Super Audio Compact Disc
Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) is a format developed by Sony and Philips to replace their former creation, the Compact Disc. It competes with DVD-Audio in that field.
It starts from a fundamentally different approach compared to CD and DVD-Audio, and instead of using PCM for audio data storage, they use another audio data representation technique called PDM which, according to Philips and Sony claims, is better than PCM.
The main features are:
- Up to 100 kHz bandwidth
- Multichannel
- 120 dB dynamic range
- Backwards compatible to CD
- Strong encryption
- Meets ISC requirements
SACD represents a good option for those that want a media that will play everywhere, and not only in the living room SACD player. Discs in this format are often released in two layers (hybrid disc): one is a SACD layer that can only be read by special players, and another is a standard Red Book CD layer that can be read by any CD player.
Still, SACD isn't seeing much success. The likely reason is that users can't be convinced to switch to an expensive technology that doesn't seem to bring them any obvious advantage compared to CD.
The SACD specification is contained in the Scarlet Book, which can be licensed from [Philips]
References
- [ SACD information]