"About DVD Players | HdBluDVD.Com - More HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, DVD Information"

What Is Region Coding? What Is A Code-Free DVD Player? Region coding is a controversial system enforced by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association Of America) that controls the distribution of DVDs in World Markets based on feature film release dates and other factors. The World is divided into several DVD regions. DVD players can only play DVDs that are coded for a specific region. In other words, you cannot buy a DVD in Japan (which is in DVD Region 2) and play it on a DVD player in the U.S., which is in DVD Region 1. However, there are DVD players available that can bypass the Region Code system, which some exceptions. This type of DVD player is referred to as a Code Free DVD player. What Types Of video Connections Do DVD Players Have? DVD players have standard RCA composite video, S-video, and Component Video outputs. On most DVD players, the component video outputs can be set to transfer either a standard interlaced video signal or a progressive scan video signal to a television. Some DVD players also have DVI or HDMI outputs for better connection to HDTVs as well. DVD players typically do not have cable or antenna outputs. For audio, DVD players also have both analog audio and digital audio outputs. How Do I Connect A DVD Player To A TV That Only Has An Antenna/Cable Connection? In order to connect a DVD player to a TV that only has an antenna or cable connection, you need to convert the video signal from the DVD player to an RF signal that can be fed through an antenna or cable connection. This is done with the addition of an RF Modulator. What Is Meant By A DVD Player With Progressive Scan? How Traditional Video is Displayed Normal video, such as from VHS VCRS, Camcorders, and television broadcasts, is displayed on your TV as a result of scanning series of lines on a screen surface in a format called interlaced scan. In this system, lines of video are displayed in an alternate fashion on a television screen. All the odd lines are scanned first, then all the even lines. These are referred to as fields. This process results in an interlaced image. Each frame on your screen is made up of the two interlaced fields of video. Although video frames are displayed every 30th of a second, the viewer, at any given point in time is only seeing half the image. Since the scanning process is so quick, the viewer"s brain perceives the video image on the screen as a complete image. The Difference Between Progressive Scan and Interlaced Scan Progressive scan differs from interlaced scan in that the image is displayed on a screen by scanning each line (or row of pixels) in a sequential order rather than an alternate order, as is done with interlaced scan. In other words, in progressive scan, the image lines (or pixel rows) are scanned in numerical order (1,2,3) down the screen from top to bottom, instead of in an alternate order (lines or rows 1,3,5, etc... followed by lines or rows 2,4,6). By progressively scanning the image onto a screen every 60th of a second rather than "interlacing" alternate lines every 30th of a second, a smoother, more detailed, image can be produced on the screen that is perfectly suited for viewing fine details, such as text, and is also less susceptible to interlace flicker. How To Take Advantage Of Progressive Scan In order to take advantage of a DVD player"s progressive scan feature, you must also have a television that has progressive scan display capability. However, since a DVD player"s progressive scan feature can be turned off or on, you can still use a progressive scan DVD capable DVD player on a non-progressive scan capable television. Can DVD Players Also Play Standard Music CDs? Yes, all DVD players can play standard music CDs. If you insert a CD in a DVD player, it will automatically recognize the disc as a CD and let you access CD playback functions. In addition, many DVD players can also play CD-R/RWs, MP3-CDs and JPEG PhotoCDs. Also, some DVD players can also play SACD (Super Audio CDs) and DVD-Audio Discs. What Are DualDiscs And Can DVD players Play Them? DualDisc is a controversial new format that is a disc with a DVD layer on one side and a CD-type layer on the other. Since the disc has a slightly different thickness than either a standard DVD or standard CD, it may not have complete playback compatibility on some DVD players. DualDiscs are not officially recognized as meeting CD specifications. As a result, Philips, developers of the CD and holders of most CD patents, do not authorize the use of the official CD label on DualDiscs. For more information on DualDisc, check out the DualDisc Website. For information on compatibility issues of DualDisc with your own DVD player, contact tech support or the webpage of the manufacturer of your DVD player. What Is Meant By An HD-compatible DVD player? An HD-compatible DVD player is a unit that is equipped with either a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High Definition Multi-media Interface) connection. This connection can transfer the video signal from the DVD player to an HDTV that has the same type of video connections in pure digital form. In addition, this type of DVD player also has an what is referred to as "upscaling capability". Standard DVD Resolution A standard DVD player, without upscaling, can output video resolution at 720x480 (480i). A progressive scan DVD player, without upscaling, can output 720x480 (480p - progressive scan) video signals. 480i represents 720 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 480 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 480 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately. In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines. 480p represents 720 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 480 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 480 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another. The Upscaling Process Upscaling is a process that mathematically matches the pixel count of the output of the DVD signal to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280x720 (720p) or 1920x1080 (1080i). 720p represents 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 720 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another. 1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 1,080 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately. In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines. The Practical Effect Of DVD Upscaling Visually, there is very little difference to the eye of the average consumer between 720p and 1080i. However, 720p can deliver a slightly smoother-looking image, due to the fact that lines and pixels are displayed in a consecutive pattern, rather than in an alternate pattern. The upscaling process does a good job of matching the upscaled pixel output of a DVD player to the native pixel display resolution of an HDTV capable television, resulting in better detail and color consistency. However, upscaling, as it is currently implemented, cannot convert standard DVD images into true high-definition images. In fact, although upscaling works well with fixed pixel displays, such as Plasma and LCD televisions, results are not always consistent on CRT-based high definition televisions. Points to Remember Points to remember: Any DVD player can be hooked up to an HDTV. Although HD-Compatible DVD players are better able to match the native pixel resolution of an HDTV, you will still get good results on a standard DVD player that is connected via an HDTV"s provided Component or S-Video inputs. However, if you DO have an HDTV, and a standard DVD player, you will get the best results using the Component video connection (red-blue-green) between the DVD player and the HDTV. In addition, if your DVD player is progressive scan capable, always use that option when connected to a progressive scan capable television. Don"t confuse upscaling of standard DVDs with the native high definition output resolutions of Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Upscaling of standard DVDs is an appoximation of high definition, while Blu-ray and HD-DVD are true high definition sources. What Are All The types of DVD Players and Recorders Currently Available? DVD is popping up in all types of configurations. Here is a listing of several types of DVD player and recorder components that are available for the consumer: 1. Standard DVD Player (both single tray and changer) 2. Universal DVD Player (SACD/DVD-Audio Compatible Player) 3. DVD Player/VHS VCR combination 4. DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combination 5. DVD player/AV Receiver Combination 6. DVD Recorder/Hard Drive Combination 7. DVD Player/TIVO Combination 8. DVD Recorder/TIVO Combination 9. DVD Player/Video Projector Combination 10. Portable DVD Player 11. DVD Player/Video Game Console Combination 12. Home Theater-In-A-Box System with built-in DVD Player 13. TV/DVD Player or TV/DVD player/VCR Combination 14. DVD Camcorder 16. Standalone Video Editing System With A Built-in DVD Burner 15. DVD-ROM and DVD-Writer Drives for PCs and Laptop Computers 16. HD-DVD Player (HD-DVD and DVD compatible) 17. Blu-ray Disc Player (Blu-ray Disc and DVD compatible) Comments Please login to post comments or replies.