All About DVD

Although DVD's have been around since 1997, many people are still new to the technology, and have questions about how they work.  Back Lot Video has always been a leader in assisting customers with questions they may and assisting people with buying DVD players, hooking them up, and trouble-shooting whenever they had problems. We would like to share the information with everyone through this FAQ list. Most of these are very basic questions that might be asked by someone who is a new user of DVD technology, and are not intended for home theater enthusiasts. 

I see a lot of people getting into Blu-Ray movies - what is Blu-Ray? 

Blu-Ray is basically the name that has been given to high definition DVD.  BR discs hold 50 gigabites of content, as opposed to the 7-8 gigs of content on a standard disc.  This means that the picture and sound does not have to be compressed the way it might on a standard disc, giving better quality of both.  To enjoy the full picture, you would need a 1080p flat panel television.  The difference in picture is not as drastic as we saw when VHS gave way to DVD, since this was actually a jump from analog to digital.  With BR, a lot depends on the TV you watch the movie on, the transfer of the movie itself, and the size of the screen versus the distance you sit away from the screen.  The best way to see if you feel BR is worth paying to switch from standard is to simply try it out at an electronics store.  Keep in mind that retailers can also make the difference look more drastic by downscaling the sample picture from the standard DVD they show you.  You should insist on seeing the comparison using an upscaling DVD player, and both sources should be using and HDMI cable. 

Does this mean I'm going to have to get rid of my DVD collection and buy?

Absolutely not.  Blu Ray players will play standard DVD's, and will actually upscale them to look better.  In some cases, you may want to replace a few favorites, especially if a new high def edition comes out that really shines.  But I don't think it would be worth it to replace most movies in BR.

I've heard that DVD's are better than VHS movies. Is this true?

In our opinion, yes. Because the movies are stored digitally on the disc and read by a laser, there is no physical contact to be distorted by dirt or poor quality tape. DVD does not deteriorate over time, so the quality stays the same no matter how old your collection gets. Once a VHS tape begins to degrade, nothing can be done to repair it. However, if a DVD becomes scratched, it can be resurfaced to the point where it looks brand new.

My television is an older model. How do I know if a DVD player can be connected to it?

The short answer is, a DVD player can be connected to almost any television. The first thing you need to do is look on the back, or sometimes the front, of your TV and see if you have any RCA-style inputs (these look like the ones on a stereo, and will be red, white, and yellow in color). If you have these, simply connect the DVD player, then go into your menu on the TV and select the proper input signal. Normally this is done either in the set-up menu on the TV, or just by pressing an "input" button on the remote. You want to tell the TV to accept a "video" or "line" input, so that it will display the DVD signal instead of your cable signal. Each TV does this in a different way, and if you aren't sure, consult your owner's manual.

In the event that you do not have RCA jacks on your TV (only the coaxial input that your cable wire screws to), you would need to purchase what is called an "RF Modulator" from any electronics store. These can cost between $30 and $50. You connect both the DVD player and VCR to the RF modulator, and connect this to your TV.

What do I look for if I purchase a DVD player?

A lot depends on your personal tastes. Some people prefer to buy only popular brand names, which cost a bit more, but are usually of a higher quality and have more features. Other people prefer to purchase inexpensive, lesser-known models. If you are looking at a brand name, we suggest looking at Panasonic, JVC, Sony, Toshiba, or RCA. For a good quality player you should expect to pay around $150, and for a lower-end model you would pay between $50 and $75. The only drawback of lower-end models that they sometimes don't have many features, such as multi-angle playback or zoom. We have also heard some customers mention that cheaper models don't always have stable playback.

We might also suggest you purchase your player from a store which allows you to return it within a set period if you aren't happy with it. This way you can try the unit out and see if you'll like it.

How do I use my DVD menu?

Your DVD menu serves as a starting point for all the features on the disc. When you put the disc in your player, the menu usually comes up right away, or after the previews. It works in much the same way as links on a web page. Each choice will "light up" in some way when you touch it with the cursor, and take you to a new section of the disc. Although each disc varies somewhat, the most common choices are:

• Play movie: Starts the movie.
• Set up: Allows you to select various options, such as Widscreen or Fullscreen, digital sound or stereo, and subtitles. (This option is sometimes called "Languages")
• Scene (or Chapter) Selection: Since DVD movies are sub-divided into chapters, each of which can be accessed independently, you may wish to jump ahead to a specific point in the movie. Normally each section is 5 to 10 minutes long, and has some sort of chapter title.
• Special Features: This option allows you to select any of a number of documentary features, games, actor biographies, interviews, or commentaries. A "commentary" is something you can select so that as the movie plays, you can listen to the director or actors talk about making the movie, discussing each scene as you watch it. This can also be turned off at any point.

