DVD Video Glossary

4:3 (see Pan And Scan)

16:9 (see Anamorphic)

Anamorphic
In application to Widescreen Television Sets, Anamorphic DVDs accommodate the dimensions of the 16x9 TVs to fill the TV screen image area without use or need of the black letterbox bars. A DVD that states that it is "enhanced for widescreen TVs" is Anamorphic.

Artifacts
Applied term to both video and audio, "artifacts" are blemishes or imperfections in screen image or audio presentation that can possibly be removed through painstaking restoration process. The age of a film greatly affects the number of artifacts that may appear, and certainly the level of distraction they can incur will vary.

Aspect Ratio
The screen image of a widescreen presentation is indicated by its aspect ratio ("A/R"). For example, 2.35:1, the widest A/R, will show 2.35" more on the horizontal plane versus the 1" on the vertical plane to best represent the original theatrical screen image. Another common A/R is 1.85:1. The Standard (non-widescreen), Pan & Scan A/R is typically 1.33:1, which is much closer to a square image and thereby loses much of the image area on the left and right.

Audio commentary
Also sometimes referred to as a "feature-length" audio commentary. The DVD can access multiple alternate audio tracks and is this case offer the commentary of the director or cast and crew all throughout the film while simultaneously playing the regular soundtrack in the background. There are two basic types, one that is recorded live as the film is running, and others that are soundbites from interviews inserted at key moments relating to the film and sometimes not as specific to the film.

Cast and Crew
Many DVDs offer short biographies on the cast and crew members usually with a brief history, photographs and filmography as well. Sometimes only a filmography is available.

Closed Captioning
For the purpose of this database, DVDs that are either subtitled or close captioned with simply be listed as "Subtitles". The difference is, Closed Captioning offers descriptions of sounds other than dialogue, where subtitles are exclusively for dialogue only.

Color Booklet
Not available in snapper case packaging DVDs, booklets vary in size and arrangement, and often include photograph spreads, production notes, credit information, trivia or sometimes notes on or from the cast and crew.

Deleted Scene
In most cases, a deleted scene will be an entirely omitted sequence of entirely new material that was cut from the film, and left as an abandoned subplot. In others cases, the deleted scene may be very similar to that of the one used in the final cut, but longer or different in approach. The audio and video quality of deleted scenes varies greatly depending on what stage the scene was decided to be cut. Intended to give viewers a richer understanding of the film.

Descriptive TheatreVision also see "DVS (Descriptive Video Service)"
This feature makes a title accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences. A narrator describes the action on screen, careful to never overlap any of the film’s dialogue. The text he reads could very well be the exact same text found in the shooting script.

Documentary
One crucial distinction between a documentary and a featurette can be found at the end of the segment. Documentaries have credits, and featurettes do not. Quality of the presentation is key also. A documentary is far more likely to tell a different, deeper and more interesting story that the featurette merely scratches the surface of. Generally running in length anything between 15 and 120 minutes.

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Audio that is mixed into 6 channels. The ".1" is the sixth for the subwoofer channel which is only employed for bass frequencies.

DTS (Digital Theater Surround)
A DTS Digital decoder will be required in your sound set-up to appreciate this higher level of surround sound experience, and will not be compatible with Dolby Digital Decoders.

Dolby Surround
Four Channels of sound are encoded into two which are then decoded into three channels for left, right and surround for playback.

Dual Layer
DVD technology is such that a change in the frequency of the laser that reads the DVD can access an entirely separate area of data on the disc. When a film is switching from one layer to the next, a slight pause may be noticed during play, like a hiccup or a skip for the briefest of moments. Better DVDs manufacturers distinguish themselves by choosing a strategic point at which to switch layers, instead of randomly in the middle of a piece of music or someone’s sentence.

DVD ROM features
Usually a waste of time. But if you have a DVD ROM drive for your PC, you can install PC Friendly software and access the DVD ROM materials. There is usually additional text and photos, weblinks and web events, and sometimes additional information not found on the disc, but it often begs the question, "why?" More often than not the same material can be accessed by the internet website.

DVS (Descriptive Video Service) also see "Descriptive TheaterVision"
This feature makes a title accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences. A narrator describes the action on screen, careful to never overlap any of the film’s dialog. The text he reads could very well be the exact same text found in the shooting script.

Enhanced for 16x9 (TVs)
See "Anamorphic"

Featurette
A featurette segment can run virtually any length, but generally something between two and thirty minutes. Typically consists of numerous clips from the film, brief interview moments from mostly cast and sometimes crew. Usually produced without credits by the Studio company of the picture, always showcasing the film in a positive light, promoting the film, and run between programs or used in entertainment news broadcasts.

