Re: [ARSCLIST] ARSCLIST Digest - 16 Oct 2003 to 17 Oct 2003 (#2003-240)

[Dave Radlauer <Dradjazz@xxxxxxx>]

In a message dated 10/17/03 8:11:59 PM, LISTSERV@xxxxxxx writes:

<< Has it,
for example, been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that these formats are
superior in audio quality to CD's in terms of resolution, sampling, and kHz?
>>

You are bound to get a wide range of opinions and responses to this.  My
answer is that higher sampling rates and bit depths (24 bit word, 96 Khz sampling
rates) are both superior to 16 bit, 44.1 Khz.  These are also the sampling
rates currently being used for transfer and long term storage of audio by Library
of Congress, major university archives and so forth.

SACD is a Sony/Philips proprietary format with many pitfalls and little
available hardware and software except at the very highest expense end of the
scale.  It is however a good long term storage format and Sony is converting all
the material in their catalogs (ie CBS/Columbia and associated labels owned by
them) to SACD format -- called DSD (Direct Stream Digital) for long term
archiving or potential release.  By the way DSD (SACD) is 1-bit sampled at about
2.8Mhz.

DVD discs are as reliable as CD-R for long term storage (that's a whole
controversy in itself, but probably reliable with best media available for 10 - 50
years).  I'm doing a project recording files for an archive at 24/96, stored
as file data on DVD-R, with reference copies at 44.1Khz.

To clarify, this is NOT storage as DVD-Audio, but as Bwav (broadcast .wav)
audio files on DVD-R media readable by PC or Mac computers.

Some archives store hi-rez data on DATA tapes such as the AIT format, or on
hard drives.  Estimates of reliablity also vary.

Best practice for archives currently suggests whatever long-term digital
media is selected, one must be prepared to "migrate" the data to fresh media or
new storage devices on some regularly scheduled basis to assure data integrity
and lifespan.

Dave Radlauer
www.JAZZHOT.Bigstep.com