Question about playback formats and standards

[Johnny B]

Oh, I love this question.

Clearly, bit-depth and sample rates are up for an overhaul.

However, when you folks consider the bit-depth portion, I hope you will also take into account DSP issues, communication issues (latency), truncation elimination (if possible) and total computer thruput...

For example, say you chose 32- or 64-bit. Some could argue that some of the extra bits were not really necessary...but others might also make a counter-argument that the elimination of any and all intermediate translation steps would have offsetting benefits, and therefore, 32- or 64-bit may make a lot of sense in the long run.

I suppose another way to view this would be to say something like "Future formats need to take into account overall system perfomance issues."

My thanks to the orginal poster of this question for asking it.

Taking the time to get the future formats "really right" should make all the difference in the world.

[Johnny B]

This is a great question. Thank you.

Future formats that can improve digital sound quality, eliminate intermediate steps, and increase communication speeds as well as overall system thruput are now needed. To do it "right" will take some effort, but hopefully we will eventually have a stardard that will last for many years because it was relatively "future proof" from the outset.

Having said that, I'd be interested in what those on board have to say about "future proof formats" and perhaps share their ideas on the areas that should be targeted for improvement.

We are very much committed to high-resolution surround performance. we
have hopes for the new high-capacity formats, either HDDVD or BluRay.
both platforms are likely to have the ability to carry high-resolution
audio formats: bit-stream (DSD) or 96/24 PCM.

While it's clear that we're in need of one audio format that a majority
of users subscribe to, it's as important for users to have a choice.
there's no doubt that the market will be driven primarily by video.

For highest quality music creation it's important to put the highest
resolution recording format on the shelf. think about how many times
Pink Floyd has been re-released in the past 30 years or so (vinyl, then
CD, then SACD in both 2-channel & surround) .

[Stu Nevitt]

This is probably very naive, bit I am a drummer. Wouldn't 1 bit resolution be the optimum?
BTW-Ed, I worked with Harry Andronis for many years with Shadowfax. I also knew your brother Chuck in Chicago.