CD on one side, DVD on the other

A group of record labels announced on Tuesday plans to introduce a new disc format later this year that combines CD and DVD technology.

The consortium, which includes major labels EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, said the DualDisc product has a full album on a CD side of the disc and the album in enhanced sound--such as DVD-Audio--on the other side. The DVD side also includes a range of features, such as music videos, interviews, photo galleries, Web links, concert footage and lyrics, the DualDisc Consortium said.

DualDiscs are compatible with nearly any device that can currently play a CD or a DVD, and will be available beginning in October, the consortium said.

The announcement comes as traditional music sales are under pressure from online file swapping and legal downloads from the Internet.

Advanced audio disc technology--including the DVD-Audio format--has been around for some time but has not taken off in the market.

DualDisc received an impressive response from consumers in test markets conducted earlier this year, according to the consortium.

"By combining video, surround sound and Web connectivity in a single disc, we are presenting our artists with a broader palette to express their creative vision, while at the same time giving consumers what they told us they want--greater value driven by unique content that brings them closer to the artist," said a statement from Andrew Lack, CEO of Sony BMG Music Entertainment. "We're confident that this groundbreaking new initiative will help to re-energize traditional music retail."

[mortis9]

Show me something NEW !!!

SACD has been around for years, and with full backward compatibility with tradional compact disc, on the same side, no less. That said, it offers audio far superior to dvd-audio and in 6-7 discreet channels, just like dvd-audio. That technology could have been incorporated into every cd on the market, and no one would have even known. why this? the process of turning over a disk and then using a different laser is going to end up costing more money [in manufacturing] than just including in the box, two seperate disks - one dvd, one traditional cd. stupid idea. very stupid.

[nmcphers]

You are right

Never heard of SACD before, but everything you said made sense. I'd also like to add that Dual side DVD's annoy me because I have to read the fine print to try to figure out which side is which. Can you imagine having to go trough that everytime you want to play a CD?
Second. One of the biggest incentive for me in buying a CD as opposed to having someone burn me their copy, is because I want the unique CD art and colour.

[skeptik]

It's about F'ing time

Maybe this is a halfbaked idea, we'll see how good the content is and how much "extra" they want to charge for this, but it's about time the record companies got off their lazy, whiney butts and offered the consumers some incentive to buy, rather than threats and letigation to force us to buy things we don't want, need or see enough value in.

[fbaldeva]

Cha-Chingg!!!! $$$

It looks like the music industry will find a way to gauge consumers. What will it be? $20.00 a pop?

They haven't even been able to lower their current prices, which is why purchasing music on-line is better.

Why would one pay $17.00 for one song that they can download for $0.49 - $1.99?

Hopefully the DualDics will be in the $9.99-$11.99 range.

[kieranmullen]

Not gonna happen... Sorry Sony...

Being the biggest sometimes you take risks. Sony must like to be one of thos companies. DVD drives have a better head start and more or the market. More drives produced = lower prices and better technology. By the time this ships DVD technology will have dual layers in full swing. (they are out now)

Besides they are just going to get scratched up.

I cant believe someone funded this project.

[kieranmullen]

Not gonna happen... Sorry Sony...

Being the biggest sometimes mean that you take risks. Sony must like to be one of those companies. DVD drives have a better head start and more of the market share. More drives produced = lower prices and better technology. By the time this ships DVD technology will have dual layers in full swing. (they are out now)

Besides they are just going to get scratched up. :-)

I cant believe someone funded this project.