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What is DVD?
How is DVD different from VHS?
What are the storage capabilities of a DVD video disc?
What is Widescreen?
What is Pan & Scan (Full Screen)?
What does “anamorphic DVD” mean?
What does “Dual Ratios” mean?
How long will DVD Video discs last without the video image degrading?
What kind of special video features are provided by DVD Video?
How is the sound quality of DVD Video better than that of VHS?
What kind of stereo equipment is needed to enjoy DVD Video surround sound?
Will I be able to play my audio CDs on a DVD player?
What is the difference between DVD-video and DVD-ROM?
What are "regional codes," "country codes," or "zone locks"?
When will DVD really take over from VHS?
Can I play DVD movies on my computer?
What is DTS?
Why are most DVDs produced in Widescreen?
Can I rent DVD movies?
Will the price of DVD players fall?
Can I play both NTSC and PAL DVD'S on my DVD Player?
Why are DVD titles "zoned" when you can buy DVD players, which play discs from all regions?
What Is the Difference Between Dolby Pro-Logic and Dolby Digital?
What are DVD Features or Extras?
What are layers?
What are Easter Eggs?
How Do I Care For My DVD?
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DVD stands for either Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc and is the very latest in optical disc storage technology. A bigger, faster Compact Disc that can hold video as well as audio and computer data, the DVD format can be used in storing and delivering home entertainment, computer data and business information.
DVD has the potential to take the place of audio CD, videotape, laserdisc, CD-ROM and perhaps even video game cartridges. The format has unprecedentedly widespread support from: All major electronics companies, all major computer hardware companies, and the major movie and music studios, all of which makes its successful worldwide adoption all but certain. The difference between DVD-Video and DVD-ROM is major. DVD-Video (often simply called DVD) holds video programs and is played in a DVD player connected to a TV. DVD-ROM, on the other hand, holds computer data and is read by a DVD-ROM drive hooked up to a computer. A good comparison is the difference between Audio CDs and CD-ROMs. There are also a number of recordable varieties of DVD-ROM (named variously DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD+RW). Most people expect DVD-ROM to be initially much more widely available than DVD-Video. Most new computers with DVD-ROM drives can also play DVD-Videos.
*A DVD-Audio format was also introduced in 1999.
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| How is DVD different from VHS? |
Aside from the obvious difference that DVD Video is a disc and VHS is a tape cartridge, DVD Video discs provide viewers with superior video images that are twice as clear as those from VHS videotape. DVD Video technology uses up to 500 lines of horizontal image resolution versus the 240 lines of horizontal resolution used in VHS. This results in noticeably sharper pictures. Because of its digital storage capacity, DVD Video also delivers a quality of sound that VHS never could. Discreet Dolby Digital surround sound (on certain titles) can recreate the kind of aural experience of the cinema at home, so you’ll actually “feel” like you’re part of the movie. PLUS, due to DVDs incredible storage capacity, the DVD disc can hold extra features like multiple languages, multiple sub-titles, documentaries, commentary tracks, deleted scenes, cast and crew biographies, trailers, music clips and a variety of other special features that enhance the collectibility and your enjoyment of the movie.
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| What are the storage capabilities of a DVD video disc? |
DVD Video discs can store around 133 minutes of full-motion video per side on a single-layer disc. Dual – layer discs can store around four hours, which is perfect for epic-length movies.
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A good number of people are under the impression that the WIDESCREEN format is merely designed to create an illusion of the cinematic experience enabled by the placement of black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.
Viewers will find themselves with a significantly smaller presentation of the film, giving the impression that the black bars on the screen cover up the top and bottom portions of the original image, therefore cheating the viewer for the sake of a cinematic presentation. |
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(Widescreen Image) |
| WIDESCREEN works on an Aspect Ratio, a zoom-out is performed to ensure that the width of the theatrical picture frame spans the length of the television screen Since theatrical movies are wider than they are tall, blank spaces are placed at the top and bottom of the screen, which are banded in black (for low contrast). |
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(Pan & Scan Image)
So what is WIDESCREEN? Well…Most movies on television have been shown in a "Pan and Scan" format , where you only see a T.V shaped section of the film frame - like the picture on the left. Instead of showing just the central part of the filmed action, WIDECREEN formats allow you to see the cinematic detail right across the screen. Compare the "Pan and Scan" shape with the WIDESCREEN shape above. |
(Full Frame or Full Screen): This means the thinner TV "window" is panned and zoomed across the wider movie picture, chopping off the sides. When a picture is shown in widescreen, it needs to be cut down to fit What happens in this case is the The top and bottom are masked off in the theater, but when the film is transferred to video the full 1.33 frame can be used in the pan & scan process. Pan & scan is primarily used for 1.33 formatting, not for 1.78 formatting, since widescreen fans prefer that letterboxing be used to preserve the theatrical effect. As a result of cutting off visual information from the sides, some scenes in the Pan & Scan version of some movies are boring or don't even make sense. More often, they are just less interesting and/or less beautiful.
