BIG Blu-Ray Audio drive from Universal Music in 2013

[nhammond]

I bought a few of these discs today: the two Jacques Brel, Alain Bashung Osez Joséphine, Serge Gainsbourg Histroire de Melody Nelson and Supertramp Breakfast in America.

I had a look at ALL of them in the FNAC: only Serge Gainsbourg Histoire de Melody Nelson is actually mentionned as being 5.1, while all the other discs are explicitely mentionned 2.0... Wasted opportunity for surround!!! :howl

I am listening to Supertramp's breakfast in America, which sounds really nice, and does not appear to be mastered loud (initial impression).

I tried to dowload the FLAC files... and got an error message, so I had to get back to their technical support :flame

Dowloads are made through this URL

 

[Dixie4]

On 6th April I e-mailed UMG. Just got a reply,

"Thanks for getting in touch regarding High Fidelity Pure Audio.

If you like our Facebook page, you'll be able to find out all the new releases as soon as they are available to buy and also all of our technical specifications. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.

www.facebook.com/HFPureAudio1

Best,

Joe"

Well, at least they replied to someone ! ( Myself, or Fredblue, didn't get a reply ) Weren't they supposed to be having a press conference today about this format ?

 

[Dixie4]

I bought a few of these discs today: the two Jacques Brel, Alain Bashung Osez Joséphine, Serge Gainsbourg Histroire de Melody Nelson and Supertramp Breakfast in America.

I had a look at ALL of them in the FNAC: only Serge Gainsbourg Histoire de Melody Nelson is actually mentionned as being 5.1, while all the other discs are explicitely mentionned 2.0... Wasted opportunity for surround!!! :howl

I am listening to Supertramp's breakfast in America, which sounds really nice, and does not appear to be mastered loud (initial impression).

I tried to dowload the FLAC files... and got an error message, so I had to get back to their technical support :flame

Dowloads are made through this URL

Thank you for that info. It looks like a may have to download a new browser ? ( I have internet explorer )

I'm interested ( as i'm sure everyone else is !! ) what the 5.1 disc sounds like ? I hope you have a very enjoyable evening listening to your new discs !!

 

[wanners]

I'd rather stick with SACD and DVD-A too.. and I've no idea why this is happening in this way and why right now..

Isn't it kind of obvious why this is happening now. For most intents and purposes the major players abandoned those formats and BD is considered THE physical format of the present and future. Its the obvious chose because it has no limitations for the technology of today. We've had to buy new hardware periodically since the beginning of hi-fidelity audio. This is no different and should not be considered a surprise.

 

[Odys]

I have the Gainsbourg Melody Nelson disc on the previously available DVD-V 5.1 edition. Is this new edition lossless in 5.1, or still lossy like the one I own?

 

[fredblue]

Isn't it kind of obvious why this is happening now. For most intents and purposes the major players abandoned those formats and BD is considered THE physical format of the present and future. Its the obvious chose because it has no limitations for the technology of today. We've had to buy new hardware periodically since the beginning of hi-fidelity audio. This is no different and should not be considered a surprise.

quite a few DVD-A's coming this year, all in 5.1.. that format's still niche but far from dead and buried.

I'm not bashing this new BDA campaign, I'm all for it.. I'm just a bit surprised after the handful of BDA's (all 5.1) we've had so far why this UMG gig is so stereo-centric and happening in quite this way a couple of years after BDA could have been launched. that is all

 

[fredblue]

I bought a few of these discs today: the two Jacques Brel, Alain Bashung Osez Joséphine, Serge Gainsbourg Histroire de Melody Nelson and Supertramp Breakfast in America.

I had a look at ALL of them in the FNAC: only Serge Gainsbourg Histoire de Melody Nelson is actually mentionned as being 5.1, while all the other discs are explicitely mentionned 2.0... Wasted opportunity for surround!!! :howl

I am listening to Supertramp's breakfast in America, which sounds really nice, and does not appear to be mastered loud (initial impression).

I tried to dowload the FLAC files... and got an error message, so I had to get back to their technical support :flame

Dowloads are made through this URL

thank you for the info

are the Jacques Brel albums that were previously in 5.1 on SACD definitively 2.0 only on these new BDA's?

 

[GabeL]

Let's keep the reviews coming...if you would, please

 

[fredblue]

FNAC in France have the exclusive rights to these BDA titles for the next 5 months.

