DVD-Audio is nothing less than the new world standard for super-high fidelity sound. You've never heard anything like it! On the outside, these discs look just like familiar CDs. But DVD-Audio discs offer incredible storage capacity (approximately 7 times the amount of information on a CD), and ultra-high performance stereo sound you won't find in any other home audio technology. And the multiple channel stereo sound captures the acoustics of the best concert halls. DVD-Audio represents a major step forward in audio reproduction. Recorded music sounds live, with true definition, dynamics and room tone. Sounds so clear and so real, you won't believe your ears!

Incredible storage capacity
One layer of a DVD-Audio disc can store 4.7GB of data—approximately 7 times the amount on an audio CD—so each second of DVD-Audio can store 1,100 times the information as one second of the same recording on an audio CD. Looked at another way, one DVD-Audio disc can hold up to 400 minutes of 2-channel stereo sound at audio CD resolution of 44.1kHz/16-bit. Or, conversely, it can hold up to 74 minutes of 6-channel sound at 96kHz/24-bit resolution, or 2-channel sound at an incredible 192kHz/24-bit resolution. Such precise reproduction of the fine details means phenomenal sound quality and extreme fidelity from DVD-Audio recordings.

Ultra-high performance stereo sound
DVD-Audio has a sampling frequency 4.3 times greater than an audio CD, and has 256 times finer resolution. This translates to amazing 2-channel stereo sound not even approachable by audio CDs. DVD-Audio offers up to 24-bit quantization and 192kHz sampling (versus 16-bit and 44.1kHz for audio CD), which yields extremely high resolution and extraordinary dynamic range up to 144dB (versus 96dB for audio CD). Higher frequency response means outstanding clarity and realism in your recordings-giving you that uncanny feeling of "being there."

To view a full comparison of DVD-Audio vs. audio CD format features, click here.

Multiple channels
In addition to incredible 2-channel stereo sound, DVD-Audio is capable of delivering spectacular 6-channel surround sound using linear PCM (uncompressed data, as with audio CDs). Artists who take advantage of this multi-channel capability will be able to better capture the acoustics of the best concert halls or cozy clubs, for reproduction right in your own living room.

For extremely realistic and spacious reproduction of your favorite music recordings, frequency response extends up to 96kHz, and has an extraordinary dynamic range of up to 144dB. Instruments with higher range frequencies (cymbals, flutes, etc.) shine through with a richer, more authentic timbre, and music with rapid, high-pitched passages shows excellent definition within the individual notes.

DVD-Audio also enables each channel's sampling rate and quantization bit-depth to be set independently. For example, the front three left/center/right channels can be set to 96kHz with a 24-bit depth while the two surround and one subwoofer channels can be set to 48kHz with 16-bit depth. This opens up countless, new creative possibilities for composers, performers and producers, who can be certain that their artistic visions will be faithfully represented on your DVD-Audio discs.

Compatibility
In addition to playing DVD-Audio discs, DVD-Audio players also play DVD-Video discs, video CDs and audio CDs, so you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite recordings in your existing digital disc collection.

Region Codes
DVD-Audio discs do not include Region Codes. Therefore, all DVD-Audio discs will be playable on all DVD-Audio capable players. However, many DVD-Audio discs include DVD-Video components to provide compatibility with DVD-Video players. Those "objects or files" (usually Dolby Digital or DTS audio and short videos) could be restricted by Region Codes and may not be playable on all DVD-Video players.

Advanced information storage
What does the future hold for DVD-Audio? The DVD-Audio format has the potential to store interactive menus and text, so you can view album and track titles, artist bios, lyrics, liner notes and more. User-friendly menus may let you easily choose from a variety of interactive functions. And depending on the software and player you may be able to view full-motion videos and stills, and even connect to related Websites.

Some text taken from the Panasonic web site at http://www.panasonic.com