View source for Blu-spec

{{short description|Read-only optical disc for high-fidelity audio storage}}
{{infobox media
| logo          =
| type          = [[Optical disc]]
| encoding      =
| capacity      =
| read          =
| owner         = [[Sony]]
| use           = Audio storage
| extended from = [[Compact Disc Digital Audio]]
| released      = {{Start date and age|2008}}
| standard      =
}}
'''Blu-spec''' is a rarely-used format of [[Compact Disc|compact disc]] made using production techniques similar to [[Blu-ray]] discs, but were readable with standard compact disc players. The alleged benefit of these was in the playback accuracy. The back catalogue of mainstream artists were released in this format.
==Background==
In November 2009, Japanese company Sony Music Entertainment announced that it had developed a new CD that was compatible with standard compact disc players.<ref>What Hi-Fi, July 07, 2009 - [https://www.whathifi.com/news/japan-cds-only-better News, JAPAN: Like CDs, only better… By Andrew Everard]</ref> It was claimed by Sony Music Entertainment that in the production process, new machines were used to make the master discs.<ref>Tech Crunch, November 6, 2008 - [https://techcrunch.com/2008/11/05/blu-spec-cd-sonys-new-cd-boasts-high-quality-is-based-upon-blu-ray-technology/ Hardware, Blu-spec CD: Sony's new CD boasts high quality, is based upon Blu-ray technology by Serkan Toto]</ref>
With the mastering of the Blu-spec CD being the same as a Blu-ray, the more precise authoring relates to a better sound quality than normal CDs.<ref>Yes Asia - [https://www.yesasia.com/us/customer-support/products-faqs/0-0-0-hti.2177-en/question-answer.html General Music Items, '''Q''' What is Blu-spec CD?]</ref> When a standard CD is mastered, an Infared beam is used to make the digital notches on the master disc (mother matrix). With the Blu-spec master, a blue laser is used which is a finer etching process. With this technology, the notches are therefore more precise which reduce playback errors. The notches on a Blu-spec CD have a width of 125&nbsp;nm compared to the 500&nbsp;nm width on a standard CD.<ref>''78 Tours at H265'', by Laurent Poret (30 Mar 2019_ - [https://books.google.com/books?id=Uc_HDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Blu-Spec%22&pg=PA98 Page 98 'Compact disc]</ref>
The difference in sound is said to be negligible when looking at other high-quality formats. The difference between a Blu-spec CD and a [[Super Audio CD]] is that the Super Audio CD has the capability of storing much higher quality audio. The Blu-spec CD uses the standard 16-bit, 44&nbsp;kHz audio encoding. This means that the Blu-spec CD isn't capable of providing an improvement in sound.<ref>CNET, Feb. 27, 2009 - [https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/blu-spec-cd-format-what-is-it-and-should-you-even-care/ Blu-spec CD format: What is it and should you even care? by Nate Lanxon]</ref> According to the Museum of Obsolete Media, with the limitations of digital audio from compact discs and no extra information being stored, it was debatable whether Blu-spec discs provided a better sound.<ref>Museum of Obsolete Media - [https://obsoletemedia.org/blu-spec-cd/ Blu-spec CD (2008 – )]</ref>
==History==
When the format was launched in 2008, the manufacturer, Sony didn't make any claims about a superior sound to the standard CD. Neither did they make any comparisons between this new format and the [[Super Audio CD]] (SACD). The benefit of these new discs as they were was the accuracy in reading the data on the discs.<ref>Tech Crunch, November 6, 2008 - [https://techcrunch.com/2008/11/05/blu-spec-cd-sonys-new-cd-boasts-high-quality-is-based-upon-blu-ray-technology/ Hardware, Blu-spec CD: Sony's new CD boasts high quality, is based upon Blu-ray technology by Serkan Toto]</ref><ref>CNET, Feb. 23, 2009 - [https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/blu-spec-sonys-latest-cd-format/ Home Entertainment, Blu-spec: Sony's latest CD format by Steve Guttenberg]</ref>
According to [[Tech Crunch]] Sony had plans to release around sixty titles in Japan, to be available on December 24, 2008. One of them was ''[[Kind of Blue]]'' by [[Miles Davis]]. Another was an album by [[Aerosmith]]. Other releases were in various genres including jazz and classical.<ref>Tech Crunch, November 6, 2008 - [https://techcrunch.com/2008/11/05/blu-spec-cd-sonys-new-cd-boasts-high-quality-is-based-upon-blu-ray-technology/ Hardware, Blu-spec CD: Sony's new CD boasts high quality, is based upon Blu-ray technology by Serkan Toto]</ref>
