All You Need to Know about DVD Technology By Rachel Shankles, LMS Lakeside High School Library Hot Springs, AR

Who invented DVDs? Toshiba engineers invented this technology for use with games and for 3-D effects

What does DVD stand for? Originally it meant ‘digital versatile device’ but now ‘digital video disc’ is the most accepted definition.

History Toshiba invented it for gaming industry Toshiba invented it for gaming industry Movie makers bought in like like Warner Brothers Movie makers bought in like like Warner Brothers Disney finally bought in Disney finally bought in DVD unencryption code trade secrets posted to Internet and lawsuit ensued in 1999 (ruled on in 2003) DVD unencryption code trade secrets posted to Internet and lawsuit ensued in 1999 (ruled on in 2003) DVD player prices lowered DVD player prices lowered DVD movies abundant for rental or purchase DVD movies abundant for rental or purchase DVD replaces VHS, laser disc, audio cds, & game technologies DVD replaces VHS, laser disc, audio cds, & game technologies

How it works DVDs look exactly like CD-ROMS DVDs look exactly like CD-ROMS The data is layered The data is layered The laser reads at an angle to see every layer The laser reads at an angle to see every layer The tracks are closer together and smaller with better compression technology The tracks are closer together and smaller with better compression technology Some discs are double-sided, double-layered and others are single-sided Some discs are double-sided, double-layered and others are single-sided Holds up to 7 gigabytes – 7 times more than a cd Holds up to 7 gigabytes – 7 times more than a cd Multiple language tracks & screen formats Multiple language tracks & screen formats

Quality(540 lines of resolution) Better sound than any audio cd (Dolby AC3) Better sound than any audio cd (Dolby AC3) Better picture quality than laser disc (425 lines) Better picture quality than laser disc (425 lines) Higher storage capabilities (4.7 gig per side – 133 minutes of video per side up to 7 gig total) Higher storage capabilities (4.7 gig per side – 133 minutes of video per side up to 7 gig total) Multiple camera angles (screen formats) Multiple camera angles (screen formats) Better resolution than VHS (210 lines) Better resolution than VHS (210 lines)

Drawbacks to DVDs They wear out and have to be refinished after 7 to 15 uses, even with normal wear and tear They wear out and have to be refinished after 7 to 15 uses, even with normal wear and tear Resurfacing machines are costly – getting cheaper Resurfacing machines are costly – getting cheaper You can pay to send to Internet providers to resurface (1-10 discs would be $4 each plus s&h) You can pay to send to Internet providers to resurface (1-10 discs would be $4 each plus s&h) Find a Game business, video rental store, or radio station that might have a machine locally and they may charge about $5 each Find a Game business, video rental store, or radio station that might have a machine locally and they may charge about $5 each If a hole can be seen all the way thru the plastic, it can not be repaired & cracks can not be repaired If a hole can be seen all the way thru the plastic, it can not be repaired & cracks can not be repaired Why resurface? With scratches and blemishes the laser can not reflect properly so the image is refracted incorrectly and it skips or hangs up Why resurface? With scratches and blemishes the laser can not reflect properly so the image is refracted incorrectly and it skips or hangs up

DVD burners Not standardized as yet Not standardized as yet 5 basic types of blank DVD discs – you have to match the kind you buy to your burner software specs—keep the paperwork 5 basic types of blank DVD discs – you have to match the kind you buy to your burner software specs—keep the paperwork DVD-Rom (just reads data), DVD-Ram (not read by most DVD players just computers), DVD-R & DVD-RW (minus RW = These read DVD discs and write to DVD-recordables and DVD-rewritables), DVD-R+/RW ( Plus RW = more expensive but can read most) DVD-Rom (just reads data), DVD-Ram (not read by most DVD players just computers), DVD-R & DVD-RW (minus RW = These read DVD discs and write to DVD-recordables and DVD-rewritables), DVD-R+/RW ( Plus RW = more expensive but can read most) More info try and and see the FAQs section More info try and and see the FAQs sectionwww.cdrfaq.or

Warning: Copying DVDs It is illegal to change the format of commercially purchased video It is illegal to change the format of commercially purchased video You can not change your VCR collection to DVD You can not change your VCR collection to DVD You can not change DVD movies back to VHS format You can not change DVD movies back to VHS format DMCA – Digital Millennium Copyright Act DMCA – Digital Millennium Copyright Act Exception: if the movie you originally bought on VHS is not available in DVD Exception: if the movie you originally bought on VHS is not available in DVD Home movies you can copy to any format Home movies you can copy to any format DVDs are encrypted – the software to copy them is complicated, especially if purchased separate from your burner DVDs are encrypted – the software to copy them is complicated, especially if purchased separate from your burner

What’s next? EVD – Extended Video Disc Why? Toshiba charges copyright fee every time anyone makes a DVD

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