High Definition Stalemate

For those who have not yet settled on which high definition disc to invest in, this article will help bring several issues to light. First of all, the potential video and audio quality remain alike between both formats, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. The difference lies in the laser that reads the disc; where the former uses the identical red laser used to read DVDs, the latter employs a blue laser that reads only Blu-Ray. Both lasers can decode an identical amount of information, called the bitrate. A bitrate can be labeled as the amount of "bits" decoded per second. Generally, the higher the bitrate the higher the quality of video/audio. So a bitrate of, say, 30mbs (megabytes per second) should be preferable to a meager 10mbs. The average hi-def picture, with its superior clarity and contrast, can maintain a bitrate between 15mbs-35mbs; compare this with an ordinary DVD, which averages 2mbs-7mbs.

With its ability to store and transmit at a higher bitrate, hi-def media easily trumps the quality of DVD. This higher bitrate allows for less compression, and thus can retain most of the clarity from the original master print of a movie; whereas a DVD will look blown-up and fuzzy. But the differences between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray begin with how they can be played. HD-DVD players have the advantage of backward compatibility, as it can playback DVDs. Blu-Ray players cannot, due to their unique laser, which completely isolates it from older generation technology. But the advantages of Blu-Ray lay in its inherent differences.

Blu-Ray players come equipped with Java software, which some believe to allow more interactivity with the user. This gives it the ability to have fancier menus and in-depth bonus options, such as picture-in-picture display. At the moment, bugs and slow performance have hindered some confidence in its support of Java, where Bill Gates complained that it was not user friendly enough to be used in PCs. Counter this with HD-DVD, which uses Microsoft's own HDi Interactive Format. It allows anyone to author simple content, where Java requires a more intimate knowledge of scripting.

If all the information so far sounds redundant, it is. The only thing that can make or break a hi-def entertainment center does not stem from the format at all. In fact, it all depends on what you choose to display it on. Be weary of interlaced televisions. Rather than playing back video at 1080p (progressive), the user gets short-changed with 1080i (interlaced). Progressive scan means that the picture gets scanned upon each frame; this results in a properly displayed picture, like a solid photograph, with no aberrations. Interlacing occurs when no progressive scan exists in the television, and so the picture gets displayed as a series of individual lines rather than as a single, uniform "photograph." In short, the fine edges in a progressively scanned movie may otherwise appear to be jagged, or even fuzzy, on an interlaced display.

The only reason to get invested in the so-called format war would be to avoid a costly personal investment if "your" format ever loses. Blu-Ray may be considered to be the superior technology, as its unique blue laser, while radically different and incapable of DVD playback, allows for exciting future developments. HD-DVD, largely compatible and user-friendly, is considered by some to be a static technology. Lately, however, Toshiba released its plan to market the format as cheaper, practical alternative to Blu-Ray. And, in the event that you still cannot make up your mind, there exists a combo Blu-Ray/HD-DVD/DVD computer drive that sells for less than $300.

DVR Review

DVRs are now being used in areas like surveillance and entertainment. DVRs have managed to get a good response from the market and the future will see DVRs being employed in new areas like weather forecasting and ship to shore communication.

DVRs have carved a niche in the field of satellite television. HDDVRs with all their features have managed to attract the attention of many a couch potatoes. The futuristic feel of the product and the control that it has given to the viewer has added a new dimension to TV viewing and some are already comparing it with the transformation brought on after the onset of color television in the last century. However, it may take a while before this technology becomes the norm and broadcasters start airing programs that are tailor made or customized to HDDVR sets. With DVR technology, the reception of signals at the viewer end is digital and now the onus has shifted to the broadcaster to provide signals of matching quality to further enhance viewing pleasure.

As far as surveillance does, DVRs are fast replacing the conventional VCRs. Extensive research and development work is going on in many corporations and labs to develop better DVR devices to suit varied market requirements. The remote location monitoring option by which offices could be monitored from anywhere in the world, has caught the attention of the market. There is also extensive demand for the embedded DVRs because of their independence and ease of operation. Many banks, security firms, commercial organizations have already switched over to this technology and are enjoying the benefits.

In the transport sector, the technology is now fast catching up as many cargo firms are now depending on DVRs to obtain real time information on the movement and safety of their goods. Along with the GPS system, this technology has given companies another avenue to monitor cargo movement. The demand for DVR in this sector is expected to increase in the years to come.

With the use of DVRs in multiple sectors, the stage is now set for development of customized DVRs. These will take a different path of evolution from their predecessors and may even be developed into a completely different technology.

Modern DVD Player

There are a lot of good audio/video players available especially for movie enthusiast but is “good” enough? Guess not. Video and audio performance in all modern DVD players is excellent. Personal preferences, your budget, and your existing home theater setup all play a large role in determining which player is best for you. The budget and quality should be taken into consideration before buying the product by most consumers.

