DVD Development History¶

In 1993, two high density optical storage formats have been developed, one is MultiMedia Compact Disc (MMCD) introduced by Philips and SONY, the other is a Super Density (SD) disc, Toshiba, Time Warner, Matsushita Electric, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, Pioneer, Thomson, and JVC.

In May 1994, SONY and Philips announced that they would work together to develop a new kind of high density medium commonly known as Digital Video Disk (DVD) (Dwyer). The first successor was the compact disks (CD-ROM) for computers and replacement of the VHS tapes and laserdiscs in the entertainment industry. Indeed, as the same size of CD, but has ten times data capacity, this disc must be acceptable and useful.

The development of this new technology brought about a political character very soon. Toshiba and Warner Home Entertainment announced their own similar projects, but different DVD technology at the same time (Dwyer). Two developers will soon find potential market of new specification license (for example: disc and dive manufacturers) will unreceptive two competition and incompatible DVD format. Organizations, such as Hollywood Digital Video Disc Advisory Group, were also interested in the reasonable development. Movie distributors started overreacting to debate the necessity of copy protection DVD specification. As a computer ROM format, it meets the specifications of the computer industry's Technical Working Group. No other product has enjoyed such broad international support across so many industries prior to launch.

The result was the DVD specification, finalized for the DVD movie player and DVD-ROM computer applications in December 1995. In 1996, the DVD-Video format was introduced in Japan first, to the United States in March 1997 (Test Marketed), and mid-late 1998 in Europe, Australia and Brazil. In May 1997, the DVD Consortium was replaced by the DVD Forum, which is open to all other companies.

DVD holds as much as seven times data of CD: 4.7 GB on one side, as compared to 680 MB for CD. DVD offers a dual-layer and single-side, for even higher capacity 8.5 GB on a single side or 17.0 GB on a double-sided disc. Every DVD is a bonded disc, composed of two 0.6 mm substrates joined together.

Just like the original CD to create a revolutionary audio, DVD will improve standards for home video image quality. In fact, the picture quality achieved method "D-1", CCIR-601-1 TV production standards.

DVD drivers give far more than the best color, and clear images in home video as for Laserdisc standards. DVD also provides exceptional rendering of fine picture details. Video distortion is extremely low, thus reduce unnecessary color "noise."

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DVD Development History¶