"C'est en effet la FNAC qui détient la vente exclusives des Blu-ray Pure Audio pour cinq mois"

 

[fredblue]

Cnet France reports on the UMG press conference today..

http://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/universal-lance-sa-gamme-de-blu-ray-pure-audio-39790301.htm

 

[smokey911]

Cnet France reports on the UMG press conference today..

http://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/universal-lance-sa-gamme-de-blu-ray-pure-audio-39790301.htm

Here's a translation;



After three trial balloons, Universal officially launches its collection of Blu-ray audio. Under the name of Pure Audio Blu-ray, this "new format" setting audio quality to convince music lovers.

In 2012, Universal Music France tried a first time with Mylène Farmer. In 2013, the record repeated experience with Zazie (March) and Carla Bruni (April). With 70,000 / 80,000 units sold for the first and 20,000 Blu-ray Pure Audio for each other (developed by the company figures), Universal is trying to give a real start to this new format called High Quality. A preview reserved for France before being "quickly" (the company has remained vague on this subject) extended to other countries around the world.

Technically better than CD
The promise of Pure Audio Blu-ray: providing better sound quality than CD. To do this, Universal says from studio master tapes which are then digitized to 24 bits at a sampling frequency of 96 kHz (16-bit / 44.1kHz for CD). The result is then pressed onto a Blu-ray disc in three formats: PCM, DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD. No hazardous extrapolation multichannel Blu-ray audio is faithful to the original mix. This is the stereo (2.0) in most cases. These Blu-ray audio contain no other content types: no videos, no pictures.
Wanting copy protected, each Pure Audio Blu-ray features a code in order to retrieve versions dematerialized an MP3 and FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec).

New, low diffusion, small catalog, new technical and technological process to implement ... All this has a cost that is reflected in the price: € 19.99. High at a time when sales of physical media collapsing price. Universal Music France, through the voice of its President Pascal Negro says the Pure Audio Blu-ray has to rely on the audiophile fads as shown in the balance sheet in 2012 and the start of GfK vinyl (19% of LPs sold between 2011 and 2012). The record also includes a park of Blu-ray players already installed. Unlike previous technologies (for example SACD), the Pure Audio Blu-ray does not require additional investment, as long as you already have a Blu-ray player. Blu-ray players lounge, box of ISPs (including Freebox), game consoles (Sony PS3) and Blu-ray computer drives are able to read the Blu-ray audio. In 2012, the rate of equipment on Blu-ray was 32% in France. A figure expected to reach 50% in 2014. (Source SEVN - e the Union Edition Digital Video).

36 tracks and an exclusive distribution
The proposed catalog, if it wants eclectic (rock, pop, jazz, classical, French, International), remains limited with 36 titles (or 37 counting an album announced but not referenced in the lists). Another detail leaves us skeptical about the chances format data win: an exclusive distribution until September 2013. This is indeed the FNAC which holds the exclusive sale of Pure Audio Blu-ray for five months.

According to the third paragraph they regard multi-channel as a "hazardous extrapolation" !!
What hope do we have for surround mixes if this is their attitude ?

 

[fredblue]

Quote: smokey911According to the third paragraph they regard multi-channel as a "hazardous extrapolation" !! What hope do we have for surround mixes if this is their attitude ?

uh oh..

 

[Dixie4]

uh oh..

+ 1

 

[fredblue]

+ 1

if this is the approach with these things, I'll only buy the BDA's for albums/artists I really love.
I'm buying the Supertramp, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder BDA's for just that reason.

if they put out surround on these discs then I'll do exactly what I've done with SACD and DVD-Audio and buy hundreds of titles in the format I'd never have bought otherwise if it wasn't for the surround sound mixes.

I'm sure I'm not alone in this. thousands of potential sales (per title) down the drain if at least some of these don't have surround mixes, particularly if there's a 2nd wave.. this might be it, of course, if wave 1 is a flop!

 

[Dixie4]

I've just looked at the translation. In terms of multi channel, they use the term, " risky "

IDIOTIC !!!

What " risk " would they be taking !! ?? They could easily fit a 5.1 surround mix too, then the consumer has the joy of both, and new consumers, new to surround, can decide whether they like this format, or not.
It basically comes down to money, surround mixes would no doubt increase costs, and it's clear from their words, that they want to release these discs, for the cheapest price possible, to encourage buyers.

