Callum Lerwick wrote: > Jason DeStefano wrote: > >>Im sure this sounds like a conspiracy theory (and perhaps a bit >>off topic since i havnt been following this thread)...but do we >>really need 24bit, 96KHz or anything close to that? Research >>has shown that the current 16bit 44k rate is better quality than >>99% of people hearing ability anyway, why make a newer format >>that is 5 times as much resolution? Hasnt 48K been around for >>a while already? Why not use that? >> > > More dynamic range. (Movies in particular tend to make more use of this. > Ever notice how DVD's on a computer tend to sound quieter than most > other audio sources? The average volume is kept down to allow more room > for loud obnoxious dramatic orchestral hits during action scenes. ;) > I thought CDs already had 90dB of dynamic range I would think that's plenty. As far as audio equipment goes I think the time when any of us could really tell a difference has long passed. This discussion just happens to be great timing for a recent experience of mine. I was at Best Buy picking up some speakers to add to my home entertainment system. (I finally gave up on the old Left/Right speaker for DVDs and went to a five speaker system.) With new speakers I needed more speaker wire so being the tight ass I am I walk over to the cheapest 16 Ga wire I can find and grab a couple of 50ft packages. The sales guy walks over and says that I should really use better speaker cables if I want it to sound good. He wanted me to buy 16 Ga "Monster" cables for about 3 times as much money. Well being that I know better I just kind of laughed and told him that I was sure that the el cheapo cables would be just fine. Bob Pease the lead analog scientist at National Semiconductor has spoken out about speaker cables in the past: (along with many other hoaxes, at least one is UNIX related so this is kind of on topic) http://www.national.com/rap/Story/0,1562,3,00.html http://www.planetee.com/planetee/servlet/DisplayDocument?ArticleID=768 I bet if you were inclined to look you could find more. Or you could argue with him but I am certain you would lose. My point being that as even though the technology has gotten better I bet that in a blind test none of us could tell the difference. Ooh, SG-1 is on in ten minutes, I gotta go. Have fun, watch your wallet. SG, O.S.D.