HD DVD and DVD Player - FAQ and Help Page
What is HD DVD?
Demand for high-definition TVs is taking off. And consumers
increasingly expect greater realism and better image quality in visual
entertainment. HD DVD delivers that and more. It takes the best features
of today's DVD— the most successful AV product ever— and adds new
capabilities and greatly enhanced functionality. HD DVD is the future, a
new standard for next-generation optical systems that delivers brilliant,
high-definition performance. The way is open to an exciting new world of
entertainment, and HD DVD is ready to take us there.
HD DVD Features
HD DVD delivers all the capacity necessary for all sorts of
recorded content, including movies and live performances. There are two
kinds of single-sided HD DVD discs for content playback: the 15GB
single-layer disc, and the dual-layer disc with double the capacity, a
full 30GB. Using the latest compression technologies, the 30GB disc can
store up to 8 hours* of 1,125-line HD images. Today's DVD has a capacity
of 4.7GB and can contain 2 hours of 525-line standard definition (SD)
images; the 30GB HD DVD has space enough for 48 hours of SD images.
A 2-hour HD movie eats up 8GB of space. No problem for HD DVD. Even
the lower capacity 15GB HD DVD-ROM can hold a complete movie and whole lot
of bonus content: extra scenes, cast and director interviews, a
"making-of" documentary. Alongside content, viewers will be able to enjoy
new levels of interactivity that add to the entertainment experience.
Advantages of common disc structure
The shared disc structure of HD DVD and DVD offers numerous advantages
to consumers and manufacturers alike. Full backward compatibility allows
consumers to enjoy their current DVD library and crystal-clear HD video on
the same HD DVD player.
| HD DVD Technology Vs DVD
Technology |
| |
DVD |
HD DVD |
|
Disc type |
DVD-ROM
(Read-Only) |
HD DVD-ROM
(Read-Only) |
HD DVD-R
(Recordable) |
HD DVD-Rewritable
(Recordable) |
|
Disc diameter |
120mm |
120mm |
120mm |
120mm |
|
Disc structure |
0.6mm
x 2 substrates |
0.6mm
x 2 substrates |
0.6mm
x 2 substrates |
0.6mm
x 2 substrates |
Capacity
(Single-sided,
single-layer)
(Single-sided,
dual-layer) |
4.7GB
8.5GB |
15GB
30GB |
15GB |
20GB
32GB(Under
development) |
Playback time*
Recording time* |
4.7GB, SD resolution:
132minutes
8.5GB, SD resolution:
238minutes |
15GB, HD resolution:
over 4 hours
30GB, HD resolution:
over 8 hours |
15GB, HD resolution:
over 4 hours |
20GB, HD resolution:
over 5.5 hours
32GB, HD resolution:
over 8.5 hours |
|
Laser Wavelength |
650nm
(red laser) |
405nm
(blue laser) |
405nm
(blue laser) |
405nm
(blue laser) |
Compression
technology |
MPEG-2 |
MPEG-4 AVC/
VC-1/MPEG-2 |
MPEG-4 AVC/
VC-1/MPEG-2 |
MPEG-4 AVC/
VC-1/MPEG-2 |
|
User bit rate |
11.08Mbps |
36.55Mbps |
36.55Mbps |
36.55Mbps |
|
Track pitch |
0.74µm |
0.40µm |
0.40µm |
0.34µm |
Comparison Chart Courtesy of
Toshiba
Is
the Picture and sound THAT much better than a VHS Tape?
The difference
between a DVD player and a video tape is as dramatic as the difference between
a Vinyl record and a CD . No hiss, 500 lines on DVD player, 225 on a VHS,
Crisper color, no static. DVD s do not degrade over time and do not get eaten
or jam in the machine.
I
don't have a surround sound receiver, will I benefit from the better sound
quality of a DVD?
DVD players
have standard RCA stereo outputs to allow the sound to be fed to a normal
stereo. The digital sound is converted to analog for normal stereo systems.
You will hear a vastly superior sound over a VHS tape. The difference in sound
quality between VHS and DVD is equal to the sound difference between a vinyl
record and a CD disc. There is no background hiss and the sound is much crisper.
Even if you just use you TV's speakers you will hear a vast sound quality
improvement.
I
noticed a 'no name' DVD player at a discount store, are they all the same?
