The long wait for DVD-Audio seems finally comng to an end. In a press release this morning, Good Guys (Nasdaq: GGUY) announced that Panasonic and Technics DVD-Audio products will be available at all Good Guys locations beginning July 1! DVD-Audio is a new multi-channel audio format that is poised to replace audio CDs. It is not to be mistaken with DVD Video that features audio content, as true DVD-Audio utilizes a different format and significantly higher resolutions for the absolutely natural reproduction of recordings.

“Good Guys” customer base of early adopters and tech-savvy consumers, who have enthusiastically embraced our DVD-Video products, is the ideal audience for our cutting-edge DVD-Audio line,“ said Gene Kelsey, vice president and general manager of Panasonic. ”DVD-Audio offers the closest thing to truly pure sound and, with the support of premier specialty retailers like Good Guys, will set a new
global standard for music.“

Initially, Good Guys will offer the Panasonic DVD-A7 and the Technics DVD-A10 DVD-Audio players. The DVD-Audio format leverages the data capacity of DVD and linear Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) to provide unparalleled sound fidelity. PCM offers ultra hi-fi (up to 192kHz/24-bit) 2-channel audio or up to 6 channels of hi-fi multi-channel sound with 74 minutes or more of playtime on a CD-size
disc. DVD-Audio players can also play DVD-Video discs and compact discs.

”DVD-Audio is a clear advancement in home theater entertainment and we are thrilled to be among the first to offer Panasonic’s leading-edge products,“ said Cathy A. Stauffer, vice president of merchandising, Good Guys. ”The addition of DVD-Audio to our expanding selection of mid to high-end consumer entertainment electronics will expose our customers to the full range of digital products and provide them with the opportunity to create the ultimate home theater system using next generation audio and video technology.’