Although the DualDisc (CD/DVD-Audio hybrid) has been in use since May 2004, the RIAA has only just published the final specifications for the DualDisc format. The RIAA also controls both licensing and logo usage for the format and they offer both a trial and a full license to use the format.
The RIAA also published a new dedicated website that mentions how a DualDisc should be packaged, the mandatory method of describing the disc content and how to word the mandatory standard compatibility disclaimer. The DualDisc format carries the DVD logo as it complies with existing DVD specifications, however as it does not technically meet the CD specification, it does not carry a CD logo. Although the disc will work in the majority of CD and DVD players, the mandatory disclaimer states that the disc may not play in some CD and DVD players.
DualDisc specifications are as follows: The CD side carries Redbook-compatible audio and has a minimum thickness of 0.87mm. The DVD side must contain audio with quality of at least that on the CD side and can be in mono, stereo and/or surround sound. The DVD side has a jitter of no more than 7% and with a minimum thickness of 0.55mm. The specifications also prohibit the use of having both a DVD-layer and CD-layer on the same side of a disc. Finally, the overall DualDisc thickness cannot exceed 1.5mm.
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The license for record labels to produce DualDiscs comes in two forms; a trial license that is limited to two releases over the course of one year costs $100, whereas a license that covers an unlimited number of releases is available for $250 per licensee (affiliated label or label imprint per year), up to a maximum of USD $2,500 annually. DualDisc Book The new DualDisc book defines physical and content specifications, together with the use of the DualDisc logo, a trademark that currently applies to Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, CTM (EU), Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, United States and Venezuela. Read the full article here. |
Like the upcoming format war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD, we still have a format war between DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD, however in this case both types of players and media have already been on the market for several years now. Last year, the DualDisc format was developed in an aim to push the DVD-Audio format by adding legacy CD player support, however so far the majority of music being sold is on regular CD.
The one main drawback I see in the specifications is that it is not mandatory to have higher resolution audio on the DVD-Audio side than on the audio CD side. This means that purchasing music on DualDisc does not necessarily mean that the consumer will get a higher quality recording than if they bought a regular CD. Then again, rather than offer higher resolution audio on the DVD side, the publisher may put video content such as music videos on the DVD side.
Source: High Fidelity Review - DVD-Audio
