There are probably only a handful of recorded works which could successfully survive the transition from the original two-channel release to a 5.1 surround remix. Queen's 1975 release <I>A Night At The Opera</I> is certainly one of them, and, in fact, the recording was originally scheduled to hit the streets <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11174/">last November</A> as a 5.1 DVD-Audio disc from <A HREF="http://www.dtsonline.com">DTS Entertainment</A>.
You have to wonder what Sony is thinking. The <A HREF="http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio/digitalstudio/index.shtml">product copy</A> claims that the new Sony "VAIO Digital Studio" computer is the company's "incredible computing and entertainment hybrid combining television, recording, playback and even music." Oooops. Forget about that music part, especially if you purchase Sony Music's latest Celine Dion CD.
Those unhappy with today's over-the-air broadcasting choices will be glad to know that this is shaping up as a busy year for new radio formats. The commercialization of the IBOC AM and FM digital broadcasting system is about to be revealed at the same time that Sirius satellite radio announces that it will be accelerating its rollout schedule in an effort to compete with rival XM satellite radio.
Both SACD and DVD-Audio have been slow finding their way into higher-end players. Sony dominates the market for SACD, and the other major consumer electronics manufacturers are trickling out DVD-A and universal players. The few exceptions include SACD machines from <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/474/">Classé</A> and <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/340/">Accuphase</A>. Soon to be added to the list: Linn.
Chad Kassem is a true audio renaissance man. For years he has headed <A HREF="http://www.acousticsounds.com/">Acoustic Sounds</A>, supplier of select recorded musical treasures from a variety of audiophile and specialty labels. Kassem also has his own label, Analogue Productions, which produces reissues, revivals, and a series of original recordings under the label APO Records.
The record companies have declared war on their customers when it comes to the fair use rights of purchased music, and it would appear that they want the government to enlist in their crusade. Previous weeks have seen South Carolina senator Ernest Hollings propose draconian <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11287/">copyright legislation</A> as well as recent pro-Hollywood remarks from California's senator Diane Feinstein.
According to a recent report from <A HREF="http://www.arbitron.com">Arbitron</A> and <A HREF="http://www.edisonresearch.com">Edison Media Research</A> (EMR), approximately nine million consumers who have ever listened to Internet audio said they would be willing to pay a small fee to listen to the one audio channel they listen to most online.
If you find yourself spending more time in a car seat than in your audio system's sweet spot each day, the trend pairing high-end audio companies with car manufacturers may offer a little relief. Lexus made a big splash last year by incorporating Mark Levinson technology into its latest cars, joining collaborations between Dynaudio and Volvo among others.
At its January CES presentation, Sony announced that this is the year that SACD will roll out big time to the masses. News from EMI/Capitol and Silverline Records would suggest that DVD-Audio may not be far behind, at least as far as available software is concerned.
Music publishing organizations such as ASCAP and BMI have long worked out licensing deals with radio broadcasters, who pay royalties in exchange for playing music over the air. A <A HREF="http://www.loc.gov/copyright/">US Copyright Office</A> panel is now suggesting that online broadcasters also pay royalties, this time directly to the record labels, in a recommendation that has so far left all parties unhappy, particularly broadcasters.