Frequently a hot topic in the hallowed pages of Stereophile, DVD-Audio will be among the agenda items at the third US DVD Conference on October 1-2, 1998, in San Francisco. Presented by the DVD Forum, the international association working to develop universal DVD formats, the event will take place at the Grand Peninsula Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency SF Airport.

According to a Forum statement, "The two-day conference provides an excellent opportunity to explore the fast-extending scope of DVD and latest format developments. Among key items on the agenda will be the recent standardization of DVD-Audio, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW."

It should be noted that the DVD-Audio spec has not been finalized, but is currently at version 0.9. The spec will include more specific tech details when version 1.0 comes out---hopefully in the next few months.

According to Toshiki Miyaji, Chairman of the DVD Format Promotion Office, "DVD Conferences provide an excellent forum for sharing information on the latest advances in DVD technology. The US Conference allows the DVD Forum to explain recent developments to the whole market, and to promote the exchange of views on formats and technology among participants." There will also be displays and demonstrations of DVD products and technologies.

Registration for the DVD Conference is $100 per person for DVD Forum member companies, $295 per person for non-member companies. A discount rate of $249 is offered to non-members registering by August 31. For further information, contact Patricia Belknap of WellWater Event Management at (888) 333-9220 or by email.