The Blu-spec and HQCD formats were reviewed by Wojciech Pacula of the polish ''High Fidelity'' magazine in May 2009. The conclusion after the review tests were done was that there was marked difference between standard CDs vs HQCD and Blu-spec CD pressings. Pacula claimed that there was an audible difference. However even though he said that Blu-spec was “really something”, it was HQCD that had the better sound.<ref>''High Fidfelity'' (Poland), May 21, 2009 - [https://www.highfidelity.pl/!ev/artykuly/21_05_2009/kts.html KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY MEETING #64: HQCD + BLU-SPEC CD by Wojciech Pacula]</ref>
According to the JAPAN: Like CDs, only better... article by Andrew Everard for ''What Hi-Fi'' in July 2009, the format had an extensive Bob Dylan catalogue, as well as all of Billy Joel's catalogue and releases of Deep Purple, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Lou Reed, Simon & Garfunkel and Patti Smith.<ref>''What Hi-Fi'', July 07, 2009 - [https://www.whathifi.com/news/japan-cds-only-better News, JAPAN: Like CDs, only better… By Andrew Everard]</ref>
In 2013, Sony released an album ''Feel the Difference of the Blu-spec CD2'' (cat# Sony Records Int'l SICP 30125–6). A 2CD 34 track compilation it contained tracks by [[Elvis Presley]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Santana (band)|Santana]] and [[Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref>Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/4485010-Various-Feel-The-Difference-Of-The-Blu-spec-CD2- Various – Feel The Difference Of The Blu-spec CD2]</ref><ref>Amazon - [https://www.amazon.com.au/Feel-Difference-Blu-Spec-CD2-Legacy/dp/B00AAKVWKW Feel the Difference of the Blu-Spec CD2 Legacy Rec]</ref>
==Releases (selective)==
In July, 2009, [[Barbra Streisand|Barbra Streisand's]] ''Essential Barbra Streisand'' was released on the format as a 2-CD album on Sony  No	SICP-20190/1.<ref>99 - [https://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=470162&PrinterFriendly=1 Barbra Streisand, The Essential Barbra Streisand]</ref>
Jimi Hendrix's ''[[Electric Ladyland]]'' was released on Blu-spec CD2 in 2015 on Sony Records Int'l SICP 30823.<ref>Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/9980882-The-Jimi-Hendrix-Experience-Electric-Ladyland The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland]</ref><ref>Amazon - [https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Ladyland-JIMI-EXPERIENCE-HENDRIX/dp/B013H0A8K6 Electric Ladyland Blu-Spec 2]</ref>
In 2018 Wasabi Records released the [[The Foundations|Foundations']] ''[[Digging the Foundations]]'' album (cat#  WSBAC-0102) in Blu-spec format. The CD came with eight bonus tracks and liner notes by Masato Wakatsuki (若月眞人).<ref>Wasabi Records - [http://www.wasabirecords.com/catalogue.html Wasabi Records Catalogue]</ref> Two other albums, ''[[From the Foundations]]'' and ''Rocking the Foundations'' were also released on the label.<ref>Wasabi Records - [http://www.wasabirecords.com/catalogue.html Wasabi Record Catalogue]</ref> In late 2018, the ''[[40 Trips Around the Sun]]'' album by [[Toto (band)|Toto]] was released on Blu-spec 2 format on Sony Records Int'l SICP 31137.<ref>Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/11540785-Toto-40-Trips-Around-The-Sun Toto – 40 Trips Around The Sun]</ref><ref>Amazon - [https://www.amazon.com/40-Trips-Around-Sun-Greatest/dp/B07KZ4H7ZJ 40 Trips Around The Sun - Greatest Hits 40 Blu-spec 2]</ref>
The new [[Deep Purple]] album, =1 also was released on Blu-Spec CD exclusively in Japan on August 7 2024 by King Records.
==Further reading==
* CNET, Feb. 27, 2009 - [https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/blu-spec-cd-format-what-is-it-and-should-you-even-care/ Blu-spec CD format: What is it and should you even care? by Nate Lanxon]
* ''High Fidfelity'' (Poland), May 21, 2009 - [https://www.highfidelity.pl/!ev/artykuly/21_05_2009/kts.html KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY MEETING #64: HQCD + BLU-SPEC CD by Wojciech Pacula]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Audio formats}}
{{High-definition}}
[[Category:Digital audio]]
[[Category:Audiovisual introductions in 2008]]
[[Category:Compact disc]]
[[Category:Audio storage]]
[[Category:Digital audio storage]]