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Buying a DVD Player?

As commonly understood, DVD does not stand for Digital Video Disc - it stands for Digital Versatile Disc -the V for Video has been dropped because of the vast ROM abilities and the potential sound technologies currently in use for DVD.

The progress from the serial VCR players in the mid seventies to the dynamic DVD players today - in just about thirty five years - is definitely a great stride in technology. Imagine digitally storing a full length motion picture on a single 4 3/4" disc (same size as a regular CD) - that is approximately fourteen times more than what a regular CD-ROM can store!

A movie on DVD offers many features that a VHS can't. DVD offers the ability to hold an average movie just on one side of the disc. (As compared to two sides on a laser disc.)

DVD offers scanning, pausing, and chapter access that the regular VHS format just can not.

A DVD also can be loaded with special audio (language) tracks, subtitles, bonus materials and songs sequenced (in the Indian movies’ context.)

Key Considerations

Movies Anyone?

If you love movies and are willing to spend that extra buck to own a film than rent it, DVD is the technology for you. The price is very affordable for DVD software. A movie on a DVD offers a complete theatre experience. In short, DVD is the future of home viewing. It's the only way to fully enjoy a movie at home today -- and it is sure to gain more fans in the future. The future of DVD looks to shine even brighter in the days to come.

There is debate about availability of enough titles on DVD. On the Indian movie horizon, the market is seeing releases of both new movies involving innovative technologies as well as old classics revived in digital quality. For those who are interested in western blockbusters, it is sufficient here to state that productions from big players like Disney, Warner Brothers and FOX, Columbia/Tristar and Universal keep the market active.

The time is now

If you are considering whether to buy a DVD now or wait till technology further improves, our observation is that there is no need to wait, as technology is pretty saturated even as you read this analysis. Players are very affordable right now. There is a player for everyone's price range without anyone having to sacrifice quality in the ultimate end - the screen and audio channels. You can buy an entry-level player and still be happy with the results.

The biggest question while purchasing a DVD is how much you are willing to spend and what type of equipment you already own.

Higher end features include more detailed information on the front display, more thorough menu screens, bigger sound range, better video conversion and so on.

One of the most important things to look for in any player is a simple but detailed front. All you really need is to see where the open/ close button is and where the play button is – the rest could be controlled using a remote. Make sure your player does not have so many buttons that they make controlling the unit too confusing. If you prefer, you can make sure you have enough buttons on the front so you can operate the unit when the remote is broken or misplaced.

If you have a composite TV, you should consider getting a DVD player with composite video out. If you don't have a composite TV, it isn't necessary to buy a DVD player that has a composite video output.

The above aren't meant to sway anyone away from getting a player with extras, far from it. If you want extras, DTS and multiple disc play are very nice options to have, but you won't be missing out on the DVD experience without them.

Features to Consider

Installation

Whatever the features your DVD player may have, installing one is pretty easy.

If you can hook your DVD player directly into the audio and video IN jacks of your TV, make sure you do, as this setup vastly improves picture quality. This should not be much of a problem as each wire is colour coded: left is White, right is Red and video is Yellow.

Optionally, if you have a receiver and speakers installed separately, you can enjoy the audio channel as you could enjoy in a theatre (depends on the capabilities of your receiver and speakers.) As an added bonus, the new DVD player will still play all your existing CDs and CD-ROMs. Many new models feature built in 'Dolby Digital Decoders' for full theatre surround sound too.

Region Encoding

Recording movies in DVD is done using what is known as ‘region encoding’. This is done primarily at the behest of Motion Picture Association of America to control the release of movies around the world.

Movies are released on DVD at different times around the world, typically America and Canada first, Australia and Japan six months later, and Europe twelve months after release in the US.

Thus, six regions are established to prevent people from watching Region 1 encoded movies before they are released on Regions 2 through 6. The regions are listed as following:

• Region 1: USA & Canada
• Region 2: Europe & Japan
• Region 3: The Orient (excluding Japan)
• Region 4: Australia and New Zealand
• Region 5: Asia and Africa
• Region 6: China

What does this ‘Region Encoding’ mean to you?

If you wish to watch DVD movies from another country you may look for a code free DVD player - avoid all this ‘Region Code’ mumbo jumbo and choose from a series of code free DVD players that are now available in the market!

Playing Multiple Discs

Some newer DVD players have an option of playing multiple discs (one at a time of course!) and cost a little more. This feature is useful only if you plan to use your DVD player as a CD player or watch more than one movie in a row.

Dolby Digital Outputs

Some DVD players have built-in Dolby Digital Surround Sound decoders. On these players you will find outputs for the decoded audio channels enabling them to be sent directly to your amplifiers, eliminating the need for any external Dolby Digital surround processing. You may want to choose this feature if you do not have a receiver but have an amplifier that can handle this output.

Disc Settings - Memory

There are many different playback options when watching a DVD. Multiple soundtracks, language versions, video presentation formats, and other personal preferences can be selected and memorised by DVD Players with Disc Settings Memory, bypassing the need to re-select your choices the next time that disc is viewed.

Digital Zoom

This special effect allows the user to zoom in on the picture and highlight parts of the image in greater detail.

DTS

Almost all players have DTS output. It is best to purchase a DTS capable player rather than one that has a converter installed.

Other Features that are available in regular DVD players

• Fast-scan forward/ backward speeds
• Slow-motion forward/ backward speeds
• Frame-step forward/ backward
• Resume playback from stop point (Almost all players have this feature)
• Playback from memorised point
• Cueing by Chapter/ Title/ Time
• Chapter/ Title repeat
• Parental program lockout
• Picture zoom
• Selectable black level – very useful feature if you have a high quality TV
• Dynamic-range control
• Bit-rate display