Cheap DVD
players are flooding out of asia by the thousands , Almost all no name
DVD players suffer from software problems which cause freezing, sound sync
problems, scene skipping , compatibility problems etc. DO NOT BUY A
NO NAME DVD PLAYER!!! They may seem like a good deal but always stick to a
name you have heard of. There may be one or two out of the thousands that
may be good but is is worth it to save 20 or 30 dollars.
Can
I tape a DVD movie on a VHS tape?
In most cases
no, not without a macrovision disabler. All VCRs produced after april 2000
must block the recording of copyguarded DVDs.
Can
I view DVD from everywhere in the world?
No you can
only view DVDs released in North America.
The world
is broken into 6 DVD regions, US and Canada are region one...scam by Hollywood
to rip off people. If you wish to view DVDs from outside of North America
you will require a Codefree DVD player with a built in NTSC PAL converter.
What
do I need to hook up a DVD player to my TV?
Your TV requires
video jacks ( rca style) or a S video input. Almost all TVs produced in the
last 15 years have these as standard. If you do not have video jacks on your
TV you will require a video demodulator. About 30 dollars at Radio Shack.
A DVD CANNOT HOOK UP TO YOUR TV USING A CABLE OR ANTENNA CONNECTION
Can
I play Audio CDs on a DVD player?
Yes all DVD
players play audio cds, not all will play CDR and CD-RW.
Someone
told me I should buy a DVD lens cleaner for my machine or buy a extended warranty
with a annual service.
DVD lens'
do not need cleaning ( except maybe in a very smokey environment
like a bar ) and DVD players do not need annual servicing or lens
adjusting or anything else. There is no physical contact inside a DVD player.
It is basically a highly accurate CD player. Extended warranties are strictly
your decision but do not fall for the annual service scam and DO NOT use a
lens cleaner.
Is
DVD Player The next BETA?
Absolutely
NOT, As of Sept 2000 over 10 million DVD players have been sold in the US
alone. This does not include the Computer DVD drives which greatly outnumber
DVD players. The DVD will replace the VHS tape just as the CD replaced the
vinyl record Every Video rental shop now rents DVD movies and all movies
are being released on DVD and most old titles are being or have been remastered
to DVD.
What
features do I need in a DVD Player?
|
DVD PLAYER KEY FEATURES |
|
Dolby
Digital decoder: Only if you have a amplifier capable of accepting
6 analogue audio inputs. If you don't know what this means odds
are you have no use for the built in decoder. You will still get
the digital output for the surround sound receiver from the coaxial
or optical feeds. All new surround sound receivers have a built
in decoder so you wont require one in the DVD player unless you
go high end audio
Progressive
Scanning: Progressive scan DVD players provide a improved
picture quality by basically refreshing your image twice as fast
. The TV or Video projector you use must be able to accept a progressive
scan signal. With the prices dropping on progressive scan DVD
players this may be a good option to have if you are planning
to buy a new TV in the foreseeable future. Progressive scan
DVD players will work on any TV since you can select interlaced
output. A very good and highly detailed explanation of progressive
scanning can be found
HERE.
Multidisc
Player: Simply a convenience item, This is purely up to you.
Has no effect on playback quality. In reality would only be used
for your CDs since all DVD movies are on one disc.
Component
video outputs: If you have a new TV that accepts this or are
planning to buy a new high end TV then this option is a nice addition.
Provides better contrast on the picture. S Video output will still
greatly please you
|
CD
Audio: Allows playback of Audio CDs, Standard on all
DVD players
CDR
CDRW Playback: If you make your own CDs you will want this.
Almost all DVD players read CDR CDs but many wont read CDRW.
SVCD
and VCD Playback: Format used widely in Asia. If you are importing
films you may want this option : Note for playback of home made
VCD's you will require VCD and CDR compatibility
VCR
DVD Combo: Best of both worlds, highly convenient and space
saving. NOTE: DVD players Cannot tape a DVD without modification.
MP3
Decoder: If you make your own MP3 discs you will like this
option. This will allow for 11 hours of music on one CD
HDCD
decoder: New format starting to make its way into the CD audio
world. Nice option to have but not necessary for the average user,
good for audiophile
Bass
Output: Found on a few units, allows you to feed a powered
subwoofer directly if you don't have a surround sound receiver
|
|