Gag Reel
A collection of bloopers and/or outtakes as assembled by the crew for comic effect.

Interactive Games
With varying levels of difficulty and quality, more and more DVDs are offering basic, yet amusing games requiring trivia knowledge and/or hand-eye co-ordination skills.

Interactive Menus
Using the DVD remote, you can access the various menu pages, that may be animated or static.

Mono
Monoaural sound is mixed for delivery through one channel only.

Music Video
Often a film’s musical talent will offer their Music Video for inclusion with the film. Typically associated directly with the film and/or sometimes directed by the film’s director as well.

Outtake
Not to be confused with a deleted scene, this is basically a blooper or unusable take due to someone’s mistake that usually is quite funny.

Pan and Scan
When a film is formatted to fit a standard A/R of 1.33:1, often some very important screen action can be missed off the left and right. To correct this in video formatting, the image area will be at times shifted from left to right to capture the action, but even with this measure taken, often much of the interaction between two objects or people can be lost without widescreen presentation. Often VHS and DVDs in this A/R will say that "the film has been formatted to fit your TV".

PC Friendly
Software designed and included with all DVD-ROM Enhanced DVDs for the purpose of accessing and enjoying the added features.

PCM
Standing for Pulse Code Modulation, PCM audio is an uncompressed digital code that conveys an audio signal. PCM is used on CDs, laserdiscs and some DVDs.

Playable Demos
DVD ROMs may offer the initial level of a full-length, commercially available game to entice the user.

Production Notes
Generally available in text format only, this feature will reveal interesting facts about the film’s production from a variety of perspectives. Often they will be included in the form of a colour booklet instead.

Region 1
DVDs manufactured and coded for Region 1 will only run properly on players purchased in the Region 1 area, covering all of North America. Some DVDs are coded for all regions, but not many at this point. We expect developments may change this in the future. In the meantime, all DVDs reviewed in the database are Region 1 unless stated otherwise.

Scene Access
Like a CD, the DVD is divided into indexed chapters or "Scene Access". Like CDs every DVD should have chapters, but that won’t stop some companies from listing "Scene Access" as a "Special Feature".

Script to Screen
You can access the film’s script and jump directly to the screen and vice versa. Usually a DVD ROM only feature, but proudly present as a regular feature on the superb "Taxi Driver" Collector’s Series.

Single Layer
DVD technology is such that a change in the frequency of the laser that reads the DVD can access an entirely separate area of data on the disc. When a film is switching from one layer to the next, a slight pause may be noticed during play, like a hiccup or a skip for the briefest of moments. Earlier released DVDs will likely be single layer only, and at times may not produce as sharp image quality against a dual layer comparison.

Standard 1.33:1 (see Pan And Scan)

Star Highlights
A term used by New Line, these are clips of other New Line films starring the same actors featured on the DVD. The clips run somewhere between 1 and 2 minutes and can generally be found somewhere within the cast and crew area of the DVD.

Stereo
Stereo sound is mixed for delivery through two channels.

Storyboards
The production of most films involve storyboard sequences, which are an artist’s rendering of the director’s instructions, or sometimes drawn by the director himself. This is a tool used to communicate to the entire crew the action that is meant to be shot. In the context of a DVD, sometimes only a portion of an extreme action or special effects filled sequence would be provided, but occasionally from the film’s start to finish.

Storyboard to Film Comparison
Storyboards relay the intended director’s vision, and range in quality from crude, basic drawings to wonderfully drawn and occasionally coloured artwork. But as things do not translate perfectly from paper to screen, sometimes it’s interesting to see the comparison. This feature will show on one part of the screen the storyboard artwork, and on another part of the screen the finished product, synchronized for easy comparison. Generally offered for just a few scenes of the film.

Soundtrack Presentation/Spotlight
The film’s soundtrack is promoted here with a short presentation followed by a video or perhaps an index of various songs and their place in the film as available through scene index.

Spotlight On Location
This is unique to "Universal Studios’" DVDs, a somewhat higher caliber version of a featurette.

Subtitles
DVDs that are either subtitled or close captioned will simply be listed as "Subtitles". The difference is, Closed Captioning offers descriptions of sounds other than dialog, where subtitles are exclusively for dialog only. In some DVDs, dialog pieces appear on screen in the black letterbox area, and others appear on screen in close proximity to the individual speaking.

Teaser Trailer
Like its name suggests, this is an advance promotional trailer for theatrical presentations, but is far less revealing than the theatrical trailer, in the hopes to pique the interest of the audience, used well in advance of the film’s release.

