Is HDCD alive?

soundguy3 · « **on:** 8 May 2003, 08:18 am »

HI,

I have an EAD processor that has an HDCD button on the front which I have never used... bought the processor used......is this format still vialble? Are there any CD's out there using HDCD and can you play an HDCD CD through a regular transport?

Thanks,

Soundguy3

mgalusha · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 May 2003, 10:29 pm »

To answer your questions. There are HDCD's out there and they will play fine on a regular CD player. I have a few but don't have anything with an HDCD decoder.

As for it's future, a little hard to say. Microsoft bought out Pacific Microsonics (the HDCD folks) and now the hdcd.com web site proudly proclaims "A Windows Media Technology". They do have a searchable list of available HDCD's on the site.

Mike

CELT · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 May 2003, 01:26 am »

There are many Warner titles that were re-mastered with HDCD several years ago. I have probably less than a dozen titles out of 400+.

bundee1 · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 May 2003, 03:01 am »

Dont quote me but I think the new Greatful Dead remasters are all HDCD.

2channelguy · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 May 2003, 07:44 am »

I think all the "Dicks Picks" CD are HDCD. The last few Beck CD I've listened to are in HDCD eventhough there is no mention of it anywhere on the disk.

I did buy a King Crimson CD the other day that said it had been re-mastered in HDCD. Not only is it not HDCD but it has to be one of the worst sounding recordings I've ever heard.

Mark Knopfler's "Sailing to Philadelpia" in HDCD on the other hand is absolutely wonderful.

CELT · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 May 2003, 09:46 pm »

Re: King Crimson sounding bad. I bought "In The Court Of The Crimson King" a few years ago. Newly re-mastered and in a mini gatefold Lp sleeve (Virgin). Absolutely the worst sounding CD I have ever purchased. And I have recordings going all the way back to the early days of electrical recording! I had this album on Atlantic when I was a kid. I'm sure it stunk back then too, but not to this degree. Yecch.

petermwilson · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 01:56 pm »

Hi,
If you go to hdcd.com, you will find great info about this algorythm including discs by type and alphabetically. you will also find methods of equipment connection which depends on where the decoding is done.

Personally I have a dozen or so hdcds (did you know that TUBULAR BELLS is an hdcd).

I now have my computer connected to my reciever and through the 2ch analog connections from my snd card can play any of my hdcds through Windows Media Player 9 which recognizes and plays this format.

I've always been a big Joni Mitchell fan and most of her discs are HDCDS.
For Country fans any disc that you see in the store that says 16 BIGGEST HITS, seems to be HDCD.

The trick for connection seems to be that if your player has it you have to have an analog connection from the player. If your reciever has it you need a digital connection from the player (although there propably arn't alot of straight cd players out there with coax and/or opt outs.

Any the site will answer most of your Questions.

Peter m.

JackStraw · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 02:25 pm »

Quote from: petermwilson

I now have my computer connected to my reciever and through the 2ch analog connections from my snd card can play any of my hdcds through Windows Media Player 9 which recognizes and plays this format.

Interesting, Peter. Do you notice any difference when playing HDCDs through WMP 9 vs. what you're used to with your CDP?

petermwilson · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 04:35 pm »

Hi
If I have my info right the hdcd algorythm massages the sound to create what essentially is an upgrade from 16bit which is what the cd plays at normally and a quasi 20bit which is the hdcd thingy.

In another room I have a toshiba sd5109 dvd/hdcd player which i use also from time to time mostly to play hdcds. I had that player connected to a reciever in that room from the coax connection and was always wondering why my hdcd's didn't sound as detailed as when played through the pc. I went to the hdcd.com site and found that i had connected it incorrectly for the proper playback of hdcds because i was using the digital connection.

Once i added the analog out from the dvd player connection (i didn't have to disconnect the digital, I just used a separate input on the reciever), these hdcds came to life as they had on the pc. All of this to say that YES, I deffinitely notice a difference but I have always used a dvd player to play cd's.

One more thing. If you record your hdcds to the hard drive using Windows lossless in the wma options section, you will notice that the kbps is much higher than a normal cd.

Peter m.

John Casler · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 07:09 pm »

Quote from: soundguy3

HI,

I have an EAD processor that has an HDCD button on the front which I have never used... bought the processor used......is this format still vialble? Are there any CD's out there using HDCD and can you play an HDCD CD through a regular transport?

Thanks,

Soundguy3

Hey SOundguy,

Hope your RM40s are "doin' it".

Look here for HDCD software issues.

http://www.hdcd.com/music_catalog/welcome.asp

John Casler · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Jul 2003, 09:44 pm »

Quote from: CELT

Re: King Crimson sounding bad. I bought "In The Court Of The Crimson King" a few years ago. Newly re-mastered and in a mini gatefold Lp sleeve (Virgin). Absolutely the worst sounding CD I have ever purchased. And I have recordings going all the way back to the early days of electrical recording! I had this album on Atlantic when I was a kid. I'm sure it stunk back then too, but not to this degree. Yecch.

Celt,

I like that album and just have the standard CD. I accidently picked up two PJ Harvey "To Bring You My Love" CDs the other day.

If interested I'll trade you the "unopened" one for above King Crimson.

Good deal if you have a taste for PJ.