 

[fredblue]

I've just looked at the translation. In terms of multi channel, they use the term, " risky "

IDIOTIC !!!

What " risk " would they be taking !! ?? They could easily fit a 5.1 surround mix too, then the consumer has the joy of both, and new consumers, new to surround, can decide whether they like this format, or not.
It basically comes down to money, surround mixes would no doubt increase costs, and it's clear from their words, that they want to release these discs, for the cheapest price possible, to encourage buyers.

what's more MORONIC is Universal NOT including 5.1 surround mixes on all these BDA's for which there are existing surround mixes from their initial SACD release 10 years ago..!!!

if that's not a backwards step, I don't know what is..!!?!?

 

[Dixie4]

what's more MORONIC is Universal NOT including 5.1 surround mixes on all these BDA's for which there are existing surround mixes from their initial SACD release 10 years ago..!!!

if that's not a backwards step, I don't know what is..!!?!?

They're deciding for the consumers ( that haven't heard surround sound ) that this format is no good. I defy anyone that hasn't heard the format, to hear it for the first time, and say they're not impressed by it.
They clearly regard SACD has a failiure, and don't want to be associated with it, and in some way, that would be copying Sony's idea's, which they want to clearly avoid, but at the same time, want to create their " own next big thing " !
In my opinion regards the Rollling Stones discs, i can't tell an audible difference between the 3 audio formats, perhaps there is no real difference ? If that's the case, then they're not offering as much as they claim to be !! ??

 

[ABMickey]

what's more MORONIC is Universal NOT including 5.1 surround mixes on all these BDA's for which there are existing surround mixes from their initial SACD release 10 years ago..!!!

if that's not a backwards step, I don't know what is..!!?!?

The article describes directly what these Universal Guys think. We try to implement a new format and give the people what we want to give.

Clear Management Failure at all...As Fred wrote despite the buy of some of my Favs as Stereo BD I would buy the whole bunch on MCH-BD.

What a wasted opportunity :howl

 

[fredblue]

They're deciding for the consumers ( that haven't heard surround sound ) that this format is no good. I defy anyone that hasn't heard the format, to hear it for the first time, and say they're not impressed by it.
They clearly regard SACD has a failiure, and don't want to be associated with it, and in some way, that would be copying Sony's idea's, which they want to clearly avoid, but at the same time, want to create their " own next big thing " !
In my opinion regards the Rollling Stones discs, i can't tell an audible difference between the 3 audio formats, perhaps there is no real difference ? If that's the case, then they're not offering as much as they claim to be !! ??

I'm gonna stick my neck out and say this:
SACD would have been an even bigger flop had it not been for its MultiChannel abilities.

Almost everyone I know who is even aware of SACD (beyond members of this QQ Forum) know of SACD for its surround capability.

In fact, my sister thought for the longest time it stood for "Surround Audio CD" and she's no Luddite, she's a tech-savvy 20-something.

Sadly on that basis it doesn't apply to most people who aren't avid surround music QQ member fanatics.
the vast majority of people I know and chat to (again outside of QQ) aren't interested in Surround music, even if they are into better sound quality.

SACDs benefits for Hi-Rez stereo are negligible (imho) and are outweighed by all the ultrasonic noise filtering guff going on. there's often precious little going on above 22khz (so no better than CD) on a lot of SACDs and then there's the PCM to DSD conversion fiasco, with the insinuation that the conversion introduces sonic anomalies.. huge can of worms.

Personally speaking, I would never have bothered with SACD had it not been for MultiChannel. I could have easily got an SACD player (albeit at not inconsiderable expense) and SACD discs when they first appeared but the first (stereo-only) discs released over here (I distinctly remember the Billy Joel coming out) got panned in this country.. when the surround big guns (Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Elton, etc) came out on SACD I jumped on board and have never looked back.

From a surround music P.O.V., SACD is brilliant. From any other perspective, for me, it's more collectibility now than anything else that is motivating my purchasing.. improved stereo benefits of SACD are I feel due to superior mastering and superior source material being used over any other/previous redbook CD release of the same album.

 

[Dixie4]

www.facebook.com/HFPureAudio1

U.K. titles will be announced shortly ( I've tweeted and asked if there's any plans for 5.1 releases )