quote:

Originally posted by Flicker:
Does anyone actually have the box sets yet?

Yep. Me Both sets.

I'd read somewhere at some point that the Beatles rerelease might be the last big hurrah for the CD format.

If that turns out to be the case, what is expected to replace the CD? I don't imagine that it will be the SACD, although some recent Blu-Ray universal player introductions have surprisingly incorporated it into the formats that they'll fully support, while the PS3 has dropped it. Will it be some sort of audio-only BD or perhaps a BD with album art and lyrics (and possibly other items) included as part of its video features?

Any ideas? Anyone in the know? Maybe that format will be what the Beatles catalog will be released to should any 5.1 remixes eventually see the light of day.

Thinking about the subject a little further, dangerous I know . . .

The standard-definition video standard now seems to be the DVD, while the high-definition equivalent would be the BD. The DVD will probably be replaced by the BD once Blu-Ray players become much more commonplace and BD prices come down in price.

Currently on the audio side, the standard and high-definition analogs would effectively be the CD and the SACD/DVD-A. If they happen to be nearing their end, any thoughts on what their replacement(s) might be? It seems to me that one or probably both will eventually be replaced, but it's hard to imagine that it will be happening anytime soon, particularly as long as the CD format is supported by Blu-Ray players.

There is a definite gradual shift away from physical media to downloadable formats .. Apparently CD & DVD sales were down 20% in 2008 .. and for 2009 so far a 23% drop. .. So yeah .. it looks as though "Digital" will be the norm for the future ..ie.. Downloadable format for MP3 Players - iPoD - USB etcetera.. No moving parts so the upside is that Audio/Visual gear will last longer. .. well! that's the theory.

Moving to download rather than physical media does make sense, but I hope the move is to high quality downloads, with flac being the minimum. mp3s being a compressed format just don't cut it quality wise compared to the uncompressed CD.

quote:

but I hope the move is to high quality downloads, with flac being the minimum. mp3s being a compressed format just don't cut it quality wise compared to the uncompressed CD.

Agree!

I also agree and always choose the FLAC option when given a choice to purchase an MP3 or FLAC file. You can always convert a high-quality download to one of lower-quality, but not so much he other direction.

I'd imagine that the download equivalent, say, of the SACD in terms of file size might be prohibitive at this stage. Perhaps capacities and costs would have to come into favorable alignment before those types of very high-fidelity audio downloads would become more of a reality. The iPod drives just wouldn't be able to hold enough songs or albums of this size/quality at this point.

On the video side, the same would hold with the large size demands of the Blu-Ray format.

I also wonder how hard some buyers will hold on to the desire (or at least the option) to purchase something tangible. They may have to be dragged kicking and screaming by the labels forcing the action for the changeover to occur. I may be one of those people!

The loudness wars have previously been discussed several times here on the boards.

For those who have the stereo and mono CD boxsets, was compression at all noticeable? I believe that I'd heard an interview in which the engineers stated that there was very little of it on the stereo remasters. I'd imagine that there would be even less reason to do so on the mono remastered versions, but was curious of what people detected on them, as well.

I couldn't detect that much compression at all on the stereo masters, bearing in mind the age of the recordings and the original mixes were compressed (as a majority of 1969s recordings) in the first place.

All in all, the remasters are bloody fantastic

quote:

I'd imagine that the download equivalent, say, of the SACD in terms of file size might be prohibitive at this stage. Perhaps capacities and costs would have to come into favorable alignment before those types of very high-fidelity audio downloads would become more of a reality. The iPod drives just wouldn't be able to hold enough songs or albums of this size/quality at this point.

On the video side, the same would hold with the large size demands of the Blu-Ray format.

Good point!

If (or more likely "When") devices get smaller with larger storage capacities .. And like we need more plastic in the world like we need a hole in the head .. are we seeing the Death throws of the physical formats and will they be gone within the next 10 years?

There was no limiting used on the digital mastering of the mono CDs. There is limiting on the stereo CDs but it's been carefully applied. So while they're louder than the original Beatles CDs, they're certainly not brick-wall limited like most modern CDs.

I'm yet to receive my boxes but the promo double-CD sounds good.

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I'm yet to receive my boxes

Would it be the longest wait for you .. for an order to arrive Jaffa .. or would you call it unprecedented? .. if so .. GOD!! The demand must be phenomenal

Don't buy the Beatles remasters, unless...

just recvd my mono box yesterday...as most have said, the packaging is very well done.

haven't had a chance to play from a to z yet but the obvious ones that i've jumped on (sgt pepper's, white album, help!) have some gems in them:

Help! (song) is my favorite. Not so much cos it's a different mix but also it's a different vocal take ("..and now these days are gone" instead of "but now these days are gone") - john sounds a little more emotional/urgent - very good.

She's Leaving Home is nice at the faster tempo.

I like I Call Your Name - slightly different guitar lick at the beginning I think. Rhythm guitar is mixed a fair bit lower I think - I don't hear it sliding up on the chord changes the way I do in the stereo (maybe it's a different rhythm take altogether??). And obviously, the cow bell comes in earlier.

Sgt Pepper's Reprise is interesting at the beginning - not sure what I think yet. Knowing that this is how it was intended to be heard will probably influence my thinking on this one.

Back In the USSR is probably better in mono - some interesting differences in the vocal mix, esp at the end.

Extra fiddle on Don't Pass Me By I haven't heard since the old US Rarities lp in the 80s. Not life changing.

Not sure if I can hear a difference on Yesterday or not. Maybe a little on the double tracked vocal sections.

Different bird sound timings in Blackbird. Other than that, not much of note on this one.

I think most of them are available to hear on You Tube.

Just taking the opportunity to re-listen to these tracks as a body of work makes you take stock again of how exceptional a band these guys were.

quote:

Originally posted by Hunter:

quote:

I'm yet to receive my boxes

Would it be the longest wait for you .. for an order to arrive Jaffa .. or would you call it unprecedented?

I'm happy to wait. I'm used to it, having waited decades for an offical release of the "Let It Be" movie.

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Originally posted by Jaffaman:
I'm used to it, having waited decades for an offical release of the "Let It Be" movie.

Ain't that the truth.

That said, having watched it from a less-than-official source, I have to say it was possibly the single biggest anti-climax of anything in the Beatles' canon.

It's actually an utterly boring experience to watch (and this from a man who has spent hours listening to Get Back out-takes).

True, it's not the most fun thing to watch. I've had a copy of the video since the '80s and have rarely watched it but it'd still be a good thing to have on an offical DVD or Blu-Ray with optimal visual and audio quality. No doubt there'd be much bonus material highlighting the more jovial jams and conversations (there were plenty, going by what's been bootlegged).

From what I've read, Paul and Ringo are not keen at all about the movie and when you watch it you can see their point.

It's not an exciting doco as it doesn't really go anywhere and I get the feeling that the best and juicy stuff is on the cutting room floor.

Having said that, a Beatleholic like yours truly (and others on this forum) will gladly accept a hi-def, 5.1 version of the movie on Blu-Ray. With all the extra trimmings, thanks. Just for the rooftop concert alone would justify expenditure. Yes I would certainly buy this...

...If only to complain again about the movie being dull. Well, that's Beatledom for you!

Woohoo, I just got the stereo box from Fishpond for $311!

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Originally posted by Flicker:
Woohoo, I just got the stereo box from Fishpond for $311!

Blimey, that's about £3.50 isn't it?

Bargain of the year, no doubt.

USB option (including 24 bit, 44.1 Khz FLAC!), it is . . .

http://www.amazon.com/Beatles-...1&pf_rd_i=B000APTK6K