Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Universal Music Group to Issue SACD Discs

Here's an interesting press announcement from the Universal Music folks re: SACD:

Saturday August 25, 6:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group to Make Music Available On High-Quality Super Audio CD Format
- UMG to Release Titles on Super Audio CD as a Preferred Format -

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 25 -- Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's largest music company, today announced it will make titles available on the high-quality Super Audio CD format which has been jointly developed by Philips and Sony. UMG plans to release Super Audio CD titles consisting of a combination of best-selling new releases and catalog. Many of the releases will incorporate the multi-channel surround sound capabilities of the Super Audio CD format.

``With the increasing penetration of Super Audio CD players in the marketplace, UMG recognizes the substantial potential for this innovative new format,'' said Jorgen Larsen, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music International. ``By making titles available on Super Audio CD, UMG intends to help drive the growth of this high-quality, secure music format, with its many benefits for consumers and recording artists. The objective is to make Super Audio CD a standard for the industry.''

The combination of Super Audio CD's high-quality stereo and multi-channel surround sound enables consumers to get as close as possible to the studio master quality experience. In addition, the Super Audio CD technology incorporates a unique set of copyright protection measures, providing better protection of artists' rights.

``UMG looks forward to providing consumers with a compelling musical experience. Super Audio CD provides extraordinary resolution and sound quality, which truly brings the music 'to life,''' said Larry Kenswil, President, UMG eLabs. ``Super Audio CD offers a new 'palette' to present our artists' music in more original and dynamic ways.''

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly-owned record operations or licensees in 63 countries around the world. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations.

Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record Company, Deutsche Grammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, MCA Nashville, MCA Records, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Philips, Polydor, Universal Records, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and UM3 (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its division dedicated to strategy, business development, and management of new businesses in the online and advanced technology space.

About Universal Music Group eLabs

eLabs is the division of Universal Music Group dedicated to exploring, developing, and evolving global business and new technology strategies to expand the role of music in consumer's lives. eLabs houses an incubation team for developing and implementing new e-music programming and digital music distribution initiatives across all emerging technology and convergence platforms, including Internet PC, wireless, PDA's, Home Networking and TV set-top box systems.

For further information, please contact: Krista Gariano, Dir., Corporate Communications eLabs, Universal Music Group, +1-310-865-9609, elabs.communication@umusic.com; or Lisa Bond, Vice President, Communications, Universal Music International, 0207 747 4217/07880 785108, lisa.bond@umusic.com.

SOURCE: Universal Music Group

can sacd decoding be done solely in software? presumably, but does the 568 and/or 861 have the horsepower to do it (assuming Meridian releases such software)?

sab

[This message has been edited by SAB (edited 02-04-2002).]

Well, Meridian told us at CES in January that they would support SACD a) after it's DVD-A players were issued and b) if it caught on.

Perhaps we'll hear more from them re: potential SACD support in a couple of weeks at the CEDIA show in Indianapolis ( http://www.cedia.org/expo/index.html ).


[This message has been edited by bmoura (edited 08-25-2001).]