FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) & Answers

Answers to your questions about DVD & home theater...

Frequently asked questions (and our answers) regarding DVD and home theater are organized into the following categories (click on the link to jump to that category):

• Questions about DVD in general

• Questions about buying a DVD player

• Questions about DVD player set up & use

• Questions about buying DVD-Video movies

• Questions about recordable DVD formats & DVD recorders

• Questions about buying a home theater receiver

• Questions about home theater receiver set up & use

• Questions about buying a Digital TV & HDTV

• Questions about Digital TV & HDTV set up & use

FAQs Grouped by Category

Listing by category. Click on the question to read our answer.

Questions about DVD in general:

• Why should I buy a DVD player or movies in the DVD-Video format?

• Is DVD technology compatible with Digital TV (DTV)?

• Will the DVD-Video format be upgraded to capture HDTV-quality video in 1080i or 720p (so-called "HD-DVD" format)?

• Will the new High Definition DVD format (so-called "HD-DVD") make my current DVD-Video collection obsolete?

• What is meant by "DVD-ROM features"?

• What movies are available on DVD-Video?

• When is a good time to buy a DVD player?

• Can I record movies from a DVD player to my VCR?

• Should I buy from a local retailer, a mail-order merchant, or an on-line merchant?

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Questions about buying a DVD player:

• What should I look for in a DVD player?

• Should I buy a single-disc or multi-disc DVD player?

• What is component video and do I need this feature?

• What is Dolby Digital and do I need this feature?

• What is DTS Digital Surround and do I need this feature?

• What is CD-R and CD-RW compatibility and do I need this feature?

• How can I find a DVD player that plays back CD-Rs and CD-RWs with MP3 audio files?

• What is Video CD and do I need this feature?

• What is HDCD and do I need this feature?

• What is DVD-Audio and do I need this feature?

• What is DVD-Universal and do I need this feature?

• What is region code and why would I care about it?

• What is Region Code Enhancement and why would I care about it?

• What is progressive scan and do I need this feature?

• Should I buy an extended warrantee or service plan with my DVD player?

• What accessories should I consider?

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Questions about DVD player set up & use:

• Are the video outputs of a DVD player digital or analog signal?

• Are the audio outputs of a DVD player digital or analog signal?

• Do I need a digital television (DTV) to watch DVDs?

• How do I connect my new DVD player to my TV?

• Can I connect my DVD player through my VCR?

• How do I connect my new DVD player to my home theater receiver?

• What if I don't have a home theater receiver and surround sound speakers?

• What are those black bars on the top and bottom of the TV screen?

• How can I get rid of those black bars on the top and bottom of the TV screen?

• Why does the picture look "squished" and people look so thin?

• How do I connect my DVD player to a VCR?

• How do I access the extra and bonus features of my DVD-Video software (movie) title?

• How come some of my DVD-Videos play back as 2-channel audio, even though the package says there is a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack?

• How can I playback the DTS soundtrack?

• What is the PCM audio track option and how does it compare to audio CDs, Dolby Digital, and DTS?

• Why is there a slight pause during playback of dual-layered DVD-Video discs?

• How do I get the most out of my DVD player?

• Does a DVD player require any kind of routine maintenance?

• What if I lose the remote control that came with my DVD player?

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Questions about buying DVD-Video movies:

• How can I find out if my favorite movie is available on DVD-Video?

• How soon after a movie's theatrical release will its DVD-Video be released?

• How can I find out when my favorite movies are released on DVD-Video?

• Where can I rent DVD-Videos?

• Is renting DVD-Videos online a good idea?

• Why is it better to collect movies in the DVD-Video format?

• How can I save money when buying DVDs for my collection?

• Are there any perks for buying DVDs online?

• What is meant by "anamorphic widescreen"?

• What is meant by "enhanced for widescreen TVs"?

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Questions about recordable DVD formats & DVD recorders

• Can I record TV shows with a DVD-Video player?

• Are DVD recorders available yet?

• I have heard that there are more than one recordable DVD format.  Is this true?

• Which is the best recordable DVD format?

• Should I buy a DVD recorder now?

• How do I "professionally" edit home video footage from a camcorder and author a professional-looking DVD for playback on any DVD-Video player or computer DVD-ROM drive?

• Can I transfer home video from my camcorder to DVD for viewing and sharing?

• How can I transfer my home videos on VHS tapes to DVD?

• How do I archive video footage (.MPEG) files downloaded from the web and play them back on my DVD-Video player or computer DVD-ROM drive?

• Can I use my computer's CD-R/RW drive to create DVDs?

• Can I use my computer's CD-R/RW drive to create Video CDs that can be viewed on my DVD-Video player?

• How can I view video clips that I have downloaded from the internet on my DVD-Video player?

• How can I use recordable DVD as a data storage medium?

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Questions about buying a home theater receiver:

• Why do I need a home theater receiver?

• What is the difference between a home theater and an A/V receiver?

• What features do I look for in a home theater receiver?

• What is a pre-amplifier and how does it compare to a home theater receiver?

• What is a power amplifier and how does it compare to a home theater receiver?

• What is THX Ultra, THX Ultra2, and THX Select?

• What surround sound formats does a home theater receiver need to to support?

• How much power in a home theater receiver do I need to drive my loudspeakers?

• What is bass management?

• What is a digital receiver?

• Where is the "sweet spot" (most value or "bang for the buck") in home theater receivers?

• What home theater receivers do you recommend?

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Questions about home theater receiver set up & use:

• Can THX post-processing be used with DTS and DTS-ES soundtracks?

• How do I connect my DVD-Video player?

• How do I connect my DVD_Audio/Video player or SACD player?

• How do I connect my CD player?

• How do I connect my VCR?

• How do I connect my analog TV?

• How do I connect my Digital TV or HDTV?

• How do I connect my turntable (i.e., record player)?

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Questions about buying a Digital TV & HDTV:

• Why do I need a Digital TV or HDTV?

• Can I watch regular analog TV programs, VHS video tapes, and DVD-Video movies on Digital TVs and HDTVs?

• What features do I look for in a Digital TV or HDTV?

• Should I buy a 4:3 or 16:9 (widescreen) aspect ratio Digital TV?

• What HDTV programming is available now?

• How can I receiver HDTV programming?

• Can I record Digital TV & HDTV programming with my VCR?

• How I can record HDTV programming?

• Will my analog TV sets become absolete?

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Questions about Digital TV & HDTV set up & use:

• How do I adjust the picture controls (color, tint, sharpness, contrast, and brightness) on my Digital TV or HDTV?

• How do I calibrate my Digital TV or HDTV?

• How do I get the most from new Digital TV or HDTV?

• How do I connect my Digital TV or HDTV to my DVD-Video player?

• How do I connect my Digital TV or HDTV to my broadcast satellite system?

• How do I connect my Digital TV or HDTV to my VHS VCR?

• How do I connect my Digital TV or HDTV to my PVR (personal video recorder, e.g., TiVo or ReplayTV)?

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If you can't find answers to your questions, please e-mail us at: Editor@TimeForDVD.com
 

Other FAQs on the web

As another source of FAQs and answers, you can also refer to Jim Taylor's Official DVD FAQs (this set is very comprehensive), using the following link:

• The Digital Bits' mirror site

Site updated 5.30.2007

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