DVD, DVD Players, and DVD Recorders - DVD has been around for well over a decade now, with most households in the U.S. owning a least one, many owning two or more. However, how much do you really know about DVD? For a comprehensive look at DVD, check out the following entries in my Guide to DVD, DVD Players, and DVD Recorders.
DVD is the most successful home entertainment product in history. Ever since it was introduced in 1997, DVD has taken off like a rocket and can be found in a growing number of practical configurations. However, what is DVD what really makes it different from VHS? To find out the answers to some basic questions on DVD, check out my DVD Player Basics FAQs.
Know the difference between DVD video upscaling and true high definition video. Read on for more details...
As DVD recorders become more popular and affordable, my email box is filled with many questions on what they are, how they work, and what they can be used for. In order to address the most common questions regarding DVD recorders, I am answering some general FAQs on the topic.
DVD Recording formats are similar to, but not the same as, the format used in commercial DVDs you buy at the local video store, which is referred to as DVD-Video. The main difference lies in the way the DVDs are made. For additional details, read my Quick Tip: What Makes Home Recorded DVDs Different Than Commercial DVDs.
Video Copy Protection and DVD Recording: Just as you can't copy commercially made video tapes to another VCR due to Macrovision anti-copy encoding, the same applies to making copies to DVD. DVD recorders cannot bypass the anti-copy signal on commercial VHS tapes or DVDs. To find out more on this, check out my Quick Tip: Video Copy Protection and DVD Recording.
A very common question I receive from owners of DVD recorders and persons considering a DVD recorder purchase is: "How much time can I record on a DVD?" This answer to this question for each DVD recorder is explained in both the published specifications (which are available online) and the user manual for that DVD recorder. However, for those that are still in the purchasing consideration stage, here is an overview of the recording times available.
The difference between DVD record times and disc writing speed. When you buy a blank recordable DVD, on the label it not only refers to the disc size and record mode time, but also refers to Writing Speed. The disc label may indicate a 2x, 4x, 8x, or higher Writing Speed capability. What does this mean to the average consumer? For the answers, check out my Quick Tip: DVD Recording Times and Disc Writing Speed - Important Facts.
Have you shopped for a DVD Recorder recently (2009) and have found slim-pickins on store shelves? It is not your imagination. While DVD recorders are thriving in other parts of the World and Blu-ray Disc recorders are all the rage in Japan and being introduced in several other markets, the U.S. is being left out of the video recording equation; and it is being left out on purpose. For more on this mystery, read my article: The Case of the Disappearing DVD Recorder.
DVD continues its penetration into retail stores and consumer's homes at an accelerated pace. Even if you don't have a high-end TV or home theater system, you can still enjoy the benefits of the DVD revolution. However, if you do have a higher end system or TV, many of today's inexpensive players have a wealth of features, including video upscaling. Here are some great upscaling DVD players to consider.
DVD players come in all types of configurations, including DVD/VCR combos, players that play MP3 CDs, Multi-region players, and DVD players that are also DVD recorders. However, a new DVD player configuration is becoming popular, DVD players that can play both of the new high resolution audio formats: DVD-Audio and SACD. Check out the latest crop of affordable Universal DVD players.
