[JamieSPC]

You guys, it's entirely possible that this will be released exactly like MusicTap says and we'll all be a little disappointed. Then again...

I have followed The Digital Bits (which "presents" MusicTap) almost since its inception. There are some very knowledgable people that run and work on that site, but they have a section called "The Rumor Mill" with very early info on DVDs that very rarely turns out to be completely right... they're just trying to sate our appetite for DVD releases. That's what this sounds like. Seriously, I wouldn't hang my hat on this info. Think about it:

-- Soundstage is shot in Hi-Def widescreen video, which has as its standard Dolby Digital. This could mean 2.0, but for all the other Soundstage performances released on DVD so far, it has meant 5.1 (and, in the case of Allison Krauss, DTS). Why would Reprise skimp for one of its best artists?

-- The footage we've seen so far (remember Second Hand News) from the concert has been widescreen, which all but confirms it was shot just like the other Soundstage concerts, in Hi-Def.

-- The Destiny Rules footage has all been widescreen, and we've been hearing all along it was shot with DVD in mind. It wouldn't surprise me at all if we got the concert on one DVD and the Destiny Rules special on the other.

-- There's almost no difference in manufacturing costs between single and dual layer DVDs. In fact, single layer DVDs might even cost more these days because it would be a step back for manufacturers to do it again. I can't think of a single-layer movie release from a major studio in the last two or three years. Some bonus discs are single-layer, but I simply can't imagine doing a concert that way.

-- Honestly, I don't care what's on the "bonus CD." Once I have the DVD, I can make a personal CD of anything I want from the DVD (and anyone can with just a little equipment and a little time).

Just my $.02. I could be very wrong, but releasing it the way MusicTap says they are would be more than a major disappointment. It would be embarrassing, given the capabilities of the format, and even a step backwards from "The Dance."

~Jamie