HDCD is a brilliant scheme which encodes extra audio information in the dithering signal present on all Redbook CDs.
The dither is put there to increase the number of bits in the lowest-level signals and thus improve resolution. On normal CDs it contains no signal information. The HDCD dither looks the same as the regular kind to a normal CD player. However to one equipped with a decoding chip, it delivers its information. This information can improve dynamic range, HF resolution and more.
The HDCD decoder chip must include very precise filters. These filters are sometimes better than those found on ordinary Redbook players. Consequently a CD player equipped with an HDCD chip may do a better job than a standard player on normal, non-HDCD-encoded CDs.
The only downside to playing a non-HDCD disc on a player with an HDCD chip is a slightly reduced volume level. Compensate by turning the volume up about 6 dB.
I own no stock in Microsoft, now the owner of HDCD. I just think the system, created by Pflash Pflaumer and Keith O. Johnson, is very elegant. It really can improve CD sound, too. Just too bad it's not in wider use for Redbook material. However if you have an HDCD-equipped player, you may get a surprise sometimes. With the occasional disc, the HDCD light comes on to show the extra info is there, even when there is no mention of HDCD on the disc wrapper.
The dither is put there to increase the number of bits in the lowest-level signals and thus improve resolution. On normal CDs it contains no signal information. The HDCD dither looks the same as the regular kind to a normal CD player. However to one equipped with a decoding chip, it delivers its information. This information can improve dynamic range, HF resolution and more.
The HDCD decoder chip must include very precise filters. These filters are sometimes better than those found on ordinary Redbook players. Consequently a CD player equipped with an HDCD chip may do a better job than a standard player on normal, non-HDCD-encoded CDs.
The only downside to playing a non-HDCD disc on a player with an HDCD chip is a slightly reduced volume level. Compensate by turning the volume up about 6 dB.
I own no stock in Microsoft, now the owner of HDCD. I just think the system, created by Pflash Pflaumer and Keith O. Johnson, is very elegant. It really can improve CD sound, too. Just too bad it's not in wider use for Redbook material. However if you have an HDCD-equipped player, you may get a surprise sometimes. With the occasional disc, the HDCD light comes on to show the extra info is there, even when there is no mention of HDCD on the disc wrapper.