| DVD
Primer
(last updated: September 6, 2000)
This DVD
Primer is designed as an introduction to DVD. We believe that it answers
most basic questions, but if you have suggestions for information to add
to the Primer, please contact us at the Secretary Office (Tel: +81-3-5777-2881
Fax: +81-3-5777-2881).
BASIC
DEFINITIONS
MARKET OUTLOOK
TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS
DVD FORMATS
DVD
MULTI
DVD PERFORMANCE
DVD'S IMPORTANCE TO VARIOUS INDUSTRIES
ABOUT DVD FORUM
BASIC
DEFINITIONS
What does DVD mean?
The
keyword is "versatile." Digital Versatile discs provide superb
video, audio and data storage and access -- all on one disc.
What's
the basic difference between DVD and CD?
DVD
is a high capacity multimedia data storage medium. It can accommodate
a complete movie on a single disc, content rich multimedia or
very high quality multi-channel audio.
Can
I play CDs on my DVD player?
Most
DVD hardware will play audio CDs and CD-ROMs. The physical dimensions
are identical to compact discs. But you should check with your
DVD brand's dealer to confirm compatibility with CDs.
MARKET OUTLOOK
What's
the market outlook for DVD?
The
market for DVD has grown faster than CD or VHS did in their
first two years in the USA, Europe and Asia.
A
recent market research study predicts that DVD will become the
standard home video format, replacing video cassettes within
the next five years.
Sales
of DVD hardware will reach 46 million units in 2000, including
21 million in the United States and 17 million in Europe, according
to the report. (The different formats included in this forecast.)
The
research also predicts that worldwide shipments of set top DVD
players will increase by 300 per cent in 2000 and retail revenues
across the United States, Europe and Japan will rise by 220
percent to $7 billion.
TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS
How
does DVD technology differ from CD?
Like
CDs, DVDs store data in microscopic grooves running in a spiral
around the disc. All DVD drive types use laser beams to scan
these grooves: Minuscule reflective bumps (called lands) and
nonreflective holes (called pits) aligned along the grooves
represent the zeros and ones of digital information.
But
that's where the similarities end. DVDs use smaller tracks (0.74
microns wide, compared to 1.6 microns on CDs) as well as new
modulation and error correction methods. These technologies
allow them to store data seven times as large as that of a CD.
The narrow tracks require special lasers--which can't read CD-ROMs,
CD-Rs, CD-RWs, or audio CDs. DVD drive makers managed to solve
the problem.
DVD FORMATS
How
do the various DVD formats differ?
DVD
Video
For
viewing movies and other visual entertainment. The total capacity
is 17 Gbytes if two layers on both sides of the disk are
utilized.
DVD-ROM
Its
basic technology is the same as DVD Video, but it also includes
computer-friendly file formats. It is used to store data. This
product should supplant conventional CD-ROMs in the near future.
DVD-R
Its
capacity is 4.7 Gbytes. Originally designed for professional
authoring, a version for general consumer use is now under development.
As with CD-R, users can write only once to this disk.
DVD-RAM
This
makes DVD a virtual hard disk, with a random read-write access.
Originally a 2.6-Gbyte drive, its capacity has increased
to 4.7-Gbyte-per-side. It can be re-written more than 100,000
times.
DVD-RW
Similar
to DVD-RAM except that its technology features a sequential
read-write access more like a phonograph than a hard disk. Its
read-write capacity is 4.7 Gbytes per side. It can be re-written
up to about 1,000 times.
DVD
Audio
The
latest audio format more than doubles the fidelity of a standard
CD. It is expected to become the most popular audio disk.
DVD MULTI
Is
DVD Multi a new format?
DVD
Multi is not a new format, but a set of specifications that
will define which drives will read and write which disks for
the various DVD consumer and computer applications.
DVD
Multi is targeted at providing broader compatibility across
DVD disks, and will embrace all existing format versions.
DVD PERFORMANCE
What's
the storage capacity of DVD?
A
DVD can store over two hours of video on one layer of the disc.
A
CD can store just 74 minutes of data -- just enough to hold
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Why
is DVD video superior to that of standard videotape?
DVD
video storage provides resolution which is far greater than
that offered by laser disc media and almost twice the resolution
of standard VHS videotape.
This
resolution is dependent on the capabilities of the television
monitor used, but you need not have a new monitor to enjoy the
benefits of DVD. DVD video also provides low noise.
One
more advantage is that a DVD disc is not physically touched
while it spins in the player, so there is no wear and tear or
loss of fidelity over time. In contrast, videotapes do touch
a playback mechanism and eventually break down, degrading the
quality of picture.
DVD'S IMPORTANCE TO VARIOUS INDUSTRIES
How
is DVD meeting the needs of various industries?
Movies
-- The movie industry needs a disc capable of holding a full
length movie of execellent quality video with surround sound
audio. DVD Video meets this need.
Computers
-- The computer industry needs higher capacity for the increasingly
complex multimedia applications which are now being developed.
DVD-ROM meets this need. The computer industry also needs new
recordable and re-writable versions of DVD for data storage
and archival. DVD-RAM and DVD-R meet this need.
Entertainment
-- The entertainment industry needs DVD for new video games
with better and more realistic video content. DVD-ROM meets
this need. The music industry wants a higher quality format
than CD, as well as increased playing time. DVD-Audio meets
this need.
ABOUT DVD FORUM
What's
the purpose of the DVD Forum?
DVD
Forum is the core DVD industry organization for establishing
DVD format standards.
We
have eight Working Groups to assure the reliability of DVD hardware
and software products and 11 format "Class-A" Verification Laboratories
around the world which work closely together to maintain DVD
product consistency
Who
belongs to the DVD Forum?
Virtually
every major company involved in DVD is a member of DVD Forum.
Member
list
back | Top
Updated
November 14, 2004
____________________________________________________
Copyright©
2004, the DVD Forum | All Rights Reserved
|
