DVD Demystified

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Introduction
This chapter compares DVD systems with related consumer electronics and
computer data storage products. Each section presents technical specifications
as well as advantages and disadvantages. The charts are, of necessity,
rather terse and technical, but most points are explained in the accompanying
paragraphs or in Chapters 3 and 4. Most terms and acronyms are
also defined in the Glossary.
Some specifications, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and dynamic
range, are technical maximums that usually are lower in practice. For
example, both DVD video and audio at 24 bits per sample have a theoretical
SNR of 144 decibels, but MPEG compression creates variable video
noise and most recording equipment cannot actually achieve an SNR of 144
decibels, and current digital-to-analog converters are incapable of reproducing
a perfectly clean signal.
While some technologies may be considered competitors to DVD, they
also may complement DVD, and vice versa. For example, VHS and DVD can
coexist much like audiocassette tape and audio CD. Digital videotape (DV)
is a popular recording source in producing video for DVD.
Laserdisc and CD-Video (CDV)
Chapter 8
Laserdisc is the most obvious competitor to DVD-Video because it is a highquality
video format on optical disc. DVD player manufacturers found their
initial primary customers to be videophiles and home theater aficionados,
many of whom own laserdisc players.
Even before it came to market, DVD dealt laserdisc a mortal blow. Anticipation
of DVD in 1996 drove laserdisc player sales down 37 percent, even
though sales of VCRs and hi-fi/surround-sound systems were up. Disc sales
also were down over 30 percent. Approximately 70 percent of early DVD
buyers already owned laserdisc players. In July 1999, Pioneer Entertainment,
the largest laserdisc distributor, announced that it had shifted focus
to VHS and DVD to replace all its laserdisc business. 1 Image Entertainment,
formerly the largest independent distributor of laserdiscs, released
its last laserdisc titles in February 2000.
1 Other arms of Pioneer continued to distribute laserdiscs for education, corporate training, and
special applications such as museum kiosks.