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| What does “anamorphic DVD” mean? |
When a Widescreen movie is transferred to home video, the black bars at the top and bottom of the picture are usually encoded along with the movie. But when a film is anamorphically transferred, the picture is squeezed to fit into a 4:3 frame, and then unsqueezed by your DVD player. This way, instead of lines of resolution being used on the letterbox area during the encoding process, the unsqueezed picture uses the full resolution of the entire screen because the player generates the black bars. If you're fortunate enough to have a 16:9 TV, the TV will stretch out the picture to fill your screen so there are no bars. However, if you tell your DVD player that you have a 4:3 TV, the DVD player will format the picture for letterbox display on your screen.
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| What does “Dual Ratios” mean? |
Some titles are presented on DVD Video in a “Dual Ratio” format - that means you are given a choice of viewing the film in either the “panned and scanned” or “Widescreen” format. This can be done by either using a double-sided disc (one version of the film on each side) or a dual-layer disc (where you would use the interactive menu to select your viewing preference). Storage capacity and timing factors are usually the main determinate of using the “dual ratio” format.
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| How long will DVD Video discs last without the video image degrading? |
Unlike videotapes, but just like current audio CD’s, DVD Video discs do not deteriorate over time or wear out from excessive use. For families with children who watch their favourite movies over and over again, the durability of DVD Video will be most welcome. Likewise, music fans that enjoy repeated viewing of their favourite music videos or concert films will benefit from DVD Video’s exceptional durability. The durability of the DVD format makes movies truly collectable in a way they haven’t been before.
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| What kind of special video features are provided by DVD Video? |
Apart from the improvements in sound and image quality, DVD can offer a number of other special features. Among the most common features of DVD Video are additional footage like movie trailers, behind-the-scenes information and biographies of the cast and crew. In addition, DVD Video players make it easier to enjoy movies and music videos by allowing direct access to individual scenes — no more fast forwarding or rewinding when looking for a specific scene. Some DVD Video programs even let the viewer control camera angles, so they can select their favourite shots while watching a sports video, for example.
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| How is the sound quality of DVD Video better than that of VHS? |
DVD Video employs a higher sampling rate than even audio CD’s, producing fuller, more textured sound. Because DVD audio is recorded and stored digitally, it surpasses VHS in reproducing the “surround” aural experience of the cinema at home.
DVD Video can also offer up to eight alternate audio tracks, which can feature foreign language translations of movies and music videos or other special audio commentary, and up to 32 sub-titles or karaoke tracks. These special audio functions make DVD Video accessible to a broad audience and allow multilingual households to enjoy DVD movies and music videos on many different levels. In addition, the alternate soundtracks can allow directors and actors to provide a running commentary on their movies, giving consumers a unique insight to the moviemaking process.
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| What kind of stereo equipment is needed to enjoy DVD Video surround sound? |
The audio component of DVD Video discs is optimised for playback on the Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound systems. This means that it’s ideally designed for a system with five speakers (three in front, and two in back, plus a subwoofer). However, DVD Video offers superior digital sound when compared to VHS on all home entertainment systems, regardless of the number of speakers.
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| Will I be able to play my audio CDs on a DVD player? |
Yes. One of the greatest advantages of DVD Video players is their backward compatibility—the ability to play existing audio CDs. In that respect, DVD Video players function as two types of home entertainment components.
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| What is the difference between DVD-video and DVD-ROM? |
DVD-Video holds video programs (a DVD movie is a good example) and is played in a DVD-player connected to a TV. Computers can also be configured to emulate DVD-players so DVD-Video can play on your computer as well. DVD-ROM is a DVD that can take advantage of any computer resource (the Internet!) and is only read by a DVD-ROM drive hooked up to a computer. The difference is similar to that between Audio CD and CD-ROM.
