Scoping Software: DVD-A Software, the New World of Audio.(DVD-A format sound recordings)

The new DVD-A format, at least as it is currently configured, does not make allowances for bass management. This means that sub/sat speaker systems with small satellites will not be able to do DVD-A program material full justice, because the five-satellite-channel bass cannot be routed to the subwoofer, or to large left and right main speakers if you are using those to handle the system bass.

Fortunately, the DVD-A releases I review below also have alternate tracks in Dolby Digital, and so those individuals with standard DVD video players will, thanks to Dolby Digital's bass-management feature, get all or most of the sonic benefits those discs offer, even if all they have are sub/sat systems with small satellites.

Also fortunately in my case (because it was, and will continue to be, important for me to be able to compare the DVD-A and DD tracks with identical bass routing), the Yamaha DSP-A1 processor/amp in my main system has full bass management not only with signals such as DD and DTS that are delivered via a digital feed but also with any sources connected to its six-channel analog inputs.

To be truthful, the full-bandwidth speakers in that system really do not absolutely need that kind of bass-management control. However, making consistent use of it does mean that there will be identical bass routing with all inputs, and solid bass uniformity down to 20 Hz with both the DVD-A and Dolby Digital tracks, courtesy of my subwoofers.

Unfortunately, although I could use the Yamaha processor/amp to compare similarly bass-managed DVD-A and Dolby Digital tracks on the discs reviewed, rapid comparisons were not possible. This is because DVD-A players will not output the alternate DD 5.1 tracks from a DVD-A disc, and so in order to listen to the DD tracks I had to switch the discs to a second, DVD video player (a Sony DVD-S360) in the same system. Eventually, I hope to get some duplicate DVD-A source material, and when that happens fairly rapid A/B comparisons should be possible. So, stay tuned for future, more precise comparisons.

In the meantime, unless stated otherwise, the comments about the sound of the discs reviewed below apply equally to the DVD-A and Dolby Digital tracks. I listened many times to each and for the life of me I simply could not pinpoint any significant differences between the two versions, provided the Dolby Digital material was recorded at 448 kbps. However, one of the five discs had the alternate DD tracks done at 320 kbps (this is the old rate that was originally used with motion-picture theater material), and with that item I could hear a difference. The specifics will be discussed in the review.

Strauss, Johann: Johann Strauss in Berlin. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. This material was recorded in 1998 and 1999, with the engineering done by Michael Bramman and with the DVD sound editing and mixing done by Stefan Witzel. The disc is over 70 minutes long and was produced by Teldec (3984-24489-9). The 1998 performances were recorded live, with the 1999 program material done without an audience.