Is SACD winning over DVD-A?

Redkiwi brings up a point that many may be overlooking, compatibility. I recently went to a local Best Buy to pick up the Police SACD (the classics). They have a new section titled "SACD & DVD-audio". Not shopping for DVD-A's before, I was shocked to see the jewel cases are of an irregular shape, not as small as a "standard" CD jewel case or as large as a DVD - somewhere in the middle. Not easy to store, I think - STRIKE 1 for DVDA. I next see that most of the SACD's are hybrid and can be played on regular CD players. Not only that but the hybrid, redbook layer sounds pretty darn good on a standard CD player. It doesn't appear that a standard DVDA can play on a regular CD player, maybe a DVD with DTS capability but not a "regular" CD player. STRIKE 2 for DVDA. I am also thinking that some folks out there who listen to the redbook layer of an SACD and find it improved (dramatically in some cases) might wonder just how much better it may sound played on an SACD player, perhaps leading to a purchase of a player???. In short, I see 2 strikes against DVDA already and wouldn't want to bank on a "strike 3" not happening.

DVD-A has 4 things going for it:
1. DVDs have a greater capacity than cds in storing data for future formats as well as current ones.
2. They can also include other surround sound formats like DD and dts (including dts 96/24, IMHO the cleanest sound yet; check out Queens video hits- Boheimian Rhapsody;spelling?!) as well as stereo.
3. DVD-A can also display video stills (e.g. song tracks and lyrics)
4. IMHO a cheap dvd player is a better cd transport than a cheap cd player.

However, (1)they need to include all formats on each album release (a lot of them don't have both DD and dts.), (2) use the standard cd jewel cases ( like the DADs),(3) they need to push the hardware development (including high end) that also includes car dvd players and (4) and a plus for HDCD decoding.

This would allow playback on any dvd player (stereo) and any dvd player equipped with dts/DD for multi channel. With the right marketing, they could make the cd obsolete in all future recordings. Bottom line: the dvd has a lot more potential than the cd.

For multi channel the verdict is still out, but for 2 channel I think SACD is winning for me.. I just picked up a few hybrid discs to conduct my search for a SACD player. I'm still trying to decide if SACD is worthwhile for 2 channel over a good redbook player. I will also be doing some type of universal player when my HT room is done in another few months but this is not a system of the same caliber as my tube gear. Since I'm still on the fence, I wanted a disc that I could get really familiar with at home on my current CD player. Since I'll be looking at both CD and SACD I wanted something I could take to the store and listen to in multiple players. Finding the same disc in CD and DVD-A seemed almost impossible. For me the hybrid thing may be the biggest factor. Being able to play music in the car(s), bedroom, etc is also important. Maybe I'm just cheap but I hate having multiple copies of the same disc. I'd rather buy more music.

The other issue I see is I've heard that most DVD-A players need a video monitor to navigate the tracks and perform setup. For setup I can hook up a little display I have but it is not something I want as part of the 2 channel setup.

Over time more and more good multi channel recording will be made but I think 2 channel recordings will outnumber them by a huge ratio. My biggest fear is that the future will be dominated by MP-3..