1. What is DualDisc?
DualDisc is a new two sided disc product introduced by the music industry which
mates DVD recorded material on one side with digital audio material on the other
side. DualDisc is similar in size to a DVD and CD. The DVD side of the DualDisc
offers DVD video or DVD audio content which may include many of the features
currently found in DVD discs including enhanced audio; 5.1 surround sound, music
videos, artists' interviews, behind-the-scene footage, documentary films, photo
galleries, lyrics and other material produced by the recording artist or label. The
audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the technical specifications to be called a
"Compact Disc Digital Audio".
2. Will the DVD side of the DualDisc play on Sony DVD players or DVD-optioned
PCs?
The DVD video content on the DVD side of the DualDisc will play on, and be
compatible with Sony DVD players and DVD drives, except MegaStorage DVD
Changers. However, Sony DVD players and drives do not support DVD Audio
format and contents found on the DVD side of a DualDisc conforming to the DVD
Audio format will not play on these Sony devices. Sony DVD players and DVD
drives should play all other DVD audio content offered on the DVD side.
3. Will the audio side of the DualDisc play on Sony DVD players or DVDoptioned
PCs?
Not always. Since the audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the Compact Disc
Digital Audio specifications found in the industry "Redbook", the data constituting
the audio portion of the disc may not be read by the DVD player or DVD drive.
Even though the audio side does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio
specification, some Sony DVD players and DVD drives may read and interpret the
audio side of the disc while others may not.
4. Will the audio side of the DualDisc play on a Sony CD player or CD-optioned
PC?
Not always. Since the audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the Compact Disc
Digital Audio specifications found in the industry "Redbook", the data constituting
the audio portion of the disc may not be read by the CD player or CD drives. Even
though the audio side does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specification,
some Sony CD players and CD drives may read and interpret the audio layer while
others may not.
5. Will Sony modify my DVD/CD or CD player or drives to play DualDiscs?
No. The DVD and CD players and drives manufactured by Sony were designed to
meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio and DVD Forum specifications. Since the
audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio
specification, Sony is not in a position to modify its players or drives to allow them to
play back this new type of disc.
6. Will DualDiscs play in my Sony MegaStorage CD or Megastorage DVD
Changers?
No. DualDiscs may become jammed in the slots or racks of the holders of these
products. We recommend that you do not attempt to play DualDiscs in these units.
7. Will DualDiscs play in my slot-type CD or DVD players?
Subject to the answer to Question 2 above, the DVD side of a DualDisc will be able
to play in a Sony slot-loading DVD player. However, the DVD side of a DualDisc
may be scratched or abraded when used in a Sony slot-loading CD player.
Compact Discs have a hard or non-recorded surface on top (normally where you
would see the artwork or the label of the record company on the Compact Disc).
Some CD slot-loading players are designed to load a Compact Disc by means of a
mechanical device that pulls the disc into the player. Because DualDiscs contain a
content layer, such as the DVD layer, on the "top side", the loading mechanism may
scratch or abrade a portion of that surface. These scratches or abrasions may
affect the subsequent playability of such scratched or abraded side of the Disc. We
recommend that you do not attempt to play DualDiscs in slot-loading CD players.
Whether or not it is scratched or abraded, the audio side of a DualDisc may not play
in slot type CD or DVD players because it does not conform to the Compact Disc
Digital Audio specifications.
8. Will DualDiscs play in car CD players and car DVD players?
Subject to the answer to Question 2 above, the DVD side of a DualDisc will be able
to play in Sony car DVD players. However, the DVD side of a DualDisc may be
scratched or abraded when used in a slot loading car CD player. Compact Discs
have a hard or non-recorded surface on top (normally where you would see the
artwork or the label of the record company on the Compact Disc). Car CD slotloading
players are designed to load a Compact Disc by means of a mechanical
device that pulls the disc into the player. Because DualDiscs contain a content
layer, such as the DVD layer, on the "top side", the loading mechanism may scratch
or abrade a portion of that surface. These scratches or abrasions may affect the
subsequent playability of the such scratched or abraded side of the Disc. As a
result, we recommend that you do not attempt to play DualDiscs in slot-loading car
CD players. Whether or not it is scratched or abraded, the audio side of a DualDisc
may not play in Sony car CD or DVD players because it does not conform to the
Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications.
9. What to do if DualDisc media becomes jammed or some other damage occurs with your Sony DVD/CD Player or Changer from using DualDisc media.
For assistance, contact the Sony Customer Information Services Center at 1-800-222-7669.