Inventors
DVD
By
Mary
Bellis
DVD, which once stood for Digital
Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc, is the next generation of optical
disc storage technology that is expected to rapidly replace the CD-ROM
disk (as well as the audio compact disc) over the next few years. DVD holds
4.7 gigabytes of information on one of its two sides, or enough for a 133-minute
movie. With two layers on each of its two sides, it will hold up to 17
gigabytes of video, audio, or other information.
DVD as an industry standard was announced
in November 1995 and backed by major players in the CE, IT and movie industry.
The first players appeared in Japan in November, 1996, followed by U.S.
players in March, 1997. To produce DVD players, one needs to license a
range of patents, owned by different companies. A number of these companies
(Philips, Sony, Matsushita and Toshiba) have decided to license the necessary
patents through one licensing agent. Philips has been selected to take
up this administrative role. Matshusita, was the company mainly responsible
for the development of DVD as it is today. Philips, one of the first companies
to make CD players, was the first to make a DVD player. The invention of
DVD cannot be attributed to one person or one company.
DVD-Video is the usual name for the
DVD format designed for full-length movies and is a player that will work
with your television set. DVD-ROM holds computer data and is read by a
DVD-ROM drive hooked up to a computer, DVD-RAM is the writeable version.
DVD-Audio is a player designed to replace your compact disc player.
DVD
Video Technology Explained
DVD Video Technology Explained from
your About Guide to Mac Support.
DVD-ROM,
DVD Video, DVD-RAM - Info
Informational sites, feature articles,
FAQ lists and industry standards sites for DVD-ROM, DVD video and DVD-RAM.
, from your About Guide to Computer Peripherals.
Related Information
Compact
Disk
James Russell invented the disc
in 1965. Russell was granted a total of 22 patents for various elements
of his system.
Optical
Disc
David Paul Gregg first envisioned
the optical or laser disc in 1958 and patented it in 1969.
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