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DVD FAQ

What are the features of DVD-Video?
Over 2 hours of high-quality digital video (a double-sided, dual-layer disc can hold about 8 hours of high-quality video, or 30 hours of VHS quality video).

  • Support for widescreen movies on standard or widescreen TVs (4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios).
  • Up to 8 tracks of digital audio (for multiple languages, commentaries, etc.), each with as many as 8 channels.
  • Up to 32 subtitle/karaoke tracks.
  • Automatic seamless branching of video (for multiple story lines or ratings on one disc).
  • Up to 9 camera angles (different viewpoints can be selected during playback).
  • On-screen menus and simple interactive features (for games, quizzes, etc.).
  • Multilingual identifying text for title name, album name, song name, cast, crew, etc.
  • Instant rewind and fast forward (no 'be kind, rewind' stickers and threats on rental discs)
  • Instant search to title, chapter, music track, and timecode.
  • Durable (no wear from playing, only from physical damage).
  • Not susceptible to magnetic fields. Resistant to heat.
  • Compact size (easy to handle, store, and ship; players can be portable; replication is cheaper than tapes or laserdiscs).
  • Noncomedogenic.
  • Note: Most discs do not contain all features (multiple audio/subtitle tracks, seamless branching, parental control, etc.), as each feature must be specially authored. Some discs may not allow searching or skipping.
  • Most players support a standard set of features:
  • Language choice (for automatic selection of video scenes, audio tracks, subtitle tracks, and menus).
  • Special effects playback: freeze, step, slow, fast, and scan.
  • Parental lock (for denying playback of discs or scenes with objectionable material).
  • Programmability (playback of selected sections in a desired sequence).
  • Random play and repeat play.
  • Digital audio output (PCM stereo and Dolby Digital).
  • Recognition and output of DTS Digital Surround audio tracks.
  • Playback of audio CDs.
  • Must be supported by additional content on the disc.
  • Some players include additional features:
  • Component video output (YUV or RGB) for higher quality picture.
  • Progressive-scan component output (YUV or RGB) for highest quality analog picture.
  • Digital video output (SDI, 1394, or DVI/HDMI) for perfect digital picture.
  • Six-channel analog output from internal audio decoder (Dolby Digital, DTS, or MLP).
  • Playback of Video CDs or Super Video CDs.
  • Playback of MP3 CDs.
  • Playback of MP3 DVDs.
  • Playback of video files in other formats such as DivX and MPEG-4.
  • Playback of Picture CDs and Photo CDs.
  • Playback of laserdiscs and CDVs.
  • Reverse single frame stepping.
  • Reverse play (normal speed).
  • RF output (for TVs with no direct video input).
  • Multilingual on-screen display.
  • Multiple disc capacity.
  • Digital zoom (2x or 4x enlargement of a section of the picture). This is a player feature, not a DVD disc feature.

What is a DVD?

What do the letters DVD stand for?

What are the features of DVD-Video?

What's the quality of DVD-Video?