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DVD Players - Buyers Guide
DVD Explained
What is DVD?
Take a CD and it's digital sound quality. Add crystal clear, vibrant interference free digital pictures that are almost twice the resolution of a video. Include a whole host of additional material such as special scenes, how-the-film-was-made footage and the ability to skip to your favourite movie clip at the touch of a button on your remote control and you've got DVD.
DVD / VCR Combis
Already got too many boxes cluttering up your room? Then why not save space by getting a VCR to cater for your recording needs and a DVD player to cope with your home entertainment needs all in one box?
DVD Recorders
DVD recorders are exactly what they say they are, DVD players that record on to DVD discs as well. The advantages of a DVD recorder over a normal video recorder are:
It's digital - and so can deliver much better sound and picture quality.
Instant access - so recordings can be jumped directly to (like skipping a song on a CD).
Longevity - No wear and tear on DVDs.
DVD RAM or DVD+RW - Two different recording formats are available, DVD-RAM (used by Panasonic) and DVD+RW (used by Philips).
DVD-RAM - Panasonic DVD-recorders can play and record at the same time, which lets you among other things 'pause live TV'.
Panasonic offers up to 12 hours extended recording, as well as double-sided recording.
DVD+RW - Backwards compatibility - +RW recordings will play in most ordinary DVD decks, while DVD-RAM recordings won't.
DVD+RW discs permit faster data transfer, important for video recording.
Connections
Almost all UK DVD players connect to other equipment such as a TV using a Scart lead which will handle both audio and video signals. Some DVD players may use a S-Video connection which only handles the video aspect of the signal but will give a slightly better picture. Although this will barely be perceptible to the casual user.
Sound
A major part of the DVD experience is the cinema style surround sound that combines with the brilliant picture quality to give a complete audio visual experience.
Dolby Digital Output - All DVD players have Dolby Digital output but you need a separate decoder and amplifier plus compatible speakers to gain access to this sound.
The following options are available:-
Separate AV Receiver and Speaker Kit - The Amp/decoder is called an AV receiver and can be bought on its own. A set of 5 speakers and a sub woofer will also be needed to complete the home cinema system. The benefit of purchasing the system this way is that you can buy each component separately to suit your needs.
Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound Kits - Alternatively you can buy a kit which contains the Amp/decoder (sometimes built into the subwoofer), 5 speakers & a subwoofer. This is an easier solution.
Home Cinema Systems - This is the ultimate all in one solution to access dolby digital 5.1 sound. The dvd player has a built in decoder and amp and comes with 5 speakers and a subwoofer. All you need to do is connect to your television for pure home cinema performance.
DTS - Many discs are now available with DTS (Digital Theater Sound) surround sound. This is an audio soundtrack which is another 5.1 channel format.
Other Useful Information
DAC - The higher the DAC (Digital-to-analogue converter) bit rating, the better the audio signal quality for your TV and speakers to play. Most of the early DVD players had a 16bit DAC converter but most of the machines today range from 20 to 32bit.
MP3 Playback - Many DVD players can now play MP3 music files burned from a PC onto CD-R and CD-RW discs.
DVD-Audio and SACD - A growing number of DVD players will now also play DVD-Audio or SACD discs, both of which provide much enhanced music playback superior to CD quality.
Essentials
Scart Leads - Nearly all new televisions, video recorders and DVD players have scart sockets. This means that you can connect them together easily, and get full sound and visual capability.
This Product Guide was provided by kind permmission of Comet.
Comet checks competitors' prices, then lowers their own.
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