Blu-ray Surround Music Albums - Page 3

Yes and that's why it should not be part of the tabular listing with the color boxes. That only confuses people like me who like to push buttons.

Looks good.

Very clear now. Thanks for asking us for our opinions.

fafner

I think only having the info on the outside cover is fine. Once people have one or two of your discs, they will begin to remember the drill automatically anyway.

If it's a 7.1-channel mix, there shouldn't be any need to list the 5.1 mix separately.

TrueHD works as a series of substreams. The first substream contains a 2-channel version of the 7.1 track. The second substream contains the data (sound AND remix co-efficients) needed to convert the 2 channel track to a 5.1 version of the 7.1 track. The third substream contains the data needed to convert the 5.1 version to the original 7.1 mix. And so on, with more substreams and more channels.

As an example of this, look at a Blu-ray title like 'Nightmare Before Christmas', which only lists TrueHD 7.1 on the back of the packaging. If you have a 5.1-speaker set-up, you'll automatically hear the 5.1-channel substreams. If you have a 2-speaker set-up, then you'll automatically hear the stereo (2-channel) substream. If you can't decode the new HD audio codecs, then you'll automatically hear the embedded DD companion stream.

Only the highest resolution, maximum channel-count track is listed. Lesser versions (fewer channels and/or lossy codecs) are not treated as separate tracks, but output automatically based on associated equipment. The lone exception being a separate stereo-specific mix that is not a downmix of the 7.1 track.

The label, as you currently have it, looks like the disc contains a 5.1 "Audience" mix but no 7.1 "Audience" mix. Does that accurately reflect the contents of the disc?

Have you listened to any of your tracs through an AVR that will deliver the output as 7.1 DPLIIx Music? I know that DPLIIx only extracts certain info and "creates" output for the rear channels only. That mode is what I now routinely for playing everything that goes throught my AVR.

fafner

In fact, PLIIx-Music only duplicates the side channels to the back channels. PLIIx-Movie will matrix and extract some info to the rear and leave some in the sides. I use PLIIx-Movie for 5.1 music and find it very effective.

I used to use Cinema mode for every thing but recently changed to Music mode. Maybe I will go back to Cinema mode and give it another try.

fafner

That's not quite how the PLIIx modes work with 5.1 sources. Movie mode extracts surround-back information for the rear speakers and cancels it from the side speakers, emphasizing rear vs side separation. Music mode extracts surround-back information for the rear speakers but doesn't cancel it from the sides, emphasizing rear + side envelopment. Neither of the PLIIx modes duplicates side speaker content to the rear speakers. Maybe you're thinking of the THX Music mode, which does what you're describing.

Understood. I tend to prefer your audience mixes, so on your 7.1 titles I would just push the Audio button on my remote until I landed on the 7.1 Audience mix, instead of accessing it directly with the colour coded buttons. Either way, I won't need to have the display on. And that's appreciated.

I use the pure audio button all the time on every one of my 2L discs. My plasma has a slight buzz that I have a tendency to fixate on unintentionally while listening to Blu-ray music so I just hit that button and the problem is solved. I just picke up OLE BULL Violin Concertos and can't wait to hear it. I would love to have the option to see how it is being performed as well as hearing it. Maybe like the Abbey Road BR but without the dancing camera angles...just a thought.

Any B&M store in Cincinnati to buy your discs?

fafner

Dr. AIX - any update as to when the first ones will be available? I looked on your site and only see the sampler blu-ray which I already own.

Ah, there they are. I totally overlooked them. Thanks!

Wow...!

I just ordered all 3 BR titles...can't wait!!!

Just experienced the Chamber Music Palisades and Pachelbel Canon Acoustica Blu-rays. They're wonderful, and as always, the AIX product re-ignites my passion for music. The performances on the CMP release - the Debussy and Brockman tracks in particular - are effortless and mesmerizing. The Pachelbel is a hypnotic, organic, long-form improv that's dreamy and musically intricate ("a single take done without a run through or rehearsal"). It's great electronic-ambient music that still retains an earthy acoustic vibe. Loved it.

Audio quality and mixes are first-rate, as always, and it's finally great to see the images delivered in HD to accompany the hi-res audio. You can switch between 96/24 Dolby TrueHD surround Stage and Audience mixes, as well as the 96/24 PCM stereo mix on the fly. I did this with the "Audio" button on my Panny BD-30 remote (a habit from the DVD-Audio days), but the back cover on the AIX blu-ray cases provides instructions about the color coded buttons on your remote which you can use to toggle between perspectives/mixes. First time I've used those buttons on my remote! Worked great.

And you can pop the disc in your blu-ray player and hit "enter" on your remote and hear the music sans monitor or projector. Load time was breezy and went right into the music. Way to author a music Blu-ray disc; just fantastic. One minor quibble, though...for some reason I can't see chapter or time info in the display or on my player. Player issue...?

So great to see this new chapter of AIX Records. I can't wait to see what the 3D stuff will be like!

I'll add my two cents...

I got the sampler with my Oppo BDP-83, and I was suprised to find it. Given that I had read about it here first. The production is superbly done. I just wish I liked the music. Can't stand it actually. It's really something my wife would like.

Good job though. If there is ever anything produced that I like, I'm sure it will be excellent.

Yes, it was somewhat diverse. But, IMHO it kind of all sounded too light for me. I like classical, but don't remember a classical track. I'll have to revisit it when I get home. I have to have my wife listen to it anyways.

I'm more of an epic metal kind of guy. Opeth, Dimmu Borgir and Slayer type stuff. I like rythmic beats, headbanging anthems if you will.

Sounds like you need to "diversify your portfolio" a little.

I'll be getting some of these discs... after SA-CD's started to slide in production, papa needs another high rez., multi-channel music source!

I own six or seven AIX DVD-A's. They are among the best sounding recordings I have heard on my system. Lawrence Juber Guitar Noir is likely the best thing I have ever heard and what a performance!

Based on what I've heard from this company I would not hesitate to buy in this format if it was something I wanted to hear.

For Blu ray would it not be better to go ahead push the music format to 7.1 and cover all user systems?