The conception and evolution of digital audio

Past trends and future projections concerning the evolution of compact disks are reviewed. It is emphasized that the rapid evolution of such systems depends on the coordinated development of various new technologies, including system architectures, algorithms, components, media, and software, Of major importance was innovation in the semiconductor technology. The practical availability of such semiconductor devices as durable laser diodes, high-precision AD (analog/digital) and DA (digital/analog) converters, sophisticated logic LSIs, and high-capacity memories was indispensable for the new digital system to be realized. Related technologies that have been developed and applied since the compact disk system demonstrated the practical advantages of digital audio are reviewed. Future developments are forecast.<>