DualDiscs hit the market

A new optical media format is now available, as first commercial implementations of DualDisc have been shipped out. The Dualdisc refers to a two sided disc, with DVD content on the other side and CD audio on the other one, so don't mix this with Dual Layer.

What Is A DualDisc?

DualDisc has both a CD player side and a DVD side, allowing artists to create in exciting new ways using audio, video and computer content - all on a single two-sided disc.

What Is On A DualDisc?

One side is the full-length CD audio album. The other side offers DVD content. This may include enhanced album audio, 5.1 surround sound, music videos, artist interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, documentary films, photo galleries, lyrics, computer-ready digital song files, and Web links. It all depends on the artist.

Naturally this format is used to deliver added value to music records. The first commercial releases include new Nine Inch Nails and Blondie albums, which include 5.1 surround sound and video material on the DVD side.

Major and independent record labels today announced the first-ever retail availability of the much anticipated DualDisc -- a two-sided disc made up of a CD player side and a DVD player side. A broad range of titles have begun to hit retail shelves in the first wave of products that will continue throughout the holiday season and into next year with releases from EMI Music, Silverline Records, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group.

DualDisc is a new music product that combines audio and video content on a single disc. In addition to a full album on the CD player side, the DVD player side provides the full album in enhanced sound (such as Surround Sound and/or DVD-Audio or LPCM stereo), and also includes a wide range of special features and exclusive content such as music videos, interviews, photo galleries, web links, concert footage and lyrics.

Some of the more than 50 titles being released on DualDisc during the next several weeks.

Source: Yahoo! and DualDisc.com

Written by: Lasse Penttinen @ 5 Nov 2004 11:07

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7 comments

Toiletman

It sounds very interesting, but how much will the album prices increase by, and is the extra material worth it?

5.11.2004 11:21 #1

timatom

Single-sided CD's and DVD's are quite sensitive to scratches, dirt and sun light. Too bad that caddies for CD's are gone and have never been replaced with a compacter design. Double-sided disks are even worse. And then the matter of the label. Who wants to read tiny titles at the center of the disks?

For movie theaters 640 kbit/s MP3 surround sound is working fine. Why not for consumer electronics? A simple CD is large enough for 2 1/2 hours of such music files. Isn't that enough? So what is the point of promoting an additional DVD side? For a simple video that would easily fit onto a CD together with the music with the proper MPEG compression? For pictures, web links? Give me a break!

But a single-sided 8cm DVD would make perfect sense for music albums. Tiny medium, tiny player, much cheaper than memory sticks, and still more than twice as much capacity than a 12cm CD. Use vbr MP3 with up to 640 kbit/s and surround extension, and you are all set. Let's see if there are some manufacturers in China who can produce at least the mini-DVD audio player. There are already tiny CD players for 8cm CD's on the market. The "Dual"Disc is certainly no progress for consumers.

5.11.2004 16:59 #2

amirza

'added value' is usually synonymous with added cost.
Think of the so called added value features of DVDs which the film industry uses as a excuse to keep the cost of DVDs at an artificially high level.

6.11.2004 11:36 #3

john179

Quite happy with the media i'm using and i don't see any great advantage in these discs.Time may prove me wrong but for now i'm happy as iam.

6.11.2004 11:48 #4

Soulreave

they will bend u over and service the account

23.11.2004 11:30 #5

Nephilim

Quote: they will bend u over and service the account???

Got Indie? http://cdbaby.com/

My Movies! http://www.intervocative.com/dvdcollection.aspx/Rephaim

Forum rules!http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487

24.11.2004 12:16 #6

Shado36

Just bought a dvd collection that has a dual sided dvd in it, got a bit of a shock, did not think there was such a thing. Can't say that I am altogether happy about it as it will mean having to be doubly careful when handling it.

17.12.2006 17:38 #7

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