What is the difference between Widescreen & Full Screen DVD's?

Widescreen is the more popular format of DVD, because it allows films to be seen exactly as they were filmed. This panoramic view is rectangular in shape, like a theatre screen, rather than a television screen. Because many TV's have a square shape, black bars are seen at the top and bottom of a widescreen movie. Full screen movies have sections of the picture cut from the sides in order to make it fit the TV. As a result, if you watch films in Full Screen format, you will be missing out on parts of the movie.

Why does my DVD movie skip or freeze sometimes?

Each movie is composed of digital information contained on the shiny side of a DVD. When the surface becomes marred with scratches, dirt, or fingerprints, the laser inside your player cannot read this information, and freezes during playback. For this reason, it is important to always handle the disc by the edges, and put it in the case when it is not in use. Once a DVD becomes too badly scratched, it will need to be resurfaced. If you find fingerprints on a DVD you are trying to watch, simply use a soft tissue to clean the disc like you would a pair of glasses, starting at the center and wiping out towards the edge.

Can I record on a DVD player?

On most mass-market players, no. Recordable DVD players are available, but the price on these units is still higher than on playback-only machines.  Most television service providers also have PVR's (personal video recorders) available, and these tend to be a better option for people who wish to record televison shows.

Why won't some DVD's play on my computer?

In most cases, you probably need an upgrade to the software program you're using to play the disc. Computer DVD players often come with a "basic" software program, which may not always operate some discs.  Simply connect to the internet and put your DVD in the computer. You should be taken to a site which offers an upgrade. Naturally, there will be a price tag attached to this.

Can I get a badly scratched DVD repaired?

Provided you don't have any deep gouges in the surface. Most surface scratches can be taken out during the resurfacing process. Using pads to take off a shallow layer of the plastic on the "shiny" side of the disc, the damaged material is removed, leaving only a clear surface again.  Back Lot Video offers this service through Mud River Records. The average cost to have this done is around $3.50, and the work is guaranteed.

What are "regional codes" on each DVD?

DVD's are often released in North America before the movie is released theatrically around the world. Studios created a system where movies with the North American code (#1) will not play in DVD players around the world. For example, Europe uses code #2 on their discs. The only time this might cause a problem would be if you purchased a DVD from a source such as E-Bay, and the disc came from another country. However, as the technology evolves, different types of "region-free" discs and players are emerging. The best rule of thumb is to always make sure you purchase DVD's with the #1 region code.

Why does my DVD have a shiny surface on both sides?

In many cases, it is because the widescreen version of the film is on one side, and the full screen version is on the other. However, it can also mean that special features are contained on one side, and the movie on the other. You will be able to view whatever the face-up label says when you put the disc in the player.

Why are some classic films not available in Widescreen?

For many years prior to the 1950's, many films were intentionally filmed in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is the same shape as your television. Casablanca is an example of this. It is presented in full screen on DVD because that is the way the director intended it to be seen.

What are "easter eggs" on a DVD, and how do I find them?

Easter eggs are special, hidden features which can be found on some discs. Normally they are things like deleted scenes or gag reels. To find them, you can search for small icons that light up with your remote cursor, or you can go to any of the numerous sites on the web which describe in detail how to find various hidden easter eggs.

What is Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS sound?

Digital 5.1 sound is perhaps the single greatest strength of the DVD format. It allows the movie soundtrack to be split into 5 (or more) separate channels (speakers), so that audio is presented in the 3 "front" speakers, as well as 2 "rear" channels. There is also a low-frequency channel used, called a sub-woofer, which creates the rumbling sounds you often hear in action movies. The DTS system puts a bit more emphasis on the sub-woofer, but it takes a trained ear to notice the difference between them. The soundfield on some films can be extremely active, giving a tremendous sense of realism to the film you are watching. Objects in motion on the screen are often heard passing over your head as the sound moves from one speaker to the next.  DVD's can be played through basic television speakers as well, if you are not interested in connecting your player to a stereo system.

I've just hooked up my DVD player, but the picture keeps fading from light to dark. Why does it do this?

Probably because you tried to run the signal through your VCR, then to the TV. VCR's have a built-in protection against piracy, and tend to scramble the signal of another source player. You'll need to unhook it, and use the RCA jacks on your TV. If you have an older TV without these, you'll need to purchase an RF modulator instead and use it to convert the signal.