All You Need to Know about All You Need to Know about DVD TechnologyDVD Technology

By Rachel Shankles, LMSBy Rachel Shankles, LMS

Lakeside High School LibraryLakeside High School Library

Hot Springs, ARHot Springs, AR

Who invented DVDs?Who invented DVDs?

Toshiba engineers invented this Toshiba engineers invented this technology for use with games and technology for use with games and

for 3-D effectsfor 3-D effects

What does DVD stand for?What does DVD stand for?

Originally it meant ‘digital Originally it meant ‘digital versatile device’ but now ‘digital versatile device’ but now ‘digital video disc’ is the most accepted video disc’ is the most accepted

definition.definition.

HistoryHistory Toshiba invented it for gaming industryToshiba invented it for gaming industry Movie makers bought in like like Warner Movie makers bought in like like Warner

BrothersBrothers Disney finally bought inDisney finally bought in DVD unencryption code trade secrets posted to DVD unencryption code trade secrets posted to

Internet and lawsuit ensued in 1999 (ruled on Internet and lawsuit ensued in 1999 (ruled on in 2003)in 2003)

DVD player prices loweredDVD player prices lowered DVD movies abundant for rental or purchaseDVD movies abundant for rental or purchase DVD replaces VHS, laser disc, audio cds, & DVD replaces VHS, laser disc, audio cds, &

game technologiesgame technologies

How it worksHow it works DVDs look exactly like CD-ROMSDVDs look exactly like CD-ROMS The data is layeredThe data is layered The laser reads at an angle to see every layerThe laser reads at an angle to see every layer The tracks are closer together and smaller with The tracks are closer together and smaller with

better compression technologybetter compression technology Some discs are double-sided, double-layered Some discs are double-sided, double-layered

and others are single-sidedand others are single-sided Holds up to 7 gigabytes – 7 times more than a Holds up to 7 gigabytes – 7 times more than a

cdcd Multiple language tracks & screen formatsMultiple language tracks & screen formats

QualityQuality(540 lines of resolution)(540 lines of resolution)

Better sound than any audio cd (Dolby Better sound than any audio cd (Dolby AC3)AC3)

Better picture quality than laser disc (425 Better picture quality than laser disc (425 lines)lines)

Higher storage capabilities (4.7 gig per Higher storage capabilities (4.7 gig per side – 133 minutes of video per side up to side – 133 minutes of video per side up to 7 gig total)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 DVDsDrawbacks to DVDs They wear out and have to be refinished after 7 to 15 They wear out and have to be refinished after 7 to 15

uses, even with normal wear and tearuses, even with normal wear and tear Resurfacing machines are costly – getting cheaperResurfacing machines are costly – getting cheaper You can pay to send to Internet providers to resurface You can pay to send to Internet providers to resurface

(1-10 discs would be $4 each plus s&h)(1-10 discs would be $4 each plus s&h) Find a Game business, video rental store, or radio Find a Game business, video rental store, or radio

station that might have a machine locally and they may station that might have a machine locally and they may charge about $5 eachcharge about $5 each

If a hole can be seen all the way thru the plastic, it can If a hole can be seen all the way thru the plastic, it can not be repaired & cracks can not be repairednot be repaired & cracks can not be repaired

Why resurface? With scratches and blemishes the laser Why resurface? With scratches and blemishes the laser can not reflect properly so the image is refracted can not reflect properly so the image is refracted incorrectly and it skips or hangs upincorrectly and it skips or hangs up

DVD burnersDVD burners Not standardized as yetNot standardized as yet 5 basic types of blank DVD discs – you have to 5 basic types of blank DVD discs – you have to

match the kind you buy to your burner match the kind you buy to your burner software specs—software specs—keep the paperworkkeep the paperwork

DVD-Rom (just reads data), DVD-Ram (not DVD-Rom (just reads data), DVD-Ram (not read by most DVD players just computers), read by most DVD players just computers), DVD-R & DVD-RW (minus RW = These read DVD-R & DVD-RW (minus RW = These read DVD discs and write to DVD-recordables and DVD discs and write to DVD-recordables and DVD-rewritables), DVD-R+/RW ( Plus RW = DVD-rewritables), DVD-R+/RW ( Plus RW = more expensive but can read most)more expensive but can read most)

More info try More info try www.cdrfaq.orwww.cdrfaq.or and and www.dvddemystified.comwww.dvddemystified.com and see the FAQs and see the FAQs sectionsection

Warning: Copying DVDsWarning: Copying DVDs It is illegal to change the format of commercially It is illegal to change the format of commercially

purchased videopurchased video You can not change your VCR collection to DVDYou can not change your VCR collection to DVD You can not change DVD movies back to VHS You can not change DVD movies back to VHS

formatformat DMCA – Digital Millennium Copyright ActDMCA – Digital Millennium Copyright Act Exception: if the movie you originally bought on Exception: if the movie you originally bought on

VHS is not available in DVDVHS is not available in DVD Home movies you can copy to any formatHome movies you can copy to any format DVDs are encrypted – the software to copy them DVDs are encrypted – the software to copy them

is complicated, especially if purchased separate is complicated, especially if purchased separate from your burnerfrom your burner

What’s next?What’s next?

EVD – Extended Video Disc

Why? Toshiba charges copyright fee every time anyone makes a DVD

Rachel_ Shankles@LS1.dsc.k12.ar.us

Shankles@cablelynx.com

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