Thread: Has Universal ceased BD~A Production?

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Post by rammiepie July 28, 2015 (1 of 46)
It seems that 2014 was a banner year for hi res physical discs of all varieties (SACD/DVD~A/BD~A) but in 2015, it seems Universal is ceasing all BD~A production with NO new titles announced.

Not surprising since there WERE a lot of mishaps and confusion among potential customers as to what a BD~A truly is/was. And the very fact that Warners and SONY never launched their own much anticipated BD~A programs contributed little to bolster the format.

SO many Amazon reviews complained of NO picture (duh!) and the failure of Universal to properly advertise it's new format only added to the confusion.

I notice some vendors are blowing the classical BD~As (stereo) out for under $10.

So, I would exhort those of you who wish to partake to act hastily.

"Hasta la Vista, Baby" to another hi res physical disc format.

Hope I'm wrong.

Post by Lute July 28, 2015 (2 of 46)
Reminds me of what the owner of the bakery that I worked part time in at college told me.

"People eat with their EYES... First!"

Post by rammiepie July 28, 2015 (3 of 46)
Lute said:

Reminds me of what the owner of the bakery that I worked part time in at college told me.

"People eat with their EYES... First!"

Are you referring to "sleepy crumbs," Brett?" KYAA!

I personally love BD~A but except for a few releases like the Solti Rings, Universal failed to properly utilize the VAST real estate available on a single BD~A.

Placing a single album per BD~A was, IMHO, plain stupid.

At least we CAN look forward to some upcoming BD~As in box sets and the new David Gilmour album in September.....Rattle That Lock.

So while QQ is revamping and overcomes some technical difficulties, I hope we'll be seeing more of you Brett on this site.

Post by Lute July 28, 2015 (4 of 46)
I am a big fan of bluray as well. But, perhaps it was doomed from the start because of its inability to attract young buyers and compete with the power of the Internet...downloading, streaming, music sharing, etc...

Oh well... Let's hope a few enthusiasts like Steven Wilson keep it going and growing...

Post by rammiepie July 28, 2015 (5 of 46)
Lute said:

I am a big fan of bluray as well. But, perhaps it was doomed from the start because of its inability to attract young buyers and compete with the power of the Internet...downloading, streaming, music sharing, etc...

Oh well... Let's hope a few enthusiasts like Steven Wilson keep it going and growing...

Hopefully, so, Brett.

Can ONLY imagine the capacity of the upcoming 4K BD players.

Will be able to do a RING around the RING and then some in terms of sheer volume.

So stock up on those Universal BD~As while they're cheap. For instance Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez - Karadaglic, Nezet-Seguin

Spectacular sounding disc and you'll love the performance, as well.

Post by Lute July 28, 2015 (6 of 46)
What a nasty little discussion of that disc everyone was having a while back. LOL! (^_-)v

But, I'll definitely take your advice and see if I can snap up some bargains before the Universal BDA-Titanic sinks...

Speaking of bargains, I picked up The Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil Remix for 2 bucks.

Post by rammiepie July 28, 2015 (7 of 46)
Lute said:

What a nasty little discussion of that disc everyone was having a while back. LOL! (^_-)v

But, I'll definitely take your advice and see if I can snap up some bargains before the Universal BDA-Titanic sinks...

Speaking of bargains, I picked up The Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil Remix for 2 bucks.

Brett, 60 5 star reviews over at AmazonUK and cheap~o~ta: Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez - Karadaglic, Nezet-Seguin. I also have Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, Fantasía para un gentilhombre, Concierto madrigal - Yepes, Monden, Navarro and the former's sonics are superior (albeit stereo). Music should be fun and if pundits want to analyze every note....what's the fun in that?

Sympathy For The Devil is HOT, Hot, hot. Great use of surrounds. Imagine if the Stones committed to 5.1 remasters? A glimpse.

Post by Ubertrout July 28, 2015 (8 of 46)
Universal totally bungled the rollout of BD-A at a time it couldn't afford to do so. The albums were needlessly short, they omitted multichannel tracks even where available, they didn't consolidate albums even where it would have made sense, they offered albums that were DSD recorded and available through Channel as SACDs as BD-Audios, and in stereo only...

And then they heard people talking and took it to mean that people only wanted multichannel, when in reality we just didn't want MCH needlessly omitted. Most people were fine with stereo where that is all that was available.

And the few they did right, like Brahms: Symphonies - Chailly, they had a pressing error that incurred constant returns.

People are dumb. My suspicion as to why SACD succeeded comparably is simply that no-one expects video content from a CD, and if the hybrid disc plays in your CD player, you're happy. Blu-Ray Audio seems to have confused people despite the giant stickers saying no video content, and the initial discs offered were too duplicative of existing SACDs.

Another missed opportunity.

Post by Daland July 29, 2015 (9 of 46)
According to Amazon.de Universal will release a number of new titles on Blu-ray Audio.
A box set (4 CDs, 1 Blu-ray Audio) with the complete symphonies of Sibelius (VPO, Maazel) will be released by Decca on Oct. 2, 2015 and a disc entitled "Disoveries" (starring Gustavo Dudamel) by DG on December 31, 2015. Other Blu-ray discs feature Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, Bach cantatas and piano concertos by Grieg, Schumann and Mozart. No details are provided, but some titles may be available already on SACD (Universal Japan), albeit at a much higher price.
So there is hope yet.

Post by rammiepie July 29, 2015 (10 of 46)
Daland said:

According to Amazon.de Universal will release a number of new titles on Blu-ray Audio.
A box set (4 CDs, 1 Blu-ray Audio) with the complete symphonies of Sibelius (VPO, Maazel) will be released by Decca on Oct. 2, 2015 and a disc entitled "Disoveries" (starring Gustavo Dudamel) by DG on December 31, 2015. Other Blu-ray discs feature Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, Bach cantatas and piano concertos by Grieg, Schumann and Mozart. No details are provided, but some titles may be available already on SACD (Universal Japan), albeit at a much higher price.
So there is hope yet.

So, I was wrong Daland.

It will be wonderful to have the Maazel/VPO Sibelius Symphonies on BD~A and the Gustavo Dudamel "Discoveries" BD~A, as well http://www.allmusic.com/album/discoveries-mw0002365890.

I only wish one didn't have to buy the RBCDs to enjoy the BD~A of the Sibelius Symphonies, a practice I wish Universal would retire.

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