Is DVD-A still-born?

The questions about the viability of DVD-A and SACD recording are, I suspect, not yet resolved. I just posted a link to an article (see above) from TAS about digital recording technologies, and the author seems to think that DVD-A has a real edge over SACD because most of the major recording labels are "on board" with DVD-A. So far, Sony (which owns SACD) has only its own labels as a source of releases. So, when thinking about the question that "Justice" poses, you might find the TAS article of interest.

The key to either SACD or DVD-A succeeding is good multi-channel recordings....and lots of them. When I first heard SACD in a two-channel setup, I was underwhelmed - and I'm an audiophile who truly wanted to be blown away! I felt like the associated electronics weren't fully up the par with the rest of the system, but even so, I was left with the impression that Joe Six Pack isn't going to leap to buy SACD. I suspect two-channel DVD-A would be the same (although I realize DVD-A has been multi-channel from the get-go). But well made multichannel recordings could appeal not just to audiophiles, but to the millions of HT owners who have already poneyed up the cash for a multi-channel amp or receiver and five speakers.

DVD-A will survie and prosper.It will be added and standard fair on all DVD machines within a year if not sonner.SACD does not have this luxury.It maybe faster out of the gate but its in the hands of the guys who gave us Beta,Mini Disc.need I say more.

I'll propose an alternate perspective; that is, neither SACD nor DVD-A will be a major success: not in the same sense as CDs. This comment runs counter to virtually every article that I've read, and most posts.

My concern is that both multi-channel SACD and DVD-A require 5 full-range speakers to deliver their dramatic improvement over redbook CDs. This is an expensive proposition for both non-audiophiles and audiophiles. With CDs, the average person already had two speakers, from Stereo FM and LPs, so the upgrade was mostly a player.

Secondly, there are the format wars, both current and to be waged (24/192; Hi-Def DVDs, outputting 960P); and although we all love to bask in the glow of high-higher-highest-to-date specs for our front-end equipment, how many of us can afford the arms race? Certainly, not the average family trying to keep up with things.

For the new formats, I see a combination of 'understanding-burnout' due to tech-speak overload, perhaps a shortage of consumer financial resources and hearing ability, to achieve critical mass.

Certainly, I would appreciate your thoughts.

I love your comments.Who can afford the arms race.Its not the average guy.
We need 299.00 multiformat machines.Play everything.CD CDR DVD A DVD V SACD.This will get the machines out to the average person.Software will follow.
Most people dont want to go through the BETA thing again.