inner locked groove. The disk
rotates at 33.3 revolutions per minute. LP Records usually
hold up to 20 minutes of audio on each side of the disk.
45 RPM
The 45 or 45 RPM phonograph record is non digital way of
reproducing music mechanically. LP phonograph records are 7
inches in diameter. The audio information is modulated on the
groove walls of a spiral groove that goes from the
outside edge of the disk to the inner locked groove. The disk
rotates at 45 revolutions per minute. 45 Records usually hold
up to 5 minutes of audio on each side of the disk.
Cassette
The cassette tape format is a non digital way of storing audio
information on small tape cartridges called cassettes. The
cassettes hold tiny rolls of audio tape that is
approximately 1/8 inches wide. The tape moves at a linear
speed of 1 and 7/8 inches per second. Information on the tape
is recorded in both directions so the tape can be turned over
and played on both sides. Cassettes can hold up to two hours
of audio.
8 Track
The 8 Track cartridge format is a non digital way of
storing audio information in tape cartridge. The cartridge
holds a single continuous roll of audio
tape that is 1/4 inches wide. The tape moves at a linear speed
of 3 and 3/4 inches per second. Information on the tape
is recorded in 8 tracks of the tape (4 stereo programs). The
tape head position in the tape player can be adjusted so the 4
program channels can be accessed. 8 Track Cartridges can hold
up to 45 minutes of audio.
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