Theatrical Trailer
The official promotion for the film that is more revealing than the Teaser Trailer, and released in theatres much closer to the film’s release date.

THX
Some DVDs will be digitally mastered for superior sound and picture quality with THX, a Lucasfilm patented system.

Vocally Enhanced Menus
Certain text areas of the DVD will be narrated to the viewer.

Widescreen (see Aspect Ratio)

Widescreen TV
Anamorphic DVDs will be presented in their correct theatrical presentation without the black bars above and below the screen image.

3:2 Pulldown (3:2 Film Correction) - The moving pictures you see on a movie screen are actually a series of still images flashing by at a rate of 24 frames per second. The images you see on TV are created at a rate of 30 frames per second. This discrepancy in the frame rate can create some problems with showing a movie on TV-whether from a broadcast, videotape, or DVD. The picture may look smeared and the action may look jittery and stuttering. Many high-definition TVs and monitors have circuitry that's designed to eliminate these artifacts and give you a crisp, clear picture without any distractions.

A/V Inputs (composite)- These are the standard jacks used to hookup audio and video components to each other. Input jacks allow the signals to be received from other components; having many inputs is helpful for future system expansion needs. Audio signals using these jacks are transmitted faithfully but video signals mix color and black & white signals together. For video, composite jacks provide high picture sharpness but are not as good as S jacks or Component jacks.

Anamorphic- Anamorphic capability allows DVDs to be viewed on widescreen TVs in letterbox format without any image details being cut out. In the past, DVDs were designed to be shown on standard TVs, and the images were then blown up when they were shown on widescreen TVs, eliminating picture details. Anamorphic capability condenses images onto DVDs and then stretches them out when they're shown on widescreens, recreating the movie theater experience. This feature is also called 16:9 enhancement; widescreens' dimensions are referred to as 16:9 because they're almost twice as wide as they are long.

Child Lockout- Allows parents to input special codes through the remote control that limit access only to those who know the code.

Component Video Output- These connections are the best method for transferring a video signal from a source (like a DVD player) to a TV. The jacks themselves are colored red, green, and blue and carry the brightness (the black-and-white portion of the signal) and the blue and red color signals separately. Of the three most common types of video connections--Composite, S-Video, and Component--Component Video will provide the best picture. (Note that both the video source and the TV must have Component Video jacks.) See also: "Composite Video" and "S-Video."

Composite (RCA) Outputs- These are the standard jacks which are used to transfer a video signal from a source (like a VCR) to a TV. In part because they mix the color and black and white portions of a video signal, composit video connections can't produce a picture as sharp as S-Video or Component Video connections, but they're much better than the screw-on RF connections by which most VCRs are connected to most TVs. See also: "S-Video" and "Component Video."

Digital Coax Output- An output jack for digital signal transmission using a coaxial wire cable. Found currently on some CD and most DVD players. See also Optical Digital Output. It is important to match the type of digital output on your source components to the type of digital inputs available on your receiver or recording devices.

Digital Optical Output- Transmits digital signals between components via a fiber optic cable which is immune to magnetic and electrical interference. It is important to match the type of digital outputs on source components with the type of available digital inputs on receivers and recorders of digital signals.

DCDi (Directional Correlation Deinterlacing)- This video conversion system was designed to fill in gaps and smooth jagged edges that appear on images when progressive-scan (digital) TVs display standard interlaced video. With this technology, digital TVs and monitors won't sacrifice picture quality when receiving conventional 480i (interlaced) material, and then converting and displaying it as 480p (progressive) images. DCDi is found in select progressive-scan DVD players, digital TVs, and flat-panel monitors.

Dolby® Digital (AC3) Decoding Built In- Some DVD players have built-in Dolby® Digital decoders, which allows the 6 channels (front right, center & left plus rear right & left plus subwoofer) of sound to be decoded and then passed on to a receiver with 6-channel inputs. All Dolby® Digital decoders can also decode Dolby® ProLogic sound tracks.

DVD- Stands for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc. This is the CD sized disc that can store complete video movies in digital high resolution picture and sound.

