DRA audio coding technology gains BDA approval

Remember that funky DRA audio format we mentioned way back in July of last year? Yeah, somehow that just got approved by the BDA. While we're sure the likes of DTS and Dolby won't be up all night fearing for tomorrow, there actually is another audio format in the Blu-ray town. Over in Beijing, the Blu-ray Disc Association, China Hualu Group and Digital Rise Technology have gathered together to announce that the DRA digital audio coding technology has been approved for inclusion in the BD-ROM 2.3 specification as an "optional audio codec." The folks involved seem pretty stoked, but seriously, what are the chances any mainstream Blu-ray Disc ships this year (or ever, really) with a DRA soundtrack? Anyone placing bets?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 4:34PM]

For China, I am not suprised to hear this news. But in other countries, I see studios using either PCM or DTS for high resolution multichannel music discs.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 8:22PM]

Maybe I'm missing something, but what's the point of yet another audio format? AFAIK, it brings nothing new to the table. Is it just because the Chinese wanted to get in on it?