DVD AUDIO and PLAYER - An Introduction

DVD-Audio: Ultra-High-Resolution Music

   DVD-Audio offer higher resolution sound - provide multichannel surround sound music - these discs look exactly like standard  DVDs - require a player that can handle this formats  - additionally to enjoy multichannel music, there will be need a receiver with 5.1-channel inputs and a home theater speaker setup.

   DVD-Audio uses completely different technology to achieve its ultra-high-resolution performance. Instead of abandoning the PCM audio technology, this was improved. DVD-Audio discs take advantage of higher sampling rates — up to 192 kHz, compared to 44.1 kHz for standard CDs. Plus, DVD-Audio discs use the Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP) system that allows discs to hold up to seven times as much information as standard PCM CDs. The result is richer, more detailed sound. Nearly all DVD-Audio discs are engineered for surround sound with up to six discrete channels of high-definition audio, though there are some ultra-high-resolution 2-channel recordings, too.  

   DVD-Audio is primarily a hi-fidelity audio format. Special player to access the ultra-high-resolution performance of DVD-Audio discs, special player must need - there are currently quite a few universal players that handle DVD-Audio discs. All  DVD-Audio players also play standard CDs and many play DVD-Video discs.

   DVD-Audio is the now mostly-dead high-resolution audio (and video) format that competed with the also mostly-failed SACD disc format from Sony. DVD-Audio players could play both stereo and 5.1 surround sound discs. They had video output (unlike SACD), as well as backwards compatibility with DVD-Video discs. 

   DVD-Audio's highest level of audio came via Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP) which was a codec that could reproduce a convincing copy of the master tape mixed in stereo or 5.1 surround. Record labels in their infinite wisdom forced consumers to use 5.1 analog outputs for MLP because of fears of piracy. 

Certain Blu-ray players, like those from Denon, Marantz, and Oppo, are able to play back DVD-Audio discs.

   Rotel RDV-1080 DVD-Audio player
   Denon DBP-1611UD Blu-ray player
   Oppo BDP-80 Blu-ray player
   Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition universal player

Blu-ray player with dual HDMI output and DVD-Audio/SACD playback - BDP-450K

OPPO BDP-105 Universal Audiophile 3D Blu-ray Player 

   Universal Blu-ray disc player with Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, DVD-Audio, CD, VCD, HDCD, AVCHD, MP4, AVI, and MKV support

  Dual HDMI Inputs and Outputs, MHL-Compatibility, 3 USB Inputs, DLNA (DMP & DMR), SMB/CIFS, Wireless N, RS232 & IR.

SHAPLAY - Software Player for Systems to play DVD-Audio Discs - For People who would like to play DVD-AUDIO discs on PC (including watermarked DVD-A).