HDCD'S

HDCD is a very clever way of getting 20 bit program resolution out of a 16 bit recording media (CD). Before true, 24 bit, high resolution media became practical HDCD made sense. Today it is the world's best audio buggy whip.

The basic concepts of HDCD remain applicable to all kinds of digital recording, and will probably resurface in context of both audio and video on DVDs or sucessor media. That is what Microsoft has in mind.

I have some HDCD discs, and some sound very good. However, I am not sure that this is not just the result of good mastering, as I have other regular CD that also sound very good. One HDCD disc, a Judy Collins collection, is inferior to a regular disc of mostly the same material.

Thanks for the explanation, Eldartford. I've been wondering why HDCD made such a swift disappearance from the marketplace.

Grant Lee Buffalo, "Copperopolis." Just noticed the HDCD light on.

Head-fi.org members have been compiling a list of HDCDs in this thread for about a year and a half. It has grown into a substantial list and contains a number of "stealth" HDCD CDs that are not so marked.

Thanks to Jeff_e for a very comprehensive listing of HDCD's.