other/off: DVD (was re: recordable CD-ROM's)

[Paul Mather]

On Wed, 24 Sep 1997, Allan T. Grohe, Jr. wrote:

> What's the scoop on DVD?  I've been told that I should probably look
> into purchasing a DVD player vs. a laser disk player, since I'm thinking
> of getting the latter.  I've never looked a lot into either one,
> truthfully, and haven't seriously shopped for stereo equipment in about
> 10 years....  What are the advantages of DVD over a conventional CD or
> laser disk player?  I've recall hearing/reading that DVD players will
> also handle standard cd's--is that true?

With laser disc, the video is actually encoded on the disc as an
analogue signal (which is why they are much harder to press); DVD is
all-digital.

The big thing about DVD is basically the fact it offers an order of
magnitude more storage per disc than CD (gigabytes vs. megabytes).  This
makes possible a lot of things, most notably digital video.  Digital
audio and video consume a huge amount of storage; within that storage,
there is great leeway as how one can encode the A/V, making the medium
very flexible in terms of formats, resolutions, sampling rates, etc.
that it can support.  DVD supports HDTV resolution with surround sound,
for example.  No sweat.

Unfortunately, as with all new technologies, the initial customers bear
the brunt of it regarding cost.  However, just like VHS, the price of
equipment will eventually come down to ridiculously low prices (compared
to the initial units).

Cheers,

Paul.

obCD: Rush, _A Farewell to Kings_ (remastered)

e-mail: paul at gromit.cs.vt.edu

"I didn't mean to take up all your sweet time"
        --- James Marshall Hendrix