Chapter 1

the stereo connectors, so three separate audio hookups are required
to cover all variations.
Will I Have Problems Connecting My VCR Between
My TV and My DVD Player?
It’s not a good idea to route the video from your DVD player through your
VCR. Most movies use Macrovision protection (see “What Are the Copy
Protection Issues” in Chapter 1), which affects VCRs and causes problems
such as a repeated darkening and lightening of the picture. If your TV
doesn’t have a direct video input, you may need a separate RF converter
(refer to “How Do I Hook up a DVD Player?” in this chapter) or, better yet,
get a new TV with direct video inputs.
You may also have problems with a TV/VCR combo, because many of
them route the video input through the VCR circuitry. The best solution is to
get a box to strip Macrovision.
Why Is the Audio or Video Bad?
The number one cause of bad video is a poorly adjusted TV. The high
fidelity of DVD-Video demands much more from the display. Turn the sharpness
and brightness down. Refer to Chapter 1’s “What’s the Quality of
DVD-Video?” for more information. For technical details of TV calibration,
see Anthony Haukap’s FAQ: How to Adjust a TV.
If you get audio hum or noisy video, it's probably caused by interference
or a ground loop. Try a shorter cable. Make sure the cables are adequately
shielded. Try turning off all equipment except the pieces you are testing.
Move things farther apart. Try plugging into a different circuit. Make sure all
equipment is plugged into the same outlet. Ground your braces. Wrap your
entire house in tinfoil. For more on ground loops, see www.hut.fi/Misc/
Electronics/docs/groundloop/. More information for repair technicians is
available at shophelper.net.
If the video freezes or breaks up, it may be caused by scratches on the
disc (refer to “How Should I Clean and Care for DVDs?” in Chapter 1). It’s
normal for DVDs to freeze for a fraction of a second in the middle of a
movie; this is a layer break (refer to “What Is a Layer Change? Where Is It
on Specific Discs?” in Chapter 1).
What Are the Sizes and Capacities of DVD?
DVD Technical Details 89
Many variations on the DVD theme have been created. Two physical sizes
are available: 12 centimeter (4.7 inches) and 8 centimeter (3.1 inches), both