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Sony Blu-spec CD Format Detailed, Hits Stores

Posted by timothy on from the this-year's-jumprope dept.

CNETNate writes "More details about Sony's new Blu-spec CD format — standard CDs authored using Blu-ray's blue diode technology — are beginning to emerge, with commercial releases beginning to hit Amazon. Blu-spec CDs are compatible with existing CD players but have been mastered with higher levels of accuracy by using the same technology used to author Blu-ray discs, with the intention of eliminating reading errors that occur as a result of being authored with traditional red laser technology. Sony has also launched an official (Japanese) site for Blu-spec CDs."

5 of 290 comments (clear)

  1. I'm unimpressed. by Sj0 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This reminds me of the gold plated cables "to ensure the digital signal has the highest fidelity".

    This looks like snake oil marketed to the "I'm a pretend audiophile who loves buying more expensive things with questionable benefits" crowd.

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    It's been a long time.
    1. Re:I'm unimpressed. by LUH+3418 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I feel the same way. I never ever had problems with defective audio CDs, or none that my non-audiophile ears could detect anyways! Furthermore, aren't audio CD sales constantly dropping? Do we really need more odd physical media formats?

    2. Re:I'm unimpressed. by Nerdfest · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's attempting to solve a very serious problem ... Sony's not making enough damn money.

    3. Re:I'm unimpressed. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Perhaps we'll see regular CDs drop to 8 bucks, and these new (identical) cds priced at 20-30 bucks.
      No, you'll see these new cds priced at $20-30 and they won't make the older ones anymore.

  2. Impressions... by Firethorn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I would have been more impressed if they'd somehow managed to keep it compatible while 'hiding' a second layer such that while you'd get the traditional old two channel audio with a traditional player, a blue laser player would be able to access the second layer, enabling high fidelity, high bitrate 6 or even 8 channel sound.

    As is, it sounds like they're eliminating 'errors' by doing the equivalent of printing old 200 dpi images with a modern 1200 dpi printer. Sure, it's a bit cleaner, but there's no additional information.

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    I don't read AC A human right