Formats Supported- All DVD players will play DVDs and CDs, but some DVD players will play a number of other formats as well. For instance:

• CD-R: Also known as recordable compact discs. CD-R discs can be recorded only once. There are two types of CD-R discs: those meant for use with a computer, and those meant for use in a home audio CD recorder. In this case, we're referring to the home audio type.
• CD-RW: Also known as re-recordable compact discs. Unlike CD-R discs, CD-RW discs can be recorded and re-recorded indefinitely. Here again, there are two types of CD-RW discs: those meant for use with a computer, and those meant for use in a home audio CD recorder. In this case, we're referring to the home audio type.
• MP-3: Also known as MPEG-3 or Motion Picture Experts Group, layer 3, MP3 is a compression system that reduces the amount of "space" information, like music, takes up. CD-R and CD-RW discs storing MP3 music files can hold up to 10 hours of music.
• PC CD-R: These are recordable CDs that are designed to be used on computers. Like home audio CD-R discs, these can only be recorded once.
• PC CD-RW: These are recordable CDs that are designed to be used on computers. Like their home audio counterparts, these can be recorded over multiple times
• SVCD: Also known as Super Video CDs, these have picture clarity somewhere between VCD (see below) and DVD. They most commonly hold music videos and karaoke, which means they contain the music and display the words on a TV screen so you can sing along.
• VCD: Also known as Video CDs, these discs use a different technology than DVD and their resolution (picture clarity) is not as high–nor can they hold as much information as a DVD. These discs may contain music videos or karaoke.

Illuminated or Glow Remote- Uses backlighting or glow-in-the-dark keys so you can operate the remote in darkened rooms.

Laser Disc- This is the 12" movie disc that many movie buffs used before the advent of DVD. While this disc is analog, the picture and sound are excellent and not subject to wear like videotape. With the introduction of DVD, the laser disc's popularity has waned but, like the LP, laser disc will always have its diehard fans.

MP3- A compression system that allows up to 10 hours of digital-quality music to fit on a recordable CD. Some DVD players will play recordable CDs (CD-R and CD-RW) and a few of those will also play recordable discs encoded with MP3. See also: "Formats Supported."

Multibrand/Multi-Component Remote Control - This kind of remote has the capability of controlling multiple components from different manufacturers. Most remotes have the necessary "codes" built in. Others "learn" the codes required from your existing remotes. Some advanced models learn the codes you need through a touch tone #800 phone call.

Number of Discs- Because DVD players can also play CDs, manufacturers wisely decided to make DVD/CD changers that can take the place of both a DVD player and a CD changer. DVD/CD changers are usually able to hold 3 or 5 discs; some can even hold up to 100 discs or more.

Parental Controls- Allows parents to "lock out" children's access to certain functions or to the entire set with remote control access codes. In some DVD players, parents may also control a child's access by film rating codes. (i.e. PG but not R).

Plays Standard Laser Discs- This is a combination player that plays standard laser discs as well as CDs and DVDs. If you already have a large laser disc collection or want to take advantage of the vast number of LD titles available without missing out on DVD; this feature is great.

Progressive Scan- The TVs all of us have been watching all our lives create a picture using a process called Interlace Scan, which creates the image in two interlaced fields; first the odd lines (1, 3, 5, etc.) and then the even lines (2, 4, 6, etc.). Progressive Scan, which is found on computer monitors and an ever-increasing number of digital TVs, creates a picture as a single image, scanning all the lines in succession (1, 2, 3, etc.). Pictures created using the Progressive Scan technique look sharp and crisp. Although all DVD players equipped with a Progressive Scan output also have Interlace Scan outputs, to use the Progressive Scan feature your TV must be capable of creating a picture using the Progressive-Scan method.

RF Coax A/V Output- This is a standard cable output of a video/audio signal. Signals using this type of output are limited to a maximum of 330 lines of resolution, so it is not a good hookup to use with high resolution sources like DVD players or satellite dishes. It does allow hookup to older TV's without other types of inputs.

Region Coding- Not all DVDs play on all DVD players. For the sake of DVD distribution, the world is divided up into six regions. DVDs have Region Coding depending on which region they are designated for, and consequently the DVDs will only play on DVD players from corresponding regions. Region Coding was invented in case DVDs of a particular movie infiltrate a region before the film is released in theaters.

S-Video Inputs- This small, round, multi-pin jack allows a signal with separate black and white and color signals to be used as an input for a high resolution video source. S-Video jacks are better than standard RCA (composite jacks) in that they eliminate cross-color and dot crawl effects while providing the same high resolution as RCA jacks.

S-Video Outputs- See S-Video Inputs. This jack allows a source component to send a high resolution signal to another unit. Typically found on DVD, SVHS, DBS, Hi-8mm camcorders, Laser disc players.

Shuttle Control- See Jog/Shuttle in VCRs. Shuttle controls on DVD players allow quick fast forwarding, slow motion, still frame from your remote control.

DVD Glossary: additional terms

[email protected]