Originally posted by mgescuro@Apr 14 2004, 05:55 AM
<_<
Umm... OK.. seriously... THX sound system? In a car?
Is the sound equipment "THX rated?" And is the cabin itself "THX rated?" I don't know much about the THX system in autos, but you can have your THX speakers and sound system... but if the room/car cabin isn't THX certified... you don't have a THX system.
I don't consider myself a hardcore audiophile myself... but I do find it rather strange that there are DVD-A players in cars. First of all... no one knows if DVD-A is going to be the standard audio format of the future. For all we know.. it's SACD. That would date the audio system real fast.
Furthermore, I would rather have a high quality input for my iPod (or other portable msuic player) in dash. I know VW's have it. But I don't want a VW!!
Finally... "Center channel" audio. Why is that necessary in a car without a DVD player in dash? And why is it even necessary for just plain audio.
I think people should jsut be careful with what kind of audio system they get. It can get very expensive very fast... for unneeded equipment. For example... I would never get a DVD-A changer in my car. You can only get the full effect using DVD-A discs. Otherwise, it's just a glorified CD changer. :blink:
Unfortunately, SACD transports are very expensive & I have yet to see them
for mobile applications.......
Yes, SACD has the Hybrid thing going (Dual layer CD/SACD for compatibility in CD players)......
The DVD camp did not orginally write a hybrid spec for including a CD layer. When It was added and tested, some older DVD players were confused as what to play.
The answer was Dual Disc. DVD-A layer on one side. CD-A layer on the other.
Dual Discs are currently being marketed in New York, Seattle, and LA.
All Major record labels support it, including SONY (Co-inventor of SACD).
Whats going on here? :blink:
I could debate the sonic technical differences ad nauseum between SACD and DVD-A all day......It's pointless. :argue:
Mgescuro, you are 1000% right on about why include center speaker when there is no DVD-A or DVD-V player in the car.
I'd like to see DVD-A changers in cars. IF the STS can do this, then GM can implement it across the board in a couple of years........
Mobile DVD-V players can play DVD-A discs. They just can't play DVD-A tracks. DVD-A disks include Dolby Digital tracks for regular DVD players. Again, I agree why settle for just a DD 5.1 system, and not go for the DVD-A gusto........
Yes, Dolby Digital is a lossy 96KHz 24 bit codec and sonically inferior
to DVD-A's PCM Meridan Lossless Packing codec. However DD sounds way better than a CD-A's 44.1 KHz 16 bit audio stream.
BTW, the DVD- spec includes up to 10 hours of uncompressed 16bit CD audio on one single layer disc..........
Ghrank is going to call me Ralph Wiggins again I just know it

......
Ken
Yes, IPODS ARE COOL....... B)