» What is DVD?

» Aspect Ratio

This is the geometric relationship associated between the height and width of a televisions viewable screen when looking at the set. Currently most television products feature a 4:3 aspect ratio. DVD will offer more with 4:3, letterbox and 16:9 aspect ratios.

» Audio Streams

DVD allows for 8 separate audio tracks, each offering up to 8 channels of audio.

» Camera Angles

DVDs can contain up to 9 unique camera angles, which would be a very nice feature on sports highlights titles.

» Crystal Clear Video

DVDs feature video encoded via the MPEG-2 standard. This is the same standard that will be used with HDTV. When encoding a feature film, a process called "variable bit rate" encoding is used, which allows complex scenes to use higher bit rates, while less complex scenes use lower bit rates. This optimizes the amount of space on a DVD.

» Data Stream

The data stream is information in a constant flow of bits. These bits are processed by the decoder on the video player. This stream is like human DNA, it contains all the information necessary for the decoder to work and view the image on the DVD video player.

» Decoder

The electronic component that deciphers the MPEG-2 video stream. It paints the picture to the viewers screen.

» Dolby Digital Sound (AC-3)

DVD uses a number of audio encoding formats, including PCM and MPEG.  The most popular though is Dolby Digital (AC3).  Dolby Digital features a compression algorithm that delivers CD-quality sound at a lower bit rate.   Dolby Digital can supply up to 6 channels of audio.  This format, commonly referred to as "5.1 surround" (Left Front, Center, Right Front, Left Rear, Right Rear, and a subwoofer channel), can provide viewers an audio experience similar to being at the movie theater.

» DVD-5

Single sided/Single layer type DVD with 4.7 GB storage capability.

» DVD-9

Single sided/Dual layer type DVD with 8.5 GB storage capability.

» DVD-18

Double sided/Dual layer type DVD with 17 GB storage capability.

» Digital Protection

DVD titles can be set to prevent copying of content to analog VCRs with Macrovision protection, or digital-to-digital copying with Copy Scrambling System (CSS).

» DVD-R

Write once type of DVD-recordable discs with 4.7 GB storage capacity. Acid DVD uses these discs for small runs for our customers.

» Encoder

The MPEG-2 processor that converts real time digital bits to the format necessary for DVD viewing.

» Menu Design

Most DVD titles include menus for navigating between the main program and other features such as behind the filming clips, director's comments, special trailers, chapter menus, and more.

» Multi-story

DVD players can have their DVD's programmed to select and black out undesired material. Parents can view an "R" version of a movie and select the "PG" version for others in the family.

» MPEG-2

Digital signal compression developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group. It delivers excellent video playback with variable compression. Works by removing redundant signal information that is occurs during the video encoding process. This is the same standard that will be used with HDTV. 

» Multi-language

DVD feature that allows up to eight different audio tracks to be mastered on a DVD disc. The user can then select which language to watch his or her movie.

» Variable Bit Rate

Term pertaining to how the encoding varies the bit rate for DVD. A variable bit rate allows complex scenes to use higher bit rates, while less complex scenes use lower bit rates.  This optimizes the amount of space on a DVD.

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