When we talk about quality, DVD is the new generation of optical technology. DVD is essentially a much bigger and faster CD that can hold cinema-like videos, better-than-CD audio, still photos, and computer data. DVD aims to bring home entertainment, computers, and business information with a single digital format. DVD has the capability to produce near-studio-quality video and better-than-CD-quality audio. DVD is vastly superior to consumer videotape and generally better than laserdiscs.

Most players support a standard set of features such as 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. Recognition and output of DTS Digital Surround audio tracks. Playback of audio CDs. Instant search to title, chapter, music track, and timecode. Durable (no wear from playing, only from physical damage). Compact size (easy to handle, store, and ship; players can be portable; replication is cheaper than tapes or laserdiscs).

The primary advantages of DVD are video quality, surround sound, and extra features. In addition, DVD will not degrade with age by overplaying it like a videotape hence it will allow you save lots of money and be able to collect your favorite movie and televisions shows for years and still be able to play it over and over again.

Most movie experts choose DVD as their preference for movie entertainment because of high quality resolution and excellent audio performance giving an excellent movie experience in their homes! Try it and see it for yourself and you’ll learn than every penny spent is worth it!

A New DVD Player

Whether you are buying your first DVD Player or replacing an old one it’s important to know what’s available on the market at the moment. It’s also useful to know what some of the terminology means – many of us think terms like HD and Progressive Scan sound impressive but don’t actually know what it does!

The fact is these days there is so much more to DVD Players than just watching movies. The newer models offer high quality audio and video connections providing crisp clear images and impressive surround sound. As well as playing recordable and rewritable CD’s they can handle your MP3 mix discs, some can also play WMA (Windows Media Audio) files. Some Players have SACD (Super Audio CD’s) or DVD audio decoding for high resolution multichannel music.

Obviously the perfect DVD Player for you is the one that best meets your needs – it should have the features that matter most to you. For instance, if you still have (and watch!) a lot of VHS tapes then a DVD/VCR Combo Player is a good choice. These are extremely affordable and provide the familiarity of a VCR Player with the enhanced music and movie quality of DVD. You can use it to record your favourite TV shows on VHS, watch movies on DVD and listen to your audio CD’s. If you want to archive your VHS tapes consider a DVD Recorder which offer convenient tape-free recording with the functionality of a DVD Player. You can also back up home movies onto DVD. There are a variety of writeable and rewriteable formats available to enable you to use the right disc for the right job.

If you travel a lot a Portable DVD Player could be the answer. These are compact and lightweight and some also offer dual headphone jacks enabling more than one person to listen at the same time. Many of these portable players are car-friendly – as well as having rechargeable batteries some also come with features like cigarette lighter power adapters and car mounting kits.

If you have a High Definition TV HD DVD is a high definition disc format designed to maximise your viewing experience when using HDTV. Another option is a DVD Player with Video Upconversion which will convert DVD video to a resolution that more closely matches that of your High Definition Television. The signal remains digital as it travels through the connections to your television for the cleanest possible transfer.

If your TV is Enhanced Definition (EDTV), High Definition or HDTV-ready a Progressive Scan DVD Player is an option. In fact, even if your existing TV is not progressive capable your next one almost certainly will be which means you would get a great picture now and an even better one when you upgrade your television. So what is Progressive Scan? Progressive Scan displays the entire frame in one sweep (unlike Interlaced Scan which splits each video frame into two fields) and since the whole picture is displayed together it has less flickering and clearer details. To view the progressive scan signals you need a progressive capable TV so if you don’t have one at the moment choose a DVD Player that allows you to select either 480i interlaced scan for use with a conventional TV or 480p progressive-scan output for compatible TV’s.

A big part of choosing the right player is ensuring it has all the necessary connections to perform with your other audio visual equipment. Nearly all current DVD Players have at least three video jacks – composite, S-video and component. Component inputs are typically only found on mid-priced to high end TV’s made in the last few years. The component connection provides the best picture quality. If your TV only has an antenna style RF input you will need to install an RF modulator between the TV and DVD Player. Also a DVD/VCR Combo might be worth considering as some can pass DVD signals through their RF output.

Current players have a digital audio output – coaxial, optical or both. This enables them to send Dolby Digital or DTS signals to your receiver for multichannel surround sound. All DVD Players include standard stereo audio jacks for connecting to stereo receivers and stereo TV’s. Some players also have built in decoding with 5.1 channel analog outputs to connect directly to 5.1 ready receivers. These models usually also play multichannel DVD Audio or SACD discs. Some high end players have IEEE1394 jacks (known as FireWire or i.LINK); these single cord connections carry 5.1 channel music to a compatible receiver.