HDCD (Format Wars Related)

Rockin'_Art_Lewis · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 119 Location: Gallup, NM.

HDCD (High Def. CD) sort of snuck in under everybody's radar.
It's near impossible to find component players that handle the format, or even publicize that their equipment will.
Microsoft now owns the rights to it, after purchasing the code from Pacific Microsonics.
Here's how HDCD works: It dithers on the least significant bit of the digital signal, essentially ramping it up from 16 bit, to virtual 20 bit.
It's compatible with standard players, with what Microsoft touts as improved sound.
About the only way most people can decode the signal, is with Windows Media player 9 and higher, along with a 24 bit audio card.
I decided to mess around with it, because Rhino's Grateful Dead remasters are HDCD and my computer is a part of the stereo, for the most part.
The improvement in the sound is not just noticeable. It's astounding.
As much as I despise Microsoft, I can't say anything nasty about HDCD, other than note that they didn't develop it. They bought it.
Unlike standard CD's they have an incredible amount of depth and texture.
Cymbal crashes sound like....well...cymbal crashes. Vocals are much clearer and intimate.
I hate to admit this, but the overall effect is much better than some of the best vinyl I've heard. It's close enough sounding to a mixdown master, to probably be indistinguishable from it.
I put on the Dead's Filmore 1969 set, this evening and my Dog came racing into the living room. She heard the band yacking amongst themselves at the beginning of the set and thought there were guests in the house! I'm not kidding! She just stared at the speakers, with a very confused expression.

Peace!

R.A.L.

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