HydrogenAudio

Using a laser-based process, Tulln startup Rebeat Innovation wanted to revolutionize the record and get more information into the grooves. But nothing comes of the so-called HD Vinyl: as reported by the Alpine Association of Creditors (AKV), the company has since filed for bankruptcy.

Despite streaming: you can’t kill the record. In the previous year alone, more than 400,000 vinyl records were sold in Austria – an increase of twelve percent compared to 2020. However, production and sound quality have not changed for decades, which is why Rebeat Innovation in Tulln, Lower Austria, has been around for several years. involved in the “HD Vinyl”.

In a new process, instead of the “conventional scratch tools” as company boss Günther Loibl called it in 2017, a laser was to take over the cutting of the blank, which would allow the grooves to come closer together, which would take about 30 minutes at a time. percent more information and 30 percent more base volume Promised improved sound quality and faster production.
“Not achieved the desired result”

https://todaytimeslive.com/economy/99652.html

A bit more

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/19/hd-vinyl-rebeat-pause/ (https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/08/19/hd-vinyl-rebeat-pause/)

"Loibl explained that current digital laser technology proved incapable of delivering the precision and dynamic range that listeners would demand."

Seems after 5 years wait, it is was rubbish.

Laser playback never lived-up to expectations either, except it does completely eliminate record wear. 

Well...   Laser playback WORKS PERFECTLY with digital discs.     The problem was solved many years ago with smaller, digital, polycarbonate discs!!!  

I assume most vinyl buyers aren't looking for the best sound quality anyway.   Maybe some "audiophools" but apparently they like the "sound of vinyl" so they wouldn't want it to sound like digital!  ;)

"Loibl explained that current digital laser technology proved incapable of delivering the precision and dynamic range that listeners would demand."

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Loibl indicated that planning is already underway for a technological reboot involving a more analog approach. ”Later this year, we’ll do some testing with an analog-controlled laser,” Loibl said. “If these tests are successful, we will restart the HD Vinyl project.”

Now we're talking!  43 years after LaserDisc had a laser read from an analog medium. ;D

But seriously, does anyone know whether the nanometer magnitudes quoted are anything close to what in reality is significant? Below a certain magnitude I presume there is nothing but random noise?
Picture of old nanotech: https://m.facebook.com/TribologyMinor/posts/this-is-a-3-d-printed-and-magnified-200x-vinyl-record-groove-for-an-engineering-/2070490256398314/

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also Porcus: *links to Facebook*

12" Vinyl CD.   :))

But seriously, does anyone know whether the nanometer magnitudes quoted are anything close to what in reality is significant? Below a certain magnitude I presume there is nothing but random noise?

It should be worst than with a needle. At least the needle "smoother" the rugosity of the vinyl granularity. But perhaps a firmware behind the laser can do that job. Also the signal from the laser must be better on damaged groove - at least some bits of info instead of just crack, pop & click - so it's eventually easier to rectify the sound.  Perfect for archiving old crusty record.

Now that I think of that, a stereoscopic macro/micro camera would to a far better job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjjnYQmGVpU

Add some "AI" to get a 24/92 like it was recorded yesterday in the last state of the art studio. We'll be ready before 2030 !

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also Porcus: *links to Facebook*

Touché.

Porcus has adblock and Privacy Badger and doesn't see how ugly the real internet is, but sometimes has to archive.is a page with an overlay.