HDCD compatible?


What does this term mean? I'm looking at a cd player which is described as HDCD compatible with onboard HDCD decoders. Does this mean that it will play HDCD discs in HDCD or just play them in redbook like players that only play the redbook layer of the sacd hybrids?
jsonic
Actually there were quite a number of HDCD encoded CD's released, some of which didn't stamp the HDCD logo on the jackets.

Unsound, how does one find this information if it's not on the disc? Is there a code, a numeric prefix? A flag? A color? Or is it just random luck? I'd buy more cds if I could pull the gems from the junk.
When one inserts an HDCD encoded disk into an appropriate player, an HDCD light glows on the player. I guess that doesn't help much if you aren't already in the know, sorry. There used to be a website that listed most HDCD titles including some that weren't labeled as such. I wish I could remember the URL, there's a good chance it doesn't exist anymore. It might have disappeared around the same time that Microsoft bought HDCD.
Check out www.hifimusic.se/hdcd/ Click the icon for the English language version, then click on 'The Database' to get an alphabetical listing of HDCD titles.
It should be mentioned that there are new recordings continually being released in HDCD. One reason is that many artists are not crazy about digital to begin with, and want the very best (Redbook playable) rendering of their performances.

And I'm guessing the lack of the HDCD identifier on albums will be corrected now Microsoft is handling things ;--)

Third, the HDCD process is improved, and Keith Johnson (the co-inventor of HDCD) has ressurected Reference Recordings, which has a large catalog of new releases using the ugraded process.

www.referencerecordings.com
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Thanks. The cdp I was referring to is the 5 disc marantz vc 6001. Does anyone know specifically what compatible means as it applies to this particular player? The Grateful Dead still release all their vintage live shows in HDCD and that alone is reason enough for me to need it. Thanks for all of the informed responses guys.