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High Density Compatible Digital (HDCD)
HDCD enhances the audio
quality of Compact Discs. |
High Density Compatible Digital (HDCD) is a recording process which enhances the quality
of audio from compact discs giving an end result which is more acceptable to audiophiles
than standard CD. It was developed by Pacific
Microsonics.
HDCD discs use the least
significant bit of the 16 bits per channel to encode additional information to enhance the
audio signal in a way which has been shown does not affect the playback of HDCD discs on
normal CD audio players. The result is a 20-bit per channel encoding system.
HDCD is claimed to provide more dynamic range and a very
natural sound.
 Many HDCD titles are available particularly in the USA.
Discs can be recognised by the presence of the HDCD logo. For
information on titles available see the HDCD
website.
Special HDCD players are needed to playback HDCD discs by a
combination of interpolation plus the use of additional codes to correct for defects in
interpolation. These players area claimed also to give better results with ordinary CDs than normal
non-HDCD players. Some DVD players will play HDCD discs. |