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| What are "regional codes," "country codes," or "zone locks"? |
Motion picture studios want to control the home release of movies in different countries because cinema releases aren't simultaneous (a movie may come out on video in the U.S. when it's just hitting screens in Europe). Also, studios sometimes sell distribution rights to different foreign distributors and would like to guarantee an exclusive market. Therefore, they have required that the DVD standard include codes that can be used to prevent playback of certain discs in certain geographical regions. Each player is given a code for the region in which it is sold. The player will refuse to play discs that are not allowed in that region. This means that discs bought in one country may not play on players bought in another country. Region codes are a permanent part of the disc, and won't "unlock" after a period of time.
There are 6 regions (also called "locales"). Players and discs are identified by the region number superimposed on a world globe (Click to see the Region Map Here).
Region 1: Canada, U.S., U.S. Territories
Region 2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, Middle East (including Egypt)
Region 3: Southeast Asia, East Asia (including Hong Kong)
Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, Caribbean
Region 5: Former Soviet Union, Indian Subcontinent, Africa (also North Korea, Mongolia)
Region 6: China
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| Why are DVD titles "zoned" when you can buy DVD players, which play discs from all regions? |
Some consumers have had their players 'fixed' to play software from other regions. If the machine is 'fixed’, this can, however, affect the player’s ability to play legitimate region 4 encoded titles. This modification of the DVD player can also void the manufacturer's warranty.
True, some retail stores do sell "multi-zone" capable DVD players. However, these DVD players do not meet the standards as set down by the DVD consortium. All the major hardware brands are consortium members, so you will note that the "all region" or multi-zone players tend to be from the lesser-known brand names (which also tend not to be DVD Consortium members).
Please note that the number of DVD titles available in New Zealand & Australia is growing very rapidly-this means that consumers will no longer have to consider purchasing from other countries or modifying their DVD players.
Also, a number of the U.S. Studios have announced the imminent release of discs, which contain program code that identifies a player, which has been rendered "region free". These discs will then refuse to play on that machine. For this reason, buying a modified machine (and attempting to play Region 1 discs in it) could, in future, prove to be difficult.
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| When will DVD really take over from VHS? |
Like the music revolution, which took us from vinyl LP records to compact discs, DVD is the next generation of enhanced home video entertainment. Most people will keep their VHS player for some time yet, but DVD looks like replacing VHS as the preferred system for home entertainment over the next 5 to 10 years.
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| Can I play DVD movies on my computer? |
Yes, if your computer has the right stuff. The computer operating system or playback software must support regional codes and be licensed to descramble copy-protected movies. If the computer has TV video out, it must support Macrovision in order to play copy-protected movies. You may also need software that can read the MicroUDF file system format used by DVDs. In addition to a DVD-ROM drive you must have extra hardware to decode MPEG-2 video and Dolby Digital or MPEG-2 audio, or your computer must be fast enough to handle software decoding. Decent software-only playback requires a 300-MHz Pentium II or Mac G3. It's estimated that 10-30% of new computers with DVD-ROM drives include decoder hardware, and that most of the remaining DVD-ROM computers will include decoder software. Hardware upgrade kits can be purchased for existing computers (usually minimum 133 MHz Pentium).
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| When will DVDs be recordable like VHS? |
Phillips and Panasonic have launched a DVD recordable in New Zealand & Australia in late 2001. However pricing will be quite high for both the player and the DVD discs. We can expect other brands to be launching models over the next 12 months-but we believe it will be several years before they become as affordable and available as VHS players.
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DTS (Digital Theatre System) is, like Dolby Digital, a type of digital multi-channel sound system used to present movies in cinemas. Dolby adapted their digital sound format (known as DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 or AC-3) for use in home entertainment and DTS is now starting to do this also. At this stage, however, Dolby’s digital system is still the audio standard used by most studios. However the availability of dual DD5.1 and DTS titles are starting to be released in Australia, including titles such as Gladiator,
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Se7en
and Hannibal
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| Why are most DVDs produced in Widescreen? |
The Widescreen format sits best with the DVD format as it comes closest to recreating the cinema experience in your home. With the panning and scanning process, up to 1/3 of the original film image can be lost. With Widescreen you are seeing more of the film not less! The Widescreen presentation lets you enjoy the COMPLETE movie (on a standard TV) as the director intended.
