Introduction

The world of audio has progressed a great deal in the last hundred+ years. We have move a long way from the initial early wax cylinders to what is now the most advanced super high-fidelity 24-bit resolution. The resolution offered with 24-bit DVD quality recordings is bringing us as close to a true analog sound as we’ve been since the emergence of compact disc.

It may sound crazy that progress over the past twenty years has brought us back to the record album in terms of sonic quality. What has really progressed is the portability and longevity of the medium. Now with 24-bit audio we are approaching the resolution of a pure analog waveform.

In addition to burning 24-bit files to DVD for playback, rapid advancements in the semiconductor and storage technology arenas has made a significant impact upon consumer entertainment technologies and how we now can access our stored digital content.  If you are reading this you most likely are aware that we are now enjoying a convergence of computing and home entertainment.  Many connectivity devices are coming to market that now enable us to play back content stored on hard drives through our home media centers.

The time to jump into the audiophile quality 24-bit realm has never been better. Software and hardware prices have come way down in the past year making super high-fidelity audio a less expensive proposition.

24-bit downloading

You MUST have a broadband connection to download 24-bit audio files from DigitalSoundboard.net. PLEASE do not attempt this download with dial-up.

The 24-bit FLAC files are processed the same way as 16-bit FLACs. The 24-bit FLAC files are brought into the FLAC front-end and decoded.

If these enourmous files are more that you want to bite off in terms of a download, we will gladly mail you the 24-bit FLACs. Send us an email at disc-order@digitalsoundboard.net and we will get the 24-bit files in the mail to you pronto.

24-bit file manipulation

You’ve now got the 24-bit audio files taking up an enormous chunk of your hard drive.

First step will be to move the 24-bit audio files off your computer. You will need to have a DVD-R burner and blank DVD-Rs or DVD-RWs. A blank DVD-R typically holds 4.7 GB of data. New developments have capacity of the blanks getting bigger with the advent of DVD-9. This format is too new to be discussed at this time.

If your computer is relatively new chances are it came with a DVD-R burner built in. External DVD-R burners are available.

A new $40 DVD authoring solution has emerged recently that now enable 24-bit files to be burned and played back on almost any DVD player --check out Audio DVD Creator.  DVD's burned via Audio DVD Creator will playback on most standard DVD players.

DVD-A

In order to prepare your 24-bit audio files to be burned to DVD-R, special software is required. Until recently, DVD-A encoding tools were very expensive ($500+). In March 2004 Minnetonka released discWelder Bronze, which has provided the world with the first sub one hundred dollar DVD-A authoring tool. One of the key features of Bronze is it’s ability to create gapless recordings, providing seamless playback from one song file to the next.

Once you’ve burned your 24-bit files to DVD-R you need to playback the disc on a DVD-A player.

Playback devices for 24 bit recordings

Presuming you’ve now burned your 24-bit Steve Kimock Band performance to DVD-R(W) and you now want to listen to the super high-fidelity k-waves. You can play the music back on your computer or networked home entertainment center or you will need a DVD or DVD-A player depending on which authoring software you have used. As expected, the price has come down dramatically on DVD-A players in the past year. You need to be sure that your DVD-A player is also compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW since that will be the disc medium you will be playing your k-waves back on.

Depending on where you do most of your music listening, there is a DVD-A player solution for you. The major electronic retail outlets now carry DVD-A units for both the home and car.

Need more information?

An excellent, but slightly dated, read on 24-bit audio and recording can be found at http://www.24bitfaq.org/. The FAQ was penned by a Kimock devotee and taper Dan Heend.

To learn more about everything DVD visit DVD Demystified.