SACD
The first to appear on the market was SACD, able to recreate the atmosphere and space that surround the original sound source in extreme detail. Its origins date back to the early 1990s, when Sony and Philips began a project to create a new latest generation audio format.

The aim was to create a new format able to offer the highest quality sound while protecting the artist's copyright. The high quality sound is achieved Direct Stream Digital (DSD) recording technology, which allows the reproduction of sounds that are infinitesimally different (that's to say, virtually identical) to the original musical signal. With a range of frequency in reproduction of up to 100 kHz, and a dynamic range superior to 120 db in audible frequency (20-20.000 Hz), SACD reproduces even the most difficult musical details, both in stereo and multi-channel audio.

There are currently three different configurations of SACD disks: single layer, double layer and hybrid. The one layer disk contains a single layer of high density content, while the double layer contains two high density layers. Finally, the hybrid disk is made up of a single high density layer and another low density one identical to that of a conventional compact disk allowing it to be read by traditional compact disk players. What's more, SACD incorporates the latest technology to ensure that the disk is not copied in unauthorised fashion, such as an invisible mark or watermark, and the encryptation of content before recording.

DVD-Audio
The origins of DVD-audio date back to 1995, when a group of 10 companies created the DVD Forum, where the DVD-video and DVD-audio standards were drawn up. As in SACD, DVD-audio is identical to the classic CD, but has a storage capacity that is seven times that of a CD and a dynamic range of up to 144 db (as against the CD's 96 db) and a frequency of up to 192 kHz (as against the CD's 20). DVD-audio thus provides exceptional sound quality, both in stereo and multi-channel. The maximum reproduction time is thus 400 minutes, with a resolution that is similar to that of a CD.

The birth of the CD introduced a more ample dynamic range to improve sound quality but could not reproduce frequencies superior to 20 kHz. Later investigations showed that these higher frequencies affect acoustic perception and, also, help to reduce the stress of many hours of listening. Hence, the DVD-audio format improves frequency reproduction to up to 96 kHz. Its high sonic fidelity is a result of its faster sampling speed and depth of bits quantification. Thanks to its 192 kHz at 24 bits maximum resolution, DVD-audio is able to reproduce frequencies of up to 144 db, against a CD's 96 db. This means it is able to transfer all musical details with complete clarity. Some instruments that have a wide variety of frequencies, such as cymbals, are reproduced with a more authentic and rich timbre.

The huge storage capacity of DVD-audio allows you to record from two to six channels on the same disk. DVD-audio also reproduces fixed images, musical videos and text, functions that can be selected interactively on the menu screen of each disk. Depending on its characteristic and performance, you can visualise images of the artist while you listen to the music, see videos, stills of the recording or read information such as lyrics that can be synchronised to the music.