By: Brooke Yan | ![]() | ![]() |
The has come to dominate video even more quickly than the CD conquered audio in the 1980s. Along with changing what we watch--discs rather than are changing how we watch. The digital format makes it easy to go directly to desired sections of a movie, and the picture and sound quality surpass what you’ll get with a videotape. One DVD can store a complete two-hour-plus movie with a Dolby or containing six to eight audio channels. There’s also room for extra material such as multiple languages, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and commentary by the director or actors. High-definition DVD players are expected to hit the market by the beginning of 2006. can play standard audio CDs, and some models fully support or SACD, two competing high-resolution audio formats offering multichannel sound. While DVD players are playback-only devices, record as well as play. Prices of recorders have dropped considerably in the past few years, with entry-level models now selling for less than $200. WHAT'S AVAILABLE Apex, Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba are among the biggest-selling brands of DVD players. Virtually all new are progressive-scan models. When used with a conventional TV, these players provide the usual high DVD picture quality. With a TV that can display high-definition (HD) or enhanced-definition (ED) images, image quality is slightly better. That’s because HD and ED sets support the player’s progressive-scan 480p mode, drawing 480 consecutive lines on the screen. By comparison, with a conventional TV, every other line is drawn and then interlaced or combined, a resolution referred to as 480i. A player can be connected directly to your TV for viewing movies or routed through your receiver to play movies and on your sound system. Progressive-scan models come in single-disc and multidisc versions. The few non-progressive-scan players now on the market are mostly single-disc models; these tend to be the cheapest type.Single-disc consoles. Even low-end models usually include all the video outputs you might want. Price range: less than $60 to more than $300. Multidisc consoles. Like , these players accommodate more than one disc at a time, typically five. DVD that hold 400 or so discs are also available. Price range: $100 to $800. Portables. These DVD players generally come with a small wide-screen-format and batteries that claim to provide three hours or more of playback. Some low-priced models don’t come with a screen; they’re intended for users who plan to connect the device to a television. You pay extra for portability either way. Price range: $150 to $800. IMPORTANT FEATURES DVD-based movies often come in various formats. Aspect-ratio control lets you choose between the 4:3 viewing format of conventional TVs (4 inches wide for every 3 inches high) and the 16:9 ratio of newer, wide-screen sets. A player gives you all sorts of control over the picture-control you may never have known you needed. Picture zoom lets you zoom in on a specific frame. Black-level adjustment brings out the detail in dark parts of the screen image. HOW TO CHOOSE Buy a progressive-scan model unless the lowest price is your highest priority. Although you won’t see progressive-scan picture quality on a conventional analog TV, it’s worth spending a little extra for a progressive-scan player if you might get a digital (probably HD) TV at some point. You’ll have much more choice of products as well, since almost all new players are progressive-scan. It’s definitely worth getting a progressive-scan player for use with a digital TV, which is capable of displaying the smoother picture these players can deliver. Choose a model if you want continuous music. A single-disc player is fine for movies and CDs one at a time. But if you want this to be your main music player, consider a multidisc player. Note, though, that multidisc models are typically about 1 to 2 inches taller and 6 to 7 inches deeper than single-disc players. Make sure there are enough connections. Virtually all players now have outputs for optimal connection to most TV sets. A few players have DVI or HDMI connectors that are compatible with some new TVs, though these don’t necessarily offer improved picture quality. If you want to use digital-audio connections from the DVD player to a receiver, make sure the DVD player’s digital-audio outputs match the receiver’s inputs. Some receivers use a coaxial input; others, an optical input. If you have an older receiver that lacks 5.1 surround-sound decoding, look for a player with a decoder for Dolby Digital.Consider which, if any, special playback formats matter. All DVD players can play prerecorded DVDs and CDs. Most models also play several types of discs you record yourself, such as DVD-R, DVD+R, and CD-R/-RW. Most can read DVD+RW, but the ability to read DVD-RW discs depends on how they were recorded. Some can also play DVD-RAM discs. Most models play CD-audio and MP3 music recorded on discs you burn yourself. You’ll need to shop around more if you want to play Windows Media Audio (WMA) files, video CD, and high-resolution SACD and DVD-Audio discs in their original format. Do you want to present slide shows on your TV? Then choose a model that can read the memory card for your camera or JPEG image files from a digital camera or scanner that you have burned onto a disc. Copyright ? 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit .? Find More with Easy Deal
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