High-definition vinyl may be a reality in 2019

High-definition vinyl may be a reality in 2019

High-definition vinyl may soon be yours.

According to Austrian startup Rebeat Innovation, they may be rolling out units of High-definition vinyl by 2019 following a $4.8 million investment.

This comes at a perfect time, seeing as vinyl sales have skyrocketed over the past year or so, proving that the once-loved art is in fact unconditional.

Rewind to 2016, a European patent filing described a way of producing records that the inventors claimed would have “higher audio fidelity, louder volume and longer playing times than conventional LPs,” as is reported in Pitchfork.

Unsurprisingly, processing the HD vinyl involves the digital conversion of audio to a 3D topographic map.

They then use lasers to inscribe the map onto the “stamper,” the part that stamps the grooves into the vinyl.

Vinyl evolution

According to Rebeat Innovation CEO Günter Loibl, these methods allow records to be made with precision and with less audio information.

The results of such vinyl LPs include 30% more playing time, 30% more amplitude and over all improved sound reproduction.

The new method also avoids using chemicals found in traditional vinyl manufacturing AND the new HD vinyl LPs are able to play on ordinary record players.

So now, with the method and an investment, Rebeat Innovation can start the process. They’ve ordered a laser system ($600 000) and hope for its arrival by July.

Once that is up and running, they will produce test stampers for 5 pressing plants yet to be determined.

“Our goal is to officially present our test stampers at the Making Vinyl conference in October,” Loibl said.

“It will take another eight months to do all the fine adjustments. So by summer 2019 we shall see the first HD vinyls in the stores.”

With major labels like Sony pressing vinyl for the first time in 30 years and vinyl becoming a billion dollar industry for the first time in as many years too, high def vinyl is looking more viable than ever.

So there you have it folks- the High-definition vinyl may soon be swooning you.

Sourced