watching a plasma tv

DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc and is a digital format that provides superior picture and sound quality which has improved the way we watch our films today. It works like a CD but has more than one layer. Therefore DVDs can hold at least seven times more information than CDs. This is great for movies which are bundled with extra features such as screen re-sizing, subtitles and language options. When playing DVD movies you can search for a particular scene, then view it in slow motion or still mode and you can choose to have subtitles and set the shape of the picture. Other extras might be commentaries by cast and crew, interviews, biographies, photo galleries, trailers, TV previews, deleted scenes from the movie, alternative endings, outtakes, behind-the-scenes documentaries, previews of other movies and music videos.

What can I buy to watch my DVDs?

The world of DVD is no longer restricted just to DVD Players. The choice is in fact quite large and it purely depends on what suits your needs best...

DVD Player

DVD Players

The original choice which, if you're purely wanting to watch DVDs, is possibly the best choice for you. It will connect simply to your television set and will be ready to play your DVDs immediately.

Portable DVD Player

Portable DVD Players

Once again, the portable DVD player will only play DVDs though it has the added bonus of having a small LCD Screen attached and built-in speakers, meaning you can watch DVDs wherever you want. The portable DVD player uses batteries (generally rechargeable) with varying amounts of viewing time.

DVD/VCR Combi Player

DVD/VCR Combi player

This unit allows you to play your DVDs with the added benefit of having a built-in Video player/recorder, saving you space.

DVD Recorder/VCR Combi

DVD Recorder/VCR Combi

This provides you with the same benefits as the DVD/VCR Combi player with the added ability to record directly on to recordable DVDs.

DVD Recorder

DVD Recorder

The DVD recorder allows you to record directly on to a recordable DVD. Like the DVD player, you can also play your DVDs.

DVD Recorder

DVD Recorder with Hard Drive

As with the DVD Recorder you can record directly on to a recordable DVD. You also have the added benefit of giving you the capability to record television onto a built-in hard-drive. The hard drives come in various capacities. Many come with time slip capabilities which will enable you to watch, using the hard-drive, a programme from the start before it has finished. You can also get the option to pause live TV and restart it when it suits you, with various units.