Hybrid SACD the new standard?

I'm always suspicious of news stories based on interviews that begin with the words, "Psst, buddy!" No single record company is going to stop producing CDs that list for $18 and switch to hybrids that list for $23. They do have to compete, you know.

As long as the market is predominantly CD, the record cos. are going to have to deliver sub-$20 discs. If they can figure out how to make hybrids cheaply enough to make a profit at that price, then they can switch over.

Also, I understand that SACDs are copy-protected, in the sense that you can't get a digital out yet. But that wouldn't affect the CD layer, would it? So how does a hybrid disc solve the copy protection problem?

They'll probably copy protect the cd layer of the daul layer sacd disc. Just my guess....

The few hybrids that i've listened to have given me a headache / listening fatigue. This took place on a couple of different occassions. My brother was with me one of these times and he experienced the same effect. Maybe i'm "tainting the water" for those that are hoping that SACD takes off, but i'm just passing on my experience. Sean
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Maybe it would be different in your home system, Sean? I just want the silly dvd-a, sacd "war" to go away...I do think sacd is being driven by the fact it is not able to be copied and the cd layer of a hybrid will be copy protected..the peggy back sacd will force its way into our homes, in time, if sony and universal bit the bullet and take some losses upfront. I think they are panicing and will do anything to "protect" the music. Losses to copying must be biting.....just my 2 cents worth[about.05cents US.....

I feel the same towards such a high price item, 23 is steep.
But let's assume that SACD doesn´t by itself open market enough.... so here you have this two companies with a fading profit generating media(CD) that is plagued with copy problems. Now if they have invested a bundle in SACD and if this is not making money in a foreseeable future, then let´s mate the failing old dog with the new hound copy protect everything and let´s the volume produced help the new one and copy protect the old dog.....Not bad thinking for them.
I´m not sure they´ll stop producing CD´s but for sure it will drive the market if the new stuff is "only available " in the hybrid discs...... let´s see if the catch bites the lure.....