|
|
The latest format to enter the consumer market is DVD. Although it is being heavily promoted as a video format, DVD is an audio medium as well as a high density computer format.
Quality and convenience are the major attributes of this format. Its video and audio quality is better than anything consumers have ever seen or heard. Video performance, according to most critics, surpasses that of even the best laserdisc players, rendering cleaner and more detailed images. Its audio quality, on the other hand, beats that of virtually all compact disc players. Critics claim that sounds seem richer and more finely textured than CD's. Another plus is that DVD players can play existing CD's, a video format known as "Video CD", and some players can even play video laserdiscs.
Although DVD has been highly praised, there has been a few criticisms. Ironically, they involve picture quality. During movie viewing, scenes that fade from a black screen and vice versa show a pixelization effect. This is characterized by the rapid movement of small, dark grey, black or even color specks that seem to shift from place to place on screen. Occasionally, this effect might be visible even when fades do not occur. Also, fast- moving objects on screen may occasionally seem slightly blurred. Fortunately, most viewers, including video critics don't normally see these effects. When they do the effects don't seem terribly obvious.
DVD's overall outstanding performance characteristics are complemented with the compact size and vast storage capacity. Digital Versatile Discs are identical in size to ordinary compact discs yet they have more capabilities and a much greater storage capacity, making them ideal for demanding applications of all types. In fact, their storage capacity is so great that each disc can store a full-length movie with extremely high quality multi-channel Dolby Digital surround sound on a single side (see Dolby Digital in Chapter 2-Receivers). For those readers who are computer enthusiasts, this translates to a maximum capacity of over 17 gigabytes (more than a match for the best computer storage mediums currently available).
As with all new formats, consumers wonder how successful this format will be. Prospects seem very promising. Unlike other audio/video formats that entered the consumer market in the past with prices in excess of $1000 dollars, DVD entered with a bang starting at just $500! How about prerecorded material? While audio-only DVD's are not in music stores yet, DVD movies are being sold at prices equivalent to VHS prerecorded movies (starting at $19). Also, later DVD machines will have recording capability. Meanwhile, the number of available DVD movie selections are growing rapidly.
The number of features a typical DVD player can have is staggering. Features can include track/chapter skip, audio/video scan or search, pause/still frame, frame advance, A-B repeat, on-screen menu display, programming, random play, aspect ratio switch, TV selection, language & subtitle selection, and camera angle selection.