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| Can I play both NTSC and PAL DVD'S on my DVD Player? |
Generally yes. Unlike VCR'S the majority of DVD players are capable of playing both NTSC and PAL discs. However, the issue to note is that while your DVD player is capable of playing NTSC it is also necessary for your TV to be NTSC, however it is advisable that you check your TV manual first.
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| What Is the Difference Between Dolby Pro-Logic and Dolby Digital? |
While both are decoding systems for home theatre sound, Dolby Digital is the successor to Dolby Pro-Logic. Pro-Logic is the more commonly found of the two systems and is used on videotapes, Laserdiscs and even DVD. Pro-Logic is actually four channels of sound that are reproduced through five speakers. The four channels are: Left, centre, right and surround. The surround channel consists of two speakers, and in Pro-Logic, the same sound comes from both speakers. Pro-Logic is typically an analog system.
Dolby Digital is a discrete digital system, which offers six separate channels of sound, with a dedicated subwoofer channel used for deep bass. The six channels are: Left, centre, right, left surround, right surround and LFE (or Low Frequency Effect) for bass. Dolby Digital is also known as 5.1-channel sound and has been declared the audio standard for DVD and HDTV. It offers greater dynamic range than Pro-Logic, better frequency response and improved separation between channels.
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| What are DVD Features or Extras? |
Not too long ago, "extra" in movie parlance on really meant someone in the background of a scene! Now "extras" - or special features - have become an integral part of DVD. Yet as DVD moves from being a film buff orientated product to a mainstream consumer replacement for VHS, things are changing yet again. To view a glossary listing of DVD Special Features, click here, but here are just a few "extra" benifits to the fastest growing format in history:
- Over 2 hours of high-quality digital video (a double-sided, dual-layer disc can hold 8 hours of high-quality video, or 30 hours of VHS quality video).
- Support for widescreen movies on standard or widescreen TVs (4x3 and 16x9 aspect ratios).
- Up to 8 tracks of digital audio (for multiple language options), each with as many as 8 channels.
- Up to 32 subtitle/karaoke tracks.
- Automatic "seamless" branching of video (for multiple story lines or ratings on one disc).
- Up to 9 camera angles (different viewpoints can be selected during playback).
- Menus and simple interactive features (for games, quizzes, etc.).
- Multilingual identifying text for title name, album name, song name, cast, crew, etc.
- Instant rewind and fast forward (no "be kind, rewind" stickers and threats on rental discs)
- Instant search to title, chapter, music track, and timecode.
- Durable (no wear from playing, only from physical damage).
- Not susceptible to magnetic fields. Resistant to heat.
- Compact size (easy to handle, store, and ship; players can be portable; replication is cheaper than tapes or laserdiscs).
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DVDs can be single sided, double sided, single layer, double layer or a combination of these. DVDs can be released in the following ways...
DVD-5 - Single sided/single layered. (4.7GB worth of space).
DVD-9 - Single sided/dual layered. Each layer can be treated separately with 4.7GB each (about 9.4GB in total). The disc can also be made as a RSDL (Reverse Spiral Dual Layer) DVD meaning that the two layers can be used as one, but the space will only be around 8.5GB.
DVD-10 - Double sided/single layered. 9.4 GB of data (4.7 GB per side).
DVD-12 - One side dual layered/one side single layered. Can hold about 12GB of data in total.
DVD-18 - Double-sided / dual-layer. Can hold up to 18 GB.
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Everyone loves these. An Easter egg is a hidden feature on a DVD. These are sometimes put there by the DVD manufacturers as an extra surprise for consumers. For quite a while they have been mainly the domain of our Region 1 cousins, but now Region 4 are starting to get a few discs with these little extras. You can see a list of DVD's that feature these little hidden extras by clicking here.
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| How do I Care For My DVD? |
Care Tips For Your Disc:
1. Never remove the disc by Prying its outer edges. Bending the disc can damage the material stored on it.
2. Always store the disc in its protective case when not in use.
3. Keep disc away from direct sun and extreme heat.
4. If you must, clean disc with a damp, lint-free non-abrasive cloth. DO NOT use harsh cleaning agents. Wipe the disc using straight motions from the inside hole to the outer edge. DO NOT use circular motions when cleaning.
Removing The Disc From Its Case:
Press the button at the centre of the disc with your forefinger and the disc will pop up. Use your thumb and forfinger to pick up the disc and remove it for play.
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