Anthems From Kings [DVD] [2002]

The feature which I feel must be emphasised is the audio quality.

There is NO Dolby Digital track. There is, however, a 2 channel stereo track of quite breathtaking transparency. Partly this is because it is 24 bit (not 16 bit as usual) /48k. On my system, the speakers simply disappeared and seemed unrelated to the music which just sounded 'real'. Visitors were convinced I had switched on my 'surround' speakers and indeed I had to double check this. 24bit /48k is a some way from the DVD-A or SACD specification. If that is even better and in multi-channel, I cannot wait!

The other audio track is DTS 5.1 This is also truly remarkable - particularly in the items where the choir stands at one end of the chapel. The famous enveloping acoustic sound supremely natural and the organ sounds quite sensational with near perfect balance. Splitting hairs, I do not think the choir sounds quite as absolutely transparent as on the stereo track but - because of usual space constraints on the disc, the DTS is at 'half' rate which constrains the extreme high frequencies to about 18kHz rather than 24kHz. Experiments have shown that even older people can detect the change in quality on cutting out the higher frequency, even though their hearing drops off at about 10-12 kHz.

I have quite a number of 'classical' DVD's, but this seems to me the best audio quality I have heard (clearly better than CD). The Anthems disc , beatifully presented, (as always with BBC/Opus Arts) is that rare treat - a disc that makes you forget all the technology and be swept away by the music. The picture (16:9) is beautifully done and candle lit and the camerawork exemplary. How I would love to hear a 24 bit multichannel version!

The surround audio is *not* Dolby Digital but DTS 5.1. Tnis is absolutely stunning - I thought initially not capable of improvement, but the disc itself disproves me. The DTS is carried at half the allowable full bit rate, which curtails the upper frequencies from about 24 kHz to 18kHz. The LPCM uncompressed stereo track conceals a standard 48kHz sampling rate (22 kHz audio) but 24 bit resolution. This is a revelation. The speakers seem to - 'disappear'. My son was convinced I was playing the surround track as the realism is palpable way beyond and even around the stereo stage. This is not even the full resolution to be offered by DVD Video - but just try it and the DTS. I cannot decide between them - as near perfection as I have yet heard in my home.

An amazing DVD for those with good audio replay equipment and promise of even better to come when SACD and DVD Audio are properly available. Well done engineers - even better than Carols from Kings (also in DTS surround).

Sample the items later in the disk where the choir stands at one end of the chapel - amazing in both formats and just magical as a whole. My DVD of the year.